Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 43 of 140}

Sheila,

Thanks for the feedback email. ;-) you are a sweety. you know I used to take beta blockers when I was on the paxil - if i needed it for an emergency. I know it is for the heart but They started me on it when I was like 22 and I only took it when I felt like I was having a panic attack instead of taking some type of number all the time and it worked wonderfully for me. They say it just increases the blood to the heart keeping your muscles from tightening up and eliminating the PANIC and other then making me a bit sleepy (if I took more then half) it worked miracles for me. It was much better then being on medication 24/7 and it didn't alter the way I thought or my emotions which was nice. I found out about that from a friend from poland. over there they give it for anxiety sometimes (as a once ina while medication) to keep people off antidepressants or anti anxiety meds - so I had asked my old doctor and he had approved it. But anyway, its just one more alternative to taking something every day. And I am sorry to hear about your ankle. ;-( I hope you are better soon.

Today is a tough day for me. I am on day 10 and I have had really bad head aches. and I am lonely and moody. I just want all of you to know that I seriously logg onto tthis sight everyday and look forward to reading what everyone has to say. It helps me to not feel so alone. So thank you.

Well I hope everyone is doing well today. I hope all of you make sure to eat some fruit and keep your blood sugar level and take a walk and just be thankful that we aren't living in some of the devastated areas of the nation. Also, be sure to drink lots and lots of water everyone it seems to really help me with the buzzing in my head. and if anyone needs to talk, I'm always around.

Best wishes, Brandina

Hi there

I am new to this forum, I wished I had known that sites like this one exsisted when I was going through my nightmare of coming off Effexor many years ago. At the time I never imagined that my symptoms could be related to withdrawal from this terrible medication. My problems lasted several months and then slowly resolved. First I had involuntary muscle movements in my feet, then some numbness, then it progressed to 1000's of muscle twitches in my feet and legs a day, yes 1000's. Next came the electric shocks but not just in my brain, I had what they call myoclonic jerks, but not just before I was going off to sleep but 30 or 40 of them a night, which caused me much anxiety and loss of sleep. Then came the vertigo and unbalanced feeling, it really was terrifying. I was convinced I had MS or ALS, they sent me for a CT scan which was normal then to a neurologist who could not find anything either. Eventually all symtoms faded away, and it was not until I came upon an article about E. and it's terrible side effects did the light go on.
Well that was then.... I have always had some emotional problems, PPD after the birth of my son in 1990, then a diagnosis of OCD. Then in Dec. of 2004 my husband to whom I was seperated from,shot his live in girlfriend point blank in the face then killed himself by morphine overdose, so needless to say I felt maybe I could use some medical help for my mental health...I was put on zoloft in May of this year and started to notice that my breasts were getting bigger and the pain in them that is normally asssociated with pms was intensified 3 fold. I also noticed that I seemed to be lactating! Then just a few weeks ago I had bout of acute mastitis, which had to be treated with strong antibiotics. This side effect is mentioned in many of the ssri group of meds. under 'rare'. I stopped taking the zoloft. I really have lost faith in these types of meds, but also realize I need some help, any advice anyone??? Thank you all so much for listening.

Hi, all, from El Paso, Texas. I forgot to tell you that I was off for my trip to see my boyfriend. We haven't been camping, but yesterday we did Carlsbad Carverns in New Mexico (awesome place) and today the Guadalupe Mountains National Park for some great above ground hiking. I'm not sure what else is on the agenda, but I'm actually feeling pretty good, and that's a gift.

Love to all and prayers for any who have family in the storm-ridden South. My sister lives in Pensacola, Florida, so was just missed this time. (We've had our share there over the past 12 years.) I'm still looking for friends who live north of Lake Ponchartrain. Very sad.

Laurel

Hi Shental just wondering if you had as much a problem going off of zoloft as effexor. I am taking zoloft now, and I never really thought about it, but my boobs have also gotten bigger since I have been taking it.
Never even thought about it being the zoloft.
Anyway how long did it take you to get off of zoloft?
I have to do something for depression, so I am not sure what I will do.
Any info would be great!
Hope everyone is doing great.
Laurel glad you are feeling pretty good these days. Hope you are having a great time
My thoughts and prayers are with any and everyone during the terrible time down South.
I just can't believe some the sights I have seen and to think this is our Country.
So very very Sad! May God Bless all of you and keep you safe.

Love,
Bonnie

Hello every1, Today is day 12 and I am doing okay, very moody+++. Up,down,up,down,up,normal,up,up. Does this sound like any one. Even though the brain zaps are very mild I find this other symptom hard to take, also thought patterns seem weird, thinking negative I guess you could say. Any how just wanted to share. Arlene

Almetta, Oh yes, everything you said I have gone through. More negative than positive thoughts for me. I was very moody at first also. That has gotten better. I still have my days though!!!
Have a good weekend everyone
Bonnie

Almetta, I too have gone up, down, up down, but am doing okay right now. Except for red wine. That is making me seem like I am on the first thing. Any, good health and everything else to you. Love, Sheila

Arlene, yes the negative thinking must be a part of effexor withdrawal. I am almost 2 months off, but I am still negative and suspicious(which I hate with a passion).I need something also. Does anyone know of an antidepressant with minimal side effects?
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Coleen

Hey All, Thanks for all your posts. For Coco2Montoya you could try valerian root ,it may help. I also take seroquel( its an antiphycotic,and dont let that scare you cuz its used for depression too) at night to help stop my negative thought pattern. I have taken this for a few yrs and found it was way better then E. It help me sleep at night, although it might not do the same for you. But I myself am slowly trying to get off all drugs and try holistic things. Bye for now

Hey All, Thanks for all your posts. For Coco2Montoya you could try valerian root ,it may help. I also take seroquel( its an antiphycotic,and dont let that scare you cuz its used for depression too) at night to help stop my negative thought pattern. I have taken this for a few yrs and found it was way better then E. It help me sleep at night, although it might not do the same for you. But I myself am slowly trying to get off all drugs and try holistic things. Bye for now

Cocoa I having been trying to think of a word to describe my feelings and you nailed it suspicious. I hate it with a passion also. What causes it any way. Negative and suspicious explains me to a (T)! Thanks so much

Bonnie

Dr. Altesman a Psychopharmacologist describes the feeling of brain shivers or brain zaps as the "lightning-bolt syndrome." I cannot post the link but if you search under *richard altesman how to stop depression medications* you should find his article. Then go to Wikipedia's website and look up seizure. It seems like the phenomenon affecting the brain could be some form of a seizure.

[moderator comment. sorry about the link filter. The link is: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/25/health/psychology/25cons.h... ]

Hope7, that makes perfect sense. Another thing that E has done to our bodies! The brain zap does feel sort of like a little electric short, which essentially a seizure is to our neurological systems. My, my. I think if I had wanted a permanent mind-altering drug I would have tried something more fun. I hope that the zaps stop for all of us. Thank you Hope for helping me see the light.
Sheila

Hello everyone. Hope you have all had a good weekend. I am much better, but it only takes one silly little thing to send me into a spin.I'm hoping to overcome this propensity toward negativity( and that bloody suspicion,eh Bonnie?)However, that being said, I am still researching other antidepressants, just in case I do slip into black hole. Has anyone any positive suggestions? Has anyone heard of Lexapro?
I tried one E(37.5) pill two weeks ago, but let me tell you-NEVER AGAIN!! I couldn't sleep at all, and I thought my heart was going to thump its way right out of my chest. It was frightening! And you know, though it has been two months since stopping E, I still get the occasional zap, with the accompanying dizziness.I am open to all suggestions.Thank you Almetta for the natural suggestions. I have tried St. John's Wort, but it doesn't seem to help much. I'm not sure how pure store bought remedies are- there has been some controversy about that.The Chinese medicine practitioner I spoke with seems to thnk I am eating too much dairy, and that by drastically cutting down on it, I will have more energy, which he equates with depression. So many possibilities, but which one is the right one? AARGH! All the best,
Love
Coleen

I tried Lexapro for 9 months. It was not particularly successful, and that's how I got to the Evil E. However, everyone else I know who's on Lexapro is quite happy with it. My therapist likes it and sees many clients improve quickly (especially anxiety symptoms) with Lexapro. I think I've run my course with the current SSRI/SSNIs, which is why my doctor from the hospital put me on a TSA (tricyclic antidepressant). Daniel Amen, a pioneer in the field of neuropsychiatry actually recommends TSAs for people with mixed anxiety and depression. I wish I could remember the name of that book, but you can find his stuff online by searching for "Daniel Amen."

Laurel

Hey All, I was on Prozac for 10 years and it worked well but it did finally stop workin and thats how I found myself on E. There was also no side effects that I can say were bothersome.

Hey everyone, it's been along time.

Bonnie- I had much of the same reaction going off Zoloft as I did Effexor. Effexor was just intensified.

I am glad to hear that some of you are doing better. I don't seem to have any withdrawl effects anymore and have been on Wellbutrin for 3 weeks. I also do not have near the appitite (I do not know how to spell).

Have a good day,
Sadie

Bonnie - I personally had no reaction coming off Zoloft (or Celexa), just Paxil and now, Effexor.

I seem ok for the most part since my last reduction, just 2 days of side effects which were nice, although I am starting to feel the aggression building up and yesterday I was really tearful and emotional but I think mostly to do with the fact that my youngest started JK. I am seriously thinking about another reduction and splitting my evening pill which will bring me down to a total of 37.5mg.

Question...am I better off speeding up the process so that I can try St. Johns Wort or keep it slow. The aggression doesn't feel very nice and is mostly directed to my other half (the poor guy, I love him so much).

Also, I had to come into work in jeans today because all my dress pants that still fit me were hanging to dry after being washed and I had nothing else to wear, I can't handle this weight much more and can't afford to go out and buy more clothes.

The manufacturers of Effexor should come out with a flipping clothing allowance or something, not to mention something to counter the withdrawal.......I tell you, if I had the money I would so go after them (see, the aggression is building...lol).

Kerry

Kerry thanks for the reply. I started having a problem with sleeping again. I think, I slept 2 hours last night. I am worn out today. Thank the good Lord, I don't have to go to work.
Hope everyone is doing good.
Elena, how are you? Sheila, how are you doing with your withdrawal.
Kerry, I know how you feel with the agression. It seems mine was directed toward my husband also.
I am really grouchy today. LOL.
Have a good day.
You know I know things could be worse, God Bless all the hurricane victims.

Bonnie

Kerry thanks for the reply. I started having a problem with sleeping again. I think, I slept 2 hours last night. I am worn out today. Thank the good Lord, I don't have to go to work.
Hope everyone is doing good.
Elena, how are you? Sheila, how are you doing with your withdrawal.
Kerry, I know how you feel with the agression. It seems mine was directed toward my husband also.
I am really grouchy today. LOL.
Have a good day.
You know I know things could be worse, God Bless all the hurricane victims.

Bonnie

Kerry, you are so funny. I know what you mean about the clothes. I only put on 15 lbs but exercised like crazy and didn't have to buy too many larger sizes, but I sure wore them out. Whenever this weight comes off, I am going to be really buff for my age. I can already see the fat softening up, next step, inches. But I am patient. I have been plump most of my life, past time for me to be a pin-up, all I can do is just continue the good eating habits, exercise and pray. One day, I may be there.

I am just finishing my third week of no E. Still zapping a lot, and am extremely weepy. Of course, I was like that before E. I really missed being able to cry while on the E. My bitchiness has not shown up yet, had a lot of anxiety in the beginning but it seems to have abated. Sleep patterns are erratic, my ironing is getting done in the middle of the night, but then I am really sleepy during the day. If I am hope, I'm napping. Thanks for asking about me, Bonnie.

I still am having problems with red wine. It really gets me tipsy and I usually can drink a lot of wine. And when I say tipsy, I mean I cannot remember anything that I have done after drinking it. (We're only talking 2 glasses here-half a bottle). I must be the life of the party. Don't have that problem with white, coolers, or beer. I pretty much have stopped drinking it.

Anyway, that's where I am right now. Trying to keep busy.

Love, Sheila

Sheila, I found that I can't drink much wine anymore at all.I used to crave the stuff when I was on E( I could put away a bottle no problem)
I am having a really good day today, and I also had good day yesterday.My mood is positive and I can say I actually feel okay! I'm a little reticent to say this, because I don't want to jinx it! It's been 60 days off E, and I truly believe I am seeing a light at the end of the yunnel. Maybe it's my age and all the experiences I've had in life, both good and bad, but I finally feel as though I know who I am. I was really scared after going off the E, because there were times when I felt a little psychotic and panicky. So, for those of you who are behind me- take heart! I think most of us will always have work to do on our self esteem. It is good to be able to be drug free for as long as I can. (I'm not opposed to antidepressants!)To have my mind lucid, even if it's only for a little while is such a blessing. I can't remember being this together without the aid of drugs, so I'm enjoying it while I can.Who knows, maybe it's permanent!.Anyway, you are all in my prayers.
Take Care
Coleen

Hello all from Oklahoma! I have been on Effexor for almost 2 years. I knew this step was going to be scary when I forgot to take my pill fot just two days. I thought I was going to die. I am really scared to take the step to wean off the effexor. I am ready cause I want to feel normal again. I would rather deal with my minimal depression than how this pill has made me feel. And it's only getting worse. Any support I can get will be taken as gospel. Please Pray for me.

God Bless
Tonya

Hello Tanya.If you look back on the forum posts, you will find lots of excellent advice , as well as insight from the experiences of those who have ,or who still are, weaning off E.It isn't easy, God knows, but it is worth it.You are in my prayers.Take Care
Coleen

Hi. I am so glad I found this forum but at the same time I am absolutely terrified. I have been taking 175mg/day Effexor for just over 10 years now. I have started to ween off and am now on day two. At this point the I am so nauseous I can barely stand it. The zaps happen all the time and the hot and cold flashes too. Getting through the withdrawl is one thing but I am very worried about the long term affects on my body. I've tried to read as many posts as possible here but I haven't seen anyone who has taken effexor anywhere close to 10 years. I'm not at all worried about depression or anything like that. I'm worried about this poison and the suffering that people are having to endure under the pretense of this crap providing relief. It's disheartening and sickening. I hope I can get through this without worrying my loved ones too much.

Hi
I was on E for 9 years. Over the summer I tapered off. I have now been off for about 6 weeks and I feel pretty normal. I side effects gradually diminish. My advice is to go very slowly getting off. A friend of mine was put on Prozac to get off E. You take a few doses of Prozac and completely stop the E. Prozac has a much longer half life so it gradually tapers out of your body, whereas E is completely out within a few hours.
Good luck