Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 114 of 140}

All,

I suspect there isn't any rhyme or reason as to why our bodies react the way they do to this withdrawal. Although I have heard people say that the folks who are hit worst with it are the ones who really didn't need it at all.

I want to run/exercise, I really do, but I tried doing sit-ups at home last night and go so dizzy I couln't get up off the floor.

I slept in today and hope that if I just ride it out and quit fighting it I will get through it.

Is so hard.

I weened off Effexor after three years. Being on it sucked and getting off it has been hell. It's been 4 weeks since I've taken my last dose and I'm still crying, angry, have no interest in anything, I've gained weight and I haven't changed my diet. I still get head zaps but not like before. I started anti-depressives 7 years ago for anxiety and heart palps from mytrovalve prolapse. The Effexor seemed to be making my moods worse instead of helping. I felt the need to drink all the time on Effexor and now that I'm off it, I don't have that compulsion or craving anymore which is good but I still don't feel like myself. I'm sick & tired of feeling sick and tired. When will I feel 'normal' again.

REDillon-

Well, what do you know - it seems that doctors think Effexor is a cureall for everything ranging from depression to menopause to heart palps. What is going on here? It sounds a lot like medical malpractice to me. I agree with the drive to drink while on it. I never thought about it, but that could be a lot of calories, and thus the weight gain. I haven't been interested in it since being off.

Wyeth may have produced the drug, but the problem lies with the doctors who are prescribing it. They are obviously getting kick backs from Wyeth which is why they give it to anyone and everyone.

Now here WE suffer all this crap even while NOT taking this drug. I have been dizzy for almost a week now and if it doesn't stop by this weekend, I have to go to a doctor to find out what to do. Problem is - I dont' trust doctors anymore.

I bought 5HTP yesterday and am going to try it. I'll let you know what happens.

The antidepresants DID help with the heart palps. From what I understand, it's 'common' for women in their 20-40's to have issues with Mitrovalve prolapse. For whatever reason, I'm not a doctor the meds stop the palps. They're returning since I've been off the Effexor. In the beginning the doctor had no clue about the head zaps but I told her they exist. Since then she's more aware of certain symptoms of withdrawal. I gained more weight since I've been off the Effexor, my appetite isn't what it used to be.
This is an awful drug to be on. I just my head back where it needs to be. It's good to see the forums are full of information, especially when you can't get it from the physicans.

Hey everyone, I was trying to find research anywhere I could and I came across this forum through google search. I'm glad I did.

I have wanted to get off of anti-depressants for about a year. I used to be on 7 different medications when I first met my husband two years ago. I'm down to only Effexor and I'm getting off of it because I'm pregnant for the first time, with twins. I was on 150mg a day and my doctor took me down to 75mg a day for a month, then said to take the 75mg every other day for a month and then stop all together after that. I have been trying to do my first week of every other day 75mg a day...it's been HELL!!! All the symptoms everyone has said is what I have...it's like being drunk/hungover without the 'fun.' (of course hang overs are never fun.) So I gratefully came across this forum and back in 2004 on this same thread someone posted a way they tapered off without any side effects. I'm going to try it and I'll let everyone know. Since I'm pregnant, I unfortunately can't do any herbal supplements to cleanse my body, take hot baths to clear pores etc. Here's what the other person posted:

I'm weaning myself of Effexor XR. I was up to 112.5mg a day for anxiety. Since the smallest dosage you can take is 37.5mg, it is very difficult to quit this way with no side effects.

What I have been doing (after consulting with my doctor) is breaking the pill open and dividing the molecules depending on how much I want to some down...right now I'm on a quarter of a 37.5mg pill...I'm hardly feel and side effects with lowering my dose.

I would do something like this if you don't want to experience side effects from Effexor XR.

_______________________

37.5 - 2 weeks

Break open the pill and devide into the correct doses and eat with yogurt. Doesn't have to be exact but get it as close as possible.

18.75 - 2 weeks
9.4 - 2 weeks
4.7 - 2 weeks

If you want you can keep breaking the does down...but it should be ok from here...it takes a little longer this way...but no withdrawls. Good Luck!


I am now breaking my 75mg pills (which are tiny little balls) into a plate and my husband helps me divide it in half. I tried taking the little balls with applesauce today but...I think I might just swallow them with water tomorrow! I am really hopeful about this break down since my doctor obviously didn't know what the hell he was talking about. I'm pregnant for Christ's sake! I can't be tormenting my body right now. I'm in my first trimester and that is torment enough!

Sorry so long a post!

Lovesk,

Something you might try is taking 2 37.5 capsules, one in the am one in the pm, rather than the full 75 at once, or counting beads just yet. When I got myself down to 75, a trusted shrink suggested that. After taking the 2 doses for 2 weeks, I eliminated one of them, and then started counting beads, decreasing by 10% and staying there till withdrawals ebbed, or disappeared. Once I got down to what I figured was 25mgs, my prescribing physician prescribed 25miligram tablets which I cut into quarters with a pill cutter. Just be prepared: Folks have had withdrawals even after cutting down to 2mgs!!! I stopped at 18mgs. The withdrawals were mild to moderate for me. I was NOT prescribed effexor for depression or anxiety, so I didn't have to deal with the emotional symptoms. You may or may not experience them, either. In my experience, (I'm a therapist), pregnancy often helps alleviate those symptoms naturally!

Best of luck to you, dear! And congratulations on your twins!!!!

Accordionlady

Oops! forgot to mention that once I got down to 37.5, I stayed there for 2 weeks before counting beads!!!

Accordionlady

thanks so much accordionlady! You know today is the first day I did half a 75mg Effexor XR by splitting myself. I actually feel fine for once. Usually by this time (it's 4:40pm) I am a wreck on the couch or in bed because the days I was taking the 75mg were killing me after going without the day before. I have already completed the one month drop of 75mg a day and that was fine. It seems the lesser dose is just what I needed to curb the side effects. It seems to me also that my body was just kinda doing ok on the days I'd skip medicine (as I was advised to do) and then the day I'd take the 75mg again it was going into shock or something...like it was too much. I had severe side effects just getting on Effexor XR in the very beginning. It made me very sick the first couple weeks when I'd take it.

I don't know, it's all been a big experiment. I'm definitely going to watch carefully on how I'm doing and with what amounts etc and have to go from there!

Dear lovesk08,
Congratulations on your progress so far.
I am new to this forum. I've been on others in my search to get off Effexor. Your post caught my eye. Congratulations on Twins! I was on Effexor for about 10 years. Way too long. When I decided to get off, I was taking 450mg per day. Way too much!! The problem with anti-depressants is, after a while they loose their effectiveness, then your doctor raises the dose. After I was on 300mg per day for a while (don't remember how long) it wasn't working for me anymore. I deceided on my own to take 450mg per day. I eventually had to tell my doctor, (after playing beat the bank with my pharmacy because my prescription was running out sooner than supposed to)she sent me to a medical physicatrist to get approval for the higher dose. I paid him $200, he gave me the OK. After being on 450mg for about 1 1/2 years, it was no longer working like it used to. I decided to get off. I didn't realized all of the other things that were wrong with me, night sweats, dry mouth, dental problems, severe nightmares& insomnia,were actually side effects of Effexor. I learned this by searching the internet. I started to look for 'Natural Cures for Depression'. First I had to get off this stuff. I didn't even know if I was still depressed, I needed to know. I started weaning myself, without my doctor, the second week of Jan.2008. I found a site online called, theroadback, I tried to follow the taper. I was limited to the prescription on hand, 150mg capsuls. I no longer trusted my doctor after all of the things that I was learning about this drug. Now I wish I had researched anti-depressants before I had ever taken the first one. I think when you get so depressed and can't function, you don't care what it is as long as it makes you feel normal again. Getting off Effexor has been 'the worst' thing that I have ever been through in my life. My last dose was on Good Friday. That is really when the worst of it started. I will NEVER take another anti-depressant as long as I live!

Sorry for all the detail, I get carried away...

My advice to you and anyone else reading this: Find a 'Holistic' Doctor. By the way lovesk08, the doctor that told to take the effexor every other day, I hope your not still seeing that doctor anymore. You can't take effexor every other day, it only has a half life of 5 to 6 hours. Research on the internet!! I did a Google search for, 'Quitting Effexor', 'How do I stop taking Effexor', and anything else that I could think of that might help me learn more about this drug. Find a Nature Store and ask them if they can recommend a Holistic Doctor. I'm going to The Cole Center for Healing in Cincinnati OH. I'm not allowed to give websites on this forum. You are welcome to email me for the info. I don't know where you live, but if you look at their website you can learn about the way the brain works in reguards to depression. Look under 'Neurotransmitters'. Please just reasearch depression. Prescription Drugs is NOT the answer. If you have any questions that I might be able to help you with, please email me. Good Luck with your journey! Give those babies a healthy body to grow in.

Lynn

Lynn,

Thank you so much for your post. I read it to my husband and he really praised your words too. I took a look at the site you suggested and it definitely has a lot of great info on it about everything! A big part of me feels like I have an advantage to getting off of Effexor because of being pregnant. I have extra hormones and I take a pre-natal vitamin every day. I eat A LOT! And it's so cool because I'm not gaining pounds yet either, lol (though the belly is definitely growing). the babies just suck it right up I guess! :o) I have the best reason in the world to fight this battle of getting off of prescription drugs, my two growing babies.

My husband was really mad at my doctor after I started doing research. Basically, finding out how stupid the advice was to take 75mg every other day for a month. He believes that my doctor probably was trying to make it to where I had no choice but to stay on. I would like to believe that he just didn't know what he was doing, he's not a psychiatrist. He's just a regular primary care physician. But, we will never really know what the reason was.

Dropping down to half of the 75mg though has helped me tremendously. This is the second day of it and I feel more normal that I have in weeks. I'm probably just going to keep with reducing the pills myself. I don't even want to bother with getting new prescriptions or anything. Of course, I will if I have to if any ill effects seem to occur. The pregnancy was a blessing in disguise in a way because I have been asking several different doctors to allow me to get off anti-depressants since sometime in early 2007 and always got the same response...no. You're still in college, wait until you're done. You're just going to be starting your life, wait until things are more stable, blah blah blah. Come on...it's LIFE. It's never perfect, it's almost never stable, and things never go to plan. And much like you, I needed to know where I was at in a normal state without the aid of ANY medication whatsoever. Now that I'm pregnant, they have no choice but to let me off because these are MY babies and Effexor is a category C drug--not to be used in the 3rd trimester. So I'm doing my best to get off as fast as possible. I have already mapped out my plan of reductions, calculated the number of pills I have to the number of reductions--to make sure I have enough etc. I should be done tapering off by June.

I was on trazodone for a long time, a year and a half or so. I noticed I was sleeping before I'd take my pill at night and then I'd wake up and have to take it. I quit taking it without Dr. advice and I was lucky because I ended up being fine. I have been getting sleep at night just fine for almost a year now. I feel less headaches, less distanced from reality (less foggy like), and my sexual dysfunction has decreased greatly so far. Just in the last couple days my husband and I have noticed a huge increase in my moods being positive and having more energy with the smaller dose.

Sorry so long a post again! I hope everyone is able to find their way if they really believe they need to get off meds.

Hello lovesk08,

I'm glad I was able to help.

You haven't said anything about any withdrawls that you might be having. When I was on 75mg I was experiencing something very uncomfortable. I didn't know how to describe it to anyone until I read about it on a forum. It was described as a 'Brain Zap'. That is exactly what it felt like. It started in my head, like being zapped with electricity, and continued through my body. That was the worst withdrawl symtom. It was only occasional until I stopped taking the effexor altogether, then it was constant. The only relief I got was when I was laying down. If I was sitting, standing, or walking, I was constantly feeling zaps. I spent a week in bed, only getting up to go to the bathroom. Luckily it was spring break and I was able to send my kids (2 boys) to stay with family so that I would be able to stay in bed. Toward the end of the week I started to panic, my kids were comming home and I was going to have to function. On one of the forums I ran across someone that said Claritin D stopped the zapping. I was desperate, so my husband got some for me, and it did work. The zapping was gone!! I just cried with relief. I don't know why it worked. I searched the internet for some explanation, I didn't find one. The only reason I'm telling you this is because the Brain Zaps were so bad that I was tempted to go back on anti-depressants just to make them stop. I don't know if Claritin D is safe to take while pregnant. Please find out first. I truely hope you don't experience this zapping sensation, but if it happens, I just wanted you to know what helped me. If I would have been able taper the effexor lower than 75mg before going off, maybe I wouldn't have had any Brain Zaps. You can get effexor in a tablet form, and with a pill cutter you will be able to taper to much lower dose. I have read in several different places that doctors are not aware of withdrawls from effexor. Obviously the doctor that told you to take it every other day, has no clue. One of the sites I found, medhelp, there was a doctor that responded to someone with that same advice. I couldn't help myself, I totally went off on him. I don't know if he ever saw what I wrote, but it made me feel better.lol I did a Google search for Effexor Withdrawl, that gave me more information that was helpful.

Hugs,
Lynn

Hey Lynn,

Well, when I went down to the 75mg from 150mg...I can't remember what side effects I had if any. Probably I just felt weird for a few days and then I was fine. This last week when I was trying to do the every other day thing...wow, didn't want to get out of bed. Every time I tried to do anything like walking around, read something, watch TV...it would take out all my energy and I felt that whirling, drunk type of feeling...where it pretty much almost blurs your vision in way...it's so hard to describe it. I think I may have been getting migraines. Laying down is definitely the only time I felt ok, but even then I could tell my body was not happy. Since I have been taking half of 75mg, I have been sleeping longer hours each night/morning but the awful whirling in my head has gone away. I have had headaches the past 3 days but they haven't been too severe. since I have been messing with the doses and on top of the pregnancy, my memory is shot. It's so hard for me to remember things that have even happened the day before, sometimes in the middle of conversations I lose what I was even going to say. My desire to do things has definitely been coming back but I don't feel right in my head, physically. It's like a pressure is constantly there and I know I have always felt this constant sense of pressure almost the whole time I've been on any anti-depressants. Which I had read is a side effect.

About the tablets. I have actually been on those. I was switched over from Effexor XR name brand to 'generic' which is supposed to be the exact same thing and it is labeled Venlafaxine. I had HORRIBLE side effects when my dr. switched me over to it. From then on when I was started on it, I had constant headaches on a daily basis. When I put back onto the name brand by a different doctor, it all went away. The original doctor didn't seem to believe that I experienced and side effects switching to the generic since 'its the same thing' but my body didn't like it. I don't know why or what was up with that. I didn't think anything of switching except, yay! cheaper price! But my body reacted as if I was starting a completely new medicine.

Because of all these horrible side effects, I haven't been able to work and now my husband and I are drowning in bills with no money to pay them. We're barely surviving on what he brings in. It's really scary and it sucks because there's no real time line for when I'll feel better. Plus I'm pregnant! Its just all so stressful so I know this stress on top of it all isn't helping my side effects one bit.

Thanks for your support, I do appreciate it!

Kaley

Twisi:
Sorry for the delay in response to your question. I was out of town for a while. . . I just use the GNC brand of 5 HTP. Slowly, I am getting back to center. I, like you, still get some zaps and dizziness, but they are tapering off. I had an 'anger spell' the other day, and beat a towel into submission. :)

I think it is harder for women as we have the hormones to deal with as well. I know the 'towel' episode preceded my monthly cycle. For me, the 5 HTP is working and I also take Omega 3 daily.

Let me know how it goes.

Hi Kaley,

I also experienced the pressure in my head. I don't remember having that while I was taking effexor on a regular basis. I did have alot of headaches, almost daily. The pressure started when I was tapering off. I felt like I was living life behind plastic, just in such a fog. That has gone away. I don't have anymore pressure and also the headaches are gone.

I had my first appointment yesterday at The Cole Center. They put me on what they call a 'Neurotransmitter Therapy'. I am taking amino acids, two different products, twice a day. This is supposed to repair the neurotransmitters and rebalance my chemicals. It's an all natural remedy and I feel good about that. I think my new motto is going to be, 'Prescription Drugs is Not the Answer'.lol

I saw an ad on the internet for disability insurance, for people that can't work due to depression. It's called 'Allsup'. I filled out the online questionaire to get more info, I received the information/application, I haven't done anything with it yet so I don't know more detail. If you do a Google search I'm sure you will be able to find the link. We are also hurting financally so I know what you mean. I feel like my health right now is more important than money. Also, I'm saving us $430 a month by not taking effexor.lol

The 'Memory' issue, or better, lack of memory? I have also been having that problem. I'm hoping that over time it will correct itself. I do remember when I was pregnant that my memory was very bad, and I remember hearing that from friends when they were pregnant. So I do think some of it is probably due to your pregnancy. Over the years I've just gotten used to writing things down. It was especially frustrating when one of my kids would do something cute or a first time thing and I would think, I'll never forget that, and then I did. I just have to write down everything.

Take Care,

Lynn

I have gradually lessen Effexor while adding St.John's wort. Now with God's assistance I am Effexor-free. I am taking St.John's wort one month now without many side effects. In Germany doctors subscribe it for mild to moderate depression. If you quit effexor cold turkey and experience bad withdrawl effects, gradually add St. John's wort. Later you can add small amounts of Rhodiolla. St. John's wort made the difference in helping me getting off Effexor.

Hey, where'd everyone go???

Marilyn

Hi,

Still here. I found out that the vertigo was NOT caused by withdrawal, but something called Benign Paroxyml Positional Vertigo... an inner ear thing that is really wierd and hard to describe. I went to a physical therapist who moved my head around and fixed it in ONE visit. Can you believe it?

It must be really rewarding to be able to fix someone that fast. Anyhow, Im back to 'normal'.

Doing well.

Twisi

It's been a while since my last failed attempt to wean. I am still at 37.5 mgs. Doc put me on 37.5 for anxiety, I just got lazy since me last failed attempt , over 1 year ago. I am going to attempt the capsule splitting method. Mikemo , if your still around , can you please advise. Your previous recommendation was:

10 day1
30
25
25
25
25
25
5
20
15
15
15
15
15 day14

Please advise if this still looks good , and other suggestions on supplements during? anyone who has feedback would be much appreciated... thanks ! Also, how should I drop after day 14?

Take care everyone:)

hey all :)

i'm down to 7 beads a day, not quite sure what that equals out to in mgs. i'm going to a new dr tomorrow though hoping he can help me find the strength to get away from this awful drug.

i haven't taken it yet today and i just feel like i should, i dont know if its withdrawal or just pyschological. either way it sure is annoying.

j-dubs

I am new to trying to get off effexor. I have been on it for about a year now and am down to 9.38 mgs. Any suggestions on how long and how I tapper off w/o having major withdrawls? I have been reading the thread, but have had many days of being sick. I don't think I am doing it correctly..

HEY EVERYONE :)

Well I went to a new doctor yesterday & the good news is FINALLY someone realizes what a horrible drug effexor is, the bad news is that he prescribed me zoloft instead. I'm torn with whether to take it or not. I mean my panic attacks have gotten worse since off the effexor but is it really that necessary to take another ssri??

Does anyone on here know anything about zoloft because I am clueless.

He also switched my xanax to kolonopin because as we all know xanax is the most addicting meds of them all.

His overall plan is to keep me on a low dose of zoloft (50 mg per day) & use the kolonopin to get me off the xanax & then for me to taper off the kolonopin slowly.. what do you all think??

I don't want a repeat of what we all have gone through w. effexor..

Please help
J-Dubs

I had been on Zolof and Wellbutrin about 5 years ago. It was great and I was on a low dose. I don't recall having any major issues compared to Effexor. I got off them to get pregnant. Then after breaking my wrist snowboarding I start with the Panic Attacks after never having one my entire life. I don't take xanax at all anymore and reduced the stress in my life. I also just started taking Flax seed from Trader Joes, I read in an earlier thread that Omega 3, B vitamins, and Folic acid help with increasing Serotoin, funny B vitamins and Folic acid are in prenatal vitamins, my dr. told me a while ago that being pregnant helps increase serotoin and I would not have alot of migraines. I am just starting to try to be more natural, also my boss takes pure synergy,I am feeling much better, but am still on 9 mgs of effexor. I hope this helps, I am there with you..

JDubs:

First question: Who's evaluated you for your anxiety/panic?? If it's a shrink or a talking therapist, then I wouldn't worry as much about the zoloft. It's not something you stop cold turkey either, but it's not like effexor in terms of the horrific experiences that we've all been thru. If you have not tried talking therapy for your panic/anxiety, I'd explore that first before trying still another med, whether it's one strictly for anxiety (like a benzo) or whether it's another SSRI. Why are you anxious??? Answer that question first, if you haven't already done so. I don't catagorically recommend meds for my clients who present with anxiety. I work with them and evaluate the need for medication to quell symptoms only when necessary.

Marilyn (Accordionlady)

Hey Marilyn,
It was a family physician that put me on the zoloft, not a therapist so I'm not sure if that is good or bad.

I've done the talking with the therapist thing but still needed meds in the end so I think it helped a lil but not so much.

Most of my anxieties occur in public, at stores, etc. I am constantly worrying about having a panic attack & passing out infront of large groups of people.

When I feel the warning signs I just can't ignore them & the fight or flight reaction occurs & I run.

I've also read two books to try to control my panic attacks but they haven't done a thing. If I had the extra money I would buy the Linden Method cds for getting over panic attacks but they cost over $100.

Let me know what you think :)

JDubs:
Sounds like you've got panic disorder all right! That's a biologically based problem. The SSRI's are the meds most commonly prescribed, and the ones that 'do the job.' You may want to set aside money for the CD's. I have not heard of that method, but there are therapists that specialize in treating panic. I can tell you, the more you avoid, the more you actually worsen the problem. Zoloft will help you, but you should do what you can to attack the problem on your own. Learn the art of deep muscle relaxation and breathing techniques. (Yoga is a great way to learn it!) Take one of the fears, break it down into the smallest components behaviorally, and introduce yourself to each component, breathing your way thru the fear. Expect to feel the anxiety, but in 'smaller doses.' You have trained yourself to pay too close attention to the bodily signals, and your mind runs away with that awareness!! What's the worst thing that can happen if you do pass out??? Most folks with panic have that identical worry! And you know what...it nearly never happens!!! Since getting off effexor, I've come to realize that I HATE being controlled by anything. Don't let the power surges you're afraid to feel take your life away from you!!! They will pass, usually in about 20 minutes, if they're truly panic attacks. Ya just need to wait thru the time it takes your body to get thru the cycle. That's where breathing, visualization and deep muscle relaxation can help you. Practice those techniques every day; don't wait for a panic attack to come! So when you feel your body gearing up, you'll have an arsenal of 'tools' at the ready to help you.

Incidentally, Paxil is ofen used for panic attacks. It's very effective, but as bad as effexor to come off of. In my observation, it doesn't seem to cause weight gain as often. Usually folks go on it,and plan to stay on it indefinately, unless they learn to tackle the panic with theraputic techniques.

Hope I've helped ya...

Marilyn

hello all,
dont now if any of you are around who helped me back in Jan/feb this year - Pam, Twisi, EFP and any others?! How are you all doing? it will be 80 E free days for me next week - times flown!

i have been up and down emotionally lately and my self confidence has somewhat declined. dont know if thats E related at all or just me! im also really anxious about the wedding (which is fast approaching - july 25th!) and little things seem to really stress me out and i worry quite alot about everything and do a lot of what iffing! so dont know if thats coz im off E or not really. i was very close to going back to docs and asking for some diazapam or stgh but some of the addiction and withdrawal stories make me think absolutely not. i refuse to take anymore drugs no matter how crap i feel.

anyhoo, im sure things will pick up - i think its just wedding/money stress (weddings cost tons!) so just going to focus on the honeymoon and having a great time! my aim was to be E free before wedding and ive already accomplished that now!

hope you are all doing well...
ems xx