Its a while since I last came on here. I was dreaming of the forum and woke up so decided to log on. For those of you that don't know me I have recurrent depression syndrome. I have had episodes throughout my life and this latest one started over 5 1/2 years ago. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for over 5 years and I last saw him 3 weeks ago. He's really happy with the progress i have made and so am I. When I look back to 5 years ago I see how ill I really was and now I see how far I have come. So much so he's decided I no longer need to see him and he has handed me back over to the care of my gp. Six months ago I was able to come of pregablin having taken it for the anxiety and panic symptoms. It wasn't easy withdrawing but it was manageable. Last year under guidance of my psych I was able to reduce the venalfaxine significantly to a maintaince dose of 150mg. At my worse I was on 375mg. Reducing venalfaxine is a knightmare for me but I do I very very slowly and I'm proud of how far I have come. I have now been maintaining on that dose for almost a year with very little depression syndrome. When I last saw my psych he explained I have recurrent depression syndrome and he advised the best thing for me would be to continue on the venalfaxine for life. However i still suffer what I think is side effects especially if late taking a dose. I get headaches and fatigue. So he agreed with help from gp I can come of it to see if headaches go. The gp had recently given me amitriptaline for the headaches but sine that doesn't help he suggested stopping that. So my gp gave me a plan to reduce venalfaxine reducing 37.5mg at a time until ready to reduce again. I started this last Saturday and by Sunday my head was pounding and I couldn't think straight and was getting very snappy. I couldn't cope after 1 day so on Sunday went back to my original dose. I feel like an adict. My body can't cope with the slightest change. On Monday my headache was still severe so I called in sick at work and luckily was able to get a gp appointment that morning. He said I'm one of the unlucky ones to get horrible side effects. The last thing I wa is a relapse. The physc has explained all this to me and he said any warning of relapse or symptoms I must go straight to gp and not delay. He helped me to devise an even slower plan which would involve cutting up the 37.5mg tablets because they don't come in any smaller form. I am waiting a few days before I do this. I usually take 75mg twice a day. For my evening dose is will start taking one 37.5 and a half 37.5mg tablet. I am determined to try anything and do it as slowly as possible. To those of you on the drug i want to reassure you that it is a fantastic drug. It's helped me tremendously and changed my life around. Don't be put off with what I'm saying about withdrawing. Everyone reacts differently. It's not easy but I don't regret being on it because I really did need it. I am so much better and so much more confident in myself than I have been in a very long time.