Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 87 of 140}

I know it has been said before but I can't speak highly enough of omega-3 fish oil. I really helps will depression. The lady who runs 1st Vitality was so compelled by the benefits she started importing and selling the stuff.
Also make sure you use a clean source.

Hi, I found this page through google. It's almost 2 am where I am and I can not sleep : ( Every time I dose off I slip into a nightmare. It is one of those dreams where you are half a sleep and half awake, its scary. i been thru this before but on accident b/c there was a problem with reordering my RX for effexor which was last fall. this time i chose to stop the effexor on my own. i have been doing ok at night if i take a sleeping pill, but i dont want to rely on those every night, they make it harder for me to get up in the morning. i have been weaning off effexor for about 2 weeks, maybe a lil more. any sugguestions that worked for u guys when ending effexor, such as how much to take and when to keep lowering ur dosages. any encouragement? i feel like i will never be free of it! : (

Hi - found this on google. I was prescribed effexor by my psychiatrist last week, ater taking mirtazapine for 6 months (put on 20lbs)and vaious other anti-depressants for 2 1/2years. I have only taken it for 3 days but not today cos i have just felt so ill, i havent slept for 4 nights, nausea, my head feels like its in a vice and i have read such alot of awful stuff about this drug. Im still suffering from depression but so sick and tired of the horrible side effects these drugs have had on me, mentally and physically. I dont know what to do?

Nickyo, I know how you feel! I am experienceing the same side effects and more because I stopped the meds. To be honest it was the best decision ever! But, I do have to say effexor did help me. I was on it for over a year. and i noticed a big difference. i have been on so many depressions meds that didn't work. my dr. prescribed me effexor and lamictal which helped, but I go to the point this summer that I felt like I didn't need to be on them anymore, i didn't want to depend on a drug for the rest of my life, plus i am getting married next summer, and started to think about what will happen when i am pregnant, and how it is not safe to be on effexor during that time and that i gained 30lbs on effexor. anyways i know its hard to deal with the side effects, but if u need to be on it then thats just what u have to do. sorry if iam confusing you.

Thanks Nightmares. I just dont know what to do for the best, ive still stopped the effexor but got such an awful headache that wont shift with any painkillers. Im glad you've managed to stop taking it. I kind of feel like you, i don't want to keep taking drugs that have such awful side effects, you end up worse off than when you started. You have your wedding to look forward to. take care

Nickyo, how long have u stopped taking the effexor? have u tried excedrin? my withdrawl symptoms are feeling a lil better. things will get better, i know it sounds cheesy but stay strong.the side effects won't last forever, soon ur body will get used to not having the effexor. if u donrt mind me asking, how are u feeling mentally with out the meds?

''According to the official Effexor XR website, common side effects may include nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, sweating, dry mouth, gas, abnormal vision, nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, confusion, agitation, tremors, yawning, palpitations, and increased cholesterol.

More serious side effects may include increased heart rate, extreme confusion, seizures, abnormal bleeding or bruising, sudden eye pain, eye redness, changes in vision, and mania or hypomania.''

The above is for your information.

Can you inform me what Homeo medicines you are taking at pesent?

Pl. continue Yoga - deep breathing exercises regularly.

Awaiting reply.

Hi Nightmares, I stopped taking effexor last friday. No i havent tried excedrin is it an anti-depressant? Have you had it? Mentally, not too bad, up and down to be honest, scared of feeling really bad again tho, suicidal as i have done on occasions the last few months. I just want to feel ok, i have two small children (aged 2 and 4)who really need me to be well. How are you doing? How are you feeling? Take Care.

Thankyou Rajendra, Ive had the nausea, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, abnormal vision, nervousness, sweating etc etc. Im not taking any Homeo med at present.

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I saw that you have been on this site for the last one and a half year. i.e. from Dec. 2005.

Ultimately what conclusions you have reached?

Can you now also detail your requirement and what you expect from thuis Forum?

Hi all. I'm down from 300 mg to 20 mg. It has taken me 5 motnhs but I haven't had many side effects as I am going slow. I was on the 300 mg for 9 years from an MD who just didn't care! It wasn't working so she just kept upping it. I finally said 'enough'. The only thing right now is that I am very emotional and get angry easily. I have to really watch the anger part. I will be so happy when I am free of this monster drug! Everyone hang in there. It's worth it! Hugs to all, Mary

Also, the night mares get better. It was scary and I would holler because I was so scared. Things did get better. Think angels or happy times and it helps. Mary

I have been off the Effexor for 2 months. My depression is really bad so I had to get back on something. I chose Cymbalta.
I hate that I have to be medicated but I CAN NOT live a quality life without it.
At least not at this time in my life.
The depression is dibilitating. I tried changing my diet and excercising but it didn't work.
Just thought I'd share. I hope the rest of you have better luck w/o it.

Elaamacy123; Sometimes you have a chemical imbalance and do have to take medicine. Just like someo one with high blood pressure or heart problems, you have to take meds for it. At least it is not Effexor. Good luck and let the rest of us know if the new drug works. I don't know how I will be this Fall when Seasonal Disorder strikes so may have to go on something too. Hugs, Mary

Rajendra, i have only been on this site for the last week!!!

Yopur problems:

'' nausea, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, abnormal vision, nervousness, sweating etc etc. Im not taking any Homeo med at present.''

What is the cause and what is the treatment you are taking for all this?

Nickyo,

Weaning ON to effexor can be just as hard as weaning OFF of effexor. I'm sorry you have it so bad. You should really consult with your doctor again. I assume that the 3 days you were on effexor it was at 37.5mg. (It would be wrong of your doc to just dump you into a 75mg dose)

The combination of coming off mirtazapine and going onto effexor may be causing the abundance of side-effects.

Weaning onto effexor is like giving your brain a dose and then putting it through little withdrawls on a daily basis until it is fully ready to utilize the 75mg dose without going into minor serotonin syndrome.

If you and your doctor decide to try again, you have to get through that first week without giving up. But do talk to your doc again.

Hi Mikemo thankyou,

it was my psychiatrist that put me on effexor and it was actually 150mg. So i dont know if these horrible side effects are from these or the abrupt stop of the mirtazapine!!! I see my own GP on friday. Just kinda scared. I really dont want to take anymore drugs, but terrified of feeling desperatly depressed again.

Take Care.

Wowsa! He should never have put you on 150mg without stepping through a gradual introduction of 37.5mg for a week, then 75mg for a week, then re-evaluate.

Try not to be scared, you did the right thing to stop taking such a high dose. Ask your GP for a free trial taper-on pack. He's got a closet full of 37.5mg packs and 75mg packs.

Or, you could start again tomorrow by splitting the capsules you have for a week in order to taper up to 75mg. Never start (or stop)higher than 37.5 cold turkey.

I doubt Mirtazapine is what caused your problems after hearing that you jumped in with both feet at 150mg of Effexor. It was definately the high Effexor dose.

Effexor is quite effective for relieving the depression, so don't worry so much about that aspect. Help is on the way, but you have to start lower. Talk to your GP about all of this. I'm not a doctor.

The only reason I can think that he plopped you in at 150mg is because you were already on mirtazapine so the 'change in formula may be a smooth transition'. But that theory is just wrong, because the mirtazapine effectivly works on your serotonin levels in a completely different way.

Taper on. And talk to your doctor. Hang in there, because life is good, if you can see through the clouds.

Mike

By the way, if you are going to make your own taper doses out of the pills you already have, read this thread for some great help on splitting them up accurately and easily. (with practice)

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Whatever you think on the erlier advice, but I may suggest that you immediately buy Nux Vom 30C and take 4 pills three times a day.

It should reduce your agony.

You may report back after 3 days of taking Nix Vom 30C.

I have been on effexor for over a year. I recently got back from vacation where I forgot to take my meds daily. The day I got back I thought I had a sinus infection because the vertigo and flu like symptoms. I also had noises in my head with I thought was water in my inner ear. I started back on the effexor when I got back for a couple of days until my prescription ran out and then forgot to call it in for a couple of days and the vertigo, noises when I moved, hot flashes, even some numbness. Forget my moods, I was so mad all the time and also crying. We figured I better hurry and pic up my meds because I just wasnt mentally sound enough to do without them. After reading all these post I am happy to know that I was not going crazy just having withdrawl from the medication(which my doctor told me was not habit forming) I guess I will now try to start weening myself off of them now that I know what the problem is.. Thanks, Dawn

Hi all,
I have been off the e for over a month now and like Dawn described I had all the symptoms and a lot of anger. I kept writing to this forum and it really helped me to know how everyone else was just like me. I think I will be OK now. The anger is subsiding a little I feel better. I will continue to read your posts and pray for us all because God is a big part of success. Thanks to all.
Kikki

Good day all.
I am officially on Cymbalta now and it's not working. LIFE SUCKS!!!!
I am seeing a Physch today so hopefully she will raise my dose or something.
I was off the Effexor for 2 months and couldn't live with the depression.
Good luck to you all.

Shelly,

I am so sorry to hear that. I will keep you in my prayers.

Don't forget, when it comes to anti-depressants of ANY kind, getting you body used to the change whether it be getting ON a new anti-depressant or getting OFF of one, takes time. (and possibly tapering)

I am not familiar with Cymbalta, so I couldn't tell you about dosages. I think it's great that you are trying to find something that works for you though.

Feel free to fill me in on the doses if you want some extra support for tapering on, or off, or changing. I'm here for ya! Be greedy with your joy, don't let anything take it from you!

Mikemo,
You are so great. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know.
Good day to you.
Shelly