Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 91 of 140}

I thought I would feel better as time passed, but I am feeling worse. I laid on the floor all day crying.

I feel nauseous, barely have eaten since I stopped taking it. I feel too sick.

I thought I might be lucky enough to avoid the brain zaps, but they started last night too. I read that some people feel this way for two weeks.

I'm ready to check into the hospital. I feel awful.

Get yourself a months worth of 75mg Effexor. We will wean you down safely with that one bottle.

You don't need a hospital---you need that pill. Your pharmacy probably has a refill available with your name. You may have to pay full price, but that's still cheaper than a check into the hospital!

Keep posting---hang tough, but get that prescription!

Becky,
Hang in there girl! And do get more like Mikemo suggested. I know how you feel, it's so disappointing to even have to go back up in dose a little when you've worked so hard to get off of it. But to not have the withdrawal sysmptoms is priceless.

The Nux Vomica mentioned on this site helps a lot with the 'spins' and brain zaps. Also the flower remedy helps keep your emotions stable. Good luck girl.
L

Hello all~ I have been ff here for awhile but had to tell my story. I was on 300mg of Effexor for 9 years. Using Mikemo's slow taper (it took 5 months for me) I went from 300 mg to zero. I felt horrible at zero! I too was ready for the hospital! I did have to have something! I was off for 3 weeks and almost lost my job, divorced my husband and I was not myself! I had brain zaps, could not sleep or was so tired I could barely stay awake, very aggitated and arguementive! I went back on the Effexor 37.5mg and that is where I am now. I am in the process of weaning off and changing meds with the help of my MD. I have made lifestyle changes and exercise everyday for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. I have lost 15 lbs and because of getting off the Effexor over th epast 5 months my total cholestrol has dropped 57 points. Ya, it's in the fine print that it can affect your cholestrol but the MD's don't read that! I feel much better and know that I will continue that way. I will be glad to be on another med as Effexor is poison. I will be on a very low dose and use a light box for seasonal disorder, exercise daily, watch what I eat. I have also been taking Yoga classes for relation. I can do so much more now that I am down on the medicine. Hang in there those of oyu who are getting off. It's worth everybit of it! Hugs to all, Mary (aka one of mikemo's groupies!)

I can't tell you how much the support helps. I think my family thinks I'm crazy. They're thinking it can't possibly be that bad, but it is.

Yesterday was awful. I did end up in the emergency room, where I was given fluids since I haven't been able to eat or drink and nausea medicine. My husbands' Mom was bipolar and schizophrenic, he saw her go on and off meds her whole life, so he wanted to be on the safe side.

I woke up today feeling slightly better, but I know that the bad periods come and go, so we'll see how today goes. I know I may be stupid and stubborn, but the last thing I want to do is go back ON Effexor. We'll see how it goes.

Becky; You are not stupid or stubborn but very realistic. Do not go back on Effexor. I had to take something for fear of going crazy and will be glad to switch to something else. Hang in there, you are doing the right thing! Hugs, Mary

Hi everyone,

This is day 5 and I wanted to give everyone an update. I actually was able to make the bed this morning and do some laundry. It's the little victories, you know...

I can't tell you all how much the support helps. Knowing you all are here and understand what I'm going through is enormous.

This is the best day yet, but it's not over. I seem to get bad in the evenings, so we shall see how that goes!

My 10-year-old daughter is back from the weekend at her dad's, and she's been very nervous about me and wants to help 'take care of me.' However, I am still sensitive to light (and need to pick her up from school) and sound (she NEVER stops talking), so we'll see how it goes.

Again, thank you thank you thank you. It's so helpful to know that I'm not the first or the last to go through this.

Hey,

End of Day 7 and I'm feeling about 85% back to normal. Still the headaches and dizziness, but to a much lesser extent. The brain zaps are less frequent and less strong. I'm feeling hopeful and strong and SO GLAD I went off this poison and am nearing being back to my 'normal' self again.

I've been doping up on the Benadryl, Tylenol and even a Xanax here and there. This combo seems to help.

I appreciate the support you've all given me and I will check back here to offer the same to those who are destined to experience the same things. It's great to have all of you out here. You will make it through the detox if you stick it out.

Becky; Remember to drink lots of water and get some exercise. It helps to detox I think. I had a terrible attitude which nothing helped and friends and family noticed. I am currently starting to take some Lexapro in a very small dose and an weaning once again off the Effexor. I was on 37.5mg and am once again detoxing but this time with some help, I prefer not to take anything but my imbalance of brain chemicals force me to. Since going off the Effexor I feel so much better and have lost 15 lbs! I have much more energy! Hang in there. This is so worth it. I am so happy to hear about other who can get off. This medication is poison and I have told my MD all about it. They just prescribe it so many times and don't really know about it! Take care and enjoy life! Mary :)

I want to thank each and every person who has posted. Just know I'm not alone means the world, we're not loosing our minds. The physical and emotional pains, the suffering is real!

Although everyone's situation's and illness vary, the suffering off this 'X' Poison is the same.

We have to remain brave and see this through to finally being drug free.

I've weaned down from 175mg's of Effexor XR and now I'm off completely. I had 10mg's of Cipralex to carry me through that horrific journey.

Just last Sat., I ceased the Cipralex completely. I am really struggling most with the 'Brain Zaps'. Almost went to the hospital yesterday. This, out of all symptoms is the most difficult for me. I feel as if I can't be productive at all because of them.

I'm on day eight and I have to say that I'm almost back to 100%. The brain zaps are still there when I move my eyes or head to the sides to quickly, but they're so mild now.

I've got a mild, persistent headache, but compared to where I was a few days ago, it's nothing.

It feels funny to be on the other side of this now, I came to the sight a little more than a week ago looking for people who had been through this already to support me, and now I feel like I can encourage all of you out there still trying to get yourself off.

I was so sick a week ago and it is miserable. Everyone was telling me to give up and go back on it and take it slowly. My advice is to stick it out. You will get to the other side.

I've been reading with horror for the past 2 hours. I'm on 150mg dose a day, my husband found this forum looking for info about what I'm taking (something I should have done BEFORE putting this drug in my system I now know). I'm still on it but I have a few side effects that I haven't read on this forum. I have bruises all over my arms & legs, I read further into the warnings & under call your Dr. immedietly was bruising, well I've called 2 times after hours (once first time I read it & again last night)the Dr. I spoke with last night said to come in Monday for a full blood work up, YAY! Gr! Another thing is I feel like I'm vibrating all day & not in a good way, lol. It's not quite like the shakes had those starting it.
And I've LOST a lot of weight on it, July 4th hubby brought me to get new shorts because my size 16's were literally falling off me, now the size 14's are falling off me.
I didn't eat anything yesterday but vomited all my water up, today I woke up starving & got the fastest thing I could open (ice cream) started eating & then I threw that up (could have been what I was reading here too though lol).
We went to a Husker game last weekend & I forgot to bring my pills & by the time we got home I was shaking so bad I could hardly walk in the house.
I have to eat very slowly or I'll puke it up, I've only been on it a few months.
And don't get me started on the sex drive, I'm po'ed because my Dr. said there wasn't that side effect, well there is for me, I have a very hard time(ok embarrased here)orgasiming.

I'm very upset because I can drive now without flipping out, climb ladders & stairs without feeling like I'm gonna fall down. I was paralyzed before & now to find this out is very upsetting.
Any advise?

Oh BTW I'm Penny

Hi Penny,

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. I'm still not 100% about 9 days after going cold turkey.

I went on Effexor for mild OCD symptoms. This is funny to me, because the side effects of Effexor and then the detox off of Effexor were far worse than any of my OCD symptoms.

I had a similar experience with the bruising, went to the Dr and he did blood work, which came back fine. I had forgotten about that, it was back when I started taking Effexor. Gained the 40+ pounds. The worst part for me was the sleepiness. At any time of the day I felt exhausted. I could sleep all day. It was awful. I would come home from work, pick up my daughter and take a nap. It got to the point where my daughter was telling people I slept all the time and that's when I realized that this was a big problem.

Oh, and don't be embarrassed about the sex drive, it's a common side effect for these types of meds. I went from being a very willing partner (newlywed) and having my orgasm within seconds to going to bed early to avoid the possibility that my husband would even try. And when we did, it took me 20 minutes or so to get off, and that's if it even happened. I never had a problem orgasming before. Ever. And do you know what my Dr told me? To drink a glass of wine before sex. A-hole!


When I went to my Dr to tell him I wanted to get off, he told me it would be a bad idea because the detox was awful. I couldn't believe this!

When I forgot to take one, it was awful. Within 12 hours I would get dizziness, the shakes, exhaustion (I could barely keep my eyes open), nausea, etc. And I was on half the dose that you are!!! I'm sure you've read all of my symptoms when I quit as well, and it was pretty much the same symptoms but multiplied to the point of being almost unbearable.

Like I said, I wasn't on as much as you are and from what I've read, you should try to wean yourself off more slowly. I went cold turkey from 75mg and it was rough. I was so sick. MikeMo (another poster on this site) has a whole routine for detox and it seems to work for people. I would recommend trying that if you're ready to get off this stuff. I'd read up on that.

I can understand why you're so upset. This stuff is so much more serious than we think. I'm still having trouble driving because when I move my head around I get so dizzy. And this is NINE days off of it!!!

Whatever reasons you had for starting this stuff, there's got to be something that will work for you that will not make you feel the way you are. There's absolutely no point in taking something that has side effects worse than the reasons for taking the meds!

And as you've read, there are so many of us who were and are in your position. Tell your doctor you want to get off this stuff and read up on anything else he recommends before taking it. That was my biggest lesson in all of this.

Hang in there. We're all here to see you through and it WILL get better!

Thanks Becky, I got it for depression &* panic attacks. I forgot the time I forgot to take itfor a day, I thought I had the flu. I was so shaky I was scared to get out of bed. The sweating is horrible! My dry mouth is coming back now too. This feeling like I'm vibrating is bad too. Maybe that's why I'm losing so much weight? I don't mind losing but I don't like how it's coming off.

I'm so glad hubby found this for me, I'll check it every day!

Thanks again!
Penny

Ok I need to know what's the problem, I took the med today & I've thrown up 6 times! I'm shaking so badly I can hardly type! Certain smells trigger it I've found.

My dog is SO gross! I was outside on the deck & I felt it coming up so I ran to the side, I knew I wouldn't make it to the bathroom, and some didn't make it over the side. While I was washing up I looked out the kitchen window & he's out there LICKING it up!!! Yuck!!

Ok I'm gonna lay down for awhile.

Penny

Your dog licking up the vomit is enough to make me vomit! Gross!!

Interesting that you're on meds to clear up depression and panic attacks, because all of these symptoms would make me feel pretty panicked and depressed. I wish these doctors had some clue what they were prescribing!

The sweating was weird when I was detoxing too--somehow I could feel hot and cold at the same time. My face was burning, but I had goosebumps on my legs.

I'm confused--the meds are making you sick, or you're detoxing and you're sick? Either way, sounds like you need to get this out of your system.

If you are still on it, sounds like you need to get off it! Read MikeMo's post about detoxing and demand the correct dosages from your doctor. You've got to stop taking this stuff.

I know he's a gross dog lol.

I know exactly what you mean about hot & cold I have the same thing, my head feels like a volcano & I have goosebumps on my legs & arms.
I have no idea why I'm throwing up, I'm still on it, I just found this place today after I took it.

I haven't been able to keep anything down for 2 days...I am SO hungry it makes me feel worse.

I'll call on Monday.

Thanks, it's SO nice to talk with ppl who know what it feels like.

Hang in there. We're pulling for you.

Let us know what your doctor has to say.

And keep your dog away from the vomit.

I'm gonna print out some posts to show my Dr. is that allowed?


Penny

I should say I want to print out some posts, I want to repect everyone here, this really needs to be adressed to the medical field!

Anyone can print out any of my posts.

Penny

OH! BTW, ice packs work wonders if you have the sweats trying to sleep!

They're my new best friend!

Penny

MikeMo:

I'm in the 15 mg range and take 0 mg on Tuesday. I'm almost there! I'm anxious about the upcoming brain zaps, I hate those! I've been slightly nauseous off and on, depending on where I am with my dosage step. It is SOOOOO much better than when I tried stopping the Evil E. cold turkey! I can't thank you enough. Thank God for you and this forum.

I was on 225 as of last Jan. Went to 150 in Jan, and then in May dropped to 75. In Aug I did the 37.5 one day; 75 the next for about a month.

Now am Effexor-free since Sept. 21. The itching is the worst part and I would like to know about other's experience with that? Benedryl is great, but I have 3 little kids and can't get up after taking it!

I used to get migraines, and have had three severe ones this week, one episode resulting in vomiting.

It's 2:30 a.m. right now and I don't want to take Bened but cannot sleep because of the itching. The other night I Had a terrible migraine, then started the itching and I wanted to rip my skin off it hurt so much. When does the itching stop?

I am going to my doc on Tues. Also, I have starte phentermine for weight loss so not sure if that's part of the prob too?

I've noticed the highs are awesome, I feel on top of the world, but at the drop of a hat, I am sobbing, not able to control it. I understand effexor had leveled me off for the years, and I'm glad to be getting back to whatever normal was, and want to feel emotions but they are so roller-coasty right now. I do have to say, feeling more passionate toward my husband now that I'm off effexor. Don't want to go back on it.

Glad to have found this forum!

Oh also wanted to ask if B complex will really hellp?

I haven't been getting those brain zaps though so I'm thankful--that scares me!

Penny S:

I was looking on the Effexor XR wesite and don't want to scare you, but here is what was written re: vomiting:

'Tell your health care professional right away if you have:
signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which may include a combination of the following: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, nausea, and vomiting.'

I also wish I would have looked at this website before I ever started the Evil E, being as my Dr. obviously didn't!!

'What happens when I stop using EFFEXOR XR?
Symptoms are known to occur when people stop using EFFEXOR XR, especially when they suddenly stop therapy.

When people suddenly stop using EFFEXOR XR, they can get symptoms from stopping the medicine too fast. Some of these symptoms include:

Agitation
Anxiety
Confusion
Diarrhea
Dizziness or vertigo
Dry mouth
Fasciculation (muscle twitching)
Headaches
Hypomania
Impaired coordination
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Nervousness
Nightmares
Seizures
Sensory disturbances (including electric shock sensations)
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Sweating
Tinnitus
Tiredness
Tremor
Unpleasant mood
Vomiting

Do not stop taking EFFEXOR XR without talking with your health care professional first. Your health care professional may want to slowly decrease your dose of EFFEXOR XR to help avoid these kinds of symptoms.'

Hang in there Penny S!!

~Lo

'Tell your health care professional right away if you have:
signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which may include a combination of the following: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, nausea, and vomiting.'

damn the only ones I don't have are hallucinations, diarrhea & coma!!

My head is so hot I think it's gonna explode soon!

Thanks for the info. I'm calling tomorrow for sure!

Penny