Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 133 of 140}

Hello! I have had this webpage saved on my favorites tab for so long now. A few years back I was interested in coming off effexor and after reading a number of posts I got scared as hell but knew that i had to. So here I am years later, after taking one 150mg of effexor xr per day for over 5 years now and I desperately want to get off this crap. So far-I have been emptying a little pit out of my capsules for a little over a month now-i dont' really count how many little granules, i just empty maybe a quarter of it out. (i read that on one of the pages here-but there are so many to read!!) Well-I didn't take anything since friday night (it's monday morning now) and i feel like my brain is going to explode-I did take a pill a few hours ago-emptied a little bit out-but as I started to reread some of the posts here-i just got so depressed and upset that i don't have the patience to read anymore. i'm surprised that i am even able to write what i am writing now. i just wnat to be off this goshdarn medicine-i can't believe the symptoms that i have felt from trying. what would be the best way to go about this??? i know that people have posted many answers to this-but i just can't read anything right now. how should i go about weening off-and what are some of the vitamins and supplements that i see people have mentioned that they have taken? i am a teacher-joy-i teach 8th grade-would it be best to wait until the summer when i have time to lay in bed depressed while i go through the withdrawals. I am so angry that i have been on this for so long-but coming off hurts so bad!!! it's amazing how quickly my doctor put me on this crap-she didn't even bother recommending other medications-i was young and naive and didn't bother asking the right questions. i know there is a lot of information in these threads-but right now i can't even read any more of it-can someone reply to me and let me know some tips on weening off of this junk?

Hi chrissycmi,
I am so sorry that you are feeling bad. I know what you are going through. I have been completely off of effexor since August 21,2008(Almost 7 months Thank God!!!). Anyway the method I used was a pill splitting method outlined by someone on here named Mikemo. I am sorry to say that I can't give you an exact way to do this method but I believe that there is a way to go back and only view messages from Mikemo. He does explain the pill splitting method in a way that is easy to understand and put into use. When I began coming off of effexor I did start taking Fish oil which I noticed did help with the dizziness among other side effects. I did also take b-50,magnesium and vitamins C & E. From what I have read these vitamins help in one way or another with the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in your brain. I will be praying for you and hope you feel well soon .I am sorry I couldn't help you.

Bernadette

Thanks Bernadette!

I found the post about the pill splitting-thanks for the info about the vitamins!!!!!! Feeling better now-of course after the effexor kicked in from this morning. but i am motivated to stop one way or another even if it takes awhile. Thanks again bernadette!!

Hi Chrissy,
So what dose are you back on? If you are on 150 mg, it would be best to get 75 mg capsules from your doctor (get the brand name, not generic). You may be fine with this drop, but some need to go 75, 150, 150 for a month (or week/s), then alternate 75 and 150 for a month, then 75, 75, 150 for a month and then settle out at 75. Then do the same thing coming down to the 37.5 mg capsules. See how it goes. You may want to adjust your timeframe for getting off the Effexor. If you go gradually, I don't think you need to suffer.

It seems most of us get to 37.5 without problems, if we have gone gradually. Once you get comfortable on 37.5, that's when you'll have to do the capsule splitting because there is no lower dose.
Another tip...learned the hard way...while reducing, always carry some extra with you wherever you go. If you are hit with withdrawal, you can chew some granules for fast release of the medication.
If all this gradual reduction still makes you sick, you may need to piggy-back a longer-acting med (Prozac or...I forget the name, but there is a new med that is long acting, similar to Effexor).
I hope this helps. Please keep us posted.
This week, I have gone from about 1.5 mg of E down to 1 large and small granule (good grief!), and from 10 mg to 8 mg of Prozac. Even that small jump is giving me the occasional mild vertigo, increased ear buzzing, fatigue. But I am getting there.
Slow and steady wins the race.
AnneT

I feel flat, low, practically paralyzed. Just moving through molasses. Achey all over. I've been off Effexor for a few days, and am not depressed about anything (except for how I feel).

Help...any suggestions? I am still on 8 mg of Prozac, and 300 of Wellbutrin. I don't want to go back on the Effexor. Should I try just the one or 2 granules that I was on last week? Could I really be that sensitive to it? I am looking at Cymbalta (duloxetine), but I was really hoping to kick Effexor and then Prozac. I don't mind the Wellbutrin.

AnneT

Crying spells . . .
Hello all! I hope everyone is feeling well. I have been off of Effexor since November 15, 2008. Every since being off of the Effexor I have crying spells EVERY day. If I only cry once during the day that is a good day. Has anyone else had this problem? How long did it last?

Hi ccooney,
I feel too flat and in molasses to cry...just catatonic.

Wow. I had no idea so many people have experienced the same horrible experience of trying to get off this drug as I have. It has been a week since I have stopped taking the Effexor 75mg, and I am still having the brain zaps, nighmares, cold night sweats, crying at nothing, snapping at my kids, eating constantly, blurred vision, and I could probably keep going. If I had known any of this would happen to me, i would have NEVER, NEVER put this pill in my mouth. It has been harder for me quit this drug than it has been for my husband to quit smoking. And watching my husband quit smoking was not pretty.

I started taking this drug about 5 years ago after I had my first born. I was experiencing extreme anxiety and postpartum depression. I saw an article in a magazine about Effexor xr, and it sounded like what I needed. I am done having kids now (my youngest is 3) and have tried to quit several times. But the side effects were so bad, that I would find myself racing to the store to refill my prescription. I would tear the bottle open right then and there in the store and throw one down my throat along with coke I grabbed on the way in. There is no way, no reason that my body should have become this dependent, or addicted to this drug. The doctor NEVER told me about any of this. But the two doctors I have talked to about my side effects just shook there heads at me and said nothing. Like they wanted to say something, but knew the shouldn't because of the drug companies, or for whatever reason I cannot pin point. But I think they knew. I am proud to say that I got so angry with all of this that I just quit cold Turkey and am surviving, though as hard as it is, I am more than determined to kick this drugs ass outta me. For now on I am going to rely on water, excercise, and natural drugs to ease my mind and control my demons. Thanks everyone for letting me know I was not 'completely' crazy going through all of this! Take care!

Jackie

please go through the following link to know about bach flower remedies that may help for effexor withdrawal.
http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/172451/

Good morning everyone! Is this site still active??

Day #21 off of Effexor XR for me (that's a loooong 21 days, mind you). Mild brain shivers are basically a nuisance ... they don't stop me from doing anything, they're just annoying. Main complaint now is still my mood swings, irritability and unhappiness. I went on Effexor for panic attacks, but if I didn't know better, I almost think I'm experiencing depression and I don't like it! Wake up with dread for having to endure another day, no patience with anyone, and am happy to bite anyone's head off that comes within distance. THIS IS NOT ME!!! I want to be one of those people that says 'I feel wonderful being off E ... I've never felt better!!'

THEN, to compound everything, I'm so confused!! I'm trying to take some supplements to help balance things out, but now I'm starting to read conflicting advice and wish I knew ONE knowledgeable person that could simply tell me what to take to make this all go away!!! If there's someone like that out there, could you review this list and tell me if I’m on track? I started these 4 days ago.

Morning doses with breakfast, one of each of the following:
*Multivitamin (brand: Viactiv Flavor Glide)
*Balanced B-Complex vitamin (brand: Finest Natural. Also includes Vitamin C with Rose Hips & Rice Bran)
*Omega 3 Fish Oil One Per Day (brand: Finest, 1200 mg Fish Oil with 410mg EPA and 274 mg DHA)
*5-HTP (100 mg. Brand: Finest). I currently take at breakfast, but read that perhaps I should be taking it at night.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m soooo grateful for the reduction in brain shivers and the non-existence of brain zaps ... I just had my hopes on an exhilarating feeling of wholeness, well being, and freedom when I finally got off Effexor, and instead I almost feel like “why did I just go through hell to really not care what happens to me today?”

It’s supposed to be a nice day weather-wise, so I’m going to make myself get outside, but it’s not because I *want* to ... I’m forcing myself.

Am I missing something??

To all of you still going through the awful physical withdrawal symptoms, I’ll offer up my crankiness for you so that you can make it through today!!

Hi Hope,
Marty here,
I am down to 75 day from 225. My holistic MD and I use the protocol from Joan Larson, PhD, 'The Mood cure.' Basically we replace the drug with Tyrosine, Tryptophan, and fish oil, vit C and some others. She gives you a few tests in the book to see exactly what you need and then a daily regiment to follow.

It sounds like you are on the right track and have guts!! Good.. also you maybe hypoglycemic: A lot of the symptoms you described are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. Eat 3 meals a day; eat 2 little snacks between meals; no refined sugars, minimal caffeine and gt that book and start Dr Larson's regiment asap. Your program sounds good but I did the same form years but then did exactly what the doc said and I have no side effects now (PS: I am also ceased a 5 year alcohol abuse last month with Dr Larson's recommendations here as well and I am doing geed).

Keep us posted

HopeHopeHope,
It takes a long time for the brain to heal, so hang in there. If you do need to go back on a longer-acting med (Cymbalta, Prozac are worth considering - even 1/2 or 1/4 dose), don't be down on yourself. Depression is real and physical. A major thing for me, to get rid of that dread, was to quit my job. Drastic, yes, but the best thing ever. It helped to be working through 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron with 5 other 'crazy' (ie creative) friends. I still get low, have low energy, and occasional fibromyalgia-like pains, but the current life-stressors are so much better.

Marty,
Good for you! With my fibromyalgia kicking in again, I am more motivated to stop the daily 1-3 glasses. It's been one day. I am back on Lorna Vanderhaege's supplements, fish oils, tyrosine, melatonin, 5htp. I need to get some more magnesium. It is interesting to me that the FM supplements are so similar to the suggested depression supps.
AnneT

Hi Anne, Good for you too for looking at what you need to do!

Its amazing how the addiction world does not address alcohol or any physical addiction from a bio chemical standpoint. I am doing AA for support and stories and sharing a common bond but also running up against a cult like attitude of AA is the only way. 90 % of addiction treatment focuses on the mental aspect of it and not the physiological. I think its both.

I go 2-4 times a week to meetings and still have not a 'Sponsor' but do have a good friend who has been down the drunk road and we talk often.

I think I have something to offer AA and vice a versa but I am seeing the more sober I remain and the more sharp and stable my mind gets with abstaining and also the nutritional program the more i see the need for the dissemination of this program by Dr. Larson.

Being so drunk the past 2 years I have been a bad participant and will now take a more active roll! :)

Thanks for the feedback! It is appreciated.

Just to clarify ... I found one book called 'The Mood Cure' by Julia Ross or 'Depression-free, Naturally' by Joan Larson. Is one of these the one you recommend??

yes hope good research. I misled you on the author name and title :( Check them both out and go with the one you like more. I like Joan larsons style myself!

Hey Marty, Chrissi, Hope etal,
How's it going? After my last post, I went back on my 1/14th (not a typo) of 37.5 mg and felt better within a day. Anyone else that sensitive to such a low dose?

I am trying again, and have been off E for about 3 days. My mood is a low, I get some nausea. I get scared that this will get worse, so I still carry around some emergency E just in case. I just ask myself of each symptom, 'Can you tolerate it at this level?' and so far so good. I don't know if it helps or not, but I am on 5htp, magnesium, Vit C, multivits, and fish oil.

I am very scared of when I taper off the Prozac; will it be like the vertigo, puking, stroke-like symptoms I had when reducing E without Prozac?

I'm off my daily booze, but still have one drink every few days.

Anyone get fibromyalgia type pain that you think came from Effexor reduction or withdrawal?
AnneT

AnneT, I havnt posted much but I did go on 14 days of 10mg liquid prozac after being off E for a month or more. I only did 12 days prozac. I've had zero prozac for almost 2 wks. The nausea and diarrea subsided. I still have the buzzing in ears/brain and it is just as bad. I had another MRI but couldnt do the portion with contrast, I freaked out after '85%' and begged to quit. Now doc wants an MRA under sedation. I will see another Neuro. dr before I commit to another test. He can review what I have. Looks like buzzing for life??? I continue with the fish oil and mult Vit but reduced the fish oil thinking it was adding to my diarrea. I have been having tons of dental problems but nothing like fibromyalgia. I do have to watch for negative feelings. I am hoping for the best for you, marri

Thanks, Marri. I hope they can do the MRA so you can know that there is nothing nasty lurking in your brain! Though the buzzing is annoying.... Mine comes and goes. It might be worse when I reduce doses, but I'm really not sure.
My mood feels a bit more stable today, so it is now 3 1/2 days off Effexor. I think if I make it past the 10 day mark I'll feel more confident that I'm off for good.
Ciao,
AnneT.

Is this foum still open? How are you Anne T, HTP guy, Hopehope and the others?

It has been 1 year since my discontinuation of Effexor. Approx 1 week after my 0 dose , i started seeing floaters in my vision... may large dots. I am still struggling with these. As well , I still do not feel normal. Anyone else experience discontinuation symptoms this long after ? This is insane

RoyalFlush,

I have been off of effexor for 8 months. I also had floaters and sometimes still due. At one point they were everyday so I went to the eye dr. because I thought something was wrong. He told me that they are perfectly normal and checked my eyes to make sure everything was okay. He said sometimes you have one floater and by the time it gets out of the way so you cant see it, its 'friends' will come looking for it. That is how he described it, anyway they have gotten better but are still there occasionally. I still do not feel all the way normal either and wonder if I ever will.

I have been 19 days without Effexor.My physical symptoms are better...however my memory loss and lack of concentration is scary...Anybody has experience this? Has it improved for anybody? A comment to Bernadette and Royalflush. I was 9 years anesthesized with this poison, therefore I dont even know who Im anymore. Sometimes I wonder what 'normal' is these days...

Vicky64,
My memory is horrible and I don't really have problems concentrating anymore,but when I first stopped taking effexor I did. I had a bad memory before effexor so while it seems like I forget everything now, I don't remember (LOL) how bad it was before effexor.

Bernadette

Hello All,
I stopped my very low dose of Effexor (was down to about 1 mg). I was still on 10 mg of Prozac for protection against my discontinuation syndrome. I felt pretty good, and am keen to lose the 15 pounds I've gained, so I dropped to 8 mg of Prozac. We were in Italy on holiday, 3 weeks after I'd stopped E - thought I had it beat - when I awoke to vertigo and puking. I couldn't believe it. Luckily, I'd brought some Effexor just in case. It seems to get soggy and less effective when it travels in a dosette, but I was back on track within a couple of hours. I've stuck with the Prozac 10 mg for a couple of weeks now, and added the 5htp again. I've had some mild hints of vertigo.

My mood is lifting with the longer days (I live in sort of northern Canada). It is helping me to 'try on' the thought that I won't be doing much, if any, clinical work. I am so happy and peaceful when I get to my studio to paint and draw. There is more opportunity for me to do the work I love, teaching med students. These gigs are usually only 2-4 hours long - something I can handle. The added bonus - if I'm having an 'off' day, nobody comes to harm, no pressure that I'll miss something critical for a patient.

Vicky, here are some nuggets of thoughts that have helped me find out who I am. I hope they might help you too. (Finding a group of like-minded searchers to meet with regularly has also been a big part of my recovery.)It is very freeing to let go of the 'should' and claim the 'could'. A friend of mine often reminds me that 'the universe cooperates with a decided mind.' Claim your freedom! I love Julia Cameron's books; she asks dangerous things like - What if God actually wants you to do what you dream of doing? What are you scared of, if you really let yourself dream? What did you love to do when you were 8? What would your 80 year old self counsel you to do? What would you do if you didn't have to worry about money?

Vicky & Bernadette, yes, my memory is challenged - lots of word-finding difficulties, asking my husband the same thing 5 minutes after he answered the same question. But this is a better state than the molasses-brain I had before I quit my family practice 3 years ago. That long - wow! And I am still healing. 'Anaesthetized', you say, Vicky. Yes, I agree - I feel now that I was 'sedated' for 2 years. Sometimes I'm mad about it, but also think that maybe I needed it to slow down enough to let my brain and body heal. Thanks for asking about me.

RoyalFlush, I haven't had the floaters, but my right ear is still an issue. I wonder if it is a similar mechanism, just a different nerve.

So is rambling part of this? ;)
Cheers & Blessings, AnneT

Welcome back Anne T. I read your postings from the beginning. Happy to know you are off the poison now. Yes, I'm taking a day at the time and feeling proud of being able to quit this drug. We'll be all fine. I started taking 5HTP (50 mg), 1000L-tyrosine and three times a day Mood Balance. It was recommended to me at the health store. I still have some brain zaps and the concentration and memory issues. How much 5HTP are u taking? Royalflush and Bernadette are u taking any supplements? Sorry if my English sounds ackarwd, Spanish is my first language, I live in Lima Peru...

vicky64; I find that diet and exercise work well to help. I am just very confused as to what this chemical did to my brain over the 2 years I was taking it. Annet; I have a similar issue with my ears , I feel like they are constantly blocked. I have presented all of my symptoms to my doctor and nothing has come up in my blood tests. I can live with the eye floaters and ears issues. It is the fatigue that I cannot stand .. some days I feel fine .. others are brutal. My doctor keeps telling my that my symptoms are attributed to my diet , and I need to exercise more. Prior to taking Effexor , I was completely free of all of these symptoms ...and was running / jogging. 20-30km per week!.

This drug seems to effect everyone differently. It is a shame how doctors are so carelessly writing prescriptions for it , yet so little research has been done on the withdrawal symptoms. I could go on for hours with my experiences, have a nice day everyone !