I have just gotten off of Venlafaxine. Anyone else?

Posted by mbryan @mbryan, Apr 25, 2023

I am having trouble staying full/feeling full/feeling constantly hungry. I need some advice on what to eat. Is this a serotonin problem that the medication causes as a withdrawal symptom? Has anyone else also gotten off of this medication?

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dfb | @dfb | Mar 17 3:14pm

In reply to @depressedbutnotdead "See my reply to dfb above." + (show)

Thank you!

I have read the same research. I do not want to be on venlafaxine. Resuming the medication was deemed to be need to stop the extreme discontinuation effects. I had been on 450mg and am now one 150mg. It seems to have halted some of the discontinuation effects.

My goal is to stabilize and the titrate off it. I am quite a distance from stable, however. It is interesting that you mention having good luck with lamotrigine. I have taken it before and it seemed to help.

I have to stop taking lithium because of the many side effects. Adding lamotrigine might be a good idea.

Thank you for your response. Your situation seems somewhat similar and I appreciate your input. If I have to live I want to stop suffering so.

I hope you live in peace and good health.

depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | Mar 17 3:34pm

In reply to @dfb "Thank you! I have read the same research. I do not want to be on venlafaxine...." + (show)

I really hope you're able to find some sort of balance. The despair is evident in your posts, and it's familiar to my experience. It's only been a month, so it's too early to say for certain, but I do feel getting myself off of Effexor has thus far proven to be a good move. I feel like a fog has lifted from my head. Like I'm suddenly here and present again. It's the damnedest thing. I really question that drug.

dfb | @dfb | Mar 18 12:45pm

In reply to @depressedbutnotdead "I really hope you're able to find some sort of balance. The despair is evident in..." + (show)

Thank you for your comments.

For what it's worth, the discontinuation effects from venlafaxine began about a month after I stopped taking it. I had also come off several other drugs at the same time, so who knows? Somewhere between starting the med reductions and stopping completely, I had two months where I felt like the man I used to be. I am not confident that I can repeat that happy accident.

I am happy for you that you are off Effexor/Venlafaxine. I too am diagnosed with bipolar depression. I'm not sure that's accurate as I've not had a manic episode in ten years. Nonetheless, venlafaxine is a dangerous drug. I suspect we'll read about a class action suit in the fairly near future.

I wish you and everyone peace and good health.

mbryan | @mbryan | Mar 18 1:19pm

It’s because the medicine causes your cortisol levels to rise, therefore, your glucose levels are high. This makes you more hungry and feel like you can’t go a certain amount of time without eating, which is hypoglycemic tendency. This does not mean you’re hypoglycemic, it just means that you have to do things to lower your cortisol (which you can look up somatic exercises and breathing exercises for this) and lower your glucose like eating more protein, leafy greens and cutting out processed sugars. Just try and eat Whole Foods and proteins!