Greetings everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster.
The jist of it: I took 37.5-75mg of Effexor XR for approximately four years in an effort to "take the edge off" my OCD and the accompanying depression. Recently I decided to live without the aid of medications for a while, and my doctor supported the idea, so I weaned myself off the Effexor. In retrospect, I suppose I could have done the "wet finger" method (where you remove so many medication beads out of your capsules each day), but instead I figured I'd suffer horribly for about a week by simply not taking a 37.5mg capsule one night. I took this step on the evening of January 1st, and naturally when I woke up on the 2nd, the withdrawal symptoms had begun.
Everything went just the way I suspected it would; the worst part of the withdrawal was over within about a week, and I was thinking that I would be able to move on and get back to normal-mode in no time. However, this has not been the case for me...
I am still, 13 days later, experiencing a few select symptoms which may or may not be related to the cessation of Effexor. Here are my ongoing issues:
-Not all the time, but sometimes when I move my eyes horizontally (left to right), I get what I can only describe as heart palpitations. The palpitations are short lived, but very strong and I "feel" and hear them in my ears.
-Sometimes my brain feels "fuzzy", kind of like I am walking around in a dream. I have had this derealization before during episodes of extreme anxiety, so it's possible that this fuzzy feeling is the result of worrying about my other ongoing symptoms, rather than withdrawal from the Effexor causing it.
-I get HORRIFIC "coital headaches" when I experience an orgasm. They are very painful but brief. I have never had these headaches before in my life.
-I am extremely emotional and prone to bursts of crying if I allow myself to dwell on sad or worrisome thoughts for too long. I expected some emotional volatility following my withdrawal, but this is kind of lingering for me (as I said, 13 days and counting now).
My questions are - is there an end in sight? PLEASE tell me I am not the only one to have experienced these issues, and that I won't be stuck like this forever? I can't bear the thought of that and it's causing quite a severe panic reaction for me. =( It's all I can think about, I am truly obsessed with this worry. I have read all these forums and web pages regarding effexor withdrawal, and some people claim that they were "never the same again". Please tell me that these people are just pessimists who have an axe to grind with the pharmaceutical industry. Please tell me I will be my old self again some day soon, and that these ongoing issues won't be with me forever....
There are so many exciting things my husband and I have planned for this year - a trip to Paris, home renovations, etc. But I am finding it exceedingly difficult to get excited because I keep worrying that I'll feel like c**p while these exciting events take place.
Someone help
The jist of it: I took 37.5-75mg of Effexor XR for approximately four years in an effort to "take the edge off" my OCD and the accompanying depression. Recently I decided to live without the aid of medications for a while, and my doctor supported the idea, so I weaned myself off the Effexor. In retrospect, I suppose I could have done the "wet finger" method (where you remove so many medication beads out of your capsules each day), but instead I figured I'd suffer horribly for about a week by simply not taking a 37.5mg capsule one night. I took this step on the evening of January 1st, and naturally when I woke up on the 2nd, the withdrawal symptoms had begun.
Everything went just the way I suspected it would; the worst part of the withdrawal was over within about a week, and I was thinking that I would be able to move on and get back to normal-mode in no time. However, this has not been the case for me...
I am still, 13 days later, experiencing a few select symptoms which may or may not be related to the cessation of Effexor. Here are my ongoing issues:
-Not all the time, but sometimes when I move my eyes horizontally (left to right), I get what I can only describe as heart palpitations. The palpitations are short lived, but very strong and I "feel" and hear them in my ears.
-Sometimes my brain feels "fuzzy", kind of like I am walking around in a dream. I have had this derealization before during episodes of extreme anxiety, so it's possible that this fuzzy feeling is the result of worrying about my other ongoing symptoms, rather than withdrawal from the Effexor causing it.
-I get HORRIFIC "coital headaches" when I experience an orgasm. They are very painful but brief. I have never had these headaches before in my life.
-I am extremely emotional and prone to bursts of crying if I allow myself to dwell on sad or worrisome thoughts for too long. I expected some emotional volatility following my withdrawal, but this is kind of lingering for me (as I said, 13 days and counting now).
My questions are - is there an end in sight? PLEASE tell me I am not the only one to have experienced these issues, and that I won't be stuck like this forever? I can't bear the thought of that and it's causing quite a severe panic reaction for me. =( It's all I can think about, I am truly obsessed with this worry. I have read all these forums and web pages regarding effexor withdrawal, and some people claim that they were "never the same again". Please tell me that these people are just pessimists who have an axe to grind with the pharmaceutical industry. Please tell me I will be my old self again some day soon, and that these ongoing issues won't be with me forever....
There are so many exciting things my husband and I have planned for this year - a trip to Paris, home renovations, etc. But I am finding it exceedingly difficult to get excited because I keep worrying that I'll feel like c**p while these exciting events take place.
Someone help
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Having previously come of Effexor I can say that I wouldn't be suprised what side effects you are experiencing. They will go on for a while yet, gradually lessening. I had the heart palpitations, the ear thing and fuzzy brain just as you described. And another one that I am too embarassed to mention. You must stop dwelling on the symtoms because as you say they are causing a severe panic reaction for you. Don't obsess over them. The first time I tried to come off Effexor I did exactly as you are doing and expected to be my old self as soon as I had finished them. When the symptoms continued, I started to think I shouldn't have come off them, that I still needed them and this led to panic, obsession and back on the effexor. The withdrawal symptoms can mimic the reasons you began taking the drug in the first place. I have now learned it can be quite a while before you feel 'normal' again. Just take each day as it comes, don't look too far ahead.
This time I have done lots or research. I am taking Omega 3, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and drinking protein shakes. I am beginning the tapering this weekend. I am determined this time to be free of it. I came across the following website which I think you may fine helpful.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
Good luck
Karen
This time I have done lots or research. I am taking Omega 3, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and drinking protein shakes. I am beginning the tapering this weekend. I am determined this time to be free of it. I came across the following website which I think you may fine helpful.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
Good luck
Karen
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Karen;
Thanks for the great info! I had perused that website you linked to me earlier this week and found some of the information very intriguing, and figured it couldn't hurt to try. So now I am taking some "Ultimate Omega" EPA & DHA capsules. So far I have not noticed much different but I am keeping my hopes up.
This past weekend I have seen some improvement with mood specifically (no fits of crying or horrible anxiety, which is nice). But still I am frustrated because those weird "head pulses" are still present, though they aren't always apparent. It seems to go up and down throughout the day.
Once again thank you for replying! Maybe we can talk again sometime and keep track of our progress together. ^_^
Thanks for the great info! I had perused that website you linked to me earlier this week and found some of the information very intriguing, and figured it couldn't hurt to try. So now I am taking some "Ultimate Omega" EPA & DHA capsules. So far I have not noticed much different but I am keeping my hopes up.
This past weekend I have seen some improvement with mood specifically (no fits of crying or horrible anxiety, which is nice). But still I am frustrated because those weird "head pulses" are still present, though they aren't always apparent. It seems to go up and down throughout the day.
Once again thank you for replying! Maybe we can talk again sometime and keep track of our progress together. ^_^
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