Effexor 'Venlafaxine' Withdrawal Update

I need this respite from the chemicals - The feelings are coming back.

Crucially, the last few days, I have felt my 'spark' reemerge. I feel more alive, more in touch with what's happening, more like wanting to participate in life. I feel myself smiling, feel the passion for music...

Ok, it's only been a few days, but it's been there for a little longer, but just a oh so tiny portion of it. Still on the same doses as the last post

I am planning to reduce the Venlafaxine down one notch to 75mg. I guess another relatively large jump, but I am in a hurry and feel confident I can ride out the symptoms. Probably knock it back sometime towards end of the week.

For sure, body is feeling pretty rot, sickness, diarrhea, stomach cramps and general nausea. But when put into context of the 'feelings' I can feel under the surface, it really does not concern me. Ok, have not ate for several days, all I can manage is some dry toast, and some fruit and lots ot water. So great, the weight that I put on 'due' to the medication will be easier to shed, although not sure I should or want to keep up this famine for too long. but the point is there, The physical discomfort really does not bother me as I can feel other things and this makes me very, shall we say, warm.
 
The withdrawal has not been so bad, ok it's been shit, but not as bad as I had feared, at least not yet. I know there are often time delays and such with this stuff, but right now... things are pretty neat.
 
AI know the decisions to come of the Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine, and more significantly, Zyprexa 'Olanzapine' is the without a doubt the best course of action at this time of my life. Not saying ever, just right now... I need a respite from the chemicals.
 
Need and deserve some human emotions running through me...

Links to previous posts on Venlafaxine

Effexor 'Venlafaxine' Withdrawal Update
Effexor 'Venlafaxine' Withdrawal Symptons or SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome
Brain Shiver Stories
Helpful Links
| Effexor for Life - Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry
| Effexor Activist.Org
| We need a Lawyer - Effexor XR
| How to taper Effexor XR - 3 Methods
| Effexor Withdrawal Symptons
| Effexor Side Effects, Ratings and Patient Comments

Comments

[anna_kavanagh]

I am so, so happy for you Graham. You have been suffering so much and I admire you for your courage to take the plunge coming off the Effexor and stickin through with it. From a selftish point of view I'm glad too as I will have my Graham back again; the man I know you are when you're not drugged up.
For all those reading this blog who have had to watch someone they love suffer all the withdrawal symptoms and sometimes felt so helpless, just try and be patient and stick it out. It is difficult to feel that the person you love is not connecting with you emotionally or psychologically as they are feeling so terribly flat and ill, but just remember that it is the illness and not them; it is not their personality or them being difficult, it is just spending all that time feeling absolutely awful. They are still the person that you love underneath all those external behaviours, so just keep loving them and you'll be rewarded in the end.

[audrey]

Hi G and A, I came across your blog a few weeks back Graham when trying to find some help/answers. I have read and eagerly awaited your updates for the inspiration to keep fighting that you have both given me. The story of the chemicals you have been subjected to and subsequent withdrawals you are experiencing sounds like it has been a horrific time for you and those who love you. I fear the road that I may yet have to take without being armed with some knowledge. I was diagnosed bi-polar almost 2 years ago and apart from a few months on a mood stabiliser (epilum) which just turned me into an alzheimers patient who could put on 3 stone in 3 weeks, I have only ever been prescribed anti-depressants and feel like I am going nowhere.I too don't know where the chemicals end and me or my illness begin and I would so appreciate some advice from anyone who could help/suggest anything I could take to my consultant to get me out of this spiralling black hole

[Graham Smith]

Hi A
Thank you for your comment, saddened to hear you are in the midst of such confusion.

It's a hell of a time isn't it.

It's taken alot of misery and shit to make the decision to come of med's, but one I feel is the right thing at this time of my life. I certainly was not getting any better with being on them! That's so very wrong.

I would be delighted to help/advise any way I can. I have done much research over the last few years, and more so the recent months. And aside that I cannot keep any food down, or have any desire to eat, in myself, my spirit, I feel more alive than I can remember. And that is what helps me through the significant discomfort I am going through right now.

I will be posting another update either today or tomorrow. Another dose change etc.

but if you want any specific help just let me know. Glad to help if I can. Or do it through the comments so other people can benifit. If its alittle more personal than email me direct.

There is light, it just often appears to never get any close... but now I can feel it.

Graham

[anna_kavanagh]

Audrey, Anna here, Graham's girlfriend. I'd be very happy for you to phone me if you like to talk through the whole medication thing. My email is annamariehkavanagh@hotmail.com if you'd like to get in touch. I think the more we can all help and support each other and swap advice that we have received, the better. It's a minefield and if you are lucky enough to find a great doc/psychiatrist then great, but all too often people don't seem to be finding the help they need. Do drop me a line if you would like to.

[Saboma]

I'm in awe of both you and Anna. Moreover, I'd like to share a bit of information that was shared with me a number of years ago, if I may.

I had developed some bad habits of stuffing my anger which is the primary emotion that depression is derived. I was told by a well meaning person to "feel the feelings," because we were designed to feel. The very basic feelings are love and anger. In the next step up, the basic feelings expand to mad, glad, sad, and scared. Once I began acknowledging and honoring my feelings as being not right or wrong but just ares, I was better able to see how this lost child functioned, thought, and felt about many things I had only taken for granted and hadn't ever explored in a 'safe' place where 'safe' people understood even if they were merely reflecting my own thoughts back to me for me to hear. I started sorting out my childhood memories then matured as I explored more in that place where I felt safe.

It was one tough S.O.B. to get through because I had years of pent up feelings and unresolved issues, yet, like gas, it also, passed. It only works if you work it.

You're working it, kiddo. Keep up the great work.

*Hugs*