Effexor Withdrawal- any suggestions?

[Lauren]

Good for you, jerseygirl! Even though it does stink going through all of these symptoms, I feel like my body and my soul are both going to be better without the medicine; I think a lot of other people feel that way too.

The brain shivers are bizarre, and quite disturbing! Try not to turn your head too fast, or look away at something too quickly, that kind of helps steady your equilibrium.

I'm at one full week without the medicine, and while I'm still having the symptoms and feeling a little woozy, I'm doing much better. It might sound like an oximoron since most people went on Effexor for depression, but I think that it really helps to have a positive attitude to get you through it. Keep it up!

[jerseygirl]

Thanks Lauren you give me hope! I too think I'll be much better off without it. Today was a no dose day and actually not too bad...just few isolated brain shivers when I turned, and not even turned too quickly. Crappy nausea, but no more diarrhea. I'm trying to drink alot of water! Concentrating alittle better too.
The brain shivers are pretty creepy! Feel like when you were a little kid on those merry go rounds in the playground - when you stop you feel like you are still moving.
Well tomorrow's another day. One week off, I am so happy for you!

[Lauren]

I'm so glad you're not having too hard of a time getting off of the medicine. I've been pretty sick the past month or so; upper respiratory infection, viruses, colds, flu-like symptoms. I was wondering if anyone else is having these symptoms or if my immune system is just running a little slow.=)

Anyhow, keep up the great work, make sure you reward yourself at the end of this (or even along the way). Do something fun, you deserve it!

[jerseygirl]

Oh boy - I have been off Effexor now for three days and thought I had it licked - last night I had the absolute most bizarre dream that scard the hell out of me. I couldn't get to sleep prior to that either! Got the brain shivers big time...all day today! Also when I closed my eyes to go to sleep last night I felt this weird sensation - like 2 double zaps - in my eyelids. I guess this isn't over yet!

[Lauren]

I've been completely off of the Effexor for about 2 weeks now and the majority of my physical symptoms are gone with the exception of a few brain shivers now and then and a little dizziness.

I'm starting to get a little moody and kind of feel like I'm slipping back to how I felt before the Effexor; however, I'm so thankful to be off of it that I'm willing to deal with a little attitude adjustment. Something I read on an Effexor support page said, "Withdrawal is NOT a relapse." So, just because I feel a little icky now, does not mean that I have to feel this way forever.

One thing I can say is that going through all of this because of the Effexor, I'm a lot stronger for it, and I have more faith in myself that I can get through hard times and emotions. And forums like this are really a great tool I think. Helps you from feeling isolated and like you're going out of your mind.

Hope you start feeling better soon, Jersergirl, keep us posted!

[Katrina]

I'been on Effexor XR for 2 years, starting at 150mg and now at 300mg. I'm actually terrified of coming off but want to do it sooner rather than later, and know it's going to be hard as if I'm even late with my dose I get that brain floating in the head feeling.

I wondered if anyone has come off Effexor for it to be replaced by some other anti-depressent? And any ideas on which anti-depressent might be good to try? I have been on Prozac in the past and that did nothing for me.

Thanks!

[terry]

TOOK EFFEXOR AND ENDED UP HOSPITALIZED FOR DAYS.
IT NUMBS THE BRAIN....ANTI DEPRESSANTS ARE ACTUALLY PRO DESPRESSANTS. MY ADVICE STAY OFF THE PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS UNLESS U WANT TO JOIN THE BRAIN DEAD. ITS ABOUT MONEY I THINK OUR GOVERNMENT CREATED SICKNESS...DO NOT GET SUCKED IN.

[Lauren]

Katrina wrote:

I'been on Effexor XR for 2 years, starting at 150mg and now at 300mg. I'm actually terrified of coming off but want to do it sooner rather than later, and know it's going to be hard as if I'm even late with my dose I get that brain floating in the head feeling.
I wondered if anyone has come off Effexor for it to be replaced by some other anti-depressent? And any ideas on which anti-depressent might be good to try? I have been on Prozac in the past and that did nothing for me.
Thanks!

Hey Katrina, it's kind of a long road, but I would recommend to anyone that life off of Effexor is much better than life on. It took me about two months total to go from 75mg to zero; however, I'm now completely off of it and loving my new freedom. The physical symptoms are hard, and sometimes you want to give up, but in the end your body will thank you for getting that poison out of your system.

I didn't switch to another medicine, but I suspect you're going to have to deal with some withdrawal symptoms at some point no matter what you switch to.

Hope your journey is mild and you can achieve a healthy, Effexor-free lifestyle.

Good luck, I'll be praying for you!

[Dana]

Hello All,
I'm planning the big weaning leap after Christmas. I too was looking for something to replace the Effexor. I am afraid I will relapse because of the withdrawal from the Effexor. I was wondering if any of you folks have any "effexor induced" alcoholism? I've heard that this could be a side effect, or is it just a "convenient" excuse?

[Lauren]

I haven't heard of that before, Dana...seems like it would be too convenient of an excuse to actually be real. Maybe people trying to kill some of the symptoms with a bottle of Jack, but I don't see how it could "induce" alcoholism.

Good luck with your journey!

[MelissaM]

I was taking 300mg a day for about two months, then decided myself to slow it down to 150mg a day... I am currently on 37.5mg every other day with very mild effects. Three weeks ago or so I couldn't afford to feed myself or continue the medication (thanks to family I'm able to function again) because I can't hold a job due to the anxiety attacks/brain shivers/nausea/dizziness etc. I've had at least 10 jobs in the last year (lasting between three days to two months each), haven't been working most of it, been late on almost every bill, my credit rating is horrible I can't even get a loan in order to be able to eat.
A friend of mine who owned a health/natural drugs store for years has told me to check out 5HTP, check this out on google. Also ONCE YOU ARE OFF OF THE EFFEXOR COMPLETELY try Saint John's Wort, it is an antidepressant with no side effects as it is a natural drug.
As for the withdrawal symptoms, I went to three different doctors who refused to help me unless I would go back on the drug (even though I explained to them that if I spent my money on the 'medicine' I wouldn't be able to afford to eat). Do not consult your doctor (I no longer trust them) because they probably won't be willing to help you other than to say 'take some gravol for the nausea'.
My health/natural medicine store lady friend told me to take lots of Vitamin B, a multivitamin once a day (grab these from a health foods store), and eat LOTS of lettuce, brussels sprouts, melons, soups... And drink A LOT of water, this will help your body get rid of the poison faster (you will pee a lot but that's good). I personally found a joint or two to help a lot, but that's not for everyone.
As I said, I have cut my dosage way down and I'm doing okay now, it can be done! Please don't give up hope, good luck to everyone!

[Katrina]

Thanks Lauren for your post.

Well, it's been 48 hours since my last 300mg of Effexor - cold turkey. Call me mad, but from everything I've read I'm going to get withdrawal sypmtoms whatever. Right now I feel drunk and floaty at the same time, dizzy and feel I'm swaying. I can handle this as long as it doesn't last too long..as so determined to get off it. I've had one small brain zap but was prepared for it! I have had very mad strong dreams where I've found it hard to know if I'm asleep and not moving or if I'm moving around, and it was hard to wake from them. And a lack of energy. I'm trying to not let these symptoms get me down, could have easily stayed in bed today.

Has anyone else / is anyone else attempting the cold turkey method? How long should I expest the effects to last?

Good luck to everyone else.

Katrina

[Lauren]

Katrina wrote:

Thanks Lauren for your post.
Well, it's been 48 hours since my last 300mg of Effexor - cold turkey. Call me mad, but from everything I've read I'm going to get withdrawal sypmtoms whatever. Right now I feel drunk and floaty at the same time, dizzy and feel I'm swaying. I can handle this as long as it doesn't last too long..as so determined to get off it. I've had one small brain zap but was prepared for it! I have had very mad strong dreams where I've found it hard to know if I'm asleep and not moving or if I'm moving around, and it was hard to wake from them. And a lack of energy. I'm trying to not let these symptoms get me down, could have easily stayed in bed today.
Has anyone else / is anyone else attempting the cold turkey method? How long should I expest the effects to last?
Good luck to everyone else.
Katrina

I'm glad to hear that you're taking control back of your body and your mind. You're symptoms sound similar, and for lack of a better term, "normal". I hope they stay mild for you; but, you know that even when it's at its worst, the effects will pass.

I've been completely off of the medicine since the beginning of December and I've been, for the most part, symptom free for almost a month. It was really hard, but it's so great to not be owned by Effexor.

I'm still having really strange dreams. Not necessarily scary, not necessarily happy-just weird. And they feel incredibly life-like, like I'm really going through whatever I'm dreaming. They don't happen as much, but they can still freak you out. As long as you recognize that it's happening, and know that it's not just you that experiencing it, I think it helps. You kind of just have to keep telling yourself that it's not real, and it's ok to have these dreams. You're mind's just trying to figure things out again all on its own, it just needs a little time.

To everyone else who's about to quit Effexor, or thinking about it, I highly recommend it. Good luck!!

[MelissaM]

Katrina wrote:

Has anyone else / is anyone else attempting the cold turkey method? How long should I expest the effects to last?
Good luck to everyone else.
Katrina

I had quit cold turkey and I lasted almost a week before I begged my boyfriend to buy me some pills.
At first it was a simple floaty feeling, a few brain shivers, headache, and a little tummy ache.
I also experienced very vivid dreams, and during the day I couldn't remember if the dream actually happened or not.
Eventually I wasn't able to stop myself from crying for more than around an hour or so. The brain shivers were horrendous. Every time I breathed I felt like I was about to pass out. I sneezed twice and they were the scariest moments in my life.
I know a lot of people experience the symptoms regardless of if they lower the dose gradually or not. I found that lowering the dose helped TREMENDOUSLY. I'm back to work now and I'm able to function! Yippee!
When I lowered my dose from 300mg to 150mg the first time, I had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. But then again, everyone's different.
I do suggest you try it though. When I went in for help with the withdrawals the doctor said the symptoms could last anywhere from a week to a month or two. And that's way too long for me.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck in your journey.

[Katrina]

Thanks to everyone for their support. I kind of wimped out over the last couple of days and have taken 75mg of Effexor per day. I managed 3 and a half days with none, but the fourth day was awful - as well as the brain shivers and zaps i had a headache, hot and cold, and physically shaking.

Lauren - it's good to know some one else had these mad dreams and had trouble figuring out the dream from reality. They were so confusing, and I'll know when I stop again that they're more "normal"

Melissa - i think we went through something verysimilar - my first couple of days were handleable but it went downhill from there!

I had to take a tablet as I had to work today and em, it was my birthday party on Saturday, and I wasn't going to get through either without it.

However, I am now down from 300mg to 75mg and no withdrawal effects on this lower dose which I'm really happy about. I'm going to go down from here a bit more slowly. I think if I had more time off work I would have stuck it out, but it's too hard to function with wd symptoms.

Geed luck to you all...

Katrina

[Diane]

<big sigh> I am home from work today, sick from missing my Effexor dose yesterday (37.5mg). After spending the morning in the restroom (I was attempting to get my nine year old off to school and be to work in time for two critical meetings.), I thought about the past 12 hours. I'd gone to bed very early - around 9pm - exhausted from what I thought was a head cold I've had for a couple of days. Throughout the night, I awoke with terrible nightmares. My heart was racing, and I couldn't really clear my head. I woke for the day, sick and trembling. I was able to shower, but it was down hill from there. The "brain zaps" started and the diareahha and vommitting. I remembered feeling this way before but needed to sleep before I could think about it. So, I slept for a few hours, and the first thing I did when I got up (by this I mean dragged my laptop into bed with me) was google: effexor withdrawal, and here I am. I've only taken this drug for six months - since my young cousin was killed in a car accident. I am on the lowest dose, but I now know I have to stop taking this drug. A month or so ago I missed a dose and had these feelings though I didn't correlate the two. I've also taken the pill a few hours later than usual and had "brain zaps" and nausea. Thank you all for your suggestions and input. I've already explained to my husband why I have to wean myself off of this awful drug, and we're going to try to plan a good time to start. I'm sure I will be back here for support. I can't tell you how relieved I am not alone (though so sorry to know so many unsuspecting people are suffering as I am). Best wishes to all.

[Vettegirl]

A year ago my doctor tried to put me on Effexor for anxiety. I took the lowest dose for a couple of days and I didn't like the spaced out feeling it gave me so I stopped taking them and threw the rest away. After reading this forum I'm glad I did. I never went back to that doctor again either. He didn't warn me about any of the side effects. I guess it's better to just deal with being anxious!!

[lauren]

I tried to come off of Effexor a few years ago. I was on 150 mg XR and it took me 4 months to go off, then I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I went back on it because i felt that I needed to. Now i am trying to get off again. My new Dr. has Prescribed Cymbalta, which effects serotonin and norepinepherine, the same as effexor. I was on 150 now I am down to 37.5. I have had minimal side effects compared to last time. I had no effexor today and felt teary, but I expect that. I will take 37.5 every other day until I have no more left. good luck

[Diane]

Lauren wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm glad to hear that you're taking control back of your body and your mind. You're symptoms sound similar, and for lack of a better term, "normal". I hope they stay mild for you; but, you know that even when it's at its worst, the effects will pass.
I've been completely off of the medicine since the beginning of December and I've been, for the most part, symptom free for almost a month. It was really hard, but it's so great to not be owned by Effexor.
I'm still having really strange dreams. Not necessarily scary, not necessarily happy-just weird. And they feel incredibly life-like, like I'm really going through whatever I'm dreaming. They don't happen as much, but they can still freak you out. As long as you recognize that it's happening, and know that it's not just you that experiencing it, I think it helps. You kind of just have to keep telling yourself that it's not real, and it's ok to have these dreams. You're mind's just trying to figure things out again all on its own, it just needs a little time.
To everyone else who's about to quit Effexor, or thinking about it, I highly recommend it. Good luck!!

I'm so glad to have found your reassuring words. I think I'm going to work with a natural doctor to try to boost my system while tapering the drug. Amazing to have to face this with a drug precribed by my MD. Thank you again. Your story is a hopeful one. To better health!

[MelissaM]

Katrina wrote:

I had to take a tablet as I had to work today and em, it was my birthday party on Saturday, and I wasn't going to get through either without it.
However, I am now down from 300mg to 75mg and no withdrawal effects on this lower dose which I'm really happy about. I'm going to go down from here a bit more slowly.

Good to hear you're doing better, and happy birthday :)