Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 66 of 140}

Thanks for the response Elena.

I ordered the supplments the detox plan I found calls for: Super Barley Powder, Omego 3, and cherry concentrate. The plan calls for 2 weeks on these before starting to taper off the Effexor. Then to start gradually tapering off over a few months.

It may take awhile, but I will be free one day!

You know it's funny you should mention the vision problems Jon, as I was experiencing them myself for a while. My vision would flicker or I would notice sparks or something weird after looking at something with a bright colour or as you said backround. I don't really know what it could be- as I myself went to the eye doctor and asked about it! But since everyone told me I was fine, and I started attending a class on anxiety(how to help it) I realized that I was letting it bug me, and that it was nothing that was going to kill me. I still get it every now and again. But I just thought to myself, it must be part of my anxiety, everything at the doctors checked out so I left it at that.
Are you taking anything for your anxiety right now? How much effexor were you on during those 4 months?
Elena

Elena

No I'm not taking anything for my anxiety. And yes my anxiety returned and it is as bad as ever. It is worse in the morning for some reason. For the four months I was on 150mg. Funny what you said about your vision also being strange. My vision also flickers what is that about??? All this just just increases my anxiety. It is very hard not to think about it all the time when I see these strange things all day.

Jon

Thanks everyone for the all of the information. I made it through day 3 and am working on day 4 cold turkey. After reading posts on this forum as well as many other sites, I was prepared for the worst but so far it hasn't been that bad. I did have a short bout with nausea last night and again this morning.
I am having some of the 'shocks' but I find it to be throughout my body and not just in the brain like some people have described. It hasn't been unpleasant just different. Aside from the constant feeling that my when my eyes move, my vision and focus follow in delayed reaction time(like being a little drunk) I'm doing well. I'm remaining guardedly optimistic that I can kick this without tapering off. I do have the prescription for the lower dose (75mg) to fall back on if needed but so far I don't feel the need. I have taken Advil every 6 hours and it has helped with the semi-headache. I haven't taken anything but that so far. I think the fact that I prepared myself to weather the worst possible side-effects and had completely made my mind up that I wanted to be free of this emotion masking drug no matter what has made the difference. HANG IN THERE EVERYBODY!
Leslie

hey Laura what site did you get the detox program off of? I am very interested in looking this up!

Thanks Delaney
And thankyou to everyone who keeps posting because reading this is helping me more than anything.

I googled 'effexor detox' and several pages in I found a link theroadback
There is a link called 'how to taper off medications & how to overcome side effects'. There is a workbook that lists the supplements and some worksheets to keep up with the symptoms day-to-day.

All the information on the site is free and looks credible. I did order the supplements from them, but they were things I could have gotten at any health food store - I just wanted to make it easy for myself.

As soon as I get them I am going to start. I am going to print off the workbook pages and make a journal. I will also log here. I find it so helpful to read what everyone is going through. Hopefully I can help others, too.

Hi Leslie,

Dont go 'Cold Turkey' !!


You will feel the withdrawal symptoms either way. The safest method is to titrate your dosage down to min. levels and then go away from it.

As a matter of fact, give a 6-8 weeks window. I am sorry for the situation you have with insurance and all.

I am not licensed to suggest, but qualified to say cold turkey is dangerous. the danger is a tsunami of depression and anxiety may come. think about it.

A weekly update from my side to all who are curious to know.

1. I was on EFXR for 4 years:
35 -> 75 -> 150(3 yrs)

2. Started titrating on
03-14-06.
150 -> 75(4weeks) -> 35 (2 weeks) -> approx. 15mg (1 week) and then stopped.

First week of no effexor: (05-03-06 to 05-10-06)

Hell.
Zaps, Zaps, Zaps and Dizzyness, headaches, lethargy, vertigo etc.

No stomach upset or any other gut related problems.

Exactly on Tuesday (May, 9th), I felt better.

May,10th: Much better, zaps were bearable, I could walk about 1/4 of a mile and walk around hospital (thats where I work).

May,11th: Participated in my group meeting, talked to other fellows, was comfortable travelling in subway metro.

Zaps are there, as Kim mentioned, they are bearable. Now I understand what she meant bearable.

Good God, the first week is really hell. Hang in there, you will all feel better, eventually.

In my case, whenever I brout down the dosage, A WEEK OF HELL persisted. Exactly a week.

Flu-like symptoms might be because of seasonal allergy. Its hard to say flu like symptoms were related to Effexor.

Overall, my experience has been bad after I stopped through titrations. If I further go down, it is equivalent to placebo effect so thats the reason I did not go further down.

All in all , I am feeling good and looking forward to get into doing tons of work.

Good luck to you all folks.

Thanks for your support and I will be happy to write back

Thanks again for ur support.

Hey Everyone!
All I can say is TGIF. Wow. I am so tired. I haven't been sleeping the best this past week. I have the appointment booked now for the pyscotherapist and I am so happy about it. It makes me feel alot better to talk to someone about what I am going through.
Jon I cant remember have you been seeing anyone about this? And how has your anxiety been these past days?
Well I may have to write a bit later, gotta run to work!
Take care all!
Elena

Elena

I can relate to your lack of sleep. I don't sleep very well either, I usually wake up about once an hour all night long. So I am usually exhausted by morning time not wanting to get out of bed. No I am not seeing anyone about this. I have never been to any kind of therapist in my life before, I guess I always think I can improve on my own. My anxiety for the past year and a half has been out of control. I have been through some rough times and have not been able to get over them. My anxiety these past days has not been good at all, I cant control it. I never had anxiety like this before. I started to get panic attacks and anxiety in my mid to late 20s and seems to have gotten worse as I am getting older. It became uncontolable when I hit 32 and has been at the same level since then, that was a year and a half ago. Everyday now is the same, I just wish I could get on with my life but I just cant shake the anxiety.

Jon

Well, I just wanted to update you guys. At 3:00 this afternoon I will have 5 days under my belt with no Effexor. I went from 150mg to none. I did have a friend (nurse)give me a week of 75mg and a week of 37.5mg just in case I had problems going cold turkey but so far so good. Thanks for the advice not to quit altogether but aside from the occasional zap, a few hours of hearing my brain buzz and sleepiness (due to Benydryl) I'm doing quite well. I feel extremely lucky and blessed to be getting through this with only moderate withdrawals. Even though it's only been 5 days I feel more energetic and more alive than I have in the last year and a half on the drug. It feels almost like a mask or fog is being lifted from my brain. Colors seem brighter and I'm able to think clearer. I haven't experienced the crying bouts that are so common or the aggitation. I have been taking a slew of vitamins including Niacin, B complex, etc. so maybe that's what is helping. I know most people on this forum have had hellish withdrawals but it can be done! Thanks for all of the support. Have a great weekend everyone!

Hi Everyone,
I am so happy for you Leslie. I just know that you will do great! Keep on thinking positive !
Jon, I know what you mean.I feel that I wake up and I expect my anxiety to be there. And I also fear it ruining things for me. I believe that is agoraphobia- where you fear the anxiety itself. I am actually quite scared that it will ruin my relationship. Because I am letting my fears get out of control. BUT I have been buying books on this stuff to try and help with it in the mean time. I don't want to let this get the best of me or my relationship. I have been perscribed effexor again but I do NOT want to crawl back to it.
The mornings are the absolute worst for me as well. I feel terrible in the mornings. But I have learned to try to think positive and to look forward to things in my day. Even if it is the smallest thing.
Have you been looking up any self help books or anything? I believe it may help. I want to control this anxiety because I should have control over it, not it over me.

Elena

Please, read. This will help everyone who is going through withdrawl of Effexor!

I experienced the same and so did several people I know.

Have your doctor prescibe Wellbutrin. You will NOT have ANY withdrawl symptoms the first day you take Wellbutrin INSTEAD of Effexor.

Next, wean off of Wellburtin. There are NO SIDE AFFECTS! AMAZING, who knew it could be so simple?

I have never joined a forum but felt compelled to join this one. I have suffered just like everyone else and I want everyone to know, this really does work!!! You have an answer to your prayers!!! It answered mine!!

Marie
I am very skeptical in taking wellbutrin because my friend had the exact symptoms when trying to wean from it.
I personally never want to take any kind of antideppressant ever again. I did not realize I was numb or non feeling. My sex drive was looowwww but I attributed to very busy life and our work schedules. My husband has been telling me for years that the effexor was causing all of this but I was in denial because I was on Prozac before and it had major side effects that were obvious. I want to be me the old me . I don't even remember who that is.

Anyways only a couple of days until I go from 75-37.5 and Iam feeling nauseous now should I wait and go another week on 75 or go for it.I am nervous.

Delaney

Delanie,

I would take it very slow. It's not something you should rush into. Hang in there!!

Marie

I hope someone can help me. One year ago I was on prozac 20 mg for mild ocd. My Drs PA changed me to 1 75 effexor per day and in 2 weeks I told her I felt ok maybe a little better so she replied well lets make you feel real good and put me to 300 mg a day I kept going back telling her it was making me crazy and all she said was that I have not taken it long enough, shes the dr right? So I waited and waited until the brain zaps were terrible I wasent sleeping. I hated everybody, I was losing track of all financial obligations, my work performance was suffering. My wheels were always spinning but nothing was getting completed. I finally demanded to my own dr to be taken off. I was nervous of the withdrawl but nothing could be as bad as life was on it. It did get better for a short time maybe 2 months and then I started slipping back and now 5 months later I am almost back to exactly the person I was while I was medicated. I don't understand. I am going for a second opinion. I am in financial ruin, my job is suffering my family is ready to leave me has anyone had problems this long term. Will it stop I am seriously ready to see a lawyer. I thought as long as I get better I will deal with it but if this is gonna be the rest of my life someone is gonna pay. 300 mg i was later told by another source is for someone severly depressed almost at impatient level. I had MILD OCD what the hell did she do to me.

Carmen,

Have you tried other avenues to make sure it's not something else? Like an ear specialist to check your balance? This also causes severe dizziness/spinning. Are there other drugs you are taking that has a side affect of dizzines? Maybe it's time to explore other options?

Good Luck!

Hi Elena,

No the only thing Ive ever took is prozac. I am 41 years old and never experienced anything like I did when I started this drug and am now. I've been at my job 17 years and even my employers say I've dramatically changed. The brain zaps and everything is exactly how it was with the effexor just not as intense but by all means stop me in my tracks. The dr has acknowledged that this drug really screwed me up. The last 3 months of taking this along with the first 2 months after I had no menstral cycle. It really just changed everything. It was his PA and he wont say more. He wants me to take mood stabilizers. I told him why? I never had any problems before I would like to know why I was put on this and what is my diagnosis and why should I be put on mood stabilizers. I am really scared of meds now. Don't I deserve an answer.

carmensalinas and all - I feel for you. I never took anything before my dr put me on effexor a year ago. I was going through a stressful time at work and with family and was very emotional. I cried a lot becuase I felt overwhelmed. I had no history of depression in my family or in my life, but recently had some panic attacks due to my anxiety.

I went in for a check up to make sure my panic attacks were not related to anything physical. I came out with a 150mg prescription to Effexor. I just took it - no questions asked.

It makes me mad at myself for being so naive and not doing research first. What makes me curious is that your here the disclaimers that say 'do not take if you have liver problems, etc...' she never did any tests! What if I had these problems and didn't know it. No blood was drawn, nothing. I think it is very irresponsible for doctors to take advantage of us this way.

I went to the docotr a few months ago with headaches and fatigue. She took my blood thinkg iron deficiency and found taht my liver enzymes were high and sent me to a specialist. The specialists wants to do a biopsy, but I haven't gome to get it yet. I asked both doctors about Effexor's effect on the liver and both of them claimed the Effexor has nothing to do with the liver... how can they say that? My headachs, I determined, were mild brain zaps that occur if I get off schedule with my effexor. I do not even have to miss a dose.

This is why I want to try to take a natural approach to get off of theis stuff and not resport to taking ANOTHER pill to help. I started my 'pre' taper regime using the barley powder. That plan I am following has you build up the supplements for two weeks before lowering the dose. We shall see...

so I am so long winded today!

Ok, guys...still off the effexor...day 10. Feeling much better! Very few symptoms to deal with. I did manage to fling myself down my front porch steps yesterday. I guess my balance isn't quite right yet. I got pretty banged up and am mighty sore and bruised but am laughing about it today. Hope nobody got it on video tape! Anyway, hang tough everyone. It is SO worth geting off this stuff! Thanks for this forum and all of you. It's great to have a place where everyone understands!
Humpty Dumpty- out...

Leslie its great to hear you are doing ok at day 10.Despite falling all over!!It gives me hope.
I have decided to go down to 37.5 from 75 despite the nausea because my hubby will be home for the next 4 days and he helps a lot!!I am taking ginger and I think it helps somewhat.I am also taking omegas,b's,and going to do a cleanse. I hope it helps.
Carmen I too have been duped into taking other very fatal meds by a dermatologist. I was given methatrexate, which is used in chemo, to treat my psoriasis. I was so sick I felt like I was dying. I saw my own GP and apparently I was supposed to be monitored etc. My liver was in the process of shutting down.Docs do not always know best but I now believe it is our own responsibility to research any med before swallowing it. We have to be our own medical advocate because no one is concerned as much about your health as you are. It sucks but thats just the way it is. It is too bad we have to figure this out the hard way.

Another glorious day out there!!Stay positive everyone

Delaney

Hey guys, I hope you are all doing very well.
I have been having a rough week. Not feeling that optimistic and what not. However I do know that things will get better. And I will be okay. I just need to sort some things out with myself. That appointment with the pyscotherapist couldn't come any slower! I don't know whether I should go back on medication. I was concidering it, because I belive my anxiety may be causing some depression. I have been trying to be active but I am so very busy! But I suppose this is one of the things you need to force yourself to find time to do! No one can truly help me but me. But I would love some encouragement!
My doc wants me back on effexor. Is there something else that is better?
I dont know. I could just be having a very bad week. And I was told that PMS really adds to anxiety and feeling bad.
I am so worried that this will ruin my relationship of a year and 1/2. Although he has been very supportive.
Well, take care everyone.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Laura Delaney and Leslie, love to read your posts! You're all doing very well!
Bye for now!
xoElena

Elena,
I'm sorry you're having a difficult week. It's hard to advise others on this due to the vast differences of anxiety, depression and such from person to person. I can only say that for me, dealing with the issues that seem to bring on my depression is becoming more and more liberating. No, all of the stress that put me on Effexor to begin with hasn't magically disappeared; I actually have more to be anxious about now. Alot of my friends and family didn't think this was the right time for me to get off of the meds due to my current situation (messy divorce, job loss, oldest going to college, etc.) but I wanted it to me and my 'real' feelings dealing with these things, not some cloudy drug induced feeling. I knew that I would have to deal with these issues myself without the aid of the meds that have been keeping me even-kilt for so long and truly prepared myself for how I would react. I'm finding that actually having to deal with all of the emotions is helping me work the problems out instead of just feeling nothing and not even realizing the problems existed. I know it's scary and I can only speak for myself but I feel more mentally healthy these days. It's like now I can identify my feelings and deal with the situation that brought them on. Before, on the Effexor, I didn't even have feelings one way or the other. I'm actually starting to feel like a normal person again instead of a stepford wife. I'm not a doctor and don't know the extent of your anxiety but I do know that getting off of the meds has been the best decision I've made in a long time. I hope your week gets better. Make yourself look on the bright side of every moment no matter how bad it seems. As soon as doubt creeps in, blow it out of your mind. Our brains are like a wonderful computer that we don't even realize how powerful it can be. THINK POSITIVE! You can do this.
Much love to all,
Leslie

Elana - you ahve been such a big supporter of getting off this stuff. Please continue to be positive. Be strong!

Elena, after all the hard work you put it last year getting off the E in the first place, don't let your doctor put you back on it. Remember why you got off it in the first place. Why does your doc want to put you back on something you were so miserable on. There are so many other antidepressants out there, why not try something else? Does your doctor have a mind block or something about E.

To all of you presently weaning off the E, Elena and I did it together last summer. She and I were part of the group that basically were in on the beginnings of this link. Elena was always there to give encouragement to us during painful times even in the midst of her having a difficult time afterwards.

I have been lucky. Ten months after my last E, I am almost totally free of the side effects (with the exception of the zaps - which are milder but still there in the morning when I wake up). I have a bit of anxiety happening now and then, but all the blue, blue depression seems to be staying away. (Note: I also gave up artificial sugars during this time which I attribute a lot of things to). And I haven't lost an ounce of the 15 lbs I gained. Oh, well. I have decided to just live healthily and never diet again. My weight has remained static.

Elena, if your doctor insists, get another opinion. By the way, I was talking to a woman I walk with in the morning about her niece who is on Zoloft. She is having the same problems getting off that drug. I think it must be all the SSRIs that have these problems.

Anyway, to all of you brave people, keep up the good work.

Love, Sheila

Withdarwl symptoms are keeping me from letting go of Effexor. I have been taking Effexor for over 6 years now. I am finally trying to wean myself off of it. I took 75mg for about 4 years and thought I needed a dosage increase and went to 150mg. Weight gain, night sweats, and horrible dreams accompanied by the increase. Now, I want to be drug free! Went from 150mg to 75mg right away little symptoms, ie. brain fizzles, deyhdration, etc... Down to 37.5 physically nothing new but started getting very irritable (like I was before I ever started taking the pills) went to two days, and then BAM it hit me hard. I had horrible nausea and headaches and was always sweating profusely. I wanted to die...The only time I didn't feel like I was dying was when I was asleep. Not cool! Had to take off work for several days before I decided to start taking the pills again. I would rather stay on these pills than ever go through that again.

Hello, I found this forum today. Here's my situation (the brief version!)

* 40yr old male
* L-o-n-g history of depression
* Tried various meds (no luck) until Effexor.
* Been on 300mg daily for 6+ years.
* Aware of the short half life, the weird 'dizzies' as I call them etc
* Chronically fatigue (didn't used to be)
* Diagnosed with RLS and PLMD 2 years ago
* On 1.5mg Requip daily
* Used to self-med with alcohol - gave up 5 years ago (just one bottle will send me into a tail spin 2 or 3 days later)
* Employer has been understanding but absenteeism is getting too much for me to carry out my role
* Next step (any time now) likely to be short-term disability
* Want to come off Effexor (slowly, of course) and see if RLS + fatigue go away
* Requip doesn't always work (seems to vary with each refill)

Sound familiar? I'd like to hear your experiences. Sorry for the 'summary' style but otherwise I'd be typing for hours.

Thanks,

John.