Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 92 of 140}

'Tell your health care professional right away if you have:
signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which may include a combination of the following: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, nausea, and vomiting.'

damn the only ones I don't have are hallucinations, diarrhea & coma!!

My head is so hot I think it's gonna explode soon!

Thanks for the info. I'm calling tomorrow for sure!

Penny

Wow, I read all of those symptoms of withdrawal before I stopped cold turkey, but it's very interesting to read again now.

I've been unable to get myself back to 100%, although every day I feel a little bit more normal. Yesterday I was so exhausted, so I went to bed early around 9:30, but then was unable to sleep until 1AM. Of course then I have nightmares and wake up every hour on the hour. So annoying! Nothing like insomnia AND somnolence.) And when I'm tired during the day, I get the headaches and my head nods uncontrollably (which my husband and daughter have tried to use to their advantage--'Mommy, can we get a dog?--I nod involuntarily...) and I get the brain zaps.

Penny--It worries me to read the 'tell your health care professional if you have...' Sounds like you have a lot of those symptoms. You're doctor NEEDS to take your symptoms seriously. You can take any and all of my posts to your doctor if you'd like. I'm not worried about anything that I've said. Doctors need to understand what they are prescribing and they need to tell people what they MIGHT be in for should they decide to get off.

I strongly suggest following MikeMo's instructions for the slow detox, you're so ill that I don't think cold turkey is a good idea in the shape you're in.

Guys, I'm so thankful for you all.

Thanks so much Becky, I'll print out some of yours, I haven't gotten permission from others yet, I'd be leaving names out if that matters.

Penny

Are you kidding? I'll give you my full name if you want it. Doctors need to know what they're giving people. This stuff is so awful.

How are you feeling?

Are you kidding? I'll give you my full name if you want it. Doctors need to know what they're giving people. This stuff is so awful.

How are you feeling?

Ok today I need to figure out a good time to stop taking it.

I'm taking care of my Father _in_law after hip surgery mon-fri. I want him safe for me to be gone, plus I have other crap going on personally (hubby legal stuff)& I think right now the evil E is helping me not flip out & kill him lol & not so lol

I have 3 new bruises & only one I know how I got. I figured out the one one my left side of my knee is because I rest my leg there while driving!! It's not like I'm banging it on the door, it's just how I sit driving!

I'll keep reading & reasearching.
Right now I'm more concerned about the long term side effects & my side effects are very disconcerting.

I've sent the posts you sent & mine & hubby will print them, my printer took a nose dive.

Thanks a ton Becky!!

Penny

Did you get a chance to see your doctor today? I'm worried about the vomiting.

I get what you mean about a 'good time' to detox. I've been at home since May and I'm looking for a job now, so I decided to detox now before I ended up missing work. I waited until it was my ex's weekend to have my daughter (because at that time I stupidly thought it would only take a weekend to get through!), and I stopped on a Thursday.

Use this time now to lessen your doses, maybe. Honestly with the symptoms you're having while ON the Effexor, how much worse could it be to detox? (I'll knock on wood right now.)

Good luck and let me know what happens.

Penny,

It worries me that we haven't heard from you in a few days. Are you alright? What's going on?

Becky

I'm ok just busy. I haven't called my dr yet. the vomiting has stopped. Just to boost my spirtits I colored my hair, I'm now a reddish brown.

FIL is sleeping way too much, so I'll be there for longer than I planned.
I really have no further bad side effects from it. But I still want off it.

Thanks for caring Becky!

Penny

I'm down to my second day on 5 mg's. I've been on the MikeMo plan and it hasn't been too bad. I have been nauseous, but take a Dramamine here and there. I also use the less drowsy formula. I have been going through some stress, but I think I may be WAY over-reacting...I blew up at my boyfriend while speaking with him over the phone, ended up hanging up on him. Sent him a text msg when I got home and didn't like his response, so I threw my cell phone across the room...It snapped in many pieces and I had to order a new one online.
I feel like a timebomb and it scares me. Has anyone else experienced this? EVERYTHING is making me feel like snapping....

Penny,
Glad to hear you're not vomiting anymore. At least now you'll look adorable with your reddish brown hair as you detox. :-)
Check in with your doctor though. If you just started, it may not be so rough to get off of and it may be quicker to detox.

SweetLo,
I went cold turkey as you might have read, and after three weeks I'm still such a bitch. (Although, some might say this is no different than usual.) If my poor husband so much as looks at me the wrong way, I lose it. I've managed not to break anything, but I try to only throw pillows.
I still am on the verge of tears when I so much as hear a line in a song that's poignant. That's not 'normal' for me. I've been extremely emotional. Hang in there, it will be over soon.

Well, no more Evil E Day-1!! I read an article about fish feeling pain when hooked and it went on about lobster feeling pain and I almost started crying. UH-OH...it's going to be a long several months!!! lol

I've only been nauseous and slightly dizzy, still taking Dramamine. I'd love to hear how those of you who are Effexor-free are holding up?

Loretta

sweet lo--I would like to know how others do when completely weaned too!

I have been effexor free since Sept. 21. I cry for the littlest things too!

My only side effect that seems like it could be related to the withdrawl is severe random itching, which is why I am up at 2:52 a.m.!

Is this a side effect?

Hey guys,

I've been off since about Sept. 21 also, and I still am cranky and near tears over nothing.

The only time I'm feeling any other symptoms of the detox is when I'm tired. Last night I went out to dinner with friends and I was kinda sleepy and I was getting very mild brain zaps all night.

I'm only having minor symptoms and I can't tell you how amazing I feel. I forgot how good it feels to not be on Effexor. I'm so much more energetic, and my OCD symptoms have not returned.

I'm curious about Penny--how are you doing?

This is good to hear, because I think this is the same for me, cranky later during the day. I have three kids (two in school fulltime, my youngest in afternoon kindergarten)... by 7:00 I want nothing to do with anyone.

Did you ever itch?

What does a brain zap feel like?

I've got to say, I've been pretty awful to my husband and daughter these past few weeks. Not constant bitchiness, but things would be fine and someone would say something that rubbed me the wrong way and I would snap.

Towards the beginning, the evenings were the toughest, by the afternoon I was starting to wind down, but by dinnertime I was useless.

It's tough to describe the brain zaps. It's almost like when you're watching a movie and the DVD skips, but in your brain. Kinda like your ears popping too, it's weird. Like I said, sort of hard to describe exactly. If it happens, you'll know. If it doesn't, consider yourself lucky.

As for the itchiness, I can't remember if I was itchy, but so many strange things were happening to my body during those first 10 days or so, I may not have noticed. I have been itchier than usual, but I had chalked it up to allergies.

Hang in there, it gets better.

I'm curious about Penny--how are you doing?

I feel better actually, I replaced my printer that died on me finally last night. Now I can print my brochures & labels again, I make candles, soaps & lotions among other things. I always felt better creating stuff.
Closest to happy I can remember for a long time. And before effexor.

Best high is when ppl buy & rave about it!

How are you doing Becky?

Penny

I have little bumps on the tops of both hands that itch, I'm not sure if it's the weather or stress.

Brain zaps to me feel like when you accelerate rapidly and have that WHOA feeling. But I get it when I move my eyes, not accelerate. I can feel it from my eyes down to my heart.

Now that I've weaned off, I want to get St. John's Wort and other things I've read about on this sight, I just don't want to get the wrong things.

I just want to cry or give up at a moments notice. I keep telling myself 'I hate my life'. I that this so much... it's nice to know I'm not going crazy...

You all help me each and everyday!

I think detoxing has made me a little stupid. I can't remember words when I need them, I suddenly can't type properly, I spell things wrong... This is the worst crap I have ever put in my body. I've had a slight resurgence of symptoms--my stomach is terrible and I'm getting the brain zaps again. It's that time of month, so maybe it's connected somehow. The symptoms had just about stopped altogether and then they were back.

SweetLo--Hang in there. I had those moments of wanting to give up, but it does get better. I was lucky enough not to have my OCD symptoms reappear (yet, anyway) so I haven't been looking for something to take instead. You're definitely not going crazy.

Penny--I'm doing well. I'm glad to hear that you're back to doing things that you love. I was just reading an article in Time magazine about a woman who made soaps... Are you still on the Effexor?

I have read the posts the last few days. I went through 3 weeks of hell after quitting. It took me 5 months to go from 300mg to zero. After I was at zero for 3 weeks I was such a bitch, I was ready to divorce my husband, and him me, almost lost my job of 32 years because I blew up, would cry and carry on. Not like me at all, could not sleep or slept too much, felt awful physically. I had to go back to the MD and get on something. So I started on Lexapro. I didn't want to take anything but I HAD to for my sanity. I thought I would end up in a mental ward. Since then I have done remarkably well and things are back to normal. I have lost 15 lbs and am eating well and exercising every day, my job is better and my life is balanced. It was so tough and I know what you all are going through. I did take benadryl, melatonin etc to help me sleep and take the edge off but I had to have a little something and I am on the lowest dose. I do not like to take any pills but I had to not go crazy. Hang in there gals! I am with you every step of the way! Hugs, Mary C.

And too, I couldn't type right and was always spelling things wrong. Like my mind worked faster than my fingers. I have learned to slow down and focus more. Things were worse when it was that time of the month and my hormones were inbalanced too. Take extra care of yourself during those times, more relaxation breaks, hot baths, fresh air etc. Watch the caffeine.. it doesn't help.

Hi Everyone. I went crazy yesterday because my Instant Message was not working. I felt like I was at the end of my rope. Fortunately, none of the kids or hubby were home but I was seriously crying, thinking what is wrong with my life; I hate feeling this way especially because I have a great life; what's going to happen when something bad happens.

To the one who went back on Lexapro? Does that make you nervous? I keep thinking I should get back on effexor. I was at 75 mg since May and didn't have ANY of these problems. Which is the lesser of the two evils? And how long does the craziness last?

I know my doctor would be happy to just put me back on it. My husband thinks it's just the pharmaceutical companies trying to make money. I am sooo confused.

I would NOT go back on the Effexor. NEVER! I am not nervous on the Lexapro. I am on a very low dose.

My Mom is on a low dose of Lexapro and she has not had any problems. She's been seeing me through my Effexor craziness, but she hasn't had the bad side effects on Lexapro that I had on Effexor.

I think unfortunately, we all went on Effexor because we had issues we needed help resolving. Therapy can take you so far, but sometimes it's not possible to do without medication. I think we all learned a big lesson by going on Effexor and to know everything you can about a drug before taking it is an enormous benefit.

I would never go back on the Effexor either. Never!!! I was on only 75mgs for more than two years. It totally cleared up my OCD, but the side effects are terrible and the detox is crazy. Once you get through it though, you realize how much better you are without it. Those first few days off are so rough and my family was seriously trying to get me back on it since I was so sick, but I knew I had to get it out of my system.

If you need to go on something, see a therapist, see a psychiatrist and research what is prescribed to you. Not all the anti-depressants out there are evil. I was on Zoloft for a while for depression and had NONE of these issues.

ANyone want to try adding something to your routine? We've found an amazing thing that isn't new.

After reading up on general health and diet I determined that our protien intake is woefully low for our body weights. The lack of protien in the fast paced society is replaced by more calories, fat, and sugar. Even the protien we DO get is encapsulated in a non-bioavailable form that requires the liver to process it out before it can get into the blood stream.

Go to the healthfood store and buy 100% egg protien. The best brand we've found for the money is by 'Healthy 'N Fit Nutritionals'. Vanilla Ice Cream Flavor tastes great in milk.

So go buy a jar of this powder. Take your first one about 45 minutes before going to bed. Take your second one 45 minutes before going to bed on night two. On day 3, before you take your third one, give yourself an honest evaluation of how you felt for the day.

I really need to hear the results on this one. So far, I only have had two people try this with incredible results. Could it be that protein is what we've been needing all along?

PS---don't try the whey protein, and don't let anyone sell you something else if you can help it. I need a benchmark using as close to the same product as possible for viable anecdotal results.

If you are worried about taking something new, worry no more. The ingredients of this stuff is eggs, stevia herb (for sweetening) and natural enzymes. That's it.

Indulge this---if it does for you all what I've seen it do for other, you'll be amazed on day 3 (or even day two!)

Also, it is important that you take it before bed as I suggested. It is best not to take it within an hour of any medicines, so if this time coincides with your medicines, you may need to adjust the timing of the meds, or stay up a bit later so you have time to get the protien shake and halfway digested before going to bed.

LET ME KNOW!!!

Dang it, I just got back from the health food store. I bought St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, Arctic-D Cod Liver Oil Omega-3 and Liquid Phyto-Caps (Sound Sleep). Not sure which I'm going to take, but it makes me feel better just having bought them! I started feeling the flu come on last night. I'm sick so won't be taking any of the products I bought. Brain zaps are zapping...MikeMo, I will definitely try the Healthy 'N Fit Nutritionals!! How is your wife?

stevia herb (for sweetening)

It is natural I use it in my lip balms. I even have a site you can get a free sample & the sample jars are BIG, a little goes a looooong way!

If anyones interested I'll look it up in my bookmarks.

Penny