Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 48 of 140}

Hi Tonya,

Honestly I'm not sure on the capsules. I'm still on the .75 and hope to begin the .37.5 soon. I've read most of the postings and I hear all about the little pellets in the capsules and know everyone goes really sloooow on them. YOu definitely should do that.

Sadie or anyone else who reads this and know's from experience...........

do you know exactly how many Tonya should start with when opening the capsules?

Stay in Touch Tonya and let us know how you are doing and I'll be hollering at you when I get to as low dosage as you are..

sherri

Tonya and Sherri-
Some people would be real paticular and dump out 15 pellets at a time. I would just dump out what looked like half and do that for a week and then another half of that so I was down to 1/4 and then one weekend I got sick with a kidney Infection and I said screw it I am already feeling horrible and I stopped. It was the worst week. Your first week completley off is the worse, but it does get better.

As for the taste, It isn't like a pill where it is yucky tasting it is a pellet so there really is not taste.

Good Luck,
Sadie

I have been experiencing severe dizziness and nausea. How long does dizziness and nausea last?
I have been on 150mg Effexor XR daily for two years. During that time my depression lifted but I had to take naps just about every day. I was always tired! I went to my physician and she had many test done to determine what was wrong. She finally said that it was Effexor. My psychiatrist said that that was not the case. I finally told my psychiatrist to take me off Efexor. She said OK and put me on Wellbutrin. She gave me two weeks of 75mg supply of Effexor. After those two weeks I started feeling very dizzy and nauseated every time I turned my head. This lasted for over a week and I finally went to my physician. She checked my ears and referred me to a neurologist. Yesterday I found this forum! I cannot believe that so many people suffer dizziness and nausea and that psychiatrists do not know about it or choose not to tell us that this could happen after the weaning off period.

T-Girl,

I understand completely what you are saying. It's completely strange that these nurses and dr's do not have a clue. From my research, Effexor is one of it's kind. I'm telling everyone I know to not get on this particular antidepressant. Anything but this one. I was on 150 mg about 3 weeks ago and now I am on .75 daily. Honestly the last couple weeeks have been just horrible. My husband is trying to understand that I'm having to wean off this crap. My job has already talked to me because I've been miserable and it show's. I've alienated myself from almost everyone, I've contacted a couple of attorney's and it just goes on and on. I know I'm not be very helpful, I've just being honest. I've been to an EAP therapist referred to me by my job because of my crying spells and my attitude. I'm just angry and irritated. it sucks...it really does. I'm going to hopefully get some short term disability from work and hope to know soon, so I can drop down to .37 mgs and do it from home instead of work. On the up side, I know I'll defeat this one....I got of Zanax a year ago and that stuff was horrible too. Good luck to you. The dizziness and the nausea are normal. My head feels like it was going to explode as well as my ears from the pressure. Also, as I stated I was on 150. I dropped to .75 and I'm still irritable and cranky; however, I don't feel the dizziness, nausea, headaches like I did when I tried to quit cold turkey two week's ago. HOnestly, from what I've been hearing, we have to wean very very slow. Good luck to you.
sherr

T-Girl-
So sorry you are having to go through us. Join the group! I too was put on Well butrin to help withdrawl, but it didn't work. Read the prior post and slowly take yourself down. I will tell you and Sherr what worked for me. I took valium (sp?) every night at bed. My dr. prescribed it saying that is what he treats his patients with min-ears disease. Which causes the dizziness.

As far as work. I could not have done it. Sherr talk to your HR person legally this is a medical problem and it shouldn't be held againts you. If you fill silly refer them to this site and they will see how serious this is.

I think I am almost 2 months completley off this stuff. I quit counting. I do not have those horrible feelings anymore. That is your hope.

Keep Strong,
Sadie

Tonya and Sherri -

I started breaking open the capsules at the 75 mark when I dropped to 37.5. I just opened them up and tried to even them out in the capsule. I then put the little balls in yogurt or applesauce and swallowed them down. No pain, no aftertaste. I also emptied the second one the next day and saved my empty capsules for the next drop. Someone said you could buy empty capsules at a health food store.

By the way, I ended throwing out a six week supply of 75 E. But I didn't drop to each level until I was ready, until I didn't have many side effects because the first four or five days after a drop was the hardest each time. I actually got obsessed with opening up those capsules, looking at them, shaking my head that such small things could control me like they did.

Good luck to you. - Love, Sheila

Thanks Sadie and Catgranny. I really appreicate you taking time out to email.

Hey, becuae of me being upset with the mfg of Effexor, just for kick's I contacted an attorney to see what they would say about a possible claim. They basically told me they were not interested in taking the case....see their comments below...

Dear Sherri,

Thank you for the privilege of allowing Kahn Gauthier to evaluate your legal inquiry involving Anti-Depressants.

Based upon our assessment of the information you provided, Kahn Gauthier is unable to represent you in this matter at this time. This does not mean that you DON'T qualify to make a claim with a lawyer - you should consult with another lawyer (see below) for a second opinion. There are many ways you can do this, including the yellow pages and your local Bar Association. Also, one of our websites, www.lawcash.com, provides the means to submit your case to other lawyers who may be interested in representing you, by submitting your claim at this link:

http://www.lawcash.com/claim/contact.asp

Anyway...just an fyi...
take care...sherri

Hello everyone, I am 72 days effexor free. I am an oldie here. Anyway, just want to tell everyone to hang in there and if you read back, you will see where many people have suggested ways to get through the withdraw. I did buy chaser and took dramamine. I think the dramamine helped with the dizziness alot.
I went very slow getting off of the effexor. In fact, I started back in Jan. of this year and as about the 8th day of September. I think that for me this was the best way to do it. I like Sheila would break open my capsules after I got past 37.5, which by the way I didn't have any problems until I reached cutting the 37.5 in half.
I would open the capsule and take out at this point about 6 of the little devils and swallow then with water. After I did this for about a month I dediced it was time to quit. I could tell after about 3 days, that I didn't feel very good and it lasted for a couple of weeks. I still feel some brain zaps every now and then, but I am so grateful to be off of those things.
If you have any questions, I will try and help the best I can. There are some people on here that can be of great help to you, so please ask.
I did and still do have the memory problems.

Take care
Bonnie

Hello all,
I am new to the site (I posted about a week or so ago for the first time).
I have since had acupuncture and massage treatments, and they have really helped. I would suggest them to anyone weaning off and having a hard time. I'm also taking green tea extract and a B vitamin.
K.

Bonnie, so nice to hear from you. I believe you were the one who gave me the best advice by opening the capsules. Are you doing ok?

Sadie

Yes, Sadie, I am doing pretty good. I will always have to take something for my depression. Right now, I am on zoloft.I have had to take something for about 16 years.
My mom, was always depressed as well as all of her sisters, I really think it is a genetic thing.
One day, I told my doctor this, that I want to get off all my meds just to see how I feel. He said I could do that but to take one at a time. We started with effexor.
I am hopeing that was the worse one. I also take ativan and I understand that is a hard to wean from.
Thanks for asking.

Bonnie

Thanks for the replies (re:b-friend)... We just got back from emergency and were relieved when the CT scan and blood test (platelet count etc) came back normal... Nothing weird going on other than the side effects... The doctors there pretty much told him to ride it out... Interestingly, my b-friend put a phone call in to a drug rep. friend of his who is more familiar with anti-depressants on the market, and was told that effexor is well known in the industry as "Side-effexor"... apparently it is the most prescribed antidepressant in Ontario due to marketing... Disgusting. He said the side effects usually take a couple of weeks to wear off. Anyway... thank you so much for all of your support... It was heartwarming to find replies to my post.

Girlfriend

Thanks Cavalier and Sadie! I forgot to mention that I gained 25lbs in the 2 years of taking Effexor. Since finishing my last dose two weeks ago I have gained another 5lbs and feel extremely bloated. Is there hope to loosing weight after stopping Effexor?
I am going to continue on Welbutrin (it is working well so far for my depression). It feels like I am waking from a two year hybernation. I actually have the energy and awake enough to function well. Today dizziness was tolerable.

HELP !!!!!


I've been on Effexor for 4 years. Since I was 18, I'm now 22. I'm tired of being on meds and I decided to get off this damn medication. While I was on the meds, everything was fine.

I've been on 150 mg of Effexor. A month ago I went to my doctor and told him that I wanted to taper off. So he put me on 97.5 mg for a week. Then 75 mg for a week. And then finally 37.5 mg for 2 weeks. And now I'm finally off.

It's been about 3 days since I've been off the meds, but the whole withdrawl symptoms have been unbearable.

First off I feel like I am in this dream like state where everything seems surreal. It's like I'm watching myself do things from a first person perspective, kind of like through a video camera. It's very hard to describe but the only way I can describe it is that I feel like I am drunk and I'm not really grasping things and I don't really feel like I'm existing here and now. If I'm talking to someone, I'll keep talking, then a couple seconds later I'll realize I'm still talking to them. It's like my mind cuts out for a second.

The second symptom is these damn brain zaps which feel like a split second rush of blood to the head. They're becoming more frequent. It's like a whoosh that just jars you for a split second, but it happens over and over and over.

The third symptom is this brain fog. I can't really think clearly and it take me longer to conjur up thoughts and to focus. I feel like I have this fog in front of me and I'm not really seeing life for what it truely is. I feel frustrated because my mind can't focus on things.

And finally, I feel sick. I have headaches and I feel sixk. And my ears are so sensitive that every little sound causes another brain zap.


HELP !!!!!

I need some help from someone. Anyone? I can't handle these symptoms and I don't want to go back on any drugs.

Hey Bonnie, good to hear from you.

Sherri, there is a class action lawsuit filed in Oklahoma at www(dot)effexorwar(dot)com. You might want to check it out. Did you sign the online petition?

T-girl, over 90% of the people who have posted to this forum gained weight on E. I personally do not know when it should start coming off, I am 6 wks out and have not lost anything even though I have tried, have bloated terribly and am hungry all the time. It has taken a tremendous amount of willpower to control that. I am learning what I am capable of when I put my mind to it, what's left of it anyway.

To all of you going through the withdrawal now, I repeat myself but these are words of advice that have been mentioned throughout the over 45 pages of this forum by many of us survivors, do the following: drink LOTS of water to help flush the E out of your systems, stay away from caffeine if possible, and take B complex and C vitamins (the natural kind) to help with your stress level and to promote good circulation. Exercise, build up a sweat, or take epsom salt and peroxide baths to promote the sweating, chiropractic adjustments have helped me, and therapeutic massage. Indulge your body from the outside, get pedicures, lots of body lotions, the hands on, touching, even if they are your own, make you feel better.

My chiropractor gave me a tip for my headaches, I don't usually have headaches but have had a lot with the E. There is a bone right in back of your earlobe, just above the little hollow (if your head is shaped like mine). He said to massage that bone whenever I feel a headache coming on because that is where the nerve that affects regular headaches is. It works for me. The Chaser (found at Walmart for hangovers) also helps.

Hope some of these tips work for those of you who don't want to go back and read all the volumes of past posts. I'm sure some of the other old-timers can add to my list things that have worked for them.

Love, Sheila

Does anyone know if weaning off Wellbutrin is the same as weaning from Effexor? Thanks for all you support! I am canceling my neurologist appointment because I now know that dizziness/spins/nauzea is due to Effexor withdrawal.

Bonnie- I was on Zoloft prior to Effexor. I did have some of the same withdrawl issues, but not as severe. I was put on Zoloft for post partum, then I wanted to swich to Effexor because Zoloft made me gain weight.

T-Girl,As far as weight I am 30lbs heavier and havent shed anything yet. It is driving me crazy.
I was taking Wellbutrin after I was off of Effexor and then I stopped. I had no side effects.

Girlfriend- Glad to hear that you got things taken care of. I like the "side-effexor" term.

hedkand12- Join the group): One thing now is you know that you are not crazy and that there is a reason for your symptoms. Keep strong and take the advice given on this post.

Have a good day!
Sadie

It's day 4 or 5 for me. I've never felt worse in my life. I feel like I'm walking around like a mindless zombie. I have no emotions. It's very hard for me to think clearly and it's very hard for me to think of memories. In fact, I can't think of the past. I can't focus on the future. All I can do here is sit at home with a headche and feel nothing. Then when I sleep I have the most bizarre, weirdest, dreams/nightmares and when I wake up the dreams linger with me for hours.

Can anyone relate? I don't know how much more I can take, but I don't want to go back on meds.

It seemslike nothing is real at the moment and I am just tis floating piece of matter.

All,

Finally got approved for short term disability from work to wean off. I'm at home and on day two going cold turkey and yes, it is horrible; however, I am desperate to get off this crap. I'm headin' out the door to a therapist to talk about all of this. I've received 30 day's paid leave from work. 'Thank you Jesus! And to the forum. I'll email later when I get back. I've quit cold turkey and it is BADDDDD. But I can do it. Take care all and I'll respond to your emails when I get back.
love to all.
P.S. If some of you are working and trying to get off of Effexor. Good luck, I could not do it. I did receive the short term disability from work. It is a state law, family law. luv, sherri

Cavalier, I had to take 3 days off sick leave (we only get 10 days per year) and then some vacation hours since I could not work the full day.

I am officially feeling better. Only headaches and slight dizziness remain. It has been 3 1/2 weeks since I took my last 75 mg dose (two weeks on that reduced from 150 mg for two years) and I had to take two 37.5 mg doses to make it through the first two weeks.

I haven't checked in for a while for not wanting to make people down but I am not doing too good. I feel like my depression is returning, I want to cry, scream, disappear and just stop being a part of the world , however I know that this is also a side effect from the withdrawal so am trying very hard to ignore it and know it will go away. I am still on 37.5 mg split into 2 doses. I am so anxious to get off this crap but the ND wants me to keep taking it slow.

I wish I could take time off work to get through this, unfortunately though I work in a small office as the manager and my absence would be too greatly felt. Besides, to be honest, if I stay home then I ultimately end up doing nothing or getting bored out of my mind, at least at work it takes my mind off things. I may take a week off for the final drop.

Kerry

Thank God for this site and I really mean that. I have been off and on anit depressants for over 10 yrs. and for about the last 2 years my doctor put me on Effexor, I hate taking any type of medicine so I can say that I would miss a day or two taking Effexor and during those periods of absence I would feel dizzy, uncoordinated, not really putting it on the Effexor until recently. My husbands employment ended and so did the insurance, I was faced with taking my blood pressure or the Effexor, I figured I really needed my Blood Pressure Medicine, so about a couple of days off of the Effexor and not knowing that it was the Effexor I began to feel very very bad. Dizziness, headaches, back pain, and at the time I couldn't really understand what you call the Brain zaps were. I had all of this coming down on me and I felt like I was going to die. I thought the Brain zaps was due to me about to have a stroke, without insurance or anything I said God if it is my time to go then I am ready. As the days progressed I would begin to feel worse, comfort only came when I would lie down or close my eyes. I realized it wasn't from stroke symptons it was the EFFEXOR, I finally a couple of days ago decided to take matters into my own hands and get on the internet and I keyed in Effexor withdrawals, I was sure I would find something and that is when I found this wonderful site. I knew then I was dying, nor was I going crazy. The site has been so very helpful and I am now into my third week of COLD TURKEY, thank God for understanding family members. Effexor as I have seen named by some of you is a poison and I agree 110% it should not be on the market at all. I am going to continue Cold Turkey and will not go back, I can see a light at the end of this tunnel hell. May God give each of you the strength you need to get through this terrible, yet educational ordeal. I didn't mentioned that I was taking the antidepressants for premenstral syndrome symptons. I will just have to do an alternative herbal supplement to combat these symptons and a lot of prayer.

I split the pellets last night. I was having some brain zaps, but not to bad. I think I'll continue this for another week. Then I'll just drop it all. Wish me luck. Good luck with your venture of weaning. Good news, I shared the news about E and the horrible weaning process with a doctor in our building. He IS NOT going to prescibe it to another patient. I feel like I suceeded in something.

I need help what is good for anxiety. I am doing the EFFEXOR cold turkey

I've just been going through some old magazines checking to make sure I hadn't missed anything before I tossed them. In the August 8, 2005 issue of Newsweek on page 57 is an article entitled "How to Quit the Cure," about weaning off SSRI's. This is the first time I have seen anything in a national magazine dealing with this issue. Maybe someone is out there watching. Thought y'all might be interested.
Love, Sheila

I can't take much more of this...

I'm on my 5th or 6th day without Effexor and I want to cry.

I can't take much more. I'm feeling VERY VERY depressed. I'm still in a major brain fog. I'm now having anxiety attcks.

God, why does my life have to be like this. Why can't I live without a stupid drug.

If tomorrow comes and nothing changes for me, then I'm going back to my doctor and back on the meds.

You only have 1 life. I'm not gonna waste it feeling unhappy and depressed.