Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 68 of 140}

Kevin,

I get the headaches, body aches, occasionally a migraine and I have EXTREME sensitivity to alcohol. In fact, my doctor says he's never known anyone so sensitive to it. I used to drink like a fish - probably a major contributory factor to my depression anyway. But, about six years ago (on Effexor), I got very depressed after a few pints of beer. I decided to stop drinking. So I did. I tried a single 12oz bottle about six months later. Three days later - crash...major depression. Tried the same thing a few months later - same result. So, I haven't touched alcohol since. Can't say I miss it, either. When the doctor first suggested cutting down - especially the red wine - I almost panicked. Not a good sign. I used to readily drink a bottle of red wine each evening....

John.

Just to say that 'panic attacks' are a horse of a different color,or should I say horses of many different collors,as your own panic attack can be very different from someone elses and so will the cure be diffferent. Some panic attacks can be cured by learning a body relaxation tecknique.I seems incredible that a simple relaxation technique can overcome the fearsome monster of panic attacks. My variety involved learning to relax one major muscle at a time and concentrating on that requires that you unconciously let loose of the severe symptoms and like a miracle the panic attack goes away.Its that simple. The vicvious cycle of the panic attack symptomology is defused and you are again in control.Try it you will like it and you will feel better all the way around.---------------------------------------------- ollse aozinc0qh8c

You have to be very careful these days,because you will get prescriptions that are hastily given and the prescriber is so busy that he gives you the worst case scenario instead of a simple panic attack remedy. Also you face personality clash situations that interfere wiht the judgement.Imagine having catarat surgery by a practitioner who is anorexic and hates overweight people.And here you are under his knife or receiving his prescription that he hopes will make you suffer. I have been there and done that. The only thing that saved me was that Google is there for us and research is free I was able to pin point the error and flat out refused the treatment. Do this when you feel that something is not quite right. Good luck doing this as the practioner will bring great pressure to reassure himself that his self esteem not be impuned.----------------------------------------------------------------lluckH have kcrh

you its funny since this withdrawal thing i havent had as many straight panic attacks. its more like constant anxiety i guess im cured. yeah! thank you for your replies you guys help a lot

Hi to all old and new. It has been a while since I posted but I wanted to come back and tell everyone that I have now been Effexor free for over 3 months now, and St. Johns Wort free for nearly a month. I feel so much better being off everything and am so glad that I took a year to do it as slowly as I did.

I still have my moments, sometimes days and occassionally several days of not feeling ok, but I am pulling on every resource that I have of trying to think positively, focusing on my family and even have gone as far as taking up needle point to help calm me down and refocus my thoughts.

Right now I am going through alot of turmoil at work with the prospect of being out of work by the end of next month topped up with financial struggles at home and yet I am still making it through, so I try to remind my self that I am overcoming it all despite the odds. It is nice to feel again, to know that my feelings are my own, and to be able to control them my way.

So hold in there everyone, it will happen for you too which ever path you end up taking. My journey isn't over and I know that so I will keep reminding myself where I have been and where I could have been without the right support and help.

God Bless

Kerry

ive been off for 1.5 months im a lot better but cant seem to handle physical activities. any i took some barley today and i feel crappy, isthat normal.

Today is the start of my second week of tapering. Last week, it was Day 3 before I noticed any changes. These include waking up much earlier than normal, feeling as if I have missed a dose (invariably dizzy, struck by a truck, 'pins-and-needles' all over) and being somewhat absent-minded during the day. Even though I am up earlier, I make sure I take the dose at the same time of day each day.

I still have to take 3 or 4 half-hour naps during the day - though I don't really get to sleep.

This morning, my wife commented that some of my personality is back and I have moments of seeming happier. Hmmm - less antidepressent = more personality + happier. My wife has also said that my personality changed gradually as I was on the original dose. Particularly, in the past 6 to 8 months, she has noticed the biggest change. Most significantly, the apathy (a known, 'rare' side effect) has increased. This has led to my current short term disability. In the past year, I have come across as a non-person. Some of my more trustworthy colleagues at work have said the same.

So, today, it's 225mg. I expect the effects will be apparent in 2 or 3 days.

Yesterday, I tried some weed-eating using a lightweight electric weed-eater. I could only do it for about 10 mins before I was worn out and got the 'dizzies'. I used to use a gas-/petrol-driven one but not since a long time ago.

This stuff is insidious - it makes you think you are better but all the time it robs you of your personality and desire to do things. It takes a major event to make you realize what's really happened...

John.

any relation between this and chronic fatigue syndrome. i wonder because im super sensitive to everything now amd a lot of the other symptoms hmmmmmmmm

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very difficult thing to diagnose correctly. There are so many other problems that can give the appearance of chronic fatigue. In my own case, before deciding to come off Effexor, I had a full set of blood tests and other things done to see if there was any other explanation for my fatigue. All my blood tests look normal, an MRI of my head was normal etc.

I expect when I am completely rid of Effexor, I will still be fatigued. I intend to start taking 5-HTP and tyrosine. 5-HTP gets converted to serotonin whereas tyrosine helps with the production of dopamine. I think my baseline levels of serotonin and dopamine are just too low. If there isn't enough to start with, SSRIs etc will not help.

John.

I have missed the last two days of my effexor medication which is at a dosage of 250, and I have been experiencing pretty bad headaches and irritability. Is this normal? Another strange thing is before I went on effexor I had a bad habit of picking at my skin- pimples, scabs, etc… it stopped when I went on effexor, but these past two days without effexor that bad habit has come back. Anyone experience anything like this? Please let me know.

i went cold turkey 2 months ago. i still have head aches and anxiety , extreme sensitivity to every thing. its a long journey but its worth the good days. irritability is normal for me at least. it only gets better after it gets worst. good luck

Shoofly - yes, it is normal to get headaches.

I'm on Day 3 of Week 2 of my dose reduction. It's 6:30am - I feel like I've been hit by a bus and my lower back is painful. Tempted though I am, I will wait until 9am to take the next dose.

The scabs and skin-pimples thing is interesting. Since I went on Effexor, I've had all kinds of strange pimples (not white-/blackheads) and spots. They take *forever* to go away and, if I have a cut, it will take a long time to heal. Like you, I can't leave them alone, either.

I read somewhere that wounds take longer to heal on Effexor.

John.

Tomorrow I will begin opening my 37.5 capsules and decreasing my dose. How many balls are inside one of these and how many should I take out to start with. I really want the least amount of ill effects possible.

How is everyone doing? My hubby says my personality is coming back.
Livvie,
I would suggest having your husband read through the postings on this site so he is fully aware of what you are going thru and may be more understanding.

Have a nice day!!

Delaney

Delaney,

There are approximately 90 little balls in a 37.5 capsule. An easier way is to just open the capsule and tip them back and forth until they look even. Then dump one-half into some applesauce or yogurt (even better)and eat it. No taste if you swallow quickly. Put the capsule back together with half the dose and put it aside in a marked container with the correct mg dosage. The next day do the same thing. When you are ready to drop to the next level, you will already have some capsules that are 18.75, just do the same thing. That worked for me on every drop until I was down to about 5 or 6 balls. Then I just quit. Good luck to you. - Sheila

hey delaney, My husband just started to read some of the postings. He is now realizing the road that lies ahead for me and him. I too just started to split the capsules in half. Sheilas' suggestion with apple sauce works well. Though I did'nt know they Make a 18.75mg capsule. I'll have to look into that. Today was not a good one. I felt like I have the flu. My brain zaps are behind me eyes so I get very dizzy. I'm sticking with this though thanks all and good luck. livvie

Livvie,
You misunderstood me. They don't make an 18.75 capsule. What I said was that after splitting the 37.5 capsule, to put the other half back in the capsule and now that new capsule will be 18.75. Make sure you mark the container you put it in as such. Actually, the yogurt for me was more palatable than the applesauce, but it is all dependent all what you like, something smooth that you don't chew--hey, soft ice cream works too!

Having been where you all are now, I wish you all the best. I started my post on page 9 of this thread last year, April or May I think. I have watched all the new people come on it every now and then when I can. It is the same old story over and over, the only difference is that you are all individuals and suffer in different ways, but the basics are the same. You must tell your medical professionals that Effexor or any of the SSRI medications like Paxil, Zoloft and Welbutrin should not be given to people with anxiety problems, straight depression, things that you only want to take short term. The SSRIs are truly a long term medication for people with serious problems. Remember, they don't call it the PRACTICE of medicine if our doctors knew everything. Tell them a thing or too!

Good luck to you all.

Love, Sheila

Amen to that last sentence Ms Catgranny. You have wisdom that will prolong your life,as statistics show that 37 per cent of patients die due to medical care and not from any decease. --------------------------------------u

does any one no any doctor in northern cal or even nerthen nevada that knows about this or specializez. pleasssse . thanx kevin

I am just logging in to say that today I started tapering down Effexor... I have been doing the barley powder and omega 3 suplements for a couple of weeks. I was not as religious about taking the barley as the plan calls for because it is just so nasty! However, I am going to just suck it up and take it now becuase I am so afraid of the withdrawal. Taking off of work is not an option and I have been putting this off long enough.

As far as the medicine goes, I have been taking 2 75mg pills a day. The plan I am following says to decrease dosage by 10% each week. So, I guess if there are approx. 90 beads in each capsule I will take 9 out each dose for the first week and then so on... we shall see.

Laura
I just want to wish you luck! I think going down slowly like that you will not get many side effects until the end.

I am down to 29.5mg a day and feeling good every time I drop a little I get nausea for a few days and then I seem to be O.K.

How is everyone??

Delaney

Hi everyone.
I wanted to tell you all that I have been thinking of you and hoping that you have been doing well. I am glad to see that Laura you are doing well, and good luck on your tapering!
Kevin and John, I am also glad to see that you have been finding the forum useful. It was a godsent to me, Sheila can attest to that. I was on here constantly and it was so great to hear advice and stories from those who had experienced the same.
Delaney! I am so glad that you are doing well and your 'personality' is coming back. that is amazing. HAng in there and know that you can and will get through this! All of you!
I have found that life is full of challenges, but it will always be full of challenges. It is all a matter of perspective.
I am about to go do some yoga now, so hang in there everyone! You are all doing great. And thanks to Sheila for stopping by giving advice! It is much appreciated!

Elena

LauraPh,

There are 90 little balls in a 37.5 mg capsule, therefore there must be 180 in a 75 mg. You are not taking enough out if you are only taking about 9 out.

I hear you on taking it slow. I had to work and also deal with a husband who, although he was sympathetic and understood what I was going through, expected life to be the same while I was weaning off it. Slow works, it seemed to take forever (it took me 4 months to get off the pill and then another couple before I felt truly normal again).

Everyone must remember there was a reason our docs put us on this medication in the beginning. It worked for me, got me out of the deep blue depression that I had been in due to two major surgeries in three years, an accident that left me with nightmares for over a year (also the cause of one of the surgeries) and the fact that I already suffered from general anxiety disorder and light deprivation (SAD) problems. The anxiety and SAD I had always handled but after the second surgery I could not get a grip.

But my problems were temporary and that is why I only planned to be on an antidepressant for a year or two, just to get my life and mind in order. I'm not sorry I took an antidepressant, just sorry that it was Effexor. As I said in a previous post, this is NOT a short-term drug!

I decided to get off when I realized I was a zombie, no feelings, no reactions. Now that I am off the E, life has color and sound again. Ups and downs happen, but I have my emotions and ability to react back. I got strong enough to handle my anxiety and I just got stronger light bulbs for my SAD(my electric bill is good sized). (I also make sure I get at least 15 minutes of early morning or late afternoon unprotected sunshine to produce vitamin D in my body which helps the SAD.) I am also on a beta-blocker for my blood pressure which I hear is good for anxiety. (My ob/gyn calls it the stage fright drug), but it works for my blood pressure and may be helping my anxiety. I have probably been taking a mild antidepressant all the while. I sure have not had too many attacks since getting off the E.

So for those of you with what I call minor problems, the blues, slight depression, post-partum problems, anxiety, panic attacks, ask your doctor about something less powerful. Those of you with more serious problems, don't rely on your family doctor to prescribe the proper meds, get help from a mental health professional.

The above are just my personal opinions and observations. I have no medical training other than being a mother, having been a caretaker for my elderly mother-in-law, and just common sense from talking to people. Everyone has problems, it is just how good you are at handling them.

Anyway, I have gone on long enough. Hi, Elena and Mum2two, good to hear from you. Love, Sheila

Catgranny - thanks for clarifying! They are SO tiny! I ended up taking more out anyway.. about 40 balls. I am terribly impatient and I figured I can always increase it if I do too much at one time.

Just liek you said, I did need something a couple of years ago, but nothing this strong. I had two panic attacks due to stress and no history of depression and I was immediately put on 150mg Effexor! I still can't believe that I jsut started taking it blindly without questions.

I, too, have realized the past couple of months that I am virtually lifeless. It struck me hard the other week when we had company and they asked if we have been camping lately. (we 'were' avid backpackers). My husband made the comment 'Laura doesn't want to do anything anymore...' That really hit home.

After three days of tapering I feel great. I how it continues.

Thanks to everyone for the support!

Good to see some encouraging posts.

I'm in my 3rd week of tapering - 187.5mg per day down from 300mg per day.

Unlike the first two weeks, the effects of the decrease were noticeable the next day but I do seem to have more energy, I actually *want* to get up in the morning and have even started thinking 'oh, I need to do this or that today'. I can go longer in the evening. Last night - for the first time in a long, long time, managed to stay up almost to 11pm (9pm, if not earlier, had become very normal).

My wife has commented that I seemed happy in the mornings, wanting to get up etc but, by the evening, that's gone away. So, things are going in the right direction. Still apprehensive about the final 37.5mg, though....

John.

This is my 5th day of tapering and I am feeling some effects. Instead of 10% I decided to go a 20% decrease. I thought I would continue this for about a week or more before reducing more (unless I had any major issues). Today is the first day that I have felt anything. Mild dizziness and some cold chills (this is odd becuase I am very hot natured). It's not even 8:30AM yet! It is nothing I cannot handle. Hopefully I will have a productive day at work.

LauraPh--If you taper too fast, you will get stronger reactions. What I did was drop my dose in half, work through whatever side effects happened, and then when those reactions evened out, I would do the next drop, etc. That enabled me to function like a human being and also other people did not notice what misery I was in. I had warned my friends and coworkers about it, so they were aware that I might be having some problems. The reason I told them was because I had read that oftentimes suicidal thoughts happen while weaning, and I wanted them to watch my behavior. Of all the symptoms of depression I had before taking the E, suicidal thoughts was the only one missing. I have a tremendous sense of survivorship, so I came through that one okay. The hardest drop for me with the most side effects was when I dropped to 18.25 mg. It took 3 weeks to get through that one. Others weaning at the same time said the same thing about that dosage. So expect it. After that the tapering went relatively easy (relatively, I say, because it was still not without side effects). After I was on the 4.5 for a week or two I stopped completely (and threw away a six week supply of 75 mg capsules). The first two weeks of total withdrawal were interesting. But worth it. I promised myself that I would check into this site every now and then and give encouragement to new sufferers and let them know what to expect and that there is light at the bottom of those pills, and how things are down the road.

John Crazylegs--I find your comments about healing interesting. I never noticed it while I was on the E, but now that I think about it, I did not heal as fast when I cut myself, etc. Also, the fact that some of us have low serotonin levels. I am still getting the zaps but I almost think I had them before, which probably means I do have low levels. At least my zaps are just mild, more like air pressure in my head, nothing like what was going on during withdrawal when I couldn’t stand the noise in my head. I also had terribly blurred vision which my ophthalmologist said was normal on E and that 90% of people on E with blurred vision would get their sight back normally, which I did.

To all: Drink LOTS of water. Get LOTS of exercise, it doesn’t have to be aerobic, walking, swimming, yoga, gardening, anything using your weight-bearing muscles (don’t overdo however). Sweat the E out of your bloodstream. Sweating is good. Keep busy and try to keep your mind occupied so that you don’t dwell on your discomfort. Stay away from refined sugar if you can. Ditto for caffeine.

I haven’t noticed CHASER mentioned recently. This is a wonderful over the counter medicine for hangovers that really helps with the headaches and zaps. It is in a red box and at Walmart is at the end of the aisles on one of those clip things. There is lots of good advice from previous posters on this site. Go back randomly a few pages and find them if you have not already. Some things work for some people, some for others. A lot of people swore by the epsoms salt and peroxide baths to promote sweating. I walk two miles every morning and work up a good sweat that way so I never needed the bath but others loved them.

You are all working your way to better health, both mentally and physically. Good luck to you all. - Love, Sheila