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Effexor withdrawl
Anyone made it through the withdrawl symptoms yet?
Been completely off effexor (after gradual weaning) for 6 days now. that jolting feeling comes and goes - notice it more in the evening, the nausea has gone away but still have these incredible mood swings. they are different than depression - it's like all of a sudden i am just ANGRY or start crying and can't stop!
when does this end?
Been completely off effexor (after gradual weaning) for 6 days now. that jolting feeling comes and goes - notice it more in the evening, the nausea has gone away but still have these incredible mood swings. they are different than depression - it's like all of a sudden i am just ANGRY or start crying and can't stop!
when does this end?
Ok...let's try this again! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Crap the post I had typed up had everything I wanted to tell you....hope I am able to remember it all.
The last time I posted anything on here was in August. I had weaned myself down to 37.5 mg and one foolish day decided that I would be able to just stop taking this drug....I figured that because it was such a low dose...it shouldn't be too hard! I went about 4 days not feeling really too good and went back on the 37.5 dose.
I have read in someone elses post on here that it is a good idea to try to get off this drug when you know you will be on holidays and not have to work. I couldn't agree more. I began taking my 37.5 mg dose every other day starting December 8, 2010. Had no withdrawls at all. I knew that I would be taking Christmas holidays from December 24 to January 3/11. I have not taken a pill now since December 23. The only real difference I have noticed is that I am not sleeping as good as I usually do but because I don't have to worry about getting up and going to work in the morning...it makes me feel less stressed about not getting enough sleep. I had a wonderful little cat nap this afternoon so it all worked out wonderful....I honestly believe that if you can get alot of sleep while you are trying to get this drug out of your system, you will be successful at getting off of it.
One thing that I reccommend is that when you are cutting back or trying to get off the drug completely it is better not to share this information with loved ones or friends. I found that someone close to you will make some sort of little comment like..."you've been kind of cranky today....maybe you better go back on those pills". Now....when I am trying to do something as difficult as getting off something compared to getting off of heroin....saying something like that to me is not a helpful thing!!!!! Also...if my only withdrawl symptom is a little crankiness...well so be it!
I went and joined a gym yesterday as I believe that it is important to keep your mind busy and not give it time to collect negative thoughts. Also, as I have been on Effexor for four years...I need to lose the 40 pounds it made me gain.
I hope I have helped anyone trying to get off of this drug and hope you can all feel as good as I do after being drug free for 5 days. Good luck to you all :)
Crap the post I had typed up had everything I wanted to tell you....hope I am able to remember it all.
The last time I posted anything on here was in August. I had weaned myself down to 37.5 mg and one foolish day decided that I would be able to just stop taking this drug....I figured that because it was such a low dose...it shouldn't be too hard! I went about 4 days not feeling really too good and went back on the 37.5 dose.
I have read in someone elses post on here that it is a good idea to try to get off this drug when you know you will be on holidays and not have to work. I couldn't agree more. I began taking my 37.5 mg dose every other day starting December 8, 2010. Had no withdrawls at all. I knew that I would be taking Christmas holidays from December 24 to January 3/11. I have not taken a pill now since December 23. The only real difference I have noticed is that I am not sleeping as good as I usually do but because I don't have to worry about getting up and going to work in the morning...it makes me feel less stressed about not getting enough sleep. I had a wonderful little cat nap this afternoon so it all worked out wonderful....I honestly believe that if you can get alot of sleep while you are trying to get this drug out of your system, you will be successful at getting off of it.
One thing that I reccommend is that when you are cutting back or trying to get off the drug completely it is better not to share this information with loved ones or friends. I found that someone close to you will make some sort of little comment like..."you've been kind of cranky today....maybe you better go back on those pills". Now....when I am trying to do something as difficult as getting off something compared to getting off of heroin....saying something like that to me is not a helpful thing!!!!! Also...if my only withdrawl symptom is a little crankiness...well so be it!
I went and joined a gym yesterday as I believe that it is important to keep your mind busy and not give it time to collect negative thoughts. Also, as I have been on Effexor for four years...I need to lose the 40 pounds it made me gain.
I hope I have helped anyone trying to get off of this drug and hope you can all feel as good as I do after being drug free for 5 days. Good luck to you all :)
I just typed out a super long post and it disappeared before I could send it...so I want to make sure this is going to work before I try it again.
Nope, I stopped taking Effexor XR and some of the symptoms lasted at least three months for me.
The brain zaps, crying, etc.
Now that those symptoms are gone they have been replaced with worse ones, or at least for me anyways.
I cannot sleep, I have much worse anxiety and very deep feelings of despair and idea's of death.
I hate this and I wish I never started taking it in the first place.
When I was on Lexapro I had no side effects compared to this stuff.
I have to take Effexor XR again now so I can go back to how I was hopefully and then replace it with something else.
Then when I come off whatever is next, I will be sure to do it the right way because last time I did it on my own.
I feel ten times worse than before I started taking it.
The good thing is I know I am not alone in this and will eventually pull through and reclaim my life.
The brain zaps, crying, etc.
Now that those symptoms are gone they have been replaced with worse ones, or at least for me anyways.
I cannot sleep, I have much worse anxiety and very deep feelings of despair and idea's of death.
I hate this and I wish I never started taking it in the first place.
When I was on Lexapro I had no side effects compared to this stuff.
I have to take Effexor XR again now so I can go back to how I was hopefully and then replace it with something else.
Then when I come off whatever is next, I will be sure to do it the right way because last time I did it on my own.
I feel ten times worse than before I started taking it.
The good thing is I know I am not alone in this and will eventually pull through and reclaim my life.
Hi everyone!
Need to update you all. I took my last effexor in july and then took prozac for a few days then came off. I started feeling some light headedness and so I took some more prozac in early august, then I tapered off again and in late September I came off it. I was okay for about 2 weeks and then began getting high anxiety (flight or fight response causing adrenaline and hormone rushes) which made me dizzy and foggy headed. I felt sick in the stomach too. I went back to the doctors and he said to go back on effexor but I refused and said I would rather try prozac. I have been taking 20mg a day now for about a week and the anxiety is better and the foggy head has gone but I still get these massive dizzy spells that can last hours, I think this is withdraawal. I am going to stick to this though. I will not go back on effexor. While I do believe that my slow taper (over a year) and switch to prozac saved me from these "brain zaps" I am not with out withdrawal symptoms. I believe the high anxiety and the dizziness are withdrawal, because while I did have some anxiety before going on the effexor 8 years ago IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THIS! Something simple like "I still haven't tidied up that corner in the backyard" would bring on that fight or flight response with the squeezing in my chest and pounding heart. It is really frustrating because I know it is irrational but it is still happening. This is why I think it is withdrawal...thanks to the prozac though, the axnxiety is much better. It has been 3.5 months since my last effexor, and while this hasn't been easy I am still functioning and going to work etc.
Need to update you all. I took my last effexor in july and then took prozac for a few days then came off. I started feeling some light headedness and so I took some more prozac in early august, then I tapered off again and in late September I came off it. I was okay for about 2 weeks and then began getting high anxiety (flight or fight response causing adrenaline and hormone rushes) which made me dizzy and foggy headed. I felt sick in the stomach too. I went back to the doctors and he said to go back on effexor but I refused and said I would rather try prozac. I have been taking 20mg a day now for about a week and the anxiety is better and the foggy head has gone but I still get these massive dizzy spells that can last hours, I think this is withdraawal. I am going to stick to this though. I will not go back on effexor. While I do believe that my slow taper (over a year) and switch to prozac saved me from these "brain zaps" I am not with out withdrawal symptoms. I believe the high anxiety and the dizziness are withdrawal, because while I did have some anxiety before going on the effexor 8 years ago IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THIS! Something simple like "I still haven't tidied up that corner in the backyard" would bring on that fight or flight response with the squeezing in my chest and pounding heart. It is really frustrating because I know it is irrational but it is still happening. This is why I think it is withdrawal...thanks to the prozac though, the axnxiety is much better. It has been 3.5 months since my last effexor, and while this hasn't been easy I am still functioning and going to work etc.
thank you so much to everyone for sharing their experiences. To read them initially was really scary for me, but as I have gone through the withdrawal process I have drawn a lot of strength from knowing that it is related to going off my drugs, even though my doctor has been dubious as to whether or not it relates.
thanks to the person who suggested ginger tea for the nausea - i am going to get some today.
I would like to suggest that anyone tapering off this drug organise some time off work... will tell you my experience.
I was on 150 mg for one year and after undertaking counselling and some of the situations i was in changing I felt ready to come off with my doctor's help.
My first step was to 75 mg - for me, the side effects were minimal, in fact i felt a lot (!) better than i had begun to feel on 150 mg... i started getting my energy back. I had become really tired, and read somewhere online about someone who went to a sleep doctor, and discovered that the efexor was stopping them from going into the deepest level of sleep which is why they were so tired, so i was happy not to be so tired... had the occasional brain zap (where it felt like my tongue would be electric zapped) but they were not a problem. Also I was occasionally a bit dyslexic (has never been a problem for me before) where i would say for instance 'i'm trying to find a karp' instead of 'i'm trying to find a park'. This went away
Two to three weeks later I tapered down to 37.5 mg. The first day was fine. The second day I felt a bit woozy. The fourth day I had a headahce all day. The 5th, 6th, and 7th day I had to have away from work because I had what I could only liken to a migraine - had a massive headache - which was made worse by being in the light. I spent three days in bed, with a wet cloth on my head, sleeping as much as i could and listening to the tv because i was bored and the tv was to obright to watch (and i couldn't do anything else). Any movement made the symptoms worse.. laying about made them less bad. I felt quite sick in my belly and had loose stools and nausea I began taking fish oil tablets (4-5 twice a day) as per advice from someone on the internet - not sure if they helped or not but i'm sure they didn't hurt!
On Day 8 I was fine in the morning, but in the afternoon became woozy again. ON Day 9, felt a lot better and could move about again without it creating brain zaps and sick feelngs etc.
Then two weeks after going onto 37.5 mg (so less than a week after i finished the withdrawal symptoms) I moved to 0. I did not want to continue taking a drug that has such terrible withdrawals. I timed this for holidays so I wouldn't need to take sick days off work...
It has been worse than the step from 75 to 37.5, but bearable with support and i see a light at the end of the tunnel. The symptoms began on Day 3 of no tablets. I developed wooziness, swimmy head, nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc - think massive hangover x 20 but continuous (doesn't end after a day). I have found movement makes it worse, so try not to move around so much. I certainly don't exercise because of this. It has not been safe for me to drive. I have stayed out of the light as much as possible because my eyes feel sensitive and strained and achy/tight. My mind has not been good - as in I have trouble thinking of words and my memory isn't good. It is now day 6 and I think the worst day was day 4 this time round... I now have some moments without sore head, sore eyes, but usually once i'm doing stuff i get sick, tired, headahcey etc (eg doing stuff like cooking etc). Someone on this list recommended doing something to help you through, i agree, but you need to do it within your energy and pain levels.. I have been concentrating on having good healthy eating and so this has given me something to focus on but it also makes me tired and headachey/woozy...
Something I didn't expect that i noticed yesterday was increased sensitivity to smells that made me feel nauseous (i could smell the bin from the next room). That only lasted a couple of hours... AND
This morning I could hear my eyelashes inside my head as i blinked!! wow.. if that doesn't sound like coming off some full on, illegal drug i don't know what does...
So, I'm sitting here feeling crappy, but less crappy than before... but am so happy i have come off this drug. I am scared that there may be some permanent change to my brain that isn't so good because it is obvious, from the withdrawal symptoms, that it is a strong drug!
I read somewhere not to count the beads because the beads all have different things in them, some are one part, others are another part - and that yo udon't know which parts you are counting out - it's random - so i didn't do that...
If you are scared about coming off, please don't be. Please do it under the guidance of your doctor. Please don't go cold turkey when I imagine these symptoms are unbearably worse. Please make your change to level on a saturay and plan ahead of time with your employer to have the following week off so that you are taking care of yourself and you are not feeling bad about all the physical effects I recommend this fro the move from 70 to 37.5 and for the move from 37.5 to 0.
Then when you take the next step down, etc, again take another week (or even two if you can when you go 37.5 to 0). I know it's not idea but it is taking care of yourself and ensuring that your employer is not left in the lurch - so keeps a good relationship.
I would suggest not going off the drugs until you have been to counselling and tried to deal with some of the issues that led you to go on it in the first place - and then continue to see your counsellor/psychologist so you are supported if the issues come up again.
Whilst it is a terrible comedown at this stage i don't reget going on efexor as it got me through a terrible time where i couldn't work or function daily properly due to some extreme difficulties in my life at the time. However, in saying that, one of the advantages of the withdrawals of efexor is that it has made me decide to use healthy eating, exercise and counselling to ensure i never need drugs again... that's how full on the come down has been...
good luck to everyone else, i will try to come back and let you know if the symptoms have gone away - because i know when i was looking for information - that's what i wanted to know! how long will this last for!!
Information can help you plan so that even though you may get symptoms you are supporting yourself the best through it with fish oil tablets, good diet, rest, time off work and people around you who can drive to get thnigs for you - because for me i cannot drive yet - head too swimmy, doesn't seem safe.
will keep you posted
xxx
michelle
thanks to the person who suggested ginger tea for the nausea - i am going to get some today.
I would like to suggest that anyone tapering off this drug organise some time off work... will tell you my experience.
I was on 150 mg for one year and after undertaking counselling and some of the situations i was in changing I felt ready to come off with my doctor's help.
My first step was to 75 mg - for me, the side effects were minimal, in fact i felt a lot (!) better than i had begun to feel on 150 mg... i started getting my energy back. I had become really tired, and read somewhere online about someone who went to a sleep doctor, and discovered that the efexor was stopping them from going into the deepest level of sleep which is why they were so tired, so i was happy not to be so tired... had the occasional brain zap (where it felt like my tongue would be electric zapped) but they were not a problem. Also I was occasionally a bit dyslexic (has never been a problem for me before) where i would say for instance 'i'm trying to find a karp' instead of 'i'm trying to find a park'. This went away
Two to three weeks later I tapered down to 37.5 mg. The first day was fine. The second day I felt a bit woozy. The fourth day I had a headahce all day. The 5th, 6th, and 7th day I had to have away from work because I had what I could only liken to a migraine - had a massive headache - which was made worse by being in the light. I spent three days in bed, with a wet cloth on my head, sleeping as much as i could and listening to the tv because i was bored and the tv was to obright to watch (and i couldn't do anything else). Any movement made the symptoms worse.. laying about made them less bad. I felt quite sick in my belly and had loose stools and nausea I began taking fish oil tablets (4-5 twice a day) as per advice from someone on the internet - not sure if they helped or not but i'm sure they didn't hurt!
On Day 8 I was fine in the morning, but in the afternoon became woozy again. ON Day 9, felt a lot better and could move about again without it creating brain zaps and sick feelngs etc.
Then two weeks after going onto 37.5 mg (so less than a week after i finished the withdrawal symptoms) I moved to 0. I did not want to continue taking a drug that has such terrible withdrawals. I timed this for holidays so I wouldn't need to take sick days off work...
It has been worse than the step from 75 to 37.5, but bearable with support and i see a light at the end of the tunnel. The symptoms began on Day 3 of no tablets. I developed wooziness, swimmy head, nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc - think massive hangover x 20 but continuous (doesn't end after a day). I have found movement makes it worse, so try not to move around so much. I certainly don't exercise because of this. It has not been safe for me to drive. I have stayed out of the light as much as possible because my eyes feel sensitive and strained and achy/tight. My mind has not been good - as in I have trouble thinking of words and my memory isn't good. It is now day 6 and I think the worst day was day 4 this time round... I now have some moments without sore head, sore eyes, but usually once i'm doing stuff i get sick, tired, headahcey etc (eg doing stuff like cooking etc). Someone on this list recommended doing something to help you through, i agree, but you need to do it within your energy and pain levels.. I have been concentrating on having good healthy eating and so this has given me something to focus on but it also makes me tired and headachey/woozy...
Something I didn't expect that i noticed yesterday was increased sensitivity to smells that made me feel nauseous (i could smell the bin from the next room). That only lasted a couple of hours... AND
This morning I could hear my eyelashes inside my head as i blinked!! wow.. if that doesn't sound like coming off some full on, illegal drug i don't know what does...
So, I'm sitting here feeling crappy, but less crappy than before... but am so happy i have come off this drug. I am scared that there may be some permanent change to my brain that isn't so good because it is obvious, from the withdrawal symptoms, that it is a strong drug!
I read somewhere not to count the beads because the beads all have different things in them, some are one part, others are another part - and that yo udon't know which parts you are counting out - it's random - so i didn't do that...
If you are scared about coming off, please don't be. Please do it under the guidance of your doctor. Please don't go cold turkey when I imagine these symptoms are unbearably worse. Please make your change to level on a saturay and plan ahead of time with your employer to have the following week off so that you are taking care of yourself and you are not feeling bad about all the physical effects I recommend this fro the move from 70 to 37.5 and for the move from 37.5 to 0.
Then when you take the next step down, etc, again take another week (or even two if you can when you go 37.5 to 0). I know it's not idea but it is taking care of yourself and ensuring that your employer is not left in the lurch - so keeps a good relationship.
I would suggest not going off the drugs until you have been to counselling and tried to deal with some of the issues that led you to go on it in the first place - and then continue to see your counsellor/psychologist so you are supported if the issues come up again.
Whilst it is a terrible comedown at this stage i don't reget going on efexor as it got me through a terrible time where i couldn't work or function daily properly due to some extreme difficulties in my life at the time. However, in saying that, one of the advantages of the withdrawals of efexor is that it has made me decide to use healthy eating, exercise and counselling to ensure i never need drugs again... that's how full on the come down has been...
good luck to everyone else, i will try to come back and let you know if the symptoms have gone away - because i know when i was looking for information - that's what i wanted to know! how long will this last for!!
Information can help you plan so that even though you may get symptoms you are supporting yourself the best through it with fish oil tablets, good diet, rest, time off work and people around you who can drive to get thnigs for you - because for me i cannot drive yet - head too swimmy, doesn't seem safe.
will keep you posted
xxx
michelle
I have Bipolar and have been recently taking Lithium Carbonate, Effexor XR, Geodon, and Klonopin. My psychatrist has been lowering my Effexor dose over the last few months. And I have been having issues with some dizziness with each decrease in dose. A little over two weeks ago, I took my last Effexor dose. Since then I've been having problems with severe vertigo, nausea, and "brain zaps." My psychiatrist says it can't be the Effexor, although the timing fits, since she says Effexor withdrawal doesn't generally result in dizziness.
I have had to go to the ER twice because of the inability to keep anything down. I've had a CAT scan, MRI, and blood work (esp. to check my lithium level), and all have come back normal. The ER docs suggested a neurologist appointment, but I can't get in to see one for over 2 more weeks. I am miserable, and not sure a neurologist can even help. If it is Effexor withdrawal, what could a neurologist do about it? And if the psychatrist is right, what else could it be?
I have had to go to the ER twice because of the inability to keep anything down. I've had a CAT scan, MRI, and blood work (esp. to check my lithium level), and all have come back normal. The ER docs suggested a neurologist appointment, but I can't get in to see one for over 2 more weeks. I am miserable, and not sure a neurologist can even help. If it is Effexor withdrawal, what could a neurologist do about it? And if the psychatrist is right, what else could it be?
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