Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 44 of 140}

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

Dear Screwed( will you let us know your real name?)
Please take heart. I was on E for 10 years also, and had the same concerns as you.I was actually afraid of brain damage. But let me reassure you, after a couple of months, the fog begins to lift.I had a lot of ups and downs, and almost went back on the stuff , but thanks to this forum, I stayed the course. The people on this forum are awesome. Just keep in touch, and you will be fine.
Prayers to you
Coleen

Hi Everyone,
I just thought I would check in ans tell everyone that I am not feeling any withdrawl symptoms now. It has been a little over a month and I feel pretty good. I am still trying to get rid of the weight however.

Just so you all know, I took my mom into her psychiatrist today and he told me Effexor can take 6-9 mo. to get entirelly out of your system. He said drugs like Prozac, Zoloft etx. are out at the most 4 wks, but usually 2 wks. He said Effexor makes you go crazy going off and their is no other drug out there like it.

Good luck to you who are taking this step, it is worth every brain zap just to get off of it!!

Smile,
Sadie

Hello all u people, Well its day 20 today and the "zaps are not as bad or frequent. But goddddddd the mood swings are hard to take today. Just cant control things. Im hoping that these will get better, but they have not lost there strength yet. Does any1 know how long before this will not be sooooo strong? Thanks so much for listening. Arlene

Oh my God Sadie, I just read what you said about the effexor.......what a downer. Did he have a suggestion as for help with this?

I had been on effexor for 1 1/2 years. I was given it while I was on chemo for breast cancer. The hot flashes and sudden menopause was very hard for I was only 40. My dose has increased in the 1 1/2 years to 150 mg. I weened myself off as the dr. suggested and am totally off. The withdraws are crazy. I have had zzt's in my head nausea feelings of absolute craziness. I am easily agitated the most extreme cold chills in my torso region followed by extreme hot flashes. I know I will have hot flashes because I am taking tamoxifen for the cancer, but these are extremes. I followed some advice on the effexor withdraws with a 20mg of prozac and benedryl. The head zapping and severe agitation are lessening but is there anything I can do for the hot flashes that won't interfere with my estrogen, my cancer feeds off estrogen. Please if this makes sense and you have any answers please write before I dehydrate then freeze and there will be nothing left of me.

I am not having a fun time, this forum is amazing for support but I get so upset at the amount of people that this drug has affected, they really have to take it off the market because I am sure that the benefits ultimately do not outway the drawbacks.

I did another reduction last week and am totally regretting it. This was only 2 weeks after my last reduction and also at the end of my cycle. I was so sure I would be ok because the one before went so well but was I ever wrong. The nausea, dizziness and complete feeling of just not wanting to be me doesn't seem to be going away. My naturopathic doctor has asked me to go back up again and try again in a few more weeks but I have convinced her to leave me on this dose until after my period starts to see how much of it is hormonal (hurry up Sunday) as the week before is usual somewhat of a rollercoaster. She gave me a couple of acupuncture needles and 2 remedies (one for the fogginess and one for sadness), I pray they work.

I really do despair right now that I will never get off this stuff but I know that is just the withdrawal talking, things will get better........right?

Hey mum2two, I was wondering if you are taking effexor xl.If not maybe as you are coming off it it will help. The xl formula is slow release. When I was on the regular effexor I would get the zaps by the end of the day. It was like it wore off too fast. The xl stopped that. I hope this makes sense to you. Arlene

Dear Mum2two;
Please just hang in - I know how hard it is, as you are in the eye of the storm so to speak. Yes, It DOES get better, but you will have to weather a few storms. Are you drinking lots of water? How about taking the epsom salt and peroxide baths( they help to detoxify)Also, ginger pills(thanks to Elena for that advice)will help with the zaps. I also found that high potency vitamin B(100 mg each, like Stresstabs)helped tremendously - in fact, they have become a part of my daily supplement. I also read back in the forum that a natural hanover remedy called Chase helped a lot of people through the zaps.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Love Coleen

Hi everyone,
First post to this forum. I have been reading and responding in other Effexor forums, but most folks seem to leave after the main withdrawal symptoms go. I am starting week ten (quit cold turkey, didn't know better then, was on 75mg for three years).
The main symptoms were much better after one month, but now I am starting to have anxiety, still have a low back ache that started around the time I quit taking Effexor, feel restless, and feel like I am truly ill - hypochondria. Having migraines and irritable bowel syndrome isn't helping.
I was relieved to see that the withdrawal symptoms can last more than a month. I guess I just need some reassurance here. Hugs to all going through this!

Thanks Arlene & Coleen, I appreciate your responses. Yes, I am on Effexor XR, that is all that is available in Canada. I have been using ginger pills which seem to help somewhat and did buy some chaser but didn't find it helped at all.

Today seems to be a better day, the fogginess and confusion seems to be gone so hopefully whatever the ND did helped, she has also put me on a high potency of DHA fish oil capsules. I have taken the day off work as my little one starts Junior Kindergarten today so other than the emotions of that, I should be able to rest somewhat.

One day at a time right!

Kerry

I am so glad I found this forum. I am alittle more at peace with the thought of ending my relationship for E. Sounds like I should take it slow weaning myself off. I am trying to talk myself into starting the process this weekend. Pray for me...

Hello to everyone, I am. as of today, 52 days effexor free. I have been through the body aches, zaps, dizziness, nausea, moodiness, you name it. It does get better. I still have my days when I don't feel very good. So hang in there, it does get better for you.
Elena, I hope you are doing ok. I am worried since we haven't heard from you in a while.
How are you doing Sheila?
Please don't give up guys. I know it feels terrible now, but it this too shall pass.

Hugs,
Bonnie

Welcome to all the newbies. I am on day 65, and I would really like you all to know that it is looking better all the time. Only a few weeks ago, I thought I was going crazy- self doubting, paranoid, suspicious, angry, and extremely impatient.I was isolating myself at work, because I could not smile at anyone. I was so close to going on another antidepressant( which, if it is warranted, I have no hesitation in doing)- but, I really wanted to see this thing through to the bitter end. I had heard varying reports that it may take months for the effects of E to leave the body. I got the strength from this forum to keep on the path. Now, my patience has returned, and I feel a belief in myself that I have never had. I think my age has a lot to do with it; let's face it, we learn through experience, and though I am not a fan of adages, there is one that definately rings true-"what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger".I hope I can keep this frame of mind- I will certainly work towards it.But I will never go on E again.Though it saved me a long time ago, it robbed me of true feelings.Sorry for being so long winded, and if I sound preachy , I apologize. I just want to share this with you. Thank you for all your help. All the best to all of you.
Love
Coleen

Colleen, my favorite adage is "adversity builds character," very similar to yours. Your last post reinforced a lot of what has happened to me during this withdrawal process. I am stronger for it, learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of doing. Like you the E saved me too, it was a godsend at the time, but I often wonder if another antidepressant would have worked as well. I had never taken them before, was able to pull myself out, so really don't know and I hope never to have to find out.

Hats off to being preachy, we've made it!! I hope that the people that come behind us take inspiration from all the things we have learned along the way. This has been a tremendous support group

Please, preach away. It is nice to know that we are going through this for a reason and that it will end one day. To know there is light at the end of the tunnel is a huge encouragement and those that aren't quite as far ahead need to be able to look up to you guys that have made it in order to keep going.

Thank You.
Kerry

Dear all intrepid E-blasters,

I'm now 15 weeks off Effexor, from 375 mg. in March, weening to 37.5 by May 24, then off. I had tons of side effects before starting weening, so weening and the first weeks post-weening were the best. Yes, I had the zaps, body aches, chills, dizziness, etc. Then the anxiety set it, and I tried to control it through diet, exercise, and meditation.

I had partial success until the third week of August, when I literally felt possessed of a screaming demon in my brain and couldn't stop crying. This is not news to oldtimers on this forum, but I'm sharing it again for our cherished newbies. I went to the hospital, where I spent a calm 5 days and began a new course of medication on the oldie-but-goodie tricyclic antidepressant nortriptylline. It seems to be working, although I still have moments, and I still have cycling of Effexor withdrawal symptoms, which are seeming to get less and less. :-) From what I've read and heard, E withdrawal can take up to a year, but it should gradually diminish over that time period. And maybe that won't be anyone's experience here. I seem to be particularly medication sensitive. And particularly prone to anxiety and this particular phase of my life.

It is now in my medical records that I'm "allergic" to Effexor, so that it should never ever be an issue again. Unfortunately, or maybe not, I had to go back to a higher level of the benzodiazapine I was taking -- and cutting back on -- for anxiety (Klonopin), but should be able to start weening off that in the near future. I will take a good long time for that process, as the withdrawal effects from benzos are also not a walk in the park, and I feel I've done enough of this withdrawal thing not to want to go full tilt through it again.

Some days I forget that I successfully got off Effexor. I need to hold at a least a moment a day of gratitude for that and a recognition that I have the inner gumption to accomplish such goals.

I'm here cheering everyone else on. I know it's not easy. There I days I just loathe being at work, days I can't make a comprehensive sentence, days I feel very down about myself. But I'm working to cultivate hope and enjoy each and every "good" moment and not be defeated by the "bad" ones.

Vacation to Texas and New Mexico was a great boon, getting out and hiking and seeing so many desert plants and wildlife and speaking and hearing Spanish (my college major). I'm counting on continued support from the forum for a long time, because it ain't over until it's over, and healing happens in its own time.

Love and prayers to all,
Laurel

Glad to hear you are doing well Laurel.I applaud your strength and your insight, and I like that you "hold at least a moment a day in gratitude". Well said.
To all the newbies, there will be days when you feel like you are backsliding; this is normal. I personally found that going back through all the contributions to this forum helped. Also, just typing it in, and sending it out to the universe was cathartic too. I still have the occasional zap, but now I find it mildly amusing, whereas before I would feel panicky and anxious, and sometimes hopeless. I wondered if this hell would ever end.Just remember, it does.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Love and Prayers
Coleen

Good Morning All... I hope you all had a great weekend. I was talking to me husband last friday about taking the plunge into getting off E. He ofcourse is one of those that believes anxiety, etc is a mind thing that can be controlled without drugs. He has given me no hassle over being on E but he is happy now to assist me getting off of it.
I take my 150mg at 5pm everyday. So saturday came and I may have went to drastic but I just took 75mg. I had that extra pill ready as I tried to keep myself occupied all day to prevent any side effects. I remember in the first part of the year I forgot to take E for two days and I thought I was dying, so saturday I was scared to death of feeling that way again. So I had the other pill handy. I didn't know if starting off by cutting it in half was the right thing to do. Well, Sunday came and was okay. So I only took another 75mg. Again, keeping myself occupied. But it was okay! I have been so shocked. Not getting my hopes up that this withdrawl will be smoother than I thought. I just keep thinking of the symptoms of taking the pill and that keeps me going. These jerks I have been having for a couple of months are really freaking me out. Sponateously my leg will jerk or my head. It's like my body parts take turns jerking.
Well, its monday now. I woke up with the itches like you wouldn't believe. Has anyone had this side effect?
I will keep you all posted, so keep me in your prayers and any suggestions would be great.

Okie Tonya

I hear ya Tonya. The spontaneous jerking is a major reason for me getting off E. I would have those jerks in the middle of the night.And sometimes at work , my head would jerk for no reason. I hated it.
As for the itches, thats part of the withdrawal. I would get itchy of course just after climbing into bed. I think maybe Benadryl would be good for that as it's an antihistamine. You have our good wishes and prayers.Just wean slowly, and you should be fine. My sister in law is down to four grains. I know it sounds strange, but she has had hardly any withdrawal symptoms at all. I wish I had been as smart.
Please just realize that if you still need medication for anxiety or depression, it's not a weakness.I think a lot of people think it is, sometimes our brain chemistry just needs a boost to get the seratonin working.
All the best,
Coleen

My anxiety is life. It's just hard to live in this world with anxiety or depression at times. I felt like I was just exsisting when I started taking E. I am a mom of 5 kiddos and a wonderful husband. I have all I could ask for I just needed a kick start to get back up on my feet. The main reason the Doc put me on E was extreme palpations and stress. I was having problems concentrating and completeing a sentence with studdering all over myself. Now, over a year later I cannot tell a difference since taking E. I would consider myself worse. I can't sleep. I am up and down all night long. My head pounds, no sexual longings, bladder spasms and I already have problems with my right kidney and frequent UTI's.

I would rather have myself back than suffer the way I have. And the longer I take E, the worse the symptoms get. If I only knew then what I know now! Atleast I could have taken a different medication route. I just want E out of my body and we'll go from there. Continue to pray for me and thank you Coleen.

Tonya

God, Tonya, I'm so sorry to hear the hell you are going through.I wish the doc's would realize that E is not for everyone.There are other medications out there that are effective ( just look at Laurel's postings)We're all different and individual.You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm happy for you that you have a good support system at home. That makes everything so much easier.
The best to you, Tonya.
Coleen

Colleen, I think you've come up with the perfect title for the book we can write about the horrors of Effexor: _E is not for Everyone._ Kind of catchy, don't you think?

L.

LOL. Yeah, We could just publish this forum.
Coleen

Hi to all, hope everyone had a good weekend. I did until 1:30 this morning, I have finally seemed to have gotten through the worst of the withdrawal from the last reduction and was just dealing with pms for the last couple of days when wham, 1:30 this morning I woke up with an anxiety attack, chest pains, clamminess, sweating. Why do they have to be so painful. This is the second attack I have had in as many months and apparently now I have starting throwing up with them which is a new thing. Thankfully I was able to fall asleep by about 3 however I am extremely exhausted, burnt out, I now have a wicked headache which no amount of Advil seems to be touching and because I had so much time off work last week with the withdrawal I can't even go home.

Anyways, thanks for letting me share, I know tomorrow will be a better day,I just hope I get there in one piece....lol

Kerry

Tonya and Colleen, I had no idea the muscle jerks were part of the E withdrawal. I thought they were just dehydration on my part. Thanks for the heads up on that. It is amazing, I am off E, but still learning about what has been going on in my body because of it.

I am now one month E free. Still zapping like crazy, occasional anxiety attack, got stressed out big time at work last week when something that has bothered me came up and hit me in the face. I blew up at another employee who was partially responsible for my frustration. I apologized later, but the damage was done. She really never liked me (is the paranoia happening?). Who knows? Am in stages, hungry and then not hungry, really weird.

Kerry, did you find the Chaser. That really worked for me on the headaches.

Am going to Las Vegas tomorrow for a business trip with hubby. Why do they have business meetings in LV? Decadent town. We used to go there a lot when we first got married, back before they imploded all the historic hotels, back when the mob was still in charge. Today, it is just another tourist attraction. For the life of me I cannot understand why so may retirees go there. Dry, brown, ugly, flashy. I guess I am just an easterner who needs green.

Until later, good health to all of you and keep hanging in there, it is worth it.

Love, Sheila