Please stop the dizziness!

[Sophie2010]

I have been taking Venlaflaxine for about two years. Approximately a month ago, I started tapering off-from 75mg twice daily, down to 37.5 once per day. Then I was able to open up the cap and take only 15 mg a day. 4 days ago, I stopped completely and now I am chronically dizzy.

What can I do to stop the dizziness? Would it help or hurt to take Sam-e?

I should tell you, that I do not need an anti-depressant anymore. And I wish to live my life without any.

Please help!

Thank you,
Amy

[birdie0907]

If you are feeling very bad right now, I am not sure if your doc would say to stay off it, or to get a bit in your system so the distress stabilizes. You really need to get working with a professional right now if you want to minimize the problems.

[4Maddie44]

Hello, your taper was much too quick, that is why you feel so dizzy.  I myself am tapering off Venlafaxine too.  I am taking it slowly.

Now you are off the drug, I think you should see how you go.  Hopefully the dizziness will ease slowly.  I did stop cold turkey once before, but this time, with my doctor's help I am going very slowly withdrawing.

I am sure the dizziness will ease, and if you can, rest as much as you can.  Would be a shame to ruin all your hard work by going back on the drug.  But, if you continue to feel bad, I suggest you have a chat with a doctor.

Take care, and let us know how you get on.

[birdie0907]

Since you are in dire need of taper answers, you should call your pharmacist if you can't make it to the doc for a day or so. They have lots of experience with people taking your med.

[remar]

I think you may have done too fast of a taper. Did you work with your Dr while doing this? You may want to think about going back on a small dose and tapering more slowly. It's really hard to say how long the withdrawal symptoms you're having will last.