sobekGP: 3 months in withdrawal

[sobekGP]

Hi to all users,

 

Its been 3 full months after my last dose of Venlafaxine. In 2018 I've been on 10mg of Escitalopram for five months then switched on Venlafaxine for another six months.

I started Venlafaxin with 37mg and came up to 150mg per day XR.

On January 2019 wanted to get rid of the drug since i feel that not needed anymore. Jumped from 150mg-0mg in one month (I know it was too fast, but those days i felt very good and confident, hence rapidly tapering the dosage). The first month of withdrawal, I had severe psychical symptoms, like tiredness, headache, heart racing, anxiety.

After these symptoms somehow subside, starting from the month 2 till today (now I am at 3 full months after my last Venlafaxine dose) I have constant headache (don' know how to describe, its not a regular headache, but something like head/nervous system tension) and decent anxiety. My waves and windows are very recognizable, since I have periods when I feel very anxious, depressive, sensitive to sounds, feel nausea etc. and there are days when I feel better (not by much but noticeably more relaxed, with more emotions and not so severe headache/tension).

 

Want to hear from other users who pass through these similar symptoms with constant headache and anxiety which persist of days and weeks now,

if some supplements can make the situation more manageable.

 

Hope the day when we heal will come soon...

Thanks

[Gridley]

Hello, sobekGP, and welcome to SA.   Thank you for completing your signature.  Could you include whether the Venlafaxine was extended or regular release? 

 

I'm sorry you're having these symptoms. Headaches, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to sound and nausea are typical withdrawal symptoms from a too-fast taper.  I'm going to include some links about withdrawal so you will better understand what you're experiencing.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might want to consider reinstating a very small dose of Venlafaxine.  Reinstatement doesn't always work, but it's the only known way to lessen withdrawal symptoms.  The alternative is to ride out the symptoms.  There is no way to predict how long this will take.  Some heal fairly quickly while others take quite a bit longer.  Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

If reinstatement is something you want to consider, please let me know and we will suggest a dosage.

 

You asked about supplements. We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by Gridley

[sobekGP]

Hi Gridley,

 

Thanks for the suggestions. For now I will go with Omega3 tablets for now, bought 20 tablets PharmaVital 1000mg + 12mg VitaminE.

I don't want to reinstating Venlafaxine, will try to ride out the symptoms  and hopefully will notice some improvements.

 

Regards

[laydefish]

Hi @sobekGP & Welcome to the Group.  Unfortunately your symptoms are pretty much textbook when it comes to withdrawal on these awful drugs!  But there is definitely hope! I'm 8 1/2 months Antidepressant free after 11 years & I feel great!  I still have some lingering symptoms but nothing I can't handle, and I was poly drugged for many years so I happen to know drug side effects. Anyhow just wanted to stop by to say Hi & Congratulations on deciding to taper this drug, you won't regret it! Hang in there! Laydefish

[Kronos18]

On 5/12/2019 at 4:57 PM, sobekGP said:

Hi to all users,

 

Its been 3 full months after my last dose of Venlafaxine. In 2018 I've been on 10mg of Escitalopram for five months then switched on Venlafaxine for another six months.

I started Venlafaxin with 37mg and came up to 150mg per day XR.

On January 2019 wanted to get rid of the drug since i feel that not needed anymore. Jumped from 150mg-0mg in one month (I know it was too fast, but those days i felt very good and confident, hence rapidly tapering the dosage). The first month of withdrawal, I had severe psychical symptoms, like tiredness, headache, heart racing, anxiety.

After these symptoms somehow subside, starting from the month 2 till today (now I am at 3 full months after my last Venlafaxine dose) I have constant headache (don' know how to describe, its not a regular headache, but something like head/nervous system tension) and decent anxiety. My waves and windows are very recognizable, since I have periods when I feel very anxious, depressive, sensitive to sounds, feel nausea etc. and there are days when I feel better (not by much but noticeably more relaxed, with more emotions and not so severe headache/tension).

 

Want to hear from other users who pass through these similar symptoms with constant headache and anxiety which persist of days and weeks now,

if some supplements can make the situation more manageable.

 

Hope the day when we heal will come soon...

Thanks

Hi mate.It’s good that you have seen improvements.I am 4 months out from 2 months of Lexapro and i’m currently mostly housebound because of dr/dp, diziness, vertigo, weakness, anxiety, but i had better days aswell.Currently i’m in a building wave since 3 weeks ago, hopefully to see some good improvements after this wave.Keep faith.Adrian

[sobekGP]

On 5/16/2019 at 2:28 PM, Kronos18 said:

Hi mate.It’s good that you have seen improvements.I am 4 months out from 2 months of Lexapro and i’m currently mostly housebound because of dr/dp, diziness, vertigo, weakness, anxiety, but i had better days aswell.Currently i’m in a building wave since 3 weeks ago, hopefully to see some good improvements after this wave.Keep faith.Adrian

 

On 5/13/2019 at 6:27 PM, sobekGP said:

Hi Gridley,

 

Thanks for the suggestions. For now I will go with Omega3 tablets for now, bought 20 tablets PharmaVital 1000mg + 12mg VitaminE.

I don't want to reinstating Venlafaxine, will try to ride out the symptoms  and hopefully will notice some improvements.

 

Regards

 

Hi guys

 

How are you coping with the WD?

 I am now in 5th month after the last dose, and still have head tension, tiredness and morning anxiety (especially after in the mornings after wake-up)

 

Keep going...

[Kronos18]

11 minutes ago, sobekGP said:

 

 

Hi guys

 

How are you coping with the WD?

 I am now in 5th month after the last dose, and still have head tension, tiredness and morning anxiety (especially after in the mornings after wake-up)

 

Keep going...

Almost 6 months and big wave with symptoms like in the begining, but it was better

[sobekGP]

Hello riders,

How are you doing? I am currently 5 and 1/2 months off and probably in a big wave lasting for weeks. Headache, anxiety, insomnia and really tired. Cant notice any window this last month. How are you coping?

[Kronos18]

53 minutes ago, sobekGP said:

Hello riders,

How are you doing? I am currently 5 and 1/2 months off and probably in a big wave lasting for weeks. Headache, anxiety, insomnia and really tired. Cant notice any window this last month. How are you coping?

Hi mate, i’m 6 1/2 months out and in this big wave since 2 months, now insomnia and exhaustion hit me pretty hard, it’s hard to do the everyday tasks but I just keep burning time.One day it will all vanish.

[sobekGP]

Hi guys, how are you doing?

Now 6 1/2 months off, still windows and waves. At the moment, insomnia with little anxiety and head tension (buzzing in ears).

Whats your status. Do you get any supplements?

 

Regards,

[sobekGP]

On 5/16/2019 at 2:45 AM, laydefish said:

Hi @sobekGP & Welcome to the Group.  Unfortunately your symptoms are pretty much textbook when it comes to withdrawal on these awful drugs!  But there is definitely hope! I'm 8 1/2 months Antidepressant free after 11 years & I feel great!  I still have some lingering symptoms but nothing I can't handle, and I was poly drugged for many years so I happen to know drug side effects. Anyhow just wanted to stop by to say Hi & Congratulations on deciding to taper this drug, you won't regret it! Hang in there! Laydefish

Hi Laydefish

I am currently in 6 1/2 months and lot of insomnia and head tension with anxiety. How was you at 6-7 months of your withdrawl?

 

Regards

[sobekGP]

On 5/12/2019 at 9:31 PM, Gridley said:

I'm sorry you're having these symptoms. Headaches, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to sound and nausea are typical withdrawal symptoms from a too-fast taper.  I'm going to include some links about withdrawal so you will better understand what you're experiencing.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Gridley,

 

I am currently in month 7 and experiencing huge Headache/tension/buzzing in head which result in increased anxiety and sweating for prolonged period (few weeks).

Is it normal to have this? Hope it is part of the brain re-wiring...

 

Any suggestion for symptoms releaf? Cant imagine that this will last so long, for god sake been 7 months after my last dosage and still struggling.

 

Regards

[Gridley]

5 hours ago, sobekGP said:

 

Any suggestion for symptoms releaf? Cant imagine that this will last so long, for god sake been 7 months after my last dosage and still struggling.

 

Around 7 to 12 months out it is common for there to be an increase in withdrawal symptoms.  The symptoms you describe are typical.  Seven months is not really a long time in withdrawal, unfortunately.

 

Regarding relief, we strongly recommend non-drug method to cope with withdrawal symptoms.  Take a look at the links in the following links and see which seem likely to help.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

These techniques are specifically for anxiety.

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
 

VIDEO:  Peace from Nervous Suffering - Claire Weekes (1 hour) (http://sendvid.com/vgquc1dg)
 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help …

 

10 minute Restorative Yoga for Relaxation | Up the wall

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

 

 

[sobekGP]

@Gridley

 

I have a question...

I am currently in 11 month of WD and feel lot of constant headache/tension in my head.

This causing a anxiety on a daily basis. Is it normal at this stage?

 

I really hope for that 1y mark to notice some decent improvements...

 

meanwhile struggling with couple of syndromes:

headache/tension (with ringing in ears), anxiety, depersonalize, detached of world...

 

Hope is all i have.

[Gridley]

Hello, Sobek.

 

There are going to be windows (good periods) and waves (bad periods) throughout the withdrawal and healing process.  

 

 

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

We have noticed a pattern of increased symptoms around the 8 month mark, and your your headache/tension could be a late manifestation of that or simply just a wave.  There will be a slow improvement after each wave.  It will be very gradual but there will be improvement.  The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal symptoms that, again, will gradually improve over time.

 

Gridley

 

 

[sobekGP]

On 12/8/2019 at 4:09 PM, Gridley said:

Hello, Sobek.

 

There are going to be windows (good periods) and waves (bad periods) throughout the withdrawal and healing process.  

 

 

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

We have noticed a pattern of increased symptoms around the 8 month mark, and your your headache/tension could be a late manifestation of that or simply just a wave.  There will be a slow improvement after each wave.  It will be very gradual but there will be improvement.  The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal symptoms that, again, will gradually improve over time.

 

Gridley

 

 

Thanks for the answer

[sobekGP]

Greetings to all,

 

I wish happy new year and marry christmas (I am Orthodox, hence its our day before christmass :))

 

I am almost 11 months off. Its been a rollercoster last year. Still suffering from WD symptoms, but these days felt some improvement (maybe is one good windows will see).

 

AT LEAST, FINALLY, I can see some improvement (even tiny) which give me a hope.

Man, the withdrawal is really a serious thing, I just can't get it, can't get it how the doctors/therapist are not even have a knowledge whats going on. I am soooo frustrated how easy they prescribing these poisons.

 

For me the WD  so far was like 1 step forward, 5 backward. As I said, finally got some tiny filing of slight improvement. Just to realize what I am saying, after several months, I am starting to have days without headache...

 

Keep rolling...

Cheers

[sobekGP]

Hi All

 

just want to say HI to all who will read this and make an update.

I am almost 15 months off since the last dose. The mood is more/less same as since the previous update with slight (barely noticeable) improvements.

Still, the anxiety tolerance is very low, hence any situation can trigger symptoms.

At this moment the symptoms list is the following:

- head pressure (headache)

- buzzing in head (ears)

- anxiety

- depersonalize

- sadness

- hair lost (thinning)

 

The windows/waves are pretty much well recognizable, like 1 week in wave (more severe symptoms) followed by 7-10 days of window (less severe symptoms).

Probably also the quarantine time contributes on the depressive mood.

 

Hope is what keep me forward...

 

Regards, and stay strong ❤️

[Gridley]

2 hours ago, sobekGP said:

anxiety

I've found this restorative yoga pose to be very helpful with anxiety.

 

10 minute Restorative Yoga for Relaxation | Up the wall

[sobekGP]

2 hours ago, Gridley said:

I've found this restorative yoga pose to be very helpful with anxiety.

 

10 minute Restorative Yoga for Relaxation | Up the wall

Tnx @Gridley

I will try this tomorrow.

[sobekGP]

Hi Warriors, hope you are all ok

 

Does sitting in front of my laptop, listening some music, singing load and dancing crazy like you are in a club is a withdrawal symptom? 🙃

.

.

.

.

Really took me such a loong time to feel the music vibes as I used to!!!

I am not great, but not terrible.

I am not happiest, but I am not saddest.

I am not my self 100%, but I am 10000000% sure that I am NOT more stranger in my own body

 

💛 you ALL,

soooo lets get down, lets get down to business 

[ChessieCat]

It's a fantastic feeling when you realise that you are singing or laughing and it feels real.

 

So how are your other symptoms?  Are you noticing improvement elsewhere?

 

Just don't get carried away and overdo things.  You still need to look after yourself.

 

From the Are We There Yet topic:

 

It Doesn’t end at “0”

[sobekGP]

On 11/6/2020 at 11:44 AM, ChessieCat said:

It's a fantastic feeling when you realise that you are singing or laughing and it feels real.

 

So how are your other symptoms?  Are you noticing improvement elsewhere?

 

Just don't get carried away and overdo things.  You still need to look after yourself.

 

From the Are We There Yet topic:

 

It Doesn’t end at “0”

Hi ChessieCat

 

I still head tension, buzzing ears, morning anxiaty, depersonalization, little anger, and lot of impatient like want good things to happen to me immediately.

 

Its been 21months since last dose...

 

Regards

[Wagen]

@sobekGP

 

Did your buzzing in head/ears resolve - Ive had in now for two months after stopping amitriptyline. It feels like very load electrical buzzing in my ears and head with intermittent tinnitus sounds in both ears. Im still taking mirtazapine and have horrible sleep problems. Could you please let me please know your experience. Thank you very much!

[sobekGP]

On 2/25/2021 at 9:35 AM, Wagen said:

@sobekGP

 

Did your buzzing in head/ears resolve - Ive had in now for two months after stopping amitriptyline. It feels like very load electrical buzzing in my ears and head with intermittent tinnitus sounds in both ears. Im still taking mirtazapine and have horrible sleep problems. Could you please let me please know your experience. Thank you very much!

Hi Wagen, I still have the buzzing in ears/head, sometimes mild noticeable, sometimes its laud. Hope you are well.

Regards