happywaterfall Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi! I started weanning myself off an original dose of 37.5 tab venlafaxine in August. My doctor really cares and is super nice, but had never run into a patient with my problems. Since September 19 I have been stuck on a dose of 1/4 a 25 mg tablet every other day. I am still constantly experiencing withdrawal symptoms, so I'm not ready to reduce it again. It is very important that I get off the venlafaxine not only because it turned me into a zombie, but because I have been diagnosed with a serious heart condition called Long QT Syndrome, and taking venlafaxine can make it worse. So, after having read The Antidepressant Solution by Joseph Glenmullen, I am ready to take things into my own hands. Link to comment
Bellisimo Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi Lynn! Welcome here.. I wish you good luck in your jorney and it sounds good that your doctor care , ive met bad doctors in my past so i dont have so good experience from em Im sorry you have to go thru the withdraws , just take it easy when you reduce your dose, i reduced my ssri over a very long time.. even thowithdraws hit me really bad but its safer to reduce in very slow way . i got interested in your book you mentioned here, what is it about, take care , / Bella 2007 - 2013: was on citalopram (tried to quit a few times, never worked, always went back on. max dose 40mg) 2012-2013: was tapering my citalopram all down to 2,5 mg then quit.2013/aug: Took my last pill W/D hit me bad after a few weeks off my medicine. 2014/August: 12 months off (much improved) 2015/April: 20months off. ( much improved, still some symtoms comes in waves, but not so intense.) 2015/june: 22months off. FELT different than before, all shakings suddenly stopped, feel much better. a fantastic feeling! 2016/Feb : 2 years and 6 months off, END of my suffering. I feel perfectly fine and back to normal. 2018/Oct: Iam still feeling great. It is hard to believe my own story when I read back, what I went through! Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 7, 2014 Administrator Share Posted January 7, 2014 Welcome, happywaterfall. Yes, psychiatric drugs are notorious for interfering with the QT interval. Please do NOT skip or alternate doses, particularly with a short-acting drug such as Effexor. This can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms. You may find if you take 3.125mg daily (1/8 a 25 mg tablet), your withdrawal symptoms are relieved. (Over 2 days, this amounts to 6.25mg or 1/4 a 25 mg tablet.) You can make a liquid from regular Effexor to do this. Here are tips for tapering Effexor http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
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