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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 38. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:08:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by Damos on February 20, 2005, at 19:19:35
> I'm at day 15 of 0mg and just starting to feel symptom free.
I'm glad things are getting better for you.
At what dosage did you first begin experiencing withdrawal effects? How much more severe were the withdrawal symptoms when you went to 0mg than during the taper period?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:37:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by SamIAm on February 18, 2005, at 11:53:27
> When I went completely off from 37.5 to 0 I started itching randomly from head to toe. At one minute it was my arm, then a few minutes later it was my foot and so on. This is a withdrawal sympton. I had so many withdrawal symptons I was put back on the medication at 75mgXR, but now I am going to try and wean more slowly using the tablets instead of the capsulesXR version. The tablets come in 37.5mg and 25mg. You can buy a pill cutter for around $4.00 at any pharmacy (got mine at Walmart).
It has been my experience that it is better to take smaller and smaller amounts of Effexor several times a day than to take larger amounts only once a day. I tried to take the smallest amount that would allow me to go 6-8 hours without symptoms. You will have to get creative as to how to cut tablets into smaller and smaller pieces, but they don't have to be exact. I think it should be satisfactory to cut the 25mg tablets into quarters if you can manage it. I doubt you will need anything smaller than 6.25mg to work with towards the end. There will be a point, of course, when you will be forced to go to 0mg. It is difficult to predict at what point this will become necessary. When you can no longer reduce the dosage by a miniscule amount without withdrawal symptoms persisting, that's when you discontinue it all together. You only have to experience one withdrawal period this way, and it is greatly reduced in severity. Again, I strongly recommend that you plan on taking these small doses of Effexor 2-3 times a day. Try not to allow withdrawal symptoms to persist for more than a few hours. Do what you need to with dosing to accomplish this.
I would emphasize that this strategy is what has consistently worked for ME. In the meantime, continue to post questions here asking how others have been able to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure you will get some excellent suggestions.
- Scott
Posted by Damos on February 21, 2005, at 20:04:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » Damos, posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:08:00
Hi Scott,
When I was tapering I was only experiencing the zapps and a little dizziness for a few days each time. When I went to zero the zapps and eye problems were the first to hit, then the itching which was mostly confined to the forearms and dizziness. The nausea came on about day 3 from memory (this seems to have suffered a bit too) with the flu like symptoms. Nausea was the first to go around day 5 or 6 and I started to get cocky and then the emotion trouble started around day 10 and I still seem to be a bit up and down and my judgement is a bit off too.
On 0mg the zapps and dreams and stuff were all much more intense than when I was just cutting down, and so were the headaches. but never having been a big headache sufferer it's kind of hard to be objective about them. I didn't dare drive the car for 10 days but around day 13 the dizziness eased significantly and I haven't had any zapps today.
Hope this helps.
Posted by elka on February 22, 2005, at 0:09:09
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » SLS, posted by Damos on February 21, 2005, at 20:04:25
hello, withdrawers :)
this is elka. i was on effexor 37.5 for 1week, then increased to 75 for 1week, then back to 37.5 for 1 week due to severe side effects ( the most scary ones -terrible palpitations, very irregular heart bit, increased panic symptoms, in addition to regular constant nausea, vomiting, drawsiness, fatigue, etc.). all together i took effexor for 3 weeks, and a couple of days ago made a decision to discontinue due to really bad side effects. i have been taking clonazepam 0.25 to 0.5/day to coop with the side effects of effexor. now i think i am dealing with the withdrawal from effexor even though i've been on it for just 3 weeks!!! i still have palpitations ( not as bad as before but still very scary!), nausea, heavy dizziness and lightheadness, poor concentration etc. i am trying paxil now for 3 days ( started with a min dose of 12.5). any thoughts on whether this sounds completely crazy or all this could be side effects/withdrawal from effexor? i am not very experienced with drugs... actually i've been always against drugs but made a decision to do it now because nothing else didn't seem to help with my severe depression and panic attacks...
any wisdom would be greatly appreciated :)
Posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:20:48
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elka on February 22, 2005, at 0:09:09
> hello, withdrawers :)
> this is elka. i was on effexor 37.5 for 1week, then increased to 75 for 1week, then back to 37.5 for 1 week due to severe side effects ( the most scary ones -terrible palpitations, very irregular heart bit, increased panic symptoms, in addition to regular constant nausea, vomiting, drawsiness, fatigue, etc.). all together i took effexor for 3 weeks, and a couple of days ago made a decision to discontinue due to really bad side effects. i have been taking clonazepam 0.25 to 0.5/day to coop with the side effects of effexor. now i think i am dealing with the withdrawal from effexor even though i've been on it for just 3 weeks!!! i still have palpitations ( not as bad as before but still very scary!), nausea, heavy dizziness and lightheadness, poor concentration etc. i am trying paxil now for 3 days ( started with a min dose of 12.5). any thoughts on whether this sounds completely crazy or all this could be side effects/withdrawal from effexor? i am not very experienced with drugs... actually i've been always against drugs but made a decision to do it now because nothing else didn't seem to help with my severe depression and panic attacks...
> any wisdom would be greatly appreciated :)
The side effects of Paxil can look very similar to those of Effexor, which can look similar to drug withdrawal. I am guessing that what you are experiencing now is predominantly the side effects of Paxil. If the illness you are treating is severe enough for you to endure the temporary startup side effects of these drugs, you can start at a lower dosage and increase more gradually.How much Paxil are you taking?
- Scott
Posted by SamIAm on February 22, 2005, at 10:59:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » SamIAm, posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:37:33
> > When I went completely off from 37.5 to 0 I started itching randomly from head to toe. At one minute it was my arm, then a few minutes later it was my foot and so on. This is a withdrawal sympton. I had so many withdrawal symptons I was put back on the medication at 75mgXR, but now I am going to try and wean more slowly using the tablets instead of the capsulesXR version. The tablets come in 37.5mg and 25mg. You can buy a pill cutter for around $4.00 at any pharmacy (got mine at Walmart).
SamIAm
>
> It has been my experience that it is better to take smaller and smaller amounts of Effexor several times a day than to take larger amounts only once a day. I tried to take the smallest amount that would allow me to go 6-8 hours without symptoms. You will have to get creative as to how to cut tablets into smaller and smaller pieces, but they don't have to be exact. I think it should be satisfactory to cut the 25mg tablets into quarters if you can manage it. I doubt you will need anything smaller than 6.25mg to work with towards the end. There will be a point, of course, when you will be forced to go to 0mg. It is difficult to predict at what point this will become necessary. When you can no longer reduce the dosage by a miniscule amount without withdrawal symptoms persisting, that's when you discontinue it all together. You only have to experience one withdrawal period this way, and it is greatly reduced in severity. Again, I strongly recommend that you plan on taking these small doses of Effexor 2-3 times a day. Try not to allow withdrawal symptoms to persist for more than a few hours. Do what you need to with dosing to accomplish this.
>
> I would emphasize that this strategy is what has consistently worked for ME. In the meantime, continue to post questions here asking how others have been able to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure you will get some excellent suggestions.
>
>
> - ScottScott,
Thank for suggesting that the tablets be spread out over the day.
I'm so mad at these doctors. My general practioner who put me on the medicine for panic attacks and depression was dumb founded when I told him all the withdrawal symptons I had--he said it was the original symptons reappearing. He then put me back on. It was only after finding this board and others that I knew it was not the original symptons but MAJOR withdrawal!
Then I was advised by a counselor to go to a psychiatrist for weaning off. This guy puts me on tablets to be taken ONCE a day. I asked him if the medicine would stay in my system long enough to make it to the next day so that I wouldn't experience withdrawal. His answer: "I think so, it should." YOU MEAN I PAY THIS GUY $110.00 to tell me "he thinks so"?!!!!!!
So I started doing more research on the web and found Dr. Tracy's website. I've ordered her tape "Help, I can't get off my anti-depressants." It's an hour and half long and is suppose to explain how to get off this junk. I ordered it two weeks ago and I'm hoping it will come any day now. I'll let everyone know if it's a worthwhile purchase.
: )
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 14:46:03
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elka on February 22, 2005, at 0:09:09
> i was on effexor 37.5 for 1 week, then increased to 75 for 1 week, then back to 37.5 for 1 week due to severe side effects ... all together i took effexor for 3 weeks, and a couple of days ago made a decision to discontinue ... i have been taking clonazepam 0.25 to 0.5/day to coop with the side effects of effexor. now i think i am dealing with the withdrawal from effexor even though i've been on it for just 3 weeks!!! i still have palpitations (not as bad as before but still very scary!), nausea, heavy dizziness and lightheadness, poor concentration etc. i am trying paxil now for 3 days (started with a min dose of 12.5). any thoughts on whether this sounds completely crazy or all this could be side effects/withdrawal from effexor? ...
According to the paxil.com website, some of its side effects include infection, NAUSEA, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, decreased appetite, DIZZINESS, sweating, tremor, sexual side effects, injury, yawning, weakness, insomnia, abnormal vision or sleepiness.
I tend to agree with Scott in that what you're experiencing now may be side effects from the Paxil. Starting any AD can be difficult at first. (My first AD was Zoloft and I took too much the first night -- there was a mix-up on the label -- and I got flu-like symptoms.) I really feel for you. Can I ask a few questions? (You may have given the info in some other post(s), but I can't remember.
Who RXd your meds? Your PCP, or a pdoc, or some other kind of doctor?
What is your DX?
Was thorough bloodwork done before your DX/RX? (Esp: Are your thyroid and other hormones OK? Are your electrolytes OK? Your sodium? Iron? How's your cholesterol? For that matter, how's your blood pressure?)
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 15:15:59
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by Wings17 on February 17, 2005, at 14:26:20
I went to the Effexor XR website and looked at the prescribing info (a PDF file) and this was what I found under "Discontinuation of Treatment with Effexor XR":
"Discontinuation symptoms have been systematically evaluated in patients taking venlafaxine, to include prospective analyses of clinical trials in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and retrospective surveys of trials in major depressive disorder. Abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment. Reported symptoms include agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, coordination impaired, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, dysphoric mood, fasciculation, fatigue, headaches, hypomania, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, sensory disturbances (including
shock-like electrical sensations), somnolence, sweating, tremor, vertigo, and vomiting."During marketing of Effexor XR, other SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), and SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g. paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. While these events are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms.
"Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with Effexor XR. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate."
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 15:19:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms from PDF file, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 15:15:59
> Reported symptoms include agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, coordination impaired, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, dysphoric mood, fasciculation, fatigue, headaches, hypomania, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations), somnolence, sweating, tremor, vertigo, and vomiting.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 15:27:43
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elka on February 22, 2005, at 0:09:09
> i have been taking clonazepam 0.25 to 0.5/day to coop with the side effects of effexor. now i think i am dealing with the withdrawal from effexor even though i've been on it for just 3 weeks!!! i still have palpitations ( not as bad as before but still very scary!), nausea, heavy dizziness and lightheadness, poor concentration etc...
> I think you mentioned somewhere that you're very sensitive to drugs. Me too. I've learned to ask my pdocs to start me on low doses of things. Related: When I took benzos to help me with my depression-related anxiety, I took very low doses, like 0.5mg Ativan at bedtime, but I would still feel kinda foggy and have a hard time concentrating the next day, so that might explain at least that symptom you're having. Just an idea...
Posted by elsie_girl on May 30, 2006, at 10:13:08
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » Damos, posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:08:00
have been taking efexor for 4 years up to 375mg day. have been reducing to get off it and am down to 37.5mg day. my problem is this - have been having really hay fever like symptoms - really bad nasal congestion. Can only put it down to withdrawal. Has anyone else ever suffered from Efexor withdrawal like this?
Posted by Jonesen on June 7, 2006, at 15:51:55
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 22, 2005, at 15:27:43
Has anyone experienced a strange sensation in their chest when tapering off the drug? I am in day 2 of coming down from 150 to 112.5 and I feel a little off. Nothing yet that rivals many of these horror stories, but I feel very jittery and there is a feeling in my chest like something just scared the hell out of me. I've never felt something like that before.
Posted by elsie_girl on June 9, 2006, at 1:02:18
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » SamIAm, posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 8:37:33
I have been 10 days off Efexor XR. I did a slow taper off over a few months. The last dose I had was 37.5 mg/day. My withdrawal symptoms started 2 days after I stopped. Mostly up and down mood swings, agitation, irritability, hyperactivity, insomnia, vertigo, bad nasal congestion (don't know if this is on the list or REALLY related but worst I have ever had), and now I am feeling really down again. Today I have got through with diazepam after checking with my GP. I would like to know if when others have come off their AD's how long it took them to get it out of their system. Think I will go crazy if it takes more than a few weeks. Can anyone else tell me their experiences with withdrawal - what to expect? How did you feel later? Did you ever get back to feeling well - like before AD's? I was not feeling too bad in myself up until today, felt like I was getting back to normal self not brain fogged with AD's.
Would help me get through this if I knew what others had been through too. Thanks.
Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 16:50:06
In reply to Symptoms_Chest/ EffexorXR withdrawal, posted by Jonesen on June 7, 2006, at 15:51:55
> Has anyone experienced a strange sensation in their chest when tapering off the drug? I am in day 2 of coming down from 150 to 112.5 and I feel a little off. Nothing yet that rivals many of these horror stories, but I feel very jittery and there is a feeling in my chest like something just scared the hell out of me. I've never felt something like that before.
The first time I went off Effexor was about 5 years ago. I do recall feeling a "heaviness", across my chest, almost like there was a heavy weight being put on it. Scared the living bee-jeez-us out of me. It passed although it made it impossible to sleep at night. Sometimes it also felt like my heart was beating so hard it would explode.
Check with your doc. Also, please, please make sure you get off the Effexor slowly. Towards the end I was taking a quarter of a 37.5 every two then three then four days. I would push it as far as I could, but if the withdrawal systems started I would take a bit of med. Finally, I was able to completely stop.
Unfortunately a year and a half later had to go back on Effexor. Been on it four years this time, but have made appt with doc re getting off.
I want to feel alive again. It will take several months but it's better than they way I now feel on the drug.
Good luck to you. Tonite I'm gonna ask god to help me through this and will say a prayer for you. Take care.
Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 17:18:17
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elsie_girl on June 9, 2006, at 1:02:18
> I have been 10 days off Efexor XR. I did a slow taper off over a few months. The last dose I had was 37.5 mg/day.
I took about two and a half months to get off. Went off a bit too quickly and had symptoms: nausea, vomitting, brutal headaches, brain shivers, when I moved my eyes it felt like the outside world was doing a summersault, and severe trembling hands. Symptoms were so bad I went back full doseage. A few months later I decided to go off much slower. At the time I was taking 37.5 once in morning and once at night. Week one and two of going off: morning 1 pill / evening 1/2 pill. Week 3 & 4: morning 1/2 pill / evening 1/2 pill. Eventually I was down to 1/2 pill per day. Then 1/2 every second day or third day, depending on whether or not I was getting symptoms. As soon as I felt them coming on I would take a half pill. Believe it or not, I was finally down to 1/4 pill every second or third day. It took time but I was finally free and did it with almost zero withdrawl symptoms.
Do you think perhaps going from 37.5 to 0mg in one step was too drastic? Don't forget this stuff is majorly addictive. From my own experience I'd suggest maybe trying 37.5 every other day, then 1/2 pill for a while, then 1/2 every second day, then maybe even trying my 1/4 pill trick. The extra time it takes to get off the med is well worth avoiding the withdrawl symptoms.
>My withdrawal symptoms started 2 days after I stopped. Mostly up and down mood swings, agitation, irritability, hyperactivity, insomnia, vertigo, bad nasal congestion (don't know if this is on the list or REALLY related but worst I have ever had), and now I am feeling really down again. Today I have got through with diazepam after checking with my GP. I would like to know if when others have come off their AD's how long it took them to get it out of their system. Think I will go crazy if it takes more than a few weeks. Can anyone else tell me their experiences with withdrawal - what to expect? How did you feel later? Did you ever get back to feeling well - like before AD's? I was not feeling too bad in myself up until today, felt like I was getting back to normal self not brain fogged with AD's.I was on the Effexor for a year and a half and felt pretty good. Then the depression started creeping in again and I willingly went back on. I've been back on for 4 years (compared to 14 months the first time). This time around I find the drug's giving me a foggy brain (just as you describe) and I am at the point where I want to do absolutely nothing.. don't even leave the house on the weekends, just watch t.v. I've decided to go off again because I want to feel alive again not just existing through the days.I know within myself I am doing the right thing.
I also know that even if it takes a few months again, I will be weening myself slowly like last time. Right down to that last little 1/4 pill!
> Would help me get through this if I knew what others had been through too. Thanks.I wish you all the best. If you need to go back to a very small doseage to help get you through.. do it. The time between each pill or piece there of will be further and further apart.
My thoughts are with you and I know that we can both beat this addiction.
Posted by laura k on June 19, 2006, at 10:49:18
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 17:18:17
I hate to suggest it cos I am so wary of meds these days.. but a little Ativan seemed to help my withdrawal from celexa, which had the same sort of symptoms.. vomiting, zaps, muscle twitches, etc. I went off it pretty quickly. I also did a liver and gallbladder cleanse and coffee enemas to help detox my system faster. I had serious breathing problems, too. I used a bipap machine with oxygen to keep my breathing regulated. Good luck with it all. I know it is miserable.
Posted by over 55 on June 19, 2006, at 11:23:51
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 17:18:17
I thought of the "cleanse" routine too, but since I was using the Prozac to wean off the Effexor I was afraid it would cleanse it all out and I might go really "crazy" (pun intended). Sorry I know it is not laughing matter, but sometimes it just all gets too heavy and we need a little laughter to make the medicine go down. I was afraid too many toxins running amuck would be a bad thing. I try not to think too much about fighting one toxic effect by taking another toxin. I just can't think straight sometimes so that must be the reason. Maybe that explains the sugar cravings etc (ha ha). Be well, and know you are not alone!!
Posted by elsie_girl on June 20, 2006, at 19:34:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by over 55 on June 19, 2006, at 11:23:51
To all those of you who replied - "thank you very much"! It is so nice to know that people care enough to reply. I am now 3 weeks without Efexor and what a rollercoaster it has been. I do some casual work and have been getting quite a bit lately - it is winter here and the season where casuals are needed. But, some days I had to knock the work back. Some days I don't know whether I have been suffering from viruses or whether it is the side effects of withdrawals because I have a lot of muscular pain too. But I have been told by medical people that one symptom of withdrawal is a 'flu like feeling. Have also been told that Efexor is one of the harder AD's to get off re: side effects.
I am hoping that I am on the downwards slide now and that things can only get better. I have a much clearer head than I have had in years, am sleeping less (not 10-12 hrs a day), and I am more motivated to do things. My house is starting to look a lot tidier and I am feeling much more in control - except for the physical symptoms. I am wanting to work now too - whereas some days I did not know if I could cope.
Just hope I don't slide down into too deep a depression again. Don't ever want to go back onto Efexor though - even Zoloft did not have the side effects Efexor had on me.
Much love and luck to you all - thanks again for your support.
Posted by da on June 21, 2006, at 7:34:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elsie_girl on June 20, 2006, at 19:34:25
I have now been off Effexor for a total of 7 days. I did take Prozac for about 3 days but could not stand the cloudiness it made me feel. I have to say I feel much better. I still have the "brain zaps" every now and then and I have found that taking some motrin or Advil helps with that feeling. I am not quite sure why. Thanks. Now, to take the Wellbuterin or not. I just don't know yet.
Posted by over 55 on June 21, 2006, at 9:30:20
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 17:18:17
Looks like there are several of us weaning off Effexor and are at about the 3 week stage. I feel pretty lucky compared to some I have read. A little muscle weakness and nausea with headache. There are times when I feel very good and clean headed so think there is hope. I am weaning off to Prozac so that may be why the side effects are less too. I had the brain zaps while on Effexor and tried to tell the Dr I felt like my brain was trying to electically charge itself. He wrote down "crazy" and of-course had never heard of that before.
Gabmeister: How about an update on your progress since we haven't heard from you in a while. Are you feeling any better and how is it going?
Posted by da on June 21, 2006, at 10:26:11
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by over 55 on June 21, 2006, at 9:30:20
That is me as well. I feel extremely lucky so far. It is a day by day sort of thing. Every morning I wake up and think, "ok, how am I feeling this morning". I think my biggest concern is when the Prozac is out of my system will the Effexor withdrawls come back. I guess the only thing to do is wait and see.
Posted by elsie_girl on June 22, 2006, at 20:29:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by over 55 on June 21, 2006, at 9:30:20
Am having a day from hell! It is now 3 weeks & 4 days off the Efexor and I am sick with a virus. Problem is that I am EXTREMELY IRRITABLE! Everything seems to annoy me. Because I am not so easy going as before when I was on AD's, I am now finding things a little bit harder to cope with. Hope I even out a bit. Has anyone else had this experience? Don't really want to go back onto other meds. I would like to try and ride this out if I can.
Many thanks for your comments so far - they have helped.
Posted by gabmeister on June 23, 2006, at 16:07:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by over 55 on June 21, 2006, at 9:30:20
Hi Over 55... Thanks for thinking of me. Well I'm weaning. I'm going down 18.75 at a time (learned that from past experience). Doing pretty good overall but am slightly nauseous at times and have to take gravol (I think in the States it's called dramamine - but can only take half a tab of that 'cause a whole tab puts me to sleep - not a good thing when you're at work). The one thing that bothers me the most is what I call "brain shivers" (possibly similar to your "zaps"?). I've been on the 18.75 lower dosage for about 2 1/2 weeks and am going another 18.75 lower starting tomorrow. Will stay at that til I adjust again. Then down another 18.75. Last time took me 3-4 months to get off but it was the only way I could do it. In fact, right at the end I was actually finding it absolutely needed a 1/4 of a pill every 2 - 3 days. That's how addictive this stuff is. I remember at one point almost giving up and going back on, but a co-worked convinced me I had come too far and needed to stick it out. Which I did.
Unfortunately the depression reared its ugly little head again after about 1 1/2 years.
I find right now, as someone else posted, I'm sleeping less; feel a bit more energetic; and yes, the house is a bit tidier. I could actually get myself together enough last weekend to plant some flowers in the yard. May not sound like much but hadn't done that in 4 years.
I also hadn't left the house in 4 years (except to go to work) and I'm now at least able to go into the yard.
I'm actually starting to (slowly but surely) "feel" again, if that makes sense.
I live day to day and just keeping hoping I don't have symptoms I can't deal with, or if I do, that the worst happens at home, not work.My doc also didn't understand about the "brain shivers" / zaps. They should live a day in our shoes and they're figure it out pretty quick. But then again, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.
Thanks for asking about me. I think about all you guys and slip in a little prayer every nite.
We will get through this.
Be strong.
Posted by over 55 on June 26, 2006, at 9:29:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by da on June 21, 2006, at 10:26:11
Da,
So how is it going with withdrawal? You were concerned about when the Prozac wears off if Effexor withdrawal's will return. Did that happen? I guess I am hoping that once things are over; they are over. I want to keep moving forward; not go backward. I am feeling better and better. Can feel some anxiety coming back; but life is like that so I have to feel "something" to be able to feel the good things too. It's a package deal I guess. Take care.
Posted by over 55 on June 26, 2006, at 9:36:47
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms » over 55, posted by gabmeister on June 23, 2006, at 16:07:10
Glad to hear you are still hanging in there Gabmeister. Something I am wondering about is if medication can damgage the receptors to where they never function normally again without the meds? Does anyone know if there is an answer to that. I don't want to be on meds the rest of my life and yet I don't want to be miserable either. If the brain doesn't make the right chemicals at any given time what can make it "heal" and be able to do that again? I am in no way a Dr so trying to understand how the brain works is a great mystery. I did take a psycho-biology class in college that was very interesting though so at least know some of the terminology.
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