Lucy Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 (edited) Hi all I am tapering off 150mg venlafaxine. I have been going relatively slowly - I started with a 10% reduction monthly, but when I got to 75mg things seemed to get easier and let’s face it I got complacent - I went from 75mg to 66mg, 3 weeks later 66mg to 57mg. All ok. Then after 2.5 weeks I dropped from 57mg to 50mg - then I hit a huge wall of withdrawal symptoms. Firstly my brain felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool. Then I developed awful insomnia. I increased to 54mg. A few days later I developed excruciating back pain. I had blood and urine tests - all clear - and my GP advised me to go back up to 57mg, which I did 5 days ago. I am now ping ponging through a miriad of withdrawal symptoms - uncontrollable crying, white hot rage, back pain, tingling/burning in my spine, pressure in my head, urinary frequency, crazy vivid dreams, diarrhoea, tingling in my hands and feet, nausea. I am signed off sick from work. My plan is to stick it out at this dose for as long as I possibly can, in the hope that the symptoms settle. I’m taking fish oil, magnesium and zinc supplements, avoiding caffeine, trying to eat healthily, trying to go for a short walk each day, reading lots of validating stuff on the net, resting lots... Most of the time I feel like I can just about cope but at times of course it all gets overwhelming. Do you think I’m doing the right thing by sticking at this dose for a while? Any advice would be much appreciated. Edited December 3, 2018 by ChessieCat added spacing Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted December 3, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 3, 2018 Hi Lucy and welcome to SA, SA's recommended tapering protocol is no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? When the drug is taken away too quickly this can result in withdrawal symptoms: Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms You have done the right thing by increasing the dose by a small amount. It's good that the doctor did not advise you to updose by too much, which is what most doctors seem to do, so you have been very fortunate. It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain. The idea of updosing isn't to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms completely but to bring them to a bearable level. It would be best if you stay at 57mg for a bit longer and give the brain a chance to catch up with the doses changes. Q: Has your sleep improved since you increased your dose? If yes, that is a good sign. If no, please see this topic: Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia It is going to take a few months for you to stabilise before you start tapering again. It is worth noting that many members find that the lower their dose gets the slower they need to go, reducing by less and/or holding longer. Why taper paper: dose-occupancy curves It's also good to know about the: Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization It's a good idea to keep daily symptoms notes on paper which can help you to see how your symptoms are responding to the updose: Keep Notes on Paper and Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress Please create your drug signature using the following format. Please make it nice and simple by following these instructions (NO diagnoses or symptoms please - thank you): details for last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature Here are some helpful topics: Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine) Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery Non-drug techniques to cope Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms? This is your own Introductions topic where you can ask questions about your own situation and journal your progress. Please remember to update your drug signature whenever you make a change so it remains current. Thank you. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Lucy Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 Thank you so much, that is all very helpful. It gets so difficult to know which way is up, especially in the mornings when all I can do is cry. Trying hard not to resort to any other pharmaceuticals which are bound to compound the problem in the long run, but so hard when you’re feeling terrible. I’m so grateful for this site. Link to comment
LarryS Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Welcome Lucy I also am tapering from Venlefaxine, but you are at a lower dose than I. It pays to be patient and go slow. If in dought, hold for a few more weeks until you feel stablized. I have been also feeling more back pain recently. I know it may be partly due to a previous bulged disk. My current pain is not as sharp as when I had the bulged disk, but it does wear on me and can cause even mild head ache. Do you have any previous back issues that would contribute to your current back pain? You can do this. Well wishes. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
Lucy Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Hi Larry, thanks so much for your message. Yes I did damage my back a little when I was pregnant so I guess it could be exacerbating an old injury. I had an amazing sports massage this afternoon on my back so I’m hoping that will help. I seem to get a good window each evening when I feel quite a bit better so that’s giving me hope. Still a long way to go before I feel strong again and over this dip. Where are you at with your taper? And where in the world are you? I’m in Devon in the uk. Warm wishes to you. Link to comment
Lucy Posted December 6, 2018 Author Share Posted December 6, 2018 Re: venlafaxine withdrawal - I’m really struggling to stabilize. All going well until I reduced to 50mg 4 weeks ago. Since then I’ve developed awful insomnia, back pain, diarrheoa, difficulty concentrating on any day to day task, low and tearful. Went back up to 57mg 1 week ago. No improvement yet. Should I just sit it out at this dose, or think about increasing some more? I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow - she knows nothing about withdrawal and I don’t know what to do next. Please help, I am so worried. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted December 6, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 6, 2018 Hi Lucy, I've merged your new topic in with this one. Please post all your updates here in your introduction topic, so that all your information is kept in one place. Please can you update your signature with specific doses and dates, so that we can clearly see your tapering information. You could look at my signature for an example. It might take a while to feel significant improvement from the updose, and longer to restabilise. I know it's hard, but you need to be really patient. It's good that you are getting some windows in the evening. If you keep daily notes about your symptoms and rate them out of ten, you'll be able to look for patterns over time. Here's an example (note this is a made up example): 23 June 7 a.m. woke up, anxiety 3/10 8 a.m. ate breakfast, took 20mg Prozac tablet 10 a.m. anxiety 7/10, nausea 3/10 12 p.m. ate lunch, anxiety 5/10, nausea 1/10 2 p.m. anxiety 4/10, nausea 2/10 6 p.m. ate dinner, took magnesium tablet 200mg, anxiety 2/10, no nausea 8 p.m. anxiety 1/10 11 p.m. went to bed, anxiety 2/10, difficulty falling asleep for 2 hours 4 a.m. woke up, no anxiety, went back to sleep for 3 hours 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
Lucy Posted December 6, 2018 Author Share Posted December 6, 2018 Hi Songbird, thank you for this advice. It’s reassuring to know I am doing the right thing by sticking to this dose. I have decided to stick to it for a good 6 months once all withdrawal symptoms have gone away. I have looked at my calendar and updated my signature. It has enabled me to see that I tapered way too fast from 75mg to 57mg and I think that’s what has destabilized me. I also stopped the antipsychotic quickly because, once I was at a lower dose of venlafaxine, the amisulpride it caused me the horrible side effect of an emotionless/dead-feeling brain, which lifted once I was no longer taking it. I’ve had no psychotic symptoms since stopping the amisulpride - I feel they were only ever caused by a higher dose of venlafaxine - now I’m on a lower dose I’m hoping I won’t need it. The hardest withdrawal symptom to bear is the insomnia. Would you be 100% against trying a benzo to help me with sleep? I’ve tried Phenergan (promethazine) but it didn’t seem to make much difference. I’m taking fish oil, magnesium, co-enzyme Q10 and zinc supplements. Currently my withdrawal symptoms are: diarrhoea, abdo and back pains, insomnia, pressure in my head, tingling in feet and hands, tearfulness, confusion. But I seem to have one or two small windows each day when I feel much better. Thank you so much for your help. Lucy Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted December 6, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 6, 2018 It's best to avoid adding benzos as they can end up causing worse problems eventually. Is the insomnia just feeling wide awake, or is it the anxiety kind? See: Tips to help sleep - so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia Why are you taking zinc supplements? Have you had a zinc test? Zinc can be stimulating, you might try cutting out the zinc supplements for a while, or taking a much smaller dose. See: Supplementing with zinc Have you tried melatonin at all? A small dose can help encourage your body to sleep. See: Melatonin for sleep I highly recommend relaxation exercises and sleep hypnosis. See: Relaxation exercises, guided meditations, calming videos, sleep hypnosis 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
Lucy Posted December 7, 2018 Author Share Posted December 7, 2018 Thanks Songbird. Re: insomnia - I feel tired but wired. My thoughts feel out of my control. I guess there is some anxiety. I take zinc because when I tapered off venlafaxine way too fast a couple of years ago (following my psychiatrist’s advice), I lost my sense of taste and smell. Subsequently I read that a zinc deficiency can cause this. For the past 2 nights I’ve resorted to using promethazine (phenergsn) to help me sleep - I just couldn’t bear the insomnia. I will ask my GP about melatonin. I’ve decided to reinstate 25mg amisulpride - my risk of psychosis is high and it seems like a good insurance policy for now. I feel so yucky. Looks like I’m in for a bleak Christmas, like I had in 2014. No idea how I will survive this. My worry is if I end up having to reinstate much more venlafaxine I’ll become suicidal again. I’m so grateful for your support. Link to comment
LarryS Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Hi Lucy "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
LarryS Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 I see that you asked me a couple of questions. You may simply click on my name or picture to take you to my introductions page, to find out more about me. My location appears below my picture. How are things going for you. It has been a while since you posted. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
Lucy Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 (edited) When to start tapering venlafaxine? Hello. I have been on venlafaxine antidepressant for a number of years. Last year I tapered too fast and ended up having to reinstate 225mg. I've been on this dose for 11 months and have been stabilised on that dose for most of that time. Do you think I'm ok to start a slow taper yet? My doctor told me to wait 18 months to two years but that seems like a very long time and I can't see the advantage myself. Thank you. Edited May 27, 2020 by ChessieCat added topic title Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted May 27, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 27, 2020 Hi Lucy and welcome back. I've moved your new post to your Introduction topic. This keeps all your information in one place and is the best place to ask questions and journal your progress. Are you taking any other drugs? It's important that we have all this information so that we can make suggestions based on your own situation. Please create your drug signature which allows us to see your drug history at a glance. Please read this post which explains what information is required: please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature Click on this link to go to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature _______________________________________________________ PLEASE NOTE: The following is information based on your last post and does not take into account any other drug and/or dose changes that you might have made during the last year that we have not yet been made aware of. If you have made changes in the last year then please ignore the following information. Once you have advised us of those changes then we can provide information based on that. If you are feeling stable then if you want to you could try reducing your dose. SA recommends reducing by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold of 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. Please read Post #1 of this topic: tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine Because you are on a high dose, making a reduction of 10% (ie 225mg x 0.9 = 202.5mg) would probably be all right. In fact because of the high dose you could round it down to 200mg. This topic has information which might help you to understand this: Why taper paper: dose-occupancy curves. Generally it is as the dose gets lower that you need to keep the reduction to 10% or less. If you are concerned about reducing to 200mg, you could try a smaller reduction to test to see how things go. For example, a 5% reduction. A 5% reduction would be 225mg x 0.95 = 213.75mg. You could round it up to 215mg or down to 210mg if it is easier to get the dose. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
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