Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 86 of 140}

I had that too. I think it depends on how bad it bothers you. If it really bothers you, then just wean slower from your last dose. I had to go down to 3 of the little balls before my symptoms were tolerable.

I have been off for over a month now and I am doing quite well. I guess. I have been trying to excercise which seems to help with my fatigue. I definitely have my depression back. I am just trying everything to help it besides the drugs.
Most days have been pretty good. It is just a battle that I will have to face day by day.
I have also found that the same ol thing day in and day out tends to depress me. I have been trying to get out there and get a change of scenery. I am wondering if I am bored with my life as a stay at home mom of triplets. It seems like if I have something else going on, I don't have the overwhelming fatigue.
I am trying to take mental notes of when I feel depressed. I feel like there has to be a trigger.
That is my story. I really hope the rest of you are doing well!!

Kikki,

My advice is to not go back on at this point. No matter how long and slow you taper down, there will always be some effects of the 'zero' dose. It gets better, I promise. It may take a while, but at least you say it is tolerable. Drink lots of water, go for lots of walks, and think positive. By mid July, you should be feeling better.

My wife has been off now for 2 months. It has been at least 5 weeks since any noticable moodiness or side effects. She is back to herself again! She goes for a walk 3 or 4 times a week is all. But when she comes in from her walk she is always in a great mood.

Keep at it Kikki!

Hi,
Thank you Shelly and Mikmo for the fast reply. OK I will stay OFF the E for a few more days and then check back in. I have a job inteerview tomorrow and I think I feel good enough to go ahead with it. Today is a better day but I am alone so there is no one here to annoy me. That is another side affect I believe that you can get instantly mad at the people you love the most. Thank you again.
kikki

I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. I really wish I would have done more research on Effexor prior to accepting my dr's recommendation to go on it. I've been on a 37.5 Mg dose of XR for close to 8 months now. My dr recommended Effexor for mild anxiety , I was also having trouble sleeping. I did wonders at 1st... but after a while I was experiencing side effects of weight gain and extreme fatigue.

As of 2 weeks ago I have decided to get off this stuff. I've been breaking open the capsules and removing 5 granules every 2 or 3 days. Today was my 1st bad day , thank god I had the day off. I felt like I was hit by a truck , dizziness and nausea ... I pretty much just slept the day away. I feel better now in the evening....am I going about this the right way? I have an appointment with my DR next week for a physical.. I went about this without his advice ... I'm sure he won't like that.,, but I didn't want to wait.,,Thanks for letting my write out my situation ... Good luck all!

Hi to you royal flush. I was on 75mg for 14 years and had tried many times to get off effexor xr with no luck, no help from the GP that started me on it BUT this web forum HAS helped me. It followed the cap splitting method and got down nicely. Another dr gave me the 37.5 caps and after I was on those for several months I started splitting. Now I have been off since last wed and even though I was on 5mg or less there comes a point when you just have to stop and endure the last bit if the withdrawl. Everyone has a story and similar yet not always the same side affects. I feel a little slow and especially in the afternoon and evenings. I have had a lot of brain swishiness. So read some of this forums past blogs and I am sure others will help support you throughout this trial ahead of you But you can do it. I look forward to hearing your progress, maybe some set backs but ultimately success!!

ROyalflush, Effexor really does help people that need it. The bad thing is there really never has been a good 'exit plan'.

Now there is. You need to go here and read the whole page:

http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/102450/

It's not surprising that you have strange effects after being on 37.5mg. That's a teaser dose. It gets your body used to the drug, but not enough to keep your body happy 24/7. Usually, Docs use the 37.5 dose to taper patients onto a 75mg dose, (or to taper them back off, which is too fast and is hard to make that big jump)

Stay positive, and keep your eye on the prize!

Mikemo

Thank you very much , This is new to me ... and this seems to be the best method I've come accross yet. As of now, I think I may have been coming off too fast. Should I start on a higher dose asap, and then come down slower from there?? You guys have been great help for me .. thanks again.

HI all -

I looked today for a plan to withdraw from Effexor and stumbled upon this wonderful forum. I have so enjoyed reading all the postings. The trouble is I am still quite scared weaning. I just spoke with my doctor as I have runout of 75 mg pills and she suggested I jump down to the 37.5mg ones right away. I feel after reading the postings that would land me in a heap of trouble. I have tried cold turkey a couple of times and paid the price. Please pump me up and advise. Thanks. Maumau

Hi Maumau,
I went from 75mg straight to 37.5mg with no problem but mikemo has a terrific splitting formula that you should look at. good luck and stay tuned to this forum.

Maumau,

I don't know exactly what your situation is. It sounds as though you are relying on the pills that your doctor gives you. Are you having trouble affording a refill of the 75mg pills?

This would not be the first time I've heard of the squeeze between finances and refills. Forgive me if I'm way off base. I just don't want to give you advise that will cause trouble.

Would getting a refill at 75mg be out of the question? If so, we can make the 37.5's work, but it will be trickier. Plus, if you are limited to what your doctor gives you, we need to include that 'budget' of pills in the plan.

Mike

HI Mike -

I have to fill the prescription whether it be 75 or 37.5. No problem with the budget part. I am just scared of going from 75mg to 37.5mg. I feel after reading all the postings that I should do the capsule splitting as to not run into any horrible withdrawal. I think I am sensitive to meds as when I went off for just two days I became so dizzy and nauseaous that I had to go to bed for the rest of the day. Thanks for any advice. Maumau

Maumau,

Ok then! If you have the guts to counter your doctor, ask for a refill of the 75mg capsules. One refill is all we will need to get you down to zero.

You will also need empty gelcaps from your local healthfood store, a weekly pill minder box (with little compartments for each day) and several empty bottles to store miscelaneous 'leftover' doses (which will come in handy during the taper down!)

The stairstep method will save you from any withdrawl. Down 20mg, up 10mg, down 5mg, maintain for 4 to 6 days. That's all there is to it. The cycle downs would look like this.

Sun 75

Mon 55
Tue 65
Wed 60
Thr 60
Fri 60
Sat 60
Sun 60

Mon 40
Tue 50
Wed 45
Thr 45
Fri 45
Sat 45
Sun 45


And so on. 7 pills per cycle. No withdrawl. It gets trickier when you get down below 20 mg, but we'll cover that later.

No Worries! This taper works!

The method to getting those doses out of the 75mg pills is outlined in another post called 'Effexor Splitting method' I think.

Mike

Hi Mike -

Thank you so much! I am so glad that you are here to help. It makes me feel better knowing that you have had the same experience through your wife) and are kind enough to help. It is scary stuff going through withdrawal. I will give it a shot. I will start today with the 55mg. Thanks, Maumau

Did anyone experience itching all over while withdrawing from Effexor? I am haveing serious trouble sleeping and the itching is a hassle. I will continue to forge forward. Maumau

Hi all from kikki

I never had itching but there are so many unique and horrible side effects. As so with all the anti depressants I have seen online ie wellbutrin,cymbalta, prozax.

My worry is now that i have been off the Efexxor for 10 days I feel I may need to be on somekind of medication because I am depressed and have anger issure. Feelings that I haven't felt while on effexor. I just hate being a person that has to take 'mental' medication. So if I really need the meds what one is any better than effexor? We all got on this drug for one reason or another right? Will my current feelings of anger and just neg attitude go away if I give it more time. my husband is the one I take it all out on and as for others...I just want to be left alone. I would like someone out there to tell me what you think.

oh my gosh kikki,
You sound JUST like me!! I have been off for a couple months now and the anger does get better. I am the same way you are about possibly getting on a different med. Right now, i am really trying not too but if my depression and anger continue, I wil have to. My poor husband!!
I am going to give it a coule more months along with excercising and see how it goes.
Good luck!!!
Shelly

Kikki,

Bless your heart. First off, I'm glad you are not having withdrawl side effects.

You are right, there is always a reason why a doc sends us down the anti-depressant road. They can be beneficial to the people that need them.

There are a number of non-synthetic anti-depressants available. The best two that come to mind are St. Johns wort and Tryptophan or 5-HTP. (but never both at the same time!!!) Also, many claim that a consistent use of fish oil (Coromega is the best) can have a positive effect on your overall attitude.

Regarding any of this, they take a couple of weeks to start really noticing the difference.

Talk to your doctor about this first, but tell him you would like to try a natural approach with 5-HTP and Fish Oil. You should read up as much as you can on the 5-HTP before you go to the doctor. That will empower you to stick to your guns.

Lastly, there is a real psychological need of change. You may need a paradigm shift. In other words: How you view life, your role in your marriage, your role in your career, your outlook to the future, ect....may be unneccisarily skewed to the 'bleak' side of things. A bird is happy to be a bird, but a lion would be bitter if you told him he had to be a bird from now on. He would miss all the great things about 'being a lion'. But if he can find the joy of being a bird, and let go of the old 'lion joys' he could find some really great 'bird joys'.....even with the 'eating worms' part.

OK---I'll shut up. :)

By the way, I'm going to be gone for a few weeks. Starting today. Keep positive! I'll check in when I get back!

Mike

Oh Thank you Mikemo and God Bless You! I needed those words of wisdom. I will be looking into these products before I go back on the effexor or any other Rx for now. Have a good vacation.
Thanks
kikki

Shelly-
I wanted to respond to a posting of yours about being a stay at home mom of three. I have been a stay at home mom of three for ten years (not triplets but all 3 in 3 1/2 yrs) During this time I have had a lot of trouble figuring out who I was in this senerio. Now, as I reflect back on it, I was neglected. My husband's life had not changed like mine had and all the time he used to have for me went to the children. It made me feel angry and depressed and I think that is how I ended up on effexor. As I now try to wean off, I am constantly thinking about who I am in the big picture of things. I also try to think about what I want. I avoided thinking any of those things earlier because I felt selfish and I truly always wanted children and have always loved being a mom. I now believe that if I want to be a great mom I need to give myself a little time and respect. It also means that everyone in my family needs to view me as important as I view them. My husband are just starting this and we shall see how it goes. I wish you good luck and I want you to know that a happy mom is a great mom. Stay positive. Maumau

I love this website and am a groupie of mikemo's. I have gone from 300mg (was on it for 9 years) to now a steady 50 mg with his help. I had some side-effects at first but after carefully following his plan I haven't had any side-effects for the past 2 months. I think clearer and am more like the old me. I got really passive on the 300 mg and had no emotions. Now I can put my foot down (softly) and cry if I want to! Oh how great to have feelings! I will follow the PLAN and hang on until the end of my dose no matter how long it takes. Hang in there everyone! Have a great vacation mikemo! Check in when you get back! Mary C.

HELP!!
My depression is bad and I am probably calling the Dr to get on something other than Effexor. Here is the problem.....I don't want to get back on them but I can't live like this and when I do get the depression, my husband is NOT supportive, though he thinks he is.
He is against the drugs more than I am. His answer tonight was that I need someone to 'push' me. I have never been 'pushed to do anything in my life and he says that is what will make my depression go away. It sucks because when i do get the depression, I get guilt on top of it. Guilt that he is having to do more with the kids and house because I am too depressed to do it.
I just want to feel good and be happy. Life sucks feeling so extremely fatigued. I feel like I have 10,000 extra pounds on my back. Getting out of bed feels like running a marathon.
I just had to vent. I am hoping to feel better tomorrow so that I won't call the Dr., Another day like this and I really think I will need to just do it.
Best wishes to all.
Shelly

Hi,
Last year I was on effexor xr for 3 months and my highest dose was 150 mg. During my treatment with the medication I noticed the common sexual side effects. I was still able to have an erection and ejaculate (although it took longer). Masturbating also did not feel as good, but I suppose this can be normal as well. However, about one to two weeks quitting the drug I noticed my penis has become less senstive and feeling pleasure has become much more difficult. I did a testosterone, Lsh, fsh blood test, everything was normal. I'm not diabetic, or had any injuries that would inflict this. Does serotonin or dopamine play a role in sensations? What can possibly cause me to have genital anesthesia.? I had one doctor tell me I have somatoform disorder, another say a form of general anxiety disorder, and a web group on yahoo are also experiencing this from ssri's. Is there anyone here (males) who have experienced this?

I just started Effexor 5 weeks ago...2 weeks at 37.5mg and now at75mg for 3 weeks. I see the psychologist today...(I talk to him for anxiety/depression and dealing with my Epilepsy.
I have not noticed any improvement with the Effexor and now I would like to stop. It will be interesting to see how it is suggested I cut back. I also see my neurologist (for seizures) next week. I will be out of Effexor tonight and I guess I will need to pick up the new Rx. Maybe the doctor can call in and change it to 37.5 mg instead of the 75mg. Reading these posts has made me a bit scared.
Lamac

I know it has been said before but I can't speak highly enough of omega-3 fish oil. I really helps will depression. The lady who runs 1st Vitality was so compelled by the benefits she started importing and selling the stuff.
Also make sure you use a clean source.