Hi
I made the bold decision to come off Venlafaxine, having been on it 10 years, it's time to come off. I knew it was going to be hellish, so I'm doing it really slowly. About 3 weeks ago, I went from 150-130 and I felt awful, but I could function after about 5 days. I then reduced further (1 week ago today) by another 10mg. No big jump, but I have felt truly awful and I am losing the heart to carry on. As well as feeling physically ill, I have a constant head and neck pressure that is driving me insane, as well as constant agitation and anxiety. I feel like I'm about to go potty (UK term for nuts)
Can anybody help me with some light at the end of the tunnel or words of wisdom? Please get in touch, I'm despairing.
Sorry, Helen, no words of wisdom, but I just wondered why you decided to come off Venlafaxine. I am on the same drug and when I last tried to come off it life wasn't worth living, so I resumed taking it and am still taking it, with no view to stopping.
I spoke to my doctor recently and she didn't seem to think there was any reason to discontinue.
I think you are very courageous to attempt to cut down and stop. I will be interested to hear how you go on.
Good luck.
Pat
Thank you Pat....
Couple of reasons. Firstly, I'm going to be having IVF next year, so I cant have this drug in my system. The other smaller reason, is the weight gain / inability to lose weight. Dont know if you've found the same? I'll be sure to let you know how I go along x
Ah......I understand now.
I have been fortunate with the weight, but having said that, I was diagnosed as having anorexia many years ago and I think vestiges of that have stayed with me. I have always been very careful to watch my weight and would never eat as much as I would have liked !!
I wish you luck with the IVF too. My two daughters are grown up now, so that isn't a consideration for me! My happiest years were when they were little, motherhood was my best medicine!!
Take care
Helen,
I am new here. However, I would like to offer some words of support if I may please.
You're not in this on your own. Wee're here and we can offer some cyber support.
I have suffered with clinical depression for 40 years. I came off Effexor in 2001. And I can say that was nothing short of torture.
So not only do I sympathise with you I empathise too.
There is a technique that many GP's use when the withdrawal symptoms from an anti-depressant are difficult. They put you on another anti-depressant whislt you stay on the one your on. You then come of the Effexor and should suffer much reduced withdrawal symptoms. You then come off the second medication which should be less difficult.
I hasten to add this isn't the way I came off Effexor and it was horrendous.
Don't despair Helen. But be very very patient with yourself and discuss this with your GP.
Good luck and would you mind if a cyber stranger offered you a cyber hug.
Take care
Nuttymut :-)
I know very little about IVF, but did they tell you in your consultation you HAVE to come off it before you can start the treatment? If so are you doing it with the support of your GP? If this is the case all I can say is try and be positive particularly through the bad days don't try reducing it until you have a reasonable period of stability on the lower dose, and think of that wonderful bundle of joy at the end of it. And when you have that bundle in your arms you will ve saying it was all worth while. Good luck keep us informed how you go on
Hi Helen. I am not on the drug you mentioned, but when I have been advised to reduce or come off a medication, it has been in periods of 1 month, not the 1 week you are doing. If you have been taking it a while, as you have been, it takes a few weeks for the reduction to come out of your system. I wish you all the best with the IVF, as well. Lee.
I took anti depressants for 30 years and Effexor for 98 years. I withdrew ver, very slowly over 10 months and got no withdrawals at all. That was 18 months ago, and I am doing well. Just do it really slowly and you will not get any withdrawal symptoms. Doing it too fast makes you feel poorly with all sorts of withdrawals. You are doing it too fast.
Just stabalise on what you are on now. Does not matter how long that takes. Then reduce by about 10% at a time. I went onto generic pills and bought a pill cutter and that way could cut them into smaller and smaller doses.
Please slow down with your withdrawals. Worth taking your time so you do not continue feeling like you are now. I was very disciplined about how I reduced. I am an old lady and not a strong person, and I believe if I can do it without any problems, anyone can.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on. Thinking of you Helen
I came off Effexor over a 10 month period and I had no withdrawals at all. I am an old lady, but I was Ok because I took it so slowly. Most people do not withdraw slowly enough and get bad withdrawals.
I did not take any other medication else whilst I was withdrawing just natural supplements which I still take.
So sorry you had horrendous withdrawals. I was on anti depressants for 30 years, and hey I never thought I would come off them. I am so pleased I did.
Best wishes