The ABC Homeopathy Forum
Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help Page 30 of 140
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This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
Bonnie, I have to laugh at your cleaning, (start and stop), that has been the pattern of my housecleaning for the entire time I have been weaning. I painted my master bath before I started weaning, bought new mats, but decided to put them down when I scrubbed the floor thoroughly. The floor is about 2/3rds done. Mats are still sitting on my bedroom chair. Four months! Okay, but I have been doing other stuff. (I do have a very busy life.)
I hope you have a wonderful vacation in Alaska! If it is anything like our cruise you will. There will be enough time to vegetate while you are on the ship. Make sure you bring rain clothes for Ketchikan and Juneau. (We bought some disposable ponchos at the dollar store that were 2 for $1. That will work. I don't know what your itinerary is, but make sure you do the Mendenthal Glacier in Juneau. On the way, look at the streams, you may see spawning salmon! It is quite a sight. Bring warm clothes for when you are out of the rainforest. Have a wonderful time!!!
Love, Sheila
I hope you have a wonderful vacation in Alaska! If it is anything like our cruise you will. There will be enough time to vegetate while you are on the ship. Make sure you bring rain clothes for Ketchikan and Juneau. (We bought some disposable ponchos at the dollar store that were 2 for $1. That will work. I don't know what your itinerary is, but make sure you do the Mendenthal Glacier in Juneau. On the way, look at the streams, you may see spawning salmon! It is quite a sight. Bring warm clothes for when you are out of the rainforest. Have a wonderful time!!!
Love, Sheila
catgranny last decade
Bonnie, I don't want you to get the message that I never clean my bathrooms. I am trying to scrub the grout in my master bath in order to fix it. The rest of the bathrooms get cleaned on a regular basis.
Elena, I was thinking about Canada and Ottawa in particular. You know that the new US Ambassador to Canada is from South Carolina. David Wilkins, former Speaker of the House here, he really is a great person. I have met him several times and he is a really down to earth guy. However, you Canadians need to teach him to eat cheese curds and gravy on your fries. He will love it, it is just up the SC alley. We loved that dish when we were up there. Anyway, I have nothing else to say. So, until my next post,
Love, Sheila
Elena, I was thinking about Canada and Ottawa in particular. You know that the new US Ambassador to Canada is from South Carolina. David Wilkins, former Speaker of the House here, he really is a great person. I have met him several times and he is a really down to earth guy. However, you Canadians need to teach him to eat cheese curds and gravy on your fries. He will love it, it is just up the SC alley. We loved that dish when we were up there. Anyway, I have nothing else to say. So, until my next post,
Love, Sheila
catgranny last decade
Sheila, believe me the thought of you not cleaning your bathrooms never crossed my mind. I did finally finish doing what I needed to do yesterday and thank goodness.
I hate cleaning bathrooms. :)
Thank you so much for giving us some ideas about Alaska. It looks like the week is going to be pretty much rain, so I will take a Mickey Mouse rain poncho for me and my husband. We got those on our Disney Cruise.
This Cruise Is Princess Diamond. I hope it is nice.
I started taking 6 beads instead of 4 and I think I feel better. That is good, so I will feel good on this trip.
I hope everyone is doing ok. Not much action on here today.
I take that as a good sign.
Ok it is getting late and I want to play a game or two on here so I will say goodnight to all.
Bonnie
I hate cleaning bathrooms. :)
Thank you so much for giving us some ideas about Alaska. It looks like the week is going to be pretty much rain, so I will take a Mickey Mouse rain poncho for me and my husband. We got those on our Disney Cruise.
This Cruise Is Princess Diamond. I hope it is nice.
I started taking 6 beads instead of 4 and I think I feel better. That is good, so I will feel good on this trip.
I hope everyone is doing ok. Not much action on here today.
I take that as a good sign.
Ok it is getting late and I want to play a game or two on here so I will say goodnight to all.
Bonnie
BonnieR last decade
Hello everyone. My boyfriend found this forum and emailed me the link, because I think he's terribly upset and frustrated at what I'm going through, and just is struggling to help me.
I've been on some form of anti-depressant/anti-anxiety for 5 years now. Most recently, I've been on 75mg of Effexor for about 2 years. The last few months, 75 mg BID. I am constantly gaining weight, even if I diet and eat well, and am tired of having to take this. I have spoken with my doctor and I am weaning off of the effexor, and have gone down to 37.5mg in the morning. (taking the nightly dose was making me have VERY vivid dreams at around 2-3am and keeping me up).
Since I've gone down to 37.5mg, I am experiencing extremely vivid dreams and often nightmares, constant headaches and migraines, brain "shivers" and zaps, uneasy feeling, hungry all the time and wanting the TASTE of particular foods (cravings), dizzyness and EXTREME emotional swings, crying spells etc. Is all of this normal? I don't know what to attribute to the E withdrawal and what to attribute to just being me. There are more, but I just didnt' list them all.
I really am wnating to take SOMETHING to help me get rid of these feelings. I've been doing 3-day-juice cleanses once a month, and have done dry skin brushing and epsom salt baths previously just to detox, but have not tried them in relation to the Effexor.
Any thoughts? I feel like I'm a crazy woman, and that no one here understand just how horrible these feelings really are. I don't know how I'm expected to fucntion well at work, when I can hardly sit up in my chair.
Thank you all....
Sarah Anne
I've been on some form of anti-depressant/anti-anxiety for 5 years now. Most recently, I've been on 75mg of Effexor for about 2 years. The last few months, 75 mg BID. I am constantly gaining weight, even if I diet and eat well, and am tired of having to take this. I have spoken with my doctor and I am weaning off of the effexor, and have gone down to 37.5mg in the morning. (taking the nightly dose was making me have VERY vivid dreams at around 2-3am and keeping me up).
Since I've gone down to 37.5mg, I am experiencing extremely vivid dreams and often nightmares, constant headaches and migraines, brain "shivers" and zaps, uneasy feeling, hungry all the time and wanting the TASTE of particular foods (cravings), dizzyness and EXTREME emotional swings, crying spells etc. Is all of this normal? I don't know what to attribute to the E withdrawal and what to attribute to just being me. There are more, but I just didnt' list them all.
I really am wnating to take SOMETHING to help me get rid of these feelings. I've been doing 3-day-juice cleanses once a month, and have done dry skin brushing and epsom salt baths previously just to detox, but have not tried them in relation to the Effexor.
Any thoughts? I feel like I'm a crazy woman, and that no one here understand just how horrible these feelings really are. I don't know how I'm expected to fucntion well at work, when I can hardly sit up in my chair.
Thank you all....
Sarah Anne
sarahlovell last decade
granny, it was all kelly's idea..i had no idea about anti-depressants having withdrawal effects until she enlightened me on the matter..3 weeks later, i feel like a consultant on the matter, i've read so much about it..i actually began a week of vacation the morning of her symptoms kicking in so strong. we have a 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter, so, it was very much an ordeal for all of us. but it was also very enlightening, and i seem to have been blessed again with the woman who i fell in love with. my last post was only to state that it was very bad..kelly, on the other hand,
said that she thought it would be worse. i expected armageddon since she had been taking effexor for almost 5 years. i just wanted to offer encouragement for all of you to take that final step and re-discover the lives that you were all medically forced to leave behind. thank you all so
much for your kind words and help. she actually wants me to
go clothes shopping with her again this evening. just like old times. funny thing is, 3 weeks ago, she wouldn't have asked, and i'd probably have stayed home watching a ballgame. take care everyone. you will win in the end!
said that she thought it would be worse. i expected armageddon since she had been taking effexor for almost 5 years. i just wanted to offer encouragement for all of you to take that final step and re-discover the lives that you were all medically forced to leave behind. thank you all so
much for your kind words and help. she actually wants me to
go clothes shopping with her again this evening. just like old times. funny thing is, 3 weeks ago, she wouldn't have asked, and i'd probably have stayed home watching a ballgame. take care everyone. you will win in the end!
marc c last decade
Marc, you are so right. We all do win in the end no matter how we did it. My withdrawal also has been easier than I thought it would be, but I am going very slowly. I have the time and am in no hurry. I will however have six weeks of 75mg pills left over, because I plan to be off by the end of August. Congratulations to you and Kelly for getting through it, but be prepared that she may still have some bad days ahead of her.
Sarah, welcome to our pity party. All of the symptoms you are having are right on target. When you have time, read through all the pages of this forum. People at various stages of withdrawal have expressed how they feel and it helps to know that "you are not going crazy." This is a tremendous support group. There is nothing you can tell us that someone has not already gone through. Most of us have gained weight, especially in the abdomen. Like you, I watched my diet very closely and still gained 15 pounds. I have been able to maintain that during the 2 years I have been on 75 mg and am now starting to lose it, but I am exercising and dieting like crazy, taking all sorts of tonics. With all the exercise, etc. I did not gain a size, so when I start losing in earnest, I hope to be thinner. I think the evil E as we call it screws up your metabolism. I only wish that some of the people who were on this site in the beginning and have gotten over the withdrawal would come back and tell us how it is later down the road. I plan to do that when I am finally off. - Sheila
Sarah, welcome to our pity party. All of the symptoms you are having are right on target. When you have time, read through all the pages of this forum. People at various stages of withdrawal have expressed how they feel and it helps to know that "you are not going crazy." This is a tremendous support group. There is nothing you can tell us that someone has not already gone through. Most of us have gained weight, especially in the abdomen. Like you, I watched my diet very closely and still gained 15 pounds. I have been able to maintain that during the 2 years I have been on 75 mg and am now starting to lose it, but I am exercising and dieting like crazy, taking all sorts of tonics. With all the exercise, etc. I did not gain a size, so when I start losing in earnest, I hope to be thinner. I think the evil E as we call it screws up your metabolism. I only wish that some of the people who were on this site in the beginning and have gotten over the withdrawal would come back and tell us how it is later down the road. I plan to do that when I am finally off. - Sheila
catgranny last decade
Sheila,
When you say mostly in the abdomen, do You mean belly area? My waist and below (lower belly "pooch" ) is really what has seemed to just expand and expand. No matter what I eat or how much I exercise. I have a very athletic figure, very muscular with a "ruler" shape, but in the last year, my belly has just ballooned.
I've been reading through a lot of these posts and I'm jsut thankful taht i'm not "going crazy", because that sure as hell is what it feels like.
I've also been recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and I'm wondering how much of that could be changed by me getting off E. I'm most affected at work, where I need to function. If i could only find someone to tell at work, it'd be so much better!
Thanks for welcoming me to the "pity party". It really is so helpful and such a relief to find you all.
Sarah
When you say mostly in the abdomen, do You mean belly area? My waist and below (lower belly "pooch" ) is really what has seemed to just expand and expand. No matter what I eat or how much I exercise. I have a very athletic figure, very muscular with a "ruler" shape, but in the last year, my belly has just ballooned.
I've been reading through a lot of these posts and I'm jsut thankful taht i'm not "going crazy", because that sure as hell is what it feels like.
I've also been recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and I'm wondering how much of that could be changed by me getting off E. I'm most affected at work, where I need to function. If i could only find someone to tell at work, it'd be so much better!
Thanks for welcoming me to the "pity party". It really is so helpful and such a relief to find you all.
Sarah
sarahlovell last decade
Sarah, the "pooch" is the spot. I've always had a small one but the one I have now is ridiculous. It hasn't started to go away yet and I am down to 9 mg. Like I said, I wish some of the old timers would come back and assure us that our bodies will get back to normal. I have a part time part time job. (I work in a law firm as an on-call float). I know what you mean about having to function. Lawyers do not understand. I have worked feeling bad but I just bluffed my way through. I am working for the next two weeks but I am feeling pretty good at the moment. Hang in there, we will be here to help you through. We all understand what you are going through. - Sheila
catgranny last decade
Hi Sarah and welcome. You have probably read this by now, but if you try something called chaser and Dramamine they will help with the dizziness, nausea, and with me it just seemed to help me with my feelings of being in another world looking in.
This form has been so good for me and I am sure you will gain from it also. As Sheila said we have experienced what you are going through.
Elena, where are you? I want to see how you are doing before I leave for my trip
Hope everyone is doing good
Hugs,
Bonnie
This form has been so good for me and I am sure you will gain from it also. As Sheila said we have experienced what you are going through.
Elena, where are you? I want to see how you are doing before I leave for my trip
Hope everyone is doing good
Hugs,
Bonnie
BonnieR last decade
hello to all
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
wonderingwhy last decade
hello to all
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
wonderingwhy last decade
hello to all
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
wonderingwhy last decade
hello to all
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
Steph has been E free (cold turkey)) for 2 months...she is feeling good (not on any other Px's...& very happy to have made the choice to go cold turkey...she is a petite, fit, size 0. She didn't experience any weight gain, but i hear her complain that she feels the "bloat"...
Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
Faith loos up !!
the best to you all...
~dawn
Naria how are you doing? always enjoy hearing your words of wisdom
the best to you all...
wonderingwhy last decade
bonnie, i just thought of you, sorry for impatiently hitting the mouse more than once, ha ha!!
enjoy Alaska!!!
enjoy Alaska!!!
wonderingwhy last decade
Welcome Sarah,
as Sheila said, we are all feeling similar if not the same way you are. My belly, well let's just say I have been asked if I am pregnant once too many times. That hurt like crazy. And why would someone ask that if they werent sure? Geeze.
Anyway, read on through the forum to get some tips, and write us when you need us. You're right Sheila, I hope the old timers will let us know what it's like down the road. I hope I will lose this pooch of mine! It's gone down a bit since I have lowered my dose and started working out more.
Bonnie! I have been so super busy at work I can't even tell you! I haven't had a moment to spare. But I am doing okay today. A little down in the dumps but other than that I'm fine. I think it's a good idea that you go to 6 mg for your trip. (That's what I am on now.) You deserve to enjoy yourself. When you get back tell me all about it! I am really happy for you. I really want to take a vacation. But it can't happen yet. I think I will take some days off in August though. Enjoy yourself in Alaska Bonnie!
Nice to hear from you Dawn, glad to hear Steph is doing well.
Thinking of you all and wishing you well: )
Hugs
xoElena
as Sheila said, we are all feeling similar if not the same way you are. My belly, well let's just say I have been asked if I am pregnant once too many times. That hurt like crazy. And why would someone ask that if they werent sure? Geeze.
Anyway, read on through the forum to get some tips, and write us when you need us. You're right Sheila, I hope the old timers will let us know what it's like down the road. I hope I will lose this pooch of mine! It's gone down a bit since I have lowered my dose and started working out more.
Bonnie! I have been so super busy at work I can't even tell you! I haven't had a moment to spare. But I am doing okay today. A little down in the dumps but other than that I'm fine. I think it's a good idea that you go to 6 mg for your trip. (That's what I am on now.) You deserve to enjoy yourself. When you get back tell me all about it! I am really happy for you. I really want to take a vacation. But it can't happen yet. I think I will take some days off in August though. Enjoy yourself in Alaska Bonnie!
Nice to hear from you Dawn, glad to hear Steph is doing well.
Thinking of you all and wishing you well: )
Hugs
xoElena
Elena last decade
Hi, all, and welcome, Sarah.
Like Steph, I did not gain weight on E but I did have the horrible "bloat" and noticed my tummy was getting jiggly in one spot.
I'm 7 weeks off Effexor, but I'm experiencing protracted withdrawal symptoms -- mostly the skin sensations and some other nerve-misfirings sending pain messages around my body. I'm less anxious about it now that I've convinced myself I don't have a dread disease -- other than E withdrawal. :-/ It's getting better, and I trust time will heal my mind and body of this insult I unwittingly put it through. I titrated down from 375 mg.(what a disaster that dose was) to 37.5 over a six-week period, then stopped. My worst symptoms were while taking the drug not while going off. Going off felt like vanquishing an enemy, even during days of fatigue and dizziness.
If you happen to be anxiety or panic sufferers, let me recommend a book I've found to be very helpful. It's called _Power Over Panic: Freedom from Panic/Anxiety Related Disorders_ , 2nd ed., by Bronwyn Fox. I actually had to get it from one of the private sellers on amazon.com so don't know if it's available in U.S. bookstores. The author is Australian. Meditation is one of the keys to her recovery program (she's a former sufferer) and other mindfulness and cognitive skills for fighting back and conquering fear.
Bonnie, have a _great_ trip to Alaska. It sounds very refreshing to me right now, as it's very hot and dry here (all that rain for months and then none for almost 3 weeks) and I'm cat/housesitting for friends and having to do LOTS of watering.
Dawn, has your family been swimming in Lake Michigan this summer? I'm still remembering how beautiful that Glencoe beach was over July 4th weekend. Not that we're lacking in lakes here in Minnesota, but I love the natural sand of Lake M. and collecting rocks there.
Blessings to all,
Laurel
Like Steph, I did not gain weight on E but I did have the horrible "bloat" and noticed my tummy was getting jiggly in one spot.
I'm 7 weeks off Effexor, but I'm experiencing protracted withdrawal symptoms -- mostly the skin sensations and some other nerve-misfirings sending pain messages around my body. I'm less anxious about it now that I've convinced myself I don't have a dread disease -- other than E withdrawal. :-/ It's getting better, and I trust time will heal my mind and body of this insult I unwittingly put it through. I titrated down from 375 mg.(what a disaster that dose was) to 37.5 over a six-week period, then stopped. My worst symptoms were while taking the drug not while going off. Going off felt like vanquishing an enemy, even during days of fatigue and dizziness.
If you happen to be anxiety or panic sufferers, let me recommend a book I've found to be very helpful. It's called _Power Over Panic: Freedom from Panic/Anxiety Related Disorders_ , 2nd ed., by Bronwyn Fox. I actually had to get it from one of the private sellers on amazon.com so don't know if it's available in U.S. bookstores. The author is Australian. Meditation is one of the keys to her recovery program (she's a former sufferer) and other mindfulness and cognitive skills for fighting back and conquering fear.
Bonnie, have a _great_ trip to Alaska. It sounds very refreshing to me right now, as it's very hot and dry here (all that rain for months and then none for almost 3 weeks) and I'm cat/housesitting for friends and having to do LOTS of watering.
Dawn, has your family been swimming in Lake Michigan this summer? I'm still remembering how beautiful that Glencoe beach was over July 4th weekend. Not that we're lacking in lakes here in Minnesota, but I love the natural sand of Lake M. and collecting rocks there.
Blessings to all,
Laurel
Naria last decade
P.S. Bronwyn Fox has a website www.panicattacks.com.au
I haven't checked it out yet myself but will.
L.
I haven't checked it out yet myself but will.
L.
Naria last decade
Hello old friends and new ones!
To be completely honest with all of you, I have been away from the posts for so long because I have been feeling so stinking depressed and anxious. I am at that all too familiar staring into space and dwelling on all my obligations, money, getting up in the morning, making dinner, and maintaining the good mom act! I open my eyes in the morning to worry!!!!! I can't even tell you how close I was to calling my doctor and getting a new script!!!!!! I didn't and I won't, but I can't shake this one. I am beginning to cry right now and have got to get myself together, to pretend that I am happy, at least for my family.
I want all of you to know that this has absolutely nothing to do with the effexor withdrawl!!! I did not want to be a downer to you, I just wanted to be honest as we always have been.
To those of you just beginning, and for those almost free...all of the terrible, awful brain zaps, swelling, dizziness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, sore body, eye pains, disorientation, feeling of near death...(I know I left some out)! It will go away!!!! The weight gain??? I am still confused about that one. I have stopped gaining, however, I believe that my metabolism has come to a complete standstill. I have gotten to the point in my eating habits where I feel almost anorexic. Except I am still FAT!!!! I eat a little bit and feel sick. One thing that I am wondering about with the effexor, is that, my tummy bloats almost instantly after eating anything. Kind of like what it feels like after Thanksgiving dinner. And I want to tell you, my portion sizes are not enough to support a toddler.
As far as everything else is going...the caterings are going great! I love it when I am knee deep in an event, and I can stay focused. However...the new addition on the store deli is taking forever and because of that, I am not bringing home any money. Thus...my financial burden. The caterings have been only weekends and if there is a week or two in between, it gets pretty tough. I have posted my resume with a few companies and am hopeful to get something full time with benefits. I will also do the deli and the caterings afternoons and weekends. The most recent company that I applied to is a company called ...Boskage Commerce Publications. It is owned by a good friend of mine (quite eccentric, I might add) The company publishes and supplies hundreds of resources for international trade. I would be working with many countries and assisting them with any resources they would need for customs, tariff, government regulation, import, export regulations. Even government stuff. Sounds pretty exciting huh? My friend called me yesterday and told me that he was personally going to insist that I come in for an interview. I am just waiting for the phone call. I did get a call from an employee at the company last night and he told me that he was approached at the office about me and that it sounded very promising. So keep your fingers crossed!!!
So...that's how I'm doing! Probably not what any of you wanted to hear. I am so sorry. BUT YOU WILL GET THROUGH THE EFFEXOR NIGHTMARE!!!!!! My life is just so screwed up that it's my fault, not the effexor anymore!
Love you all
Regent (Lori)
To be completely honest with all of you, I have been away from the posts for so long because I have been feeling so stinking depressed and anxious. I am at that all too familiar staring into space and dwelling on all my obligations, money, getting up in the morning, making dinner, and maintaining the good mom act! I open my eyes in the morning to worry!!!!! I can't even tell you how close I was to calling my doctor and getting a new script!!!!!! I didn't and I won't, but I can't shake this one. I am beginning to cry right now and have got to get myself together, to pretend that I am happy, at least for my family.
I want all of you to know that this has absolutely nothing to do with the effexor withdrawl!!! I did not want to be a downer to you, I just wanted to be honest as we always have been.
To those of you just beginning, and for those almost free...all of the terrible, awful brain zaps, swelling, dizziness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, sore body, eye pains, disorientation, feeling of near death...(I know I left some out)! It will go away!!!! The weight gain??? I am still confused about that one. I have stopped gaining, however, I believe that my metabolism has come to a complete standstill. I have gotten to the point in my eating habits where I feel almost anorexic. Except I am still FAT!!!! I eat a little bit and feel sick. One thing that I am wondering about with the effexor, is that, my tummy bloats almost instantly after eating anything. Kind of like what it feels like after Thanksgiving dinner. And I want to tell you, my portion sizes are not enough to support a toddler.
As far as everything else is going...the caterings are going great! I love it when I am knee deep in an event, and I can stay focused. However...the new addition on the store deli is taking forever and because of that, I am not bringing home any money. Thus...my financial burden. The caterings have been only weekends and if there is a week or two in between, it gets pretty tough. I have posted my resume with a few companies and am hopeful to get something full time with benefits. I will also do the deli and the caterings afternoons and weekends. The most recent company that I applied to is a company called ...Boskage Commerce Publications. It is owned by a good friend of mine (quite eccentric, I might add) The company publishes and supplies hundreds of resources for international trade. I would be working with many countries and assisting them with any resources they would need for customs, tariff, government regulation, import, export regulations. Even government stuff. Sounds pretty exciting huh? My friend called me yesterday and told me that he was personally going to insist that I come in for an interview. I am just waiting for the phone call. I did get a call from an employee at the company last night and he told me that he was approached at the office about me and that it sounded very promising. So keep your fingers crossed!!!
So...that's how I'm doing! Probably not what any of you wanted to hear. I am so sorry. BUT YOU WILL GET THROUGH THE EFFEXOR NIGHTMARE!!!!!! My life is just so screwed up that it's my fault, not the effexor anymore!
Love you all
Regent (Lori)
regent last decade
Sweet Lori.
I don't think it is your "fault" that you are feeling this way. You have
alot of pressure on you. Just look at what you listed,
"money, getting up in the morning, making dinner, and maintaining the good mom act!" That would be enough to drive anyone into a bit of a rut! Don't be so hard on yourself. I am one to talk, I am really hard on myself. But it isn't good to do that. And DON'T WORRY ABOUT BEING A DOWNER! We are all in the same boat. So don't worry about it : )
It is really wonderful that you are doing so well with the catering, and that you are enjoying it. That is so important. But remember to take some time out for you. To take a walk, a bath, get a massage, or watch a movie with your kids. Taking some time to slow things down may help a bit. I don't know if this is possible, but they are just suggestions. I want you to be happy and healthy. I want that for all of us.
As for the weight stuff, * big sigh. I just hate it. But I noticed that the weight gain has stopped, and I am not AS puffy as before. I guess this will need some serious working out. If that will even work! Oh and I really hope that you eat enough, because you really need your energy! You're a busy woman! Have you tried lighter foods like soups and crackers, maybe some salad..maybe that won't make you sick?? I dunno, again just my suggestions. Stop me if you don't like em! LOL
Anyway you're in my thoughts and prayers.
I was wondering how you were doing! Have you heard from Jami at all?
Laurel I checked out that site and it is amazing! I really want to read the book now! I think I just may have to buy it! Thank you for posting that!! ; )
Hope you all are having a great day!
Take care Lori, hope to hear from you again soon!
Hugs
xo Elena
I don't think it is your "fault" that you are feeling this way. You have
alot of pressure on you. Just look at what you listed,
"money, getting up in the morning, making dinner, and maintaining the good mom act!" That would be enough to drive anyone into a bit of a rut! Don't be so hard on yourself. I am one to talk, I am really hard on myself. But it isn't good to do that. And DON'T WORRY ABOUT BEING A DOWNER! We are all in the same boat. So don't worry about it : )
It is really wonderful that you are doing so well with the catering, and that you are enjoying it. That is so important. But remember to take some time out for you. To take a walk, a bath, get a massage, or watch a movie with your kids. Taking some time to slow things down may help a bit. I don't know if this is possible, but they are just suggestions. I want you to be happy and healthy. I want that for all of us.
As for the weight stuff, * big sigh. I just hate it. But I noticed that the weight gain has stopped, and I am not AS puffy as before. I guess this will need some serious working out. If that will even work! Oh and I really hope that you eat enough, because you really need your energy! You're a busy woman! Have you tried lighter foods like soups and crackers, maybe some salad..maybe that won't make you sick?? I dunno, again just my suggestions. Stop me if you don't like em! LOL
Anyway you're in my thoughts and prayers.
I was wondering how you were doing! Have you heard from Jami at all?
Laurel I checked out that site and it is amazing! I really want to read the book now! I think I just may have to buy it! Thank you for posting that!! ; )
Hope you all are having a great day!
Take care Lori, hope to hear from you again soon!
Hugs
xo Elena
Elena last decade
Hi Elena,
Thank you so much for your sweet reply. There are moments in my day that I feel just fine and realize that my situation will get better, and that surely, worrying is not going to make it better. That being said...it seems to be beyond my control to stop dwelling. I think that is why I wonder about the depression meds. Is it something that my body in the state that it is in, simply cannot handle. I watch my daughters and see the constant state of joy that they are in and wonder where it was in my life that I lost that? I was watching my oldest daughters softball game last night with some friends, and she got a base run. She proceeded to dance and mock the pitcher as she attempted to steal second base. It was not a normal athletic dance, it was more theatrical. My friends asked me "does she always have this much fun?" I replied, "That child is happy when she is going to the bathroom!" I so want that back again!!!!!!I believe that my children are the way they are because of me, so I know that I have done something grand along the way. It just kills me that I can't find that cool mom again. Yesterday my daughter Emily was so excited about her day...Let me tell you about it...She is babysitting my girlfriends farm while she is away, so first thing she does is gets up to go milk goats, feed cattle, the dogs and gather eggs, she comes home for a little while, then goes to guitar lessons, goes to softball for pictures, leaves to go audition for a cabaret that she does in August, then back to softball for a game that lasts until 9:30 p.m. Right now she is upstairs cleaning her room, her bathroom and helping her little sister clean her room. I have to tell you that I have no idea where all that came from. She is the perfect child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So you see, I have to assure her of all that she is doing is going to make a difference in her life and that she respects my life. I can't have raised my babies to be wonderful people if they don't have a good example to look up to!
Thanks again for your reply, and oh by the way...as far as the diet goes. I have tried everything!!!! I think it is just the stress. I will begin to eat and then start thinking about stuff and lose my appetite.
Hope you are having a good day!
Hugs
Lori
Thank you so much for your sweet reply. There are moments in my day that I feel just fine and realize that my situation will get better, and that surely, worrying is not going to make it better. That being said...it seems to be beyond my control to stop dwelling. I think that is why I wonder about the depression meds. Is it something that my body in the state that it is in, simply cannot handle. I watch my daughters and see the constant state of joy that they are in and wonder where it was in my life that I lost that? I was watching my oldest daughters softball game last night with some friends, and she got a base run. She proceeded to dance and mock the pitcher as she attempted to steal second base. It was not a normal athletic dance, it was more theatrical. My friends asked me "does she always have this much fun?" I replied, "That child is happy when she is going to the bathroom!" I so want that back again!!!!!!I believe that my children are the way they are because of me, so I know that I have done something grand along the way. It just kills me that I can't find that cool mom again. Yesterday my daughter Emily was so excited about her day...Let me tell you about it...She is babysitting my girlfriends farm while she is away, so first thing she does is gets up to go milk goats, feed cattle, the dogs and gather eggs, she comes home for a little while, then goes to guitar lessons, goes to softball for pictures, leaves to go audition for a cabaret that she does in August, then back to softball for a game that lasts until 9:30 p.m. Right now she is upstairs cleaning her room, her bathroom and helping her little sister clean her room. I have to tell you that I have no idea where all that came from. She is the perfect child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So you see, I have to assure her of all that she is doing is going to make a difference in her life and that she respects my life. I can't have raised my babies to be wonderful people if they don't have a good example to look up to!
Thanks again for your reply, and oh by the way...as far as the diet goes. I have tried everything!!!! I think it is just the stress. I will begin to eat and then start thinking about stuff and lose my appetite.
Hope you are having a good day!
Hugs
Lori
regent last decade
Hi everyone I want to take a few minutes to tell you all that I will be leaving in the morning. I will be in touch when I return next Saturday.
Lori I know exactly what you are saying. I would love to be able to feel that happy feeling again. I dont know how.
See you guys later,
Bonnie
Lori I know exactly what you are saying. I would love to be able to feel that happy feeling again. I dont know how.
See you guys later,
Bonnie
BonnieR last decade
Elena last decade
hi all;
with so many people going through the detox and wondering if they will ever get through, I can assure you that it will.
I've been off for 7 months now, I tapered for about three weeks but 1st this year, I completely stopped. Not a very nice period in my life. It seemed as though I was preggies, brain zaps, fatigue, increased depression, suicidal urges, all in all, awful.
Now, the only thing that remains is the desire to off myself once in a while. And this I think is more situational than a result of coming off effexor. Fortunately, I manage to hold off and sure enough, two days later, I don't feel as bad. I also still find it hard to get up early. This also may be because I really have nothing to look forward to.
THe weight is very slowly coming off. I have added jogging to my regime as I noticed the walking wasnt taking the tummy area away fast enough. When I was on effexor, I couldnt jog for 10 minutes without getting tired, now, I'm back up to about 45. Anyway, the jogging combined with the crunches is taking care of my tummy. But I do notice that when I get my period, my tummy bloats a whole lot more than pre/EFX.
So yes, the weight does come off. Some people I've read about don't do anything and they return to their pre/EF weight. But I think if you add some cardio after getting the drug out of your system, and eating properly, the weight comes off.
take care
with so many people going through the detox and wondering if they will ever get through, I can assure you that it will.
I've been off for 7 months now, I tapered for about three weeks but 1st this year, I completely stopped. Not a very nice period in my life. It seemed as though I was preggies, brain zaps, fatigue, increased depression, suicidal urges, all in all, awful.
Now, the only thing that remains is the desire to off myself once in a while. And this I think is more situational than a result of coming off effexor. Fortunately, I manage to hold off and sure enough, two days later, I don't feel as bad. I also still find it hard to get up early. This also may be because I really have nothing to look forward to.
THe weight is very slowly coming off. I have added jogging to my regime as I noticed the walking wasnt taking the tummy area away fast enough. When I was on effexor, I couldnt jog for 10 minutes without getting tired, now, I'm back up to about 45. Anyway, the jogging combined with the crunches is taking care of my tummy. But I do notice that when I get my period, my tummy bloats a whole lot more than pre/EFX.
So yes, the weight does come off. Some people I've read about don't do anything and they return to their pre/EF weight. But I think if you add some cardio after getting the drug out of your system, and eating properly, the weight comes off.
take care
endlessnight last decade
Regent and Endless Night, thank you for letting us know what is happening down the road. My prayers have always included all of us E withdrawers. I know that you have helped us through some difficult times. Now you are too. But remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Hang in there. Talk to us, we will boost your spirits. Maybe a year from now, when we are all totally off, we will be singing a different song, hopefully, happy and in a better place. We all have our problems, I think one of mine is that I have sleep apnea (I snore terribly and not consistently). I took a book out of the library about apnea and it is scary. I don't know if I am one of those but I am going to investigate that after I am off E for a few months.
Anyway, have a nice weekend, Sheila
Anyway, have a nice weekend, Sheila
catgranny last decade
I am trying to wing myself off effexor as well. I took myself down to the 37.5's for 1 wk then the dr. told me to go off day 2 without it and I am a basket case. Someone mentioned the brain jolts. i do not have any other symptom but my head is clouded I feel like volts of electricity are going through my head. It makes it better if I just close my eyes. I was tempted to just go back on it, but I do not want to give in.
Can you imagaine a disaster and not being able to get this medacine? The withdrawls are so horrible and the fact that our boddies are so dependants scares me. My brother is a recovering crack addict and he also was on effexor. He said the physical withdrawl coming off effexor is worse. That in itself should say something.
I was thinking of taking 37.5 every other day to withdrawl has anyone tried that? And how long does this feeling last?
Sorry so long
Sadie
Can you imagaine a disaster and not being able to get this medacine? The withdrawls are so horrible and the fact that our boddies are so dependants scares me. My brother is a recovering crack addict and he also was on effexor. He said the physical withdrawl coming off effexor is worse. That in itself should say something.
I was thinking of taking 37.5 every other day to withdrawl has anyone tried that? And how long does this feeling last?
Sorry so long
Sadie
sadie last decade
Hi,
I have been weaning off for several weeks now. I have been gradually reducing the dosage. I am now at about 4mg. I have had very few side effects doing it this way. I tried to get off twice before but the side effects were too intense. Alternating days does not make sense to me. If you are on the capsules, get some empty caps from a pharmacy or health food store and count the beads out. In a 37.5 capsule there are 100 beads. Try taking out ten and take that dose for a few days then reduce again. Going too fast does not give your brain time to recover and the side effects are more severe.
I have been weaning off for several weeks now. I have been gradually reducing the dosage. I am now at about 4mg. I have had very few side effects doing it this way. I tried to get off twice before but the side effects were too intense. Alternating days does not make sense to me. If you are on the capsules, get some empty caps from a pharmacy or health food store and count the beads out. In a 37.5 capsule there are 100 beads. Try taking out ten and take that dose for a few days then reduce again. Going too fast does not give your brain time to recover and the side effects are more severe.
marti last decade
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