Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 10 of 140}

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

I had thought my thyroid may have been shot but it tested fine 4-5 times over the last 3 years (long story). I am goin to have it tested again in a few months if I am still feeling sluggish and not able to drop weight when I am properly eating and excersizing. I have had the easy bruising also. I find that an odd side effect too I wonder why. I also find it odd that they try to prescribe this junk for Fibrymyalgia (not sure how thats spelled) which symptoms are constant joint and muscle pain etc and Effexor seems to make my muscles stiff and sore and even more so when I am off. I do not think they will ever know everything there is to know about how these meds work nor do they really care as long as they can prescribe them with some successfulness and keep ya on em.

Ok maybe I am a lil negative today lol..just ignore me:)

Jami

Hey guys.
I am super emotional today. I just had my co workers drop 10 files each onto my desk and I am feeling so overwhelmed. My office is covered with boxes and files. I can hardly find anything! Yikes! And there is so much confusion about the long weekend with my boyfriend and I that I find myself snapping at him because I am so overwhelmed! I feel like I could just cry. I just want to go home. And lie in my bed and not move. I know this is just a bad time, but I am so fed up! I wish I could go home now. Sorry for the downer. I am just so emotional right now! Geeze!

Hi Bonnie,
What Elena told you is absolutely right on. Very carefully twist the capsule until you feel it give way or loosen and pour the beads into a small container. I would actually lick my finger and press down on the few beads needed for half, throw them into some yogurt and put the remaining beads back in the capsule. Don't worry, you won't be doing this for long. So you won't have to become an expert on it! Because YOU WILL CONQUER! In a few weeks you will be giving all our new members of the family advice. Look forward to that and find the good in what you are going through. It sure does feel good to help somebody through this awful, miserable, life changing experience.
Carry ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Regent

Hello Cat!
I was going to try and get to you yesterday but my computers began to act up and the Geek in me came out!
I don't think I had heard anybody put it quite like you did when you said your emotions were too stable. Right on! Even now after 79 days into my detox, I still feel very dull! Every once in awhile I get a glimpse and a feeling of the joy I had before. Simple things like, picking out my youngest daughters clothes in the morning. That happened this morning. I remembered for a moment the excitement of getting her out of her jammies and dressing her up like a doll. I must say though that, try as I might, I could not hang on to that. I was frustrated. I desperatly tried to stay in the moment and couldn't! Too many other negative things are constantly littering up my mind. Ever since my ex-husband left, I feel like I am slowly dragging through life and occasionly dropping off garbage. It is just not happening fast enough. It leaves me feeling very unorganized, and irresponsible. I guess those are the major lingering issues with this detox, except for the huge weight gain that I had. You sound like a very cool woman. You sound like you really do have it all together, except for this small hurdle, that YOU WILL GET THROUGH. Heck, you'll probably be counseling all of us before it's over.
I have to ask?!? Silly question probably...Do you love cats?
You Rock!
Regent

Hey Jami,
It's okay, you have been keeping us up for the past couple weeks, You are entitled! Before I left my employment with the City, my doctor had ordered a thryoid profile on me. I never went and had it done because I was about to lose my insurance coverage and would not have been able to afford the testing nor any meds if needed. Now I am wondering if I could go in and have it done and just pay for it myself. I bet it would be worth it!
I hope your day gets better.
Love
Regent

I saw my psychiatrists today. One (he) is a psych resident being supervised be my actual doctor (she). They're not the original prescribers of the Effexor, and they did respond compassionately (he actually apologized for the pain the drug had caused me) when I saw them after visiting the urgent care back in March.

Today I went down to 37.5. The original plan was to stay there for two weeks, but they recommended staying there for only one week. They don't exactly get the extent to which some people suffer withdrawal -- and I did my best to encourage them not to prescribe Effexor as a first course of action (if ever) -- but I'm actually eager to just get on with it, so I'm good with the one last week of poison. As if any one of us should ever have had to be in this state ...

I have not gained weight on Effexor beyond some of what I had lost in my extreme anxiety-induced anorexia of last year. That said, I totally understand the bloat thing. It hurts. My belly feels like an alien part of my body. As for eating, there are some days I just want to consume large quantities. I stopped sugar for the most part as soon as I realized I was having Effexor side effects (read that somewhere as a helpful thing to do), but I am mostly interested in fruits, veggies, dairy and soy, and good carbs right now. Meat does not really call to me, except about once a week. I'm hoping that eating well will put me in a good place for regaining some muscle mass and strength. I'm thin but jiggly in various places right now.

I've had heart palpitations all along on this drug. I thought it was just my anxious state, but now I know otherwise. I have normally low blood pressure, but it was weird watching it climb to non-dangerous but unusual levels. That has already started changing since I began the downward titration. Fortunatly, my PCP ran a ton of blood tests in late April, and all those were clean.

I started working with a personal trainer last night, and she put me through a good workout in the pool. Not swimming but aerobics with float belt and without. The pool at my gym is beautiful (old, from the 1920s -- original tile in place), and the ambience there is very soothing. The water felt like silk gliding over my skin. My muscles feel better today.

Otherwise, I'm having more little zaps (some of them feel like being hit my raindrops), and am now going back and forth between cold and hot. I have my benadryl and dramamine on hand for future use, if needed. I'm so sensitive to benadryl, that I will have to make sure to take it way early in the evening so I can wake up in the morning. I was so glad when non-drowsy antihistimines came along for allergy relief. Benadryl will definitely put me to sleep.

I wish there was an Effexor retreat center we could all go to (all expenses paid by W-A) and be pampered back to life. A nice fantasy, and I think I've kind of found some of that in this group of people. Thank you all for welcoming me. Better do some actual work now before my dear boss gets antsy.

Later, beloveds,
Laurel

I saw my psychiatrists today. One (he) is a psych resident being supervised be my actual doctor (she). They're not the original prescribers of the Effexor, and they did respond compassionately (he actually apologized for the pain the drug had caused me) when I saw them after visiting the urgent care back in March.

Today I went down to 37.5. The original plan was to stay there for two weeks, but they recommended staying there for only one week. They don't exactly get the extent to which some people suffer withdrawal -- and I did my best to encourage them not to prescribe Effexor as a first course of action (if ever) -- but I'm actually eager to just get on with it, so I'm good with the one last week of poison. As if any one of us should ever have had to be in this state ...

I have not gained weight on Effexor beyond some of what I had lost in my extreme anxiety-induced anorexia of last year. That said, I totally understand the bloat thing. It hurts. My belly feels like an alien part of my body. As for eating, there are some days I just want to consume large quantities. I stopped sugar for the most part as soon as I realized I was having Effexor side effects (read that somewhere as a helpful thing to do), but I am mostly interested in fruits, veggies, dairy and soy, and good carbs right now. Meat does not really call to me, except about once a week. I'm hoping that eating well will put me in a good place for regaining some muscle mass and strength. I'm thin but jiggly in various places right now.

I've had heart palpitations all along on this drug. I thought it was just my anxious state, but now I know otherwise. I have normally low blood pressure, but it was weird watching it climb to non-dangerous but unusual levels. That has already started changing since I began the downward titration. Fortunatly, my PCP ran a ton of blood tests in late April, and all those were clean.

I started working with a personal trainer last night, and she put me through a good workout in the pool. Not swimming but aerobics with float belt and without. The pool at my gym is beautiful (old, from the 1920s -- original tile in place), and the ambience there is very soothing. The water felt like silk gliding over my skin. My muscles feel better today.

Otherwise, I'm having more little zaps (some of them feel like being hit my raindrops), and am now going back and forth between cold and hot. I have my benadryl and dramamine on hand for future use, if needed. I'm so sensitive to benadryl, that I will have to make sure to take it way early in the evening so I can wake up in the morning. I was so glad when non-drowsy antihistimines came along for allergy relief. Benadryl will definitely put me to sleep.

I wish there was an Effexor retreat center we could all go to (all expenses paid by W-A) and be pampered back to life. A nice fantasy, and I think I've kind of found some of that in this group of people. Thank you all for welcoming me. Better do some actual work now before my dear boss gets antsy.

Later, beloveds,
Laurel

Hey Elena,
Let me tell ya! I know where you are coming from! Probably the only reason that your co-workers placed the files on your desk, is, because, you are the only one capable of handling them. Because you, you, you, you, you are worth every last penny that they are paying you!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you taken a sick day lately? Maybe you should take a couple. Can you take stuff home with you and work on it? It sounds to me like if you and your boyfriend have big plans for the long weekend, that you are going to need some downtime, or you will not enjoy yourselves. I almost really blew it with my fiance' during my first couple of weeks. Try and hang in there. You can do it!
Remember...You are a woman of great value!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love
Regent

Regarding thyroid:

I probably forgot to mention that my hair has been falling out. Not alopecia, fortunately. The endocrinologist checked that when I went in for hormone levels check. But it's distrubing to comb or brush my hair and come away with many strands. :-( So, chalk that up to another side effect.

But because of that and the fact that I was so cold all the time I got a referral to the endocrinologist. Also, I had had an MRI in March on my brachial plexus (neck/upper chest), and it showed that the left side of my throid was enlarged.

So, I'm not having hypo or hyperthyroid problems, but I am not at all surprised that this could show up in many (especially women) as another Effexor unpleasant surprise.

Laurel

Regent -

I have already typed this response but lost it somehow. Maybe it will show up. I do love cats, and dogs and all animals. We have a cat or does she have us? She was abandoned by some previous neighbors and moved in with us. Came at a good time in our lives. We needed her. But my name comes from the fact that I am the grandmother of 5 cats. My daughter is a veterinarian and the feline family is her favorite. She would make a rotten human mother because she is too self-centered and mothers like that pschologically can damage their children. She doesn't want any anyway. I have 4 human grandchildren through my son. He is a wonderful father and works very hard at it.

I have a question. I was looking at a list of side effects for effexor and noticed one called dysphagia. I looked that up in a medical dictionary and it said "difficulty in swallowing." For some time now I have been choking on my own saliva as well as food and drink, like something going down the windpipe. Has anyone else had that symptom? Also, I seem to have lost my sense of taste, very dulled. Everything tastes bland. There is nothing wrong with my nose. I walked into the office the other morning and said "I smell breakfast." Sure enough someone 5 offices down had brought in a ham and egg biscuit and had just finished it. Anyone have that symptom?

I have to decide how I am going to proceed, all of you are at different stages of your withdrawal and I am a bit confused as to what to do next. When do you do the chaser and the cleanser, is is when you are totally off? Please give me some advice. I am starting to have some difficulty concentrating and my vision is blurrier than it was (another side effect that I could have done without in the past two years.)

I have viewed many of the effexor withdrawal website chatrooms and this one is by far the best. Some of them have some really wacked out people in them. You guys all sound like me, a little bit crazy, but basically normal. (My husband actually likes my craziness, it keeps him amused, I'm Gracie Allen to his George Burns)

Also on one site that I found some guy had actually counted the little balls in the capsule. There are 180. However, I would just eyeball it, what difference would a few grains make one way or another.

HEHEH I am busy right now on way out door but had to respond to the last post from Cat...I too love all animals but especially cats. I have two and one I have had since I was 12....yup shes 16 years old crazy huh. Never would I have thought at the age of 12 that some day that same cat would play with my children :) its great.

I also am a tiny bit on the unstable side lol and yes my hubby finds it amusing (big grin) must run I will be back later have a great day!

Jami

Thank you for your kind words Regent. I appreciate it. I know you all have been where I am right now. And I do hope to relax a bit so my Boyfriend and I enjoy ourselves this weekend. I just find it difficult to juggle all the things I have to juggle right now! I can't wait until this day is over. I would go home, unfortunatly I can't. But it's better that I tough it out. I need to relax so badly. I feel really like I am trying to please far too many people at once. And I can't. (Big Sigh) It's going to be okay. I'm just so tired and stressed. Okay, before bed tonight I'm going to try that detox bath with the episom salts and hydrogen peroxide. I also went to the health store and bought some detox pills to take that are all herbs. I'm excited to start that! I was told that it helps alot with cleansing your liver, lungs, heart, bladder and bowel. I need a good cleansing!

Uh oh. I lost my post. I think it's going to turn up on the site unfinished! LOL what a serious scatterbrain I am! Anyway, as I was going to write, Naria I never thought of it affecting my thyroid! Maybe that is why I have put on so much....it could be that or the toxins in my body, and the slowing down of my metabolism. Yuck.
Thank you Regent for your kind words. I appreciate it so much. (sighing again) I just need to get away and relax this weekend. I can't wait. Getting out and away from the city will be great. My boyfriend and I are going camping! Some fresh air and a bon fire. Ahhh. That will be heaven. If I can just unwind my tense stressed out mind and self! LOL

Wow! You guys are awesome. I cannot believe as I read these posts how similar everyone's w/d symptoms are to mine. Its good to know I am not alone in this. I have tapered down to taking about 1/4 of a 37.5 capsule. I had been on 75 mg for about 2 years or so. My initial push to get off this evil little pill was reading somewhere how antidepressants in general can cause weight gain, or inability to lose weight. I've gained about 15 since starting effexor. I know the hell of w/d has just barely begun. I have felt the dizzines, brain zaps etc. when I tried to go faster in my tapering off. It was then that I decided to open the capsules and count the granules, decreasing my dose daily. I will definately buy some dramamine and benedryl to have on hand when I need them. The next time I see the Dr. that prescribed my effexor, I will chew her out for not advising me of these hellish w/d symptoms. These doctors need to show more responsibility in what they prescribe.
I wish everyone here the best, and I have the utmost respect for those of you that succeeded in freeing yourselves from the clutches of this horrible drug.

An afterthought...has anyone tried motion sickness bands (Sea Bands)for the dizziness/nausea?

Elena, Naria;

I did a thyroid test last year when I was going through the weight gain, tiredness etc. And I was actually dissapointed when my results came back normal. At the time, I was hoping that would be a solution to my symptoms.

I've noticed the night sweats have also gone down quite a bit.

For the past few days, I have been home doing nothing but relaxing and studying for a test I have to take, and honestly, I wish my life could be like this for the next 6 months. I have been so at peace. I took a leave of absence until the 6th of June. And even though I dont know how I will make my bills, I really cannot be bothered at this point. Im tired of appearing to have it all together. (I hope this relaxed, at peace feeling is not one of the effects of withdrawing from effexor!"

Relaxed peaceful feeling and withdraw from effexor in the same sentence? I THINK NOT lol.. I dont think thats the case I think just knowing that deep down your doing the right thing and that you can do it along with having time off to focus on yourself is the culprit for the peacefulness.:) Still having a busy day guys will try to write more later. Glad to see everyone is keeping this forum in their hearts and minds it does make it better for everyone.

Jami

Elana, thanks,

It's now day four of Effexor free living! I slept so much better last night. I was cold but the lack of dizziness was a reprieve. Also I took my temperature yesterday and it was down an entire degree. This morning it was over a full degree. I think the brain is doing it's best to chemically (naturally) re-wire itself and I need to be patient as it does so. I've started to consciously help it out. Whenever a movement or thought triggers something I repeat it rather than stop so the brain can lay down a new pathway. It's like hitting the reset button in the brain! Even touching my forehead cause discomfort, I touched it again and again until the discomfort went away. Today I hardly had any hot sweats but the dizziness continues. I just took a half a dramamine about an hour ago. The dizziness/nausea has deminished but it seems the zaps are more intense.

So much is waking up inside me including the sex drive, it's like I've found an old lost friend. I have so much more energy, I woke up refreshed and ready. For those that are in the midst of it, think positive, the next moment will be better than now. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself if given the opportunity. Lots of ice water, it really helps with the hot/sweats.

I also filed an FDA medwatch report yesterday on these symptoms. The more people that report adverse side effects the better. I am curious as to the science behind the long term effects and the risk/gain evaluation of Effexor. Given its common side effects and substantial w/d symtoms it's a wonder the drug was approved BUT we all know what makes the world go round!

Last night I took melatonin to help my brain calm down. It's the brains natural chemical signal to go to sleep. All you need is 3 ug (micro grams). Within 30 minutes I was sleeping.

Also stay away from blue packets of artifical sweetners. Phenolkenolalkalyene or how every you spell it was originally developed as a psych drug but failed trails, too many side effects so now it's an artifical sweetner.... imagine that!

Remember you are stronger than the little round balls.

Melissa

ooops forgot to respond to Michelle I dont know if it was this site or another one I browsed before this that someone had tried the bands. I think they said they had success with those. I say its worth a try...relief without drowsiness would be a great thing for folks!

OHHH Melissa girl I hear you on the sex drive return. It is almost like finding it for the first time only knowing what to do with it lol. My hubby has been very happy and so have I lately. That alone makes me feel like things are going back to normal and I am starting to function as a human again!!

Jami

Jami and Melissa I heard a word that sorta sounds familiar to me, but it hasn't been around my house for a while either (sex). I am hoping that this will be back in my vocabulary too. LOL
Just had to comment on that one.
Goodnite. Talk with you all tomorrow
Bonnie

Jamie and Bonnie,

It seems like during w/d the systems are rebooting in the order they crashed! :)

When I went on I had sweats, dizziness mild nausea. Then systems gradually slowed down. What a powerful drug.

By the way I just saw a news report of new 'hopeful' treatment for depression. It involves delivering a cranial magnet shock to the brain (externally) directly over the area of the brain thought to be associated with depression, the left frontal lobe. The patient was twitching even after the shocking stopped! I thought there was a law again shock therapy or only usued when a frontal lobotomy is the and last resort.

I saw that too Melissa. Looked pretty scary to me. Not sure about a law against shock therapy. Be willing to try if proven it would work and be safe. How about you.
Bonnie

I think I'm ready to not be dependant on anti-depressant and trust that I have the skills know to recognize and work my way lows times with best self talk. I don't know that I'd try shock therapy. All seems to be short term fixes. I could always stick my finger in a light socket ;)

I think I'm ready to not be dependant on anti-depressant and trust that I have the skills know to recognize and work my way lows times with best self talk. I don't know that I'd try shock therapy. All seems to be short term fixes. I could always stick my finger in a light socket ;)