Mental Health Coming off Venlafaxine, need motivation

[semper48]

Been on Venlafaxine for 2 yrs. Doesnt work, still listless and depressed (not suicidal). May as well come off and get natural mental health, if the drugs dont work. Was on 150 mg, now down to 75. Doing ok. Was saved by Fluoxetine 10 yrs prior. Been clean and sober (AA) for 20 yrs plus. Go to meetings regularly. Cant really remember being deep down happy, ever. But life aint about being spaced out happy high, now is it? But yes, I do want more feelgood factor. Worth striving for anyway. I realize I need to exercise more. But I have a problem with motivation. I have a sneaking interest in "boosting" myself with HGH or steroids. Until now that has been a big no no, but not so anymore. Careful contemplation, and talk about it (here) and see how we go.
Any experiences to share?

 

[ad lib]

I've read on various places online that cold turkey can be hellish. So I suggest tapering.

Have you talked to your doctor about tapering off?

 

[semper48]

I've read on various places online that cold turkey can be hellish. So I suggest tapering.

Have you talked to your doctor about tapering off?

Yea, read about the hellish withdrawals, I am tapering off gone from 150 to 110 to 75.....slowly slowly. All good so far. Doc knows about it, prescribed fluoxetine, not strict on it being taken. will take if neccessary.

 

[ad lib]

Yea, read about the hellish withdrawals, I am tapering off gone from 150 to 110 to 75.....slowly slowly. All good so far. Doc knows about it, prescribed fluoxetine, not strict on it being taken. will take if neccessary.

Good When are you expected to be done and start on just fluoxetine?

I recently started Venlafaxine for anxiety and I feel good on it- but I've had weird eye spasms almost since starting it. Did you experience anything like that during your course of meds?

 

[semper48]

Good When are you expected to be done and start on just fluoxetine?

I recently started Venlafaxine for anxiety and I feel good on it- but I've had weird eye spasms almost since starting it. Did you experience anything like that during your course of meds?

Didnt experience any side effects, but restless feet (same as on fluoxetine). Nothing like facial spasms. Venlafaxine worked fine for a while. Was first on 75 mg, then put on 150. But after years (15) of being on fluoxetine and now Venlafaxine, I want to get natural mental health, albeit with hormone replenishment. Hormones are naturally produced in the body and needed for mental health. So getting those balances right seems like a more logical thing than complictated SRRI´s, that dont do their job anymore. I will use the fluoxetine to further taper off (if needed) but I am still doing well on the 75 mg Venlafaxine a day. I will wait a few more weeks before going down to 50 (which is below my initial dosis).

 

[semper48]

Talked to my dad yesterday. 85 yrs old. Been depressed forever. Never taken any meds. He does however manage to keep to a vigorous physical training program. Always has. But it hasnt done him any good vs depression. That doesnt mean I can sit on my laurels and overlook exercise. My main aim is to get to the point of having the will and want to get moving, work and exercise wise. But it isnt as if I see an answer in his experience. Logically I can come to the conclusion that there isnt any final solution for me, only what roads I choose in my journey. Same with everyone I guess. Still on Venlafaxine 75 mg. Leaving for Thailand in 9 days. I am really happy to have this forum to talk and share with friends I havent met yet. Share our experiences, strengths and hopes. Keep up the good work ppl

 

[ad lib]

. Logically I can come to the conclusion that there isnt any final solution for me, only what roads I choose in my journey. l

Wow I love that

 

[semper48]

Down to 37 mg Venlafaxine and supplementing with Fluoxetine. Doc gave me green light. He suggested just jumping over to Fluoxetine, but ok to do it this way too. Lets see how far this goes. Will report. Just arrived in Thailand, tonic enough to combat any blues.

 

[Rybee]

Down to 37 mg Venlafaxine and supplementing with Fluoxetine. Doc gave me green light. He suggested just jumping over to Fluoxetine, but ok to do it this way too. Lets see how far this goes. Will report. Just arrived in Thailand, tonic enough to combat any blues.

Well done to getting down to the 37.5 mark. It took me 3 months to come off of 375mg Venlafaxine and in honesty it was hell, I didn't jump over to another SSRI either (opted for Agomelatine/Valdoxan instead) so heavily relied on Diazepam to help with the withdrawals.

Keep on at it though buddy, you're doing really well. I don't think many people can appreciate how horrible coming off Venlafaxine is unless they've done it themselves but I really can relate. Congratulations on being sober for 20 years too, that's an amazing effort.

Keep on at it

 

[ad lib]

Down to 37 mg Venlafaxine and supplementing with Fluoxetine. Doc gave me green light. He suggested just jumping over to Fluoxetine, but ok to do it this way too. Lets see how far this goes. Will report. Just arrived in Thailand, tonic enough to combat any blues.

Awesome!

PS are you in Thailand for vacation? Judging by your username I'm tempted to say marines but either way be safe

 

[kittyinthedark]

I definitely recommend lots of exercise. I know it's hard to stay motivated, but don't beat yourself up over that. My biggest win in fighting my anxiety/depression/PTSD has been learning to stop blaming myself for every misstep (and I've made PLENTY). I'll exercise 20 days in a row and then stop for three weeks, and yeah, that's not great, but if I waste my time getting mad at myself for it, it's only going to stop me from getting back on the right track. Do what you can, and be proud of what you've done. Pride is a great motivator, especially when the outcome is a healthier you.

I'll definitely also recommend tapering off the venlafaxine as slowly as possible. I was on a pretty low dose and even when I tapered, I went into withdrawal so bad I nearly had to be hospitalized. And you don't want to deal with that in a place as beautiful as Thailand! (so jealous!!! )

 

[semper48]

Update: off the Venlafaxine. Tapered off a few months, down to 17 mg a day. Nothing really interesting happened. Felt a very slight hangover (nothing a cup of coffee didnt remedy), each time I lowered the dose. But all in all, quite easily done. Going to stop the (not working) fluoxetine now too. Been on Androgel testosterone supplement for a good week now. Works nicely I would say. Motivation not so problematic now, for sure. No big push needed to get my sneakers on and I keep going longer than before. So all in all quite happy with life situation now. My pharmacist gave me 5 mg Dianabol tabs to compliment the Androgel. Dont know enough about steroids to have and opinion. All I know is that it seems to be working for me. Thanks for the input guys

 

[flyhighk]

Are you staying in thailand ? If you're not, coming off steroids is gonna be VERY problematic. PM me or start a thread in steroid discussion if you need more info.

 

[ad lib]

Update: off the Venlafaxine. Tapered off a few months, down to 17 mg a day. Nothing really interesting happened. Felt a very slight hangover (nothing a cup of coffee didnt remedy), each time I lowered the dose. But all in all, quite easily done. Going to stop the (not working) fluoxetine now too. Been on Androgel testosterone supplement for a good week now. Works nicely I would say. Motivation not so problematic now, for sure. No big push needed to get my sneakers on and I keep going longer than before. So all in all quite happy with life situation now. My pharmacist gave me 5 mg Dianabol tabs to compliment the Androgel. Dont know enough about steroids to have and opinion. All I know is that it seems to be working for me. Thanks for the input guys

Awesome! Thanks for the update.

Careful with steroids- they can have some nasty side effects.

 

[semper48]

I have just moved to Thailand. Live here full time now. I am not jacking up on steroids, just keeping my levels at a norm (or trying to). Feel very good and enough motivation and energy for exercise and getting things done. Seems like it is just what I have always needed. A bit early in the day to say for sure, but it does feel like it. Off antidepressants after 15 yrs. Didnt start using Androgel until after antidepressants were discontinued. Steroids are sold OTC here and no problem talking to the pharmacists for advice. Will be seeking doctors opinion before long. But any advice from you guys is well appreciated, as to what is good to use for a 56 yr old former drug addict that is only seeking a good balance in mental and physical health. Need to live long and well.

 

[semper48]

Live in Thailand now. Small use of steroids seems to be doing the trick. Dont envisage me going into heavy use, being clean and sober and all

 

[herbavore]

I'm glad that seems to be working for you, semper. Congrats on tapering off everything else. Are you reading the steroid threads in the Steroid discussion forums? I think you would have some good experience to draw on over there in terms of long term effects, etc. A suggestion that I have: now that you are feeling better, look into mindfulness. As a philosophy, a way of looking at things and changing old and destructive mental habits, it has been quite life changing for me. Maybe even look into some retreats while you are there (there are many in Thailand). Whatever you do, I'm happy that you have found some relief.