u/CytronicsZA

So as per title I've been off Venlafaxine for 2 weeks now after taking it for 15 years. I did a slow 1.5 year+ taper to minimize the withdrawal symptoms.

Currently I'm experiencing what seems to be classic ADS (antidepressant discontinuation syndrome) symptoms. Highest on the list is irritability and agitation. I'm tired, my energy is low and my general mood is understandably low as well.

I understand that after 15 years of using this med, it's going to take time for my brain to restore, and there has luckily been 1 or 2 decent days during the last 2 weeks. It's just reading how people discontinue their meds and don't really stop struggling with withdrawal has me worried.

I know I should be patient and give it time but I'll be honest, the symptoms are really messing with my work and quality of life.

So I super slow tapered off Venlafaxine over 1.6 years after being on it for 15 years. I've been fully off it for about 2 weeks now.

The brain zaps are very minor and mostly just in the morning, my bigger frustrations are irritability, low energy, low mood, minor crying spells, some constipation, and just tired. Nothing is really enjoyable, music is just noise, and I don't feel like doing anything, work is a heavy chore.

I understand that after using it for 15 years it's probably going to take time for my brain/body to adjust, I'm just wondering how long though.

Anyone else remember the Saturday mall run at Tygervalley? Musica, BT Games, CNA, the arcade, all of it. Wrote something about that era and how completely it's disappeared. Miss it more than I expected