Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 95 of 140}

Thank you morningperson and mandy for replying. After ready so much in the past few days on effexor withdrals I realize I probably went down to fast. My Dr. said there would be problem doing it gradually and I followed his instruction. 150mg down to 112.5mg, then to 75mg then to 37.5mg. It wasn't until a week after being at 37.5 that I started having brain shivers (I keep refering to them as bugs in my head). The past 4 days have been awful but am happy to report that today, I believe, the bugs are starting to slowly move out. I was put in effexor for anxiety and panic attacks - my question - anyone feeling anxious on the drug? Effexor did help me at first buy, wow, the last 3 years, I believe now, the side effects were awful. You would think that doctors would recongnize these symtoms as side effects, instead mine keept blaming it on axiety and wanted me to increase my dose. It wasn't until this summer that something inside me was telling me that this drug was a big cause of my problems. My X-mas gift to myself this year is to be free of this drug. x-mas eve will be my last pill, I'm off work for two weeks, so hopefully this will be enough time to get through it. I must admit that I am really scared after all that I have read but I must do this for myself. Thanks to all.

Hi diser,
I initially went from 150 to 112.5. It was too much of a jump for me. Plus, I went from the name brand Effexor XR (extended release) to the generic brand, and non-extended release.
There is a big difference. I called both Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, that makes Effexor XR and Teva that make the generic brand, and although the main ingredient is the same, all the other ingredients are completely different.
It's bad enough to taper off of this drug, but to throw the different ingredients into the pot, can cause a lot of problems for some people (like me).
As far as anxiety.......
I had always had a little anxiety. But, for the past few weeks, being on Effexor, I have had the WORST anxiety of my life. I had a full blown 'panic attack' one day and started hyperventilating, and now feel anxious a lot of the time. It's a horrible feeling. I could slap my psychiatrist for prescribing this med to me.
To have to deal with depression for so long, and now to have to deal with all of the side effects, including anxiety is overwhelming sometimes.
He kept saying, 'you are one of a small minority that has problems with these side effects, you are hyper sensitive'. I had to bite my tongue not to tell him of all the stories I've read of all the peole battling the effects of the drug - I've heard it called 'EFFECTSOR'.
I just want to get off of it, and then I well never talk to him again. They really should be made to experience the drug first hand, before they hand it out without first clearly informing you what you're letting yourself in for.......
Your Christmas gift does sound like the best gift you'll ever get! I wish you Merry Christmas, in advance!
Hugs,
Alexa

Same here, I've gone down from a size 18 to 12 in a matter of months, I still have to eat slowly to manage the gag reflex which is sensitive because the first few weeks of effexor. I'm still on it & really dreading coming off of it.

Penny



Hi manic mommy,
I just wanted to let you know that I was told by my doctor that Effexor would cause the 'opposite of weight gain' - which it did for me. I had absolutely no appetite (and nauseau) and have to force myself to eat.
However, I have read MANY posts where people say that it did cause them to gain weight!
I also wanted to tell you, that I've started taking a 'pharmaceutical grade/high potency' fish oil - which are the Omega 3's.
I'm reading about how there is a DEFINITE connection to depression and the lack of this substance in our brain.
I was also told that it can help our headaches.
Just some info I came across.
Love,
mp

I received accupuncture for the first time a couple days ago. I told them about detoxing off of the Evil E and how bad my RLS had become, vertigo as well as extreme mood swings. I'm to go back next Thursday as well, I'll keep you all posted on if I feel any different. I have been taking my multi-vitamin, balanced b-50, 5-htp and drink the protein shake Mikemo suggested. I am beginning to feel how I did years ago. Now I don't mind the idiosyncrasies that used to annoy me. lol. I have realized that I have been a completely different person, 1/2 the energy, more passive and am happy I can feel myself beginning to return!

Loretta

Hi Loretta,
I go in for accupuncture for the first time next week.
I've had a painful and nagging neck pain for about a year and am hoping to help it to heal.
Please do keep us up to date on your experiences and the method used.
What is the protein shake?
mp

He posted about it on page 92...very interesting. My local Henry's Health Food's didn't carry it, so I ordered it online. I ordered Strawberry Passion - it's yummy!!!

Last Monday I was laid off. I was so devastated that, for three days I did not take my effexor (300 mg per day). By the fourth day I was feeling very strange. I was driving and had trouble focusing. I have had episodes in the past where my husband said I would just sort of start moving in slow motion. I have no recollection of these events, and they happened again last friday and saturday. I just blackout. I believe this all started when my dosage was upped to 300. I told my doctor I wanted to go off. She said it would not be a good time to do that since I was perimenopausal. I never felt depression - just hot flashes.

A few months back I fell down the stairs- i faintly remember it happening almost as if in slow motion. I was very lucky to come out of that in one piece.

I am certain now that I will withdraw from this drug. I am not working now and want to focus on my health and wellbeing. My main concern is to get this horrific drug out of my system.

I have already gone from 300 to 150 = since the withdrawal process began involuntarily last week. I will stay with 150 for a few weeks then 75,50, etc.

Has anyone experienced these blackouts - dizziness?

Effexor for hot flashes....What the hell are these doctors doing! 300mg?!

I gotta say, I'm completely outraged at this one. How long were you on Effexor at 75mg before she upped your dose to 150mg? How long were you at 150mg before she upped your dose to 300mg?

Find yourself a new doctor.

And tee-pee this one's house.

Dear Twisi25,
I have never had the blackouts, but I have had the dizziness. When I stand up, sometimes I have to hold on to something and stand very still for awhile, until I feel stable.
I wanted to address your taper.
300 mg of Effexor is a fairly high dosage. In the Wyeth Pharmaceutical studies, they said that 150 mg was the most effective, BUT, it could be raised in 'treatment resistant' people if their doctor deemed it necessary.
What I'm getting at is this: Jumping from 300 to 150 is a MAJOR jump down. I know that you feel that you've 'already done it anyway' - so you might as well as stay there. If you don't end up having any problems, then Great! But if you start having difficulties - GO BACK UP TO THE 300mg and start all over again.
I was on 150 mg, my doctor dropped me to 112.5 (which is about a 25% drop) I ended having terrible, terribe headaches and felt lousy. I was told to go back up to the 150 dose, and then start over again at 10% taper every week to 10 days - which is what I'm getting ready to do.
Now, at a rate of 10% ever week or 10 days, it will take me a while to get down to 0 - but to me, it will be worth it, because I just cannot handle any more side effects!
I'm in CA, I found a 'compounding' pharmacist who will do this compounding for me - or you can use Mikemo's method which is in this forum.
Lastly, my doctor has written a prescription for Prozac for me. He says that if I take a low dose of that while I do the taper, that it will make the taper easier and I will be able to taper faster.
There is something called the 'serotonin syndrome'. If you put too much serotonin into your body (which is what Effexor and Prozac cause our bodies to make) - then you can have some problems.
My doctor says that being on 150mg of Effexor and taking 10 or 20 mg of Prozac with be o.k - However, I don't trust him any longer and look elsewhere, like this forum, for as much help as I can.
My main point is that you are making a really big jump down. If it works, great - but if it doesn't, go back up, even though you don't want to and want to get off of the drug, and go back down at a much slower pace.
Read some of the back posts, particularly Mikemo's, who is very helpful.
Also, you might look at the 'Label me Sane' website. I am on their program to help me with my taper down.
If you email them, they are VERY helpful, and will email you with helpful information.
Hugs,
mp

Thanks.....i'll see how much I can handle. I worry that losing my job will compound the blues.....ill check out lable me sane.

I will check out Mikemo's method. Its so sad that we are all walking around like zombies.

Most people I know - want to go to the doctors who are freely giving drugs. Not me. I am worried about the damage this drug has already dont to my system.

Mikemo - I started at 150 and went to 300 within 6 mos. Last night - my hands and feet were cold, but my body was melting. You could see the sweat pouring off me. I slept one hour total.

Just a quick one..
Alexa good luck today with picking up your meds. I’m guessing you will be starting tomorrow morning or later today? I looked into Prozac whilst on Effexor and I didn't like much of what I read. If you could maybe try without the Prozac and if you can't cope then try a really really low dose.
I haven’t been to well (but am still keeping my positive mind)it seems I can now feel pains everywhere and I think the larger dose of Effexor must of numbed most pains along with numbed me altogether. Anyway will write a big post tomorrow to see how you are going and how the rest of us out there are going.
Oh Alexa can you tell me what to look for with the Omega?
Good luck Alexa you can do it.
Love to you and everyone else
Mandy
x

Dearest Mandy,
I am in the process of reading a very powerful book about how to get better without anti depressants. I have read a lot of books, but this one is very specific, and tells you exactly what to do, and the remedies/supplements are readily available.
The book is called 'The Mood Cure' by Julia Ross. I HIGHLY recommend it- (I don't say that too often).
She has had good results using tryptophan or 5HTP whilst tapering off of anti depressants. She readily acknowledges the possibility of 'seretonin syndrome' - but addresses this factor and tells you what to look out for.
She claims that she has seen withdrawals happen much easier when one of these supplements is added. She is the director of a clinic in the San Francisco area that assists people become drug free (legal and illegal) and also treats mood disorders.
She clearly states that anti depressants are addictive. The fact that one goes through 'withdrawal' symptoms while tapering, means that this is a substance that one is addicted to and is having to 'withdraw from'.
I have learned a lot from this book and plan to implement what I've learned.
As far as the Omega 3's -
In the book 'The Omega 3 Connection' by Andrew Stoll, M.D., he says that Omega 3 fish oil contains two primary components, EPA and DHA. 'Current evidence shows that EPA is the most mood-promoting agent in fish oil. DHA is important too, but there is anecdotal data showing that too much DHA relative to EPA, can cause a worsening of mood'. He therefore recommends a supplement with as high an EPA content as possible.
Clinically, usually a dosage of between 2 to 5 grams a day is adequate.
During his studies, he had difficulty finding Omega 3's that had a good EPA to DHA ratio and also finding smaller capsules (that were high enough potency) - that would make swallowing easier. Also, the fishy 'repeat' taste was a problem.
Dr. Stoll lists other manufacturers of high quality Omega 3's in his book, but I am going to go with the one that he developed, for the above listed reasons.
Also, the source of the fish is highly important. Anchovies from Antartica provide the least contaminated and highest pharmaceutical grade of oil. The encapsulating method is of great import. His capsules are encapsulated under nitrogen, while some are exposed to oxygen during the process.
His Omega 3 supplement is called, 'OmegaBrite'.
I would really recommend ordering both of these books, together they give some very valuable information for those of us who are desperately trying to get well without the use of addictive anti depressants that only cause us a myriad of problems.
Much Love,
mp

Day 4 from 300 to 150. Headaches like ice cream headaches, ringing in ears, from sweating to freezng in minutes. I cant imaging what total withdrawal will be like. Went to apothecary/homeopathic pharmacy and picked up pure fish oil capsules, milk thistle, yogi detox tea. No appetite, eating organic greek yogurt with honey, i believe it helps with stomach. Overall, from these posts, it can be worse I suppose. Glad I dont' have to work. I was suppose to fly out this am with my husband to visit his mom and brother. Opted to stay home, to chill. I was very angry yesterday, extremely aggitated with everyone and everything. I don't think its time to be sociable. I want to focus on only me right now. I pray they don't call me for an interview. I don't think I can handle it, but I don't think I can pass up an opportunity right now. We need the money. Why did this all have to happen at once....

I've got another new interest. The Niacin Flush. Do a search for what it is and read for yourself. A friend of mine took 200mg of Niacin to combat his monthly migrain headache. It worked. Unfortunatly, it makes you bright red and itchy for about 30 minutes.

The benefits are lower cholesterol, improved circulation, and toxin removal. I'm not exactly recommending this, because I haven/t studies it yet, but if you are interested, read up on it. It may help shorten the withdrawl and possibly ease withdrawl symptoms. Who knows?

Mike

Hi everyone -

I am another lucky sole who's found this site during Effexor tapering. I can't say how relieved I am to hear that I'm not alone!!

My doc prescribed Effexor XR in August 2006 for situational depression and anxiety. She pushed for Effexor over Wellbutrin bec of my symptoms. Unforunately she didn't explain to me the differences or the issues of tapering off Effexor. I had expressed a desire to get off the meds (I was at 75mg for about 3 months and then 150mg from then on) back in May and she basically blew me off and said 'ok we'll see how you feel in 3 months.' I was so mad! I had gained 20 lbs and was just ready to say my goodbyes to Effexor. She told me Effexor doesn't cause wight gain. She clearly doesn't understand the drug.

So in October I saw another dr at the practice who went through what to expect from withdrawal and was very supportive. With everything I had heard, I was seriously terrified. He rx'd 75mg and 37.5mg so that I could back down in 25% increments. 150 down to 112.5 felt fine. 112.5 down to 75 wasn't bad either. The only noticeable difference was that I was having really strange dreams and nightmares, but I thought wow I'm going to be one of the lucky ones!

Then a week ago I went from 75 to 37.5mg...ouch! Withdrawal really hit me pretty good with nausea, brain shivers, fatigue, achiness. I see my doctor this afternoon to discuss splitting my pills - there's no way I'm taking the 37.5mg to zero plunge! I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their openness and support for one another. I've been reading this site non-stop since I first found Mike's tapering schedule and I have to say I'm feeling much more empowered than I did just a few days ago. When I went o Effexor I thought I had done some good research - I'm working on my PhD in Pharmacology for crying out loud!! But the medical community and the big pharma industry don't want you to know everything. Hopefully, someone considering Effexor will come across this site first so they can be much more informed than most of us were when we started our journeys.

Best wishes to all of you!
Jen

Hi All

Alexa how are you going with your tapered meds?
I still haven’t cut back any further than 112mgs. I'm noticing pain is a real issue. The pain can be anywhere for instance the last few days I got my period and I haven’t had that much pain for years and years and I couldn't get rid of it with really strong painkillers, this lasted 3 days. I also notice that I get allot of little headaches, my muscles hurt allot, I have zaps throughout my whole body not just my head, painful joints, my body hurts as if I was a 90 year old woman (not that I no what that's like). I can live with the pain for a while if it's truly a withdrawal thing but when I look back at life before Effexor I had allot of body pain suffering so I have come to the conclusion that Effexor numbs everything in a person.
I’m going to my chemist tomorrow to ask about what you said to look for with the Omega, the EPA content. Thank you for your advice Alexa. I am going to order a copy of “The Mood Cure” when my credit card is sorted. I would be interested in other books you have found useful. I have a few but need to go home and write them down and I will let you know.
Have you been to acupuncture yet? Can you tell me when you go how you found it?
Have you been back to the meditation class?
Love & Happiness Alexa and I’m still remaining positive.
x

Twisi25
That’s too fast to taper off from Effexor. By doing it so quick you have set yourself up for more withdrawals and all that agitation and it really is horrible. I no you want to get off Effexor but wouldn’t doing it slower rather than quicker help both your body & mind? Maybe there is a reason you want to do it so quickly?

PharmJen
Oh my god you are going to be a Pharmacist? At least you will have the knowledge that other Pharmacist don’t have on anti-depressants. You are so right about the medical community and the big Pharma industry, why would they want to help people cause if they did they would explain everything but more importantly wouldn’t use such an evil medication on anyone, gee they don’t want to loose any sales now do they. You have tapered off to quickly Jen. Mikemos way is good I just have bad maths skills and fear stuffing up the splitting so I’m on 112mgs and have been for a few weeks but when I can get help at splitting I’m going to be full steam ahead (slowly of course).

Mikemo I’m going to look up The Niacin Flush. How’s everything going in your and your wife’s world at the moment?

It’s my weekend again, please everyone have a great weekend.

Mandy

Mandy -

I'm not going to be a pharmacist - you need to go to pharmacy school and get a PharmD (doctorate of pharmacy) for that. I'm in the research field getting a PhD (doctorate of philosphy) in pharmacology. Pharmacists today are much better trained than they used to be and may be why they can be much more helpful than a PCP or GP.

I have to say that my tapering schedule hasn't been too fast - for me. I think tapering is very specific for each person, depending on their sensitivity to the drug. Today is day 7 at my 37.5mg dose and I'm feeling pretty good. Fortunately, my symptoms have been tolerable so I've been able to move more quickly. I definitely encourage everyone to move at their own pace and if you can, follow Mike's dosing schedule.

Just to throw my 2 cents in about niacin - beware that it can really dry your skin out. I took it as a supplement to help with breakouts and it made my face very dry, itchy and red. It's used for a number of reasons and many people do have good luck with it. It just irritated my skin beyond discomfort.

Good luck all!
Jen

Mandy-

Yes, I am anxious to get off this drug, as I recently lost my job. I don't think starting a new job while going through withdrawal would be a good idea. We are financially hurting and I am emotionally and physically hurting. I don't know what to do. Every day i think I should just dump this stuff in the toilet and go with it so I can move on. Its a terrible time for me.

Dear twisi25,

for quick result you can use the bach flower remedy i.e. AGRIMONY i.e. 2 drops three times in a day will give you great help get off from this drug.
try it for a month and inform me the improvement...

A good counsiling is also required, for that you can come through chat ... by prior appointment...and along with time management....

Itis impossible to solve the anxiety problem...without knowing the detail information...

dr.deoshlok sharma

Dr Deoshlok Sharma,

Bach Flower Remedy? I dont see that. Sorry I am new to the forum. Chat? Please elaborate. Thanks so much. I want you to know that my doctor prescribed 300 mg of effexor for hot flashes, that is it. When I lost my job, I did not eat for four days, and that is when I realized I had not taken the antidepressant and began going through withdrawals. It isnow one and 1/2 weeks later. I am on day 5 of 150 mg.

Mikemo,
Niacin- isn't that the same as b3? I've seen that posted as a helpful remedy. But i understand that everyone reacts differently to it. Am I righ?

Hi Mandy,
I will be starting my taper this weekend. It took the pharmacist quite a few days to compound my med, she said it would be quicker next time.
I now have constant low grade headaches - which I didn't have before. Sometimes they erupt in big ones. It is physically and emotionally debilitating to have constant pain in my head, so I totally understand.
I also feel like a 90 to 100 year old woman (in fact, I think I feel worse) - I live in adults only community and all the 70, 80 and even 90 year olds are running around very active, while I at 53, feel constant pain and it's enough to keep me inactive.
I went to accupuncture last week, and haven't noticed anything different yet, but didn't really expect to. I go back next week.
I was reading a book by an M.D., about Fibromyalgia last night. I had always heard that there may not be such a thing as Fibromyalgia, but this doctor dispells this 'myth'.
I found that I fit his pain description quite a lot - it's called 'Fibromyalgia' by Don Goldenberg.
From the 'Mood Cure', here are a couple of paragraphs that you might find interesting.
'People suffering from chronical physical pain have 60-90% less pain reducing endorphin than others. Whether depletion is caused by physical or emotional pain, or both, there are two endorphin-boosting amino acids that can usually relieve the pain.
The twin formula is DLPA, a combination of the D and L forms of the amino acid phenylalanine. One of the two aminos, L-phenylalanine. It's one of the 15 or more base aminos need to form endorphin and one of the five to form enkephalin-one of the most powerful of the painkilling subgroups in the endorphin family.
In one study, ten chronic pain patients were given both aminos for 3 to 7 days. Good to excellent results were reported in nearly every case! Adding DLPA lowered the need for pain medication and reduced pain more effectively than accupuncture used alone.'
The author goes on to describe the imporant mood boosting role of these amino acids.
I'm going to give this a try. It's not a med, so I feel pretty safe about trying it. Apparently you can get it at the health food store or the internet.
My health coverage/HMO, provided for my accupuncture. It's one of the few constructive things they have offered to me, although whether it helps or not, remains to be seen.
I didn't go back to the 2nd (and last) medititation class. I was just feeling to lousy. But I did leave a voice mail for the instructor asking if she met privately with people.
I've also ordered some more meditation cds as the more I read, the more I hear that this is an extremely important technique to tune into ways to help me to heal. It also helps you spiritually, which is very important to me.
Mandy, thanks for asking after me, and I hope you have a decent weekend.
I hope you can get 'the mood cure', it has a lot of intriguing information that is really worth trying.
Take care of yourself, and my thoughts and good feelings are with you..........
Hugs,
alexa

I wanted to address khanusman's experience with 5HTP.
In the 'Mood Cure' the author does say to be careful about watching for signs of seretonin syndrome whilst taking Tryptophan or 5HTP with an anti depressant.
She prefers Tryptophan over 5HTP and says to take them at least 6 hours apart from your med.
I was curious khanusman, if you had ever had problems with either your heart or blood pressure previously?
I'm assuming not?
In the book, the author states, 'In a British study of severely depressed patients who had been unresponsive to at least 4 prior medications, tryptophan was given along with the SSRI Serzone. The depressive symptoms dropped more than 50% in what was referred to as an 'unusually high successful efficacy rate.'

I also have extremely serious Major Depression and I have tried so many things these past years, and have grown quite jaded by any miracle cures.
But, I just keep on trying, what else can one do?
However, I'm definitely NOT going back on any anti depressants. I've tried almost all of them and none have helped me and have just given more problems to cope with, which didn't help my depression at all.
I completely realize that they do help some people, but I'm gathering that they are actually the minority - I may be wrong.
mourningperson

While I'm on here, :)
I'd like to post another little tit bit that I read recently.
In the late 80's when Prozac and other SSRI'S were coming onto the scene, the pharmaceutical companies orchestrated a MAJOR media blitz to promulgate the concept of 'Serotonin deficiency' or 'chemical imbalance' as being the major cause of depression.
They were highly successful and doctors and depression sufferers bought into it in a huge way. The pharmaceutical industry made billions by pushing this theory.
I read that this 'theory' has been considered untenable and incorrect by professionals who are more informed (and probably not in the grasp of the industry).
I was told from the beginning of my diagnosis in 1991, that the reason behind my depression was a chemical deficiency of Serotonin. If it was, why did none of the Serotonin inducing meds ever help me?
I consider the industry to be a money hungry monster, with no conscious.
The lengths they go to to suppress the negative side effects, including the ability of these drugs to induce thoughts and actions of suicide and homicide, are a crime.
Wyeth pharmaceuticals, who manufactures 'Effectsor', recently tried to suppress the ability of women to get bioidentical hormones, because of course, they want to be in control of their disbursement.
The backlash and outcry to this ploy was so great, that it was stopped in it's tracks, for the time being.
Sorry to ramble on so much.
After all these years, my depression isn't diminished, but my anger factor has increased..........
mourningperson

Hi khanusman,
I agree that so called 'natural' remedies can be problematic as well - and proceed with caution when using them.
Luckily, as I am a major reader and with the help of the internet (used judiciously), I try and research to the best of my ability.
I actually went to a homeopathic psychiatrist last year. She came highly recommended by a trusted source (an M.D.) and she was MEGA expensive, which I thought were two promising signs...
She took a complete history from me and I took her treatment with zeal for a few months.
Unfortunately, her remedies didn't help me and I only got worse - which I don't attribute to the remedies, themselves.
I was really hoping homeopathy would help me, it sounded like an alternative medicine that had a lot of history and promise.
By the way, I have also addressed my depression through therapy, so I'm not only relying on physical 'therapies'.
Take care :)
mp

re: endorphins,

i have to tell you. . . i too am having serious withdrawal. i woke up today feeling as if i had been out drinking all night. horrible head aches. my face is so puffy, my skin pale, i look and feel awful. one thing i have done- in addition to detox tea, milk thistle, b3, fish oil - is that i lace up every day and force myself to go for a run. now, i haven't run in some time, and it may be a 'walk/run', but that is the best part of my day. i believe firmly in natural endorphin release, i have been through some horrific experiences in my life, and the ONLY and i say ONLY thing - because drugs have done NOTHING, that helps me is to get physical exercise. its difficult to get motivated, but i keep in mind that this is a healthy way to get an anti-depressant. Im not a kid - i am 51 years of age. My husband is 41. He is THE most wonderful, understanding person. Without him- i dont know where I would be. SO....everyone. Do me a favor. Go get some form of physical exercise today. Sweat, sweat sweat. I promise. You WILL feel a little better.