Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 132 of 140}

Marri,
I don't know for sure whether the ringing in my ear is related to the Effexor. It has been in the right ear consistently since last March. There is also a sense of fullness, and actual low-frequency hearing loss. I had my MRI yesterday and am nervously awaiting the results. I suspect it is not related to the Effexor, since it is only one side, and has not improved (or worsened) as I have lowered the dose.

But I would definitely look into it if others have had actual hearing loss from Effexor...another one for the lawyers, I'm sure!
AnneT

Thanks AnneT. I asked because of the constant buzzing I have in head (or ears) dont really know where it is coming from. Its been clear to family and friends I have some diminished hearing and I noted this atlast 2 yrly physicals. I thought it is a 'family history' as mom and dad had to (but mom wont) wear hearing aids. I will address this issue at March physical. but then my PCP didnt think I have withdrawl symptoms when I called him franctic on the 3rd day of no E. He did prescribe the 37.5 that I needed to level and dosnt know my present situation. Today is 5 after a 2.5 drop yesterday. thanks again

Hi Marri,
It can be so confusing. When I realized that my ear was not right, I used my own equipment (I am a family doc in Canada) to test my hearing (tuning forks). This showed me immediately that I had hearing loss, and that it was not from an ear problem, but a nerve/brain problem. If your PCP has his/her tuning fork handy (I confess, I've never used it in my practice) you could check that out. The other thing is getting a proper hearing test. My hearing test with an Audiologist was done much more exactly than the one that was (eventually) done in the ENT office. (That's a whole other rant.)

Please let me know if you get testing done - if we both have similar results, it would certainly make me more suspicious of the Effexor as a cause.
AnneT.

P.S. Marri,if that does turn out to be the case, I'd be willing to write up an article for a medical journal.

AnneT, just came back from 1hr+walk in 6 degrees, didnt notice my head noise but now I do. I put in my calender a notation to have dr. test me for the hearing. I dont know if this is related but I have suffered a simple headache behind left eye ball for a while, said to be hormone (or lack of)related. So sent to neurologist. MRI showed 'left vertrial cyst' and now referred to a neuro surg and told to sch CT of Interncranial vessels and then another MRI. In most of my life, I was not headache prone-ever. Headaches and below the waist sweating, came about 8 years ago and I had been prescribe E instead of HRT. I have been on Estrosorb topically for 4 yrs, I begged drs for this. For the last 6 months have been reducing the 2 packets to one each night. Previously I started on Zolof in 1992 (?) for pain associated w/Intercyst Cysti (spelling? sorry). I will follow thru with above and bring all to my PCP with the hearing issue and let you know. I cant sch until after 03/19/2009. Also, added Flax oil to my Omega 3 and multiple vit. Thanks for your time, Marri

hi everyone,
i am brand new here and wanted to say thank you for all of your posts. they give me hope! i decided recently that i need to get some help either with weaning myself off effexor and/or getting myself onto an anti-depressant that is safer and more effective. the main reason being i have been on them nearly half my life. I have a long history of OCD, anxiety problems, and depression. It seems to be something that runs in the family. I first started on Prozac when I was 19, and was switched to effexor i don't even know when, it's been so long. In March I turn 34. I finally realized that the Effexor is not good for me when I forgot to take a dose and experienced hellish migraines/dizziness/mood swings/nausea/anxiety. As a result of this, I became frightened of not having it on hand not only because I am afraid of feeling bad mentally, but physically as well! I've tried to quit several times but couldn't stand it more than a day or two. Long story short, I got the stomach flu this week just as I ran out of Effexor. Confined to bed for four days, I couldn't take Effexor because I was too weak to go and get it, and since I was throwing up and feeling terrible anyway, I was hoping I could get through the worst of the withdrawal while I slept off the flu. Well, it's day 5 and I went to work for the first time in a week. I spent the shift in a haze, alternately being paranoid that people were thinking I was high/drunk and being
proud that I was even walking. I used to be on 300mg a day, cut down to 150 on my own over a few months, and now am on day 5 cold turkey from that. Am I through the worst of it yet? Should I get back on 150 and wean more slowly? My doctors have said in the past that my OCD means I will most likely have to be on some type of medication my whole life. Does it have to be something like Effexor though? There has to be a better safer medication for me. If anyone on the forum has similar issues with OCD/depression and Effexor, could you please tell me about your experiences and if anything has helped you? I'm doing my best to eat well and get lots of sleep, but other than that am at a loss as to how to alleviate my withdrawal. I don't think I can do many more shifts at work like this. Please help! I know I need to get to my doctor soon too. (I like my current doctor alot, the Effexor I take was not originally prescribed by her)

Hurray! My brain MRI was normal. So, no tumour, but also no explanation for the hearing loss and ringing. Hmm....

Photo Girl,
I wonder if your 'flu' was actually Effexor withdrawal? Maybe you could manage on 75 mg now, or some dose between 75 and 150. What a brutal few days you've had! You may not be through the worst of it. From what I've read, some of those symptoms can persist for a long time (weeks to months), which makes sense. The brain does heal itself, but slowly, over months to years.

I don't have too much advice regarding the OCD, except that I know it is a tough one to treat. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and high doses of SSRIs (stick with the long-acting ones to avoid the discontinuation crap) should help.

I am on 2 mg a day (weaned from 150 mg over about 1 year), with 10 mg of Prozac to keep me from the horrific 'Discontinuation Syndrome'. I am still trying to decide whether to go down to 1 mg for a few weeks, or just stop. Whenever I dropped too fast before, I had to go way up in dose again to get myself on an even keel (but that was pre-Prozac.) I also plan to get a small syringe for tapering the Prozac.

Hang in there, everyone.
AnneT

I am going thru effexor detox and find this site is a blessing. I am also weaning off of trazodone. After reading thru a lot of posts, I realize I have done the effexor part way too fast. However, since I am off completely and have been for 5 days I would like to try and hang in there.

My question : I cannot sleep. I am too jerky, sweaty, hot and cold and so on. The exhaustion is getting me down. Does anyone have any recommendations about getting some sleep? I think I will need some sort of medication to do this and I see my doctor tomorrow.

Thanks so much.

For Photo girl and OCD

There is a great breathing technique / meditation that has been proven do as effective as drugs. In yoga it is called, 'Sodarshan Chakra Kriya.'

Look it up on line under a search for Kundalini yoga and Sodarshan Chakra Kriya.

If you do it for 11 min a day for 40 days then increase time it will help. It has helped several of my clients who stick with it.

Bless you,
Marty

I was wondering if the ringing in the ear goes away after the withdrawl session

J.G.S.,
You've got the ringing in your ears too?! Is it one or both ears? Have you had your hearing tested?

For insomnia...Benadryl has helped various symptoms of Effexor withdrawal for some people. Exercise (early in the day) should help. Imovane (zopiclone) is a prescription drug that is helpful and less addictive than Ativan, etc.

I am down to about 1.5 mg of Effexor per day.

AnneT

Yeah I have real bad ringing in my right ear that started last year in January or February. Yes I have gone to the doctor numerous times for the ringing including the ear,nose and throat doc but all he wanted to do was take out my tonsils. I have just switched from effexor xr to effexor so I can try to wean myself off this horrible medicine. It helped with the depression don't get me wrong but I have been on this for 4 years now and I don't see it getting any better.

today is 16 days w/o effexor after trying to cold turkey in dec and going back on 37.5 and spike/drop down. The ringing stopped once I went back w/37.5 then came back when under 15mg. I thought it would go away by now. The other symptoms noted by most posters has somewhat subsided. Still some swooshing with the constant high pitch ringing in my head. I finally called a psy doctor who suggested Prozac for a few months. I declined and he suggest low dosage of Clonapin(spell?) or zantax. I dont know today what I will do. Sleeping good w/Benadryl.Hope this info helps. I havn't decided what to do yet.

Regent, Rinky, Featherston99,ccreel. I want to first thank You all, and of course the countless other stories I have read from various people.I wanted to make note that I have followed your stories from the first thread of these forums up to the Detoxing and day counting stages where you all have started to 'feel' again. I wanted to ask, My Financee is currently taking Eff 75mg for the past 2 1/2 years, I'm 100% supportive of her desicion of getting off this dangerous and disgusting Drug, My question to all who have gone through these rough stages is 'How can I be supportive in making this as easy as possible for her'?. I know it's going to be rough and I expect that, I've already gone and made lists of the tips and tricks you guys have all stated in these forums, I want her to know that I'm here for Her no matter what. Thanks. Kevin.

I hadn't realized the posts started way back in 2005, I commend everyone here from the online support to the amazing stories you have all shared so freely, Can anyone help me, I have read alot about marriage issues and how to cope and such. I took the first step by educating myself on the Effexor drug and now I'm wondering if anyone else can help me be a valueable support system for my Fiancee during this time of need. I just want to take a proactive approach to what to expect. Thanks again . Kevin

I have suffered from severe migraines for the past year and a half and the doctors have thrown every medicine in the book at me. I was on Effexor for a year and recently came off it with wicked side effects. Coincently the doctor put me on Klonopin to help with the side effects because it is a muscle relaxer and an anti anxiety. I have not had a headache in two weeks for the first time in a year and a half and two days ago they just started me on prozac to also help with the side effects. I have not had one stiff neck in two weeks which i used to have every day. Hope this helps.

JGS,
Thanks for your reply. I've been at about 1.5 mg of Effexor, and

about 25 days w/o any effexor and I am still 'ringing-buzzing' in the ears. I had to stop the fish oil as I think it was contributing to my stomach problems. Still walking every day and taking multiple vit. The noise has not subsided. Since I have been off E over 3 wks I didnt take the Prozac (I am sorry I didnt choose that route though)My doc said it is permanent and just happened. The psy dr. said it is from the withdrawing and as I said, recommended a couple wks of Klonapin or Xanax. I didnt do this and now I wonder if this will ever go away. Did I do it by withdrawing too fast? I checked for some natural remadies but wow, alot for ringing in the ears. AnneT I have been watching your progress and I am glad it seems to be better for you.

Hi..... its me Twisi back... I thought I'd post that I too have had a ringing in my right ear - since withdrawal - which has been almost eight months.

Other than that - night sweats still and thats about all that remains.

Twisi and Marri,
If you plug or close your good ear, does it seem you are a bit deaf in your buzzy ear?

Marri, I don't think you did it to yourself by reducing too fast...I don't know. What dose are you on now? I looked at your previous posts to refresh my memory.

It takes a long time for the brain to heal. I'm starting to be able to go without my usual 45 minute to 1 1/2 hour nap once in awhile. It seems like a positive shift, even though I am then couch-bound by about 7 p.m.
AnneT

thank you AnneT. It has been about 26 days with no E. I have been buzzing since under 15 or so mg. I am unable to relax or nap because of the noise. With both ears buzzing, is the noise from my head and not from the ears? It is high high pitch like a hissing. I am getting crazy from it and very upset. As noted, I didnt take the Klonapin (have the pills though for over one week). I could have choose Xanax or Prozac. I didnt. I am very bummed but feel it is because of the physical symptoms of withdrawal-not psychological-but who knows if this continues. Thanks for your kind reminder that the brain needs to heal. I do have some other symptoms but I can handle them, the buzzing is horrible and does not seem to lesson.

Marri,
26 days with no E! Yay! So, what was your last dose before you stopped? And how long had you been at that dose?

I wonder if more people on/coming off Effexor develop tinnitus (the buzzing) than the non-Effexor population. Certainly there is a small percentage of people who develop it unrelated to medications. It sounds like your doctor is on the right track with the meds suggested, and that you've had your MRI.

Head vs. ears...well, the brain is very close to the skull and ear. Tinnitus can come from either, but if your ears are clear of wax, then it is likely coming from the cranial nerve that supplies the ear. Many times the cause of tinnitus is never found. There does not seem to be a cure, just management. Some find it helpful to listen to headphones or the radio etc. I find that when I have been exposed to louder noises that it becomes a bit worse for awhile.

If you go for the Prozac, maybe ask for the liquid, so you can be on an appropriately low dose. 20 mg is normal; you might only need 10 or so. It also promotes weight gain. Xanax is a benzodiazepine (like Valium), so can be addictive, but has been found to decrease the 'driving me crazy' aspect of tinnitus. I think Klonapin is called something different here in Canada.
Hang in there,
AnneT

Dear AnneT, thank you for the personal response. I appreciate it. I will be having a CT Tue for a vertial cyst. Then an appt for a second opinion with a neuro surg. After that I will return to the neurologist for a review then another MRI. The neurol. didnt seem worried. He dosnt know I have the tinnitus yet because he only knew when I was just starting to drop dosage. I stopped after 4 days of 2.5 ish mg. I dropped after 4 days cold turkey then going back on 37.5 to get stable for one wk. (per the Neuro. advice) I did the spike drop for about 3 wks. yesterday was bad because I get so tired but can't rest because of the noise. Klonapon is clonazepam-I know it is similar to Xanax and could be habit forming. 2wks is all I need. I have had the pills for about a wk and didnt take them as I was afraid. Well here is to another day, if I know the buzzing would go away I would/could just tough it out, I think. Best to you, Marri

Hi again, Marri, It would be interesting to see if taking even a few granules of Effexor made the buzzing go away. If so, then perhaps stay on those few granules daily for a couple of weeks. If it makes no difference, well, you tried. I was getting to the point where I was just accepting that I would have the buzzing forever, and then it settled. I am on just a few granules of the E, and have dropped from 10 mg of Prozac to 8 mg. I feel a tiny bit dizzy in the evening, and occasionally irritable. I am trying to decrease my sleeping pills (Imovane, melatonin, 5htp, muscle relaxants, and/or Benadryl) and alcohol. It is still very wintry here, and my motivation for exercise is low, even though I know it is such a great treatment for the brain. Maybe I'll go for even a short walk now.
Keep us posted,
AnneT

AnneT-again thanks for helping and sharing. I did keep some of the E, even though I have had none for 27ish days, would I be going backward? I mean, by doing that for a a while again -would I be then starting the withdrawal over again when I stopped? Or is this a way to see if the (or lack of) E is the cause of the buzzing. I believe it is and this is why: I went cold turkey 4 days in December with no knowledge of the issues but buzzing and all the problems. Then I called the doctor and he suggested going on 37.5 for one wk. The buzzing went away until I dropped below about 15mg. I have learned from everyone, but especially from your posts. I too am very 'irritable' and sounding like a 'victim' my husband says. I have been crying out for over 2 years to doctors about my physical issues that I suspected were side effects of the E. Now I have the withdrawal symptoms. I had 5htp on my list to try but the Benadryl still helps me sleep through the night. It has taken me longer to relax to get to sleep (though I am exausted by 7-8pm.) The question: would it be better to go back to E (then/Prozac) or try as the clonazepam? I did walk a couple miles today in 28 degrees. It helps for a minute. Thanks again Marri

Hello! I have had this webpage saved on my favorites tab for so long now. A few years back I was interested in coming off effexor and after reading a number of posts I got scared as hell but knew that i had to. So here I am years later, after taking one 150mg of effexor xr per day for over 5 years now and I desperately want to get off this crap. So far-I have been emptying a little pit out of my capsules for a little over a month now-i dont' really count how many little granules, i just empty maybe a quarter of it out. (i read that on one of the pages here-but there are so many to read!!) Well-I didn't take anything since friday night (it's monday morning now) and i feel like my brain is going to explode-I did take a pill a few hours ago-emptied a little bit out-but as I started to reread some of the posts here-i just got so depressed and upset that i don't have the patience to read anymore. i'm surprised that i am even able to write what i am writing now. i just wnat to be off this goshdarn medicine-i can't believe the symptoms that i have felt from trying. what would be the best way to go about this??? i know that people have posted many answers to this-but i just can't read anything right now. how should i go about weening off-and what are some of the vitamins and supplements that i see people have mentioned that they have taken? i am a teacher-joy-i teach 8th grade-would it be best to wait until the summer when i have time to lay in bed depressed while i go through the withdrawals. I am so angry that i have been on this for so long-but coming off hurts so bad!!! it's amazing how quickly my doctor put me on this crap-she didn't even bother recommending other medications-i was young and naive and didn't bother asking the right questions. i know there is a lot of information in these threads-but right now i can't even read any more of it-can someone reply to me and let me know some tips on weening off of this junk?