shellibeans: withdrawing from venlafaxine / Effexor

[shellibeans]

I've been on the Ven for 7 years, along with wellbutrin and trazadone, diagnosed with GAD and major depressive disorder. I'm 99% positive the doctor, based off what she said at the appts, didnt know what she was doing and in just pulling out an encyclopedia picked out a med (Ven) and put me on a major dose that wasn't needed. I think I had some PSTD and after years of being in a fog mentally and checked out, decided it was time to kick it. Out of the 3 ven's I took daily, I dropped down to one pill a day while in Mexico, I handled it pretty well after trying to ween down without success previously. Maybe it was the awesome trip I was on, maybe it was sweating it out the whole time, I have no idea, but I only felt a little dizzy for that week and I was good. A few months later (actually 4 days ago) I went off the last pill cold turkey and have never been so emotional in my life. I'm starving even after eating to the bursting point, I've gone from a size 6 from my Mx vacation to a 12 and am losing it. I definitely got the withdrawl syndrome bad right now, myalgia, blurred vision, flu like symptoms, irritability, tingling sensations, vivid dreams, sweating, you name it. Please tell me someone that it is going to dissipate soon. Will my hunger even out? I cant go back on meds but I cant gain anymore weight. 

 

Edited July 9, 2019 by ChessieCat
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[manymoretodays]

Hi shellibeans,

And welcome.

Effexor can be a tough one to taper off and you may have gone a bit fast for your system.  You might be experiencing some compounded WD(withdrawal) symptoms catching up with you now.  How long ago was that vacation?

 

Are you still on the other medications you mentioned too?

 

Please put your withdrawal history in your signature.

This will really help us out.  Dates, medication names and dosages is helpful.

 

Do you have any Effexor left? 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

Reinstatement is the only medically known way to reduce WD symptoms. 

Keep in mind, that if you want to try this, we would have you start pretty low in dosage.

 

We recommend, generally, that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.

*Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Effexor(venlafaxine)

 

Brain Remodelling

What is withdrawal syndrome.

The windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Dr.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.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.

 

Again welcome.  This is your introduction/journal page where you have now introduced yourself to the community, you can ask questions here regarding your tapering, give updates, and just keep a record of your journey.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

[shellibeans]

Thanks for your advise! @manymoretodays

 

How long ago was that vacation?

Back in May, this year

 

Are you still on the other medications you mentioned too?

No I have nothing but birth control in my system now

 

Do you have any Effexor left? 

No I tossed it all

 

[laydefish]

Hi & Welcome to the Group! Sorry your suffering so, but with time it does get better! Hang in There!