Staying composed through the hell of Venlafaxine protracted acute withdrawal syndrome 💪👊
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- čas přidán 11. 10. 2020
- Just a video here made for people going through Psychotropic drug withdrawal. I explain techniques and coping strategies that enable space away from ones mind to bring a sense of calmness and create distractions that bring empowerment and a sense of control. I think it’s critical during the tapering/withdrawal process after long term physical dependency to psychotropic drugs to have strategies in place in order to deal with the array of symptoms and side effects/issues one experience’s during this ordeal. Hope it helps some others out there in the midst of withdrawal. 💪🤜
It is the hardest thing that anyone can expect to experience. Especially if you are Single, Lonely. HELL was my experience for 2 years. And you do get better but it changes you. You will never forget, you will develop some PTSD. But it does pass. What comes out of the Withdrawl process is a different you. Nothing can logically be ever as bad as the withdrawal process. But there is a Reward, Yours may be different, but you are taking on the worst experience I could ever imagine. So see it through and you will be a Champion.
🙏💪
Curious have you ever withdrawn from anything like methadone or any hard narcotics 😊?
Wow I'm going thru that now i hate this rx
2 years! Thats a lot how long had u been on this med? And what dose? If u dont mind me askinh
@@luisacosta4385 I had been on Paroxetine for 11 years. What happened was the meds had suppressed my Anxiety and Trauma for so long, that when I stopped the Paroxetine, it was like emotionally being a baby again. I had to learn how to deal with all the negative emotions and Trauma. Just like when you have to learn how to walk again after a brain injury. So it's kind of like Brain Damage, in that my ability to cope with life had become Lethargic. But I never had anyone to tell me it would be okay, so the fear of the unknown, what if this is my life now, will this ever end, was BAD. However, if you read this, let me tell you, you will recover... not maybe, you will. It's a long journey but you will come through and things will get back to normal, ignore the thoughts, they are lying. It's all lies. you will see, the bad thoughts, although they seem so real, disappear, and you wonder why you ever thought like that. Just keep moving forward, no matter how bad things are and it is BAD but it will 100% END. Oh when you feel like you can't go on, if that is your experience, then just Stick switch off, let it happen, and waste the day being kind to yourself. Do whatever you have to do just to get the day finished. Watch Movies, Eat the Fridge. Sleep. Chill, just let go. let it do its worst because you will learn to survive that way, I promise. There is a light coming your way... DM me if you need to okay
I have been taking my demon for over 13years and Have today started my removal of it forever. I have extreme fatigue also, like you and have never felt worse, prompting me to get rid of taking it as I feel it no longer does what it is meant to do, not after this long. I am going to start walking every evening and take my time until its over. I am not a sociable person, but love nature like yourself. I hope you are doing well and still looking after yourself. Thank you for taking the time to make this. You have helped me a little bit. :)
Much appreciated, all the best on your journey ❤️😊
Hi there just wondering how you went? It took me6 months,2 beads out at a time!
Cole, I just found your channel, thank you so much for making these videos. It brings me a lot of comfort to hear somebody else talking so openly and honestly about protracted withdrawal and reminds me I’m not alone with it (though that in itself is bittersweet, as I’m horrified that there are so many of us in this situation).
Your voice is really nice and calming, too!
I’ve been on SSRIs for 15 years, with several previous taper attempts each ending disastrously. I’m now tapering at
Thanks so much for your message. You’re more than welcome 🙏 🙏. May we remain strong and heal ❤️
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849Never give up my brother died because of akathasia from valium
Been on them for 15 years. Ive come to the conclusion that i will never get off them. And i have tried. In the past ive got off heroin, pills and amphetamine. But this shit is a whole different animal. All respect to you for walking the line🤘
Different animal no doubt, how this shit is legally allowed on the market is beyond criminal. All the best 💪👌
Brother..I believe you…almost two months now and I’m living in pure horror..
@@rustymullins6623It's because you can't come off SSRIs with MDD. You are on them for life because you need them. You don't need cocaine or heroin or tablets to be well, you can come off them and be fine, it's just the withdrawal that is hard. I tried stopping several times and it was always a disaster. Accept you need them like a diabetic needs insulin.
More difficult to get off heroine than getting off Venlafaxin ?
@@robk7129yup two friends who were addicted to heroin and beat it describe the same symptoms but accelerated 10 times worse. Intense muscle spasms, head spinning and bone pain were physically incapacitating. When it ended they celebrated like never before ❤
I am on year 4 of protracted WD, or tardive akathesia from Venlaflaxine.
I do cardio, lift, eat good, I do feel better while training but the agitation returns right away. I'm prescribed a benzo to take every other day to avoid dependence. It does quiet the constant agitation. That's great you found some natural remedies. Music, practicing music, reading, podcasts, nothing seems to help, I always feel uncomfortable. Dr Stuarrt Shipko has a series of articles that were really helpful to see this condition has been acknowledged by someone in the field. It also helped give my doctor some insight.
I thought tapering off 225mg of Effexor daily was going to be really hard but it was very uneventful. My guess from reading recent papers on SSRI side effects is some type of down regulation of serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.
Benzos if short acting, run the risk of experiencing interdose withdrawal and kindling. You are dependent if taken more than 1 every 10 days. It takes klonipin 11 days on average. Daily dosing might serve you better :)
Thank you for sharing your journey.
You’re welcome.
Your house look so cozy and nice! And bird sound make it more cozy. I support your journey!
Thank you 🙏
I just got off Cymbalta after 8 months of tapering down. Day 9 now and I wake up with brainzapps that almost knock me off my feet. Horrible! I feel for you, man. Hope you're doing better.
What mg did you come down from and how did you do it. I'm lost.
@@Finthefish-hr8ky I was on 60 mg. daily for 4 years. Started by going down to 30 mg. daily since no other options were available. After 8 months on 30 mg. I started taking one capsule every other day for 2 months, then every third day for 2 months and then finally got off it completely. It took me a full year. Now its been 8 weeks since my last dose of 30 mg. and I still feel withdrawal symptoms. Its getting better but its been one heck of a ride.
Thank you 🙏
Hope your doing well love 💗
I’m going through this right now and it’s hell
Stay strong 💪. Take things day by day and you’ll eventually heal. It’s a journey, not a race.
It took me 15 months to wean down from 150mg Effexor. Just stopped fully 3 days ago. So far so good. No brain zaps.
All the best. 👍
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 Thank you for your video and sharing your journey. Effexor is one of the worst antidepressants made. How are you doing? So happy to know I’m not alone.
@@georgiabessie im ok, a bit shaken and traumatised from this experience. Healing ❤️🩹 happens over time with resilience, work and patience.
You’re more than welcome 🙏
@@georgiabessieHow are you doing now Georgia?
@@conorrrrr92 Hi! It’s been one year since I’ve stopped taking Effexor. The mood swings are better. I was weepy at night. I still cry a lot easier. Sleep is better. Best move I ever made. I also lost 30 pounds without even trying. The drug made me fat.
thanks mate
Hey cole, just found your channel and wanted to thank you for being so brave and so strong. Our stories are nearly identical right down to the medications. I know exactly how you feel and what you are describing. Hopefully you are doing well at this point. If you are reading this in 2022, please reach out to me as I would really love to talk to you about this and share experiences for things that worked and things that didn’t. Thanks so much. You are incredible!,
Hey Ryan, thanks 🙏 so much for your beautiful message 😊
Unfortunately I’m still fighting very hard to get off the drug, very unwell but will not give up by any means. How are you going ? Hope you’re well 😊
Cole
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I’m really glad to hear that you refuse to give up. That’s very important. I am also still very unwell and have not been functioning very well. I started tapering in March of 2019. I am now down to about 5 micro beads. The symptoms are so miserable and having covid about a year ago only made the symptoms 1000 times worse. Please feel free to reach out to me via WhatsApp. I would really like to share more of our experiences and see if we can be of any help to one another. Take care of yourself Cole!!
@@rzagz I’m sorry to hear man. Very similar stories, would you like to reach out on fb messenger first and go from there 😊
Take good care
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 yea. That would be totally fine. You can send me a message.
@@rzagz its not a good thing at all at this point to still be trying to quit when the drug obviously works and solves all of your problems with little to no side effects. Simply not being on medication is not a better state of being than needing medication.
Thank you for this video. I've stopped venlafaxine cold turkey. I didn't get a refill on time and when i took it again i realized it just erases all emotions. That's not what i wanted. The withdraw from this is crazy. I've tried many different depressants since i was 12 yrs old. This one is by far the worst one.
You’re welcome ☺️
All the best on your journey.
You have wrote exactly what I say to myself..I’m in the same boat
Hi! How are you feeling these days? Keeping us informed is so helpful ❤
Depression medications (as well as many others) deplete nutritional stores. I was on Cymbalta for several years and then Effexor for a few more. Tried to quit cold turkey once and didn't do well at all. A few years later, decided to start taking a few beads out of the capsules everyday and it took around 6 months to get off completely. Supplementing with high dose of Vitamin D (50,000 IU) everyday for a few weeks and then off and on several times a month has helped greatly. I take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D. B vitamins are also important and helped me cut out the pain meds that I was taking for migraine. Nutrition is so important when it comes to the body functioning optimally. In case no one has noticed, this is why there is a war on FOOD. The ground is depleted and unatural diets are fed to "Industrlized" (Industry is the problem with EVERYTHING) factory farmed animals, making them unhealthy as well. Look for pasture raised and organic. Avoid seed oils.. There's so much, it can be exhausting. Sadly, it took me becoming ill to start digging. Grounding is a wonderful thing as well.
Thanks for your message, information 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 You're welcome
How long did it take you to feel normal again?
Ive been on venlafaxine 150mg for 18 yrs. After 2 yrs tapering im down to 12.5mg and cant seem to get lower. Thanks for the video
All the best. The lower you go in the taper, the smaller your drops, drug reductions must be. Surviving antidepressants and the inner compass have some great free information available on this subject.
took me a year to get off it. it took me awhile after to finally get rid of the brain zaps.
G’day , How are you doing brother? Hope you getting through.
Hey brother, fighting hard on the daily but never giving up 💪. Thanks 🙏 for the lovely message.
❤️
I use a racer blade to scratch only tiny off a pill and hold for 2-3 months
I have something similar. My thoughts have become more controlled over time, but I have memory issues. Nightmare Disorder came with it, which I still have a bit. Romans chapter 7:22 seems to help me with hope.
Have you managed to stay off them?
I was on efexor 18 years, weaned off and hit rock bottom about 2 years ago. Had 1 tablet at 150mg (self mrdicatrd because i couldnt get into a doctor) that gave me bilateral closed angle glaucoma.....blind for 3 weeks with a journey of about 9 months whith gradulal vision improvement. This is a side effect i never knew about before and am so pissed off that this happened.
Anyway fast forward to today i struggled through last year mentally and just felt i needed to get back onto something so i could re enter society. I hadnt worked for nearly 2 years because my confidence was 0. We slowly tried to re introduce an anti depressant but im now tapering off and going through hell on earth. This is a rough ride.
My question to you is have you managed to get of, and stay of this "shit" coz i just keep going from rock bottom to taking medications to quitting and its a revolving door i cant seem to overcome no matter how hard i try to stay clean of antidepressants.
I’m sorry to hear that. I wish you strength on your tapering journey. Today I celebrate 18 months being clean off psychiatric drugs. This process has taken 7 years from my first attempt to actually happen. I have no intention to reinstate these drugs because the risk to reward isn’t worth it. As long as I continue to heal I keep going. I wish you luck and strength through this difficult process.
Thank you for doing this video Cole! I tapered off 150mg Effexor and took my last dose in February. It’s been 6 weeks of an emotional rollercoaster ride. I’m meditating, doing breathwork every day along with Pilates/yoga practise. I have recently started taking microdose 🍄 I’m hoping that it starts to help as I’m so close to going back to the venlafaxine. I really don’t want to but the feelings of emptiness, catastrophic thinking is back in full force. I’m losing my shit over the slightest thing. I think I’ll look for a boxing class see if that helps 😂 Have you came of them completely now and if so how are you feeling? Have the emotions settled down? Thanks 🙏🏼
No problem 😊
I’m off now for over 4 months, but suffering from an Iatrogenically induced neurological CNS injury after long term exposure to these drugs. Taking it day by day and staying positive.
I can’t give medical advice from my end but may I ask how long was your taper? Were you on the drug long term ?
It’s more than possible you’ve plunged into Protracted withdrawal syndrome. Hang in there the best you can for now. 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I withdrew over a period of 4 months. I just opened the capsule and removed one of the smaller tablets from the group of 12 every two weeks or so.
It is so scary the ramifications of these prescription drugs, i didn’t even know a neurological injury was possible! Wishing you the best with your recovery ❤️🩹
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 after reading so many other stories of withdraw form venlafaxine I think I’m currently getting away quite lightly in comparison even though it’s been hell. I have been supplementing with rhodiola rosea, Mucuna purines and I’ve also just started microdosing 🍄 I’m hoping the mushrooms start to take effect soon, i have noticed a calmness the last couple of days that wasn’t there before. I’m also doing a Kambo ceremony next weekend. Obviously these aren’t suited to everyone but just thought I’d mention them incase it helps you 🙏🏼
@@leannesinclair8508 Thanks 😊
@@leannesinclair8508That's what I did. Lessened every 3 weeks or so. From 112.5mg 10th week off and it's been anxiety hell. Got laid off 3 weeks ago so that made it worse. Tried Buspar for a week but stopping because heard that stuff causes withdrawal too.
Easter this year, I forgot to go fetch my medication. It ran out on the Thursday and the clinic would only open the next Tuesday....
That was one of the worst weekends ever. My eyes felt like rocks in their sockets, and for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about an old high school bully. Something that never happened before venlafaxine.💀💀
Luckily, I had some citalopram left over from an older prescription, and this helped take the edge off.
It’s a horrific drug to withdrawal from and to skip doses because of the extremely short half life. All the best on your journey
Stay strong buddy. Mind me asking how ling uve been on this med. I tried once to quit and they had to reinstate me. Been 1.5 years now that ive been tapering and trying to cone off of iy
Psych drugs in total, 17 years. 9 years on citalopram and 8 years including the tapering process off Effexor. All the best to you.
do feel any you feel any better? I’m going through almost passing out, dizziness, it’s awful
I was on it for 12 years 37.5 dosage took me a full 6 months of sloooowly reducing.
Hope your doing well my friend. I have akathsia from messing with doses.. I’ve been on 75 mg for 10 years.. I don’t know how I’m going to do it..
Healing from my journey bro, long road ahead. 😎
I decreased my drug with 10 %, 5 %, 2 % reductions from the current dose I was on over nearly 3.5 years. I too was on 75 mg.
For me i really had to fight for survival, not going to sugar coat it for you. If you’re able to taper at a speed which allows you to stabilise and have some normality in your life, I’d go that route. Best of luck. Reach out if you need it 👊😎
I'm on 225mg daily. Been about 4 years. I'm kinda wary.
@@MariaMarchez-Storkvery sloooowly.
Hey brother, I just started coming off from 225mg after 4 years on and I totally agree with you. How are you doing today'? Great video btw :)
Getting there man, all the best. 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849what were you using this medication for?
@@GoldChampion23depression and anxiety. I wish I never touched, dangerously over powerful drug.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 sorry to hear that. I tried starting 3 different ssris because of severe anxiety but my body rejects the medicine after being on ssris for 10 months and getting afib and then a heart attack. I’m going to try cbd oil.
@@GoldChampion23CBD oil is a great choice. All the best.
Did you get better? I need some hope. I refuse to go back on them. I’m 4 days free. I was taking one pellet out of the capsule which I don’t think is allowed (xr version) but it helped and then I stopped and I’m in actual hell but i refuse to give in
4 days is extremely early, I endured 9 months of severely protracted acute withdrawal from 12 years cold turkey before I reinstated the drug to stabilise. This video was taken on my 3rd attempt of tapering.
Currently 16 months off now and still recovering healing from the damage. Hope that can give you some inspiration that you can do it. 💪
I wish I could say that it does ... but its been a month since I weaned off and still experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms!
@@belindakilian3784 I feel better and it’s been 2 weeks. When dizziness eased I started getting outside and also doing qi gong helped a lot
@@belindakilian3784it depends a lot on how long you’ve been on the drug, what dosage and how quickly you came off during the tapering process. People that take these drugs for a short time and a low dose will quickly recover the majority of the time within weeks, while others who’ve taken the drugs long term at higher dosages most often take longer to Recover, there are some people who can never get off these things once physical and psychological dependence happens. Take each day as it comes and breathe through it.
I took 2 beads a week out then 4 then 6 and it took 6 months still got glanging brain
Do you work during protracted withdrawal?
No I couldn’t.
Well … stopped taking my 225mg 4 days ago. Good luck to me I guess 😅
Oh help, what was the outcome.🥰
Terrifying so I just keep taking it
This journey off these drugs isn’t for everyone, not everyone is built for it. Just got to believe in what’s best for you on your life’s path 😊
It took me 6 months slowly reducing from 37.5, brain glanging so bad.
How long were you taking it and did you taper down over a long period of time?
17 years in total. It took me 3 attempts and about 5.5 years to come off, last taper was 3.5 years to complete.
And how are you feeling now?
@@CrazedPhsycho1023still recovering from the neurological damage. Will be a long healing process.
Just curious why you would get off if the withdrawals are this horrible? Were the meds helping you at all? What were your main reasons for taking it? Sorry, I’m going through marinuana paws at the moment and got put on lexapro and couldn’t imagine going through another wave of paws with antidepressants.
@@CrazedPhsycho1023because if I didn’t get off the drugs would of killed me. I was experiencing a high level of akathisia, toxic encephalopathy, drug induced psychosis. I had no choice but to get off to save myself. Stay on and poison myself to death, or come off with severe neurological damage, but at least have a chance to heal and get a second chance at life. 👊😎
It’s fight or die. The highest intensity exercise you can handle.
I am on Venlafaxin for nearly 12 years (!!!) ... started with 150mg, tried to wean off 6 months after that (2013) and that was HELL ON EARTH... so i went back... i lowered the dosage to 75mg in 2019 and now i want to quit.. I am on 62,5mg for some days and it's okay but I am very concerned about the next weeks/months... I have been diagnosed ADHD last year so I take Vyvanse and want to try Bupriopon but it sucks to do al the medication.... and overall I HAVE THE FEAR to get these panic attacks and high agitation I had before Venlafaxin. It kinda lowered my power/battery --- why did i do it nearly 12 years ago? no doctor told me about the withdrawl symptoms and side effects.... I am so lost!
Is it a matter of true withdrawal or going back to feeling bad like you USED TO? That, is the question. It is tough to tell for ME!
Try quitting heavy duty opiates...THAT is REAL WITHDRAWAL!
😂😂😂
True protracted withdrawal of psychotropic drugs last years of ridiculous suffering, neurological and central nervous system damage if you’re unlucky. What’s opiates, a month or two of withdrawal. I could do that in my sleep and laugh while doing it 😂😂.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I have taken and quit effexor and other antidepressants, in my pursuit to find one that works for me. So I know what I am talking about. You are completely full of excrement.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 🤣🤣🤣🤣...OMFG you ridiculous little butt-baby!!! 😂😂😂
@@jeffjones3040 glad you’re enjoying yourself 👌
@@jeffjones3040 for how long have you taken them for, and at what dose ?
How are you now? Please post an update.
I came off venlafaxine/effexor rapidly in 2018. Then I got on a low dose of mirtazapine/remeron to try to help cope with the protracted withdrawal. Now I'm still tapering off mirtazapine. Like you, I use exercise, nature, and music. I also use prayer and affirmations. I like Baylissa Frederick's encouraging book, Recovery and Renewal.
Hey there, I’m still in the withdrawal process, but I’m -70 % off the drug. Every day is a war but I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. How Is your tapering process going off mirtazapine ?
Yes, we need to use nature, exercise and holistic measures as a form of healing to recover 🙏😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 - I'm not too good at arithmetic. When you say you're 70 % off the drug, what is the daily dose you're taking, if I may ask.
I never got up to a high dose of mirtazapine because I was always mindful of my goal to get off all the horrible drugs. The most I ever took was 15 mg, but I've been on 7.5 mg for most of the past two and a half years. I became terribly addicted to it and couldn't quit. I think since they're both "antidepressants" it's like a continuation of the venlafaxine/effexor in my body.
At this point, I'm taking roughly 1.5 mg of mirtazapine daily. I say "roughly" because I'm using water titration and can't measure as accurately as I'd like.
I've watched all your videos. They're very good, you speak sincerely, and you share hope, something we all need.
@@nokomismn9685 thank you 🙏 for your kind words 😊. At the moment I’m on 11.25 mg of Effexor. I’m tapering at 5 % every 4-6 weeks. It’s an awful drug and experience but we have to be strong and not give up. Life will get a lot better in time 🙏😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 - I'm glad to hear you're on such a low dose of effexor. What I did in 2018 was jump off after 37.5 mg. I didn't know the end of a taper is the hardest part and should be done slowly.
Have you seen the youtuber Michael Priebe aka The Lovely Grind? I like how he puts it in his videos on withdrawal, "[I]t does get better, and it will eventually get much, much better than you could have ever imagined."
@@nokomismn9685 thank you, it’s been a very long and painful journey but getting there. Yes, very much like myself, I guess we live and learn from our failures. I have seen a few of his videos, he seems very positive and inspiring. I wish u all the best in your healing stage, feel free to reach out if need be 🙏😊
I've been profoundly injured by psch-drugs and can teach you a few things about coping. Most people prefer to dramatize their own demise, so likely you will not care or worse, choose to respond with abuse. such are the norms. blah blah blah.
I’ve been severely injured as well. Go ahead, no judgement here.
why did you decide to come off an SSRI? they are not harmful long term and withdrawing from them can make things worse. You should really only be tapering to another drug. If you were depressed before, that is the highest your natural serotonin will go. Every single problem you had before taking this drug will now return in addition to the withdrawal symptoms. I might understand more if this were a narcotic prescribed drug but SSRIs are not something to just go on and off of.
Firstly, Effexor is an SNRI.
After having this channel for nearly 3 years and sharing my journey, I’ve never had a question like this before. These drugs are not harmful long term? Come again?
Please show me some long term studies on these drugs that show no potential harm to the human body and brain. These drugs should never be prescribed for long term use, only a few months at a time if absolutely necessary in the most severe cases of depression and anxiety.
These drugs were numbing me, and I also developed Akathisia while on them, as well as a host of other horrible symptoms I’d never experienced before in my life. Depression and anxiety don’t hold a candle to what these drugs have put me through.
I’m now 4 months off them, been Iatrogenically injured, but working very hard to heal myself and regain some quality of life.
Do some research and educate yourself. DR Peter Breggin is a good resource, starting point.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 don’t listen. To hi.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849totally agree coming off mirtazipine iits no fun