Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 96 of 140}

re: endorphins,

i have to tell you. . . i too am having serious withdrawal. i woke up today feeling as if i had been out drinking all night. horrible head aches. my face is so puffy, my skin pale, i look and feel awful. one thing i have done- in addition to detox tea, milk thistle, b3, fish oil - is that i lace up every day and force myself to go for a run. now, i haven't run in some time, and it may be a 'walk/run', but that is the best part of my day. i believe firmly in natural endorphin release, i have been through some horrific experiences in my life, and the ONLY and i say ONLY thing - because drugs have done NOTHING, that helps me is to get physical exercise. its difficult to get motivated, but i keep in mind that this is a healthy way to get an anti-depressant. Im not a kid - i am 51 years of age. My husband is 41. He is THE most wonderful, understanding person. Without him- i dont know where I would be. SO....everyone. Do me a favor. Go get some form of physical exercise today. Sweat, sweat sweat. I promise. You WILL feel a little better.

Hi to all. First I am so glad I have found this site. I am not one to participate in any discussions on the web but this time I need feedback from others that are going thru the same thing. About three weeks ago (24 days to be precise) I went from 75mg to 37.5mg of Effexor. Went thru some pretty bad brain shivers, then some crying spells. Went thru a week with bad anxiety. I would think that by now I would be feeling much better. It's not like I stopped taking this medicine, I am still on it - is this normal? If so, how long does it take for your body to adjust to a new dose? I wanted to stop this medicine because I was having migraines 5 days out of 7 and have been dealing with vertigo for years. I would put on this med for anxiety and panic attacks. Been on it for 7 long years. During those years I would have periods when I would feel pretty good but the last few years my anxiety was getting worse along with the headaches and vertigo. I convince myself these were cause by the Effexor and was hoping by getting off I would be myself again. After lowering to 37.5mg I had not gotten a migraine for 20 straight days. In the last five days I have had two. Trying to get off Effexor is a hard thing to do. I get so discouraged because I expect to be feeling better, not worse. My concentration is poor and I have feelings of unreality (I don't know if you understand this one), my vertigo is still there and to add to this I have dizzy spells, I still have brain shivers. I'm beginning to wonder is all this is a sign that I have to be on this med? All I want is to be able to get up in the morning and say to myself, this is going to be a great day.

dear diser,
it is my opinion and experience that a drop to 37.5 from 75 mg is way too much of a drop at one time.
That is dropping 1/2 the dose at one time.
I've been researching this for so long now and I've learned that you need to go way slower than that.
I'm starting out my taper from 150 mg per day to 135 mg, which is a 10% drop - and I'm doing it every 10 days.
If I'm able to handle the intial 10% taper, I may drop another 15% the next 10 days, and so on.
You side effects are typical Effexor withdrawal symtoms, they are NOT a sign that you are meant to be on this med!
If you're still feeling rotten, go back up to the original 75 mg dose, stabilize for a bit, than do a more gradual taper.
This is not a drug to mess around with or to be casual with.
I have tapered off of many anti depressants, and this is THE worst one to taper off of.
Come back here for support when you need it.
We're all in the same boat, as are many, many other people trying to wean off of this drug.
mourningperson

PharmJen
Oh a PhD (doctorate of philosophy) in pharmacology, sorry about that I’ve said many a time I’m not very worldly, I’ve never studied past compulsory schooling. I would rather say I’m not very worldly opposed to dumb. I didn’t get much out of schooling as I have never learnt with an open book style only with hands-on style.
I must say maybe where you come from Pharmacists may be a better help compared to doctors but the town I live in both are useless.

Yeah we are all different when it comes to how slow, how fast we taper off a drug. I hope you succeed and can you let me know what your doctor says about splitting the capsules.
I can’t find any support for helping me split these capsules, I am still currently at 112mgs as I’m to frightened I will stuff up the splitting and give myself the wrong dose. I can pour that capsule on the paper and I can divide it as best I can but the contents of the capsule never looks even enough along the line. I’m using Mikemo’s method but I can’t get past where I am as I want someone (Pharmacist, Doctor, Someone?) to help but no one is willing.

Twisi25
With a new job comes a new start and what better way than to be off Effexor before you get another job.
In a fair world we wouldn’t have to go through this withdrawal crap and you could look for a job without feeling emotionally/physically hurt but in theory you no that won’t happen. It’s even sadder that your doctor prescribed this horrible drug for hot flashes, I bet you have had a great deal more hot flashes whilst on Effexor?
It’s sort of a no win situation but that’s not quite true as one way has got to be a little better than the other. Have you stabilised the horrible withdrawals? Are you still at 150mgs? If so are your finances able to support an incredibly slow taper so you don’t have the current withdrawals? If not are you able to see your doctor and get their sample packs? I no you are in a place where you just want to chuck the meds down the toilet and get on with life without feeling so crappy but you no what it feels like to go 4 days without Effexor could you really go through 12 days, 20 days cold turkey? (we are all different and who knows how long it would be for you to do it cold turkey whilst having to go through withdrawals)

One of the things I haven’t managed to do is push myself to do exercise. I’m quite overweight and I like to use excuses (which only fool myself) why I can’t exercise but I remember when I did exercise many years ago it gave me the biggest buzz. I’m going to make a point of pushing me out the door even if it is for a little walk a few times a week. I just brought a small swimming pool which will be good as well.

Diser
The feelings you are feeling don’t mean you need to be on Effexor. It’s more about your body is addicted to the Effexor (no matter how small a dose you are taking) and that’s not your fault. I to have been on Effexor for a long period of time but I haven’t got down to 37.5mgs. A 37.5mgs drop from 75mgs is a big drop (50%). I’m not telling you what to do but maybe if you went back up to 55mgs and stabilise yourself before another little drop your withdrawals will ease off. I no you were doing fantastic at 37.5 and have had only 2 since tapering to 37.5 and you may be scared to go back up incase your migraines come back full on but doing it slower may also get rid of the migraines. My fiancée gets bad migraines from time to time and I had to take him up to our emergency part of the hospital and they gave him this drug called IMIGRAN I have never seen such a quick fix, it was instant relief. I don’t know if this drug has the same name where you are but people who suffer from migraines this is truly a massive help. You would have to go to your doctor to get a prescription and it’s probably not cheap. There are do’s and don’ts and I would highly recommend you read up on it for yourself before you ask your doctor about it. Some food for thought as I was a migraine sufferer as a child so I no how debilitating it is, thank god I don’t get migraines anymore.
There will be a day when we are all free of Effexor.

Alexa
I am so open to knew ways of doing things at this point in life, I’ve spent enough of life telling myself this and that won’t work rather than being open and finding the answers through support (you and all on this site) & myself. The extract of what I read sounds great. I’m ordering the Mood Cure tomorrow on my bosses credit card (he’s good like that, I will give him the money as my card can’t be used).

I had a good and bad weekend mainly good. I’m currently in a little hole. I looked after my nephew who is 3 and I had so much fun. We brought a pool and played, played teddies and cars. His mother my sister (who’s 10 years younger) is about 4 ½ months pregnant. I just found out my little sister (12 years younger than me) is pregnant with her first child (she’s 22). In my life the only thing other than what we all want happiness is a child. My sisters were wary of letting their big sister no about their pregnancy as they know all I’ve wanted is children. Many years ago I became pregnant and lost it so that’s why they feared telling me. I am and was so happy after looking after my nephew all weekend I’m saddened by not having this joy in my life. As soon as he went home I became lonely. My relationship with my fiancée isn’t going great (nor has it been for awhile) either so I’m extra lonely. Today is the first day I’ve cried while in taper mode. Being on a higher dose of Effexor I was always an emotional wreck, would bawl at the drop of a hat and when I started the taper I found my emotions have been great. I no it will pass I just feel yuk, yuk and yuk today. Anyway the more I write the more I will cry so enough of that Mandy you are just in a little hole.

Have you started your taper now?

The one book I could recommend to anyone and everyone who would like to learn more about themselves and different techniques is a book one of my psychologists recommended and I couldn’t put it down. This was the book that started me reading as I’ve never been a reader at any stage of my life. The book is called “Reinventing Your Life” by Jeffrey E Young and Janet S Klosko. It’s cognitive therapy and from an unintellectual person (myself) it’s about changing our old negative patterns without the aid of drugs or long-term therapy. Anyway I love this book and would urge everyone in the world to read it even if they aren’t depressed.

Love and good thoughts
x

I can't go up in my dose, I only get a one month supply and have to see my Doctor every month. He is a firm believer that Effexor does not cause all those symtoms, they are a sign that I need to go back up and as soon as possible. Changing Doctor is not an option. I have been going to him for 20 years now and we have a serious shortage of Doctors where I live. Simply put, I don't go to him I will be without a Doctor. Anyone has any excellent documation that maybe I can bring to him that may make him see the light?????

Hi all.

I'm new to posting. It's been very helpful to read about others suffering from the truly awful and terrifying ailment that is anxiety/depression and/or the withdrawl of medicines from it. Thanks for all your stories.

I don't want my post to ramble too long, but it's a long 6 months since my journey to hell started.

To start. I'm a 37 year old male. Married with 2 young-ish kids. Love them all. And am terrified that my life is starting to spiral into a bad depression. I'm trying to stay positive, but its hard.

I've always been a quiet, non-outgoing person with not very many social skills. But over 37 years, I've learned how to live and deal with it. I never was gonna be a leader of a group or of a company, but have always been able to put in 40-50 hours, get in a daily jog or some form of exercise, and got in a comfortable groove. Since I met my giflfriend and wife almost 20 years ago, I've really led a great, blessed life.

I started taking Effexor back in July of this year after a bad fall on my tailbone apparently triggered some anxiety. Initially, I think I had all kinds of concerns of damage I may have done to my back and underside (including genital area). I learned I did not crack or break anything, but was quite numb all over underneath for over a month. I also hit my head fairly hard on concrete, but did not lose conscious and was alert and was told that if suffered a concussion, it was a mild one. For a few nights I didn't sleep well. All I could think about was my injury.

My doctor prescribed something to help me sleep. It was Lorazepam. I later learned how addicting it was and was able to slowly wean off it. He also advised me to take 37.5 of Effexor. The weaning off of Lorezepam and/or getting on Effexor caused insomnia, anxiety, sweats and shakes and high blood presssure. I was miserable for many days.

Finally, at .5 mg of Lorazepam and 75mg of Effexor, I found a good place. But my doctor advised getting off of Lorezepam.

I didn't know much then about Lorezepam, so took my doc's orders or tapering down over a week. Big mistake. I was a wreck again.

So, to make a very long story short, I'm currently up to 150 mg (for about 2 months) and have been off Lorezpam for over 2 months.

Physically, I'm healed. No numbness or back pain. I still think I feel a little tweak in my back every now and then, but I can run and play with the kids totally fine.

Sexually, I think I'm fine, but I defnitely don't have a libido at all. But for me it seems to be tied into when I'm in a good mood or not.

I rode a pretty good wave of feeling almost normal for about a month at 150mg. I still seemed distracted and my appetite came and went, but I felt fairly good.

I came across this site and started wondering if Effexor was causing some things I was feeling (kind of over-all tired feeling, appetite flucuations and bad libido).

SO....the past 3 weeks I started taking out a few balls of my 150 Effexor. I did it gradually, and felt fine....until last Friday. I've taken about 40 balls out the past 6 days (at various sizes....I try not to take out too many larger-sized shapes). I've felt uneasy the past 4 days. Almost like I'm back in funkytown.

It took me a while to get to my pont, but below is how I feel:


- Just 'funky'....always distracted. Thinking of my depression and if I'm better.

- I cry easily when talking to family members and wife about how I feel.

- Not a very good appetite.

- Think about things in the future....will I be able to handle them

- I feel best when playing with kids and watching sporting events, but still find my mind wandering.

- I am able to sleep pretty well. But when I wake up, I dread getting on with my day. Today I force myself to take a run.

- Obviously, I'm still focused on it, because I'm typing an absurdly long post on an inernet site.

- It's hard to imagine living forever like this. I am NOT thinking of really bad thoughts, but I'm terrified at the thought of being in a distracted, depressed, in-and-out funk for a long time.

I think I may be slipping into a depression, but maybe it's partly because of the Effexor and that I've taperd off about 10 percent. Any thoughts? Mabye I can ride out the mini-storm for a couple days. Or maybe go back to 150mg.

Thanks so much for listening/helping!

funkytown

Mandy,

You propose some very valid questions. I suppose I may afford one more bottle and use that to wean. Doctor is out of the question, as I will not return to the one that suggested I take this drug (to the tune of 300mg). Yes my hot flashes aren't 'flashes' anymore, I am hot, cold, hot coldhotcoldhotcold always. I did not run for the last two days. Yes I am still at 150 mg. I have one pill left.

My husband came home yesterday from a trip to see his family. I did the best I could to put on a happy face since his birthday past while he was away. I made a cake, dinner and at some point prior to dinner I said 'let me show you something really funny on youtube'.... he became very angry and said 'Im not interested, you;ve probably already shown it to me, I have a headache and I am not in the mood for a birthday 'party'. I immediately went to the dark side. A huge fight ensued. I felt horrible.

I was trying to make him smile (because he had a headache) and he just acted like a jerk.

It could have been the drug. My moods swing big. However, now he seems to blame everything on my drug withdrawal. I have been crying nonstop. Today Im back to square one. I haven't slept in 28 ;hours. I sit here and look for jobs all day. I cry I cry and I feel worthless. I am not sure what to do. I can't find any work. I have a car payment for a car I don't even need now.

I can't eat.

Best to all of you.

Twisi25
Firstly I want you to know that my fiancée also blames everything on 'the stupid Effexor'. It's hard enough for us both but it is hard for them as well, they can only imagine what it's like for us but really they have no idea. It hurts even more when you’re looking for support and one day I get it and the next day none.
I can't see your reaction to your husband coming home (eg your facial expressions) but I would have thought headache or no headache it was a big deal for you to make a cake & dinner and the least he could of done was to say how he appreciated the little party you had gone to the effort of doing even if he went to bed.
Obviously you immediately went to the dark side, I feel that’s natural. My fiancée and I haven’t had a good relationship since I have found this site and started tapering. I have changed so much in a short period of time (for the better) and he doesn't like the new Mandy (or maybe he does but he can't control her anymore).
I’ve had ongoing problems with (Christ almost everything you could think of but they will all slowly start coming out) jealousy, very low self esteem, no confidence with all the men I have been with at every stage of my life and now after a few psychologist sessions I’m feeling better than ever in that area. I’ve got the self esteem back, I can talk assertively to him without being nasty, I’m not insecure and I love it but my fiancée and I are drifting further and further apart. My mind says great will this relationship get fixed or will it evaporate and I don’t want to even contemplate starting another relationship but I’m desperate for children.

If you do have another prescription and you are able to buy it please do. Taper slowly, slowly. I no what you mean about not many doctors in small towns as that’s what it’s like where I live. There are a couple but to make an appointment you would be waiting days before you could get in. We like to call doctors who really don’t care VETS and the town where I live they are all VETS.

I no it’s hard but ring that car company or finance company and let them no you’re very sorry but you cannot make that car payment or maybe you could make a small pmt which ever is best for you then you have another month to stabilise, taper and look for a job. I no what it’s like as I can’t answer my mobile phone as I have the debt collectors after me but I am slowly getting on top of it.
I’m not sure with you but with me I cried at the drop of a hat, one big emotional mess (everyone that knew me knew I would just cry all the time) but the weird part for me was after dropping from 150 mgs to where I am now 112mgs I don’t get all the emotion anymore.

If you don’t eat you can’t survive (I have another story but it’s not one I will share at present). If you can’t stomach food because of nausea then make sure you sip water as often as you can and try bland foods (you have probably got a better idea than me) like dry bread, bananas, plain rice etc. If you can’t eat cause you aren’t hungry due to depression try and force very little meals.

Let me no how you go Twisi25.

Diser
I would love to swear to your doctor. Your doctor is wrong, wrong & wrong.
You could get what you want without your doctor being aware of what you are doing.
Tell him you will go up in dose but you aren’t really going to do that. The reason I say to tell him that is because you will then get the prescription for a larger dose which you can split to start a good tapering routine. Would he give you 75mgs or 150mgs? If these people aren’t going to help us what are we meant to do, we have to help ourselves and if it means telling a fib to your doctor then I can’t see anything wrong with that. The next month you go back you tell him your fine and grab your prescription and so on and so forth until you have gotton off this drug completely. Then you can start looking at what information you can take in to him so he can believe you. This site would be good but he’s got to be bothered reading it and I don’t think many doctors out there would be bothered.
However in saying the above I’m not a doctor but if I was in your situation that’s what I would do.

Funkytown
You may have taken to many balls out.
Go to http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/102450/
this is a good method to get off Effexor.
Will address some of the other questions tomorrow (I do all this posting at work, I have a good boss)

Alexa
How are you going?
xx

This Effexor is truly an interesting drug.

I've decided to stay on 135-140mg for at least a month. Over 3 weeks I gradually took out more and more balls out of a 150mg capsule. At the end of 3 weeks, I was taking out about 40 balls (approx. 8-10 percent). It was then that I went 3-4 days of feeling crappy....crying a lot, not wanting to get out of bed. Now that I've stayed at the same amount for about 8 days, I feel totally normal. The only side effects is that I still seem a little overly tired in the morning and the sexual side effect (low libido and taking longer to 'go all the way').

Reading that most of you are going through crying jags and feelings of anxiousness and depression, that's exactly how I felt for a few days after dropping my dose a little bit. But now that I know that, I know that when I start tapering again, that what I feel will be totally normal.

My doctor and I decided to wait until winter's over before I start weening off any more.

I think Effexor is a good medicine, as it got me over my bout with anxiety, but we all need to know and remember that, when going off it, we need to be patient and understanding of what's going on chemically in our heads. Most of us get to a point where we don't feel we need the medicine anymore and that we can simply just get off it.

I started taking Effexor for anxiety. Now I feel like I'm only taking Effexor so I won't have any withdrawl feelings. It's frustrating, but I know that I WILL be off of this sometime mid-next year. I'm just gonna enjoy feeling 'normal' for a little bit, then start taking the Mikemo taper method....with understanding that I may go through the damn roller-coaster of emotions that I've went through the past few months.

Good luck to all.

can anyone tell me where to get the empty gelcAps for splitting? i have my last two bottles

Twisi25:
You can get the empty gel caps at any health food store, they're in the vitamin/ supplement section.

I tried acupuncture for a few weeks, but developed a sinus infection and didn't go to my appointment today. I live in San Diego and the Santa Ana's aren't helping. I had a great assignment (I'm a temp for a staffing agency) and lost it because of the need to be out of work sick for a couple days, I don't care though. The boss liked to second guess me and make me feel stupid.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm at a point in my life right now where I can find a new path; be it career and/ or love.

I just realized I haven't had the vertigo in a week or more. I've also moved, so I was preoccupied. I tapered down using the Mikemo way and was Effexor XR free in mid-October. My mood swings are still pretty bad, but it's weird...I 've realized I'm not happy with the man I've been with for the past couple years. I don't know if it was coming off of the Effexor or not, but I just don't enjoy his company any longer. I allowed myself to become such a 'home body' with him, we didn't do much but watch movies, etc. I want to go out and do things now. I've been absoulutey horrible to him, and I feel terrible about it. But I also think I'm doing the right thing by telling him there is someone out there for each of us that is more compatible. I don't have health insurance at the moment, so I can't go talk to a therapist. He makes me feel like I'm never good enough. Again, I don't know if that is how I perceived it because of how the Effexor made me overreact so much. I don't want to just 'play along' anymore, but I don't want to do something I may regret down the road either. Anyone else going through anything similar? I feel like I'm all over the place.

Just a note to thank all of you who helped with my exit from the world of Effexor. I took it for a year for an off-label use (menopausal hot flashes) and was assured by my psychiatrist and psychologist friends that it was a mild drug, would not change my personality or affect, and would not be a bad thing. After changing drug plans, and being told that I would have to try another drug in the same family or go thru a lot of paperwork to stay on Effexor, I asked my doctor to discontinue. He said, sure, just stop, and fortunately after my first day of dizziness, brain shivers, and nausea I read this page. I got samples from my doctor (he told me to go every other day for a week and then stop!) and started dumping out part of the medicine. I went from one 75 mg capsule to a week of a 3/4 dose, then a week of 1/2 dose, and a week of 1/4. I still had pretty bad symptoms after I quit altogether, and took ginger capsules and powdered barley grass and got through it. it's been 10 days and today for the first time I feel ok and don't want to throw up every time I turn my head. Thanks again for the help and support I got here!!!
Melanie

'but it's weird...I 've realized I'm not happy with the man I've been with for the past couple years.'

SweetLo,

This complaint is common. It is my #1 reason I hate Effexor.

It makes me sad to hear that, because it shows me that this drug really does have an effect on emotional bonding.


My theory is that the drug pushes a sort of 'reset' in a persons 'love-bond'. All of the courtship experiences that triggered and developed your emotional love years ago now missing. That hole can only be filled by experiencing them again. It gives you a feeling that it was never there in the first place. Don't be fooled. It was there in the first place.

The bad thing is, you still have all of your memories of this man that you've been with. You know all his strengths and weaknesses, his annoying habits, and his caring gestures.

Usually, the emotional triggers at the beginning of a relationship are so strong that they overshadow the negatives, and love wins out. Then once the love is firmly in place, you find out all of the negatives. But they don't seem to matter, because of the love.

So now here you are, with the emotional bond reset to zero, but with all of the knowledge that you aren't supposed to have until after the emotional bond is formed.

Evil Drug. Please, if anyone is experiencing this, let's hear it. I found somewhere on the internet where others had a forum on this topic. But now I can't find it. Crap.

I found it...Read this one:

blank">http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/effexor/TQ4I2UR28DFD3N759

Thank you, mikemo!

SweetLo & Mikemo
I'm in a situation where I have the same feelings as you SweetLo. I can't be sure where the feelings are coming from though it may not be Effexor?
My fiancée and I have been having rough times although we loved each other enough to go to a psychologist together to try and sort it out which has helped me greatly and I found this site after the psychologist suggested I go on an over the counter antidepressant which lead me to this site. This site gave the courage to start tapering off Effexor and whilst I'm still on 112mgs (down from 150mgs) I have made miraculous changes in my life and for once I'm on the right track. However in making these changes that my fiancée wanted (of course so did I) he now acts bizarre, he's very verbally aggressive, he’s pretending I haven’t changed (everyone around me knows I have) and creates fights out of nothing, it’s like he’s schizophrenic to a degree. He’s snappy, I can’t talk with him, he’s turned into a very depressed person. I’ve started to fall out of love with him and it’s scary and I’m wondering why I chose to want to marry him.
I haven’t even got off Effexor yet and I don’t know if it really is the Effexor or the fact that I’ve changed so much and he’s sort of turned into the old me x 100. He hasn’t coped with the positive changes I’ve made and that hurts when I’ve put in 100% in this area.
As selfish as it sounds I can’t wait around forever as I want children but I also want a loving partner and I feel like I am living with an enemy.

Melanie
Thank you for sharing your experiences and congratulations on getting off Effexor.
It helps all of us who continue this battle.

Twisi25
How are you going? Did you get the gelcaps?
How’s the food intake going?

Diser
What did you decide to do?

Funkytown
It is important to taper when you are ready. 10% drops sounds pretty good. I’m glad this horrible drug has helped you, it has helped allot of us as well but after a so called period of being on it whether it’s 2 months, 6 months, a year, several years it seems to destroy who you are as a person, allot of us are a human shell with nothing inside anymore and we aren’t even sure who we are cause the drug has taken that away. Not everyone gets that way but just wanted you to know how some people react to this drug.

Alexa
I’m hoping that your first week of tapering hasn’t caused you too many withdrawals. Are you going alright Alexa?

Good thoughts to all
x

P.S. I wrote a letter to Wyeth Australia to have them respond your doctor will be the best person to speak to regarding your withdrawal symptoms. God what a cop out

Thanks Mandy for your input.

Best of luck to your situation. Sounds very tough, but also sounds like you're thinking clearly. I hope you get things sorted out OK.

Fortunately, I don't feel any different in terms of my family and my feelings towards my loved ones. The low libido is fairly noticeable, which is one reason I want to be rid of Effexor. And now, reading about some of the heart-breaking relationship problems people are having, it just makes me want to get off the medicine that much more.

It sounds like we're in the same area of medicine. I started on 37.5, then 75, and then 150. I was on 150mg for about 4 months. The past 3-4 weeks I slowly took it down to about 135-140 (I'm currently taking out 40-45 balls....I try to take out an equal amount of small-ish and large-ish balls).

How are you reducing?

I'm thinking seriously of starting the Mikemo tapering method. But I'm not sure when I should start. A part of me wants to get through the cold, dark winter months before tapering. The other part says 'get this crap out of my system'.

Sounds like the Mikemo method has very, very little withdrawl effects....especially when trying to get down to 37.5. Getting off the last 37.5 doesn't sound too thrilling.

I've set a personal goal to be off Effexor by next May-June. Are you doing the same?

Hi again.


I have a general question for everyone, Mikemo included (you seem very knowledgeable about Effexor's effects on people).

Is there really any way of knowing when is a good time to taper? I've been on Effexor for almost 6 months. I feel pretty good at 135mg, though I still seem to think about things more than I used to. But maybe part of that is from the Effexor. I also notice the lower libido. Not many guys have gave their stories on this forum, but I wondered if part of this sexual side effect for guys is to not ever really feel 'horny', for lack of a better word. Things 'work', but being aroused by things that normally would arouse myself, don't have seem to anymore.


ALSO....I found this article from New York Times Magazine (May 2007). It's an interesting account of a man getting off Effexor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/magazine/06antidepressant-....

I'll give you my two cents, perhaps others will chime in as well. (I've never actually been on Effexor, though I could have I one time in my life)...

I think that the drug can be very beneficial for someone in crisis. It QUICKLY gets you feeling better, less anxious, less depressed. The Doom and Gloom goes away. Great.

But like all thinks in life that provide quick fixes, I beleive that using it as a long term solution is a bad idea. The original purpose of the drug has always been a 3 to 6 month drug. (by the manufacturers admittance, no less)

So how do you know when? Well, if it served it's short term purpose, and now you can see your 'situation' in life without the gloom and doom, then I'd say it's time to get off of it.

But before you do, how about typing up a little e-journal. Something that nobody will see but you. Document how you felt before the drug. Document why you went on the drug. Document how you felt about those issues and emotions before quitting the drug.

When you start to taper, re-read your journal as support. Maybe hearing yourself talk from the 'other side of the curtain' will be enough to help you get through the minor relapses you might experience during the taper.

As for the sexual issue, it will come back after you get off the drug. It might take time. Remember, you have deprived your body of serotonin (because the brain has been hogging it all). You also have a synthetic leftover buildup of toxins from the drug that researchers still don't understand. More later.

Hi Mandy,
I am sorry to report that I'm back at 75mg (after 5 weeks at 37.5mg). I was feeling just awful, way too much anxiety and beginning to feel sad. I did see my doctor this past Tuesday and he is still very firm that all this is a sign that I need to be on this medicine. I tried to tell him that they were many others, on the Internet, trying to get off this drug and his advise to me was to stay off the Internet. Anyway, whether my old problems (anxiety and depression) were coming back or not it is giving me a chance to see if some of the symtoms will go away. I can tell you that after the very first day my tired leg syndrome was gone, the brain shivers were not as strong and I don't feel as anxious. So this alone anwers a lot of my questions. My doctor has agreed to refer me to a phychiatrist for a second opinion so I'll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. In the mean time I will stay at 75mg if all goes well. Thank you for your support and to you all who are trying to get off this drug, best of luck. I will be keeping in touch, this is a great forum...

a little off the topic, but as a mental health advocate, i want to respond to mikemo's advice to write down how you feel before the drug & after, etc. This is exactly why 26 or so states have passed laws that authorize mental health advance directives. Not that a person with depression will necessarily lose capacity to make decisions, but the execution of the document can give one the benefit of insight found when well to guide friends, family, and treating professionals when the disease takes away perspective. Even those who have not had a major mental illness diagnosis can benefit from the exercise of putting their treatment wishes in writing. Google NRC-PAD to find the national resource center for lots of information and assistance.
Melanie

Diser
You don’t need to say you are sorry to report you are at 75mgs.
I’m still very angry with your doctor! It’s upsetting that professionals like these don’t understand the trust their patients put in them. We are all entitled to our own opinion but for him to say stay off the internet is like brainwashing you. He’s trying to take away your growth and learning about a product that I think in the back of your mind you know is a quick fix. My other opinion is when someone tells you something often enough (especially someone you trust) you start believing it. Lets say I am stunningly beautiful (god I wish) and the people who I trust the most and love the most told me I was ugly I’m going to start eventually believing it. The more it’s told to me the more I will believe. Say you went into a room of 100 people doing a study on eye colour and all of them told you that you have blue eyes but before that study you knew you had brown eyes you would of course tell the first few that your eyes are brown by the 100th person you will be thinking you have blue eyes. I’m not a great one at writing or giving appropriate examples but when we are told something often enough whether it’s true or not we eventually start to believe in it.
I know your horrible symptoms have eased off but this isn’t because you need the medication it’s because of the medication. It’s so highly addictive and has such horrific withdrawals which is what you were feeling. Anyway enough of my opinions.
It would be great to talk to you from time to time and the support is always going to be here whenever you need it.
Best of luck Diser my thoughts are with you.
x

Funkytown
Loss of libido seems to go hand in hand with Effexor. There aren’t allot of men that write but to let you know that it affects women as well.
I have taken the next step finally after so much time of procrastinating, writing to everyone I can think of I’ve started my next dosage drop. I didn’t want to do it myself I wanted the pharmacist to do the measuring for the splitting of capsules but in Australia it seems you can’t get that help so I’ve had to bite the bullet and do it myself. I was on 112mgs and am now taking 90mgs. I don’t feel too bad for it my main withdrawal is hot flushes and general pain in my body. My hyperactivity hasn’t slowed down since starting to taper but I like the hyperactivity. I’m just glad I’m comfortable splitting the capsules Mikemo’s way.

It seems by the way you write you are ready to start tapering. Don’t get too scared from the horror stories about withdrawal cause not everyone gets them that bad. I believe if you use Mikemo’s taper method your withdrawals will be quite minimal. I have been on Effexor for 14 years (yep it’s pathetic) and I was on 150mgs and now on 90mgs and I truly have to say so far my withdrawals haven’t been too bad. That’s not to say it will always be this way. Give it a go Funkytown.
Yep my goal is to be off sometime in Feb. I delayed the tapering and stayed on 112mgs for weeks just because I was too frightened to do the splitting any further.

Twisi25 & Alexa
I hope both of you are doing well?
With warmest thoughts
x

Funkytown,

Thank you so much for sharing the link to the Time article. I found it comforting to know it was in such a large magazine! Sometimes I feel crazy for the way I'm feeling off of Effexor and it's so nice to know I'm not alone. I wanted to share that I (thankfully) never had any loss of libido. I've been off of Effexor for about six weeks now and my RLS is finally lessening. I'm just a sad, angry person right now that I really don't like.

Mikemo,
How is your wife?
Also, I'm wondering about St. John's Wort vs. 5-HTP. I took the 5-HTP until my bottle ran out and then began using the St. John's Wort. I've noticed the 5-HTP worked better for me...or maybe just the stress in my life at the moment isn't giving the St. John's Wort a chance?

I've been struggling with being really down...REALLY down. I'm just at a time where I feel things can't get worse. I lost my job last week because I was out for a few days with a severe sinus infection, it was a three month long temp assignment. My boyfriend and I are trying to work things out, so at least that's going for me...his patience is almost gone however. I send him as much information as I can to let him know why I am acting the way I am. He doesn't understand why I'm STILL being effected. My sister thinks I should get back on the medication because I'm such an angry bitch now, she suggested me doing a Depression clinical study. I tried telling her I didn't want to take another antidepressant. My brother stays out of my way or won't talk to me. It's as if everyone is still walking on eggshells, which makes me feel like a bigger piece of crap. Plus, the holidays are coming up. I'm just so sick of feeling like this. I want to be me again. I am so afraid of having to go back on any type of antidepressant.

I thought it'd get easier when I was off of Effexor completely (mid-October). I'd love to hear from some of the founders of this post and see how they are doing and what sort of timelines are expected...when will I be me again?

Loretta :-(

Sweet Loretta,

She's doing great. I'd have to say she's up at 100%. However, I did notice that I needed to step up a sort of 'second courtship' for that last effect we were talking about. It took a few months, but I think we are back.

I'm glad to hear that the 5-HTP worked better for you. It's better for your body to get used to utilizing serotonin, rather than just redistributing it the way effexor or St. Johns Wort does. Stick with the 5-HTP if that works for you.

Also, eat lots of chicken. It's got great protien value and tryptophan. I like diet to provide the things you need, better than pills. But do take a good multivitamin.

As for how 'things can't get worse', trust me, they can get worse. But God help us if it does get worse. You need to look at the things you actually still have, and then use them to climb back up. Quick. There are only so many lifelines you can use. If anything, you need to love the ones you still have because they are absolutly precious at this point. Have you ever seen a homeless person clutching onto an object because it's all they have left? Right now you need to clutch onto the relationships you still have. The problem is, relationships are two sided, so if you tick off the people you need you may push them away. It's time to be on your best behaviour. Be outwardly appreciative. Don't expect anything in return for your appreciation either. Smile and roll with it all. Yes, you may not be 'happy' with eveything right now, you may be soul searching, but when you are down to your last relationships, and depending on financial support from others (food, a roof to sleep under, etc..) you sure don't want to go pis*ing anybody off. Your boyfriend's patience is renewed every time you show him affection, and appreciation, but it wears thin when he has to walk on eggshells.

Sorry to be harsh, but it sounds like you need to 'play the part' for a while, to keep your friends and family on your side. You may be amazed at how the whole dynamic lightens up and even you will feel happier.

You can shoot me if you want to!

Mandy-

I am doing ok. Thanks for asking. I feel like I am becoming agoraphobic. I rarely leave the house. I was an extremely outgoing person. Now I hide when the doorbell rings. My energy level has dissapeared. I am going on three weeks of 150 (from 300mg). My life is a mess. My husband and I argue constantly. I am home alone all day and if it weren't for my (and this sounds silly) two lovely cats - I don't know what i'd do. Animals are intuitive to human emotions. I have Gus and Willy. Gus always does something silly when I am sad and for a moment I laugh. Willy always cuddles up when I am feeling down. They are beautiful. The unconditional love of an animal is a very strong bond. There is no judging. I was doing well - running every day - until last Friday. I overdid it and haven 't done a darn thing since. The article in the NYT was incentive to begin again. If it helps - it helps (and I know that) but its the hurdle of overcoming your mind/brain that just wants to curl up in the fetal position until its all over. I have a phone interview for a job in 20 minutes and, I know I cannot take a job right now. Not until I am through all this. But I have to keep trying. I understand your feelings Mandy - understand completely. I think our husbands/boyfriends/fiance's could try to understand better - but maybe they want us to try also. Maybe if we forced ourselves to go for that walk, take up yoga or something to increase the seratonin and help us relax. Sorry i go on and on. I hope you are well and keep the efforts up.

Funky town - this article was a great thing. Thank you.

Sweetlo,

I understand also what you are feeling. I lost my job as well. Three months of interviewing, three months on the job and the person I was to replace decides to stay. No warning, no severance, nothing. I felt like the wind was taken out of me that day. This pre-empted the four days of no effexor. I stopped eating, sleeping and did not realize what was happening until I was driving and couldn''t see straight. I am three weeks on 150 (from 300) and still feel as if completely out of control of my feelings. I was a person who could woke up early, exercised, did things. I sit here day after day after day. Doing nothing. I couldn't tell you where the last three weeks have gone. I have accomplished nothing. I am an avid photographer. I finally went back to the studio where I print. My prints looked like crap. We are going to have a show in March. I am thinking of doing a series of photos depicting Antidepressant Withdrawal. Maybe this would be a good way of dealing with it.

Sweetlo - no on can understand how you feel. This is why this forum helps. The holidays are always a hard time, especially if you are feeling sad. Especially if you aren't working. I find myself constantly worried about money. I have always been able to pay for myself - I've never depended on anyone. Never wanted to. Now I have to rely on my husbands paycheck - which I worry will not cover all of our debt. I have a car in the garage which I just purchased for my new job. I can't even look at it. The bills come in and I am afraid to open them. The weekends are good. I don't think about the situation, but Monday's - last Sunday I had a meltdown. Monday - I cried all day. How am I going to get a job when I am such a mess?

I bought a device at iHerb.com that allows you to fill capsules easily. Its called Cap-M-Quick along with some gel caps. I haven't tried it yet, but soon I am going to 75mg.

I will keep you all posted. In the meantime. LETS ALL PROMISE TO GO FOR A WALK OUTSIDE TODAY. LETS GET THAT SERATONIN GOING.


TAKE CARE ALL AND MIKEMO - YOU ROCK.

WARMEST REGARDS, TWISI

I hope everyone can keep hanging in there and staying positive. It DOES seem really hard to do at times. I, too, find that a daily run or walk helps out. Playing with my 2 kids and being around family is my comfort zone.

The NY Time Magazine article WAS interesting. But the guy that wrote seemed like a pretty tough dude. I think if I had 2-3 weeks of feeling crappy and/or really depressed, I'd assume it was me and not the medicine. That's the part I'm struggling with. I think I still may just be depressed a bit. Or maybe even the slight tapering of 150 -135 started an emotional roller-coaster for myself.

If staying on the dose you're on for a while will get you feeling 'normal', I'd suggest doing that. Tapering must work differently for different people. Some may have actually gotten rid of the anxiety/depression, so tapering is easier. If the original anxiety/depression is still prresent (which is impossible to know, I guess), it seems best to get in a stable mood. Then maybe you stay at the dose for a month or two before trying to taper down again.

I still feel in a funk sometimes at work or when I wake up. I'm thinking of staying at 135 for as long as it takes to not have the rollercoaster of thoughts that I'm having. Thanksgiving week was a really good one for me. Of course, I had time off work and saw a bunch of family and went to a couple movies.

The past 3 days my mind seems to be clogged. Nights are my best time. I get home from work, involve myself with the kids, eat, snack, watch TV or do other projects.

And I sleep well. Usaully in bed by 11 and set my alarm for 5:00 or 5:30 for a morning walk/run. But the past 3 days I just can't get myself to get up. I sleep until about 6, then just lay there another hour....relaxed but dreading getting up. When up, I'm OK, 'cause I'm with the kids again and my wife is there. Work helps a little bit, because it's the routine I've had for a long time. And my boss has been great about everything.

Do any of you have the thoughts in your mind like you don't feel as independent as you once did? I've always been a little dependent on others, but I've also been the kind that doesn't mind being by myself. In fact, at work, I basically work alone and have always liked that. Now, I fight the urge to check emails, call someone, talk to my boss, or make long, rambling posts on a forum.

I had a time in college where I felt kind of like I do now. My girlfriend/wife went to another school. I remember not being confident or sure about anything and being emotional when a new week started.

So sometimes I think I'm just in a normal funk. And I have no idea if the medicine is contributing or helping it.

It's all scary and frustrating. I know you all can relate in some way.