It'll be three weeks tomorrow since I took my last crumb. I had been on it for a short time like you - since Christmas, at 75mg extended release. I'd been on Citalopram for a few months before that, but it either wasn't enough, or my memory stopped working so we thought we'd try the Venlafaxine.
Ultimately though, the root of most of my issues was undiagnosed ADD which I already knew, and when I finally got access a few months ago to ADHD medication it made such a big difference I knew I didn't need an anti-depressant any more (at this time!)
The Venlafaxine did nothing, or so it felt. Just give me side-effects - tinnitus, dry mouth, blunted joy, vivid dreams that weren't always nice, and big weight gain.
I tapered from the 75mg to nothing over the course of two weeks using a pill cutter to slice a bit more off every day. I only really started to feel "it" in the second week, and then I deliberately sped it up a bit as I just wanted it over with.
The few days after I stopped completely were horrendous. I was not safe to drive (DH did) and my vision was really jerky. I had the prickly feeling like when you have a fever but without the fever. Could barely string a sentence together.
I've been taking 5-HTP once I was completely off to replace some of the serotonin, lots of Omega 3s, lots of magnesium and CBD oil. All these things have genuinely helped I feel.
A week out and most of the worst of the symptoms were gone, just a bit of dizziness and the prickly feeling and the laggy, jerky vision - just milder.
Three weeks out and so far those things are still present, but they get slightly milder each day. They're worse if I don't have enough sleep. I'm wondering how long these symptoms will last.
Also the last few days I've hit the endless crying part. Been doing it everywhere, even at the school gates (to be fair, I had major provocation on that one), at work.. you name it. I realised I hadn't cried since I started on the Cit in September. Hoping this bit passes quickly as it's causing lots of problems!
Insomnia - I can get to sleep okay but keep waking up really early and can't get back to sleep. Bright sunlight doesn't help, although our curtains are pretty good. Still having pretty vivid and often unpleasant dreams, although the nightmarish quality is receding now.
On the plus side, I've started enjoying music again, looking forward to things, seeing the beauty in my surroundings. On the minus, I seem to have less patience for listening to my children go on about something over and over; guess it was doing something useful after all!
Any of that sound familiar to anyone, including OP?
Good luck OP! Keep up updated!!
Hefzi - that is hardcore! But I can understand perfectly why you did it. Like ripping off a plaster. I just wanted the withdrawal effects over as soon as possible, even if it meant they were worse shorter term.