Venlafaxine withdrawal

[orangepudding]

I had been taking velafaxine for about a year. Just last week, after tapering down from 300 mg, I stopped taking it.

I have such a bad stomach ache at the moment wth diarrhoea. I also feel so emotional.
I am finding the heightened emotions really difficult to cope with, both positive and negative ones.

Venlafaxine made me feel like an unemotional zombie. I really feel like starting again as feeling my emotions feels quite scary. Has anyone felt like this, did it pass?

Did you taper down slowly enough?
Have you made an appointment with your GP? Your reactions sound severe and I would really recommend you go back.

Hi Orange I too am on venlafaxine, it's a horrible drug it must never be stopped suddenly.

I was initially on 300mg per day and a few years ago I accidentally took a half dose for a few days (unwell with a cold and my dh brought wrong packet upstairs, which I helped myself to without paying attention).

The next few days were spent asleep..literally asleep, with dh wakening me for meals, drinks and tablets. Eventually we realised what had happened and went back up again.

A few months later I discussed tapering down with my gp. Cut me down by a quarter....I spent the next 3 weeks in bed mostly asleep, joints were aching, felt dizzy whenever I sat up, I was disoriented, had brain zaps and I felt so suicidal

Couldn't take any more and returned once again to my original dose. It has taken me a very long time but I have managed to wean myself down to 75mg daily - a quarter dose.

Please be careful and take it slowly, and make sure your gp knows you're tapering down.

Hopefully you don't feel as bad as I did

I had to taper and I was only on 75mg!! Weeks of brain zaps. I took the strongest dose of Omega 3s I could buy and Vit B complex. Hang in there!! Don't rush. It could take at least 6 months.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I have been tapering down with the GP for support. Feeling slightly better today, less emotional.

Duckwalk your reaction sounds horrendous, makes me feel quite lucky!

I had the brain zaps withdrawing from a similar AD. Electric shock type pains in my arms and legs were fun as well.

If the withdrawals get unbearable it might be worth seeing your GP. Mine prescribed anti sickness and painkillers to get me through the worst of it.