Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 138 of 140}

Hi, I am so happy to have found this website! I have spent most the day reading what others are going through with Effexor! I am 37 years old and was put on 37.5mg of Effexor about 18 months ago after losing my business, a struggling marriage, a new baby. My Dr put my dose up to 75mg until I lost my brother, then it was raised to 150mg. I have since lost 3 other family members and now divorced, so I have not had a chance the past year to TRY to come off it. However I feel I dont need it anymore. I have gained 15kgs!! Which doesnt help with confidence. Looking back I was always a relatively healthy woman, since Effexor I have suffered erratic depressions,irritability, massive hot flushes (have to have the room at 16 Degrees Cel!!! Yes seriously I am burning up all the time. Im moody, forgetful, angry, have dull eyes, tired, listless, demotivated and binge eat and have started drinking too much alcohol to help me have a deep full nights sleep. Ive withdrawn from my friends and family and totally lost all sex drive. I have pushed everyone away over the past 12 months. I detoxed/fasted recently for 10 days and what a difference, I was able to drop from 150mg to 75mgs in just a few days with NO side effects. The suppliments were copious during my detox, I had colonics everyday - extreme. But wow, no side effects AT ALL. I have since tried to reduce to 37.5mg - without any success. The headaches, dizzy spells, spots in eye vision, temper swings, nastiness comes out if I evey try to alternate days. I HAVE DONE SOOO much research and I am about to undetake a 'tapering' system I read on this forum. 10mg drop per 6 days. There is the most AMAZING book I have just read and purchased all the suppliments from my Naturopathic Store .....How to Quit without feeling S**t. A fast highly effective way to end addisions to caffeine, sugar, smokes, alcohol, Illicit of prescription drugs) written by Dr James Braly and David Miller and Patrick Holford. GO AND BUY IT!! It summerises in easy reading how the brain works with addictions and how to wean yourself off any addiction with a specific NATURAL suppliment prescription. we all know Effexor IS addictive (despite what our doctors have told us! This drug NEEDS to be banned or patients need to be WARNED about the difficulities of weaning off this drug!!)

So this week I shall start my Prescription of Amino Acids, Vitamins and Minerals in high doses of Omega 3 and Phospholid Complexes. I will be taking lots of mixtures to support my body during weaning off EFFEXOR ADDICTION.

I shall keep you all informed of my progess and will keep a note of the next 6-8 weeks. Watch this space! I hope that I can quit Effexor with little or no pain factor and help others to do so if I am successful.

Good luck to all of you who are suffering as much as I to get off this drug and stop the side effects. Thanks

I haven't read all 138pgs. of this thread...but I've read some of it.
I've been on Effexor XR 300mg for somewhere over 5 years. I have, in the last couple of years developed 'disturbed sleeping'. I've searched around and found that it appears to be REM sleep behavior disorder. Normally when your brain enters REM sleep, it 'shifts your muscle control into neutral', so you are 'paralized' and don't move around. With REMSD the brain doesn't shift to neutral. Everything I dream I act out. If I'm fighting, I'm actually throwing punches, kicking. I've thrown myself out of bed on more than one occasion, hit my wife many times. 'Cleared' everything off the night stand...etc.
In reading about REMSD I learned that it could be a precursor to Parkinsons Disease or other brain deteriorating illnesses. Then a glimmer of hope, some SRI's and NRI's can cause it to. So I've decided to get off Effexor.
I've read mikemo's dividing capsule directions and intend on starting the process as soon as I can get to a healthfood store that sells capsules.
I am a nurse, so knowing meds have side effects is part of my job, but I didnt' know about all the SE of effexor until recently.
I also take Xanax XR 2mg daily. But I'll tackle that later.
I take my effexor -two 150mg caps at night before bed, or at least sometime between 9-12. I work nights so that isn't always 'bedtime'.
I have a wonderful wife, who has some chronic illness problems of her own, but is super supportive and keeps me going.
I've had the brain zaps, and the super vivid dreams, I mean 'Super vivid, Filmed in Technocolor, Dolby Surround, mini-series action thrillers.' Sometimes I'll even wake up in the middle, goto the bathroom, fall back asleep and pick up where I left off. And since I act out whatever I'm doing in the dream, I'm exhausted when I wake up. I haven't hadd a good nights sleep in years. Partly due to working night shift, partly due to the meds.
I'll try to keep informing here as to my progress.
I'm glad this forum exists. Thanks to mikemo for the splitting info. What happened to him, I saw he quit posting about 2 years ago.
Thanks.

Greetings pillfree health and glaxon,


I am effexor free now 8 months and have wondered if I should ever go back to another drug...the answer is still no!!

I am doing a specifc meditation to combat depression and OCD, its working and I am slowly changing my personality and habits from 13 years of effexor damage.

Nice to hear from you two on the forum

Marty

Hello fellow sufferers!
I'm writing to mention something that I've been taking to combat withdrawal symptoms. I live in Scotland and I get it from a company called Holland and Barret. The stuff is called L Tyrosine - apparently its an amino acid and I've been taking 1000mg first thing in the morning on an empty stomach! Honest, its blinking marvellous! I'd say its definately worth a try!
All the best to everybody!

Here is an update - I had to go on Prozac (liquid) in order to wean off Effexor, but have now been off the Prozac since Xmas or so. My next challenge is getting off Wellbutrin. I will try alternating 300 mg with 150 mg, reducing my dose only 10% every few weeks. Anyone else had to come off Wellbutrin gradually? Problems? Suggestions?

And after that, coming off Imovane...one at a time.

Hi,

I've been Effexor free now for over 3 months. Just wondering if anyone is or has experienced prolonged vertigo or dizziness this long after being free. Or has anyone ever developed an inner ear dysfunction following discontinuation.

Carly7,

I had severe vertigo and vomiting whenever I lowered my Effexor dose - I couldn't move. This is why I went on Prozac to finish my tapering. During my Effexor tapering, I also developed some hearing loss and ringing, but didn't connect it to the Effexor because it was only on one side. That lasted probably a year. The tinnitus (ringing) is gone now. The hearing seems to be better. The weirdest thing is that now when I get migraines, sometimes there is a vertigo component to that (responds to Ibuprofen/Advil) - never had this with my migraines before the Effexor tapering.

Can you tell us more about your vertigo - constant, or intermittent? Severe, mild? Anything make it worse or better?

My vertigo as I am experiencing it now is constant. I am also off balance. My doctor told me it was probably Labrinthitis or something affecting the inner ear and that it is probably not related to the Effexor however I found some things on the internet which suggests that Effexor may affect the inner ear as there are seritonin receptors in the ear. I have felt these symptoms since mid-March with no relief. I am working with a physiotherapist to help with my symptoms. The only thing that has made it worse is going out in public where there is a lot of visual stimui which triggers the vertigo. The onset of the symptoms was nausea that lasted 2 weeks then subsided however the vertigo never left. This may or may not be related but I am young and healthy otherwise and it coincided directly with complete discontinuation of the drug.

Hi Carly7,

In August I will be Effexor free for two years. I did experience dizziness and vertigo for almost a year after getting off Effexor. I did have inner ear problems for quite a while and two inner ear infections after I stopped taking Effexor. I don't know if that is a coincidence or if it has something to do with the discontinuation of Effexor. I really feel like it was related to the discontinuation of Effexor. I did not have problems with dizziness, vertigo or any inner ear problems before Effexor. I hope this helps. Good Luck with everything!!!

Bernadette

Pleeeeeease! anybody hooked on this filth - please go online and look up 'The Road Back' recovery programme.

Look up the reviews and you will see that they are incredible. It works on a nutritional premise that you can withdraw, and feel barely any side effects. I'm going to start it really soon!

If the reviews are anything to go by... our problems can soon be over!

All the best to everybody!

'The Road Back' may be good, I don't know, but just know that someone is making money off it (and our misery.) Buyer beware.

Is there anyway to post an Excel spreadsheet here? I have made one to ease the calculation of when and what dosage to take.

Hi Bernadette,

Can you tell me how you dealt with the vertigo for so long? I'm going on month 4 and my coping is very low. I have an anxiety disorder which is why I was on Effexor in the first place and now experiencing non-stop vertigo is really agravating my anxiety levels. Did you find anything you took helped? How did the doctors diagnose you with inner ear infections. I was told if I have an inner ear infection it should have subsided by now. I'd like to know what your doctors told you. At the time you must have thought the vertigo would never go away? What advice can you give me for suffering the same thing.

Thanks,
Carly

Carly,
When you say you are on month 4, does that mean you have been off Effexor for 4 months? If so, what was your last dose before going to zero?
AnneT

AnneT

I have been off Effexor for about 5 months now. 4 months is the duration that I have experienced the constant vertigo. I tapered my dosage to nothing. In the end I was taking 10 granules out a week (2 per day for 5 days). I did this until I was at nothing (out of the 37.5 mg pills). I got down from 112.5 mg originally.

Carly

Carly,
If your vertigo is really bad, I wonder about trying 1 or 2 granules of Effexor again, just to see if that stops it. If the vertigo is treated by the Effexor, consider going on a really low dose of (liquid) Prozac, to continue the slow taper. If the Effexor has no effect on the vertigo, then you need to find another diagnosis.
Hope this helps.
AnneT

Ann T
I know exactly what you are saying and I agree 100 per cent. Thing is, maybe I'm being too optimistic here, but to find a way around a problem, takes work, time and effort, marketing etc... so just as I have to earn my living doing my job, and you yours, I'm hoping this might be the way forward for me. I know if I don't at least try it for one month, and if I feel no difference, I won't be continuing with it.
But, yes I think its a sad day when someone benefits financially from peoples misery. (Which by the way, the large drug companies have been doing for years!!!)
To everybody in this horrible situation - a big hug from me!

Did anyone of you tried taking B-complex supplement? B-complex can make you feel better when you are depressed or anxious, it can also rebuild or make your nerves healthy (over a period of months), might help with headaches. Also it boosts your liver to support better metabolism. Please give it a shot as its supposed to be a harmless vitamin. Also, I have observed few things while dealing with withdrawal symptoms (from other similar drug):
After you have stopped taking anxiety/panic medication:

-- If you get an headache, take headache medication (over the counter, eg: excedrin) you don't need anxiety medicine again to fix your headache...
-- If you have body pains (Take ibuprofen -- dont take it if you have high BP or heart issues)
-- Take a B-complex tablet every morning.
-- Wait have confidence the
hell will be over.
-- Practice breathing exercises to calm down yourself a little, I know its impossible task when one is facing withdrawal symptoms.
-- It feels like Hell, but trust in God no one will get seriously ill, as its your brain which is causing panic due to chemical imbalance which the drug created, one day it will be better.

Also, I fully trust Homeopathy for treatments like these, so stick around and wait for a helpful gentleman (Homeopath who can treat you) to spot you and then treat you, don't wait any longer find a Homeopath (here or outside).

Hi Carly,

I am so sorry I didn't respond sooner. I just received your message. I was also on Effexor for anxiety. The Vertigo did make my anxiety issues alot harder to deal with and often caused anxiety. At first I just thought it was a side effect that would go away since I it began when I reduced my doses of Effexor. After being completely off I noticed it was not going away. After a while it began to get worse especially in public. I knew that it had to be something more when I was having to limit my driving or have my husband take me to run errands. I finally went to the Dr. and I didn't tell him anything about Effexor I just told him about the dizziness and how it made me feel. He checked my ears and said that he could see inflammation but couldn't see as far in as he needed to but based on my symptoms and what he could see I had an inner ear infection. He gave me a prescription and sent me home. During the first few days of the antibiotics I felt worse than I had been and really couldn't do much because the vertigo was so bad. After about a week I began to feel a little better so I thought I was okay, but a few days later vertigo back and worse. I then went to the doctor again and he gave me something to help with dizziness and another prescription. The prescription to help with dizziness helped a little but not much. I had a bad reaction with the antibiotic and they had to prescribe me another one. The doctor said if this didn't work they would have to run tests because there may be something else wrong. I did look on the internet and found that antihistamine medications can help with dizziness and ear problems. After the second round of antibiotics I was much better, however I continued to have vertigo over the next year (it was bothersome but tolerable). I REALLY thought that the Effexor had some how messed up something in my brain and that I would have to deal with vertigo for the rest of my life. I am so glad that is not the case. I don't really know if I can give you any advice on what to do, maybe see another Dr. and get a second opinion. I am not sure if you are taking any vitamins or supplements but I did take Fish oil, Vitamin E and C, B-50, magnesium. In my opinion the Fish Oil helped me alot with the Vertigo, not really sure why. I can remember feeling a difference within 20-30 minutes of taking the fish oil. I am not saying that the Fish oil takes it away completely only that it helped me. If I complained of beginning to feel dizzy or having been dizzy my husband would always ask if I had taken any fish oil because he also noticed it helped.Depending on the brand and milligrams you buy, i believe you can take it up to 3 times a day. I am not sure if any of this will help you. I know what you are going through and HOPE that things get better soon. I can remember those days and remember feeling frustrated thinking it would never end. I can tell you that it does get better it just takes time which is really frustrating. Please keep me informed if you can. Again I am not sure how much this helps you, but truly hope it does in some way.

Thanks,
Bernadette

I've been on 225mg of Effexor XR for several years. Recently I decided (with the agreement of my Dr & therapist) to start dropping down with the intent of eventually coming off the meds altogether. Dropping from 225 to 150 was not too bad, I had a few days of feeling what I call wonky, which I think is the brain zaps that other people have mentioned. But after a few days I was fine. I stayed on the 150 for a few weeks, and my doctor said dropping to 75 would probably be okay, but warned me that a lot of people have trouble dropping down further from that. Well, the 150 to the 75 has not been easy at all. It's been over a week and I still get the brain zap/nausea/dizziness a lot. I also read a few other people taking about irrational anger and zero tolerance, which I have been experiencing a lot of, and I didn't connect it to the withdrawal. It's been AWFUL. I think I'm going to go back up to 150 until I can go see my doctor again. I'm so glad this thread is here, it makes me feel less alone, the withdrawal for this is HORRIBLE :(

FaeryJessa,
It is wonderful that your doctor understands that weaning off Effexor is not always straight forward! I think you are right to go back up to 150 mg, probably for a few weeks or a month. Then see if you can drop by 10%, or if you can tolerate 75 mg + 37.5 mg. Your doctor should be able to prescribe 37.5 mg capsules. It's not a race (I had to keep telling myself) - don't torture yourself.

Hi everyone,

I have been off Effexor for 6 months and I have not felt 'normal' yet. I was just wondering if anyone had experienced prolonged affects after having stopped the drug completely. I've been checked out as healthy by a number of doctors. I experience unsteadiness and waves of naseau. I was on Effexor for 8 years. If anyone can tell me if this is normal or when I should expect it to go away it would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Carly

This website has been a life-line for me in getting off of Effexor! Thank you everyone for sharing your journey and your methods. Your advice has be SOOOOOOO much better than my Dr. telling me to take a pill every other day, then Mon. Wed. Friday for a couple of weeks, then Tue/Thurs for a while and then quit. Yea right!

So, let me share my method and hope that it will contribute to helping someone else's transition be easier.

First, I decided I would do the ball-counting method of taking 3 additional balls each day. Before I started I collected Ultra Omega Fish Oil, Sour Cherry and Vitamin E. As I was taking balls out, I took E, 2 fish oil and Sour Cherry in the morn, then 2 fish oil and sour cherry in the evening.

That worked for quite a while, then about 5 weeks into the process I had a day when I felt a little weird. I consulted our favorite forum and read about Tyrosine. I added this to my morning routine.

When I reached only 15 balls in the capsule, I thought I could add the 5-htp. I took this at night before bed. A little weird with sleeping, but nothing too disturbing.

Today is my first day with NO Effexor...And I am feeling a little dizzy, so we went out and purchased some Dramamine. Feeling much better.

So here is the routine now:
Morning--L-Tyrosine
Mid-Morning (after food)--2 1000 mg Ultra Omega Fish Oil, Sour Cherry, 400iu Vitamin E.
Late Afternoon--L-Tyrosine (if needed) 2 1000 mg Ultra Omega Fish Oil and Sour Cherry.
Bed time--5 HTP and dramamine as need.

IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT I DID NOT START THE 5-HTP UNTIL I HAD VERY LITTLE EFFEXOR IN ME!!! Research this so you understand for yourself.

Pages that I referenced frequently from this forum: pg. 40, 80-90 and in the 120-130s.

I have had several bad days, that is usually when I come here to find another solution. For the most part my transition has been bearable. I find that if I keep myself well-fed I do much better with side-effects than letting myself get too hungry.The 5HTP has help with the emotional transition as has the L Tyrosine. Plus taking a moment to acknowledge the feeling (usually anger or frustration for me) and consider the source of it helps me. And MEDITATION. Understanding the imbalance is chemical and we control the chemicals through food and supplements was an eye-opener for me. By ensuring my body gets the right nutrients, I don't have to be a crazy person! Yay me. (Please know this journey has not made me an official heath nut, but I have grown!)

You can DO this. I am doing it! From 75 mg per day for 8 or 9 years to 0 today! Keep in touch, keep your head up and be thankful that our bodies have tremendous healing powers--we just need to tap into them!

Peace!

Hi msmelsie, just wanted to know how long you have been tapering off. I tapered off 75mg venlor over 2-3 months and within 6 weeks of the last capsule I had to go back on the anti-depressant. I began to be very down and tearful etc. Anyone else have to go back onto something?

I was taking 75 mg once a day for 8-9 years. I started this journey of tapering off about the second week of July...and today is day 2 of no Effexor. I am sometimes dizzy, but for now that is is. I know that it is not all over.

From the beginning I have acknowledged that I may not be able to make it without an anti-depressant, but I am going to try. The problem is definitely hereditary in my family--grandma, mom, aunt, cousins...

My plan for dealing with the blues is the 5-HTP. I have noticed a lift in spirits as I overlapped it at the end of Effexor (YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF YOU DO THIS BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE A SERETONIN OVERDOES). Also the sour cherry helps some with anxiety and L-Tryosine contributes to balancing things out as well.

If you have not already started on another anti-depressant, I would say go to a health food store and talk it over with someone there. I believe there are natural supplements to get us what we need...Just wish I had thought of that 8-9 years ago.

This is one of the early articles I read about the functions of Seretonin, Dopamine, Tryptohan and then the supplements Tyrosine and Omega 3s and such. The more you begin to understand how food and activity play into, the more you can cater to your own self. And believe me I am NOT perfect. I still eat crappy food, but when I do I notice. We have increased tuna and cottage cheese consumption, some protein shakes and yummy greens. It helps.

One thing I find ironic: 2 months ago I was taking 1 Effexor pill. Now I take up to 6 different things just so I can reduce the side-effects of 1 little pill. But I AM NOT going back.

Ok, could not post the article, it is on LiveStrong titled Foods that Increase Dopamine and Serotonin.

I just kept researching from here--the foods, the supplements and what seemed to work for others.