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Lunatyc
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Default Aug 22, 2020 at 06:09 AM
  #1
I had to abruptly stop taking venlafaxine
After experiencing adverse side effects -
Terrible night sweats, bad dreams and then during the day I started experiencing a sensation like fireworks going off in my brain and feeling faint. Was it seratonin syndrome? I was on a dose of 300mg and halted immediately . I was switched to sertraline. So tapering off slowly is not an option. The doctors in the UK do not acknowledge any withdrawal symptoms from medications.
Its been about five months since the switch, and I am still having the withdrawal effects from venlafaxine.
The sweating and fatigue are the two that are driving me up the wall. I have an exercise routine in place, which does help a little - exercise bike, box, weights, yoga. All indoor routines.
It's so hard feeling like I am over heating after simply going for a walk. I have read stories of people still experiencing withdrawal effects two years down the line! I take ibuprofen, now and then, some antihistamine too. Benadryl is supposed or help. The painkillers don't seem to work. I've resigned myself to the fact that I have to ride it out and hope my body readjusts. Trust in the neuroplasticity of my brain to heal and readjust itself. Just eat well, drink plenty, exercise and keep busy. I am doing a course online at moment, volunteering and battling the fatigue.
Has anyone else had bad experiences with venlafaxine or other anti-depressants? Is there anything I can take to help that won't lead to another dependency?
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Default Aug 25, 2020 at 08:55 PM
  #2
Hi. I'm sorry I didn't spot this until tonight.

I'm familiar with the effects of stopping venlafaxine---but I tapered-off slowly and onto another med. It was bad enough at that! It was spread out over 6 weeks' time, and I still endured a lot of what you're having. Your dose at time of stopping was the same as mine.

It seems like you are doing everything one can, in a circumstance like this. Exercise, stay hydrated. Give it time. It's been about 11 months for me, and although I was on a low dose of Escitalopram in the meantime, now I am off of both, and am feeling much clearer and better. Especially, there are no more brain zaps (fireworks) and my thinking is so much better, overall.

I'm dealing with an underlying problem of hypothyroidism, which brings its own fatigue and muscle pain as well as weight gain and sleep issues. I think I can distinguish between the side effects there, and those of the hypo (which still does present lots of its own challenges).

As I said, give it some more time. You didn't mention how long you had been on it, to start with. It had been ~12 years, for me. So it was a big undertaking, and a huge deliberate and mindful walk-away, as well. My doc at least was sympathetic about the side effects of quitting a med and did offer the chance to call if there were any major concerns. ---Have you checked online to see what are the kinds of symptoms that should prompt you to call emergency help, if that were ever the case?---
If not, I would. I believe they were in the fainting/ heart arrhythmia categories, but there is a short list you should be familiar with. Anything that could endanger you, anything that feels wrong, would have been enough for me!

Stay well. Stay alert to red flags. It sounds like you're muddling through fairly well---you'll get there eventually. I think you're doing everything right.
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Thanks for this!
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Default Aug 26, 2020 at 02:06 AM
  #3
I was on venlafaxine for about four years so a considerable time. I was on 450mg for a while. Then took it down. It looks like Im through the worst of it now . Its mainly just feeling hot and sweating. Some days I think: how much longer will this last! The replacement ssri sertraline has helped.
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Default Oct 15, 2020 at 12:49 PM
  #4
Looks like I just had
To wait for the sertraline
To build up in my system
To replace the venlafaxine
And the withdrawal effects
I can safely say, have faded.
Going to be a winter
Of hibernating for all.
Keep safe everyone!
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