Posted by Snoozy on May 7, 2003, at 1:46:48
In reply to Effexor withdrawal again: hell to heaven back, posted by MaxTex on May 7, 2003, at 0:53:04
Hi Max-
Ugh, I know exactly what you're talking about with Effexor nightmares. I stopped taking it because the relief from my depression was cancelled out by depression *from* the nightmares from Effexor. For me, the nightmares were both horrible, frightening things, combined with a vividness I have never experienced before or since Effexor. I got to a point where I could not sleep at night, only during daylight, because I just freaked out waking up from those nightmares into pitch darkness. Thanks, but I don't care to be 2 years old again with a nightlight ;-) I couldn't keep going like that, with crazy sleeping times, so I quit taking it.
I particularly remember one dream where I went to pet my cat and her head fell off when I touched her and it landed at my feet. (Even cat-haters have to shudder at this, right?)
Benadryl is great for sleeping. Especially if you're not used to taking it, it can really knock you out. In fact, I started taking it every night during my Effexor trial. One thing I would note is that I found it takes about an hour for the drowsiness to really kick in - a lot longer than Xanax or Ativan or anything, so if you take it you might want to take it a little earlier and then take Valium.
It's wonderful you were able to enjoy your trip :) The nightmares did finally get better for me after I was off the Effexor. Hang in there and keep us posted!
> Almost a week ago I first posted here about my horrible withdrawal effects from Effexor. Several of you replied with informative and caring posts that I greatly appreciated. Having been away, it's time for an update.
>
> I went for about five days scuba diving in Cozumel -- with some trepidation since that was just two days after a night of the most relentless and frightening suicidal-themed nightmares I've ever experienced. (I'm NOT prone to nightmares.)
>
> Every morning I've continued to have a buzzing head feeling, but it usually faded away during early afternoon. It probably helped that at the last minute I found a stash of four 150mg tabs. I've been taking half of each per day. Finished yesterday.
>
> No nightmares during the trip, just the morning head buzz and lack of energy. Cancelled a morning dive because of that, but otherwise had a wonderful time.
>
> I returned home on Sunday right. Yesterday -- Monday -- I felt tired all day and the head buzz was there. I had no Effexor at all today. My head has been abuzz ALL DAY, with low energy levels. What's worse is that that nightmare episode was NOT the last. I was so sleepy (despite getting plenty of rest while away) that I dozed off several times today. Very hard to rouse myself from each doze, yet every time I had a horrible nightmare ("daymare"?). For instance, dreaming that I couldn't get off the floor, and that I'd completely forgotten to take care of a pet and it died. Woke up earlier this evening in tears and had to control my breathing not to panic again.
>
> I just took some valium (in the hope of sleeping deeply enough to avoid the nightmares tonight) and a Benadryl (no idea if that will help but I saw that several people have found that it did).
>
> My heart goes out to all of you suffering these and other withdrawal effects. I will post an update as my full withdrawal continues.
>
> MaxTex
poster:Snoozy
thread:224793
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/224797.html