Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 45 of 140}

Tonya and Colleen, I had no idea the muscle jerks were part of the E withdrawal. I thought they were just dehydration on my part. Thanks for the heads up on that. It is amazing, I am off E, but still learning about what has been going on in my body because of it.

I am now one month E free. Still zapping like crazy, occasional anxiety attack, got stressed out big time at work last week when something that has bothered me came up and hit me in the face. I blew up at another employee who was partially responsible for my frustration. I apologized later, but the damage was done. She really never liked me (is the paranoia happening?). Who knows? Am in stages, hungry and then not hungry, really weird.

Kerry, did you find the Chaser. That really worked for me on the headaches.

Am going to Las Vegas tomorrow for a business trip with hubby. Why do they have business meetings in LV? Decadent town. We used to go there a lot when we first got married, back before they imploded all the historic hotels, back when the mob was still in charge. Today, it is just another tourist attraction. For the life of me I cannot understand why so may retirees go there. Dry, brown, ugly, flashy. I guess I am just an easterner who needs green.

Until later, good health to all of you and keep hanging in there, it is worth it.

Love, Sheila

Just checking in for the day. I had previously told ya'll that I took E at 5pm everyday. Well by 4pm yesterday I felt so awful I took my E early. I didn't want to break down at this point. Good grief I am only 4 days into weaning off this crap, I am strong and I am not giving in. The only way I can explain the feeling I had was like my brain was sending pulses to the rest of my body. It was funky and I did not like the feeling at all.

I didn't sleep for crap last night, my back hurts and I am soooo thirsty. Also, I am having a dry throat/mouth and my sinuses have started acting crazy. On a lighter note, besides being drained this morning, so far so good. I don't feel to bad. So, if I am going to get worse side effects, at what point are they going to come? Eeks, this is crazy. I have never USED drugs in my life, but I might have well just started come downer drugs cause I feel like I am my own detox program for what a certified Doc prescribed me. And for what it looks like, I never should have been given E in the first place. YELLLLLLLLLLLLLL Okay I feel better now. I'll be in touch.

Tonya-Oklahoma

I suppose during part one of phasing off E, everyone jumps onto the board frequently. I am heading home for the day. I did some reading on some past post and I believe the funky feeling I am having to be those "brain jerks" that everyone is talking about. As long as I am sitting still their not so bad. But if I get up to do something they get so bad that I feel like I could pass out at anytime.

I am the only management at my job, so I let my closet employees in on what I am going through, just incase something should happen. I took my 75mg of E. Still, I feel like I should be in a rehab somewhere, tied down to a bed and sedated. This is so stupid for Dr.s to subscribe a medication to their patients that have this potential that E has. I do not understand why my Doc even gave it to me in the first place. I am alittle confused right now cause I had full faith in my Dr of 10 years to do the best for me. I wonder if he even knows what E does. Just reading about it isn't enough, I think all the Dr.'s who prescribe E, need to be required by law to take it themselves and withdrawl from it. Then we'll see the stocks go down on E.

I am sorry for being so negative, I just want it to be over. I want my body and mind back. I WILL WIN!!!

Tonya-Oklahoma

Hey Tonya, that's the beauty of this forum.We have all had those exact feelings- horror, fear, panick and anxiety.I just want you to know that you are being held in our thoughts and prayers; you will get through this. You describe your experiences very well. I had a bunch of zaps today, but I figure it's because we are going through some major restructure at work and the feelings of anger and bitterness are running high.
I'm sure your doctor had no idea that E could be so evil.They only know what the drug companies tell them. I had to take holidays early so that I wouldn't have to be around people while I was in the early stages of withdrawal. There may be some wisdom in going on another antidepressant to get you through the hard times, I don't know how you feel about that or if you feel comfortable discussing it with your doc.Just a suggestion.Take care of yourself.
Love
Coleen

Sheila, by the way, congrats on being one month free of E. Hope you gave a good time in Las Vegas. I've never been there, but I know a lot of people who love it down there and go annually. I've never had the urge myself.
Love
Coleen

I am going crazy I think.
I went on effexor XR 1 year ago . Was up to 150 mg by December. started having dreams that stuck with me all day and sweated all night long. This was why I chose to go off Effexor and with Dr. assistance went down to 75 mg then to 37.5. I then took matters into my own hands and have been splitting the capsules and taking a few less every week.
I had a hellish day today and I am at the end of my rope as such.
I had a good day yesterday but that isnt helping me try to remain calm today.
I woke up feeling blank , then I couldnt get my minf to focus on anything then the racing thoughts and scattered thoughts and then the sadness I feel because I have no control over my own mind.
I went on effexor xr because I was having these episodes of agitation for awhile. Now as I go off they seem way worse is this common??
Also I need to mention I have been on one Seniquan for 8 years then Luvox for 9 then effexor xr for 1 and now they are putting me on Amitriptyline for the anxiety and panic.
I really think the anxiety is hormone related ( I am 46) and as a matter of fact I have believed that my depression anxiety has alwys been related to my cycle ...can anyone relate and if so any tips for me...I am growing weary and seeking encouragment.
Thanks
El

I've been off Effexor 10.5 weeks and had a really rough week last week - that carsick feeling and severe anxiety. Realized perhaps a lot of that was related to my menstrual cycle. Feeling oodles better this week. So, I can definitely relate to what you went through with that. At least I will have a heads up for next month if I start feeling anxious again around that time.

Hey Coleen, I am not against going on another anti-depressant. Especially if it'll help get me through this hurdle. I have realized that the "brain zaps" come on a couple of hours before my next dose of E is due. But now after I take it, the zaps continue for several hours. On a good note, I had a good night sleep. I don't know what effect this has on the "brain zaps". But I have a bad back so I have a script for Lortab. Well about 8pm my back was killing my so I took a 7.5 Lortab and within 30 mins, the pain was better and the "brain zaps" were gone. Anyone know of any relationship between these two drugs? I was able to enjoy dinner with my family. We watched old videos of the kiddos and laughed till 10:30pm.

I am only 31 yrs young, have 5 beautiful kiddos and a great husband and I thank you all for your prayers and concern. You've been through this and who better to get me through it. You are great!

Tonya-Oklahoma

Tonya,
I don't post that much anymore but I too am 31 mother of 3. I do not know how you are able to be a mother and work while trying to wing yourself off. I commend you for that. That is good you talked to your staff and told them what is going on because you may need support. You still have a long road ahead of you and I am so sorry to not be able to tell you differently. I don't think anyone took my advice about the valum, but it worked for me. I took it at night and if needed a half in the day. It didn't knock me out, but it helped with the dizziness and brain zaps. That and time is what helped. Good luck to you, you can do this. We all can relate.

By the way what part of OK are you from? My inlaws live in Weatherford,Clinton and Oklahoma City.

C-ya
Sadie

El-
So sorry you are having these experiences. What helped me is when I found this site. I knew there was a real reason why I felt I was going crazy. It is real unsetteling to have these indescribable feelings and not know that you are going to be OK. Sheila, Elena and myself can assure you that you do get better, now I don't know about them, but I felt very onery and irritable after the main symptoms of withdrawl, but that too is getting better.

Sadie, what is Valum? Do you mean valium? I have an appt. with my doctor and am going to ask him for some. What dosage did you find helped?

Sheila, I did find the chaser at Walmart (in Canada) but used it for the dizziness (I don't think it helped much for that), didn't think about using for the headache, I will try next time.

I think some of the withdrawal is hormone related, when I did a reduction at the beginning of my cycle it went really well, the reduction at the end of my cycle was terrible and I just realized yesterday that both my 2 recent anxiety attacks came on the day my period was due. I am on the pill which regulates my hormones and was hoping to come off after my hubby has his "surgery", I may have to rethink that.

Kerry

Sadie, I am from Owasso, Oklahoma-We are about 250 miles North-East of Oklahoma City. Thanks for the words of wisdom.... Even though I wanted to hear, "Oh it'll only last a week", atleast I know I have a long road so I can prepare myself. I may ask my Doc about Valium. We'll see...

Thanks, Tonya

I had a migraine last week and took a Lortab. I sure paid for it the next day - was like all the withdrawal effects of the first week off Effexor came back full strength and I was two months off the stuff. So perhaps there is something similiar in them.

Sorry about the mispell. I can not spell. I don't have the bottle anymore so I do not know what the dosage was, but your dr. should be able to determin by weight and age etc.

My dr. said it was what they used to treat min-ears disease to help with the dizziness. I wasn't on it longer then a week in a half.

Good Luck,
Sadie

Hello to everyone.
I have not been on in a while and I really wanted to see how you all are doing. To those who I have not met, and who are fairly new to the forum, my name is Elena, and I went through a very difficult Effexor withdrawal along with many of the members of this forum in the last 8 months. It was not easy, but I have been off of it for....well I can't even remember how long! I feel better, but my anxiety began to get really bad. I originally went on Effexor for that reason, Anxiety. I have been doing yoga stretches on my own and I wanted to go to the next level with it as it helped me so very much.
I have joined a yoga class that begins next Wednesday.(A truly great suggestion Lori!) It truly does quiet my mind and soothes my soul! It is different for everyone of course, but this seems to be the proper method for me. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Please stay positive, it's a hard road but you will make it!
I don't have access to a computer as often as I would like now, but I wanted to tell you all I am thinking of you, Bonnie, Coleen, Sheila, Sadie, Laurel, BeeMarie, Fruitbat, Dawn, Jami, Lori, and Kerry. And of course anyone else I missed! Thank you for all your help during my time of need.I hope I comforted you as much as you did me.
You all are in my prayers.
Hugs,
xo Elena

Elena! Hello! It's so good to hear from you! I'm so happy that you are well and doing fine.You were a huge help to me during that awful decent into E hell; words cannot express how grateful am to you and all the others( including the ones at the very first postings-thank God they started this forum)The internet is really such a blessing- it puts you in touch with people from all over the world who are in the same boat. Years ago, I just quietly suffered, thnking I was weird and different.
Hope everyone had a great day.Remember, you're one zap closer to freedom.
Love,oleen

Crap! I can't even spell my own name!
Coleen

Goodmorning all - Elena I am so glad to hear from you. Was worried about you.
I have been thinking of taking yoga also. You think it really does help with the anxiety?
Sorry to hear that you are not feeling so good.
I am doing pretty good. I still feel strange sometimes, but try to shrug it off.
Coleen, I agree with you about the internet. So glad I am not the only one thinking I was weird. LOL

Hope everyone has a good day.
To all those who are in the middle of coming off of effexor, just hang in there it does get better each day.
At times, I thought I was loosing my mind.

Bonnie

Hi to all, and thanks to Elena, Bonnie, Coleen (and anyone else that the Effexor has wiped temporarily from my memory lol) for continuing to encourage and support those still going through the initial journey.

I just wanted to add to the Yoga conversation. Yoga is a wonderful thing, I did manage to get some classes in before I moved in January and it helped both mentally and physically. I am by no means a "fit" and in "shape" person and was worried about doing yoga (there is no way I can bend my body like that). It turned out to be completely doable for me as the instructor does not push you beyond your limits. It is also incredibly satisfying the first time you touch your toes with straight legs for the first time since highschool....lol. It focuses your mind and allows you to concentrate on yourself.

Anyways, I start classes again next week and cannot wait. So go for it Bonnie, it really does help.

Kerry

All,

Day 4 Effexor Withdrawl. Affecting my personal life and my job. Seeing EAP counselor today to hopefully get short-term disability to be able to stay home and wean off Effexor. Dr. has me on Effexor every other day, Zoloft to help depression, Ambien to sleep, and Zanax to help with anxiety. I have become a drugger and the mfg company has become rich. Who is smarter us or them?
God Bless everyone..sherri in Dallas

Hi, Sheri, from someone who has been where you are and recognizes the wisdom of taking some time off. (I wish I had.) Good luck with your EAP folks; may they come through for you. At least your doctor is part of your "ween team." :-)

Love and prayers,
Laurel in St. Paul, MN, where we had a tornado Wednesday night. Who can understand this weather anymore? Is Mother Nature coming off Effexor herself?

Naria,

My first laugh of the day....seems like mother nature is on or coming off Effexor too! Hope the tornado didn't do any damage to your property. Dallas is pretty crazy now because of all the evacuee's.

Did you get off of Effexor?

Headin' out soon to the EAP dr. to see if he'll approve me gettin' short term disability...I'll let ya' know...
ciao for now, sher

I am no expert but I read somewhere that going one day on one day off is not the way to go to avoid "discontinuation symptoms"
Look throught he posts and read about opening the capsules and weaning but taking less capsules weekly.
My pdoc prescribed 37.5 every other day and after reading the articleI chose to do it my way.
I am down to 20 pellets a day from the 100 in the capsule. You have to take some of the large ones mixed with the small ones.
I know has been very helpful for me and others.Even doing this I usually get symptoms on the 3rd or 4th day from reduction. I will go down to 15 then 10 then to 5 and to 2 and then 1 then off.
Ellie

Hello all,
I have been on effexor for a few years now and would like to go off of it. My usual dose is 150 mg/day, and on Sunday I started a 1/2 dose of 75 mg/day.
I am experiencing brain zaps, dizziness, sweating and fatigue. I work full time...not sure if I can keep doing it! It is hard to do anything.
I got a massage yesterday, and it made last night much better.
I read on the forum that someone suggested NuxVomica...has this helped anyone?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
Thanks,
Kat

Ellena- So nice hearing from you! I am glad you are doing well. Shiela and Collene you too.

Newbies- Today is a new day, You are one day closer to be off this poision.

Sadie

Thanks Ellle Mae and Sadie. I am a newbie and look forward to getting to know you guy's and hearing your stories. Talk to ya'll soon.

sherri