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[Helenmelon1974]

I have been on venlafaxine for 8 years and it literally saved my life! Yes it’s going to take a while to taper off if I chose to but I managed to half my dose slowly with no problems. I only went back up due to losing my partner to suicide. X

[CLKD]

So sorry about that.  It's an emotive subject that we should be talking about more often.  My friend ended his Life 10 years ago, he had various health problems .   

Why stop the Venlafaxine?  I would never stop any of my meds., the GP arranges an annual health check around my birthday so that I don't forget  . 

[AmandaJR]

CLKD, no I didn’t report Venlafaxine withdrawal to the yellow card system, not sure whether I knew about it. I was far too sick withdrawing to do basic daily tasks never mind operating a website!

Heenmelon1974, sorry to hear that. X

[alltheleaves]

I have used 'valium' on an as-necessary basis with success as well as Propranolol 2 ease anxiety surges.

I feel good on diazepam, unfortunately it is not a good thing to use regularly, i used it for my scan yesterday and had a good day , but today feeling the brunt of it x

[alltheleaves]

I totally agree with Moog77. Venlafaxine took me 2 years to get off and I only took it for 4 months, even with amazing professional support. It was hell, I thought the emotional torment would never end. Was 100 times worse than quitting morphine abruptly taken for 8 months after a car accident.

Alltheleaves, you’ve had a super tough year and now in peri/meno. Well done for battling everything you’ve been through. Your symptoms sound like my drop of a cliff start to peri, HRT took 6 months to work properly for me and it wasn’t easy but so worth it. Can you see a different GP at your surgery or see a Menopause Specialist privately?

Good luck, sending big hugs, don’t give in. X

The practice nurse said it’s just a taper off and not a problem, I have been so tempted to take them I just want to enjoy getting into clean sheets again , all the little things I used to love are not there , and I want to get back to work,but i am not keen on the idea of been stuck on them .
I think I need to see a specialist about the menopause, is it the newson everyone recommends ?
I have put full patch on today and flushing as we I speak , I can almost bring it on by thinking about it x

[Moog77]

I totally agree with Moog77. Venlafaxine took me 2 years to get off and I only took it for 4 months, even with amazing professional support. It was hell, I thought the emotional torment would never end. Was 100 times worse than quitting morphine abruptly taken for 8 months after a car accident.

Alltheleaves, you’ve had a super tough year and now in peri/meno. Well done for battling everything you’ve been through. Your symptoms sound like my drop of a cliff start to peri, HRT took 6 months to work properly for me and it wasn’t easy but so worth it. Can you see a different GP at your surgery or see a Menopause Specialist privately?

Good luck, sending big hugs, don’t give in. X

The practice nurse said it’s just a taper off and not a problem, I have been so tempted to take them I just want to enjoy getting into clean sheets again , all the little things I used to love are not there , and I want to get back to work,but i am not keen on the idea of been stuck on them .
I think I need to see a specialist about the menopause, is it the newson everyone recommends ?
I have put full patch on today and flushing as we I speak , I can almost bring it on by thinking about it x

Honestly I would look out peoples experience with this drug trying to come off it. Im afraid its not just a taper for everyone - the exact opposite in fact.

Severe vomiting and diarrhea are not bounceback symptoms. Severe dizziness, slurring words and brain zaps are not bounceback symptoms. I missed 2 doses of this a good while back and was taken to an emergency doctor who took one look at me and said I might need lithium because I was in a heap on the floor. 2 missed doses will not give bounceback symptoms. I quit prozac cold turkey with no issues and have also had to previously taper off opioids. Venlafaxine has a very short half life compared to other AD's which is why it produces withdrawal symptoms.

I am still on this med but on a much lower dose than I was with very careful tapering. Its essentially an non therapeutic dose now. I intend to taper off at 10% every month shortly now I feel more balanced on HRT. I have been on it since my 20's and it has done nothing for me but leave me essentially a white collar junkie who cannot miss a dose. And no i have not yellow carded this due to the outrageous gaslighting and trivialising i have experienced whilst being on this drug. The GP surgery I am now at refuse to prescribe venlafaxine.

Alltheleaves I am so sorry  - you have really been through the wringer. Sending good wishes your way.

[CLKD]

I used 5mg 'valium' nights B4 I had to attend events that I was unable to get out of, visiting family in the main.  It has a 3-day 'shelf' life so once the anxiety was under control: as well as knowing that I could take another 5mg the next day and never required it: it helped me to survive. 

Propranolol later on helped too.

If it works there's no need to stop taking it if 1 is worried about withdrawal effects.  I think that there is a supportive web-site regarding stopping?

[alltheleaves]

Moog77 you have confirmed a lot of what i found online , I am not that bad I need it yet i don’t think , I am just not happy , no joy , I am hoping it comes back soon , it’s worse in the house , I have twin girls who are 11 , before I was ill they played with dolls in the snug all there dolls house and stuff is making me feel strange .
Since after my treatment they haven’t touched it , I think they have grown up and it’s like a different world from before, I can’t come to grips with this in my head at all , everything feels different , I used to be happy sniffing a bottle of fabric softener , it’s a big change for me this x

[Moog77]

Alltheleaves

you have been through so much - the lack of joy and emotion will be a reaction to that as well as menopause.  Its a strange unsettling time. The last few years I felt this creeping in - a sort of 'is this it?' - just drudgery and uniformity. And uneasiness. And I have a good life which I am grateful for but I can't seem to find any real interest or appreciation.  I basically slouch around in trackies and hoodies with no thought for doing my hair or make up - things I wouldnt have stepped out the house without before. House cleaning and washing is the bare minimum now whereas I had dedicated days to this before! Please know you are not alone and this is very very common. Its a slog and that's no mistake.

The hormonal changes on top of what your body has been through and the emotional impact cannot be underestimated. We are here for you if you need it.

[CLKD]

Sounds like depression from my experience, little to do with peri-menopause.  I had depression in the 1980s - no energy, was unable to get out of bed, or I would sit: staring at a wall for hours  .  When the dog needed out I would crawl down stairs, lay on the floor whilst she went out, crawled back once she hopped back over my body: and go back to bed. 

[Moog77]

^ is this in relation to me or alltheleaves?

[K45]

I was on venlafaxine for about 8 years and although the drug helped when my depression/anxiety was v bad the withdrawal is something to bear in mind. It was something I never wish to repeat but I do think GPs are more aware these days. To be honest I'm finding the combination of magnesium glycinate, Turmeric & vit D3 to be as effective as most ADs I've tried in the past. I felt quite flat on venlafaxine and a bit too numb. Everyone is different though and I know a few people who find it very helpful to stay well.

quote author=alltheleaves link=topic=70108.msg951889#msg951889 date=1720547027]
So I am on evorel sequi and on week six , been having anxiety and low mood swings , waking up early with anxiety sweating , off work with it , been given Venlafaxine but I am worried about taking it , I am had bad time coming off morphine in april , I have had chemo and radiation on pelvis , lots going on
Doctor thinks my hrt not causing the anxiety.
I don’t want to feel drugged , anyone tried it ?
[/quote]

[Nas]

Everyone reacts differently to these drugs it seems. Some people swear by them, whilst others struggle with side effects and the hell of trying to come off them.

Don't underestimate the impact of your cancer on your body and mind alltheleaves. I have secondary breast cancer ( I am fine and it is stable for now) but back in February/March time, the anxiety of it all, kicked my a**e to space and I felt dreadful. I am now back at work and doing the best I can. Meno AND cancer treatment, could well be the cause of your lack of joy feeling. So many women feel this way, once they reach a certain stage of life. A kind of 'Is this it?' feeling ( I feel this quite often!) Everything feels an effort as you drag yourself around.

I personally would not touch these anti d's with a barge pole. Have you tried CBD oil? I am taking this and definitely feel a 'lift' in mood after a few drops a day. It is THC free.

Hope you feel better soon 

[alltheleaves]

I was on venlafaxine for about 8 years and although the drug helped when my depression/anxiety was v bad the withdrawal is something to bear in mind. It was something I never wish to repeat but I do think GPs are more aware these days. To be honest I'm finding the combination of magnesium glycinate, Turmeric & vit D3 to be as effective as most ADs I've tried in the past. I felt quite flat on venlafaxine and a bit too numb. Everyone is different though and I know a few people who find it very helpful to stay well.

quote author=alltheleaves link=topic=70108.msg951889#msg951889 date=1720547027]
So I am on evorel sequi and on week six , been having anxiety and low mood swings , waking up early with anxiety sweating , off work with it , been given Venlafaxine but I am worried about taking it , I am had bad time coming off morphine in april , I have had chemo and radiation on pelvis , lots going on
Doctor thinks my hrt not causing the anxiety.
I don’t want to feel drugged , anyone tried it ?

[/quote]
Thanks for your experience I have decided not to take for now , I am coping I am too taking magnesium glycinate , I have been using l theanine as well this is very calming , I have solgar 5htp that seems to make me feel less anxious if I take it before bed , hopefully this hrt will perform the miracle I am expecting x

[alltheleaves]

Everyone reacts differently to these drugs it seems. Some people swear by them, whilst others struggle with side effects and the hell of trying to come off them.

Don't underestimate the impact of your cancer on your body and mind alltheleaves. I have secondary breast cancer ( I am fine and it is stable for now) but back in February/March time, the anxiety of it all, kicked my a**e to space and I felt dreadful. I am now back at work and doing the best I can. Meno AND cancer treatment, could well be the cause of your lack of joy feeling. So many women feel this way, once they reach a certain stage of life. A kind of 'Is this it?' feeling ( I feel this quite often!) Everything feels an effort as you drag yourself around.

I personally would not touch these anti d's with a barge pole. Have you tried CBD oil? I am taking this and definitely feel a 'lift' in mood after a few drops a day. It is THC free.

Hope you feel better soon 

Sorry to hear of your cancer , it is a hard time to go through, I wish you well , I have tried cbd ,I sometimes take one if I wake up in the night , along with other things , the best supplement I have used is the green tea extract l theanine , It has nearly given me some normal days x