Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 139 of 140}

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.

Blueflats & Msmelsie
Regarding food and mood... after years of feeling guilty about my evening binges (wine, chips/popcorn), my new Chronic Fatigue doctor predicted that if I got my protein (meat & eggs, not vegetarian) intake up my binginess would disappear. I didn't believe it, but it has worked. For fatigue and my body size I am on 9-11 ounces per day (about 2-3 ounces breakfast, lunch, midafternoon, dinner. Then nothing to eat between 6:30 and 9, when I take my sleeping meds and juice. Then 1 ounce of meat and 100-200 calories of carbs at about 9:30). I don't feel deprived.

This was all individualized, but I suspect that the protein spread through the day may help not just the binge issues but mood as well. If you try this, gradually increase your protein (over months, not days!), and make sure you are having fruit/veg so you don't get constipated!

I guess it is a bit like 'The Zone' concepts, but not quite so measured/controlled. Hope this helps.

Hey all,

Day 7 Effexor FREE!!! Yahoo.

School is starting and I have found the SeaBands to work wonders for the dizziness and eyes-flipping-like-slot-machines. I look a little dorky, but it is worth it.

Here is my question though, anyone else have weird experiences with sleeping? I know about the dreams, but I am going through phases at night where I feel like I am having an anxiety attack in my sleep. Almost like I cannot breathe. Also there seems to be something up with my legs--just can't get comfortable or pins and needles on the bottom of my feet.

Suggestions welcome! I have been really fortunate with minimizing side effects, hope these are short-lived.

Hi every one. I found this site so helpful in weaning off effexor last winter. Thank you very much for all the great advice. I ended up weaning off successfully by reducing 5 granules a day.
Now it is approaching winter again, and man, my mood is so down. But I was down all summer, too, so I don't think I am suffering from S.A.D. My husband is out of work and so the financial strain and worry has me in fits of anxiety. And I seem very worried lately about world pollution, weather extremes, and global poverty. As you can guess, it is not a lot of fun to be inside my head.
I need help to feel more positive and upbeat. When I look at our life objectively, we are not so bad off. My husband is enjoying a new career in reflexology and does safety training, also. He has only been unemployed for a week and already has many new clients.
I supply at the school board and teach art privately. We have a wonderful tenant who pays on time and takes care of our yard.
What is the matter with me?? I feel I have become a depressing whiner. I can't go back on anti depressants. They are just too painful to get off, and we have no medical benefits, any more. Is any one else chronically anxious? What do you find helps?
Sorry for the lack of cheer here. And thank you in advance for what ever insight/support you can offer me.

SassyS,
Are you in Canada or the US? You could try the LiteBook (a small blue light for SAD) just to make sure you've got that covered.
Are you exercising at all? Even starting with a 5 minute walk a day might help for starters.
There is a great workbook called 'Mind over Mood' - you should be able to get it through Chapters etc. It covers a lot of what Cognitive Behavioural Therapy psychologists would do with you, so even if you need further therapy, it will save you lots of visits (and money!)
Do you have a family history of anxiety/depression? If so, or if the above measures don't help, you may still need to be on meds. Your doctor may be able to help you with free samples or 'compassionate release' supply from a pharmaceutical company.
Along your artsy side... have you ever read Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way'? It was a HUGE factor in my recovery.
Please keep us posted!
AnneT

Thanx AnneT! I got out my copy of The Artist's Way and am rereading it. I think my problem is toxic shame. No matter how qualified I am, or how enthusiastically endorsed, I feel deflated. Bad habit, I think, that iI need to replace with better habits.
Please tell me more about your recovery. Are you recovering from depression or anxiety, or both?
And how did art play a role?
Please know I very much appreciate your encouragement, and anything you feel comfortable in sharing.
SassyS

SassyS,
So excited that you have The Artist's Way! I am recovering from what was diagnosed originally as depression, but now is thought to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I'm a family doc, and mom to 2 kids with special needs. I hit the wall a few years ago, at the same time as I was working through The Artist's Way with a few other creative-wanna-be friends. It felt like my brain was saying, ok we've spent 20 years in the sciences, it's the art sides' turn now.
Toxic shame... is there any other kind? I hope Julia's task of working through your blurts and using affirmations to fight them (chapter 1 - I'm re-reading it right now!) helps you.
Well, I could go on and on. Do you have some like-minded friends to work through the book? I wouldn't have made it past week 2 without that group.

AnneT,
Good point about shame. Here's where my toxicity leads me to think. I read you are a family doc and right away I think you are better than me, and therefore your life is in better shape. I am feeling a lot of jealousy and Julia says that means I am creatively blocked. This year I want to really stop hiding my light and let my talents shine. I have so far been living invisibly, receiving clients by word of mouth. I feel a strong desire to change that. Your advice on finding a group to work through Julia's book is a good idea.
Is your life more creative now?
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with me.
SassyS

Sassy
I'm definitely no better. I struggle with self esteem and so a lot of docs I know. I like that Julia says jealousy is a signpost telling you this is something you want to do. What is it about doctor is it that makes you jealous?
Creatively I feel I'm always starting over and block myself with perfectionism. But I'm learning! I always feel better if I do even a little bit, a 5 minute doodle or setting up the paper and paints or prime a canvas. I've also learned that there is no accounting for taste - some people love stuff that I'm ready to toss in the garbage.
It is safe to let your light shine.

Hi AnneT,
I didn't realize docs can struggle with low self esteem, too. Thanx for sharing that. I guess I suffer from the grass looks greener syndrome. I'm very hard on myself, and full of understanding for others being valuable just because they are human. I don't include myself in that generous view point, but now that I am aware, I am working on it.
I am not jealous about docs in particular, just anyone who is securely employed in high paying, high status jobs. I admire their energy to get there. And their ability to help others.
I teach art privately and am wanting to coach creative wellness, using art as a healing modality. I am trained in it. But I do not have a masters degree. I have a B.A., and master's level training, and a coaching certificate. I personally know how awful shame and feelings of inadequacy are. I need to heal myself in order to help others. Or maybe by helping others, I can heal myself. Maybe we are all on a healing journey lol! As you can see, I am a bit muddled - lol!
The jealousy I feel is telling me to collaborate with others, because I think behind the jealousy are feelings of loneliness. So that is what I am doing. I am making plans with a local psychologist to offer healing art sessions, and talking to a woman who runs a private art school to offer healing art courses at her commercial location. And I feel better about myself, now that I am taking steps out of my studio to share my gifts with others.
Perfectionism is a killer of all joy and creativity, isn't it? I love Julia's approach - we are responsible for the quantity of our work. Our higher power is responsible for the quality. So we don't judge, we just do.
Thank you again for reminding me about The Artist's Way, and for opening up your heart and sharing your struggles. Not feeling alone makes me so much more brave and hopeful.

Hi Bodyworker 1,
I have been reading your posts on Kundalini Yoga Meditation and am wondering how it is working for you, now that you are several months Effexor free?
It sounds like an awesome book and I will look for it, but just wanted to hear more about your journey lately, if you are still posting.
SassyS

Hi Folks,
I am on my last two tablets and spacing it out as much as possible. Been getting the dizzies and nausea. There are a lot of posts and I many have missed this, but want about switching to St John's Wort? More natural. Would that help at all? I was thinking of doing that to help. Thoughts?

SassyS,
Your work sounds wonderful! I love taking art classes because, yes, it gets lonely sometimes doing art all by yourself. Our art is meant to be shared - mostly.

Lukem82,
I would suggest getting more Effexor on hand, just in case the St. John's Wort doesn't do the trick for you. (I once had to get a pharmacy delivery service to give me an emergency roadside delivery of Effexor, because I my vertigo was so bad, I couldn't even walk, let alone drive. Thank God for cell phones.)
If the St. John's Wort doesn't help, and going gradually off the Effexor doesn't work, try low doses of liquid Prozac. I can give you more detail if you're interested. Don't torture yourself!
Best wishes, AnneT

Thanx AnneT for your encouraging words. Hope you are doing well. I remember the vertigo I suffered from Effexor withdrawal - I couldn't stand up! As a family doc, what is your stance on doctor's prescribing Effexor still? Personally, I could never go thru withdrawal again. It was so debilitating, so I would never use anti depressants again.
I am hoping Kundalini breathing exercises help me with my anxiety. I am in a stressful time of my life as my husband is recently unemployed. Can I use this forum to brainstorm?? I have a few options on making money but my head is spinning. My husband used to be our major bread winner but he is very visually impaired, so working at a computer is no longer an option for him - bad for the remaining vision he still has. My husband is now a registered reflexologist and so good at it. He has been working on his qualifications for a few years now in his free time and finally has it! He is looking at buying his teacher's practice and the clients there already luv him. But can he make a good living doing reflexology? I really worry about it. I can make money, too. But we would both be self employed and, you guessed it, that worries me! Lol!
Thanx for listening. Hope you all are enjoying a peaceful day.
SassyS

Thanks AnneT for your suggestions and kind words.
I have had so nausea today and some dizzies, they seem to be coming and going. I am going to taugh it for now. I have my last two pills as a safety blanket. ;) I think I will be ok. In fact I am. That is the view I have decided to take. It is still my body and at the end of the day I say what goes. ;) I have had a lot of wonderful experiences this year. Anything is possible. I think I am a little concerned at taking anything that can effect my mind for now. I think I would take detox before more pills. ;)
I do want to say that I do really feel for all that have been effected by this medication and any medication that anyone takes to help themselves only to find themselves in a worse place. Life is what you make it. You are effected by what you allow to effect you. We all get different symptoms it is up to us as to how much we let them effect us.
All the best everyone. I will be thinking of you all.
Lukem82

Dear Mike (Mo),

Thank you very much for the great methodology (Effexor-Splitting Capsules Method)

I did a direct jump from 150mg to 75mg in mid July 2010, advised by my doc:-( It took me 4+ months to stabilize, what the hell!

So with the remaining 75mg, I'd like to try your magic. I already did the 75->55->70 during the weekend, and today I just took the 65mg capsulate. I feel bad actually: headache, shaking and a little bit sweating. I guess I am too sensitive and nervous and also the bad sleep last night. I hope I can get over it this week first. I doubt if I could get stable with just 5 days on 65mg. Your advice are greatly appreciated!

BTW, I have been taking 150mg Effexor evil for 3+ years to treat the Panic Attack and GAD. I am also on a very low dosage of Clonazepam (0.25mg).

2011-1-24

Update on 2011-2-11

I made it! Now I am on 3rd week, 45mg per day! Generally OK!

However, people warned me this is WAY too fast! Should I slow down?

Smeagol,
If you are not feeling right, then it is too fast. Everyone seems to be different. I was super-sensitive to ridiculously small reductions in dose once I got below 37.5 mg. I went really gradually, but still got severe vertigo. Each episode was worse than the last, and with each episode I usually had to return to 2 or 3 times my previous dose. Eventually I switched to liquid Prozac, eventually being able to stop once I was down to 1 mg every 10 days.
(I'm now trying to get off Wellbutrin, and going through the same stuff.)
I think my best advice would be to try to be patient (it's hard, after you've decided you want OFF!), and proceed more slowly than you think you need to - you might even be able to get off it without side effects (or switch to Prozac!)
Keep us posted. Hope it goes alright for you.
AnneT

Hi Annie,

Thank you for the advice. So far so good, except for bearable headache and pain in the hands. I will keep the pace (say, 10mg per week) but for sure I will hold longed if I don't feel comfortable.

Smeagol

Annie,

I started to feel bad from Monday: headache, sore eyes and fatigue. I am now on 37.5mg Effexor, the smallest capsulate available in the market. As advised by people from www.paxilprogress.org, I am going to hold at this dosage for at least 3 weeks to see if it gets better.

I tapered it way too fast, now it is the karma!!!

just logged on...not ready to write my story yet but have enjoyed reading posts...helping me atm

Wow....I am relieved to have found this site. I have been on Effexor 150mg for 11 years and about 12 months ago went up to 225mg. Over that time, I have probably gained 25-30 kgs....not that I minded, I figured that it was better to be large and alive, than skinny & dead. However, I am getting increasingly worried about my high blood pressure getting worse and my heart racing for no apparent reason. I am only 36 yrs old and people seem surprised I have these issues. I got permission from my Doc to reduce to 150mg and now I want to go further. Having read some of your posts, I can identify with SO many of these side effects! I would love to have a child one day, but even the IVF guy wasn;t keen on me staying on Effexor....makes one nervous doesn't it!?!

I want to reach out to all those experiencing negative Effexor withdrawal symptoms. I have read so many sites and it seems that most are having bad effects based on impatience or
not researching how to do it properly.
I am weaning off Effexor after being on 150 mg for 9 years with great success and NO side effects!
My Secret:
a) Delete 5 grains per day.
b) Take 50 mg of 5-HTP nightly one-hour before retiring.
c) Jog 20 minutes every other day / light weights off days.
d) Eat a Mediterranean diet.
e) Add an orthomolecular-based vitamin regimen.

I am currently down to 90 mg of Effexor and feel better now while reducing my Effexor intake!

Good Luck...

I'm so glad to have found this forum! I thought I was the only person who got vertigo when trying to get off the 'Evil E' as some of you call it!

I live in the US, and my doctor told me that 75mg was the smallest capsulated dose available. Is this not true?

I started out on 150 mg several years ago for mood swings. I successfully reduced to 75 mg with no major problems. I'm now on 75 every other day, but the vertigo gets so bad on the 3rd day that I can't skip.

I haven't broken open my capsules. From reading the way you decrease a little at a time, am I to assume that there are 75 grains inside my capsules? Can I really just cut out a few grains a day until I'm done?

And who knew the weight gain was also possibly linked? I just thought I was destined to be a 'big woman' like my grandmother!

I have learned a lot here reading several years worth of posts. I feel for those who suffer with this drug.
However, it has saved my life. I have been on 450mg for about six years which started as the result of some serious events that put me in the care of people in white coats. I am now enjoying a good life with my wife and child.
Unfortunately, I developed a tachycardia that required I go on beta-blockers. Over the years they didn't work and I had a procedure to fix the bad heart rhythm. With that fixed I am off the beta-blocker and now have heart palpitations during most of the day. I understand this could be a result of my Effexor. Has anyone experienced this? I am planning to come off the drug with the help of my Dr.. Can this eliminate my palpitations?

H; Gerard here... After an attempt to reduce my effexor from 300 to 225 in about 2 weeks (with my GP)... got hit by all the dreadful symptoms...gave in and am back on 300... Have been reading these threads... and they offer a lot of hope... but wonder how 'activez' it is these days... seems like great information from Mikmo several years back... would love to benefit from others experience..
Plan to get stable again (back on for 1 week but still feeling bad)... before revisiting the issue.

im on day 4 of no e. i replaced it with viibryd which is a newer ssri. id like to be off them all but the withdrawal is already so bad even with a replacement ssri i dont know how i could come off all together. when will the anger and crying and dizziness ease up?