Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 127 of 140}

Thanks Anne,

I think I might start with reducing by just a quarter. I was fine dropping from 150mg to 75mg and then from 75mg to 37.5mg. Just came into trouble when I tried to stop from 37.5mg.

I think that I can deal with the nausea and vertigo to some extent. It is the heart racing and twiching/spasms I cant stand. It lasts for hours and I can't sleep or relax. Besides, I don't think that would be good for my pregnancy.

I've been seeing a hypnotherapist lately for the depression which has been working wonders. Shame it can't help with the withdrawals.

Kelly

Greetings,

I am a former psychiatric social worker and consumer of Effexor as well. 2 years I began to decrease the dosage after 10 years of use.

My girl friend of 2 months, god bless her, went through this before with an old boyfriend. She says she is seeing the same evil withdrawal affects but much less in severity.

What I am doing that many are not is replacing the evil drug with its amino acid counterpart and co factors. Also doing mediation and yoga and eating a very healthy diet.

I highly recommend this book: Depression-Free, Naturally: 7 Weeks to Eliminating Anxiety, Despair, Fatigue, and Anger from Your Life by Joan Mathews Larson.

I hope this is of help to someone in need.

Marty

Hey Marty,
Which amino acids and co factors do you take? What dose of Effexor are you on, and how fast have you been able to taper? The book sounds interesting.
Thanks for posting!
AnneT
PS I am down to 1/4 of the 37.5 twice a day, supported by Benadryl, a bit of Prozac, and fish oils.

Hi Anne,

I was at 225 for 8 years then 150 for 2 then 150 5 days a week (I do not recommend this) and now 75 3xweek and 150 4x week. soon 75 only for a few months.

L Tyrosine without food 1500 mg am and then 1000 mid afternoon and L tryptophan 1000 3pm (ish) and 2000 bed time. all 'L' aminos are taken on empty stomach.. co factors are b6 and calcium and also vita C...

the book is great with specifics..

I have been in huge denial on the power of this drug... not realizing how much it has influeced my thoughts and moods al these years!

Marty,

I have been taking the L-Tryptophan, 500-1000 at nights and 500 during the day.
I feel when I go to 750mg; I feel lots of pressure on my brain. I was told that it may be too much for me.
I also take 100 mg. L-theanine with it at both doses.
I am reading a book called Mood Cure, which seemed very interesting to me and I saw the Whole Food staff use.
I tried the L-tyrosing 500mg for two days only in the morning, but gave me a sever headache. I tried the Gaba 700mg, yesterday and again today before taking my L's. I felt like my heart was coming out of my body. My heart was beating so fast, I became very anxious; felt my head was too heavy.
Have you had any experiences such as the one I had?

I appreciate yours, Mikemo, 5HTPman or any one else have any thoughts on that.

I am going to stop the Gaba and Tyrosine and may just add a magnesium.

Thank you.
Kathy

Hi,
After reading these posts I am starting to doubt that I am going to be able to wean myself off this drug without some kind of substitute. I was planning on dropping from 37.5mg to 28.125mg for a week starting tomorrow. Then a week of 18.85mg and so on until I am off them.

Would anyone please be able to suggest if this is a good method? I am thinking of maybe going to a natropath/doctor to get some help.

Thanks
Kelly

kelly,

That is a good way to do it. But on the day before you change your dose for the week, take even less than that. Drop from 37.5 to 25 (for one day) and then take a week of 28.125.

That extra low dose triggers your body to make changes. Then during the week at 28.125 the withdrawl won't be too bad. I've seen good results from this. We kinda call it the Spike Drop Taper Method. You can read how it developed here:

http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/102450/

Hi Kelly,
Either your plan or Mike's suggestion sounds good. Just make sure that you don't have anything major going on during your Spike Drop day or the day after. (My Spike Drop day was fine, but I was in terrible shape the next day.) Of course, everyone is different. I also feel some withdrawal at about day 7 after a drop.

My last drop I did without the spike drop, and felt just slightly off the next day, and fine since. I may try a drop, or a spike drop, as I have a long weekend coming up (Canadian Thanksgiving.) I'm not cooking the big dinner this year! We will potluck with friends, or just take the kids out. Hey! Turkey has lots of tryptophan, so it should be a great weekend for all of us! (Canadians, anyway.)

Be kind to your mind!
AnneT

Thanks for your help guys.
I am worried about the day after a spike drop. Like I mentioned earlier, I got really bad withdrawals the day after I missed by last dose. I really can't deal with that again.

I am so depressed today trying to deal with this. It's probably also due to hormones. I'm at my desk at work trying so hard not to cry. And my morning sickness is not good. I really just feel like giving up and staying in bed forever!

Kelly and Anne,

Magnesium. I have been reading lots about it helping depression.

Kelly, you may want to heck with your doctor to see if it can be taken while pregnant..

I took it today for the first time and I feel less foggy. I decided to stay on L-Tryptophan and Magnesium for now to see how it works.

The most absorbable ones are the soluble forms like Aspartate, Malate, Glycinate, Citrate….

You are a great mom, sticking it out for the sake of the baby.

Only the people who have been through this can feel your hardship. We have been there and know what you are going through.

I pray for lots of strenght for you. Hang in there.

Thanks for all of your help guys. You don't know how much it means to me!!

I have made a decision today. I am going to stay on 37.5mg for now until I get over the major morning sickness stage. I don't need to make that any worse.

Then I will start the tapering method to get off this horrible drug and be drug free for the first time in years. I have an appt tomorrow with my therapist so that should really help to.

Thanks again,
Kelly

Hello gals,

Did I forget the co factors for the aminos? Vitamin C (3g day) and also B vitamins, you need at least 50 mg of B6 3xday with food - I just take a b multi 3 x day.

YOGA AND MEDITATION and specifically KUNDALINI YOGA is very helpful for me, as is cardio exercise.

As we go through the withdrawal and the subsequent brain chemistry changes it is essential to help the nervous system as much as possible. The yoga sets and meditations of Kundalini Yoga are very helpful.

There are sites with resources for learning but it seems I cannot post the url's here :(

Does any one here drink? I did for years and stopped recently.. Man what a difference!

Best wishes to you all.
Marty

Kelly,
That sounds like a wise plan. You smart mama, you! I remember how horrid I felt with 'morning' sickness - green, and sorry for myself, all day long. The wrist bands, lemon, ginger (teas, etc), eating small amounts really frequently helped a bit, as well as lots of rest (which was hard to find as I was doing my residency then.)

'Drug free' may or may not be a reasonable goal right away. Pregnancy, taking care of baby/toddler, are all common triggers or exacerbators of depression, so again, be kind to yourself, do what works for you and baby. No guilt, no shame!

Marty,
I got outside today to dig my veggie garden under, and rake some leaves. The exercise felt so good. I know I always feel better after yoga, but have a hard time making myself show up for it...don't know why.
I kind of randomly take most of the vits, etc that you mentioned. The B6 is very helpful for us gals with PMS, but be careful with those high doses as it can cause some nerve issues.
And, yes, I drink! I know, I know...it's the wrong way to self-medicate. When I do go off it, I sleep much deeper, and my energy improves. I have switched from red to white wine, which seems to interrupt my sleep less. Red wine also gives me palpitations, which was worse on higher doses of Effexor. I know, anyone with psych issues should stay away from alcohol. Our brains don't need anymore damage! It's such an easy route to relaxation. I'll try om-out and pray, stretch, hot baths.
AnneT

Oh, Kelly, I forgot, I wanted to say that the Spike Drop method may not be for you, with your pregnancy. It may help some people get off the Effexor faster, but maybe just the really gradual decreasing (when you are ready) with or without the switch to Prozac might be safest for you and Baby.
AnneT

Haven't posted a note lately as withdrawal has been horrific. Sweats, chills and brain zaps are finally starting to decrease but am so nauseous that I can barely eat or function. I am into my 19th day completely off Effexor and want to know how lessen/cope this symptom...

Benedryl, helped with the nausea and dizziness both.
Do not use the non drowsy. To awoid drowsiness, I used 1/2 the dose and spaced it in 1/2 recommended time.
(If the bottle says take 2 pills every 4-6 hours, I would take one tablet every 3 hours).

I have been feeling real well for the last week specially.

The back pain is much less and the L-tryptophan is finally working.

It took close to 4 weeks to see the full affects of the L-tryptophan.

I understand, that it is not something to take for ever and your body will tell you when you don't need more. Lets say the body is deprived of that and would need it for a many years to come. Is there any knowledge of how long is too long to take this amino acid?

Mikemo,
Thank you for your advice and help to get me through this. I know I had some ups and downs, but this site was my only support systems for a period of time.
Things seem to be going much smoother now.

Toggletoo,
Sorry to hear you are still feeling rotten. What was your last dose before you went to zero? Did you try the Benadryl or Gravol/dramamine, and if so, any help? You might need to try say 1/2 the dose you were on before you went to zero for awhile, or get the liquid Prozac and 1/4-1/2 the regular dose.

I've been doing alright. I've been on Prozac 10 mg, and Effexor 7.5 mg twice a day. I accidentally missed my Prozac on Friday, and woke up Saturday morning with moderate vertigo. RRRRgggh! I must be a fast metabolizer or something. Or maybe that was my Effexor withdrawal from dropping the dose a week previous. I felt fine today, so will keep on with the Prozac 10 in the morning, and drop the Effexor to about 5-6 mg twice a day.

I wonder if the Prozac is making me gain more weight. I'm trying to get out for more exercise and eat more veggies. I won't starve myself; I know I've got to be gentle with myself during this tapering time. I suppose I could try to give up or reduce my white wine to save on some calories...

Hang in there, everyone.
AnneT

Thank you for your support. It has been 26 days and I am doing well. Have infrequent stomach and gut spasms. I was told that we have seratonin receptors in our gut and stomach, thus the problem with spasms. The Benedryl was a big help with the nausea and have slept better. Still having some sweats but overall, I am feeling much better. My mind is clear for the first time in nine years and can actually think rationally! Again thank you all for your support, I'm not sure I could have done it without you.

What can I do to stave off the depression? Any recommendations for a more natural and healthy way to treat and contro?
Thanks,
Toggletoo

Anne T,

Hang in there your self with the weight gain. I know it sucks. And please yes be gentle with yourself. And the wine should be let go of and replaced with L glutamine (cravings for alcohol) and meditation. I can show you how or and send you to some links..

Just my 2 cents: Its working for me and I still have bad days too... marty

Toggletoo,
It's so encouraging to hear how well you are doing. To stave off depression...it really depends on the cause. Family history? Stress? Combination? Are you living the life that God/The Universe meant for you? Keep reading, exploring, talking. Take it easy and day by day...all that stuff. Good food, exercise.

Marty/bodyworker,
Thank you. I will try the L glutamine. I pray and meditate and journal. My husband also feels he's gained weight recently, and so we are considering banning the wine from the house for awhile. When I paint and draw, I have less cravings. My creativity gives me such a natural high.
Feel free to keep bugging me about the booze! It helps.
AnneT

Another thought for you, Toggletoo. Some books that REALLY helped my journey out of toxic situations that contribute(d) to my depression:
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Mind over Mood by ? Padesky

Even if you are not creative, the Julia Cameron book has some great exercises to get you thinking and remembering what you love to do, and to help you let go of the 'shoulds' in your life, without guilt. Very freeing. It's best to work through the book with some trustworthy friends, meet every week or two to talk about each chapter. I think this book is great for trying to quit addictive habits/situations, mid-life crises, just gaining clarity on what is this thing called life all about.

Toggelo,

L-Tryptophan really helped me. It takes about a month before you see the full effect. But, it totally calms me. I am even calmer than when I was on Effexor.
I take mine in the morning and the afternoon, so it can all turn into seretonin, instead of melatonin.
You may want to Google it.
I started, with 500mg x2/day and went up to 1000mgx2/day.
You may want to research 5-HTP and St. Johns worth. Mikemo, who is very knowledgable person thought the L-Tryptophan is the best of all of them. And, as I said, he was very much correct and it helped me. The only thing I don't know is if it is unsafe to take for very long time.

Hey Toggletoo,
I'm still on 37.5mg so I'm not where you are yet. However I have been seeing a hypnotherapist who has been wonderful. Even if you are sceptical you should look into it. I feel that just talking with her too makes me feel so much better.
It's really hard in todays world where there is so much negativity. But after my sessions I actually feel happy and can smile again.

Best of luck to you.
Kelly

Hi Kelly,

wow...hang in there. your commitment to your self is very strong!

Are you doing anything supplement wise to replace the drug? And are you doing and yoga or meditation to help balance the nervous system? or exercise?

All these things will help. as for the incintinenace I have not heard of this... Like many symptoms it may have a purely biochemical connection or maybe also emotional.. who knows? only you in the end.. you are amazing for dealing with these side effects and refusing to go back to the drug...!!!!


AMINO ACID REPLACEMENT:

I tried unsuccessfully twice over the years until finding 2 doctors and their books: my favorite is Joan Larson, PhD and her book, 'THe Mood CUre.' In it she has an amino acid profile test (with symptoms listing if you are more seratonin or norepiniphrine or essential fatty acid deficient - and then what to take to replace effexor with)..

I cannot underestimate this importance of being exacting with this process. I am finally doing it right after 2 failed attempts...

Also a note on tryptophan and seratonin / melatonin. Its still converted into seratonin at night. And take either 5HTP or seratonin, not both.. 5htp is the precursor to seratonin.. choose one and take th etherapeutic dose.

Warmly
Marty