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Original poster

Venlafaxine - they don't warn you about 'withdrawal' from these types of tabs!!?????

24 replies

oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 16:08

Stupid me, I ran out on Friday not knowing I was short, put in a prescription hoping it would be ready today, but yet 'another new doctor' wants me to make an appointment for 'review', denying a reissue!!!

4 days without these things, I have the shakes, sweats, head 'electric shocks' and am crying for no reason - feel so shaky -

What pissed me off more, when I went to get prescription and was told this, the Doctor was there, no one else there, no patients, the receptionist went to ask him if he could print off, and heard him say 'tell her to make an appointment for tomorrow, not doing now' -

He then totally ignored me whilst he walked out past reception, I was asking if anyway I could asked pharmacist for 'one' until I got to see him, and walked out -

This is 'another' new doctor I have to see, I'm not asking for barbiturates or sedatives, just a repeat of an anti depressant I have been on for 2 years, the withdrawal is horrendous -

The last time this happened, I had to wait an hour with the kids in the waiting room, to walk into see the 'doctor' who said 'tablets okay?' and 'here's you're script' ! 30 seconds I was there for!!!

I'm wasting an appointment for someone who needs one!!! The Docs Ive seen have no interest at all in talking to me, never have, just constant 'reviews'!!!!

Pissed off, and sweaty................

OP posts:
MadCap · 03/12/2013 16:15

I feel for you. Even with a tapered withdrawal it's awful. I had hallucinations the first time I came off of it. I was going over the Severn crossing with my kids in the car. It was terrifying. I thought the bridge was moving. I nearly crashed.

Apparently Prozac can lessen the withdrawal but my gp won't mix ads.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 16:30

MadCap having a bit of a moment with my OH at present too, (luckily just found 4 tabs in my pill box!!!!!!!), so just taken, hopefully will stop this horrible feeling -

Tbh, If I knew I would feel like this, never would have started taking them.... just awful, and they don't warn you (GP's anyway, online seems to have some advice)

OP posts:
NewName123 · 03/12/2013 17:42

you could try a pharmacy, take a box in with your name etc on it to show you have been taking it recently, they can give out small quantities of medication in certain circumstances

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 18:27

Newname tried that, and they said they could give me two tablets (75mg) until I got my prescription, then they didn't have any 75mg, only 37.5mg - so I said 'while why not just 4 of them??

But because I wasn't prescribed that particular dose of tablet, they wouldn't give to me -

The whole thing has just been wrong, I wish I had never taken these, pretty sure I didn't feel so awful beforehand!

But then got some other stuff going on right now, so really not the best time for me to be without -

Just wish there was some more understanding about thee withdrawal effect of these tablet, that are 'non addictive', apparently.....

OP posts:
Mrsmindcontrol · 03/12/2013 18:34

I went to see my GP about coming off these today as had been trying it myself by taking one tablet every 3rd day but was suffering terribly with the side effects you mentioned.
She suggested taking tablets alternate days for 2 months, then every 3rd day for 2 months before 1/2 a tablet every third day, then nothing, never in my life did I imagine such a protracted withdrawal.

Incidentally, my former GP didn't believe that physical withdrawal existed. Twat.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 18:44

Mrsmind this has to be wrong, I swear If I didn't find some tablets today god knows how i'd be feeling right now - My 'head electric shock' sensation has only just stopped, and I am not so sweaty -

Still feel relatively shaky though...

If that's not an 'addictive' withdrawal, what is???

OP posts:
KissesBreakingWave · 03/12/2013 18:57

It's only addictive if you feel compelled to take more. My GP, as it happens, warned me about the withdrawal and the short half-life of the drug - you start getting withdrawal symptoms if you're a couple of hours late with it. I came off for a few months a couple of years ago and found the withdrawal - cold turkey, no less - pretty minging but bearable.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 19:06

kisses but you do feel compelled to take more, because of the side effects if you don't?? These particular ones seem unbearable to come off, crying, the shakes, sweating......?

OP posts:
Mrsmindcontrol · 03/12/2013 19:57

Kisses....not sure of your point. The physical addiction/withdrawal is very real. The compulsion to take more is solely down to the hideous effects of not taking them.

I'm impressed you managed cold turkey, really impressed. But, by day 3 of no tablets I got up the stage where I couldn't move without feeling like I was about to pass out and I felt unsafe to drive or be alone with my kids.

Horrible stuff.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 20:03

Mrs I'm totally with you xx that must have been horrendous for you x and believe me, was not managing at all, 4 days cold turkey was just awful, god, why do they put you on these things without support?????

I just thank god I found a few tabs x

OP posts:
MadCap · 03/12/2013 20:26

It is horrible stuff to come off of, but it's the only one that works for me. Well it's the only one whose day to day side effects I could live with. Good luck Oops.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 20:29

not helpful going through withdrawal from these things when your also going through a nasty break up - need to get on a 'happy thread' I think -

OP posts:
MadCap · 03/12/2013 20:36

((hugs)) or "pull it together woman" whichever helps you best Smile

NewName123 · 03/12/2013 20:42

I have known people who have had huge difficulty coming off Effexor. I have been on and off it twice now with no problem,
You could try a different pharmacy to see if they have them in stock?
Have you got something like a diazepam to help you feel calmer?

Bumply · 03/12/2013 20:43

I remember the electric shocks in the head feeling, but at least that was from self inflicted cold turkey.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 21:14

newname every 'new' doctor I have been forced into seeing will not now prescribe me diazepam!!! But I've been on before and NEVER found them addictive, but have really helped me 'as and when'

madcap yeah, pull it together woman! does actually help, like you xx (liking the hugs also haha xx)

On a plus, got my mate round now with some vino, broken up with OH, cos he's a tit, long story, but she's on her 'Iphone' slagging him off to everyone and I'm posting on here lol!!

but we have wine, and she has 'black bags' for his stuff -

haha xx

OP posts:
MadCap · 03/12/2013 21:32

Well done you!! Just saw your other thread. He's the cunt. You're well rid!

HoopHopes · 03/12/2013 21:36

It is horrible to come off but when wanting to stop it there are ways to help, such as reducing it gradually.

If that happens again, like others said a pharmacy or failing that go to a walk in clinic or ask for out of hours gp appointment. Use 111 to get out of hours appointment.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 21:38

madcap think I've 'unleashed the beast* giving my phone to my mate - her other half a solicitor and she's fuming - gonna let her take over for a bit, but she's phoning everyone -

god help my OH lol, but got a big glass of vino now and she's told me to just 'shut up, I'm sorting this!!'

Got to love her xxxx

OP posts:
3asAbird · 03/12/2013 22:52

feel for you.

in 2002/2003 was prescribed velafaxine combined with temzapam which took as and when needs.,

when coing off both.

No problems with benzos ie diazapam,

but venlaxaxine shakes really ill for 2weeks reminded me of drug addits you see on train spotting was hell had to taper off in end scared me stupid almost made me sucidacl.

10years on im low again scared to take antidepressents,
gp very reluctant to presribe benzos anymore
got zopliclone and offeres ant ds again .
took the zopi., declined the anti dis but eps were shocked i was on velafaxine in past and say its very heavy duty only suitable for small amount people.

I wish gos would realise antis ds in sytem longer and just as addictive.

I did read its more expensive on anto ds so coukd be cost cutting.

hope yiu get better soon the brain zapps were worst give me valuim any day.

Original poster
oopsadaisyme · 03/12/2013 23:05

3as - this is awful, do gp's not realise this???

I'm shocked

OP posts:
3asAbird · 03/12/2013 23:27

My gp back then was arrogant tosser. was final year uni young dident know better I trusted gps knew what was right for me.
The actual gp has quite high public profile.

I was fortunate i got free counselling through uni as gp ident prescribe it.

I lived in shared house at time with people who took recreational drugs was bit of party house.

I dont remember much about that year went into downward spiral.

made decision come off the drugs and boyfreind said wasent the same person was scary.

I must have oly been on velafaxine 6months and was horrible withdrawal felt like death.

I dont know how i manage it these days with kids.

My new gps stll ofreing anti ds but reluctant to precribe temaapam or diazapam whe they really help as worry the be additive.]
Im not sure if i could benefit from anti ds right now but benzos help im not addicted not been on any drigs for 10years just had dffficult couple of months.

The memories of comig off them more vivid than the original depressio issue.

I ended up cutting myself and oding on illegal drugs with boozend surprised I woke up and was alive.

KissesBreakingWave · 04/12/2013 10:08

Ooopsadaisyme and OP, no, not in the way that the smokes make me feel compelled to have another.

I found that reminding myself that it will be over soon, that it's basically just like having the flu - it won't kill you, you just wish it would - helped a lot.

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