I have tried 3 times to take this medicine...and while it takes care of my depressed feeling...it makes me anxious and lethargic. I am starting the weaning off of it now. Last time I weaned off I took 3 weeks to do it. I felt all of the symptoms everyone talks about when they go off of this med. I only stayed off for 3 weeks....and felt edgy and cross. But I was not exercising and watching my diet. I know all of the proper diet, exercise , deep breathing and praying helps! Anybody have any other suggestions? My thought is to just quit cold turkey. I am on 37.5 and have been very sensitive to all medications all of my llife. But I want it over with!!
Hi Debra
Are you sure that the symtoms of anxiety, lethargy and edginess/ crossness aren't part of the depressive illness, rather than the result of the venlafaxine, or withdrawal from it?
How many times a day are you taking your 37.5mg, and how long have you been on it for? If it is only once a day, then it is a sub-therapeutic dose for an adult, despite your sensitivity to med.s.
I took it for 11 years, and had to stop it cold turkey as it used to make me sick, as I broke my pelvis, so couldn't get to a bowl or to the loo in time on crutches. I may have been pre-occupied with the symptoms of the fracture, or the withdrawal effects may have been made less by the pain killers, but I really don't remember having a problem stopping it. I used to be on 150mg slow release.
I think gentle regular exercise, particularly outdoors, is a great help. It keeps you in touch with nature, the seasons, and releases endorphins, which always make you feel better.
I hope you feel better soon xx
I think 37.5 is quite a low dosage, so you might be able to come off cold turkey. It sounds as though you have a plan - proper diet, exercise etc which can only help. What I would suggest is making sure you have family/friends around to help you out if you need it. You are bound to have low days where you might just need a boost to help you through, someone to get you out for a walk or take your mind off things. Also another discussion with your GP might be worthwhile, see what else they can suggest.
Good luck.
Hi Amanda. I was interested to read you saying about the symptoms being part of the illness. Iwonder that. How do you noq?
Sorry Amanda that was supposed to say know.