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IBS Caused by Venlafaxine (Effexor) Withdrawal

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/31/2011 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I recently weaned myself off Venlafaxine (75mg/day) according to my doctor's instructions:  37.5mg/day for 2 weeks; 37.5.mg every 2 days for 2 weeks; then stop.  I was on the drug for a year, but started having symptoms of toxicity (seratonin syndrome).   When I got close to the point of stopping completely, I began having IBS symptoms, even though I only had occasional minor problems with IBS in the past.  It has now been a few weeks, and I continue to need a dose of Lomotil every morning to avoid having several bowel movements (sometimes diarrhea) for the entire morning and into the afternoon. I've been trying to find information online about this and read some posts on this site where new users of Effexor had found it to be a "miracle" cure for IBS.  I'm wondering if my case would be an example of the reverse problem.  God help those people with serious IBS problems who try to stop taking Venlafaxine!
Posted 8/1/2011 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Nancy - I had the exact same issue!!!!
I took 75mg for 4 years and came off it earlier this year. I had to withdraw really slowly as I had bad withdrawal effects... loose stools, nausea, dizziness and headaches. I cut the tablets in half and quarters near the end and did it as gradual as that!! It took me a good few months to come off it and I had all the symptoms you describe. It is a particularly bad antidepressant to come off but once I had been off it a few weeks, I felt ok and am much better now.
I used to take domperidone for the nausea, imodium for the loose stools and just reduced the venlafaxine as slowly as I could. I do have IBS anyway, but coming off this drug made me feel as if I was in a constant attack of IBS.
Can't believe you have had the same thing. I tried googling it everywhere also!!!

I think it is the withdrawal of the drug that causes these problems, not being on it. When I was on a 75mg dose, I didn't have these problems. It was only when I was coming off it.

Take care and keep in touch
Posted 8/1/2011 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with your withdrawal from Effexor.  I was beginning to think I was the only one with such extreme bowel symptoms.  It does seem to be getting somewhat better each day, but I'm actually afraid NOT to take something for diarrhea each morning so that my day will be normal.  Sounds like I need to be more patient.  I'm glad to hear you're doing well now.
Posted 8/2/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor said that you can take up to 16mg of loperamide (imodium) and it won't do you any harm. If I were you, I would reduce slowly as that really helped me and made the withdrawal a lot easier.

Keep in touch, let me know how you are getting on.
Posted 8/7/2011 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy ... Just wondered how you were getting on? Feeling any better?
Posted 8/23/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I weaned off of effexor with MD help about 6 months ago with no apparent significant side effects and was very happy. Then about 4 months ago I began to have abdominal pain which slowly progressed. I have had every test known to man. A colonoscopy revealed a cancerous polyp which has led to a colon resection about 3 weeks ago. I am cancer free now, but this did not have anything to do with my pain (thank God for the onset of IBS). However, I am having the same symptoms as before my surgery with burning in stomach after eating, tightness, bloating and pain/cramps in abdomen with some foods. The GI doc and surgeon keep telling me I have IBS because they couldnt find anything else, although i have NEVER had any bowel issues in past. I have started to think that the onset of IBS was due to the fact i got off the effexor a few months before. Now I am faced with taking meds to treat the IBS, or possibly going back on effexor to see if symptoms go away. I took effexor for about 10yrs before getting off and now this (which, as it turns out, saved my life!). Anyway, the pain and bloating are annoying, as you know, and I dont know which way to go now. Anyone else with IBS onset several months after getting off effexor? Would love to hear your story and what to do about it. Glad I found others who have similar connection.
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