Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 9 of 140}

Hello everyone. Well, I will say this, I haven't really had to much of a problem weaning from effexor until now. I think once you get down to below the 37.5 has been the worst for me. I think I will start counting the granules each day. Take the same amount out each day for a week and then take more out the next. I don't think I can go cold turkey. I feel really strange. Mornings are really bad. After I get up and move around some, I do feel better. How long does it take to get this stuff out of your system. What a mess.
I do walk and try to get my mind off of it. Oh well. Another day.
Bonnie

Ahhh Bonnie, I totally understand. I don't think I will be able to go cold turkey until I wean down past half of 37.5. It has been really hard. I have no idea how long it can take for you personally, but I have heard it can take up to 6 months to a year. Yeah that's just peachy isn't it? But no worries,we're all here for one another, and at least we have each other to talk to about this crap.
I have been trying to exersize at least 3 to 4 times a week jogging for 25 minutes and other stetches and situps, and I am hoping that it will do something to make me feel better about my appearance. Because I find that I do get upset and depressed about how I look. And maybe if I lose some of this damn weight I'll at least have that to be happy about! I find it difficult to alter my diet however. I love pasta and cheeses, which are high in carbs and fat. I can say that I am not into Junk food. But the food that I do like still is high in something that's no good for me. Well hopefully this jogging will increase my metabolism. And of course I will just have to watch my portions.
Congrats to endlessnight. I am very happy for you. All that hard work was worth it.
I know you still may be down every now and again, but you are doing so well. Just remember that, and of course that we're all here for each other.

Hey everyone!
ManicMo...I am in complete agreement with Jami...taking a prescription medication for depression is okay, as long as you are under direct, constant care with your physician. These drugs actually morph your brain, so you need to find somebody that you trust completely and who will be there for you when the time comes to go off. Go back several pages in the forum and read ccreal's posts. She really helped me because she could explain exactly what was going on with my brain and she would post me back with information about some of the drugs and natural remedies we all wanted to try. She has a forum herself, about natural remedies. In one of her posts, she gave a link to it.

Hey Dirk...My fiance' has to do the same thing with his ex. He has custody of his babies, yet his ex is suppose to have them for a few hours during the day because she works evenings. This helps with their daycare expenses. However...Jeff has to still deal with her, and her irresponsiblity when he drops them off in the morning, and I know that some days he is almost in tears because of having to leave them with her. It is (though) a constant reminder of why their relationship did not work out. Don't give up on them. I have a 17 year old, and I know that in a year or so, he will be going on his own, and it is funny how these past couple of years after watching him grow into a wonderful young man, I feel like it was only yesterday that that Dr. placed that beautiful little boy on my belly and he raised his head as we were introduced to each other for the very first time. I like to say that at that moment, God released my hand and joined it with my sons. I had just held the hand of God while he created a miracle. (JUST FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Imagine that!!!!So...you hold tight to your babies. They were a gift just for YOU!!!!! God will take care of the rest. Have you read my posts?????? There is a reason!!! I know it sucks, but you also have to try and find the good in all of it. From start to end!!!!!! The other day here in my small hometown, the gas prices jumped up almost 40cents a gallon. Well needless to say, the whole town was in line at the gas stations. My son had come home from school, told me about the lines at the station, because the prices would be going up in less than 2 hours. OK..long story short. My son was going to go to girlfriends house. (driving his car), I left about 5 minutes after him to fill car up with gas, I hear sirens, I follow sirens! (forget gas!) For some reason I was freakin out! Yep they were going right where my son would be driving and the timing would be perfect, because I could now see the horrible accident up ahead of me and I began getting nauseas. Semi-truck and mini-van collision, all passsengers killed in mini-van. Nope...not my son!!! He had gotten in line at a gas station and did not get out until 1 hour later. So...yes, the gas prices really sucked that day. But I am convinced that there was a bigger reason. I never follow sirens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That day, I felt like I needed to. I could really give a rip if the gas prices go up again. If they go too high, my son won't be able to afford to drive anymore! hehe!!
ON a sidenote Dirk...you had mentioned that you had filed bankruptcy in the past? I have my meeting with the creditors coming up on June 6th. What is it like? I am really stressing about it!

Jami. I wish you lived closer. I can tell that you and I are alot alike. I worked for the US. Government for years as a crop loss adjuster, so I spent much of my younger years on farms all over Michigan. I also trained Standardbred racehorses, so I consider myself a country girl too! My girlfriend has a herd of dairy goats, and has taught me the fine art of milking so that she can get away once in awhile.
Take care everyone, I better get going for today.
INternet at home soon!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you all
Regent

I just found this forum and want to thank all of you for sharing your experiences with Effexor. I got started on the Effexor two years ago after having had 2 major surgeries in 3 years (back surgery and then hip replacement after an accident). I had always been a physically active person and was able to handle any ups, downs and mood swings with exercise and eliminating the whites (flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) from my diet. But after the second surgery I was never able to get back to the level of fitness, mentally or physically, that I had been in before. Therefore, I got moody, depressed, couldn't sleep, especially lack of sleep put me in an unending round of highs and lows. I thought the Effexor was a gift from God (little did I know, I had never taken any other antidepressants before). I started sleeping, I had more energy, my mood swings disappeared, I could actually miss lunch without going into sugar shock (I am not diabetic or hypoglycemic but I could not miss meals). I was able to handle anything that came my way. I actually called it "my happy pill." About six months ago I realized that my emotions were way too stable, I couldn't get worked up over anything. (Sort of like not smiling because it causes wrinkles - well, I have earned every one of my smile wrinkles and am proud of it.) Sex drive disappeared, but thought that was because my GYN took me off hormone replacement. So I decided to talk with my doctor about discontinuing the drug but I forgot to ask him until I was leaving the office. He told me to wait until my next visit because discontinuation had to be monitored closely. (I go every three months because I am on Celebrex and he has to watch my liver function.)That was 2 months ago. I decided to start on my own, figuring if it didn't work I would wait. I started to extend the time between my pills from 24 hours upward as far as I can. I am now up to every 42 hours with just an occasional brain zap and slight nausea. I have been on 75 mg. Judging by some of the stories on your forum, I'm going to get the problems no matter how slow I go. I haven't decided if I am just going to continue as I have been and get the 37.5 mg when I see him next or try to go a little faster.

I want to thank you all for the wonderful ideas such as the "Chaser" and others that I will try. And boy, am I going to chew out my doctor who I told when I started these pills that I only wanted to be on them a year or so, but like most of you, if I forgot even one dose, the brain started zapping. I describe it sort of like a tennis ball bouncing around in your head, but the brain zap also feels very much like my body does when it is dehydrated. Maybe that's why everyone tells you to drink a lot of water.

I have only gained 15 pounds in these two years. I walk 2 miles a day M-F, and play golf twice a week as well as gardening and doing my own housework. I am 60 years old and am not as spry as I used to be but hope this weight comes off. I also got the "tummy" and thought it was just age creeping up on me. Nice to know it wasn't that.

Wish me luck. Also, did anyone ever find out about "nohope". I really have bad vibes about that.

Cat

You are truley an inspiration my god you are one strong women and I love strong women, I have been surrounded by them my whole life its an honor.

your comment ::::::: About six months ago I realized that my emotions were way too stable, I couldn't get worked up over anything.::::

is SOOO true. I feel like awakened for the first time in a long time and its overwhelming this flood of emotions I have had lately.

I am seriously thinking of tryin to cut the white stuff outa my diet(the refined stuff) and get my carbs from veggies and fruits etc. I have heard the first week or so is HELL but sh*t so was gettin off this med so I can do it.

Lori your a doll. You and I do sound so much alike and from emailing with you even more so. I often feel the same way though its only been about 6 years since I gave birth to my first son. It still gets me in the heart anytime I think about the gift of life. I always remember a line in one of my favorite chick flick (hehe) movies "Steel Magnolias" Julia Roberts character says something to the effect that she would rather have one moment with her child then a lifetime of nothing special.

OHHHH off topic for a moment...Kirstie Alley will be on Oprah today...shes lost 70 pounds since she started Jenny Craig around the first of December last year...4pm and rerun of it in the wee hours if you miss it maybe you can tape it when you go to bed. Think it comes on at 1 am so set timer on DVD OR VCR...I can not wait to see it!

I better run my 3 year old just put on my second top chick flick movie Titanic lol..

Jami

Jami I can tell by your post that you are feeling much better. Do you have any effects at all from the effexor. How long did it take you to feel better and did you experience the flu-like, dizziness feelings.
Thanks
Bonnie

Well Bonnie I am feeling 99 percent better. I has been 3 and half weeks since I went cold turkey and I have a bit of dizziness and the flulike symptoms are almost gone though I still am tender. For instance if my sons grab onto my arm and start kinda pulling me like children like to do. I am especially tender but I can handle that discomfort since my brain isnt zapping around like an old home movie. It just is daily better for me though it hasnt been long some days seem to regress. Up and down I try to ride the coaster.

I started taking this internal cleanser that cleans out your hepactic system and supposedly flushes your body of toxins its only been like 5 days on that. I never did get the chaser and stuff though I might have been tempted if I had to function the first two weeks. But since I am a stay at home mom I was able to baby myself a lil more so. I just made sure I slept well. Took a benadryl pill everynight about an hour before bed and slept well.

My mood swings would make you think of Mommy Dearest but the last few days after talking about it with my hubby cause I felt horrible that I was such a witch to my babies I felt better. He listened and told me I was being too hard on myself that my body was going through a lot and if I needed to get out and take a lil break he would take care of the kids while I excersized or if I wanted him to take kids out for a bit so I could rest he would. It really helped him just giving me permission to have bad days and that he would help as much as he could.

So thats what we are here for also...VENT AWAY!!

Jami

Regent,

I appreciate the words regarding your situation and that of your fiance. Tough deal having a child with a person you no longer wish to see. The BK situation, I had no choice....my ex wife refused to work and she racked up plenty of credit debt. It was a simple decision, I either went CH 7 or I lost everything to pay her debt. As it stands, I still have a small nest egg in which to get a fresh start. Here is a great website to learn about the credit counseling stuff and chapter 7,11,13.

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

Cat,
I agree so much with Jami. You are an inspiration. I myself have been lucky enough to have been surrounded by such strong women such as yourself, and I feel that thanks to them I am better off. I'm glad to hear that you found this forum because you can lean on us just as we all do on each other:)
I was reading some past posts and I found a recomendation from someone to try the Cleansing formula from GNC. And I think I may do that. She wrote that it is great for detox and I think that would be a wonderful thing. Just to be able to detox my whole system. I cant wait. I'm feeling pretty dizzy today, which sucks because I have to work on a computer alot of the time. But I don't want to take the Anti nausea and Dizziness pills just yet.
Jami you really give me hope that I can get this out of my system. I hope I will feel that good soon.
Hey Bonnie, what stage are you at? How are you feeling?

Hi everyone, Jami, I am still taking 37.5 every third day. I think I am going to start opening the capsule every day and taking some of the little devils out and take it that way for a while. I think it will be better than skipping so much time in between taking the pill. I am going to try anything. I would eat dirt if it would help.LOL
When you take that stuff to cleanse your body, what exactly does that do. I mean does it make you go to the bathroom. How does your body get rid of the toxins?
I have a question. I take zoloft also. Wouldn't you think that would have to help me some with weaning. 37.5 mg of effexor is about the same as 100 of zoloft, I think. Does anyone know about this.
Good luck everyone, we sure do need it.
Bonnie

Bonnie the stuff I got is called hepactic cleanser it was actually given to my hubby a couple months ago when he had a gall bladder attack. The doctor said my hubby probably had some buildup of icky stuff in there. My husband being a typical male decided since he was feeling better to skip the stuff because the doctor did warn him of possible chance at bathroom problems when getting rid of the stuff.

Then like a typical woman I took out the insert and read the whole thing and it says that it could take 1-3 months to totally clean out your body systems including liver kidneys and your intestinal tract also. It said by cleaning these systems they could rid your body and fat cells of medicines and poisons lingering in the cells and so on. It finally said that when you start having 2 or so loose stools a day that you probably have managed to clean out your body and to discontinue for 3-4 months and you can start process again.

I am not clear on how any of this stuff works but it just sounded like it helps your normal body systems clean out so that they can do what they do and of course that is clean your body of wastes from food and environment waste that it accumulates. I think I used the analogy before that its similar to those remedies someone on drugs would try to use to clean themselves up for a drug test lol. If anyone else knows more info please share but so far I have been taking it and I do have more frequent trips to the restroom but I also have been drinking a ton of water :)

Jami

Hi, all,

I've got the titration blues. Long story short, starting Effexor last August for depression/anxiety. I went to day treatment for 4 months, individual therapy, and now a support group, but I continued to get worse. Docs kept upping my dose.

At 375 mg. my side effects were too painful, and I ended up in the urgent care clinic. (I didn't really know they were side effects then.) The doc there -- an internist -- told me what was happening was likely from the Effexor. Duh! I don't know why I didn't put that all together.

I started the taper 6 weeks ago, and tomorrow I'll begin taking 37.5 mg. for the next two weeks. I'm just itching for that time to fly by so I can get to the heart of the matter and begin the real work of de-tox. Anyway, my biggest problem is that as an athlete (a year ago I was training for a marathon, which I did not do), I want to exercise. But my body hurts. Thigh muscles especially and some joints. "Unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness," that's me. Lots of purple splotches and bruises on my legs, too.

Of course, I've tingled, shivered (for months), cried, ideated on suicide, forgotten things, spaced out, etc., and now I'm having headaches and insomnia. I've had some days of dizziness and nausea.

I am doing sublingual vitamin B12, lots of water, and antioxidant foods that I crave: carrots, berries, red grape juice, to name a few. I get massage and acupuncture weekly. I'm still healing from nerve inflammation due to a viral reaction to my tetanus shot. Or maybe all that was Effexor, too. ???

Anyway, I need the support of others having the roller coaster ride of Effexor withdrawal. It is hard. I am committed to doing it and regaining health. (I want it tonight! Wah!!!)

This is a very inspriring, hopeful, insightful, and entertaining site. I'm glad I found it. I'm here to others, too.

Thanks,
Laurel

Welcome Laurel and hope you enjoy the ride. LOL! Yes it is good to have others going through same as you. There are some of us that are just about at the same place as you.
I have another question. Does anyone feel the need to eat at times. I mean I feel so hungry. That is not like me.
This really is a roller coster ride. I always liked rollercoster.
Bonnie

Has anyone had heart palpitations and shaking? I feel like I am about to jump out of my skin or either my heart is going to explode, I have been on 75mg a day for about six months and I stopped 2 days ago cold turkry but after finding this forum and all the information, I decided to take 37.5 about an hour ago. Thanks to everyone who has shared, I'm leaning on prayer right now. Ronda

Laurel I too feel the body aches I think we all have referred to it as the flulike symptoms. It is worse in some of us. You sound like your doing all the good stuff like taking the vitamins and drinking lots of water. I think it just takes a long time to get it all out of your system and for your body to start doing its thing on its own.

Bonnie I have felt ravenous since stopping the meds...I dont crave sweets as much as I did on the meds but I crave big portions of FOOD..its nuts.

Ronda I dont know if what I have is heart palpitations etc but since the last couple months on Effexor and after I have weaned I seem to be more aware of my heartbeat I dont know if its doing anything abnormal. Though my BP was high at my second to last doctor appt but once I was weaned off my BP was normal at last Doc visit.

p.s currently watching Oprah and I am all teary eyed for Kirstie Ally she looks great and it is giving me motivation...Apparently 5 months ago she quit smoking before she started her weight loss with Jenny Craig...put on 16 pounds and has lost over 30 pounds in 4 months since starting..im babbling...i better go lol bye!!

Jami

thanks Elena. Jami. I honestly thought it would never come off.


I wonder if I will ever be the person I was before I ever took any anti d. or if somehow the structure has been permanently altered? I know some people do genuinly have chemical imbalances, but I know I dont. I have always been a somewhat moody person, but a relationship issue I cannot for the life of me seem to get over seems to have plunged me into a permanently depressed state.

For those who are just weaning off the meds, I don't know if it was just me, but one day I drank coffee, and I was even more ill so I stayed away from caffeine. Lots and lots of sleep helped too.

I also felt like I didnt give a damn about anything really. When I first started taking them, it was as though my mind became clearer and sharper. And then came the "whatever" phase. I cant really say if I lost my sex drive because I never really had much of one :-) It became really hard to get up in the mornings no matter how long I slept. I was always tired. Still am sometimes.

The day dose of the little round balls was May 14. I found this site and didn't feel as bad knowing that it wasn't something with me, it's the medication (or lack thereof). I've been titrating down from a high of 300mg. In 2 years gained lost the sex drive, gained 65 pounds (most in the last year)and my blood pressure was alarming high in the last 6 months. Oh and I can't forget the flat emotions and the bloated belly. Now having gone cold turkey, I'm experiencing what most everyone else here has reported. DIZZINESS beyond belief, nausea, diarhea, zaps, jerks, hot/cold, sweats, very vivid dreams (I'm considering this as a good thing that my brain is trying to work again). I'm just hoping that the dose and duration of my Effexor usage hasn't permanantly pickled my brain synapses. Heroine addicts must always take methadone because their brains receptors have been permanently altered by the drug. I'm was so thankful to find this sight. Last night was awful. My heart was racing, uncontrollable sweating, a really bad nights sleep. I figured there would be some withdrawl but not to this magnitude. I wish that the doc's that prescribe this drug would take the time to take it themselves and try to ween off it. Maybe they would think twice about prescribing it!

Unlike some the my appetite has deminished but I don't know how much of that is caused by the nausea (almost felt like I was going to loose it a couple of time's today).
Tomorrow I'm going to try dramamine for the dizziness hoping it might help with some of the nausea.
Take care all and thanks for your advice.
Melissa

Welcome to all the new forum users! I have found this place to be a sanctuary. Everyone here is ready and willing to give support and advice.
Ronda, I have been woken up from my heart beating so fast and I havent a clue why. I'm thinking it's because I am weaning off this stuff. I know that I have felt like I always have something wrong with my body too.
Laurel I know what you mean about the joint sensitivity and sore muscles. I found that episom salt baths helped and also drinking alot alot of water. I don't know if it will work for you but it may be worth a try. :)
Bonnie and Jami, wow I have been craving vast portions of food as well. Just like you said, not sweets but the portions! It's CRAZY! I can't say I am too happy about it! I wanna lose weight not gain it! LOL
Endlessnite, I know what you mean about the fatigue. I feel tired as well, not as much as I did before I began the process of getting off this crap, but I am still tired. I think you're right about the caffine, I haven't been drinking alot of beverages that have caffine in it and I feel better. It would either give me crazy heart burn or I would feel really sick.
Melissa welcome, it was a good idea to wean off rather than go cold turkey after such a large dosage. Just try to relax as best you can and take the dramamine for the nausea and dizziness. I think your appetite has deminished partially because of the nausea and dizziness ( who wants to eat when nauseous!) But also because of the stress you have been going through. No worries tho, we're all going through it.
Take care all.

elena, thanks for the info on the heart racing and jamie thanks for your input, Elena, was your heart racing befor you started to detox off this crap? I am in business for myself cleaning resendential and commercial, I just got through with one job and had to postpone two more because I literally could not handle being around anyone and having to converse. I am also on this drug to help me through alcoholism and major anxirty, I stayed sober for three months when this med. caused my anxiety to double. Thus far this morning I've had a bottle of wine and to beers to take the edge off, but I'm home now and feel like I can make it through the day without anything else. I have not taken any effexor at all today and I don't think I'm going to wean myself off of this, I'm just going to stop it all together and hope I can make it. Count me in on the Dr. Phil show, does anyone have an e-mail address to write to the show? May God bless each and everyone of you who has had the courage to keep this forum going, it's good to know you are not alone in this nightmare. Ronda

Good morning all, this morning I decided to open my 37.5 mg. capusule and try to take half. Can someone tell me how to successfully count those little devils? I felt like I was taking cocaine, only from what I have seen on tv. I dumped them on a red bood and took my finger nail file and tried to count them. Was that ever crazy! Finally I took what looked like half to me and put them in my mouth and drank lots of water.
The other half I will take tomorrow. Thought maybe this would be better than taking one every third day.
I am really tired in the mornings, it is hard to wake up for me. As the day goes on I start to feel better. Anyone else like this. If you have any suggestions as to how to count these things, I would appreciate it. Also how do I store the other half.
Thanks,
Bonnie

Dear Jami and Elena

Thank you for your very kinds words as to what you perceive as my being a strong woman. I did a lot of thinking about that last night and realized in a way it is true. I have always tried to make lemonade out of lemons when bad things happen to me. I have this creed "Adversity builds character". It's probably not an original thought but I feel that a person learns from their mistakes and is better for it. The thing is to learn from the mistake, don't fall into the abyss of self-pity and perpetuate the depression. My going on effexor was a major mistake that I have learned from. I blame myself, I should have done more research into the drug because there were many websites pre 1993 about the withdrawal problem. I chose to ignore them because in the beginning the drug worked.

Jami - getting off the white refined stuff is important if you are depressed. Especially sugar. There was a book written about 30 years ago called "Sugar Blues" which I thought I had a copy of, I can't find it, may have sold it at a yard sale. But it chronicled the effect on the world caused by the refining of sugar and how it changed the world. Before it was brought to Europe, the Europeans would use honey to sweeten things, even though honey is pure sugar, it is a natural product with all of its goodness still left in. I don't serve white bread in our house. I make or buy whole grain loaves, we don't eat that much bread anyway, a loaf lasts 3 weeks. We won't discuss chocolate. I was so elated to find out dark chocolate was good for you in moderation, I am a chocoholic and dark is my favorite.

I went on that Atkins Diet back in the '70's when it first came out, lost a lot of weight but ended up with other health problems after stopping. My husband decided to try it last year, he didn't really need to lose weight but he always thinks he is setting an example. (I am only 40 lbs over my best weight - but I am short and he is tall, so I look chubbier to him than I really am because of the angle he perceives me.) Anyway, he lost 20 lbs on the diet and ended up having a gall bladder "heart attack", emergency ward in the middle of the night, etc, last fall. Had his gall bladder out and lost another 25 lbs. He is just now starting to put it back on. His surgeon agreed with me that the diet probably caused the gallstones he had to act up. Anyway, I make sure that he has a lot of complex carbohydrates in his diet, vegetables, whole grains, beans, etc.

I must be getting into the phase of the effexor withdrawal where I ramble, but please bear with me. Yesterday, I took my dose at 43 hours, I was still at work (I have a part-time part-time job - I work occasionally as a fill in at a law firm) Because I was wound up from reading this website, I couldn't sleep. I do better taking the effexor in the morning. I am at work now and my husband just called and asked me what is wrong. I have a history of not telling him my problems and we went through a bad patch about 5 years ago and he made me promise to confide in him. So I told him about this website and what I was learning. I had discussed the withdrawal with him the week before but I'm not sure that he really understands. I have told some close frineds to keep an eye on me. I have never been suicidal in my life--it is probably the only stage of depression that I have never had at some point in my life and I pray that it doesn't occur with this withdrawal.

That's another thing--the power of prayer. Don't disregard it. Whatever deity you worship to needs to hear your cries for help. And if you don't believe in a god, pray to one of your deceased loved ones. I was reading this article on do it yourself reflexology on the hands a couple of years ago, I actually cut out the map. It made me understand why the Catholic rosary, the Moslem prayer beads, and the Chinese worry beads work to make you destress. And I am sure there are many other cultures that have similar devices. And just think of the little spongy balls that you squeeze when you are uptight.

Anyway, my point is that there are things to be done that help your body, why wouldn't they help your mind while detoxing. Massage, Chiropractic adjustments, pedicures (my favorite). I have decided that after I get off this drug, I am going to do things naturally.

Endless night - you sound just like I am. I seem to be older than most of you in this forum. I am fortunate in my withdrawal that my children are grown and out of the house so I don't have to put them through anything. I know about that. My mother was probably a manic-depressive, a lousy role model, and had 5 dysfunctional children. Like Scarlett O'Hara (my heroine) who promised never to go hungry again, I swore I would not be like my mother. I did my best and with my wonderful husband raised two great kids. But I feel I could have been a better mother--but that is hindsight.

Anyway, I have to get to work so I am signing off for today. Bless you all.

I meant pre 2003 not 1993 on the articles on withdrawal. I still haven't moved into the 21st century! If only I could figure out how to use my cell phone, my computer, my CD player, etc.

Ronda,
I think that once I started to go off this stuff that I began having the crazy heartbeats more noticibly. If you feel that you are ready to go cold turkey, then I recommend having an anti nauseant and anti dizziness med around, like dramamine. I personally couldn't just go cold turkey all at once. I had to move slower. Like taking the 37.5 pills for a while first. Are you into exercizing at all? Because I find that going for a walk or a jog has really helped me in times when I felt I couldnt deal. I understand you are having a rough time, we all have, maybe you could try things like taking a long bath, getting a massage, going for a walk, anything to make yourself feel good. Just wanted to give some options:)
We're all cheering for you!
Cat I'm glad you have come to realize just how strong you are. Being able to be positive especially right now is a gift. Hats off to you my lady! LOL
Hey Bonnie, when I have split my pill in half, I just try to keep the capsule part in tact so that I slip the other beads back into it and close it. I've just been dividing them into halves as equally as I can! I don't dare try to count them!
Yikes! I'd get so frustrated! LOL
Have a good day all!

Thanks Elena are you dividing the 37.5 in half? How are you feeling? I still am getting some dizziness and just feel strange. I guess this is all part of the withdrawl.
Jami, how are you doing today? I hope you are ok. Havent seen anything from you today!
Bonnie

Hiyas guys I am doing fine today. I was reading all the wonderful posts. Soooo much info and it is wonderful!

As for counting those lil balls in the meds..SCREW THAT lol...I ended up goin cold turkey mostly because im impatient lol. But I did one night attempt the opening of the pills and when I saw all those in my pill. I said "oh hell no hehe!" so I poured em all into a lil bowl and dipped my spoon into some chocolate pudding and ran the spoon accros the meds and picked up about half of them. I stored the extra in a lil plastic baggy zipped up on top of the cabinent since I have small children. You could empty the beads into a zipper bag and toss the bottle in the zipper bag too and put em up where you usually keep em.

I didnt have a direct address for doctor phil it was a link on his website to contact him. DoctorPhil.com I think :)

Ronda my husband actually suggested I try a lil alchohol daily to relieve the tension. Since I rarely drink I dont think it would take much. But as an alcholic it sounds risky for you to be drinking again due to the stress of stopping this. I know you are like the rest of us and want to be med free but maybe your doctor could prescribe something to take at night or a low dose in the morning to deal with anxiety until your done with the effexor withdraw completly? Like xanax or god knows what else there is out there.

Cat I think before I go get groceries on Friday I am goin to clean out the stuff that I want out of my diet from the house. Other then the stuff for the kids. I don't have much trouble saying no to the foods actually. I just need alternative foods to eat of course. I sympathize with what you said about your hubby trying the adkins and having a gall bladder attack, its no wonder with some of the crap they encourage you to eat. Now I know the diet can be successful in helping people loose weight but I think most of us would be better off just eating a well balanced diet. If we all did that and cut out the extra stuff I bet we could loose the weight and be healthy.

I think any form of self reflection or meditation such as praying etc is great for the mind body and soul so I also say I am going to try to do more of that!!

Melissa if your feeling especially tired and waking up a lot try some dramamine or an antihistamine before bedtime. I was waking from those crazy dreams so much that I wasnt sleeping well. I have finally gone 2 nights without them and only woke once each night so I feel like I don't need them anymore but I just wasn't getting that good sleep at first.

SOOO I am here. I live on westcoast so I show up after I get my son off to kindergarten. Ill be in and out all day:)

Jami

Welcome Naria,
It sounds to me like you are doing all the right things. I have found it really helpful to manage the pain with different things such as dramamine for dizziness, nausea, an otc medicine called chaser. It is a hangover remedy. Lots of our family here on the forum are taking benedryl at bedtime to ease their sleep. Getting enough rest is very important. Some of us have been able to take time off work and scheduled the first week or so of complete effexor freedom around that. If you are a born again hippy, talk to Dirk!!!! (Just playin' Dirk!!) I felt the same way as you with the body aches and pains. I said once before that I thought any ailment that was underlying in my body reared it's ugly head during detox. I posted on February 28th that I was wondering if I should go back in and be tested for Lupus as I had been tested 2 times prior. My body hurt so bad. I also had the bruising. It has been 79 days since my first post and I am completely free of the drug. I no longer have any side effects and am so thankful that I found this forum at 1:30 in the morning that difficult night. Stay with us and we will help you through this. One other thing...
Has anybody read anything about what this drug might have done to our thyroid? Weight gain, bruising, moodiness, slow metabolism? Let me know if anybody knows anything about that.
Hang in there Naria, we'll get you through this.
Regent