Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 124 of 140}

Anne,

Bonus doses aren't realy a good way to go. It would be better to stay at a constant dose until you are ready to make another spike drop and re-level.

Kathy,

I haven't looked online, but I would think a reputable company would be perfectly safe. You can usually tell. Here is one that looks good to me:
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/en/query.jsp?q=tryptopha....

You should be fine keeping your doses separated with the anti-inflammitory.

Keep up the good work!!

Hi all,
It's so good to have this virtual support group to keep me motivated. At 15mg twice a day, last night, I had another vertigo attack, but it didn't last long. I took a few extra generic Effexor first, then a few of the Brand Name Effexor. Interesting - the 'real' stuff (brand name) was crunchier and more bitter. So maybe I got a lower dose than I thought on the Generic. (I hate to waste things, so thought I'd go with the cheap-y stuff as long as possible. I'll have to tell myself that my brain is also an expensive thing to waste!!)
So, I think I will stick with the 15mg twice a day, but use the Brand Name and see how it goes. If I still get any 'break through' symptoms, then maybe it's time for me to add the Prozac. I don't want to increase the Effexor dose!
(Is rambling a side effect? :)
AnneT

Kathy,
Do you live in the US or Canada? I know that here in Canada you can get a prescription for tryptophan.

L-theanine is also supposed to help with anxiety. Apparently it is the stuff in tea that makes tea calming, in spite of the caffeine.

That's horrid that you have to deal with a pain flare-up at the same time. And too bad there is no magic pill to make hubby kinder! Do you have some supportive friends who do the job for you?
AnneT

Mikemo,
Thank you for your response.

Anne T,

I live in the US.

Unfortunately, when you fill your lowest is when you realize that some friends are not as true as you thought they were.

I am trying to help myself, the best that I can.

My husband and I will be going to a marriage therapist for the first time today.

He is the one whom I think could help me the most right now.

Kat,
You do sound low. I will send prayers and positive vibes your way.

CCooney,
What did you decide? Are you going to try 1 or 2 mg for a few days, or just see what happens? I hope to someday (soon!!??) be down to such a low dose.
Anne

Hi Anne! I'm going to stay at the 3 mg until I don't feel nauseas any more and then I will try to drop to 1 mg. I was sick to my stomach all day yesterday and last night. I don't know if it was the Effexor or just a stomach bug. I am so tired of feeling crummy. I have been withdrawing since June and have had more bad days then good. My sister called me this morning to check on me and I just cried and cried to her.
- Christine

Christine, You are braver than me! If I were throwing up, I'd likely take more Effexor. Mind you, my withdrawals are pretty obvious with the vertigo, the house pitching like a boat, the world not keeping up with my eyes.... Maybe go up to 4 mg for a couple of days to give yourself some relief?

Have you thought about trying even a low dose of Prozac? You can get it in liquid. 20 mg is the usual dose, but I wonder if even 5mg a day might get you over those last few mg of Effexor, and protect your mood at the same time.

This is such a challenge. I wish we could all access a neuropsychopharmacologist.

I think it's time for my dose of chocolate! Hang in there.
Anne

Hi Anne! About a month ago I went to my doctor and asked him if there was anything I could take to help with the withdrawal symptoms. He said no. I didn't really believe him but decided it wasn't worth an argument. I can't believe you called me brave. Thank you! I definately don't feel brave. If anything I feel like a failure. Some people have told me just to suck it up and deal with the week of feeling horrible. That's fine for some people but I cannot afford to be off of work for a week AND I don't want to feel like death would be better than living for a week. I guess I might be taking this to the extreme by getting down to such a low dosage. When I'm feeling nauseas I just can't seem to function properly. I guess I don't have a very high tolerance for pain. Good thing I won't be having any kids! lol

I accessed some medical literature, and found a case study of a woman that had stopped Effexor cold turkey. She didn't make the connection when she got the symptoms that I get. She and her doctors figured she had a stroke. She was like this for EIGHT WEEKS before trying going back on E. So don't count on this 'just being one week'!!! If I had to put up with those symptoms for more than a few hours, I'd shoot myself. (Good thing I don't have a gun.) That's why I just take more Effexor and wait for the world to be still again. When I'm in that severe withdrawal, all I can do is sit very still, look at one spot on the floor or wall, and pray, and wait. I would be terrified of being moved, you know, if I'd had to go to the hospital. So try not to feel like a failure. Just listen to your body, and do what you need to do.
If you want some articles/references for your doctor about Effexor withdrawal and trying Prozac, I'd be happy to supply those to you. He/she might feel happier to see it from the real medical literature, rather than just from internet conversations.
(PS True confessions: I am here as a patient, but also happen to be a family doctor. Please don't hate me!! ;) I promise never to prescribe Effexor or Paxil again unless it is absolutely the last thing available.)

Hi Anne! I would be really interested to see some literature on Effexor withdrawal and Prozac. I don't know if it is a problem or not but I am also on Wellbutrin. If I ever get off the Effexor I'm going to try and get off the Wellbutrin next. Have a wonderful evening.

Christine

Christine, I will get some for you. Are you in the US or Canada?
Anne

Mikemo,

I just want to say a huge thanks to you.

I found this thread and read about your drop spike method.

I thought I had done a fairly good job of weaning off Effexor, but I was taking tablets and not capsules so it really was guesswork with hindsight.

Anyway, I got to where I thought I could stop. Day one was bad, day two was even worse.

It was then I had to decide. Do I stick with it, after all I had done 2 days, or do I go back onto 25mg and start the whole process again, using your method.

I opted for your method as I really didnt know how long I was going to be so incapacitated for.

That was over a month ago.

Today I dropped to 2mg. Nothing really nasty.

Tomorrow I will take my last 2mg.

I am aware that I may get some effects after this, but I know I have done it the best way.

I will let you know how it goes, but I just wanted to thank you so so much. This isn't a regular wean off method, this is so much more clever than that.

Good luck to everyone who is coming of this medication.

: )

PS Just to reiterate that I found this method can be done with the short release version that comes in hard tablets. Just crush it up with the side of a knife and then measure it out on your paper. You just have to find a way to contain it to swallow it. This is my own experience, please consult a doctor before doing this. I just want to share.

Anne, I'm in the US. Thanks!

Whoops, I am down to 3 mg. I didn't know anyone else was going to that low of a dosage. Good luck. Please let me know how it goes.
Christine

mikemo,
Thank you for the website info.

AnneT,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

I'm sticking with the 15 mg twice daily. I had some good, awake hours yesterday, but today am fuzzy-brained. I got a bit of the spins, so chewed 4 granules and that was enough to stop the spins. Fish oil, chocolate, 5htp, and a nap will hopefully get me in shape for when the kids get home. I keep asking myself if it's time to add the Prozac...I just wish I knew how I'll react to it.

Hello everyone. I was put on efexor about nine months ago while suffering from depression caused by work related stress - i did everything i possibly could to get over this, i even ended up selling my share in the company i started 10 years ago & gave up work. My GP put me on these awful drugs as a last resort & i now wish i was stronger at the time not to have taken them. I have been coming off of these pills now for several weeks - cutting my dose down at first then followed by one every other day then one every 3rd day - then none. I am currently cold turkey & the side effects are plain crazy. Dizzyness, nausea, really bad mood swings, lack of being able to concentrate, buzzing in my ears, its like having a permenant bad hangover. This is now my 11th day without the 'wonder drug' the side effects are still bad but not as bad as the 1st week. I sure i am driving my poor wife to dispare & my 18mth old little girl & 3year old boy are not liking me much at the minute either.

Help.... can anyone recommend anything i can take to make me normal again????

Since you are on day 11, you would be fine with 5-HTP for a while until you get leveled back out. Then you could switch slowly over to tryptophan. That's what I would do if I were you. Also, l-theanine in the evenings is great.

But start the 5-HTP asap. You could even double the recommended label dose for a few days to get a boost (take it twice, not all at the same time though!). I wouldn't do that for too long, though.

Apparently duloxetine (Cymbalta) is a new longer-acting SNRI (Effexor is a short acting SNRI), so it may be another good one to switch to for easier tapering.

Anyone have any experience with it?

Me again. Guess I'm chatty tonight, or just want some support. I've been reading previous posts - only on page 13 of these 124 pages!! - and gain some hope, and some trepidation. Some people have been off the E for 9 months and STILL don't feel right. From their symptoms, it sounds still like it's withdrawal rather than recurrent depression. I know it can take the brain 6 months to 2 years to 'heal' as best it can. It's definitely taken 2 years to get my depression under control, and the E and Wellbutrin did help, so I guess I need to patient. (But I don't like to be patient! I like to do stuff, get ideas, and do more stuff! I know, I know...that's one of the reasons I crashed and burned.)

Oh yeah, I also wanted to mention a great book that helps with the stinkin' thinkin' that goes with depression and anxiety and anger: 'MIND OVER MOOD'. It might not replace therapy, but it may speed it along.

Anyone have the buzzing ear(s), only on one side?

Catatonically yours,
AnneT

Littleyid,

Hang in there. It will get better. Try the fish oil and the other remedies recommended on page 120 of site.

To everyone else,

Anne T has brought up a good subject about the long term side effects of the Effexor withdrawal. Does anyone know about that? How long can it take? Is it normal to feel sensitive? I am being told by my husband, that I am being too sensitive. I am scared. We went to a Psychologist/marriage therapist for the first time ever.

She said that the side affects of the Effexor withdrawal would go away after only one week. Within minutes of talking with us, and my husband saying that “ since I have been off of this drug, I am being too sensitive”; she said, “may be you were truly depressed and should still be on the Effexor.

This is just too sad. Then I went through this hell for no reason!!

I realize that if people are a danger to themselves or others may need to be on it. I am so lost. It makes me wonder if I should just go on another med and stay numb. Then what?
What will happen when that med does not work anymore? Then they will put you on a cocktail of different anti-depressants.

I know this is not the forum for venting. But, I wished there was one.

Sure it's a forum for venting! Why do you think it is 124 pages long?

I think it is really difficult to tell the difference between some depression symptoms and side effects of the meds. Both can cause fuzzy brain, flat mood, fatigue, insomnia, low libido, etc etc. Now, depression does not cause brain zaps, vertigo, buzzing ears. It may be that you do need to still be an antidepressant - just don't take Effexor or Paxil. Prozac is the longest acting one so least likely to give you troubles if/when you need to stop. I was on Celexa a few years ago. It helped, but gave me migraines. When I stopped, my doctor was smart enough to tell me to go reallllly slowly, like down 5 mg per month. I had no problems.

And, hey, congrats on getting hubby to therapy! That is an accomplishment to celebrate.

I decided to stop torturing myself, and started a small dose of liquid Prozac this morning (just 4 mg). Today was supposed to be another Drop Day, but since I had breakthrough vertigo requiring a few extra granules yesterday, I'll wait a couple of days. Also, I don't want to confuse any Prozac side effects (hopefully none at this low dose!!) with E withdrawal.

Vent on. We're listening.
AnneT

Hi Mikemo,
I just wanted to let you know how things are going. I have been off the effexor since August 22,2008. So 1 month. I am doing good. I still have dizziness on occassion but not really bad and usually if I take a fish oil after a while it goes away. I am still taking the fish oil usually 3 times a day and my other vitamins. Anyway just letting you know how things are going. Thanks!

Bernadette

Bernadette,
What kind of dizziness do you get? Spinning or light-headed or something different?
Thanks,
AnneT

Yay!

Congrats! You may want to try 3 days of tryptophan supplimenting. I've come across another couple amino acids, L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine.

I haven't talked about Tyrosine in this forum, but it is another major player in the brain chemistry health. Definately worth a shot.

If I were off effexor and still having adverse effects, I'd probably be supplimenting these three together.

The cool part about amino acids is they exist in our food sources anyway (in smaller ammounts), so there really is no danger if you don't go over the label dose.

Hang in there!

AnneT

The dizziness is not like the room spinning or lightheaded, it is something different. It is not easy to explain but I can still walk around and function if I have to, but it kind of reminds me of how I the kind of dizziness I have when I have motion sickness. If I think of a better way to describe it I will let you know. Sorry I was more informative.