Viibryd Withdrawal -- How I Felt (Top voted first)

Stopping Viibryd: From 40mg I tapered down to 7 days of 20mg followed by 7 days of 10mg. The biggest side effect I felt was mostly irritability and anxiety. I was able to go into work but tried to keep to myself. I felt sick. Didn't want to socialize. When I finally stopped the med completely it was pretty bad. I'm on day 6 now. Have been unable to work, drive or leave my house ... for fear of ending up in jail or hospital from flipping out. I feel a constant anger and want to break things, and have yelled at the top of my lungs to two people on the phone. I feel disoriented, dizzy, itchy, and confused (itchiness was actually nothing new for me). I'm confined to my house until further notice. Very unpleasant!

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I was in Thailand on a 6 week vacation, knowing my Viibryd was going to run out, I decided to google going off of both sleeping meds and Viibryd(40 mg), and did it. I can tell you I had very little withdrawl symptoms, with the exception of ITCHING and vivid dreams. The way I feel is unbelievable, everything for me is crystal clear. I've lost weight, I'm sleeping which was my BIGGEST fear, and overall it has been an amazing experience. I was very nervous, by myself, but knew if there was ever a time, now was it. I read lots on google, esp. articles in support of no meds, which is where I wanted to be. I have been on antidepressants for min. 6 years. Sleeping meds for 1 year, I feel great. Stillitching, but I expected MUCH worse.I am very happy to be drug free, is my life perfect? No, but I didn't expect perfection, i just wanted to be off.

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THIS SHOULD SAY STOPPING AT ALL, INSTEAD OF ABRUPTLY...."Stopping vilazodone abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin)". Source: "Mental-Health-Medications/Vilazodone-(Viibryd)", Nami.org. Web. October 2015.

I was only on 10mg for about 24 days. The only thing I noticed was reduced libido. No depression or anxiety help. Decided to go down to 5mg for 2 days and then discontinue completely. Then...

Day 1: Migraine with aura (didn't realize possibly related). Resolved with meds and sleep

Day 2: Day - Groggy, no energy, leftover headache. Weird dark aura and brain fog. Night - ER visit as I was still thinking something to do with migraine

Day 3: Laid around all day, no energy or will to do anything. ANXIOUS! Panic attacks. FACIAL NUMBNESS and tingling down right arm and leg. Brain fog, difficulty gaining clarity. You feel like you're floating through life with no exact recall. Weird crap! Diarrhea

Day 4: Brain zaps, disconnected, scalp burning itching, Facial tingling, eye disturbance still present. Went to the eye Dr thinking maybe a serious eye issue. But, Health of eye is fine. Felt like I was having a heart attack in the evening, chest tightness, palpitations, along with facial numbness, hand tingling and jaw pain...was sure it was a stroke. Cardiac workup is fine. They gave me fluids and that made me feel better and less nauseous. I'm officially nuts. Diarrhea like crazy. Wait it out per the ER. Severe left knee pain. Never had anything like that ever

Day 5: Day 4 repeated. Scalp feels like I burned alcohol into it. I can't feel normal. Vision still is screwed up on my end...have trouble making eye contact and keeping it. Very weird.

Please let Day 6 be normal :(

I find it best to lay around...the more you move, the more uncomfortable it is, but I also think getting everything moving may get it all moving quicker. Get a run in and then go lay down maybe. I was only on 10 mg! How is this possible?!

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DO NOT TAKE THE EFFEXOR. I'm going through withdrawal right now. It's the worst thing ever to go through. I just started the Viibryd and still having withdrawal for the Effexor. I was not told about any of the withdrawal and my Dr is closed with another Dr. As his emergency call. This other Dr doesn't know me so there is no help there. Withdrawal from this is crying, anger, rage, flu like systems, nightmares,shaking, brain zaps, headaches, hot flashes, confusion, light headed, many more. These are just what I experienced. I have even thought of suicide, just to make it go away. So please do not take this drug. Not trying to.scare anyone....just don't want anyone to have to go through the he'll I have been going through.

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My experience with Viibryd... Female, over 50, was taking Wellbutrin for years. Was going through a rough patch with work and life stress so Dr. Prescribed Viibryd in addition to Wellbutrin. Started w/ 10 mg for 7 days, up to 20 for 14 days the finally at 40. In the year I took Viibryd all I thought about was FOOD! Dr absolutely insists that Viibryd is not to blame. Stopped going to yoga, less motivation in general. Overall gained 12 lbs. Since I've always taken pride in my weight the 12 ugly pounds made be feel down. But the oddest thing... I had constant, moderate breast pain for a solid year that I never attributed to V. After a year plus using Viibryd, just had this gut feeling that Viibryd played a part in my weight gain and lack of motivation. Started decreasing Viibryd from 40 to 20 with doctors approval. No significant weight loss. Remained at 20 for 2-3 months. On my own decided to try 15 using one 10 mg tablet and half of another 10 mg tablet. After 3-4 days of this lowered dose it occurred to me.... NO breast pain!! Also stopped thinking about my next meal or snack and stopped craving carbs. Went to 10 mg for 3 weeks... Lost 3-4 lbs. Being kind to my body, so I'm taking it slowly tapering off this med. Now I'm taking 5 mg and I am tired mid-day and want a nap. This week was ok as I timed this tapering off with a 'remain at home' vacation. Back to work tomorrow, hope I can keep awake. And about the itching... I should mention that, yes, I experienced that while taking 40 mg. I regret starting Viibryd. Yes, I was going through a rough patch but it was not worth adding another drug , especially one as new as Viibryd. Feel a bit like a guinea pig taking the newest "great drug". Again, a big side effect when taking Viibryd was lack of motivation and going places and tired from weight gain. I'm anxious to get this wonder drug out of my system.. But will decrease to 5 mg for two weeks, then last week will take .5 every other day. I feel pretty comfortable doing this. I do think it's worth repeating that decreasing slowly may be the key to successful transition. After all, even bonified drug addicts don't go cold turkey. It's not safe and why stress out your body and mind. I'll exercise some patience, and start being thankful for all the blessing I have.

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I stopped Viibryd July 3rd. I was taking 20mg and went down to 10mg for a week per my Dr and then just stopped all together. At first I was so dizzy and nauseous but now I'm so lightheaded from 11am-2pm that it throws me into an anxiety attack. I feel like I'm going to pass out. Has anyone ekse felt this and How long will this last?

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Viibryd is the WORST drug possible! I have been on several antidepressant and this is by far the worst experience ever. DO NOT GO ON THIS MEDICATION. I was on this medication for just over 6 months. When I first started I had to do the sample packs of 10mg for a week, 20mg for a week, then 40mg to stay on. I ended up doing 2 weeks of 10mg and 20mg due to feeling so nauseous. Few things I learned quick: do not miss a dose you will feel awful, take at the same time everyday or you will feel awful, avoid any alcohol. I also had horrible dry mouth and constipation daily! I began to notice this spring and into summer I was gaining weight and feeling off. I finally read posts online to find out most people gain 20lbs! I gained 20lbs and I am someone who eats healthy and exercises so that is not normal for me at all. Nowhere in the medication guide does it explain anything about that or the withdrawals. I asked my psychiatrist if I could get off this medication as it wasn't doing anything and I just felt awful on it. She had me go from 40mg to 20mg for 1 week so I cut my pills in half and started the taper. I started to get this itching sensation all over my body. I tried Benadryl and anti-itch cream and nothing helped. I then felt like I had the flu, but I didn't. I was fatigued, had horrible headaches..Tylenol did not help. I was nauseous which ginger capsules helped a lot! I started to get brain zaps...very hard to describe, but I thought I was going to pass out. Horrible nightmares & vivid dreams, insomnia which some melatonin helped with, tingling in my face and numb feeling, I also started to get horrible jaw and teeth pain! Not to mention the anxiety and panic I felt as well. I talked to my psychiatrist and finally went up to 30mg for a week, then 20mg for 2 weeks, then 10mg for 2 weeks and I am off. Today is my last dose of the 10mg and then I am off. Every time I dropped to a new milligram I experienced the withdrawals listed above, but not to the extent of the first time around. I was told by my psychiatrist the 20lbs I gained should drop with the taper and I have yet to see that happen even though I still eat healthy, haven't changed my diet, and exercise a couple times a week. This medication is scary and not to be messed with. I have never written about a medication before online, but I want others to know what you may experience tapering off this and it's not pleasant, but stick with it to get off. AVOID THIS MEDICATION AT ALL COSTS! I wish I would have read more about this drug before going on it. I thought I was dying with the withdrawals because I had no idea a medication could cause so much pain and affect my body the way it did.

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I could not have said it better. This medicine is awful and should not be taken.

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Re: gistell (# 2)

How long did it take to feel better after you stopped?

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Hi Alexandria...I just read your post & it made me sooo angry to hear your doctor pretty much took you off your pain killer with no notice or not much notice. Was this recently and how long had you been taking opiates? I guess it's possible he didn't want you to go the route of addiction medication, but you would have greatly benefited from suboxone, maybe you didn't want it?
I had a terrible addiction to opiates for about 6 years and went through withdrawals many times over in the course of those 6 years. I had not heard of suboxone ever and though I was able to quit opiates for good in November 2005 and get 5 years under my belt, I still had a very strong emotional attachment....I relapsed Feb 2010 (it was easy to do) and went through about 7 months of hell before reaching out to a friend who told me of suboxone; it saved my life, it really really did! Also, and i have told my doctor this, I think of suboxone as my anti-d sometimes.
I am actually taking Viibryd, 40 mg, I started it back in January!!! I am also taking wellbutrin (300 mg, I believe it is the generic xl) and by June I told my psychiatrist (I like her a lot) that for being on both Vii and Well, I really didn't feel EITHER of them working!! I get break through depression, like the kind where you have zero motivation and don't shower and don't know how I am going to function as a normal 42 year old woman who is normally a very independent and responsible adult.
I am sorry I do not remember the name of the person who posted before you, but even though I am not tapering and taking 40 mg, I have had rage issues lately and I joke with my sister but lately it isn't joking as much when I tell her to expect call from me in jail needing her to put up bail.
I am sooo tired of playing the anti-d game!!! All SSRIs are basically the same. I am considering giving Effexor a real try. I took it very briefly in 2008 and it worked very well!! I stopped taking it because my insurance wouldn't cover it anymore and I couldn't afford the out-of-pocket price that was close to $500 for 30. It was a nightmare of withdrawal since I had no warning and had no choice. I'd never let that happen again and I know better now - that's why your doctor pisses me off!! How could he have not considered what you would experience being cut off cold turkey....jerk!
How long did it take you to taper off of viibryd? I am feeling scared now especially with the post before u...I see my shrink in 2 days and am going to ask her about this. Sorry for going on & on, just reading these posts got my wheels turning! Keep me posted. I'm feeling unsure of all THREE MEDS right about now.
P.S, I suffer from occasional panic/anxiety for which I am prescribed lowest possible dose of generic Xanax (.25 mg) the instant, and .50 of the extended release...I never had an addiction with benzos and though it's been a help to me, I can only take it at night because it knocks me out, yes, the .25! I was prescribed 30 in March and still have 12 left. Please feel free to add any info, I am craving knowledge.

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don't give in...I have been in your shoes..I just wanted to end it all, but my son would be devasted. I still have some depression...and weird headaches and zapping feelings in my head, but it's the excessive sweating from the slightest movement that is driving me crazy. I have been researching like crazy for organic supplements to help get the natural chemicals in my body straightened out...that's what pain killers and anti-depressants do...they screw up the balance of the body and the brain and that is why the withdrawals are a nightmare, but I'll be damned if they are going to rule my life anymore. the body has the ability to heal itself once it is given what it needs...natural...vitamins, amino acids..etc. My choice is down to one of two companies...Withdrawal Ease or Neuro Genetic Solutions...I think I will go with the last one. I used to see a Naturopathic MD years ago and I was healthy. Simply because I shattered my ankle and back and now have degenerative disk disease doesn't mean I need to shorten my life with these dangerous drugs...and that is what they do....I was reaching a stage where I didn't even recognize myself emotionally anymore. I would rather just sleep all day. I am fighting this with everything I've got. Just finding forums and talking to countless others who became addicted by careless or doctors that are truly ignorant of the nature and danger of these drugs really has helped. I don't feel so hopeless anymore. I have spoken to people who were on far more pain killers than I was and they finally got off of them. I found, for me, that tapering slowly and listening to my body tell me when it's time to taper off a little more works and I told my body cannot take cold turkey ever again, nor can it take tapering off in large does. I am looking for another doctor that will really "listen"...this is what I told my doctor.."you are not hearing me...you are not really listening".

Please fight this...there are so many of us out there going through and this is where I found support to continue on and I will beat this.

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After 2 months of coming back t oUS adding ALL the stressors back in my life, I felll to pieces, I can't tell you how many people could tell "something was off" fe know I'm on meds. Back on, and I am doing fine. I wish I could tell a different story, I cannot.
Back on meds for the forseable future, and I feel a lot better NOW. Wish I didn't have to have meds, but this is where I am.

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I totally agree!!!!! Effexlor is a killer drug!! It's been a horrible nightmare getting off of it! I was put on this for my joints!! Decided to get off of it and my Dr. Put me on Viibyrd . Well, I've only been on this a few weeks and I feel horrible. So, I'm going to taper off and see if it's gets better. This is the worse experience I have ever had in my life!!!! I will never get on any anti-depressants again!!! Effexlor is a horrible drug! I'm warning everyone!

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I know what you are feeling. I have to stop taking the viibryd because it caused serotonin toxicity enough that I had to go in the hospital....and they were useless. I am also tapering off of oxycontin and was taken cold turkey off of soma...my body is exhausted and of course the depression is back. I have dengerative bone disease, especially in my spine aas well as I shattered my ankle so badly that I had to have 2 surgeries, metal plates, screws and bolts to keep it together. the surgeon is the one that didn't taper me off off the opiate pain medicine and here I am, two years later going through a living hell of withdrawals and the viibryd was the only anti depressant that worked but for some reason makes my brain produce and over load of serotonin that nearly killed me. I know how it feels to have family that just don't understand what we are going through...don't understand the emotional and physical pain of withdrawal, but the alternative is not an option....to stay on these drugs that will kill me eventually...no..I want my life back. I am looking into organic options to help withdraw with less severity. 5HTP..the one with B6 and Vitamin C is supposed to be the most helpful. It won't stop the withdrawals, but makes it more tolerable.

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I'll check into the other threads.
Yes, the psychiatrist has tried other anti-depressants before and after 6 months I don't know what happens, but I get the same serotonin toxicity....the withdrawals I am having, besides being depressed again, are weird feeling electrical zaps and headaches as well as sudden muscle spasms. The doctor said this is normal coming off of anti-depressants.

He told me Welbuterin is the only anti-depressant that doesn't cause serotonin syndrome, but I tried that once and the entire room was spinning....scared me to death.

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Ugh. Hang in there. I went through that and unfortunately, it tapers for a while but it DOES get better. I too had to stay by myselff and couldn't work or drive. I couldn't even walk straight. I had toI walk my dogs down the street but if a neighbor saw me they would have thought I was drunk. Please hang in there and commit yourself to your bed when things get bad. That is what I did. It was my safe place. I had no help through it nor any support in the house but that was probably a good thing as who knows what I would have done.

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I am on viibryd 20 mg. and Trazadone,clorazipam,terrazapam at night. Can u have anxiety in your stomach. I have done all tests fr stomach problems and all are negative. I am anxious and hungry all the time. I want to be normal again. Anyone out there have problems like mine.

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gistall: Jst read ur post & I know All Too Well What? ur tlkn about. Not having family or friends that have ever experienced Depression, much less the agony of withdrawals!! I spend everyday jst about right by myself & it is Horrible!!! I wish we lived close 2 each other, not sure where u live. I live in North Carolina. But if I lived near you, I wud be more than happy to sit with you & go thru these Horrific unpleasant withdrawals together. Hope things get better for you soon!!

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How long before the nightmare ends? It's been a month and like everyone I'm scared I'm going to be committed to a psychiatric ward! The ups and downs are horrendous. I can barely make it to work, when I do go I'm like a zombie. I'm in tears about anything. I feel like I want to die. Viibryd is the worst drug on this planet, the itching, the depression has tripled, nausea has caused a 10 pound weight loss because I cannot eat. I'm fatigued 100% of the time. The anxiety attack are the devil. I have nightmares all night so my jaw is locked so tight when I get up I have a headache. Just going to the grocery store scares me. I feel like I'm never going to get off this thing and I will never be myself again. I prefer the depression I had before this drug now I think about suicide more than ever!

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his tell: I understand exactly how you are feeling!! I took Viibryd for about 8 mos & stopped cold turkey about 3 wks ago & I too have been so irritable, angry, depressed, cry often. It got so bad that I had 2 strt bck taking 10 mg every other day. It seems 2 help some but not a lot!! Any suggestions from anyone wud be greatly appreciated!!

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Do you know how long it took for the headaches and brain zaps to go away? I have had a headache since I started weaning off of the drug and that was 3 months ago. I have a headache everyday. The zaps are less intense but still disorienting when they occur. I am one more off the drug completely but I have a consistent headache every single day there is no break. Tylenol does very little to help. I am becoming worried.

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