Trying to get off venalfaxine is the hardest thing iv ever done in my life. I have been tapering off for 4 weeks now but only cut down by 1/4 and am feeling worse by the day to the Point were I am losing the will to live, this is torture, I though maybe I was cutting down to fast so 3 days ago I uped my dose but it has made no difference. I'm in a catch 22 with this as I have to get off them because they don't work for me but just make me worse than ever, all I get from them is terrable side effects that make me into a hopless zombie. My GP said that the side effects would stop once my body got used to them and then I would start to get better but that was 9 months ago. No antidepressant has ever worked for me I have tryed everything over the last 30 years so one I'm off these then that's it with antidepressants I had enough of this crap now and want to be drug free. I don't care if the depression doesn't go as I can deal with it, what I can't deal with is being depressed and feeling ill all the time with these usless pills. Before I ever went on ADs I was depressed but was able to live a almost normal, I could work I was more confident I had energy and I had feelings and emotions, mental sharpness, was able to have relationships and a sex life and didn't feel like I was in another world and out of touch with reality. The only reason I ever went on ADs is because my doctor at that time brainwashed me into thinking I had a chemical imbalance and needed them but all they have done for me is make me ill gradually over the years. I can't wait to get this s**t out of my system and have a life again as 30 years of my life have been destroyed by these drugs
Hi Michael,
It took you 30 years to realise? Has none of the ADs ever helped? It sounds that you needed to say what you did to let it out and I realy feel for you. Many people are AD med resistant, including myself, and get caught up with trying the whole AD med market and going through hell with the side affects. I'm just tapering of Mirtz and will use CBT and other tools to get through my depression, I'm hoping I'm mostly through it, time will tell.
For tapering do a search for med tapering support web sites, their out there and give good guidance. Don't forget to keep in contact with your Dr, its important to still have medical support. I think you have the motivation to find a solution for yourself, good luck, a site I found helpful is by Douglas Blach, go search for him, I think you will find him very helpful, as I do.
Take care
Warmest regards
Norman
Hi Michael
Your story sounds terrible. I have a firend who is trying to withdraw from Venlafaxine. He is also finding it very difficult. I have been on Ad's for 15 years; Prozac for 10 and Citalopram for 5. Like you I was sold the story of a chemical inbalance. I simply dont beleive they are non addcitive, if that is the case why are they so damn difficult to come off! The side effects are just hell on earth! I have decided to go cold turkey; I am on day 6 of stopping Citalopram 40mg completetely. I have had horrendous spaced out feelings, nausea and the wildest dreams! I am absolutely determined to get this sh** out of my system for good. The most maazing thing is I feel 'real', it is as if a fog has lifted from my mind- I really feel quite fresh and alert. It is as if I have been in a bubble for 15 years unaware how these drugs have affected me. I wish you well with your quest to rid yourself of thses nasty drugs - dont give up. Best wishes. Michelle
Michael I am so sorry this is happening to you. I really feel for you as my life has been turned upside down by SSRIs and I've only had 8.5 months of it. I've had terrible reactions to both SSRIs. I came off sertraline quickly, not knowing any better, and am having a dreadful time with withdrawal. I know what you mean about being caught between a rock and a hard place..feeling terrible on the drugs and feeling terrible coming off them too. These drugs are so toxic.
You could try the paxil progress website (it's not specific to paxil) or surviving antidepressants. They give advice on tapering off these poisons.
good luck. You will get your life back again.