Venlafaxine

[SometimesUnsure]

How long did it take you to withdraw from Venlafaxine? I'm looking at a 5 week timeline and 2 weeks in feel absolutely miserable. Unfit to work and feeling like medicating my migraines is endless without many benefits in sight 😩

What has your GP or psychiatrist recommended? Venfalaxine is one of the most difficult SSRI’s to taper off, and should really be done with your doctors support and supervision. Please check with them as coming off too quickly could make you very unwell

Take your time. Adult DS really struggled with venlafaxine withdrawal, he found the brain zaps very difficult. Go as slowly as you need to. It's an effective drug, but an utter bugger to get off.

GP has recommended the 5 weeks timeline. He initially halved the dose and I was feeling rough, its taken 2 weeks to feel anyway normal (still very tired) on it. I'm back to work soon and worried that when it gets reduced again (by 37.5mg) I'll start the feel the same all over again 😬

GP has recommended the 5 weeks timeline. He initially halved the dose and I was feeling rough, its taken 2 weeks to feel anyway normal (still very tired) on it. I'm back to work soon and worried that when it gets reduced again (by 37.5mg) I'll start the feel the same all over again 😬

How long have you been on it? Do you think that feeling rubbish on withdrawal is the underlying depression breaking through? In my experience depression lasts 2-3 years and to come off treatment sooner is a risk.

I've only been on it since the end of July. I was prescribed it for migraines rather than depression. I've got a combination of my usual migraines and pain from clenching my jaw now 🙈 It's not been working and we want to conceive so coming off it. I also ended up in A and E, the Dr's aren't sure if that was because of the medications I'd been prescribed or not (Venlafaxine and Imigran). In their words I'd be really unlucky if it wasn't all migraine related. I was very agitated, had aches and couldn't control one of my legs. The paramedic described it as seizure like but I was fully aware and could give short responses (despite some confusion finding the right words). I'm fairly familiar with seizures from epilepsy and FND in the family and what I had was not like theirs.

Good morning. I have found all your messages very helpful. I have reduced my venlaxifine to 37.5 for the last two weeks. I have been feeling rough the last couple of days in that I just want to sleep. I ache, and just “dont feel well”. Do you think that could be side effects?

It took me quite awhile to feel back to normal. Probably 3-4 weeks after fully coming off of it. Symptoms varied at points but I definitely felt generally ill and achey. Once it passed I did feel much better. I rejoined a sports team and made an effort to be physically active regularly which was initially tough going but worth it in the end!