Hi All, I've been on venlafaxine for a year after being on cetalopram for anxiety previous I was then prescribed this.. Unbeknown to me it's one of the worst medications to come off and you suffer awful withdrawal I started on 75.5mg to 35mg and taking every other day.. I suffered the worse withdrawal brain zaps insomnia nausea chronic anxiety tearful ness.. And I'm just not with it I'm wondering if anyone else has these problems when coming off and how they managed. Also I'm taking vitamins high in omega 3 and b12 and eating healthy to help with symptoms.. As I want off this tablet and am looking for natural resources
Hiya. The withdrawal is awful, isn't it? Good news is that it doesn't last. If you can tolerate it, stick at it. If not, maybe talk to your doctor about having Fluoxetine. I'd heard from others that it helped them, and it has worked for me, too. It's a much easier medicine to come off if that's what your aim is.
You are so spot on! I want off this devil drug myself. I only started on it 8 weeks ago & hate it so much. I wish I had researched it more before I took the first dose.
My dr had me doing a Prozac bridge but I haven’t even started going down in Effexor dose yet. I’m putting it off because of the horror stories I’ve read.
I am on 75 XR right now & suppose to go to 37.5 soon. Trying to let the Prozac settle in me first.
I’ve read that if you can take s single 20 mg Prozac during withdrawal it has been shown to help. Benadryl twice a day for brain zaps helps too from what I’ve read. Mega doses of omega 3/fish oil. I’ve also read NO SUGAR whatsoever.
I commend you for at least getting farther than I have at this point. Please let us know how you are doing. Also vitamin D vitamin E & magnesium has helped others. Hang in there. It’s temporary even though it feels like you are in hell right now. Also-I could not imagine going thru this without a benzo such as Xanax or Klonopin.
Hugs, Barb
hello, you may need to reduce more slowly. if i was on 75mg, and wanted to come off, id start by going down by 18.75mg increments, and stay on each reduced dose for 3 or 4 weeks, until side effects stabalised. it would take a few months, but would give you less side effects, and reduced chance of getting in a worse state. for the last 9 months, ive more or less lived on a daily diet of makeral or salmon, chicken, fruit, veg, and different nuts. occassionally might have a roast dinner, and a healthy shop sandwich. much fitter than before, but hasnt made a noticeable difference as to how i feel. if i wasnt on an anti depressant, i would be looking to use 5htp. i cant though, as its dangerous while taking an anti depressant. if you are only taking 37.5mg of ven every other day, perhaps you can take 5htp on your off day, as you are taking such a low dose of ven anyway. hope some of this helps.
Just be careful about that Benzo use for the anxiety in withdrawal! It takes just two weeks of consistent use to become hooked, and then you have more withdrawal hell coming off of them!
Thankyou for your reply.. I did go to the doctor and the advice was to continue with the venlafaxine I came out of there so upset as I just wanted advise on how to deal with the withdrawal.. I'm still solidering on I'm taking vitamins and eating lots of fish and veg I'm getting muzzy heads and feeling tired and very emotional
Thankyou so much for your reply it's so reassuring to know I'm not alone.. The daily vitamins are helping and eating healthy plenty of fish and fruit also doing zumba indoors to help take mind off things helps and most importantly Talking to my nearest and dearest so they understand why I'm out of sorts .. As working and being a parent plus coming off this awful venlafaxine can take its tole I still am experiencing dizzy heads and like I'm not with it and certain lights I can't stand I'm having sensitivity too.. I wish I never took this medication but when you feel rubbish and a doctor offers you a way out of that hole you kind of take it.., But I want to use natural herbal resources now rather then some pill that's just masking the problem I comend you and everyone on here coming off we can do this Big hugs
Hi there. Hang in there! I'm coming off ven too! Done 225 to 150 then down to 75 and now at 37.5. Yes it is awful the withdrawal. I'm eating lots of greens, just started b complex and going to take a magnesium as well. We'll all get through it and off so don't give up anyone. Will keep posting Jackie xxx
Thankyou so much it is hard but everyday I'm saying to myself it's a day I'm venlafaxine free I've tapered for a month and now with no meds I feel like I've been through hell and back.. but I refuse to give up and go back on them there's no way a healthy diet and vitamins and excersize are definitely helping even if I can't get to a gym I try to work out at home I hope this may help anyone else coming off venlafaxine give it a try
Thankyou so much for all of your advice I am definitely eating better less high in satuated fats and more higher in omega 3 and I'm taking b12 and vitamin D I still have a long way to go but for me a natural way is the best way.. And certain foods I do believe can help with reducing anxiety and reduce a low mood I'm doing plenty of research which I wished I'd done before I started venlafaxine
Big Thankyou for you advice
That's brilliant your doing your research! I can't wait to be free of the ven as it was wrongly prescribed as I was then diagnosed hypomanic in Bipolar 2! Psych said I shouldn't have received them and been put on a mood stabilizer instead! Not nice to come off but Hopefully we'll soon both be free of it. Xx
Yes we will be free of it this time last year I was suffering with chronic anxiety and occational depression I was then diagnosed with minute bpd and prescribed ven having previously been on citalopram after a year I've decided I want to be pil free and try natural resources.. And eat healthy and excersize to keep the serotonin levels good so I started taper and now it's 6days pill free I'm starting to get snappy but I know e its the affects of withdrawal.. Its a hard road but I intend on winning 😊
Same here! I also want to get off all meds & go the natural herbal route too!
I take magnasium too help sleep it's not miracle one night thing but it is helping my insomnia I've been taking it around 10 days n slept last 2 a lot better than previous 3 months of not sleeping xx
Magnasium really helping my insomnia xx
Hi Karen! That's great to hear! There is nothing like a good nights sleep. I take 200 mg every night. xx
Oops I've been taking 400mg is that too much xx
No, you're good. They say though to not go over 400 mg per day.
Hi. Did you tapper if or cold turkey? I need off these