SuJJ: Hi from Scotland. Venlafaxine withdrawal.

[SuJJ]

Hi there. Been searching desperately to find somewhere to talk with others about withdrawal. Thank goodness I found it! I've been on and off AD for 40yrs. I have most recently been on Venlafaxine 375mg daily and have been reducing by 75g every 2 weeks. I am about to go down to my last 75g for 2 weeks, then I hope to be AD free 😬 I have had lots of strange symptoms, but what I really want to know for now is, does anyone else fall asleep during the day?...some times I feel I could sleep all day!!

Edited July 4, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @SuJJ

 

It sounds like you're in the midst of tapering venlafaxine -- and getting withdrawal symptoms. When that happens, we recommend stop tapering for a while, let your nervous system settle down. The lower doses are much more difficult to taper.

 

Fatigue or drowsiness can be a withdrawal symptom. Did venlafaxine usually make you tired?

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[SuJJ]

Hi. Thanks for your comments 🙂 I would say I definitely napped during the day before starting withdrawal, but I also didn't sleep well at night. My sleep has improved a lot but can vary, so it all feels a bit 'muddy' and not a clear-cut answer. I certainly agree that the smaller doses are harder, but I'm only 3/4 days into the 75mg dose. What I am finding is I feel worst in the morning, horrible headache, nauseousness, general fatigue/fuzziness. Often vivid dreams. I have a routine that helps in morning and I feel lots better. Otherwise, main changes can be weepiness, frustration/irritability and just being less sharp mentally.

[Altostrata]

 @SuJJ those sound like withdrawal symptoms.

 

It's not a good idea to make any more reductions while you have withdrawal symptoms, you'll make them much worse.

 

If I were you, I'd stabilize on 75mg for some weeks or months until all the withdrawal symptoms go away, then taper more gradually. See Tips for tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor)
 

Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature 

 

Please let us know how you're doing. 

[Tulip52]

On 7/4/2023 at 8:00 AM, SuJJ said:

Hi there. Been searching desperately to find somewhere to talk with others about withdrawal. Thank goodness I found it! I've been on and off AD for 40yrs. I have most recently been on Venlafaxine 375mg daily and have been reducing by 75g every 2 weeks. I am about to go down to my last 75g for 2 weeks, then I hope to be AD free 😬 I have had lots of strange symptoms, but what I really want to know for now is, does anyone else fall asleep during the day?...some times I feel I could sleep all day!!

Hi, from my experience and everything that I’ve read in here you may be tapering too quickly.  Going down 75mg at a time is a really big taper.  You may want to read through other posts and see what others have shared as well.  Wishing you the best!