Good advice. I have 'weaned' myself of effexor, over a period of 6 months. From 300 mg to zip. After 3 months I still experience 'brain zaps'. Effexor is a powerful drug, but it made me feel like a zombie. After ridding it from my system, I am much more alert, and energized. The downside is feeling on edge, and irritable. I am looking at neurofeedback to try to learn to self monitor my emotional state thru brainwave adjustment.
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If anyone on Facebook is looking for a support group regarding Effexor side effects and withdrawals. Just search Effexor on Facebook and you will find my CLOSED group so you can talk freely and discreetly.
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I was in Day 3 and 4 , the hollow feeling is so terrible that I took half pill. I don't know if I get through to Day 5, I would be OK or not.
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Hi today is day three n I'm dizzy eyes twitching just feeling crazy I was on effect crazy for 2 years got ofc for three months n back on for three months I wish I never started this evidence drug again I hope day 4 will be better over got bad anxiety so this makes it worse the dizzy nauseous lightheaded twitching eyes n brain scare me if anyone else had this please let me know
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Edie thank you for your post. I have been on for over 8 years and started due to what the Dr called situational depression/anxiety. Never mentioned the side effects, when I asked about getting off he said if it's helped stay on it. 7 years later I've had enough, when the pharmacy switches the generic to different manufacture due to supply. It causes withdrawal like symptoms. I'm on day two of tapering off counting the little pills in the pill. Thank you for sharing your post helped me.
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Thank you, thank you ,thank you to each and everyone of you that has added to this forum. You feel so alone when you go through something like this so when you read the same words that you just can't seem to make others understand it becomes life changing. I myself went on Effexor XR just over a year ago for a Fibromyalgia and depression and quickly went up to 150mg. Everything was great till I hit right about the year point, that was when everything changed. The horrible nightmares started nightly, horrendous fowl gas, steady weight gain, memory block, forgetfulness and the list goes on. So when I realized my side effects were worse than what I started taking them for I knew it was time to stop.
I knew not to stop cold turkey , that was the only thing my doctor warned me about with these devil pills. I had NO IDEA what hell I was about to embark on. EVERYTHING all of you have went through I am now dealing with. And I thought I was going crazy till I came across this forum and realized I am NOT alone and that there is things I can do naturally with vitamins and exercise to get me back on track. So thank you for coming back and telling your story and giving others like me hope and strength to get through this. One minute, one hour, one day, that is my motto these days.
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Yes yes and could your wife see the trail like a slow motion still frame. It must leave a visible trail for all to see! Not just me!!!
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I was speaking of a head turn. You knew what I meant but thought I should complete that sentence.
Yes yes and could your wife see the trail like a slow motion still frame as you turn your head?!?!
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I was fine too after day 5, but symptoms of vertigo and clicking sensations in my head have come back especially when I turn my eyes. It is driving me crazy and I feel very jittery. It has now been 2 weeks....I thought it was all over but symptoms returned about 4 days ago after pretty much being gone.
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I am so sorry that you have had to go through this horrible nightmare. I have been suffering like you. I was placed on 75 mg for anxiety for 4 months and have been trying to get off of it for 7 months. I have used a compounding pharmacy that has broken down the 12. 5 mg tablets into 2mg, 1 mg, and 1/2 mg capsules. You might want to try this. Your doctor just has to write a script and the compounding pharmacy will transform them into smaller capsules.
My problem is the capsules burn in me so I have to take only 1 1/2 mg at a time every hour in yogurt or applesauce. I am now on 9 mg and I am reducing it by 1/2 mg every 5 days. I still have burning, nausea, mood swings and anxiety. Now, I am also experiencing fatigue. I have been fighting for so long, am exhausted and I just want this poison out of me. this has been HELL!!!!
Please write back. I feel so alone in this horror movie. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Helen
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I'm reading these posts, nearly in tears. I'm beginning day five of NO Effexor after taking 150mg XR for 6 years. I just started a new job 4 days ago and haven't been able to even function. I have always been a very high functioning, stable woman, and now I feel like a POS. I may or may not be terminated for being unable to function at work, and I suppose that's understandable, but I'd really like to be on top of my game again.
I've been taking Dramamine for the dizziness and nausea, trying to stay hydrated and positive..desperately watching for that light at the end of the tunnel! I've been told about 5-HTP.. I'm going to get some today.. (right after I go see my new employer and let him know what's happening..hoping to still have my job). I also see that many of you are having good results with Omega-3, B-Complex, etc. I'll be getting those as well! My fingers are crossed, (for myself and everyone around me..lol!) that I'll have some relief from the debilitating withdrawals. If anyone has tried 5-HTP, what was your experience?
Thank you all for sharing.. I'm determined!
Keep up the good fight!
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I'm on day 3 currently crying feeling awful
This post gives me hope. Going to do the vitamin and gatoraide suggestion. Thank-you!!
This post gives me hope. Going to do the vitamin and gatoraide suggestion. Thank-you!!
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Thank you so much, you've given me hope.I'm on day 4 of withdrawal, I'm overseas and could not get a refill on my prescription. The doctor I visited here would not write me a prescription without a letter from my 'specialist'. I explained that it had been prescribed by my GP and he was absolutely horrified. He recommended, as you have, B complex vitamins and fish oil. He also encouraged me to take a ginger supplement. Fingers crossed it helps as I'm finding the withdrawal symptoms are wearing me down.
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I've been on EFR 150 for 16 months, and as expected when I told the DR. I din't feel different or necessarily better, first response is bump up the dose. like a dummy I did, for one month to 187mg.. at the next visit when the suggestion was to go higher I said to myself. "F-NO!!!"
I weaned back to the 150, then over the course of a month dropped down in two week increments by 37.5mg.
I'm on my third day with nothing and I feel worse than ever.
I'm sweating down to my feet, my head is throbbing, and pulsating constantly, I can't make sudden movements without serious vertigo, heck I can't move with out vertigo.
Just read a post about Omega 3. going to try that with chewable antacid for the fishy reflux.
in a way knowing that these symptoms of withdrawal are "normal", if you know what I mean, does help.
Thanks to everyone for sharing. jaejae
I weaned back to the 150, then over the course of a month dropped down in two week increments by 37.5mg.
I'm on my third day with nothing and I feel worse than ever.
I'm sweating down to my feet, my head is throbbing, and pulsating constantly, I can't make sudden movements without serious vertigo, heck I can't move with out vertigo.
Just read a post about Omega 3. going to try that with chewable antacid for the fishy reflux.
in a way knowing that these symptoms of withdrawal are "normal", if you know what I mean, does help.
Thanks to everyone for sharing. jaejae
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Hi Everyone,
I need some help. I'm actually having trouble even typing this email and am currently at work, have so many work demands to meet at the moment (I'm a lawyer) and feel somewhere between punch the wall, screaming at someone and crying. And I keep getting bolts of electric shocks through my face and am having problems concentrating - I keep re-reading the same sections and forgetting what I just read.
I'm on Day 5 of coming off Effexor. I was on 75 mg and weaned off it under the guidance of a psychiatrist (so the last month was 25mg every second day). I have been on and off anti-depressants for depression and anxiety for 14 years. This time around, I had been on Prestiq (50mg) for about 3 years and then Effexor for the last year because they ran out of Prestiq in the country I am living in.
I now feel utterly crazy. I keep getting scared that it's because this is the normal me, without meds but I really thought I was ready for this. I had never been happier, married the most wonderful and supportive man 3 months ago and the purpose for coming off the meds was to try for a baby at the end of this year organically (without any meds).
Instead, I spent Day 3 of the withdrawal crying uncontrollably and have withdrawn from my husband the last few days. I feel so much anger and I am just a mean person. I also am having thoughts about harming myself today.
I am about to call my psychiatrist and feel very angry as to why this medication would ever be prescribed to someone (and I understand that I was only on a low dose) - how can these withdrawal symptoms be ok? I will also ask him about the vitamin B, omega fish oils, benadryl and multivitamins that others have recommended.
Please, if anyone has anything to say that may help, I would be grateful. I know my head is getting away from me but at the moment, I don't feel like I can keep this going.
Thank you x
I need some help. I'm actually having trouble even typing this email and am currently at work, have so many work demands to meet at the moment (I'm a lawyer) and feel somewhere between punch the wall, screaming at someone and crying. And I keep getting bolts of electric shocks through my face and am having problems concentrating - I keep re-reading the same sections and forgetting what I just read.
I'm on Day 5 of coming off Effexor. I was on 75 mg and weaned off it under the guidance of a psychiatrist (so the last month was 25mg every second day). I have been on and off anti-depressants for depression and anxiety for 14 years. This time around, I had been on Prestiq (50mg) for about 3 years and then Effexor for the last year because they ran out of Prestiq in the country I am living in.
I now feel utterly crazy. I keep getting scared that it's because this is the normal me, without meds but I really thought I was ready for this. I had never been happier, married the most wonderful and supportive man 3 months ago and the purpose for coming off the meds was to try for a baby at the end of this year organically (without any meds).
Instead, I spent Day 3 of the withdrawal crying uncontrollably and have withdrawn from my husband the last few days. I feel so much anger and I am just a mean person. I also am having thoughts about harming myself today.
I am about to call my psychiatrist and feel very angry as to why this medication would ever be prescribed to someone (and I understand that I was only on a low dose) - how can these withdrawal symptoms be ok? I will also ask him about the vitamin B, omega fish oils, benadryl and multivitamins that others have recommended.
Please, if anyone has anything to say that may help, I would be grateful. I know my head is getting away from me but at the moment, I don't feel like I can keep this going.
Thank you x
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