Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 5 of 140}

Hi everyone..

After many years of depression I finally decided that maybe i should do something about it and went to a doctor in the fall. Before this I tried all to tough it out, including alot of self medicating through drinking and drugs.
At first i was put on wellbutrin but a couple months ago i was switched to effexor . I am on 2 pills per day. i ran out of my prescription the other day and didnt have a chance to get it refilled till tongight.. But today I have been very dizzy and dazed. It was very very uncomfortable. I was suspicious that maybe it was a withdrawal symptom from the drug but was very surprised when I got to this sight at the possibilities of withdrawal symptoms. It now really scares me what might happen if I am on this drug for an extended period of time.
Is there anything I can take that will work like effexor but that will not harm your body??
thank
b

A very warm welcome to our newest members..Most of you are wondering what we're taking to help ease the withdrawl symptoms..By recommendation, alot of us are taking Dramamine and Chaser for the extreme dizziness and nausea..This seems to be very effective..Also, it's much easier if you taper the dose down rather than stopping all of it at once..There will still be some withdrawl with tapering the doses, but the symptoms are much less severe doing it this way..I hope this will help..Be strong and know that you are not alone..God Bless..Dreamliner

Hi everyone, well I am weaning off of effexor also. For the past three weeks, I have been experienceing stomach cramps and the good ole diarherra.(sp) Do you think this is due to the withdrawal? I was wondering what is going on with me. I have irritable bowel problems and thought this had started up again, but from what you all saying I think if is the lack of effexor in my body.
thanks for listening and I enjoy this site.
Bonnie

Hello everyone!
I am so sorry to have abandoned all of you! My life has been so crazy lately. We are in the process of moving and I'm searching for a new job as the school year is coming to a close. I witnessed a horrible accident last week and just this past week a friend of mine lost her 6 year old son to a tragic accident. He was killed when he ran behind a bobcat tractor. Witnessed by the whole entire family. So keep your babies close, and tell them that you love em'. I am now in panic mode. Doesn't it seem as though when something bad happens, it continues for awhile and then things kind of ease back into normal (whatever that is). As far as my effexor withdrawl. I am free and clear of the evil little pills. And...I have to say, I am free of the pain associated with withdrawl. I wish I could be with each and everyone of you to help you through this. I know you all must know what it feels like when some well wisher tells you (in the midst of your pain), that it will be okay. You almost want to smack them and scream..."No it won't, I'm just going to be miserable for the rest of my life, you have no idea what it's like!!!!" Well I do know what it is like. It will get better. Please be strong! Get some dramamine, take it!!!!!! Pain management is so important. I also have to say that a couple shots of Tequila helped me a few times. Take it with fresh orange slices. Yep...it is much better than lemons or limes. Trust me on this one! And then, if you have found the "chaser" at your local store, you can kill two birds with one stone! I need to go now, I have a new class coming in.
Be STRONG!!!!!!
Regent

Hello everyone!
I was so happy to find this forum. I have been trying to get off effexor and i feel so sick all the time. I have read a lot of the post and realized that this too shall pass soon. I found out that they do make a 25mg pill. I started by splitting it in half. Im now down to 1/4 of the pill. I still get dizzy and nauseated but not as bad as before. I just can't wait to feel normal again. The last 3 months have been hell. The Dr put me on wellbutrin (300mg) and now im wondering if im going to have to go thru the same thing when i decide to go off them.
God bless everybody.

Hey elbutters,
Welcome. That is a good thing to do. Alot of us have split the capsule in half and dumped it into yogurt or applesauce. You can later go down to a 1/4, but do it slowly. This helps alot!!!!!! Slowly!!!!!! And...notice how small the beads are. Those small evil beads have control over your well being. That is not right! You can overcome! Be strong! I have to say that I have not heard any good things about Wellbutrin. I wish that you didn't have to be on it. Let us know what is going on, and maybe we can help. We are FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep in touch and be strong!
Respectfully,
Regent

I have been browsing this topic for a few days now. I am three days into my detox (sickening that it really is detoxing in the full sense of the meaning. I should mention this is my third attempt at getting rid of this monkey on my back called Effexor.

I started the meds about 2 months after my second child was born he is now almost 4. I must admit that it really helpled with what probably was a pretty severe case of postpartum depression. I tried about 7 months later to get off the meds and had the horrible withdraws of headaches the electrical surges in my head. I remember almost driving my car through the local mini mart window because my equalibrium was so messed up. I had no idea there was such thing as withdraw from those...I was baffled (I had stopped cold turkey) and I was such an emotional wreck that I thought Oh My GOD I have to
have this medicine or I am totally depressed.

I called my mom who is a RN and I told her how I was feeling and she told me she had heard how horrible it was to come off Effexor and to take a dose and my side effects should stop. Sure enough three hours after I DOPED up and took a nap I woke up feeling like a "normal" person. So my thought was my body must need this I should take it.

My second attempt was a year ago and I tried it slower. To wean myself down I didnt have as bad of the dizziness and electrical surges as I did the first try but the emotional rollercoaster was insane. I don't know how to word this so that it makes any sense, but I was attributing the moodswings and tearyness to my depression not to the detox so thinking that I just am destined to be depressed I started taking them again.

Finally a week ago I went to the doctor for my refill check up and weighed in I was astonished to see I had gained weight again. So I asked the nurse what I weighed almost 4 years ago when I made the initial visit and was prescribed this drug. It was 60 pounds less then what I currently weighed and don't forget I had just had a baby at that first visit. When the doctor came in I expressed my concern about the drug and my weight gain possibly having something to do with one another. He brushed me off and spouted off the documented side effects (anorexia) which would be weight loss if anything. I wasn't thrilled with that answer but finished up the appt.

Then over the next few days I thought number 1. I wana be off these drugs 2. I am not going off because its easier to stay on them 3. That is the dumbest reason to stay on something I am not that weak 4. I have gained 65 pounds (yes I need to exercise more but thats insane) 5. Not all side effects are the same for everyone. I could be the 1% that the medicine made gain weight vs the 50% others that lost weight(which may be more of the fact that they arent depressed and eating so much anymore) and the other 49% it didn't effect their weight what-so-ever.

So that brings me to now. Three days into my detox. I havent had anything horrible yet. But if I remember correctly it took about 7 days last time for it really to hit me when I was lowering my dose. I am scared as hell. I have two lil boys who don't deserve me to be all messed up while detoxing thank god I have an understanding hubby who has promised that whatever I need he will do or get for me while I get well.

So I do have a few questions.
1. How long did it take when you started weaning yourself off for the really bad side effects to hit?

2. How long did it take until you felt pretty good again?

3. Are the emotional side effects I have felt when detoxing because I am a depressed person and I need the meds or is it just a side effect of the detoxification and will those pass too?

4. Is there any legal recourse to sue the makers of this drug? I am ready and willing to pursue this. I feel it has almost ruled my life for 4 years when it was supposed to just help me through a difficult period not cause me to be a junk.

Sorry this post is so long I had to just get all that off my chest.

Jami

Jami,
I've read your post and felt compelled to write you as I can sympathize with you on all aspects. I've been there too. I too was put on originally Paxil after I had my 2nd baby (5 years ago). I was switched to Effexor (because of the sexual side effects of Paxil) and was never told about the withdrawl effects of any of these drugs. I don't think it would have mattered as I just wanted to feel good again & not depressed & miserable all the time.

It took about 7 or 8 days for the full effect of withdrawl to kick in for me. I felt so horrible, I gave in and took one 75mg. and within 2 hours felt like a normal human being again. So I decided to wean very slowly from then on. Break open the pills and take only a few of the beads in applesauce or yogurt to get yourself through. It took me about 2 months before I felt no withdrawl symptoms. But I did feel throughout the withdrawl period very emotional, weepy & depressed. I thought this has to get better or I might as well stay on these pills. So I gave it time and kept telling myself it's the drug making me feel this way not the true me. The drug companies want us to fail & go back to taking this junk. They're losing a lot of money just with the people in this forum.

And yes, these pills contribute to weight gain not weight loss. I think about 95% of us on these gained weight not became anorexic as your doctor suggested. My doctor also told me about the RARE instances of weight gain - not true. I think they've got it backwards 1% probably lose weight, but 99% gain it.

Words of advice to you:
1. wean slowly - it's not a race. Be easy on your body & mind by taking weeks or even months to wean off.
2. take "chaser" hangover pills for the headaches buzzing, spins etc. Some took Dramamine for dizziness too.
3.Remember this too shall pass. Tell yourself it's the pills that make me feel like this and I will feel better once they are out of my system for good.
4. Exercise (even walk every day) that's hard for me too, cause the last thing I want to go is exercise when I am tired & depressed but push yourself to do it.
5. Stay busy (it's easy with kids as you know). Every day without a pill is one day closer to being drug free.
6. Keep connected to this forum. Everyone helped me by just knowing they were experiencing the same symptoms as me.

As far as the legal issue, check back into this forum some people did check into suing the drug companies, but I don't think they got very far.

Good luck & keep writing cause we are all interested in you and your progress.

Thank you so much for the reply it does help just having someone there listening and understanding. Even though my hubby is listening and supportive I fear he has no clue what my body is going through and whats yet to come but I am linking this forum to his email for him to read so he may see that these lil things im describing are not me being a lil dramatic (thought he knows thats not my nature anyways).

I will do the breaking open of the pills. Did I mention I am on the highest dosage prescribed or close to the highest at 300mg. I starte off feeling well taking about 150mg but as the years went on I kept telling the doctor something just wasnt right so he would up the dosage.

I did go back and read the suing posts and I will also search out the possibility of legal recourse. I feel taking advantage of. I liked the analogy someone used about the tobacco co's (if someone can sue tobacco companies for becoming addicted to tobacco our case is a slam dunk).

Has anyone successfully quit Effexor and lost that weight that has mysteriously jumped on during your use?

I was thinking about several things during a walk earlier (yes excersize has already helped me with the few body aches, headaches and the lethargic feeling I am experiencing at this early stage in detox) but I have changed totally since day one of taking this medicine it has been gradual but dramatic. My husband told me about 2 months ago I wasnt the same person he married (hes been concerned and I dont blame him). I told him that we all change I mean I was 22 years old when he met me. I started on the meds at age 24. I just explained it as growing up and getting older. But when I listened to see what he meant it hit me people change and personalities but they dont become totally numb as I have. The only joy I have in my life is my kids and if not for them I probably would have just been in a nut house a long time ago. But looking back I quit my very fulfilling job after my second child.

I could hardly make myself work it was a daily challenge for me to be out in public and to interact with others. I totally cut out anything fun for myself I have had a very great friend for years and I totally just ignored that persons calls etc and them living out of town I was able to just dodge them. We are only now working on reconciliation.

I would take a nap daily when my sons did and now that my son doesnt take a nap anymore and the other is in school I still take a nap (my hubby works nights a lot). Then it hit me (we live on farm with 3 houses) that my great aunt who lives up the way from us is 81 and she takes less naps then I do.

I had myself convinced maybe I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrom or something though I never have said that termm outloud to anyone. The doctor has ordered thyroid screening and diabetes screening 4 times in the last 3 and half years. The numbers come back fine though by noon daily I am shot. I do get a surge in the evening (I think after that huge dose I took from the night before finally wears off).

So to sum it all up I changed into a non feeling, lethargic fat arse. When I am a person voted female athlete of the year in school. I was reminded of how active I was when my 5 year old noticed my huge collection of trophies on the top shelf in garage. He thought forsure they were my hubbies and was so impressed when I read MVP after MVP off the plaques to him then the huge one my pride and joy back a few years. The Athlete of The Year award.

I came in house looked in the person and said who are you? I dont want this person I refuse to believe that this is just some natural evolution from the growing up process.

Ill be 30 in two years I am going to make that my goal time so that I dont rush things but by the time I am thirty I want to be 1. Free of this damn poison effexor. 2. Loose the weight caused by it and my lack of energy (I already started a walking and bike riding regimine). 2. Call my old girlfriends and get reintouch. 3. Go back to work part time and not feel like I am going to my own funeral each time I have to work.

I just looked up and saw I did it again. HEHE but I do feel better getting this out. My email is listed under my profile here on this forum. I also was trying to send email to Regeant from her lil hints on her email but it came back user unknown so if you are reading this and have time for my nonsense and you too Rinky my email is listed for ya to get ahold of me on my profile.

So has anyone who is effexor free lost that weight? Please I need a light at the end of that tunnel.

Jami

BTW I started a blog/journal to track my detox...please feel free to read it wont let me put a url so type effexornomore(dot)blogspot(dot)com

Jami

Hey Jamikissezs and Rinky,
try this lorisissatyahoodotcom
lorisiss yahoo com. I spelled it out. I've got a class in here right now, so am having a hard time posting. They are pretty needy middleschoolers. Try my e-mail. I will have more time next hour.
Peace! (remember that?)
Lori (AKA Regent)

I've heard that marijuana provides short term relief to acute symptoms.

Well Dirk, since most of us are Moms and/or parents of young children that need taking care of and have to go to work on top of that, I don't think Marijuana or any illegal drug would be a viable choice for us.

DIRK I LOVE THAT IDEA LOL>.... I am a bit of a hippy in that department but I havent smoked weed in years. But it is an herbal remedy I guess in a way lol. I wouldn't go tell folks that it would be the thing to do to eliviate the side effects but it is very possible that it could really help. I mean it is given to help aliviate nausea and pain in cancer patients etc. But marijauna does exacerbate depression in most people so I dont know that it would be the best choice but not a horrible idea. Thanks for the post anyways.

Jami

Hiya, I cut down like my doc told me too and have been going through the same witdrawl symptoms as most people here for what is now the 9th day without the dreaded pill. Vertigo, crying, yelling, the runs, dizziness, lack of sleep...just about have had enough. I never opened a capsule to break it up into smaller doses...should I start doing that or keep strong dealing with the symptoms I've got. There is one symptom I feel like theres something in the back of my head, at the base of my skull, and it feels kinda numb. Anybody else ever had that feeling?

Patty I too have some numbness mine is in my fingers and when I wake up my arms feel numb and tingly. I think its just another of the glorious side effects of not having this nasty stuff. Everyones views on wether or not to wean off or go cold turkey are so different and personal.

I was just reading another forum and someone said they and a couple people were weaning their way off the meds they did it really slow but that once they hit zero pills they had all the horrible side effects so they were speculating that eventually your going to have none of this in your system and it is going to revolt against you. So wether or not you do it all at once or you work your way down it is going to hit the point where there is none and it may be just as ugly. Again I don't know but the group of them said they wished they had just gone cold turkey.

I myself have been cutting down the last week I went from 300mg to 150mg right away and then two nights later I did 75mg. So far only really irritated and angry a few zaps and some tingling. Some heavy eyes and difficulty waking up in the morning have been my ailments. But I think tonight I am just going to say screw it and not take any but it may not be the best idea but I just wana be done and I do remember the last attempt I made at stopping this med I got down to practically nothing then they side effects hit so maybe I should just skip the preliminary and go for it.

SOOOOO I am sure everyone has conflicting theories on this but I say if your having a horrible day with side effects break open that damn pill get 4-5 of those lil beads in some yogurt and get a bit of a respite but all in all your going to have to get down to none in the system.
:( damn it stinks huh?!

jami

Jami I am in the process of taking 37.5 every other day. I did not have a problem until I got to this point. I am going to do this every other day for a month I think and then start with every three days and etc. Next month I go back to my doctor and I will see what he thinks of this process. Last time I saw him was January and I was just on 75 mgs a day. I didnt know what to do after I got to 37.5 a day, so I just came up with this myself. Hopefully it will work. I do experince some bowel problems, dizziness, just over all funny feelings. I will be glad to get this stuff out of my system. You know what though, I am also on zoloft and wellbutrin. Looks like this would help with the withdrawls some. Any way I am glad I am not alone.
I think if all of us do this thing together and give each other support we can do it.
What about you? It is scary, but that is life, so let's keep going.
Bonnie

I know for me it has made all the difference in the world just knowing that I am not loosing my mind. That the symptoms are very real and very intense. It also helped me to have my husband read this forum. He was very supportive before but I don't think he understood that this wasn't something I was being sensitive over and that it is very intense. He looked up after reading this forum and said "Wow I didn't know this was some serious S*it(yes he has a way with words) lol. But since he read that a few days ago he has been really really in tuned when I fly off instead of him getting deffensive he kinda jokes but not tough roughly about it. We have laughed more at my sarcasm the last few days then we have in forever.

Bonnie I also see what your saying about taking the pills and taking one ever other day but it seems to me that no matter how low you go that one day your going to have to have none in your system and going to have to deal with that. Since your on such a low dosage anyways I would be tempted to just wait until I had a couple days off from work or until a time that someone can help you if you have kids etc and just stop the drug. I just get the feeling from all the people I am corresponding with that after you get to a certain point its either all or nothing..its like alcoholics after recovery there is no such thing as having ONE DRINK...like I said I am no expert but I think tonight I am skipping that 75 mg dose and just saying screw it. Ill keep yall posted on how its going for me!

Good luck and talking about it just makes all the difference!

Jami

Jami, you are making sense. Hopefully it'll soon pass. I took a couple of Benadryl and it did seem to help with the dizziness. I just wanna feel normal (whatever that is) again!

Good luck with your dosage cut down. We will get through this in the end and never ever ever do this to ourselves again.

Day 5 for me folks. It is a living HELL! I won't post what has already been listed.

Waiting for day 11, seems to be the average for when people start feeling better according to different people's post.

So Dirk did you try the weed as a remedy? lol. I know it is hell I am on day 2 of the cold turkey part and I feel like a nut case so stinkin dizzy and my head keeps flashing like its taking pictures. BUT HANG ON WE SHALL PREVAIL!!!

jami

You crazy hippies! I have found that a good tequila works too. I do have to say that I have tried the weed, but I can never remember if it worked or not! did I just say that?!?
Regent

lol! at Regent.

O.K. Folks coming off 2 years of using effexor at 100 mg. I went down to 37.5 mg before going cold turkey. Others have gone smaller than that then tried to stop. I chose cold turkey because most people experienced the withdrawal symptoms anyhow no matter how they tapered off.

Day 6 is going alot better than the previous 5 here is what I have done.

- Go to the chiropractor, it helped me that's all I can say.

- I went and got a massage

- I also did accupuncture to help with the withdrawal.

- I used the a little wacky tobaccy to help with the first five days. I am not a regular smoker just so everyone knows. I was desperate.

I pray and hope that every day is better from here.

God's speed everyone.

Dirk

OOHHHH I LOVE tequila. I am a tequila girl. But so far the only thing I am taking to help my restlessness is Benadryl to help me sleep. I have found out the hard way the last week that like with many illnesses that if your exhausted you will be 100xs worse.

I got 3 hours of sleep night before last. It was the 3rd day of my cold turkey attempts. Yesterday was hell on earth. I thought I was going to pop one of those stupid pills. Thank god I had a strong hand to squeeze and attached to it a very handsome man that loves me and he talked me out of it.

I finally popped 2 benadryl and slept 3 hours late in the eve and woke up around 9 pm feeling 90 percent better then before my nap. I was up a few hours recovering from the nasty day I had then I took one more benadryl and went to bed around midnight and slept really hard until I got up at 7 this morning.

My hubby called in sick last night for the next two days so he can give me the freedom to nap if I need to or to just squeeze his hand and cry like a baby (that was my day yesterday).

Bonnie I really feel for you and all the meds your taking. I don't know how you can function on all that most of it makes me sleepy.

I was sitting here a bit ago at my computer listening to a really sweet song that tugs at my heart and the tears keep flowing but it is not tears of despair or anything. I really feel like I have been living like a zombie on these pills for a few years now and to stop taking them is a fog lifting from my life. All the normal emotions that I was sort of numb to are there and it is beautiful and overwhelming. Everyone be strong. I can say that today when just yesterday I couldnt have said it at all. Each day is different and some will suck really bad. Take care of yourselves and eachother. If you need to cry by god let the tears fall. Just get some good sleep at night. Benadryl has worked wonders for me in that department. I wont say put a smile on and go for it. Instead I say take the ride but hold on for dear life.

Jami

DIRK DIRK DIRK. I agree 100 percent with what you said wether or not you taper off one day this craps not going to be in your system and it is going to REVOLT.

If I had some weed Id have smoked the whole damn bag night before last!

Massage has been awesome for me too. Again thanks to the man who shared his last name with me lol. Long warm showers and crazy enough excersize it takes about 10 minutes to get into the excersize before I feel like I don't wana run back into the house but once I relax and just walk for a few I start to feel sooo much better.

I may have to make a appt with accupuncturist since it is a covered benifit with my insurance why the heck not!

Glad to hear your days are looking better Dirk it is always an inspiration to people to know that there is a light and hope at that tunnel end. I am on day 4-5 of cold turkey and day 10 of when I decided this crap had to go. I will keep all posted on my ride.

Jami

Hi Jami and everyone. I am still doing the 37.5 every other day thing. I go to my docter, who is a physciarist, I don't know how to spell that word, but you get the picture on May 12. I will see what he has to say about this crap. Jami you are right, I know I am on alot of meds. They don't make me sleepy at all. Just the opposite. I will always have to take something. I don't want to take the effexor anymore. I have gone 2 days before without taking these pills and didnt feel to bad. It is so scary. Hope everyone is doing ok. We just have to take one day at a time.
Good luck to all of you. Keep me posted how you are doing.
Bonnie