effexor/venlafaxine..in need of advice/support

[rosey100]

hello all

Ive been on these for about 5 or 6 years. I finished contact with the psychiatrist about 6 months ago now see my gp for my meds. I discussed with gp about starting to reduce meds after christmas so thats what ive started to do. Ive tried several times over the years to come off but always come crashing down. This feels like a good time to give it a go. Im the most stable ive been in a long time and i work a 12 step program which helps.

I guess what im asking is has anyone else got experience with this? Im very scared but really want to do it. Before when ive tried i had some really nasty physical/emotional side effects. My fear is not being able to cope. Life is good at the mo....im a single parent and ive just taken on a commitment to take art workshops and i go to college part time...all good stuff!

I don't know feel like im rambling really, but im feeling very alone. Im dead scared to be honest.

Thanks for listening

xxxxxxx

[slipping up again]

I was on this for 1 1/2 years when I decided to come off it. I took it really slowly, gradually reducing the dose and I had no side effects. It's probably a good time to come off it since you're doing well and have the support of a 12 step programme. And if at any time you feel like you're slipping you can always increase the dose. I guess you won't know if you're really ready to come off it unless you try. Stay in contact with your GP and discuss what you should do if you're having any bad side effects.
Best of luck,
Take care Xx

[blondiebear]

I've just had to accept that I will probably be taking antidepressants all of my life. At first I didn't like it. Now I believe that it is better than living my life depressed. Clinical depression is just a physical illness caused by problems with nerves and chemicals in the brain. I'll treat it just like I'd treat some other problem that involves body chemistry.

If you decide you can make it without effexor, great. If you decide to stay on it, what i'm trying to say is that's okay too.

[Stellata]

I came off efexor.
It was hard, but I made it through.
It's not usually easy, but it's possible.

I was put on mirtazapine, and was on both that and efexor for a while before I was slowly taken off efexor, to stay solely on mirtazapine.

[rosey100]

thanks everyone thats really helpful. I'll just take it really slowly and if needs be i can increase dose again. well so far so good i feel ok xxxxx