Help with Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Mental health
1

Hello!

I've been on venlafaxine for about 2 years, taking a dose of 150mg per day. I used to take the generic pills which are cheaper. To be honest I didn't even know there was an 'original' one, named Effexor, until last friday.

When I changed town I continued the treatment with another doctor, and he suggested i came off the drug. I thought I'd try, and for the first month I reduced from 150mg to 75mg. Nothing wrong there. Then I took another step and reduced from 75 to 37,5mg and in the fourth day I collapsed.

I had this breakdown, feeling all kind of weird symptoms: dizzyness, dry mouth, excess sleepness, confusion, mental oblivions (memory lapses), total apathy, total loss of libido. 

I got really scared and tried to go back on my own since I was off town and couldnt talk to the doctor.

I took for 3 days the 150 mg pills but that didnt help. I consulted another doctor and he suggested to take a 107,5 mg dose (75+37,5) for 20 days and then restore the original 150 mg dose afterwards.

It's been 6 days since I started taking this dose and I still feel awful! I feel like I'm not the same anymore!!! It's the strangest thing ever. I had to ask for a job-absent license cause I can't work in these conditions.

One other thing is that a moved from the generic pills to the Effexor (from Pfizer - Wyeth) - the doc suggested that - and I don't know if that is making things worse...

I feel really akward, useless, like my brain is in slow motion. I've been thinking about goin' cold turkey since taking back venlafaxine didnt help.

I appreciate any messages. Sorry for the english, I'm Brazilian and the head also feels awful.

2

I really understand how it all feels as I also had to come and on and off few medications before I settled in something I take sertraline now 100 mg a day with therapy I think works but sometimes things do bad even I wonder whether they work or not but try to yo stick it.

medication can have lot of side effects

 

3

Hi ricardo sorry to see you are having such problems with.venlafaxine ! You sound like one.of.the unlucky.ones that has trouble. Or side effects with it ! Venlafaxine no matter who the manufacturer is should be the same ! Im on 225mg of venlafaxine daily which can give the odd headache ! I sympathise with you i only tend to get problems when i miss a dose ! Please try and stick to the same doctor as this will in the end help the doctor see how you are keeping ! I wish you well please let me know how you get on please ! David

4

Hi ricardo

try to stick to it,medication are very strong I felt the same originally and wanted to come off but my Dr guided me to stay on I had initially some bad symptoms but I persevered.

5

Well said shipla i think he needs to get to his doctor and get guidence from him rather than changing the dosage himself thats were he will get problems.i should know i get problems when i miss doses ! David x

6

You got your point across Just fine Ricardo :-)

I am on Venlafaxine myself and very tempted to Go cold turkey myself but As I have been on It a while I have decided to request a reduction In dose to avoid the sort of side effects you mentioned.  Try not to worry too much about the side effects. I am sure that its just temporary but It must have given you a Bit of à scare.

If you have anyone to support you Let them Help you through this blip In your recovery .

Remember to trust yourself and your Body if you Still feel unwell after a few days Go back to your doctor and ask advice. J

7

Thanks everyone who replied! It`s now 10h50 pm and for some miraculous reason Im feeling a little better. The dizzyness appeared to have gone. Lets see if I wake up better tomorrow. 

8

Today I woke up feeling really strange. There`s no dizziness or any other painful symptom, but I feel disorientated, like I`m a totally different person. This is the 3rd day taking the 107,5mg dose and it`s the third day I wake up like this.

Sometimes I feel like a child, staring at things I wouldn’t normally stare at. I couldn`t read the newspaper because a flush of thoughts invade my head and can`t make me concentrate. I`m kinda drunk 24-7, the reflexes are a bit slower.

How can one single med do that much with someone? I mean, it raises the serotonin in the bloodstream as I`m aware of. Not nice..