Trying to come off this med..

Hi,Ive been taking Venlafaxine for just over a year,and it's probably the only AD that has actually helped..but with consequences..tried to reduce the meds a few months ago, but suffered extreme anxiety and ended up at the hospital as had developed acid/reflux problem, actually felt like i had a golf ball in my throat!.Was really uncomfortable..this was literally brought on through anxiety!..Anyway, the trouble with this med is that it tends to numb your emotions...well that what it seems to do to me..so today is day 3 of just taking one dose in the morn,37.5mg. Already experiencing side effects,dizzy,feeling sick,brain feel slightly detached...I realise I have a long way to go,but I want to know how long these withdrawals last...please help....Mrs Meldrew...

 

Hi Mrs Meldew

What a trip I have had over the past two weeks.  I have been withdrawing from a daily dose of 225mg of Venoflaxine which I have been taking for several years.  Before that I was on Sertraline which in comparison was very easy to change from.

Working on a reduction of 37.5mg every 5 days I managed to take my very last 37.5mg tablet on 31st July 2014.  Up until that point my anxiety was manageable.  I got very anxious as time went on but I though it would be OK if I just took time off to exercise twice a day.

On the evening of the 31st I was feeling a bit spaced and concerned I may cause harm to myself or others.  It is very unpleasant to be in a family environment feeling like this.  There are a lot of loving and caring people who are going to get a lot of abuse.

On the 1st of August I woke up in a completely different world, spaced to around the 8th dimension.  I couldn't see properly, I could find my balance, I was suffering extremely high anxiety but this was shrouded in a fog of vagueness.   To be honest I was very scared.  I had to go to work but did not know how I would get there.  It was like tripping without the good bits, just out there.  I had to concentrate on every movement. To focus on getting the the train station, catching the correct train, changing to the next train on the correct platform.  All that whilst controlling my anxiety and anger and not get involved in some argument with some passenger about something.

I struggled  through work sending meaningless emails to my wife until she advised me to come home.  After meeting with my manager and speaking to my doctor it was agreed I should take 3 weeks sick leave so I can get off the Venoflaxine.

Saturday was a complete nightmare for me or anyone near me.

On the Sunday, not feeling any better, I took a plane to  Athens with the plan of going through the whole process of Venoflaxine withdrawal by means of exercise, lots and lots of exercise. 

Last Monday was a continued day for hell as I was locked up in our house with all the symptoms you read about, vagueness, anxiety, head and muscle aches, brain zaps which are extremely frightening.  They feel like a bolt of sharp, hot pain racing across your brain.  At first I thought it was  a stroke, but not showing any signs of FAST I have continued.  

My family arrived last Monday night.  it is extremely hard on them as my moods are extreme to say the least.

It is now one week since I arrived In Athens.  The vagueness has eased, so has the headaches and body aches but they are still very uncomfortable.  What is still present is my anxiety and extreme moods.  I am still fluctuating from anger to weeping, from high anxiety to tiredness.  The constant thing is I keep swimming twice a day for at least 1-1.5 hours per time.  The salt water and sunshine is a good medicine and fresh food is helping.

I am determined to clean myself up so I can be a better husband, father and cat owner. It's extremely tough and I am hoping to say it was worth it. 

Hi,Help Needed,well what can i say, apart from well done for getting through what must have been a nightmare for you and your family, but you made it, so that's a real bonus. My dose is a much lower one, so I hope my effects are mild but manageable.

It sounds like you were well prepared for the journey,as in a holiday,healthy eating and plenty of exercise, and not forgetting a brilliant supporting family.

I really want to just , "feel". Not have my emotions masked by meds. All my life I have experienced highs and lows and coming off different AD,or switching from different meds because some didn't do what they should. It has been a constant battle one way or the other,but now I am determined to come off meds and cope with life without meds.....Thank you for your story by the way and taking the time to share that.......

Hi Mrs Meldrew.

After some time ov Ven. and terrible side effects I decided to come off ( with my Physcaritrist's blessing and help). We designed a reduction program over several months and reduced from 225mg to 37.50mgs per day. I took my last tab. on 16/07/2014. The side effects were horrendous, just as you describe. I know how difficult it is for you. Days under the sheets, isolate myself, felt alone as no one but ourselves know how it is.

All I can say, as difficult as I is, be strong and work through it, It's worth It.

All the best,

DaveTTT

34 days on I feel reborn, I have my life back again