Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 130 of 140}

mandy-------

how have you been doing? everyone fell off the face of the earth?

Hi Twisi - I'm still here! Levelling out at 6 mg per day - dizzy, ear buzzing, grumpy. I was hoping to be completely off the Effexor by next week when I see the ENT. I am very curious to see if my hearing loss and ear buzzing has anything to do with being on (or coming off) the Effexor.

Anyone else with similar symptoms?
AnneT

Hello Mandy,
Yes...I noticed I had some pain when coming off of the Effexor and I found something really awesome for 'General Pain'...it is very expensive but a bottle can last about 2-3 Months depending on consumption and it is completely safe and natural...it is called SERRAPEPTASE...your body may need a couple of days to adjust to it and then you can take it whenever you feel pain...I usually popped a couple of them everyday...and now I don't really use them anymore as I don't get headaches anymore like when I was coming off of the Effexor...

Here is a link:
http://enerex.ca/products/serrapeptase_rx.htm

I bought the 60k I.U. 180 Caps for about $55 Canadian and lasted me 2-3 Months....

Also...for all you natural nuts out there...COLLOIDAL SILVER is hands down the absolute safest and best way to kill a Cold, Flu, Hep A&B, Malaria, Montezuma, Ear, Eye, Nose Throat, Tooth infections etc....the stories about the people that turn blue are very isolated and in all cases was caused by massive consumption of 'Dirty / Salt based Silver supplementation'...I myself have been taking it moderately on and off for just a little under a year when I feel like my nose is plugged up or feel like I am coming down with something (I take roughly a teaspoonful every few hours or whenever I think about it and it is gone in the morning)...everybody in my office has come down with one thing or another...I haven't yet...I am a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Designer and I understand the various aspects of Silver and the history of it's applications...Contrary to Medical 'Opinion'...Silver has never killed anybody and has never made anybody sick...Silver was used very effectively prior to Antibiotics and kills 1. Most Virus 2. Large Percentage of All Bacteria (even the MRSA 'Super Bug') 3. Small percentage of Fungi...The reason that Antibiotics won out over silver back then was because Silver was very very expensive...now Big Pharma is trying really hard to push these Colloidal Silver Manufacturers out of business...

Colloidal Silver Link:
http://www.americanbiotechlabs.com/researchprotected/researc....

Hope this helps someone...

Hey Twisi

I didn't have anything good to report back which has annoyed me. I have failed this last week at the few things that I really wanted to be doing. Is it that hard to go for a walk? Apparently it must be to me as after all those days I have not left the house after work to even go for a 10 minute stroll, the thought was always there but my motivation/discipline wasn’t. My Monday & Wednesday alcohol free nights just didn't happen. I seem to find an excuse for everything which in reality only affects me & by not being able to do something I say I will do gets me down. I guess it’s also hard when I have support and encouragement and I feel like I’m letting everyone down.

In the last week and a half I have had 3 anxiety attacks, I have had them on and off over the last few years but wasn’t on Effexor for anxiety attacks. I’ve really only just learnt that they are anxiety attacks I used to think I had some medical problem that no one could work out. The one I’m scared of the most happening is the chest pain its so severe and can last hours but that was generally the only symptom I can say I recall having but now I’m also getting dizzy and see my vision slowly closing in on me to the point I can’t see or hear and almost passed out I guess luckily that episode only lasted 20 minutes but it was really terrifying.
How have you been doing Colleen?

5-HTP MAN
Wow I’m going to see if I can find some SERRAPEPTASE it sounds great, I can definitely use help with stomach pain once a month. I guess they will have that here in Australia, will let you no if I find it. Is it something I can buy over the counter or do I need a prescription?

Anne
I no when I was withdrawing I had allot of minor dizziness and I did put it down to coming off Effexor in fact I know it was because of Effexor. I did get ear tingling but I don’t know if that was from Effexor mine was like I needed to scratch deep inside my ear I still get occasional tingling but don’t know if there is any relationship between that and Effexor.

Best wishes to all.

Mandy

Hi Mikemo,
I don't know if you remember me, but your method helped me taper off Effexor. I just wanted to give you a quick update and also ask you a question. I have been off of effexor for a little over three months.I still do have some issues with anxiety (seem to be more recently) but overall things are going well. I also wanted to know how long your wife has been completely off effexor and if she has had any problems with dizziness or symptoms of anxiety resurfacing.I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and hope you have a good Christmas!!

Thanks!!
Bernadette

Hello 5-HTP MAN 01,
How long were you off effexor before your anxiety came back??

Bernadette

Hello all! I have been off of Effexor since November 15th. I withdrew VERY slowly. I actually counted out the granules and got down to 1 mg that way. Doing it that slowly I did not have any stomach upset. It did take me 6 months to get off this horrible drug. Has anyone had any issues with crying spells? I find myself crying at least 2 times I day. I try to control it but sometimes it is impossible. Has anyone else had these issues and how long did they last?

CCooney5224,
I did have crying spells. I had them off and on for about 3 weeks. It does get better. I also had some problems with frustration, feeling frustrated with everything and not really understanding why because that is really not the way I am. Hope this helps.

Bernadette

Hi All,
Anyone have worse withdrawal symptoms during a cold? I didn't reduce my dose (6 mg/d), but since I've had a cold I feel much more off balance (and very sorry for myself!)
AnneT

Hi Bernadette! Thank you for the encouraging note. I sure hope these crying spells will disappear. I'll be driving down the road or sitting at my desk and I just start crying. I have no idea what I'm crying about. Also when I have been withdrawing from the Effexor I have had some days where I have been really mad. A few months ago I actually got written up at work about my attitude. I have been at this company for 16 years and never been written up. I blame the Effexor but I can't tell my boss that. It sucked!

ccooney524,
Yeah I would also be driving and just start crying, not knowing why and even had a hard time to stop crying sometimes. I would also be mad and not know why and that would upset me more because I would be so mad and didn't have a reason. My husband at first didn't realize what was going on, but when I talked to him and told him I didn't even know why I was mad(I told him that I thought it was because of the getting off the effexor) and so we wouldn't get into arguments he would kind of just ignore my attitude because it would eventually pass. I did have a time where I was mad for three days straight from the time I got up to the time I went to bed. But it does pass and will get better. That does suck about getting written up at work, but just try to remind yourself it will get better. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Ccooney,
I wonder if it might help if you did tell your boss. Secret-keeping definitely adds to people's anxiety. The boss may throw away the 'write up' if he/she knows that there is a medical reason for your difficulties?
I dragged my lazy butt out for a 'wog' (walk and jog) yesterday. My brain felt better for it, but my hips don't! Maybe I'll try some stretching today. It's snowing and beautiful (Calgary, Canada) - maybe the kids will take me toboganning.
Blessings,
AnneT

Anne,
I so wish I could tell my boss but I know she would not keep it private. She is new to the company and is doing whatever necessary to climb the corporate ladder. She doesn't care about her employees. It's pretty sad.
- Christine

Hi Bernadette,
Thank you for your encouragement. I really hope these crying spells end really soon. Today I was watching the Britany Spears special and I found myself tearing up when she was talking about how hard her life was at one point. That's crazy because I don't even like her. (my sister wanted me to watch the special)
I hope your holidays are very happy.
- christine

Mandy C,

I also never knew what anxiety attacks were until I got off Effexor. It has been 7.5 months. They still come and go and I have been trying to deal with them. Off course, I still get the Sunday blues, and become much more sensitive with PMS. However, I have been trying to fight it. The feeling in your chest, I too had it. MY heart was checked, which was ok. I am now starting to think that it really is stomach gas, which feels like heart palpations and chest pain. Because, when I Googled symptoms of Anxiety, it should not last hours. And, mine lasted for a long time like yours, and sometimes even over night.

The L-tryptophan has helped me, with anxiety somewhat. It took a couple of weeks, before I saw any benefit. Actually, I don’t know if it is that or my drastically less back pain, which has me calmer. It actually helps with lowering the desire for alcoholic drinks. I started with 1000 mg per day and went up 2000. After talking to naturopath, I found out that you could get hooked on it, and should do 5 days on and 2 days off. Now, I only take 1000 mg as a supplement. They say it will help with sleep. However, it has not affected mine.

Going to a marriage consular also helped me, my husband is back to being his old kind self. (Knock on wood). I don’t feel scared and alone anymore. It was so hard for me to deal with to see after 18 years of a loving marriage I was loosing him, because he did not know how to deal with me, what we were going through.

Benadette,

Are you on any other med besides the Effexor? I have thought about going on something for anxiety. But, after all I have been through coming off this med, I be damned if I give up too quickly.

I researched some anxiety meds; they all seem to have side effects.
One big reason I don’t want to go back on them is all the side effects and the additional health problems the cause. When I was on E, my glucose levels were high, and was told, I am borderline diabetic. In addition, I had super high Cholesterol. Did any one have the same problem?

Since coming off, I am now taking less med for Cholesterol and my glucose is withing limits.

Ccooney,

The crying jags for no reason will be lessened. When off these chemicals (E), you will be more of a human. And, more sensitive to yours and the others’ feelings than when you were on the E. When seeing someone in hardship, I feel as much hurt as the person going through the hardship. It will take me some tears and some hours, or even a day, to straighten myself out.
You know, I am sure if you tell a doctor that, they will consider you depressed. However, I personally think it is better to be caring and sensitive, than being heartless.

What do you guys think? When you don’t FEEL depressed and only feel sensitive, is it being depressed?

Kathy

Hi! I just went to see my doctor and told him I was totally off the Effexor since November 15th. I told him I am having terrible crying spells. He wants to put me on Celexa - 10 mg. Does anyone have any insight on Celexa. I asked him if it was a hard drug to get off of and he told me no.

Ccooney,
Celexa was one of the drugs I researched. Reading some forums, it too has withdrawal and side effects.
If the attacks don't happen often, I read that Xanax can be be taken on as needed basis. But, you would have to be super cautious, because it can be addictive if used often.

CCooney,
I was on Celexa years ago. I had a bit of weight gain (not much) and headaches. My doctor decreased my dose by 5 mg per month (from 20 mg), and I had no problem getting off it.

It may be just the thing to get you over this rough time. So far, the 10 mg of Prozac is helping me get off the Effexor. I don't see any side effects with the Prozac.

Hi Anne! I talked to my mom last night about going on the Celexa. She thought it might be a good idea for me to not start another anti-depressent. I am still on Wellbutrin. I told her about the crying spells and what a pain they were. She told me that maybe I'm seeing the real me. I have been on antidepressents for about 15 years. Maybe I'm just starting to feel things again. I thought about it and I think she is right. I'm going to try and deal with the crying spells for now.

Are you still trying to get off the Effexor? It took me 6 months to get off of it. I was opening the capsules and counting out the granules. I got down to 1 mg that way.

ccooney524,
No, I am not on any other medication for anxiety. I am just trying to deal with it on my own, I have been doing good for the most part. I am trying to be very optimistic and hopeful that I am not going to go back to being on anything again. It is hard though because I have days when I wonder if I will ever be completely back to the way I was before the effexor. Lately, when I have an anxiety attack or feel one coming I feel that it helps to remind myself how far I have come and that I can get through this. I kind of give myself a pep talk in my mind. It doesn't make it disappear but does keep help me not to let it take over. I do know that this site is helpful in many ways. Being able to talk about things that are going on and knowing that others understand and that I am not the only one. Good luck on your decision to wait before taking another antidepressent. Please let me know how you are doing when ever you get a chance. The crying spells really do get better. I have been off effexor since August 21,2008.

Twisi, Mandy,

i dont know if you remember me at all? i think we were all in a similar withdrawal boat earlier this year. i was on the site jan-march time and have since been E free since early March this year.

i have popped back as have had lots of 'unexplained' body aches and pains and just wonder how people are doing really.

just been reading back to some of your posts end of Nov and i think Twisi, you mentioned leg pain? what sort of leg pain if i may ask? reason being, i have been finding my legs hurt a lot just before and sometimes during a period (started about april time) and also just rencently, i feel like i have continual lef cramp and pain especially at night when lying in bed. i also have weird aches and pains in my wrists and joints in my arms/shoulder/neck area and worse at night too.

i also hear you all on the crying - from aout April thro to July i cried pretty much daily - in the car to work, at work (on my own mind), in the car home again, all night. it was awful. i think it was stress due to getting married in July and since then i havent been so tearful so im hoping it was just the wedding stressing me out.

I also experience dizziness every now and then. even when just sat down, my head will feel like its moving and im not all here!

Also dont know if anyone has had any problems with itching?! unexplained itching all over body, no rash - drives me nuts. luckily thats eased off since about September time.

also found i am a lot less confident now - dont know if its due to effexor or that the effexor was making me more confident while on them but i jsut feel like a big wimp some days and just want to hide from situations. i have started to worry alot about things that i never used to - like driving and will i get parked and silly things like that. im only bloody 28 and i honestly feel like im a frail old 80 year old most of the time.

oh yeah and the drinking, i pretty much drink wine every night. i just need it somehow! to calm me and relax me! dont know if its an E thing again but i read a few people have found they crave more.

anyways, hope people are well and good luck for any withdrawers! keep at it and take it slow - it WILL get better xx

Hi EJB,
Thank you for checking in on us. It's nice to hear from people who are a little further down the road. I'm curious...the symptoms you describe...how are they compared to before you went on meds? Was it depression or anxiety that you took the Effexor for?
More later,
AnneT

For the Evil effexor Gang... hmm.. sounds wrong..how about the gang that's against effexor and for change... LOL

2 things to share: ITCHING?! Yes I have had it on and off for years.. I was on 225 mg for 8 years; 150 for 1.5; now down to 75. Still get many of the symptoms you all describe but very minor. As I go down to 37.5 I hope for less and less itching.

Neuropsychiatrists have a term called 'kindling' when describing how drugs, taken long enough (as little as one year, will rewire the brain. Yes, software (drug) will rewire the brain so I think this is one of the reasons Effexor is evil..its so powerful.. My original psychiatrist, after having me try 7 meds without success said lets try effexor, the Super Prozac! Yippie (NOT).

What research and common sense has also shown is anything can change chemistry and also wiring. The right amount of and type of amino acids to replace the drug, daily and vigorous exercise, meditation, talk therapy with behavioral changes, etc. There are options to other drugs the doctor recommends...

I do yoga or sweat every day..it is so important..also meditation helps alot..it helps balance brain chemistry..

Also I have posted before on these 2 other points: For those coming off without nutritional supplementation to replace the drug please read up on this. As we go down in dose it creates a vacuum - nature hates a vacuum. A good book is 'the Mood Cure' by Joan Larson, PhD. My holistic MD friend recommended it to me when we decided to get off this stuff (me not him)...

Also for those who drink wine and alcohol... Its a central nervous system depressant and counter productive. I know and speak from personal/ preofessinal experience how seductive it is... Joan Larson has another book, '7 Weeks to sobriety' based on her 75% success rate getting alcohol dependant people clear and free of it... No one else can claim double digit success rates for this problem.. Even if Effexor makes some people drink more there is no way alcohol fits into your life any more..

You do not need AA or a psychologist. There are other easier resources out there, Like Dr. Larson s book; Counseling is helpful but not 12 step programs; they are support groups and not treatment to stop the physical addiction to alcohol.

AA also has a single digit success rate determined by their own MD in a newsletter called 'the grapevine.'

The amino acid L Glutamine will counter any physical cravings for alcohol as you decrease and stop... Any amino acid with an 'L' must be taken on an empty stomach.

Challenge yourself to go get some capsules and if you have a craving open one and put it under your tongue. also deep breathing for 305 minutes will remove the craving for a couple of hours.

I am on my soap box..too much info? sorry...

Good luck to all the brave people posting here..I still have bad days too but am grateful for all the brave souls here posting about their struggles...

marty in charlotte

ejb199jsd:

I do remember you. You know the more I read the angrier I get. For crying out loud - how can we all be living in hell since being on and off effexor? How can we all have muscle pain and insomnia and drinking issues and dizzy spells and lack of confidence? Why are we unable to go up against this drug company? Why do we have to live this way? This was suppose to help us. Our doctors told us this was the answer and it was for awhile, but things got wierd and we had no alternative but to quit it.

My legs hurt all the time. When I get out of bed in the morning - I walk like my father did when he was 75. I still push myself to exercise, because I believe that exercise can cure a lot - if you can force yourself to do it. I have made a routine of spin class twice weekly and pilates twice weekly. If I blow those off - I feel guilty and lazy - and more depressed.

I have tried everything. Nothing helps. Nothing. I feel like I have been screwed by Wyeth and I want nothing other than to make them pay. But I have to live this out and figure a way to live with it. Hoping each day that I will wake up and be back to my old self again.

My husband is sick of my temper. I get mad and jealous and go off about anything and everything. I was NEVER this way before. I was outgoing and friendly and happy. I had boundless energy.

Now I struggle every day.

Take care,
Good luck

Marty,
I am quite happy to read your stuff! I put my glutamine in the liquor cabinet to remind me of my intent. I should get a second bottle to put with my regular meds.

Now, this likely has nothing to do with the Effexor, but I shovelled snow on Sunday, and wound up with severe left hip/lower back pain. It seems to be muscular. I've pulled muscles before, but this gets up to 9/10 pain. The only tolerable position when it's that bad is on my stomach on the floor. Maybe my wiring is a little extra reactive, or maybe I'm getting old (at 42)?

Enough sitting for me now. I might go shuffle around the block, but I am nervous of the ice. Maybe I'll just do my stretches, and then look up Marty's books.

Twisi,
I can't remember - what dose are you on (or how long have you been off the E)? What are you on? What have you tried? Did you read my posts about fibromyalgia? Your pains sound similar to something I've had on and off. Is your sleep normal? If not, that can be a real contributor to your pains.
AnneT

Ejb199jsd,

I too have been having itching. But, I thought my skin is getting dryer and that I am aging.

Regarding drinking, I craved way more when I was on the E. I hardly have any desire for it. I also think L-tryptophan (One of the highly recommended amino acids in the Mood Cure book) has something to do with it.

I have been exercising for 2 weeks now. It seems to be helping my mood. The confident thing is another thing that I too deal with. I think the weight gain, and not having energy has a lot to do with it too.

The memory and the slow motions don’t help either.

I was talking to my psychologist. She said that 70% of people when they become depressed would need to be on the med for only 9 months. Because the depression’s life span is 9 months. I just don’t know why no damn doctor of mine ever questioned how long I had been on them. She also said that the other 30% may need to take it for a long time.

Twisi and AnneT,

It is great that you are exercising. The orthopedic doctor told me that I may have Fibromyalgia. Though he admitted that he does not know how to diagnose it correctly, he gave me Lyrica (which I read up on and decided not to take it). After seeing the Rheumatologist, he told me that it is not Fibromyalgia; and, I am glad I did not take another brain altering medicine.

One thing I have learned from this experience is to not take the meds as quickly as the doctor’s prescribe them. And, to ask lots of questions from the doctors when they give me diagnosis.

Twisi,

Hang in there. A marriage counselor may be able to help your husband better understand what you are going through and to be more understanding of your moods. It helped me.

When I was going through my hardship a couple months back, the only other female who cared was AnneT. It is nice to see more of us on this website and able to support each other.


Marty,

Thanks for all the support.