Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 35 of 140}

Sheila,

I generally try to stay away from aspartame or any other type of artificial sweetener. SPlenda included - (it is made using chlorine).

LEt us know what you find!

Sarah

I’m not doing too bad thank you Bonnie: )
I have had some brain zaps and I'm feeling a little bit Lethargic but it could be much worse. My boyfriend and I are moving into an apartment this week so it has been really stressful. The major move(the big stuff) is this Friday in the early evening. Yikes. I have been thinking/ worrying so much about when to bring what and will I be on time. I think I may just forget moving stuff tonight and just catch up on some sleep. I don't want to get too overwhelmed!! What do you think, should I just stay home tonight?
Good idea on keeping busy to reduce the worry and effects of the W/D. That works for me most of the time. Just when I am tired I feel it more.
Sorry, I kind of went on a rant!
Take care!
xo Elena

This aspartame thing has me scared, I take so much of it. Apparently there is a class action case going on in California against it. The plaintiff allege that aspartame can cause the following [this is copied right off the website]:

abdominal pain, arthritis, asthma, brain cancer, breathing difficulties, burning eyes or throat, burning urination, chest pains, chronic cough, chronic fatigue, death, depression, diarrhea, headaches/migraines, hearing loss, heart palpitations, hives (urticaria), hypertension, impotency and sexual problems, memory loss, menstrual problems or changes, nausea or vomiting, slurring of speech, tremors, tinnitus, vertigo and/or vision loss." The lawsuit also states, "Further, Aspartame disease mimics symptoms or worsens the following diseases: Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Lupus, Diabetes and diabetic complications, Epilepsy, Alzheimer's Disease, birth defects, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lymphoma, Lyme Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Panic Disorder, Depression and other psychological disorders."

So those of us on E that ingest aspartame are getting a double whammy. Search for aspartame on the internet and many anti sites come up (of course, some sites try to debunk it as an urban legend) but the antis outweight them. Also it takes at least 60 days without it to notice a difference. I got the idea to check this out by looking at other chapters on the abchomeopathy forum. (May 11, 2005). The weight aspect of it is very interesting. Guess I will be giving something else up.

I am at work right now and am not very busy, so am filling my time on the internet.

Love, Sheila

Sheila, I stopped using aspartame after I got an email talking about the horrible things it can do to your body. I now use Splenda, which is sucralose, and much better for you, or stevia, which is even more natural.
I think I'm finally getting clear of this drug. I went on an intensive cleanse, which will be finished in another day. Brain zaps are almost negligible, and I have such an increase in energy. I still get the headaches, but at least I can pop an aspirin. Elena, the ginger pills are a lifesaver.
Also, to answer your question Elena, about past wrongs, yes I have lots of times when it seems as though they are as fresh as the day they happened. And I still get as incensed and outraged. Why do we hang on to these things? I have no idea. I think we are a very sensitive group of people, perhaps more so than the average person.Maybe we feel with more intensity. Does that make any sense to you? It's just a thought.
Love Coleen

It has been a few days sense I have been able to read and post on this site. I am on my 2nd week of going off Effexor. I was needing some advice. I started pouring out some of my 37.5 everyday and then yesterday I accidentally skipped. I am feeling mild brain zaps, but I am shaky and my eyes are foggy, should I just stop taking it or should I still pour out some?

As far as any sugar substitutes, I have always stayed away from them. I knew a lady who got premature althimers (sp?) the doctor said it was the nutra sweet.

Sadie, to be honest, I wouldn't go cold turkey off of 37.5. I weaned down to 18.75 and went cold turkey off of that, and I think I did it too drastically. The withdrawal symptoms were pretty intense.If I had known they would be as bad as they were, I would have come down much more slowly.Ultimately ,it's your choice.
All the best to you.
Love Coleen

Coco,
How long did you give yourself on 18.75? Last night I felt like I was completley out of control. I took Benedryl and that helped. I hope that my impatience is just from the withdrawl and I am not going to be like this. I don't want to take any meds ever again!

Thanks,
Sadie

Hi everyone.
Yes Colleen, I do see your point, as I am as sensitive as they come! But I find it odd that I have not thought of these things until now. Some of the memories I am reliving happened even before I was on Effexor. Some of them ARE while I was on it. My mind is constantly buzzing and I think of these old memories as if they had just happened. I really don't enjoy it because all of these memories are negative. It is as if my mind is torturing me. It is only when I am alone that I recall these things and feel this way. I am extremely hard on myself especially right now and that is one thing that I really need to get over. I just beat myself up far too often.
Oh well, I have to take Sheila's advice, I can't change the past, and I should just move on. I grieved enough about it at the time.
So, how is everyone today? It is rainy and cool here, a nice change from the humid heat we have been getting.
I have been having a few brain zaps but not many. When I do get one I am thrown off because I haven't had one in a while. I have been extremely moody and Sadie, I do believe it is the detox that is doing it to us. I don't think we will be like this forever! I am trying to be as positive as possible. And I plan on reading more about meditation. I would really like to master that. It would probably take a long time, but it would be so worth it. I have such a fiery temper, and now that I am detoxing, it is worse!!
I would love to calm myself down better.
So how is everyone today? Any news to report?

Hugs and prayers
xo Elena

Sadie, I have been weaning since January. I have not taken any effexor since last Saturday. My last dose was 6 of those little balls. If I were you I would take it really slow. I would probably stay on 18.75 for at least a month. That is just my opinion. It is not easy what ever you decide to do. I am sure you are anxious because of the effexor. I too am very anxious now. I just keep telling myself that I will get use to it. Each time you come down in dose you have to get use to it.How long have you been at 18.75? Anyway just give your body time to get use to the dosage you are taking and then think about weaning down again.
Bonnie

Sadie, don’t be impatient to go off so quickly, Bonnie and Coco are right. Wait until your body gets to used it and you can handle the side effects before dropping, each person is different. I’m about to drop again tomorrow to 4 (about 10 beads) because I feel okay and it has been over 2 weeks since my last drop. Am still a little zappy and headachy but can function in the real world. For those of us who are weaning, that’s important.

Elena, good luck with letting go of the past. It is true we can do nothing about it. What is that old saying – you can’t beat a dead horse. I am guilty of having trouble letting go especially when I don’t feel good about decisions made in the past. But I would go nuts literally if I let everything get me down. I know I think too much also. Must be our type of personality. I let little things bother me (of course they haven’t on the E) but that is starting to come back.

Guess I’ll be doing another withdrawal with the aspartame. I started drinking diet soda when Coca Cola first came out with Tab in the 60’s, then on to the cyclamates. I’ve been ingesting asparatame in one form or another since it first became available in the 80’s. With all the reading I’ve been doing for the past two days, I am probably addicted to it and will have similar withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, etc. All of you who wisely knew that aspartame is a poison are better off. I knew there were some controversies but I thought it had to do with liver function and my liver is okay. I can almost date some of my chronic things from the beginning of my use of aspartame. My blood pressure, my pseudo-hypoglycemia (couldn’t go without 3 squares a day), my inability to lose weight easily, all things that are symptoms of aspartame use and all things that started in my body in the 80’s. It has something to do with the way your liver metabolizes it. I wonder if my cholesterol problem is just a new symptom. I will use up all my slimfast, crystal light, sugar-free cocoa, sugar-free yogurt, diet soda, etc. and in September after getting totally off E, I will start (and probably join an aspartame victims group). Bonnie, since you do ingest aspartame, you might want to look at the following site presidiotex(dot)com(front slash)aspartame about fibromyalgia.

The weather here today is 98 with a heat index of 109, humidity very high The ground ozone was heavy and it was hard to breathe. Went to the library at lunch, 3 blocks away, and was very light headed when I got back. Hasn’t rained in a few days, supposed to over the weekend though. Even my pool is like a bathtub, no relief there at all.

Love, Sheila

Sadie, take it slow and easy with the weaning. I tell you, this withdrawal is crazy! Truly, I really believe that the slower, the better. I am a very impatient person,and that was my whole problem.
Elena, I am way too sensitive too. It's something I have to contend with every day. I'm fortunate to work with girls that, God Bless'em, are as loony as I am, and I said to them them today , I wonder who is the real Coleen? The calm one on Effexor; this zappy, over reactive shrew; or will the real Coleen emerge after the E has finally given up its hold? I always figured middle aged people had it all together. Hah!Sometimes I think it's absolutely hilarious, and ther times I just want to cry.
I am quite amazed at how many people are on Effexor- they're everywhere. I think this drug has really become the psychological bandaid of the century.
It's cooler here in Southern Ontario today. Thank God! It was stinking hot over the past two months.It's nice to get the windows open to let in some fresh air.
Thanks for listening. I enjoy reading your posts every day.Hope you all have a good nights sleep, and a zap free day tomorrow.
Love,
Coleen

Hi everyone,
I hope you are all having a pleasant day. It has been slow around the office so I have been a little bored. Also I can't wait to get out of here so I can get started on the move.
Coleen, it is nice to hear that I am not the only one who feels they are WAY too emotional. Because I almost have to laugh at how crazy I get sometimes. I am grateful for this forum. It is similar to a support group, except online! And it is way cheaper than therapy! LOL I don't have the money for that even if I wanted it.
I just can't wait for the long weekend. Unfortunatly it will be spent organizing our new apartment. It will be tiring, but it will be fun too. I at least want to get some swimming and sun bathing in this weekend. I need to unwind. Funny thing is, I feel I ALWAYS need to unwind! LOL Like I really have that stressful a life. But to me, it is. Positivity is key though. I am trying my best to maintain my positivity. I feel silly that I have to "tell" myself to be positive. But oh well. It works for me. Hey Bonnie, how are you? You holding up okay? I figure you have been keeping yourself busy, which is a smart move! Let me know how you're doing! I hope you're doing great!

Have a nice afternoon all: )
Hugs and Prayers
xo Elena

hi all....elena
i just read your last post, very exciting to be moving in with your boyfriend...sounds serious, good for you!! steph & I are headed to Iowa tomorrow, she is moving out of her 3 bedroom apt, going upstairs to a 2 bedroom...she too is stressing for no reason, it will all fall into place...she also often makes comments like she just needs to UNWIND, that is too funny...i am always telling her to be organized, stay focused & be POSITIVE...she can reason through, but just can't totatlly convince herself to be stress free!!she's working on it...you hang in there too...

sheila, my husband & son are up in the Door County, WI area with friends, doing their annual father/son golf get-a-way...the temps & humidity finally broke in the midwest, i'll try & send it your way....

the best to you all, naria i'm thinking about you, you who is always so well "written" & encouraging!!
~dawn

Hello everyone, I went shopping with my daughter today. We were gone all day, which is good for me. Tomorrow, my husband and some of my family are traveling to North Carolina, for a wedding over the weekend, busy again.
I just wanted to let everyone know where I will be. I am doing ok Elena, today. Hope it continues. How about you?
I haven't had any aspartame for 2 days. Boy, it is hard to do. I always drink diet caffeine free pepsi. I switched to tea and water.
I am going to try it for a month and see what happens.
Something is going on with aspartame because I have gotten so many emails from friends lately.
Have a great weekend and I will talk with you all Monday.

Hugs,
Bonnie

Bonnie, I guess from your last post that I am not the only one concerned about aspartame. I am reading a book callee Sweet Poison about a woman who had been misdiagnosed over and over and I haven't even gotten to that part. Before she realized the aspartame was part of her problem she was have splitting nail problems. I have had that problem since I was in my early 20's, after starting diet beverages then. Interesting!!! I am really freaked out about this because of the length of time I have taken diet beverages, etc. So many of the things that led up to my taking the E are part of that. All I can say is what Chandler's girlfriend on "Friends" says, "OH MY GOD"

First day of 4 mg. Ok, zapping a lot but okay. Still hot here in SC. - Love sheila

Hi Everyone. Hope and pray you all had a decent day. Elena and Dawn, are you aware that moving is one of the top ten items on the national stress scale? It's right up there with death and Christmas!If you want to have a laugh about moving, see if you can find George Carlin's monologue on "stuff". It's hilarious( and true).
Sadie, how are you doing? I hope you are okay, please keep us informed about your withdrawal.
I don't know if I'm just getting used to the zaps, I only get a lot of them when I laugh too hard, or am tired.Still get the odd headache, there again, not as bad as in the beginning. It's been ,what, 17 days? I'm hoping in another month, the withdrawal will be a distant memory; however, I'm also trying to be as realistic as I can.
It was a phenomenal day today! Cooler, low humididty- beautiful!You know, I bet the weather has a lot of impact on withdrawal. I found the hot, sweltering humidity was brutal, and, honestly, I don't know how healthy it is to be in air conditioning 24/7.
Well, hope all your sleeps are deep, and the nasty symtoms become less. Talk to you tomorrow,
Love, Coleen

Thank you everyone for your support.

The thing i get impatient with is my weight, but I will just have to deal with it. The past two days haven't been very good and I just take Benedryl to help.

Does anyone no if Wellbutrin has these horrible side effects and weight gain?

I am proud of you for trying to wing of aspartamine (I do not spell well) I also read a report on anything that has trans fat should be avoided liken to nurta sweet trans fat is not a natural fat and is chemically prossesed.

Good Luck to all and thanks for your support.

Sadie

Hi Sadie, I tried Wellbutrin prior to going on E and it was totally the wrong drug for me. There were no side effects to speak of but I am seritonin deficient and Wellbutrin was not helping block enough seritonin (sp?), it works differently from normal SSRI's - lord, my memory has gone, is that the right acronym..this darn E withdrawal.....lol. Anyways, it sent me into a completely agressive spiral that almost took me to emerg., that is when I found Effexor. Check into it before you go there, I am sure there are people with good experiences but I am not one.

Kerry

Morning everyone.
I hope you all are doing well. It is another nice day today, not humid, and sunny. The only thing is, it may rain this afternoon. Yeah. And I have to move my stuff! lol. Oh well, some of it is dusty and needs to be rinsed off!
Coleen there is no doubt in my mind that what you said is true. I have been so stressed out with this move it is nuts. I just can't wait until it is all done.
Dawn, I am the same way as Steph, I am always saying to myself that I need to unwind! lol But I am the one who got myself all worked up in the first place! I will do my best to stay positive! Thank you for your well wishes!
Sadie, I am so impatient with my weight. It is unreal. I just want it to go away! But it will take longer than that, and I know it. That is quite depressing for me. So I can understand where you're coming from. Don't give up though, you will get through this. I was impatient myself, but I am off of it now, and the zaps are getting less and less frequent. Thank goodness!
Kerry, my memorie has gone so far I don't even know where it is anymore. lol I can't believe how forgetful I am! It's terrible! Funny how a med that is supposed to help us is only hurting us.
Sheila I think it's a great idea that you are not comsuming any more aspertame. I have stopped myself! Good for you for looking into this and finding out for yourself about the effects it will have on the body.
Bonnie, I hope you have a great weekend. I will be moving so I won't be able to write or check in. I am so happy that you are doing well. I do hope it continues that way for you as well.
Laurel! How are you doing? Let us know how you are! We miss you!
And to all those who have not posted in a while, wishing you a great weekend too! And hoping you all are well!
Hugs and Prayers
xoElena

I am sorry that I have interrupted the Effexor website with my comments about aspartame (a/k/a Nutrasweet. This will be my last dissertation on aspartame on this site, but I felt that it was very important for us to know. If you would like to discuss aspartame poisoning with me in the future, please email me at the address in my profile.

As I told you in my last post, I am reading the book “Sweet Poison” and when I last posted I said that I would wean off of aspartame. Since that post, I have read half this book and I will not knowingly consuming a food product with aspartame in it in the future. What has this to do with the withdrawal of the E. Probably nothing to do with WITHDRAWAL. But why are we taking the E. Some of the research that I have done suggests that maybe aspartame has a major role in some of us having to go on antidepressants. One of the sites I am going to quote is from www(dot)holisticmed.com(frontslash) aspartame(frontslash) states:

“Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame…(THIS IS SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS LATER)……Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provided a boost to sales of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.”

Sound familiar?

Bonnie, I am especially concerned about you because you are on more than one antidepressant. You must read this book because of the fact that your medical people have told you that you have missing synapses, etc. Could it be the aspartame? Have you been ingesting it as long as I have? I am always on a health kick so many of the things that I have done along the years with the aspartame may have kept me from having a lot more problems.

But one of the things that the person who wrote this book encourages is to have hair samples tested to see what toxins are in your system. Apparently your hair tells all. And you know what, I started to get naturally curly hair in the ‘80’s probably shortly after ingesting aspartame in diet soda. My hair is now in the realm that my hairdresser says “the hair from hell”, totally uncooperative, very frizzy (especially in the humidity), I get it straightened chemically every June for the summer. Makes me think.

Anyway, on to the E. I am on my fourth day of tapering down to 4.5mg. I have not had these sort of reactions since the first taper from 75 to 38. I am so ditsy, drowsy, headachy, no nausea but I really feel spaced out. I almost feel that cold turkey from this point couldn’t be any worse. Bonnie and Elena, you are just in front of me, please advise.

Love, Sheila

Thank you for everyones replies. I can not address all of you by name because that woulr require thinking, and well that is something I haven't been able to do very well.

My withdrawls are getting a little better, I mainly have a headache and then this weekend I came down with a severe kidney infection, and I do not take pain pills because I do not like the effect it has on me, well my mom told me to take an ultrim she said it was like Tylenol but stronger, non- narcotic. What a lie I got so sick and have slept most of the day. At least that has been good for my withdrawl, didn't need to take benedryl.

Good luck to all of you trying to quit nutra-sweet, It will be worth it.

Have a good day!
Sadie

Hi,
3 months ago I tried to quit effexor and had brain jolts. I freaked out and found this site, only to find out others had it worse than me. My personal experiences are as such. I was taking 75mg a day. I dont think anyone should ever take even 37.5 much less 75mg. I tapered down and asked my doctor to prescribe me prozac. I switched over and also took xanex and valium to ward off the side effects. After 2 months I quit prozac and now no brain jolts. This method worked for me but may not work for those who have taken 75mg or more of effexor for long periods of time. If you get brain jolts, valium is the cure. I wish all here the best and will pray for you all to recover. Peace and Love be with, Hydro

Hi Everyone. I have been reading this forum for quite some time now. After 3+ years of taking 75mg. of Effexor XR, I want to get off of it forever. I weaned myself off of it a couple of years ago by taking 5 granules out of the capsule every 2 weeks. Yes, it took longer than I wished, but my withdrawal symptoms weren't nearly as bad as they would have been had I tried to do it more quickly. These psycho-active drugs, especially taken over a period of several months or years, alter the brain's function markedly, so it is imperative to get off them
s-l-o-w-l-y. You HAVE to give the body's chemistry time to adjust. Also, the liver is greatly effected by any sort of drug. This stuff is stored in the body, that's why we have toxic side effects when we withdraw so quickly from them. Ever had a "I didn't have my coffee this morning" headache? Coffee we can buy in large quantities at any store or restaurant. How strong are these drugs we buy with a prescription? Anyway, my situation in life didn't change because I didn't do enough for myself to make them change, so after 8 months of being off of it, I started having anxiety attacks and depression again. Maybe it was a long-term withdrawal effect of the drug and I just didn't wait it out, but I started taking the Effexor 75mg. again so here I am.

I could go on and on with all the stuff I feel, or don't feel, since I started taking the drug, but it would take too long to tell it all just now. I will say that I'm beyond tired of; not being able to reach orgasm, being a lousy speller, making stupid mistakes in my checkbook register because I transpose numbers! Yes, all these and more started happening AFTER I started taking Effexor. I just want to be "clean" again and go with life as it comes and not through a filter. I hope I can do this. I DO NOT like being addicted to this drug. It really scares me. I am a naturalist and try to live as simply as possible. Taking this drug goes against all my instincts. I am going to start tonight, reducing the amount of granules in my capsules. I will appreciate any advice anyone can give me on making this difficult "trip up the mountain" easier. I now know that we can't do it all by ourselves. Lysette

lysett,
Good luck to you. I didn't realize that me transposing numbers was contributed to Effexor, but I do it all the time and my words. I will tell my kids instead of go to bed. go to the car. I feel like I am stupid and my tounge is heavy. I do not want to be on this anymore eaither. My brain feels like mush today and I can't even cary on a phone conversasion. I would love to go somewhere and be knocked out why my body detoxis off of this stuff.

To the guy who posted earlier (sorry cant recall your name) I take benedryl to help ward of the symptoms, will that work instead of Xanex? My mom, brother and sister are addicted to that stuff I swear and I do not want to follow in their foot steps!

Good Luck everyone and get some sleep!

Hello to all my friends - Sheila yes I have taken aspartame for a while.I will say though, I don't take a whole lot of it. I (did) drink diet drinks, maybe 2 a day and some yogurt. Anyway it has been a week since I have eaten or drank any. Funny you should mention the curly hair. I had perms for years and now my hair is really curly. It is not too bad though. I sorta like it.
I have not had any effexor now for nine days. Today I have been a little slugish, but I did not sleep very good last night and that really messes me up. I have felt strange today, like I am in a cloud.
I too, mess up words. My kids and grandkids laugh at me. It is funny sometimes, but I never thought about it being the effexor.
Elena, how are you doing? I hope your move went ok for you. I know that is not any fun at all. We just built our house about 1-1/2 years ago, and I said the next move for me will be 6 feet under.
Well, hope everyone has a good night and a great day tomorrow.
Hope to hear from all the old friends as well as the new.
Goodnight
Bonnie

Good morning everyone.
Again a warm welcome to those who are new to this forum.
Hydro thank you for the advise. Lysette, I agree with you wholeheartedly that you should be free of Effexor. Just take your time, and take some tips from our past posts. We have all experienced these awful side effects, but now that we are aware of why it is happening and what it is, we can focus on getting better. Slowly but surely it will happen.
Sheila, you are doing so well! I would give yourself some more time to adjust to the 4.5,(maybe another week?) and then your on your way! Maybe it will help more if you are more adjusted to the 4.5.mg. Of course it is up to you, you could even stop right now. It depends on how you feel and your body feels. It doesn't shock me that you are feeling so spaced out. Just try to get as much rest as you can, and try taking some ginger. That was so helpful to me. It does get better! I am on day 17 no Effexor, and I feel so good, even compared to last week. The zapping, nausea and headaches are pretty much gone. So just a heads up, it will be awful for a little while, but there is a bright side.
Bonnie, the move was HELL. I was a wreak, and I am still trying to adjust to my new surroundings. I wake up at night and wonder what the hells going on! lol! But now we are pretty much settled and we can relax a bit. I did have a couple of Anxiety moments, but hey, I feel better now. It comes and goes. But I don't care. I am Effexor free, and that's all that matters to me. SIX FEET UNDER! LOL! I agree! I don't want to move for a long time! Good God! Oh and you had mentioned as well as Sheila that you mistake words, I have had a terrible time with that! I have had no luck articulating to my boss. That is embarressing. Good thing she just laughs. I felt as though my tongue was not behaving and saying words I wasn't even thinking! I feel better now, but I still have some slip ups.
Anyway, I hope you all are doing well, newbies as well as oldies!
Hugs and prayers,
xoElena