Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 28 of 140}

Welcome, new friends, and best wishes to you and all our other buddies here.

I likely won't have computer access tomorrow, as I'm taking the day off to get ready for my trip to IL on Thursday. My laptop still lays dormant until brain sugery or replacement can happen. Possibly at my aunt and uncle's in Northbrook I can peek in and see what's going on.

Hugs, love, and powerful courage to you special people,
Laurel

Interesting, Marc, about the serotonin being all through your body. It makes sense, but I'd never actually thought about it. Getting back to balance -- composure, as you call it; nice term -- will take time. I cry often, too, and I like the image of crying out the toxins. I also like the baths and swimming and other water things for creating an image of washing away the ICK. Even good breathing removes toxins and feeds the cells. A good workout gives me a boost.

I guess I'm here for the long, long haul. I can't think of better company. My doctor did ask me yesterday if I wanted to go back on E because of my anxiety. I just said NO, NO, NO. I still don't think she gets it that this is a dangerous pharmaceutical. Some people like it.

good morning to all

naria, i just want to tell you that steph & i often shop at Northbrook Court, we live 25-30 minutes as the crow flies...small world, have a safe trip...bring your cool clothing...its been a steambath here!

Hi everyone.
I took yesterday off because of a slew of doctors apointments that needed tending to. Laruel, I am glad the soreness has left you, but I am sorry you have been feeling so low. Same goes for you Frustrated. I know that anxiety seems to come with getting off these drugs. I have experienced it,and the severe lows. Laurel, my doctor has asked me to get back on it as well. But I said NO!! Are you CRAZY?? lol And that was that. I do find it hard not to concentrate on the pain and discomfort, because I find that my mind is just far to busy. I can't control it at times. Maybe that is why we focus on it. Marc does have an interesting point about the seratonin. Makes sense.It will just take a little time. By the way Marc, you have been super supportive and done some wonderful things for your wife. I am so happy for her that she has someone like you to help her. I agree that having that support is a deffinate helper in this situation. But I really can't take off enough time from work to give myself that final push off the E. But I am getting there. I am on 9mg. And tomorrow I will be on 4mg. Thank you for your kind words,and for rooting for us!
Laurel! I have had a serious attraction to anything water related as well!! It is a symbolic cleansing for me. I also agree the workouts really give me a sense of well being and positivity. But this past week has just been too hot and I've been feeling too sick to even try to work out. But tonight I play volleyball, so that will be good!
Bonnie, what are you at now? Are you gonna kick the beads to the curb soon? Hope you're doing well! I should be burnin them soon! Lets have a giant bonfire and burn them together! K I know that's a little much, but that is how much I hate this stuff now for what it's doing to all of you beautiful wonderful people and to me!!

I hope you are all having a great day.
Love and hugs,
xoElena

Good afternoon everyone, I just got back from taking my aunt to her doctors appt.
Elena, I on I guess 4mg. of the stuff. I really dont know how much I am taking. I just pour a little of the beads out, looks like maybe 4 or 5 beads and put them in my mouth and gulp water. I have had this same capsule for at least 7 days. It is 37.5. I should just throw them away and say the hell with it, but as I said before I am a little scared to do it. I will have to soon one day though, as I will run out of them.
Hope everyone is having a good day.
Take care,
Bonnie

Hi there, this is my first posting. I have been effexor free for the past 3 weeks after taking it for 6 months. I was prescribed it for pre-menopausal symptoms especially "the weepies". My family doctor does not prescribe hormone therapy anymore. At first I was happy that the anxiety had subsided. But I had bad side effects when taking the drug even at the 37.5 dosage. Bad night sweats, feeling like my hands weren't attached to my arms (very weird) and mostly a lack of energy. I gained 18 pounds during this time. I did go up to 75 for a brief time but then went back to the 37.5. When I was fed up with feeling blah and fat, I told the doctor I couldn't take them anymore. She told me to wean myself off slowly but didn't really give any instructions as to how slowly. I didn't go to the extremes that some people do, probably because I was anxious to get rid of it. I started taking it every other day and then every two days and then after about three weeks quit cold turkey. I was happy that the night sweats went away almost immediately and I only had vague nausea. BUT the worst part was those stupid brain zaps. They were driving me around the bend, even moving my eyeballs made those happen. I suffered with this for about a week before deciding that I had to try to find something to help me with this problem. This is what I did. First thing I did was make an appointment with a Naturopathic doctor. Then, because I had to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment, I went to a very good store in my area that specializes in natural healing products. I was desperate not only because of the brain zaps but also because I was soon going on vacation! Who wants to go on vacation feeling rotten? The two remedies I was recommended (not using a product name) was a formula to help the adrenals and also natural chlorphyll to help cleanse my insides. I was also told to make sure to take a decent dose of vitamin B. Without a word of a lie, the very next day after starting the adrenal capsules and chlorphyll the brain zaps quieted down some. It has been three weeks since I started them and I still have some minor zaps, usually later in the day when I am tired. But no eyeball zaps. I have now been to the naturopath who recommends that I keep taking the adrenal capsules. I quit the chloropyll as it started to give me a rash. He said I could have a grass allergy. I am also taking homeopathic pills called Avena which is wild oats. They are supposed to quiet the nerves. Also I am taking a menopausal formula for hot flashes. I am still getting the occasional zap but no where near as bad as before. I just rejoined Weight Watchers and am trying to get that part on track too. I really feel for all of you who are suffering. I know that everyone is different and my remedies may not work for you. But you never know! I had one major crying jag after getting off of the pills (so far), not to mention almost bit the head off of a clerk at a local donut store. That actually felt good! I offer nothing but encouragement and good things for you all. Keep fighting the good fight. Even when I felt the lousiest I was mad at that stupid effexor and swore it wasn't going to "win".

corrie, you should be proud of yourself for three weeks..my wife (kelly) has now made it through a week..she said that if
it wasn't for the awful head pain, it wouldn't seem so bad..i re-read the entire forum post, but i couldn't seem to find an answer for my question..i need some help from all of you veterans that are effexor free..is there something to help with the headache kelly is experiencing? i purchased some dramamine for her to help with the dizziness, but i can't seem to find any of you mentioning if something could be taken for the constant head pain..it's not from her blood pressure, we took that tonight and it was as good as ever. does CHASER only help with the dizziness, or does that take away the headache also? i would appreciate any advice. i'd also like to report that kelly has that "alive" look to her (skin color, eyes are more clear, much more emotional), so i do believe there is light at the end of this hell. keep going everyone, you can do it too!

Goodmorning all, Corrie thanks for your words of wisdom. I hope someday to be where you are now. I am still taking about 4 mg. a day. I feel a little strange every now and then. I really hope this won't get too bad once I have stopped completely.
Marc I think the chaser would be for headaches also, as it is hangover medication. I have tried that and it does help my symptons. You could at least try it.
Elena, how are you doing? I noticed that you didn't post yesterday, I didn't either. I had to go have a stress test done, so I was gone most of doing much of anything once I got home. I hope you are doing ok. I have been meaning to ask you, but do you have a computer at home? Just wondering, because I usually don't see you on weekends.
I think by now you have gone down to 4 mg. How are you doing with that?
Hope everyone is doing well.
Have a great 4th of July.

Bonnie

thank you bonnie. when you stop taking the poison pill, take the epsom salt baths and take vitamin b-12, drink lots of water. get lots of sleep. these things have all been helping my wife dramatically.

I am back from Orlando. Business trip for hubby. Rained every day. but that's okay. Suffered my first anxiety attack since being off the E this week. Really strange!! Didn't know what was happening, it had been so long. I was scared s**less. Of coure, that was the way my body reacted pre-E to anxiety attacks. I had one more on the flight home. But, anyway, I am going down to 9 on Sunday, as soon as my daughter leaves.
I have to work the last 2 weeks of the month, so will do 9 until then. I have no problem doing it slowing. I give a lot of prayers to those of you who are doing cold turkey. I am too chicken, not only that but I have so many hangups about the cold turkey. Love, to all. Will touch base on Monday, we are going to Edissto this wkend. Talk to you later.- Love, Cat

Well, I'm about 12 days Effexor free. The depression has gone, I'm not as snappy, and I definitely feel better. I've been very tired. Ironically, I'm not tired now since it's 4am and I've been up since 1am. I'm wide awake right now and I know I need my sleep. I've been taking so many different things to help purge my body of this toxin. I'm taking a detox tea to help cleanse my liver, everCalm to help me sleep (which doesn't seem to be working), fish oil to help with the focus (seems to be helping) any my Juice Plus+ which I love. The exercise everyday has been wonderful. It seems that I am improving slowly but surely. However, the brain zaps were nuts today. Something that's odd is that I usually have headaches everyday. Since I've stopped the poison, I haven't had a one headache. Weird.

I have checkout several books on detox, which are very interesting. I'm going to try a juicing diet to see if that also helps.

I'm getting a little bit sleepy. Maybe I'll try to lie down now. I hope everyone is doing well. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I finally feel like myself again.

oh, I met with my doctor and his respose was, "the literature says that withdrawal symptoms can occur but not to this extreme". I told him that my symptoms (based on what I've read on this forum) are mild compared to others. I don't blame him for not warning me, I blame the drug company for not being forthcoming with all of the accurate information.

Good night or good morning! Have a nice 4th!

hi folks..11 days without effexor for my wife (kelly). she had two wonderful days friday and saturday. today she said she
felt a little blah when she woke up. we took our two children and
went for breakfast, and by the end of the meal she was nauseous, dizzy, and achy. i can't help feeling disappointed even though i expect this to happen frequently. i feel worst for her, but i wanted to let all of you know that this is progressing rather well. happy 4th of July.

Good Morning all.
I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was busy and emotionally draining as my friends Dad's Memorial was held this past Thursday. It was a touching service and her Eulogy was heart wrenchingly beautiful. We spent Thursday night with the family and let her deal with her grief. She will be alright, she just will need some time.
Bonnie, as you can see from above it was a very draining weekend for me. I didn't get a chance to post due to the fact that I was running around like a madwoman! Thank you so much for thinking of me! I do have internet at home, but I am normally so busy that I don't really get the chance! There are too many people around and I want to be able to read and post with out distraction.How did the stress test go? What does it entale? I have stopped measuring the beads now and I am just taking about 6 of them with water, like yourself. I have felt the decrease in the way of wild emotions and anxiety. Which can be very disheartening. (Cat I totally understand how scared you felt with the sudden anxiety. That was what happened to me too.)
Now I guess all the emotions of this past week just added to my already emotional state and that's why I was such a mess. Bonnie have you been feeling emotional at all through your process?
Hope you all are doing well
Have good day!
Hugs
xoElena

Marc - As well as Bonnie, I too have good luck with the headaches from the chaser. I do not usually suffer from headaches other than sinus ones, so I was amazed at how well it helped me.
Had my first cut to 9 today. No noticeable changes. We'll see tomorrow. I go to the doc for my checkup and to have my "discussion about withdrawal from the E", wonder what his reaction will be when I tell him I'm already almost there.
Have not had any more anxiety attacks, but have been extremely busy feeding my daughter. This child who is a veterinarian and makes "bowcoo" bucks, does not know how to cook. I don't know why when I am such a good one. My son is a great cook too. Anyway, she asks me to make all her favorite dishes when she is home. We also visited the Edisto Island Serpentarium yesterday. Another animal place on her list. I finally have all the dishes put away. She left last night.
Today they are predicting rain, it has rained (thunderstorms) for two weeks with no end in sight. Just when the grass gets dry enough to mow.....
Question to all, have you had moments of severe forgetfulness during your withdrawal? My daughter said that I was scaring her with the way I was acting. I thought I was being normal, but obviously not.
Hope you all have had a wonderful Fourth. I am going to throw the pool boy out of the water and go jump in!
Love, Sheila

Sheila I have had moments of extreme forgetfulness lately! I will do something like put my keys in my purse and then I will forget where I put them and search frantically for 15 minutes looking when I just put them in my purse! Or I will forget what I am doing mid task. Terrible. Also I have really been feeling out of focus and almost drunk! I get so completely out of it. It's so odd.I really just wanna take a week and stop all together with this junk. I am only on a very small amount, maybe 6-8 beads.
But I just can't get over how Dr.Jekyll and Ms. Hyde I am right now. Yikes. in the morning it is really bad, I wake up with a feeling of dread. And some times around 6pm I start feeling overwhelmed with how out of it I am.
My poor family and friends. Not to mention the poor man in my life. Thank God he is so supportive.
Take care all,
xoElena

Elena, thank you for reassuring me that what I am going through is normal. I told you earlier in this forum that dementia et al runs in my family. I just don't want to think it has hit too early. I'm trying to do this withdrawal slowly because I still have to function in my life and I cannot take the time to suffer the extreme withdrawal.
I cannot believe the small amount of pills that there is is the 9 mg. Today went okay, lots of zaps, fatigue. Anyway, til tomorrow.
Love, Sheila

Hello everyone.
I hope you all are having a good day. It has been a busy one here.My office has been asked to move to a different area on the same floor.Just one of those pointless moves to keep us on our toes. Then we have to move to a different building all together 2 months later. I don't get it.
Anyway, have had some zaps today. Little ones but still notice them. Still feeling awfully forgetful and unfocused. But I sure am hoping that will pass.
The nausea too, that has been bad. It has me thinking that I may have a bug or something. But then I realize how off balance I am and understand why I am feeling the nausea.
How are you all? It seems like a quiet day at the forum. Hope you're all doing well.
Hugs and Prayers
xoElena

Elena, Sorry I have been busy today. Getting ready to take a little trip with the grandkids to New York for a couple days.
I have been very emotional myself. I hate it too. I sometimes feel like people are leaving me out of things and my feelings get hurt. They really aren't it is just me. Also I have been having the brain zaps. Had them last night while trying to sleep.
Actually, I could not sleep.
Hope tomorrow is a better day for both of us. I think this will pass soon.
Talk to you later.
Have a good evening.
Bonnie

Elena, one more thing. I think that Chaser is good for nausea. My stress test came back normal. I had to walk on a treadmill and the injected some kind of stuff in my veins to see if my blood flows to my heart like it is supposed to. I was having chest pains while walking uphill. Probably the effexor doing its thing there too.
Anyway it is good to no I dont have a heart problem.
I think it is really anxiety.

Hugs,
Bonnie

Elena, one more thing. I think that Chaser is good for nausea. My stress test came back normal. I had to walk on a treadmill and the injected some kind of stuff in my veins to see if my blood flows to my heart like it is supposed to. I was having chest pains while walking uphill. Probably the effexor doing its thing there too.
Anyway it is good to no I dont have a heart problem.
I think it is really anxiety.

Hugs,
Bonnie

Elena, one more thing. I think that Chaser is good for nausea. My stress test came back normal. I had to walk on a treadmill and the injected some kind of stuff in my veins to see if my blood flows to my heart like it is supposed to. I was having chest pains while walking uphill. Probably the effexor doing its thing there too.
Anyway it is good to no I dont have a heart problem.
I think it is really anxiety.

Hugs,
Bonnie

A little impatient with your post, Bonnie?
Saw my doc yesterday and had long talk about the E. Asked him what his protocol was for his patients discontinuing. I was very pleased with his answer. He suggested weaning down, half at a time until symptoms were very gradual. Told him I was at 9, he asked me lots of questions about my side effects and he said I was handling the right way and that when he saw me again in 3 months, I should be totally free. Just continue what I was doing. I questioned him about why he prescribed this particular drug for me when he knew of the problems getting off it when I only wanted it for a year or two. He got very defensive about Wyeth, said he got no kick backs or owned stock in it. Obviously previous patients have chewed him out before me.
My cholesterol did not drop as much as I expected. I was expecting a 20% drop and only got a 10% drop. He was pleased however. Told me again to keep doing what I was doing. My BP however was 112/68. I was surprised because I thought E withdrawal raised the BP. Anyway, I am on fourth day of 9 and have been fine. No zaps so far or anything else. I have been working out in the yard working up lots of sweat, so maybe that is detoxing me.
Bonnie, I'm glad your stress test came out okay. I have talked to other people who have had the chest pains during withdrawal (as well as some previous posts have mentioned it). I met two E survivors while in Orlando at that meeting! We're all over the place!
Love, Sheila

Hi everyone.
It's a beautiful sunny day here and I can't wait to get out there and play some Volleyball!
How is everyone? Bonnie, I am so glad to hear that your stress tests came out fine. I'm sure it is anxiety. But I won't say "Just" Anxiety because it can be very difficult for people to endure.I know from experience. I get it really bad now. But I am trying to tame it myself. I know what you mean about the brain zaps. When it happens, even though I know what it is it still startles the crap out of me! I'm at 6 beads now by the way. You? Is it 4 now for you? Good job, we will get there! I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that is an emotional car wreak. I sometimes feel out of control. I really hate that. But it manages to pass.. eventually. I feel so crazy at times! LOL
I may just have to try this chaser. I haven't yet. The nausea has been so gross. That is one thing I hate. Being nauseous! Anyway I am so happy you are taking a trip with your grandkids! That sounds great! I hope you have a wonderful time!
I'm sure you will ; )
Sheila glad to hear that you spoke your mind at your doc. appointment. He needs to hear it, even if he has been told before. Good for you with your cholesterol drop! You're getting there. You more than likely are sweating out alot of toxins.I love a good detox sweat. I may just hit up the sauna in my apartment building and sit it there for a while to clean out my system.
Those who have been scarce the last little while, I wish you all well. And that where ever you are you are happy and healthy.
Hugs and prayers to you all.
xo Elena

This is my first posting and I hope that I will find support from other people who are undergoing what I am about to. Today is my last dose of Effexor XR 150mg. I have been on it for 3 years for mild depression and occasional anxiety. The only reason I am on it now is because I am fearful of the withdrawal side effects. If I am a few hours late with a dose or God forbid miss it all together, I have horrible symptoms. They include "brain-quakes", pulsating sounds in my ears, and dizziness. I even went to a neurologist about this when I first had symptoms and she asked me if I was "hearing voices" or "smelling strange smells". She did not correlate the Effexor with any of my symptoms. Of course the psychistrist that prescribed this awful med to me never told me this could happen.

Could someone give me advice on the best taper from 150mg? Also are there any supplements that can help with the withdrawal symptoms?

Dear Scared,
I want you to know that you are not alone in this. There are many people who experience the same effects that you are having. I was also never informed about the side effects of getting off this drug. And I was made to feel crazy by being told that what I was experiencing was very "rare" and "doesn't happen often." But I would advise you to wean off the Effexor instead of going cold turkey. It will be easier on your body that way. Wean down the medication every two weeks by a half. For example, I went down from 75 to 37.5 then from 37.5 to 18.5 and so on. Take a moment when you can and read over the posts here in this forum. There are alot of tips and it explains what we all have been going through. Maybe there will be some info that you can use. Everyone here has been so supportive and helpful I don't know what I would do without them! We have all chipped in ideas and methods, like taking episom salt baths with Hydrogen peroxide for detox. Drinking lot's of water, trying to get enough sleep and getting exercise as often as you can. You will be okay, you will get through this and we are all here to help each other out. For your dizziness there is a brand of motion sickness med. that is called sea bands. That really helps, as well as Dramamine which helps with dizziness and nausea.
Take care, and don't be scared! Everything will be okay!
Hugs and prayers
xoElena

Thanks for the support and the advice. I am reading over all the posts and hope to find a combination that will help with the withdrawal symptoms. I wish the best to all of you who are going through the same things.

Dear all,

I wish I could be more supportive and upbeat right now. I'm so glad I got off Effexor, but I'm not happy that I have anxiety and panic now and am very bothered by the physical sensations I'm experiencing. I wonder if I could still be de-toxing from E after all these weeks.

Dawn, my aunt and uncle live right by Northbrook Center (although once upon a time, they lived out in the middle of nowhere). I did feel good on my trip.

I don't know whether to keep posting here. I don't won't to be a downer, but I still need support.

Laurel