Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 135 of 140}

This is to anybody looking for a way to manage effective withdrawal from Effexor. Fingers crossed - I think, hope and pray that I have control of this = it feels like it, but time will tell.

The first thing to say is that if the symptoms are unbearable, you have taken too much away from your body at any one time, and the best thing to do is to increase the dosage until you feel vaguely human again!!! Its from this place that is a good place to start the withdrawal.

I am withdrawing 10 mg a week and I do that by splitting a capsule onto a piece of paper and let the pillules run along a 7 and a half inch line with each half inch marked. (I saw this on the forum, and boy oh boy, it really is the best way to do it). Each half inch is the equivalent of 10 mg of Effexor and I can discard however many milligrammes I want.

Another thing that I am doing is first thing in the morning, drinking a cup of hot water. Apparently this helps speed up the detoxing process and flushes out the liver making its job easier.

Another thing I was advised to do is to take a good multivitamin.

As well as that, there is stuff called Milk Thistle. It is a herbal remedy and it again assists the liver to work better.

There is also a therapy called Acu detox, which a friend of mine does who is a detox specialist. Apparently it is widely used around the world to wean heroin and cocaine addicts off hard drugs. If you can find somebody who does this, it will help your withdrawal hugely . Your sleep will be a great quality sleep and it relaxes you which I think contributes greatly to your general progress.

To Bernadette:

Congrats on being off Effexor for 11 months - what an accomplishment!! How do you feel emotionally these days? While I'm concerned about the physical side-effects right now, I'm more concerned about the long-term emotional side-effects; will I become depressed again, that sort of thing.

As suggested by many people, I am taking Fish Oil/Omega 3's, B-Complex (a naturopath recommended doubling the daily dose of B-Complex, as AD's rob the body of its B vits.), Evening Primrose Oil (for night sweats), and Vit. C.

Oddly enough, after that one day of feeling very nauseous and dizzy etc., I felt virtually fine the next day after taking all the supplements in the morning instead of the evening. I can't be certain, but I wonder if starting off that morning with all of the vitamins, and then taking 17 mg of Effexor in the late morning/early afternoon, made the symptoms more tolerable? I did the same routine this morning, and while I feel the tiniest bit of brain zaps, I otherwise feel pretty good physically.

As I mentioned, I am really concerned about the emotional side-effects though... I feel as though I'm fighting with my boyfriend a lot more than usual (we hardly ever fight), and that a lot of things are 'wrong' with our relationship now... even though he is being 100% supportive of this withdrawal; it's hard to know if our relationship problems are 'real' or if it's just withdrawal side-effects making my emotions/thoughts a bit off-track?

I don't want to end up becoming depressed again (of course none of us do!)... I would like to believe that I could eventually get off Effexor completely, and manage my depression with exercise and supplements etc., but I suppose it's way to early to know for sure.

Take care,
Skipper

Skipper,

Emotionally I am doing much better these days. For many months after quitting effexor I had many days where my emotions were way off track. My boyfriend was very supportive and as understanding as he could be. That is not to say that it was easy or that he never had a hard time dealing with me and my ups and downs (which were just as confusing for me as they were for him.) I did always make sure and tell him that I appreciated his patience and for him to please understand that I believed it was a side effect from quitting effexor and that it would get better (I wasn't sure of that but I hoped it would and it has). I still think I have some emotional issues from time to time but they are continually becoming less and less. For at 2 to 3 months after completely being off effexor I cried alot and didn't always know why and couldn't control it but I don't do that anymore. 11 months later I still worry about the bad effects of effexor but know that I have came a long way and always try to think positive. Hope things only continue to get better.

Accordian Lady,
Fatigue, oh my gosh, yes! Mind you, I think I put myself into the depression state due to pure exhaustion/burnout, so I was down for the count when my dose was increased. I can get angry sometimes at the thought that I lost 3 years of my life being sedated by the Effexor, but it also gave me the chance to make some HUGE changes in my life (positive).

And aches...I get some fibromyalgia-type pain that makes me wonder: did this come from the Effexor? or does this mean that my diagnosis really should be CFS/FM? I've been off Effexor for a few months, but only by replacing it with Prozac...now down to about 4 mg of that.

Here's a wierd one - after experiencing the vertigo from Effexor withdrawal, sometimes when I get migraines I now get vertigo. Wierd.

Skipper,
I'm a family doctor (but on this forum as a patient) and have researched this, too. Some people with this E withdrawal, misdiagnosed as strokes, suffered for months, before figuring it out, resuming the Effexor and feeling better within hours. I would definitely suggest going back up the dose that keeps you well for at least a week - maybe even a month - before trying to reduce again, more gradually. You may need to piggy-back Prozac or Cymbalta (longer acting meds).

It may take a long time (I am at about 1 1/2 years) to gradually get off, but between the initial brain problem (depression or whatever) that needs healing, and getting used to being without the meds...well, try to be patient. There is no prize for getting off quickly, I learned the hard way. Don't torture yourself unnecessarily!

Skipper,
what else have you tried for your depression? counselling? life changes? CBT? etc.

AnneT

Melatonin helps my sleep. Sometimes I need Imovane, and Flexeryl when the muscle pains flare up.

Thanks AnneT and Bernadette for your replies.

After the onset of my last depressive episode, I started going to counselling/CBT (for the first time in my life) for about 3 years on an intense basis (several times per week), then about another year on a weekly basis, and for the last year on a 'when I need it' basis. I found a wonderful counsellor and she has helped me tremendously - it has made ALL the difference in my life; Effexor took the initial edge off when I was very unstable and unwell, but I know the counselling is what pulled me through and has given me the skills I need to get through life.

I did make an appt. to see my counsellor next week to discuss my relationship issues and weaning off the meds.

My boyfriend is being 'supportive', but he can also get very impatient and really doesn't understand mental health issues in general. He says he is 'trying' to understand and I suppose I can't ask for much more than that. But I can see that he gets very frustrated and impatient when I cry and I don't know why; I've definitely had a lot more ups and downs this week since cutting down on the meds. I knew that would probably happen... I cried for 3 years straight when I first became depressed, so it doesn't take much for the waterworks to start - I'm an emotional and hypersensitive person anyway.

Is there any correlation between depression/Effexor and CFS? I've often wondered if I have CFS... I've been exhausted for 5 years straight - thoroughly spent emotionally and physically. I can't seem to get enough sleep and have to nap whenever I get the chance (another thing my BF doesn't understand). But when I don't get enough rest, I can feel the 'crazy' start to set in - lol. I used to be a really active person before this last episode, but I've become pretty sedentary over the last 5 years and, of course, gained some weight. But I've been too exhausted to exercise (other than walking) and have really lacked the motivation to care. I have zero motivation/stamina, and I was never like that before - very frustrating.

Anyway, thanks for your support - I'm glad I found this forum!

Skipper

Hi Skipper,
CFS usually hits the very active go,go,go types of people; and usually starts with a viral illness that really knocks you off your feet (mono, etc.) Fibromyalgia seems to be associated with sleep disruption, non-restorative sleep (have a long sleep, but wake up unrested). There are many symptoms common to CFS, FM and depression. I don't think it is known yet if they are separate, inter-twined, etc.

I worked really hard since I was about 13, went through med school & residency, had my first baby, second baby, first was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, carried on with my part-time family practice...and hit the wall when I was 42.

I realize that I will never be able to fly that high and fast ever again. I have a couple good hours in the morning, need to nap and get lots of rest. Now I do very little clinical work, but teach at the med school a bit, and am pursuing my artistic talents - baby steps, no huge goals allowed! I have a few good days, and then my brain fails and I am couch bound. I still get angry at that, but am slowly learning that is just how it's going to be. I have a great creativity support group, who, interestingly, all have similar ups and downs. So maybe we are not 'sick' - just have the creative temperament!

Skipper, maybe hit the library and see if the CFS info is a match with you. Think back years or even decades - did you have a really sudden onset flu-type illness that took you a long time to get over?
AnneT

I have been slowly withdrawing from Effexor XR for about 3 or 4 months now. Previously I had been taking 150mg per day for a number of years--maybe 5 or 6? I decided it was time to stop because I was just feeling flat and emotionless. I'm still taking Wellbutrin XL 300 mg/day and that seems to be working well and don't have plans to go off of that.

The first month I dropped down to 75mg, the second month to 37.5mg, the third month I halved the 37.5mg tablet and now I just started to quarter the tablet.
I tried going from the half-tablet (~18.75mg) to zero on Sunday and the withdrawal symptoms were so bad that I went back yesterday (Tuesday) and after several hours felt much better. Today I took 1/4 tablet (~9-10mg) and feel awful.

Severe headache--like something is pushing on my forehead and smushing my brain against my skull, almost all of my muscle groups ache in some form or another but the worst are the legs which feel tight--despite stretching. A bit foggy with my thinking but at least no more 'brain shocks.' Last night I was freezing and today I'm overheated. I have been having extremely vivid and disturbing dreams for several weeks now. (I also take clonazepam to help with sleep--I think its 5mg.) It sort of feels like a really bad hangover--I ate McDonald's last night for dinner because I thought the fattening/greasy food might make me feel better and it kind of did but I know I can't go on a fast food diet for the remainder of this detox.

I'm considering going back to the half tablet (~18.75mg) but I really want to get off this pill. I was doing okay at this dose, not great but after the initial drop down things were evening out. I'm a graduate student, so I have to be clear-headed in order to function...one of the reasons I picked summer break to begin the decrease. But I'm still doing research and writing papers and working on deadlines so I'm looking for any suggestions to help me get over this.

I've read people suggesting a good multi-vitamin (what exactly is a good multi-vitamin?), Fish Oil (I already take this supplement for back pain), B-complex (at what dose?), Milk Thistle, warm water, etc. I've also read that these withdrawal effects can last for months and years...so right now I'm feeling much more anxious than I was prior to reading the web boards.

Do I need to go back to my doctor--he told me that I'd be able to go every other day once I completed a month at 37.5mg--that didn't work out obviously. Or do I need to take it slower still?

Iam withdrawing from 37.5 also, I started taking it every othere day, then I went down to 30mg for about two weeks every other day and now I'm doing 25mg every other day and I will stay on for about a month and a half every other day, my brain reminds me when i have to take it. Next I will go down to 20 and then 15 and the 10 and hopefully it will work. I told my doctor about the bad feeling from withdrawing (the way he told me which was every other day on 37.5 for two weeks and then stop) and basically he told me I was full of crap. So now I will try this my way because(which is gradually taking myself off,) I thought I was going to die by doing it his way, and told him he was full of crap ,is a pain to open the capsules but so far it works. Good luck everybody, I will win this!!

Withdrawal update:

So it's been about a month since my last post, and things have been going quite well.

The first two weeks were a bit hard emotionally, but it seems to have evened out and I've been quite stable - even my boyfriend says he's noticed that I've been in a consistently good mood. Yay! I was very worried about that, esp. since it seemed as though we were fighting more than usual when I first started to taper off.

I'm down to approximately 18.75 mg every OTHER day. I'm still taking loads of fish oil and B-Complex and I swear this helps. A few brain zaps/shivers here and there, but nothing unbearable. I felt rather queasy last night after work and had a raging headache, so I took some advil and had a nap, and felt much better when I woke up.

Perhaps I'm lucky, but I don't feel the tapering has been *that bad*! I am really trying to be positive every day, and I also wonder if this helps? When any physical side effects do appear, I've been trying to take them in stride and NOT let them have a negative effect on me; I try to shrug it off and not focus on it. I know that's easier said than done, but that has been my strategy. I know from past experience that when I focus on something tooooo much, I tend to get really negative about it (no matter what is is) and then next think you know, I'm in an emotional downward spiral.

Anyway, I hope everyone else is doing well with their tapering/withdrawals. It does take a long time to get off this stuff; it's not something that can be rushed. Be patient with yourself and your body and don't get down if seems like it's taking a long time - from everything I've read, it's very normal - you just have to give it time, and STAY POSITIVE!

Cheers,
Skipper

Hey, Skipper,
Raging headache and queazy? I wonder if you had a migraine.

I've been off the Effexor for a few months now, but only because of Prozac. I'm now scared to reduce the Prozac, but want to get off it because of weight gain, headaches, fatigue. The headaches seem to have decreased frequency since starting with a recently graduated chiropracter - some new techniques.

I am disappointed that, after a month away from home, within one day of returning, my fibromyalgia type pain returned. I think the travel (12 hour car ride over 2 days) and stress has something to do with it. I've booked myself in for a massage tomorrow. I'll try to get out for a walk, but I am just so blah.

Sorry for the whine.
AnneT.

Hi to all

I have came across this forum via search engine as I really need some guidelines on this withdrawal symptoms...

I have been on Venlor XR 75mg for about a year and since being on it I picked up about 40kg. I tried all diets good ones and bad ones but just couldn't get rid of the weight. I went to my GP and we decided to change my meds to Wellbutrin SR 150mg. My GP said that I should not take Venlor for 1 day and then start with the Wellbutrin. I knew by not taking the Venlor for 1 day I will start to have withdrawal symptons as I have in the past skipped a day and I felt the withdrawal symptoms then, but I thought now because I am stopping it but still carrying on with another meds I won't get the withdrawal symptoms, but I guess I was wrong cause I still have them even on the Wellbutrin.

The symptoms I have is the dizzyness, nausouseness, cold chills and chivering and the worst electric shocks.

Does anyone know for how long the withdrawal symptoms carries on for?

What can be done for the electric shocks and the dizzyness?

You need to go back and read as many posts here as you can. Not all MD's are aware of the withdrawal effects of effexor, and it certainly sounds like you're going thru it. You cannot expect to come off 75 mgs of this drug essentially cold turkey, and it appears that welbutrin is not going to soften the withdrawal. You need a schedule of slow, gentle witdrawal from this drug, and the posts by mikemo here have offered a good option for many who have visited this forum. I can tell you from sad experience that even slow withdrawal cannot guarantee that you won't experience what you already have to some degree. I jumped ship at 12.5 mgs after 3 months of slowly reducing my dose down from 125 mgs, and I still had withdrawal of the variety that you describe. I had to take a week off from work, couldn't drive or really do anything stressful. The weight didn't start to respond to dieting for about 3 months.IVe been off for about a year and a half now, and finally feel back to myself. But everyone's experience is unique. I think you'd really benefit from reading everyone's posts here! I'd also recommend the book called 'The Road Back. Also one by Joseph Glenmullen called 'The Antidepressant Solution.' Both books helped me tremendously!
Best of luck to you!

Marilyn

Hi, I have been on Effexor for 5-6 years, and decided this summer to go off of it as I want to have a baby and don't want to put it through withdrawals!!

So I tapered gradually, until the last week of August, when I went off completely. I have felt all the usuall side effects-- dizziness, brain zaps, restless legs syndrome, nausea, and more, and now I'm feeling the emotional side effects -- irritability, crying for stupid reason (like watching a tennis match!!!), etc.

So I have read that using Prozac for about a month or so after finishing with Effexor could really help alleviate the side effects... So I went to see a doctor in the same clinic as my doctor (as she couldn't see me for a week), asking for a prescription for Prozac, and she refused to give it to me, even after doing some research on the Internet!!

So now, 2 weeks later, when I thought I would be done with the worst of the side-effects, I am still struggling!! And I call the clinic, asking for an 'emergency' appointment with the doctor... and after explaining what was going on, I was told that she wouldn't be able to see me until Friday....

Well sorry for my rant!! After several years being numb by the medication, I'm having a bit of a hard time adjusting to all these overwhelming feelings of frustration and sadness...

To all of you that are suffering withdrawal and need help in weaning off, you MUST read the earlier posts (2007)by Mikemo. My daughter followed his capsule splitting method and it WORKS!

http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/10245

Good luck to you all.

I'M FREE from the chains of hell!! ( effexor), finally. I followed the capsule splitting method and I was able to quit at 20 mg evryother day and by mistake I forgot to take it the third day so I continued not taking it, side effects were very minimal . I've free for about 3 weeks now and I'm loving everything, I'm happy, my sex drive is back, (my husband likes it) and I hope never to go back. Thanks to all your posts, I wish you the best of luck
Laura

Totally understand what everyone is saying about effexor. Been on effexorXR 150mg for about 6 years. Withdrawl is Hell. I love the term 'brain zaps' that is exactly what they are.
I have been slightly successful taking 2 (25mg) doses of Meclizine HCI for the dizzy, brain zaps. Seems to help some. Can't sleep thought and that makes the symptoms worse.
I don't understand why docs think the drug helps depression. Some of my black periods have been worse on the drug than without any. I won't do the suicide thing because I refuse to give the depression that much ultimate power over me but, I have been leaning far more in that direction since taking effexor.
I am happy to see that the intense anger and the urge to cry at the drop of a hat are only symptoms of withdrawl. I thought maybe I was going crazy.

I've started doing some online research and came across some scholarly articles on what they call 'Antidepression Discontinuance Syndrome'. They say that the intense effects ease after 24 hours to 3 days, a week at most. Obviously the doctors who wrote the paper have never tried it. Pathetic...I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

God keep us sane and heal us, y'all!

Forgot to add that they get you by how expensive the drug is. I've had to go off because I lost my job and have no insurance. Can't afford to do a long discontinuance. I split pills for a week split again for a week and split one more time. Haven't had any since Thurs.? Fri? today is Monday. Brainzaps 'r' us.

Hi again everyone - just another quick update. I took my last bit of Effexor on Aug. 31 and I haven't taken any at all since then; 22 days Effexor-free!

I generally feel 'fine' and the physical withdrawal symptoms are virtually non-existent (the occasional brain zap, but they are becoming very rare).

But it's odd - I don't feel that much different being completely off Effexor than I did being on it. I expected to feel some kind of noticeable difference, some sort of overwhelming feeling of well-being, but I don't. Perhaps I need to give it some more time? And maybe that feeling of well-being I'm waiting for isn't going to be coming at all - perhaps this IS how I feel being off Effexor (feeling 'fine', although not necessarily super duper happy). It's hard to know what's real or normal because I was on it for so long.

The major difference I do notice - and I wonder if any others out there have experienced the same thing - is that I have a much shorter fuse these days! I seem to get angrier a lot more quickly and easily than when I was on Effexor. It's a bit troubling, but I'm trying to manage it as best I can. Someone suggested to me that it's because I'm no longer dulling my emotions with Effexor, so they (my emotions) are a lot more accessible and freeflowing now - something like that. I hope it's just a temporary thing though. I hate being an angry person - ugh.

Anyway, thanks for reading and best of luck to everyone who is still tapering - hang in there, you can do it! :)

Skipper

To Red Orchid,

I just read your post - sorry to hear you're not feeling well and having a hard time getting medical support - geeez - the medical system is so frustrating sometimes.

I know what you mean about feeling so frustrated etc. I've been off Effexor since Aug. 31, which is great, but I'm surprised at all the feelings of anger/hostility/frustration, etc. I've been experiencing - I expected to feel a lot better than this. Then again, I took this evil crap for over 5 years, so it probably takes a long time to clear it out of your system - maybe we will feel better once our bodies are finally rid of this stuff.

Anyway, hope you get some Prozac and some support. Also try to think as positively as you can - easier said than done, I know - but sometimes you also have to force yourself to be positive, something I struggle with constantly.

Best wishes,
Skipper

To AnneT

How's the fibromyalgia and headaches these days? I see a chiropractor for my headaches too - works wonders for me.

Has the 'blah' feeling dissipated at all?

Skipper

Hi everyone, I decided to cut down from 150mg venlor to 75mg seven days ago. Since increasing to 150mg about 3 months ago i developed pain down both my outer thighs and general all over aches. Only since reading this forum have i thought it may be the venlor. Since cutting down 7 days ago I have experienced 'body zaps' not brain zaps and worse headaches than usual. Anyone else felt like this and any advice out there?
Take care

So glad I found this forum!
HateEffexor, I'm in the same boat. I'd been taking Effexor for years (can't even remember how long, but longer than 6 years). I kept taking it because I didn't want to go back to that dark place I had experienced years before. But now without insurance, and my life circumstances having changed since the time I started taking it, I decided to see what life might be like without.
I just never anticipated how horrible getting off the drug would be. I don't want to purchase anymore of their wretched drug. I was never told much about it when it was prescribed, and never told about withdrawals when I told my doctor I wanted to stop taking it. She told me I 'might' want to wean off over a week or two! I've cut back over a period of a week and a half with the pills I still had. I'm now three days without and my lips are numb! (along with vertigo, nausea etc etc) The numb lips happened to me before when I'd miss a dose, but never associated it with withdrawals.
I'm going to wait another week if I can, then buy the very lowest dose and very lowest number of pills and start counting pellets :-( But in the meantime, I'll do some more research and start spreading the word about this. It's unbelievable to me that these posts began in 2005, and yet, doctors, pharmacists would never mention the withdrawals. Getting off oxycontin was easier than this!
Good luck everyone!

Hi all - am happy to join this forum for advice. I was on Effexor 75mg for a couple of years with good results except for weight gain. Tried to go off cold turkey last Sept. and was in for the surprise of my life - I was floored by dizziness and nausea. I felt like a junky. My doctor's advice didn't work for me, either. She said alternate one day 75mg with one day 37.5mg. It made me sooo sick. So i started opening the 75mg capsules and reducing 5 granules per day. Today I took 35 granules. I will be off in 7 days. I feel very good except for achey muscles, especially in arms, shoulders and neck.
Can any one tell me how they are doing 6 months to a year free??
I need to hear some success stories to keep me hopeful.
As well, I have a prescript for valium my doc suggested I take when totally off, to ease any remaining symptoms.
I am so leery to do so. Has any one needed to do that?
Thanx

Hello Spirit Woman,
I have been off Effexor for about 6 months, I think, but had to switch to Prozac. Even though I got down to counting granules, the vertigo/puking episodes just got worse. I am now on about 1 mg of Prozac every 10 days. I am still in terror of the discontinuation episodes, though I've had none since being on the Prozac. So don't be discouraged if you need to do the same, or need to taper down even more slowly as you approach zero granules.

I'm sure you are aware that Valium is addictive. I don't know if it will help you or not. Probably best to switch to Prozac (or there is a new drug, Cymbalta, that is a long-acting version similar to Effexor.)

My tinnitus is gone! and I think my hearing has improved.

Hello All, and thank you so much to any of you who have posted your trials and traumas getting off effexor... so helpful/reassuring/hopeful for those of us doing it after you!

Well, I am at the end of Day 2 with NO tablets.
After 2 years on effexor (up to 300 at one point, though that was too much for me) I decided, along with my pychiatrist, to come off. I dropped from 150 o 75, and then over the last month or two have gone from 75 to 37.5 tablets which I've then cut in half, half again, a sliver etc... until now!

Well, as I was cutting down I had completely bizarre issues with joint pain, inflammation etc. There were mornings I would wake up and couldn't use my hands without pain. These lessened over the day and don't seem to be such a problem now, but were quite debilitating.

Off the tabs entirely now, just taking omega 3 and b12... I have been in bed most of the day today. Feel quite out of body, not great with a proper conversation, cool but with sweaty feet, occasional brain spins and quite woosy overall, BUT despite all this, fairly upbeat!

The last 4 days or so I have had my sex drive back, which as a newlywed is wonderful (the hubby thinks so too)! I couldn't believe it when he told me that we hadn't had sex (or done anything really, including proper kissing even...and I never even thought about it... poor ghuy, like living with a flatmate who knows you well enough to get moody around you!) this last 4 months of our 6 month marriage... it honestly just never occured to me and I certainly didn't miss it. Now it is great to have the urge to be close to him back and I hope this stays! I am lucky he is so tolerant (with more than just this of course!).

Feeling pretty flaky, very tired and yet wide awake... but positive if that makes sense.
I know effexor really helped me when I needed it, but like so many others am pretty shocked at how little I was told about the effects of it and coming off of it.
Of course I am hopeful it won't get much worse for me and that I will be one of the rare positive withdrawal stories, but am also realistic an I hope ready for what may come.

Just lots of love and luck to anyone going through it as well and I hope those who are effexor-free are doing really well!

M

So, I think I know what 'brain zaps' are now...
Annoying to feel like I want to do things but my body is just all over the place.
Bleugh.

Hope anyone else is doing okay.

M