Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 46 of 140}

Thanks Ellle Mae and Sadie. I am a newbie and look forward to getting to know you guy's and hearing your stories. Talk to ya'll soon.

sherri

How long does it take to get "addicted" to Effexor and start feeling withdrawl effects when the medication is stopped? I have been on 150 mg of Effexor for three months. I am going through a lot right now and do not want to stop it just yet. However, I ran out of pills today and my health insurance runs out Sept. 30. Do you think I will probably still have effects after being on this for only three months? How long until the withdrawl symptoms show up?

Ketch, I am sorry to tell you that you will experience withdrawal immediately if you stop taking the E. At 150 you need to taper down. Cold turkey is difficult.
Have you experienced the brain zaps yet? It is like a whooshing in your head. E has a half life of 25 hours, you will experience the withdrawal after you miss a day. If you can, get your doctor to give you a prescription for prozac when you get off, it will help since it has a longer half life. Look at previous posts on this forum. We have all gone through this one way or another. Keep in touch with us, we will give your moral support and advice to get you through this. - Sheila aka catgranny.

Ketch, I really hate to be the bearer of bad news. If you have been on 150 mgs for three months, you are bound to feel some withdrawal symptoms.Please look back throughout the forum: you will find lots of good advice to help you through it. If you can, get some more Effexor, and start to wean off very slowly so you won't be thrown into full blown withdrawal. It is much easier this way, believe me.Please keep in touch, and all the best.
Love
Coleen

Just checking in--- WOW, this weekend was interesting. I was overcome with a horrific nausea. I was completely imobilzed. I have had 5 babies and I never came under a nausea so intense. I do have good news though. The brain zaps are not so bad anymore. I"ve been really blessed during this ordeal. Saturday marked one week and I didn't know rather I should continue 75mg for antoher week or take the 37.5mg. Finally I decided that I am going for the gold. I took just 37.5mg and so far I am okay. No extra brain zaps. The intense nausea is gone but a slight feeling of nausea is still in my gut. I have alot of family praying for and I appreciate your prayers as well. I strongly believe God has protected me from the worst and I praise him for guiding me through this ordeal. HE NEVER GIVES YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE. That is my daily prayer...

Okie Tonya

Sleepy Jean, good for you. I agree, praying is everything. Sound's like you are doing what work's for you. Good Job. Like you, I'm having the nausea.

Ketch, I think you should ask your dr. for some samples. Tell them your insurance expires end of Sept. and you've been reading about how bad the withdrawl's are and that you are going to have to wean yourself. Like you, I've been on 150 mg. Howver, I've been on it for about 6 months and I'm ready to get off. I'd alway's read about the withdrawl stuff while taking the meds; however, until you actually try to quit, you have no idea.

All, I tried last week quitting entirely/cold turkey, like my dr. first told me. I called her freaking out..crying bigtime, she was like, hmmmmm....let's take
.75 mg every other day and take the zanax for anxiety, the ambien to sleep, and the zoloft to help with the depression. I was like.....Ok.................?????, Then I called her back again...freaking out and then she said,,,hmmmmmmm...ok, try taking the .75 every day for a weeek, then go to 37.5 mg for a week. She really had no idea what to tell me. I could tell.

On top of all this, I'm trying to maintain my job and my marriage. Luckily, I am blessed to have a husband that listen's and try's to understand. My boss and co-workers have noticed my mood's and my crying spells. My boss suggested I go talk to an EAP dr. And he did say that maybe I should take some time off to get off the meds ( I told him about the meds) and he could bring in a temp. Last Friday, I went to the EAP dr. and he had me fill out all this paperwork, and he will suggest to the insurance company for me to take some short-term disability. He said around 30 or so day's.

What do you guy's think about this? I feel kinda weird to take "disability".???
Thanks friends,
sherri in Texas

Sherri, to be honest, I think taking time off is a most excellent idea. I had to take holidays for several weeks, because I knew I could not handle the dizziness,the anger,nausea, anxiety etc., plus I was afraid to drive while I was feeling like I was stoned all the time.The withdrawal is horrific, and it's made worse by the fact that doc's have no idea what it's all about.Hopefully, you have a doc that is sympathetic and willing to listen to you.Just do what you have to do to feel better.
Love
Coleen

Thanks Coleen. I appreciate you responding to my message. I need to stop worrying about what people at work "will think of me" and start thinking about getting myself well and off these horrible meds. So, after you took time off, how do you fell now? Are you still having w/drawl's? Anixety, depression?

sherri-

Coleen: Actually, I just went back and read some of your postings. Wow, you have been clean for awhile! I am proud of you. You are a great support to this forum.

All, Other than Coleen, has anyone else taken time off from work?? Maybe we should take advantage of Short-Term/Long-Term disabilities from work (if you have the medical coverage) and maybe this would bring more "attention" to the side effects of Effors and/or antidepressants. Just a thought...

One more thing, I have not really had the brain zaps I've been hearing about. One thing I have noticed that has been bad is the short-term memory loss and of course the dizziness. One minute I'll be thinking about something to say, and then the next second, I forgot what I was going to say and have to rethink and say it quickly before I forget again. My husband noticed me doing that last friday at dinner. It took me a few seconds and some hmmmmss and ahhhhs for me to say I wanted some water and what I wanted to order for dinner...


regards..sherri

It's been 70 days for me, and I really do feel pretty good. I was on E for 10 years. However, during the withdrawal, I was very nauseous, anxious and just felt like I was in another world, and not a very nice one at that. There were days when I thought I was truly going crazy, and almost went back on E. But that is all gone now. I have the occasional zap, but they are very mild and not bothersome whatsoever.The people who matter to you won't think ill of you.I used to worry about what people thought also, but once I let go of that, I felt free. The only people who count are your family and true friends, so do what you need to do. You just have to care about yourself right now.This forum is wonderful. There are so many who have gone through this trauma, and are willing to help you also. So don't give up hope, just keep in touch with all of us, and we will try to guide you through.We're all praying for each other, and it sure does help.
Love
Coleen

All,

I'm really trying to stick it out at work without any meds today. The worst part, other than the irritability is the pain with my EARS. My ears feel like they are going to pop? A lot of pressure. Has anyone felt this???
Thanks,
Sherri

Hello forum,

Still trying to stick it out at work until, hopefully, I can get some time off. Still weaning...today at work, all I've done is cry. I'm hiding myself, isolating so no one see's me cry. It's quite embarrassing actually. Any idea how to control the crying spells?

Thanks, Sherri

Ketch- Coleen and Sheila are right unfortuanatley. Do ask about samples and start tapering down now. No one can say for sure how long your withdrawl will last but don't put times or expectations on it.

Sheri- I fortuanatley do not work,but I have 3 kids 2 being the youngest. I have admired everyone that could work and go through withdrawl. Make sure that your boss is ok with you taking time off. Utah has the family medical act, so you can't be fired but I don't know about other states.

Keep praying guys I promise you will get through it.

Have a good day,
Sadie

Thanks Sadie. You are right though..I've been praying. The main reason I want off of the Effexor so that in January, I can start trying to have a baby. Before I am too old. I am 36. And I was put on the Effexor because of my self esteem and some depressin. I've had a lot of stuff happen to me in my childhood that I've never sought counseling for and instead of the counseling, I've just been on/off antidepressants for most of my adult life. After I get weaned, I have to deal with some issues. I am praying everyday for myself and for all you people in this forum that I don't know.
Take care Sadie..thx again.

I just want to say that I have been E free for 11 days. I don't know what I would have done without the great advice that these wonderful people on here have given me. Thank you so much. It is hard to stop taking Effexor, but it is doable. God bless.
Stacey

Thanks Stacey.
I am glad you feel better.
Take care and God Bless
sherri

Please some feed back. My hubby is out of town and I need to talk to someone so hi guys..
Just went to pdoc and for my racing thoughts she wants to put me on seroquel. I don't want another drug in my system! I just want to feel better. I am down to 15 pellets of Effexor(from 150mg in Dec)I am on 10 mg elaVIL IN MORN AND 10 AT NIGHT.for past 2 weeks.
I just hate those impatient racing thoughts but is it worth going on another drug???
I dont know if its from going off Effexor or going on Elavil or Just ME/
I am bawling my eyes out and wish I knew the answers.
Is seroquel another hell drug cause I am not up to that again.
Please help!I feel so alone and confused

not to mention it can cause type 2 diabetes and itruns high in my family

Dear Ellie, what drug causes type 2 diabetes? I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure other drugs are not as difficult as Effexor to get off of.Even prozac is easier to wean off. But most of all, if you do need a medication, please don't be afraid to take it.There are times when we need to be lifted out of a black hole, and you can always come down slowly later when you feel like you can handle things.If you can, look back at the previous postings, as there is so much advice from people who have suffered through withdrawal.Just keep in touch, okay?Our prayers are with you.
Love
Coleen

the seroquel can cause type 2 diabetes, i am a high risk candidate for it.
I am taking the Elavil and hve no problem with that . for the racing thoughts, which I attribute to the Effexor withdrawal, she wants me to use Seroquel an antipsychotic.I am not going to take it I have already booked an apptment with my family doc so I can have a good caht with her and get her opinion.
Thanks coleen
I will use the tips on here for the mind racing....
El

Ellie Mae - I don't know everything you're going through, but I would think you should not take another medicine if you just Do not have to. Talk to your dr. again and see if you HAVE to; otherwise, don't. Personally, I'm ready to get off every single medicine I'm on. And when I do get the blah's, I'll seek other way's to deal with it. I'm learning that meds just mask a lot of depression. Now as far as heart medicine, allergy meds, etc, that is a totally different thing. I'm talking about antidepressant's, Zanax, stuff like that. I'm on my emails most of the day if you want to talk.

Regarding my Effexor problem...I gave in. I'll know next weeke if I can take some time off from work to wean and hang at the house...working in my fast paced office...I just can't do it.

Take Care....sherri

Cavalier-
Good Luck to you. I just saw on the news that Paxil causes birth defects. If you have any questions on infertility let me know, been there done that.

Sadie

Sadie: Wow...that is crazy. I sure hope we don't hear about birth defects from Effexor. And thanks about the infertility offer for questions. My husband and I are going to start trying first of the year...that is the main reason I'm trying to get off of Effexor.
sherri

Ellie Mae!!!!

Why Serequel? Do you know that it is an anti-psychotic drug? what have you been diagnosed with. Make sure you are diagnosed with the right illness before taking it. It is very very powerfull drug. It is used to sedate people who are out of control. Is your Dr. a psychiatrist? I am not sure on the withdrawl effects. My mom takes it they actually had her up to 1,200 mg (which is unheard of) most people take 100 to 150 mg. and it will knock them out. My mom has all kinds of personality and psychological issues and disorders and I believe that serequell has made it worse. Unless you have a severe psychiatric illness DO NOT TAKE IT.

Thanks,
Sadie

Ellie Mae-
One more thing. Give yourself sometime to withdraw from Effexor. All of us can attest to the fact that you have racing thoughts, out of body feelings, nausea, depression and uneasiness (sp?) Did you have those restless thoughts before? All I can say is give it time to get your head clear. By the way did she mention how expensive Serequell is? After insurance.

Sadie

Sadie I have in th epast felt these periods of agitation with racing thoughts.At first it was with my cycle. Usually every monthe on the day before it started. Some foods make my mind and body feel racey. I have chemical and food sensitivities.
When I went on the Effexor I was getting a few more spells than the normal monthly one.
This Pdoc has seemed eager to diagnose me as Bi-polar since I started seeing her. Its always"Do you fell elaed? do you go buy things ? do you have trouble focusing?etc."
Well This time I answered yes to the focusing one and she seemed to think I would be headed for a full blown episode.
Today I took >5 mg of Ativan in the morning and my Elavil at lunch and now. I had a really good day.
I would much rather take Ativan as I hae over the years than an anti psychotic!!!!
I know it is nor=t for me.
I also think at 46 there are some peri-menopause factors to consider here.
Just want to feel better. Thanks all for input.Any more encouragement is welcome.
Also I do think I need to get past the Effexor(which she says woiuldnt cause any of the racing etc}and onto the Elavil to see how I feel then.