Effexor XR withdrawal - Part 2

It's absolutely sickening to me that a drug with these kinds of symptoms are passed out to easily. A dark part of me wonders if it's actually a good thing as it will make us all less likely to get back on it. I was on XR for about 4 months, then the generic tablet for another 8 months to save money. That generic tablet, while being 1/3 the price over overpriced XR is a really horrible substitute. I kept getting hiccups everyday and was worried one time I wouldn't be able to stop them. (If anyone's had a really long spell of hiccups, you'll know how scary that starts to get.) My ears always seemed to ring and I felt like I was developing a tolerance. Even when taking the drug regularly I just didn't think it was helping. My sleeping patterns were affected the most, always on 'sleep tilt' and totally unemployable. Unfortunately, the generic just doesn't cut it as a substitute.

After I skipped a day from oversleeping so much I decided just to go cold turkey. I 'm on day 3 or 4 and my brain itches so much I want to crack open my skull to crack it. Before I found this thread my best description was like my brain felt like it had the effervescence of a can of soda being poured inside of it, but the feeling was constant. But, yeah, brain zaps is a pretty damn good description. No real nausea (thank goodness) but I'm kinda dizzy, it's more like a difficulty refocusing when I turn my head that causes the dizzy spell.

What makes me mad is how we are not told how bad things are. I needed an antidepressant at the time so I don't regret going on one. I had multiple family members and even my only pet all die within a short period of time and I was really bummed. Still, if I knew these kind of side effects were going to happen I wouldn't have stayed on this garbage pill as long as I did. I probably would have tried to get off after the four month supply of XR ran out and reevaluate then.

I truly feel this is one of those "cure is worse than the disease" pills. Only in America do we outlaw heroin and cocaine so the drug companies can turn around and sell it back to us for 3x the price. It makes me laugh that former users write that it was easier to get off coke than this stuff. My mom's also on it (main reason why I asked for Effexor vs alternatives). After seeing all the symptoms I know she's going to be an Effexor junkie for life. She likes the "high" and won't try to get off it for the same reasons mental rationalizations most smokers use to stay on cigarettes. Sad, really.

I'm going to try really hard to get of this legal crack and will fill you in on details as they progress so people reading this thread in the future will have an idea what the withdrawal process is like. Alas, I was only on 75mg with the occasional 150mg toward the end when I started feeling like I was developing a tolerance to this drug. I truly feel sorry for the people on 300mg and 450mg but it's pretty clear that under no circumstances should those people go cold turkey like I did. I'm only on the lowest dose.

One more note before I sign off. When I ran out of Effexor XR after about 4 months, I did go off of it for about a month or so. At that time I didn't have any of these horrible brain zaps or dizziness. I didn't feel much withdrawal symptoms at all. Seems to be a problem that accumulates over time. If I found this thread at that time I wouldn't have been so quick to get back on it (although, honestly, I probably needed to stay on it.)

I didn't register, so my name is :-( because that's how I feel.

Does anyone have the information regarding the Class Action Suit against this "legal crack"? This medicine has nearly ruined my life and I am sick of it. I originally got on it for depression during a failed marriage and stayed on it simply to avoid the severe withdrawal symptoms. I am one of the few that get ALL the symptoms (except the anorexia because I can't last long enough without becoming suicidal). Now, from being on it for so long, I am having the side effects as well. The insomnia and sleep disorders, in addition to the fatigue and weight gain has caused me to acquire digestive issues (that require even more meds), inability to function day to day as well as being unemployable.

I am currently on 300 mg and intend to wean myself using some of the proven methods I found on the internet using alternatives such as Ambien, Benadryl, Omega 3, Vitamin B....it will be a grueling six months at least (possibly a year) before I can successfully get off this dangerous drug but I have no other choice. This will be my last attempt because I will either have successfully weaned myself or killed myself in the process (due to the withdrawal symptoms being so severe.) The brain zaps, confusion between reality and dreams, vivid nightmares, vertigo, nausea, paranoia, over sensitivity to light and noise is enough to push me over the edge. I can't afford to check myself into "rehab" for a prescription drug that states its "not addictive", simply to have someone constantly monitor me and restrain me from endangering myself and others during the withdrawal period.

I would very much like to get the information for the lawsuit. I am meeting with my doctor tomorrow in regards to my plan to wean myself (and to kick him in the crotch for even suggesting it in the first place). I am so thankful for this website for educating me and shedding some light on why my body is having the symptoms it does and what to do to stop them.

I am on day five and I'm miserable. Today the vomiting had started. The vertigo is unexplainable. It's absolute horror in my brain. I'm taking equate motion sickness pills four times a day one each time just to cook dinner and function around family. I won't give up. I was only on 75 mg up from 37.5 in a 8 month period. This is the more wretched horrid pain I've ever felt but doing this I have learned that the meds were messing me up way worse.

Im having terrible withdrawals after about 4 weeks of started effexor. Its bad stuff! How long do you think it will last ? Ive only be taking it for 1month and am very sick when I stopped cold turkey on day 2.

HELP!!!!!

I'm on day six and I'm much better. Take some Benadryl or motion sickness medicine. Both works great. Keep at it. Once the symptoms fade you'll be much happier. And they will fade. Good luck and God bless. It's hard. I'm still rolling with it. I find I wanna cook and clean more now, I take better care and have more consideration for my things. Get off of it while you can. I can't imagine the damage I did to my body taking it.

To those who are wondering if their symptoms are unique, I'd say expect anything and everything, and don't feel alone.  I too suffered the shortness of breath, because in my case, taking shallow quick breaths was the only way to avoid chest pains.  I too have experienced loss of visual focus, although I have other vision issues which make it hard to truly correlate; I'm suspicious anyway.  I too have suffered the loss of mental focus and memory issues.  I too have had the body aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhea.   And of course, the vertigo and brain zaps as they are commonly called.  Sometimes my head is like a 33 LP with the needle run off the end, but nobody shut off the turntable.   My prescribed withdrawal schedule seems to be a standard one-size-fits-all approach.  Go to a half-dose (37.5 mg in my case) for 2 weeks, then the same half dose every other day for 2 weeks, and then you're done.  I took my last pill 16 days ago.  3 weeks into this schedule, while still on every other day pills, I hit rock bottom and did not think I was going to make it.  It's gradually gotten better, although I still have bad days, and also variability within each day. Mornings are typically better than evenings.  But it's leveling out, and I'm optimistic about the day when it's finally all over.  What I will have a harder time getting rid of is how I now I feel toward doctors (mine included) who take such a casual attitude toward this drug.  If anyone has any clues on how to flush bitterness from your system, please share.   My heart and prayers go out to everyone dealing with Effexor withdrawal.  I'm lucky I'm retired.  I cannot image doing this while trying to hold down a job.  Best of luck to all.

EfexorXR worst withdrawal anyone could experience. Brain shivers, night terrors. I Peabody for death to end suffering. My family did not know what if anything wrong. This is so scary. Trouble breathing. Thoughts moving every which way. It's like an never ending acid trip. I have very few moments of lucidity. Mostly I fear dying at any moment

I have one Effecxor XR for 7 years and I just took my last pills a week ago. I can say that I was extremely afraid to come off these pills because of the horror stories I have read about people coming off of them. So far the only symptoms I am having is I feel tired during the day and my head feels heavy most of the time. It is really nothing like what i have read about, at least not yet. All i can say is it is soooo important how you come off of these pills!! I was on 150 and my doctor had me go down to 112.50, then 75, then 37.5. I took each dosage for 3 months each. It may have taken me 9 months to come off but if that saves me from the horrible side effects I would say it is definitely worth it. I am posting for those people who want to come off but may be scared of what they have read. It might not be that way, just come off gradually. 3 months at a time has worked for me. I hope the symptoms don't get worse but i am happy to finally be done with the medication.

Hi everyone,

 

Well I'm reading these stories because I was just put on Effexor XR and Kpin a few weeks ago. Dealing with loss of a child and PTSD from being deployed overseas. I started with 37.5 one a day and then 75mg a day. After reading what everyone is goping through, all I can see is horror stories. I can tell the difference in myself already, doc said I wouldnt be able to tell, but other would. I know something is right. They tried to get me on Paxil, but I remember what my mom went through on that, so I wouldn't take it. I didn't know anything about these two I am taking now. I would greatly appreciate any guidance in what would be a better approach for me to go after. I don't want to get in a world of being addicted to a drug that takes over my life.

 

Thanks in advance.

J

let me begin I was on effexor for a little over ten years..I was almost at the beginning  very trusting of my dr.., I was having a little problem with anxiety, due to the fact I had suffered a stroke and had regained all my faciities . To make my story short, my dr. prescribed effexor. One thing that you must make sure of when starting on effexor Elderly people should not be put on effexor, but my dr. did...I started with 37.5 m.g. and  the first two weeks I suffered from the beginning affect..Listless, sick at my stomach, no appetite,etc...in other words (miserable).During these ten years I have tried several times to get off. Each time i tried the same results that every one on effexor  trying to withdrawl has suffered.

I spent several hundred dollars on remedies that some organizations have recommended, all with the same results....nothing.and now, with GOD's help... I am finally realizing freedom. and when i say that I mean that.Prayers are your main ingredient. When they say to you Taper off slowly I also say it, but not finger wetting or counting grains , i mean all the way. Drink your fluids, water, tea, etc and be sure that you drink a full glass each time you take effexor, the start your regimen, what ever your miligrams you take, reduce it every other day, keep reducing as your body and brain get used to it, from 75 to 50 to 37.5 to 25 and yes, pharmacies have 25 mg. then cut those pills in half to 12.5 ,all this does take a little time for your brain and body get used to it. It won't happen in one day nor two weeks,so far mine, has taken three weeks to lessen to a degree you can tolerate, and then, reduce those to 4 pieces the 12.5 to smaller doses and even to the size of  4 pieces the size of roughly 6.1 mg per dose.. Remember, "ROME" was not built in a day, your relief will take a while for your body to adjust to each lower session. I take along with each dose my vitamins, I take flax seed (STRONGER THAN fISH OIL)B12,seperate from other vitamins, then take a few minutes to meditate and rest, and of course say your prayers to Jesus, God ,and then keep saying them cause god or jesus will get tired of you knocking on his door and WILL grant you peace!!!!!

I think it's healthy to cry when watching something emotional. It's a big deal to quit Effexor. I'm on day 2 and I feel pressure in my forehead, my eyes and my sense of smell is odd. My dreams are really messed-up and I have slight vertigo. I am taking Omega 3-6-9 twice a day and Taurine pill at night. I actually feel better and am drinking less. When they approve these damn drugs, they don't look at long-term effects. None of the anti-depressants are meant to be taken for years...I too started in 2008. But after nearly a decade of sexual disfunction (caused by effexor) and a general feeling of indifference, I've had it. I want to feel. I was taking 37.5mg twice daily. After reading the pros and cons of cold turkey vs tapering off.....I said to myself "screw it" i'd rather face it head on. I'm done with Effexor.