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@john368

Hi everyone. I am currently on Venlafaxine anti depresant which i have been on for the past 6 week. I was on previously on it last year. But whenever i get a cold my antidepresants stop working and i am forced to try a new one. Although i have always been sensitive to antidepresants and they have always made me feel worse. I seem to have become really sensitive to how they make me feel. And to be honest i feel i would be better with out them. When i cut down on Venlafaxine i have the 37.5 tablets and take two then cut down a quarter of one tablet at a time. I can get down to approx 28mg with no bad effect but when i reduce to approx 19mg i get bad head tension, fatigue, unable to think clearly and the feeling of being spaced out. Im desparate to feel like myself. But i hate being on anything above 18mg because it makes me feel depressed and has effects on me that stop me leading a natural life. Is there anything i can do or take to counter this particular withdrawl reaction. Thank you

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Replies to "Hi everyone. I am currently on Venlafaxine anti depresant which i have been on for the..."

Hello, @john368, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Since you mentioned you are in a tapering process with venlafaxine, I've moved your post here to this discussion on "Tips on minimising withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)," so that you can talk with others who are in or have been in a similar process and may have some thoughts to share, especially about countering the withdrawal symptoms when you are at 19 mg.

If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

Does your prescribing doctor have any input on dealing with the withdrawal symptoms and whether your tapering schedule should be adjusted, @john368? Since you feel you'd be better off without antidepressants, what therapy is your doctor suggesting instead?