Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 71 of 140}

I have been on Effexor XR for 7 years. Like others, I went to the doctor for a check-up last year, and she doubled my Effexor from 75 to 150. I didn't ask for it at all. The Dr said that the 75 dosage was the wrong dose for someone of my stature. It didn't matter that I was ok with the 75, she was just going by some stupid chart. I am 58, husband got ill, and my insurance was cancelled. The Effexor XR is so expensive that I had to get off it. Paying those drug bills were making me even more anxious. The doctor was no help, except telling me come in for a visit and then get the dosages to wean myself off E. What part of NO-insurance did she not hear, I don't know! So now, I am on day 7 of 'cold turkey'. I have all the symptoms that those of you before me had, but hearing you talk about them was just so helpful When you refer to ZAPS, I was calling them racecars. Sounds like the Indy500 cars going past my head. The sweats, no sleep, body aches, sinus drainage and gagging, crying ( I cried watching a Walker Texas Ranger rerun), and fear of never being normal again are horrible. I almost gave in today, and bought the Effexor RX with my phone/cable/internet payment. Then I found you guys. Thank you! Tomorrow I will try the epsom salts bathtub. I do not want to be on this drug anymore.

Pat
I am so happy you found this site. It is a godsend to me and many others. Just to hear you are not alone in your crazy withdrawl is so helpful.I am still going through the process of weaning very slowly but I know that many others have been successful and I will be too. Good Luck and this will end and you will feel so much better!!
Tim
Sounds like you are doing great! It is good to hear you have a great support system.
John
There is no shame in weaning slower. How long did it take to get here?? I realized I had to take it VERY slow because I just could not function.Today I am at 4.5 mg or 10 tiny balls out of a 37.5 capsule. I skipped yesterday and while I can feel some effects I am going to try and contiue to miss a day and remove 2 balls evcery 4 days. Good Luck
Molbiol
Thankyou for giving us more info and hope. You should be so proud of yourself. It is great to hear about your emotional health too!!Awesome
Laura
You are doing so great! It sounds as if you are really in tune with what your body needs. It is wonderful to hear you feel more alive. On the good days with no symptoms I feel great too!! Thanks for the bday wish It was real sweet.

Duty calls gotta go!!

Delaney

Greetings everyone'
Today is day three totally without any Effexor. I do not have any symptoms. My fingers are crossed. I do not expect to get off scott free but so far so good!!!!
I skipped the first day and forgot to take it yesterday so I am just going for it.

Good Luck to everyone just starting and if you take it really slow you will not have as harsh symptoms.

Ciao, Delaney

My doc thinks I should be ready to go back to work in a week's time - just afternoons to start with. (Mornings are still a bit uncertain plus I'll avoid all the international meetings I usually have to deal with).

I'm down to 1/4 of a 37.5mg (I just spread the pellets out, roughly divide them and dab my finger on the ones I need to take).

I'm supplementing with 5-HTP (seems to work well) and, once off Effexor forever(!), I'll keep on 5-HTP (+ tyrosine probably).

Hello!!
I am happy to say today is day seven without any Effexor and I feel great!
Sure I am experiencing some mild symptoms but nothing like the beginning.I have not had any brain zaps at all.Anxiety, weepy and some nausea but I am good.

Everyone must be out enjoying the hot spell. We are going to get away for a few days and go shopping in the states. Just my husband, kids and I. I have not had a break from my special needs clients since April and I can't wait to get away from the phone.
Enjoy the weekend everybody!!!
Delaney

Hi Everyone,

I was having abrupt tendency to weepiness but after reading more posts, I see it is the effects of effexor.

Still have dizzies but are getting less.

Face has cleared up completely!
Pimples that start appearing after taking effexor... GET OFF EFFEXOR!

I am still on Lymictal but I will try getting off that next summer.

I use a light box which helps on dark days and winter.

Thanks Delaney, they are a GREAT family as yours sounds.

Take care,
Tim

Hey everyone - just found this site this morning and am really relieved to know I'm not going totally crazy! Started Effexor about 2 years ago - life crises piled on life crises! Stopped needing it about 1 year ago, but couldn't even miss a dose without feeling horrible. In the past two months have weened down from 150mg - 75mg - 37.5mg - 37.5mg every other day. Took my last on 15July....then took time off work last week cause I couldn't get out of my own way! I've been incredibly dizzy, not able to focus visually or mentally, I get visual tracers if I more my head too quickly, I'm either angry or crying and completely exhausted. I'm back at work, still dizzy and a little unfocused but it's feeling manageable for now.

I, too, had a long talk with my husband and three kids to warn them that I was angry and wouldn't be putting any more of this garbage into my system. They are being wonderful. Work, however....haven't even told anyone here why I was unable to work. The dr's note says medical reasons and that's good enough. I have a fairly high profile, high stress job...one where I can't give anyone reason to mistrust my judgement.

I am so very angry - Effexor helped me when I needed it, but if somebody had told me that I would gain 25 pounds in a year, stop sleeping, develop high blood pressure and an elevated heart rate, give me acne for the first time in my life and produce such horrible withdrawal, I would have said no thanks! I have always been very healthy and wouldn't have put my good health at risk had I known. My pharmacist is a homeopath and told me that E is one of the worst. We are trying some 'tabacum compose' pellets to combat the dizzies - I'll let you know how it goes.

Glad to have found you all. Hang in there everybody...it's got to get better!

Congratulations Delaney! I admire all of you who are able to wean yourselves off
Effexor. I have been 'cold turkey' for 26 days now. Day 26...wow! At Day 7, I was ready to do ANYTHING to find the $150 for my 30 day supply of pills (150mg). But I sat at the computer, crying of course, and found this website. It has been my inspiration. There are still days when the zapping is more miserable than others, but I can deal with it. The body aches have lessened a lot, except for the regular 58 yr old arthritis stuff. My family has chose to just 'stand back' or 'hide' during this withdrawal. I don't really think they believe that their wife/mom could be an addict. I am!
Question..I am not the greatest flyer, and may have to fly to NYC shortly. I have taken Valium in the past to get on the planes. I cannot imagine having the anxiety and NOT taking the Valium. I never take the Valium any other time. Do you think the Valium will set me back on my withdrawing off the Effexor? I would ask the doctor, but they just yell at me for going cold turkey. NO money...you go cold turkey!

Son of Effexor delayed

Found this searching the web after just seeing Wyeth's commercial for a free DVD all about depression.

'Problem with US drug maker Wyeth Pharamceuticals new candidate antidepressant desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS-233) will delay its release until 2007.

'Desvenlafaxine is a metabolite of Wyeth's venlafaxine (Effexor®) which is facing generic competition. Like venlafaxine it acts as a dual serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. However, Wyeth claim it has a better 'balance' of action which increases efficiency.

'About half the patients in a Phase III trial are reported to have experienced significant nausea while taking desvenlafaxine. It is believed the company is now testing the drug's effectiveness at lower doses which it hopes will improve patient tolerance.'

The bit about the metabolite means that this drug is the same as one of the chemicals that Effexor is turned into by the body. i.e., it's the SAME ACTIVE MATERIAL. I wouldn't be surprised if the problems reported with this 'better version' are more like the nightmares we read here.

I've been back at work (half days) for a week now and I am down to about 1/5 or so of a 37.5mg capsule a day (after 8 weeks or so of tapering from 300mg daily).

I still get the side effects but now, more worryingly, I feel very tense and angry - have little tolerance for things that would have bothered me before. Anyone familiar with this?

Thanks,

John.

Hello All,

I just finished a six month course of Effexor and wanted to share my experience for others seeking information on the Web.

I started Effexor in January/06 for post-partum depression. I had little knowledge about the various drugs used for treatment of depression, so I trusted my doctor's advice to go with Effexor. My dose was 150 mg, which I worked up to over a period of 3 weeks.

Effexor was VERY effective in dealing with the depression. My feelings of thinking 'What the hell have I gotten myself into having a bloody baby?' disappeared. I did, however, have some side effects that led to my decision to withdraw
ASAP. One side effect was 15 lbs of weight gain, despite working out six times a week (3X a weeks was with a personal trainer, all with a good balance of strength and cardio), as well as very careful eating (1600 calories a day). I also had terrible insomnia, and couldn't sleep more than 1.5 hour blocks at a time, when I could sleep at all.

My withdrawal experience was mildly discomforting. I had very strange dreams, some insomnia, and moderate moodiness. I had read virtually everything on Web forums about individual withdrawal experiences and I was determined, if possible, to minimize some of the more 'famous' withdrawal effects (i.e. BRAIN ZAPS!!!). I started out ensuring I was taking an excellent multivitamin, which included concentrated greens. I also took a strong dose of an Omega 3 (particularly heavy in DHA). I then tapered my 150 mg dose very, very slowly over about 7 weeks using the following method:
Week 1 - alternate dose of 150 mg and 112.5 mg each day of that week
Week 2 - stay at 112.5 mg a day for one week
Week 3- alternate dose of 112.5 mg and 75 mg each day of that week
Week 4 - stay at 75 mg a day for that week
Week 5 - alternate dose of 75 mg and 37.5 mg each day of the that week
Week 6 - stay at 37.5 mg a day for that week
Week 7 - alternate dose of 37.5 mg and 0 mg each day for that week

So essentially, this would be accomplished by getting a prescription of 37.5 mg capsules and tapering going Week 1 - alternate 4 capsules and 3 capsules per day, Week 2 - stay at 3 capsules, Week 3 - alternate 3 and 2 capsules, Week 4 - stay at 2 capsules, Week 5 - alternate 2 and 1 capsule(s), Week 6 - stay at 1 capsule, Week 7 - alternate 1 capsule and no capsule, Week 8 - no capsules.

Overall, the Effexor experience was alright EXCEPT for the weight gain. Even though the drug that is not 'supposed' to cause weight gain, and despite the fact that I made a very conscientious effort to workout and eat responsibly, I still gained the weight. Withdrawal was not pleasant, but tolerable. Now, 6 days post last Effexor capsule, I had a nine hour sleep, and didn't wake up once. My mood is fine, the dreams are gone and I never did get any brain zaps. Now it is just a question of seeing whether the weight will come off.

Good luck to all.

Sarah

John...I have the weirdest dreams. I never was much of a dreamer at all, so this is disturbing to me. Today is Day 28 for me off Effexor. I get the zaps everyday but not for long, and I kind of ignore them. I am VERY tense and grouchy. Not too much patience. I hope this will change as the days go by. Time will tell with both of us. Hang in there!
PatO.

Guys, I am so glad to have found this forum. I have been weaning off Effexor XL for the last number of months now. Was on 225mg per day, then got down to 75mg per day. Those drops in dosages went ok, apart from some spells of diarrohea. Getting from 75mg per day to zero is another story altogether. I slow dropped to taking the dose 5 days out of 7, but last dropped to 4 days out of 7 and I feel absolutely awful.

I have an awful startled reaction to the most common noises - it can be embarrassing as well as distressing. I am going hot and cold at regular intervals. My sinuses got totally bunged up. I got really tearful in work for no good reason. I've taken yesterday and today off to try and level myself out and to catch up on some sleep. I have had really distressing nightmares too.

It is such a relief to know that I am not totally losing the plot. Your posts have been a great source of comfort today.

Thanks everyone.

Catz44 - Some people have had success with breaking open the capsule and actually counting the little pills pellets inside out and weaning all the way down to 2 little pellets. It works for them. Maybe, taking days out of your pill schedule isn't good for you. Who knows? I also have the horrible sinus drainage thing , the crying thing and sometimes the 'withdrawal' decides to aggravate my lower back which is a weak spot for me. It is horrible, I agree! Hang in there!

I'm so glad that I found this site. I thought that I was totally losing it. I have now found out that I am not alone. I am 27 years old and have been on Effexor for a little over 4 years now. My dosages have changed many times over the years and my final dosage for the last 2 has been 150mg per day. I also gained over 40lbs while taking this medication. If that doesn't make you more depressed and gives you a messed up view of yourself. Well I went to the doctor the other day to deal with possible ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) issues. So she decided that it would be good to put me on Welbutrin and ween me off of the Effexor. I have been 2 days into the Wellbutrin and 2 days off of the Effexor and OMG I feel like I have never felt before. The contant feeling like you are grabing the screw in the outlet plug you are not suppost to touch (brain zaps), dizzy, diarrhea, crying for no reason, the hot and cold flashes. Then the Wellbutrin has been keeping me up all night long. I'm the type of person who is in bed by 9-9:30 and Monday night I was up till 11:00 and Tuesday Night I was up till 12:00 when I forced myself to go to sleep then I was up every 2-3 hours. I have a 7 year old and married to a man who doesn't understand the whole depression/anxiety thing so that makes things 10 fold. I'll keep you posted as to my strugles and triuphms of trying to quit this horrible drug.

I am delighted you are weening off of effexor. My father took this drug for anxiety and it plunged him into a suicidal depression. He was finally taken off this drug and pulled out of his anxiety and depression by wellbutrin. He's off all meds and doing great. I know it is tough, but I urge people to find alternatives to these mood drugs. I think they can be very damaging.

It is day 3 with no effexor. I am feeling ok today not as bad as I have the past 2. You all will get a kick out of this. Yesterday I talked to my doctors nurse twice. The first time she said that there really wasn't anything that they could do with my withdrawl symptoms and pretty much to take one day at a time. Later that day she called back saying the she once agian talked to my doctor and that the doctor said that sometimes going off of the effexor and then going back on it sometimes makes the medicine work again. I asked her so you want me to start taking this stuff again. She said yes start taking the effexor again. I then asked so what happens next time you guys think I need to get off this and start something else. She then said well atleast now we know what you will be going throught next time this happens and we can prepare for it. I hung up the phone in total disgust. I have been going through hell for the past 2 days and you want me to start back up on this Sh*t. I DON'T THINK SO. So for myself I am not going to take the effexor any longer and just go through the withdrawl symptoms now instead of a later date and take the Wellbutrin. Has anybody heard any thing on Wellbutrin? If so please let me know.

I'm so happy to have found this site! I've been on effexor for over 10 years (Prozac for 5 years before that). I have decided that it's time to 'feel well' again. I am so exhausted, I nod off at work (embarrassing) and have no energy in the evenings. I have gained a monumental 95 pounds and can't seem to lose it any way (including weight loss surgery). I have read 'the road back' information and have started by taking Omega 3 and Vitamin 3. I can't STAND the barley powder, so don't know what I'll do about that! I sat at work yesterday and took out 25 balls from my 150 mg capsule for 7 days worth. I will start this tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll be able to take out an additional 25 balls next Sunday. I have horrible symptoms when I'm even a few hours late taking my dose. You people can't imagine how much better I feel about all of this, knowing that you have gone through it ahead of me. I warned my boss on Friday what I was doing, and if I came into work with a hockey back, to hide. I have no idea how it's going to affect my moods. She's very understanding, and if I need time at home, I'm sure she'll be ok with that. Here's hoping it goes ok. I'll keep you informed of symptoms/troubles ad I start this LONG journey to being healthy again!

Hello everyone1
Wow so many new people! Thank God for this site.
John-I too have been tense and angry. I have little tolerance and get upset over the littlest things .This has never been like me . I hate how I am acting and am very sorry afterwards but I am finding it hard to control.I am taking 5htp and hoping it will help.
Good Luck to everyone just starting!
Delaney

Delaney, I read on another site that 5-HTP was not a good thing to take - that it make withdrawal more difficult. I am only on day three of weaning down, taking 25 little balls out of 150mg capsule (approx. 8 mg total). I forgot my 3 Omega 3 yesterday and felt a bit sick and dizzy (didn't do anything at work at all). Today I remembered them and felt quite well. I know it's not a huge step, but it's a good start!

Hey everyone - Last time I posted was on day 9 of no Effexor. I'm now on day 26 and over the worst of it. I'm still have the occassional dizzy spell and still a little irritable - guess that should be expected after being numb for a couple of years. In the middle of it all, I was sure I just wanted to die....I knew that if I just started taking those stupid capsules again, everything would feel better, and I felt like a great big loser for wanting to so badly. It was torture! And I knew I was putting not only myself, but my family, through hell.

Funny enough, there was an article in our local newspaper about how difficult it is to get off this type of anti-depressant last week. I cut it out and took it in to my doc. She really had no idea - she assumed this was my particular reaction to withdrawal. And you know, she's really not a bad doctor. I challenged her to 'google' Effexor withdrawal and practically begged her not to prescribe this stuff to anyone if something else would work as well.

Good luck to those of you just starting....it does get better. And we are all better off for getting this stuff out of our systems! Addiction is something I never thought, in a million years, I would have to be dealing with. In my search to find something good from all of this (aside from the undeniable help with my depression)I can most definitely say that I now have increased empathy for addicts of all kinds.

Stay strong!!
anney

Hello to everyone in my boat. Getting off Effexor has been by far the worst experience of my life. I would enjoy a colonoscopy performed by Edward Scissor Hands more than coming off of Effexor. Keeping a sense of humor is probably one of the most important things a person can do to cope with this. It's also really important to remember not to take your frustration out on those around you. Just because you're miserable does not mean the people around you have to be miserable with you. We all MUST keep a positive mind. I think negative thinking and sour times in our lives are some of the main reasons we took Effexor in the first place. Here are a couple of things that are helping me:

Exercise increases Seratonin in our brains which our brains have forgotten how to do on their own. Swim laps, take a long walk, take a jog, take a hike...even if you don't like to exercise find something to exert energy...punch a bag, do push-ups...anything...I promise it helps.

If you feel like you have to cry, then cry...but don't feel sorry for yourself. Just remember it's the Effexor.

Don't allow yourself to get down in the dumps...This can only make things worse. Keep a positive outlook...find things to be excited or happy about. Last night I saw the most beautiful full moon!!! It was bright orange and looked enormous!!! You really have to pay attention to those little things in life that we sometimes forget about. My cat started to annoy me and then I forced myself to realize how absolutely adorable she is and how the weird things she does are not like any other kitty and she's my favorite companion in the whole wide world.

This may have been a coincidence, but I felt menstrual cramps coming on last night and I took two Aleve. When I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom I wasn't dizzy, didn't hear my eyes move, and felt like maybe this whole thing is almost over. I'm starting to feel very woozy right now and I'm going to take some more Aleve. I will let you all know if it works. Could be purely coincidental. We'll see.

Remember to think positively and thank those around you for being such troopers!!! They're going through hell too.

BigBaby

I was wrong about the Aleve. No need to attempt it. It must've been wishful thinking.

I've been off Effexor for 15 weeks now and I still have the dizziness, brain zaps, muscle/bone/joint/skin aches, insomnia, constant sense of agitation, lack of appetitie, etc. Apparently, the discontinuation syndrome varies with each person. I'm afraid I must be one of the unlucky ones. I'm worried that I have been permanently damaged by this drug. Fortunately, the constant bleeding stopped, and the nightmare/sweats and the rash. I've seen some improvement, but it's been very slow, and now I seem to be stuck on this plateau.

Hi eveveryone - it has been awhile since I posted last. I am feeling better than ever. My last dose was June 16th so I am going on almost two months Effexor-free.

The anger and tnese feelings hit me, too about two weeks ago. It got so bad at work I really was worried. I manage 16 people and I realy thought I was going to loose credibility with them and my peers. I would get so iritaed with every little question. My reactions were almost uncontrollable.

On July 30th I went to my manager and I told her I need to take some time off. She din't hesitate - unfortunately she witnessed a couple of episodes. I took my daughter and we drove to Florida for a week. Soaked up the sun and rested. It was my first time off since March.

This week back at work I feel good and calm. I am hoping that it does not wear off.

I started exercising about a month ago. I need to push myself a little harder. I need to lose 60 pounds - about 40 of them due to Effexor... I do not think I have lost any wieght yet, but I feel lighter and less bloated.

It has only been in the last couple of weeks that I can say that I have not had any brain zaps and headaches. my thinking feels more clear than it has since I started Effexor 2 years ago.

For all of you just starting your quest - be patient and hang in there.

Ok, so I'm getting really worried here...
I was on 75mg for about three years when I decided it was time to kick it out of my life. I went down to 37.5 about three weeks ago and my doc---who has no clue the extent of withdrawal people go through---told me to take 37.5 every other day for two weeks and then nothing...The first time I tried going 48 hours I had to leave work and go lay down at 36 hours and take another dose. At that point I realized I was only prolonging the withdrawal process and haven't taken another dose since Monday at noon. (It's now Friday at noon) I'm really freaking out at these posts because I really wasn't expecting to have to go through this for more than a couple of weeks. I'm reading about people who are on their 15th and 26th week and still feeling miserable. I'm at work right now and I'm crying while I'm typing this. I'm hoping that since I was only on 75mg to begin with then maybe I'll be ok???