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Horrific Withdrawal Off Effexor
posted by Rosanne on 06 Aug 2006 at 10:37 pmI have been trying to get off this drug for 2 years now. In order to function at work and in my life, I had to do months at skipping one day inbetween dose. nine months later two days in between, and as of three months ago, 3 days in between. After being sick of doing this, and now working on four days in between, I decided to quit all together. It has been exactly one week without Effexor!. I am only grateful that I am off work during this time because I would not be able to function!! I have buzzing (electrical impulses) in my head whenever I move my eyes or head. As of the last couple of days I feel nauseas (almost sea sick).
I have difficulty concentrating and and very forgetful. I have numbness in my feet and twitching in my right leg, especially when I am trying to sleep. My sleep is disruptive and I have night sweats. I have blurred vision, and it is very difficult to drive (I see things that aren't there) like pulling into my driveway this evening, I thought I saw an animal run in front of my car as I pulled into the driveway. Nothing was there. I can't turn my head to back up, and I feel like a spaz, over reacting to stopped cars in front of me -- I guess I better stay off the road until I feel better huh? Basically, my life is miserable right now. To those of you out there--DON't take this stuff!!! There has to be a better way--prayer, proper eating, supplements...thanks for listening (reading)!
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| I Agree |
| posted by Heather on 19 Sept 2006 at 1:03 pm |
| I just missed one of my doses because I was out of town. It is terrible, I was driving home and I also had the same vertigo feelings. You explain it perfectly. Whenever I move my head its almost like I just got off a rollercoaster. My equilibrium is totally messed up. Let me know how long it takes for these symptoms to subside. |
| Effexor - I'm Turning Into A Hysteric! |
| posted by Paula on 10 Nov 2006 at 4:03 am |
|
I was prescribed Effexor August 2005 for stress and menopausal symptoms. For me, they increased my feelings of anxiety and panic. I experienced blurred vision and sharp pains in my eyes too, but put this down to the fact that I work on a computer. The optician found nothing other than a slight deterioration in my long-sighted vision. The worst feeling though was of extreme detachment - a kind of coming apart, disjointedness. I also became acutely fatigued. My GPs solution to this was to increase the dosage!
This just made me feel worse, so I withdrew usage myself around February 2006. Then panic attacks set in very quickly. I became more depressed and socially withdrawn, had daily suicidal thoughts and spent most days in bed. I also thought I’d contracted some kind of stomach bug because the abdominal pains and extent of diarrhea were so bad, I couldn’t leave the house. Then my legs started to give way. I fell down stairs on a number of occasions and could barely stand up due to the pain and numbness in my legs and feet from below my knees. I also began to gain weight rapidly - from 10st when I stopped using Effexor in February to 11st 4lb today. Despite severe leg and ankle pains, I still walk the dog twice daily, sometimes for 3 miles (I’m determined to beat this thing) but end up hobbling around the house for most of the evening, still, although I’m eating less, I’m still gaining weight! I’ve had many blood tests to rule out illnesses such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, all have proved negative. I’m waiting to see a neurological specialist and have to endure a colonoscopy in two weeks time. I’m not holding out for any positive results because I think these are all related to Effexor withdrawal, but GPs don’t seem to be taking this on board! Last week, I packed in my job. Fortunately, my boss isn’t going to let me go and has given me a month off to get myself sorted out. Just as well, because there is no way I can afford to leave it. I’m mortgaged to the hilt! I went back to my GP yesterday, and was told that they’ve stopped prescribing Effexor but she wouldn’t give me a valid reason why! She then prescribed SSRI Citalopram Hydrobromide 20 mg for me to try for a month. I’m worried about taking them but can’t go on feeling like this. I’m turning into a hysteric. Help!!! |
| Question-please Help |
| posted by MissD on 17 Nov 2006 at 3:38 pm |
| Wow, I'm so happy I found this forum. I have many of the symptoms described here & on some other discussion boards I viewed. My question is, has anyone completed the withdrawal cold turkey, and how long did it take for specifically the nausea to go away? Thank you. |
| Effexpr - Tried Cold Turkey - Dont Do It! |
| posted by DJ Jensen on 20 Nov 2006 at 7:14 am |
|
Hi everyone,
I am back to work after only 3 days of living hell. I am trying to hide from collegues becasue my eyes are so puffy from the crying, I feel hung over and I feel like I have the flu. I have been on this med since 2001. This year I went from 150 to 75mcg and it took 6 months. It was not easy to do, but I kept takinga bit off the pill each time and tapering worked. I thought going from 37.5 to nothing would be manageable. I can't tell you the effects that I had...first the brain shocks, then the nausea and inability to focus. Then came non stop sobbing. By last night I thought I'd have to do something or I would have a stroke. I took half of the 37.5, and the brain shocks stopped. I guess I will have to taper off this as well. My question is...how can we stop other people from going through this? Why is effexor still being prescribed to new patients? |
| Effexor |
| posted by Anon on 20 Nov 2006 at 11:31 am |
| It has been two days that I have not taken my pill, and I feel like I cannot even type this sentence. I am so scared because I have tried so hard to get off of this and I can't...my doctor always says the same thing to me when I tell him I don't want to be on it anymore "a diabetic has to take insulin for the rest of their life, as you have to take an anti-depressant.." All that answer does it give me no hope of ever functioning in a normal way again. |
| Feel Crazier Than Before - Effexor XR |
| posted by Sara on 29 Nov 2006 at 11:45 am |
|
I stopped taking Effexor XR 75mg 2 days ago after I found out I was pregnant. My OB told me to take one every other day and then span out an additional day between at a time. After reading all of the forums and feeling how I feel I can't imagine putting another of those horrid pills in my mouth again.
If I'm having these kinds of withdrawals I don't want to risk my baby having to deal with it in the slightest. This is a horrible medicine had I known how I would feel would have never taken it. It was never stressed to me how badly I would feel should I decide not to take it anymore. I don't have time to ween myself off of this drug over the course of months, I don't want my unborn child to have ANY of the side effects. I'm just sad, angry and want to go to bed and not get out until this is over. I'm not an overly religious person but I just keep praying over and over for this feeling to end. Anyone have any advice on how to lessen these effects please let me know. |
| Effexor - I Am Glad I Am Not The Only One |
| posted by Anon on 29 Nov 2006 at 7:54 pm |
|
I have been taking Effexor for nearly a year. I started on 37.5, and my GP told me to double it, but I didn't as I felt good at 37.5; I only took 75 for a few days. I tapered off a bit by skipping the occasional day, and then went 'cold turkey' about a week ago.
I was originally depressed at being treated for prostate cancer, and feel better now the treatment is complete and apparently successful. But there is always the worry about a recurrence, and the last few days I have been worrying that some strange feelings in my head might be the first sign of a brain tumour. Now I have read all these descriptions of 'brain shivers', I am quite reassured - I am sure I have the same symptom, and they are much more livable with in the knowledge that that are from withdrawal for Effexor. Don't tell me to get a CAT scan. My life effectively ends the day I get a positive on a CAT scan, and there is not much in the way of treatment anyway. I will live with the withdrawal, thanks. Bottom line - Effexor is horrible stuff, and should be withdrawn. If not, the warnings should be realistic. |
| Has anyone gotten off Effexor? |
| posted by Lola on 04 Dec 2006 at 11:03 pm |
|
Has anyone effectively gotten off this stuff?
I just stopped taking it less than a week ago. I had tapered down from 225, to 150 to 75 over the course of a year and a half. I had gotten myself down to 37.5 mg for about a month and decided enough was enough because even on 37.5, I was already having flu like symptoms. Now I am reading this stuff and becoming increasingly afraid. I have been taking milk thistle and drinking lots of vitamin water and hot herbal tea to try to speed up detoxification. I've only been able to find one testimony of one person stating that it took 17 days of straight vomiting before she felt normal again. How long is it going to last? I'm afraid. |
| I Need Help Today |
| posted by Keith R on 06 Dec 2006 at 7:28 am |
| I have been on 300 mg for over a year. It has now been two days off the meds and I feel terrible and very afraid. I am stuck at work in front of a computer and I can barely concentrate on the screen. I feel like I'm going to burst into tears at any moment. |
| Day 3 Without Efexor |
| posted by Lisa on 09 Dec 2006 at 7:07 pm |
|
I have been on Efexor for 4 years and now with my Dr's approval am going cold turkey.
I am experiencing the crying spells, general moodiness and of course the Famous Brain Zaps. Believe it or not I have known about the Brain zaps for almost 27 years. Of course it was not from Effexor but from the Drug that started it all... Prozac. When I was 13 my mother was in one of the original study groups for Prozac. She was one of the first people to feel this terrible withdrawal symptom. She described them as "boings". Her Brain was Boinging. If there is a class action suit out there I am interested!! I have the proof the drug companies knew. So history repeats itself as I try and describe what I am going through to my children. I find the zaps almost have a sound to them and feel a tingle that goes right through the tips of my fingers. Driving I find is very dangerous because as you turn your head and/or move your eyes you almost black out because the feeling overwhelms you for that second that is happens. Of course it is very random and may only happen once or the zaps can repeat almost like a machine gun going off in your head. I am documenting how I feel daily and like I said earlier either I will join a lawsuit or I will start one. This is not fair that this side effect was known but not taken seriously, and in some cases it is still not. This is only the second time I have tried to come off of Effexor. The last time I only made it to day 4 not knowing how ill I would become, my environment at the time was not right for me to withdrawal. (I was on vacation). So I gave in and started back on the Effexor. So here I am Day 3 hoping maybe it was a flu bug and not the withdrawals that made me ill. I do know that it will be worth it. I have been on 225mg of Effexor for 4 years (the last couple of months I went down to 75mg). Any time I went beyond the 24 hour of a missed dose the zaps would start. I have always Hated this med and all the similar ones. They all tend to give the brain zaps to one degree or another but by far Effexor is the worst. I say this because I have been on Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Lexpro. So thank goodness I have made it though day 3. Time for bed and a break from how I am feeling both emotionally and physically. Day 4 starts tomorrow... |
| Effexor, Wellbutrin Withdrawal - Flu? |
| posted by Susan on 22 Dec 2006 at 3:58 pm |
|
I am on day 7 of ending 5 years on Wellbutrin (450mg) and 2 years on Effexor (112.5). I have been tapering off both slowly for the last serveral months. I think during this time, I have learned effective ways to manage my unipolar depression and due to side effects (sweating, lethargy, weight gain) wanted to see if I can actually manage without the meds.
At different points during the period of withdrawal, I have been nauseous and dizzy, but when I finally hit zero intake 7 days ago I was surprised by the magnitude of the impact on me. For the past 6 days, I really feel as if I have had the flu. I feel like I have the chills one moment and then a fever the next. I keep checking my temperature and it is normal. I have been dizzy, can't think straight, and my speech seems slirred. Ironically my mood is ok. I was so surprised at the impact on me that has led to me taking 5 days off of work. I can't even walk my dog I feel so crappy. It is like having the flu but with no respiratory infection or actual change in body temperature. I have to be eating constantly and have been sucking on a stream of mints to help calm the nausea. I can't wait for this to end and really wish I hadn't decided to do it the week before Christmas. I have found that taking Gravol really helps. It sort of numbs me and helps me sleep while at the same time helping the control the nausea. One thing that really, really, really frustrates me is that there doesn't appear to be much info from the drug companies about what to expect in terms of withdrawal effects. I really think the drug companies should prepare plans and put them on their sites regarding the best way to taper off the drugs. I am so glad to read posts of others and to help understand what is happening to me. If I hadn't read the websites, I seriously would have thought i was going crazy and that some plague had overtaken me. It doesn't seem to be letting up and so I am wondering how long it will last. I am so lucky that my mood is stable as I can't imagine getting through this withdrawal with a low mood. Thanks so much to all of you for your postings - I can't tell you how much it helps. Susan. |
| I Hate Effexor XR |
| posted by Antoinette on 22 Dec 2006 at 7:27 pm |
|
I just found out I was pregnant so the doctor told me to start tapering off the effexor. I was on 150 mg and for the last week I have been on 75 mg. I had morning sickness this morning and vomited not knowing I threw up my medication. I realized this evening because of feeling so sick that I may have thrown it up.
It is the worse feeling in the world but thankfully my fiance has been supportive. I have been having those brain zaps and didn't realize what it was until I read it here. Those things are the worse- combined with headaches and nausea. But just like the above poster said about her pregnancy I don't want my baby to experience any symptoms at all and I am currently 7 weeks so I figure if I quit now, there will be no chance my baby will experience this. Better me than my child right?? It is terrible, but we can all get through this. I think being on this medication makes one in a more "depressed" mode as it has for me than actually being depressed. I wish I had never taken this medication and had found other outlets of helping with my depression. We can get through this, good luck all! |
| Day 2 W/o Effexor For Me |
| posted by KillerB on 22 Dec 2006 at 7:56 pm |
|
I'm glad I found this place, too.
Here's my story: I was prescribed 50 mg Zoloft after my primary care physician determined I had depression, when I thought my symptoms mimicked inattentive ADD more. I kept telling him that the Zoloft wasn't helping, but he increased the dosage to 100 mg. At that dosage, Zoloft made me sleepy and made the ADD symptoms worse. I was taken off of Zoloft (reducing my dosage by half for two weeks) and put on 75mg Effexor XR. I thought the Effexor was actually helping out, but it seemed it was more the lack of Zoloft in my system that was helping. ...then I was referred to a specialist, who actually determined that it really was inattentive ADD, and not much in the way of depression (even though coping with ADD 'screwups' can often yield depression-like results). I was put on 40 Mg Strattera, and was told to discontinue the Effexor. I was given 37.5 mg Effexor tablets to try to wean myself off. Day 1 w/o Effexor, Day 5 w. Strattera: Symptoms: - brain shivers (yep, just like everyone describes here) - slight mania...I have tendencies to want to spend/splurge/be reckless. It's a good thing I've had a good counselor for the past eight months that taught me ways to cope with stuff like that--manic symptoms can often overlap with ADD/ADHD. - Variations between hyperactivity and drowsiness--but that could be the Strattera...or the lack of Effexor. It's hard to say. In fact, with caffeine, I get manic/hyper. Without it, I'm sleepy. - Slight dizziness. I cope with it by sitting/laying down somewhere. I guess compared to some of you all here, I'm lucky so far. It may be because of the low dosage of Effexor I was on (compared to Lisa's 225mg or Keith's 300mg...yeouch!) Unfortunately, there's no moral to the story for any of us. We're all stuck between a rock and a hard place: do we keep taking the stuff for the rest of our lives like an addict to avoid withdrawal, or do we tough it out and hope that some day, it will all go away? I'm on day 2. Let's see what happens. |
| Effexor - Hope For The Hopeless |
| posted by Melissa on 28 Dec 2006 at 10:10 pm |
| Thank you all for being so brave and willing to post your experiences with Effexor. I am on day 4 of withdrawl after going cold turkey off of 150mg for 5 months. And to tell you the truth I'm pretty desperate for relief. At first the Effexor was a blessing! The first med that made a difference for me. I've tried almost all of them for some amount of time or another for the last 8 years. But my husband felt like the Effexor was screwing me up as he put it. We also could not afford the price. So I went cold turkey. I called the pharmacy and my DR and they said that I would just experience some shaking maybe dizziness. B** S***! I have been a wreck, I'm suicidal (which I've never been) I can't believe that I have been thinking I'm the only one in the world feeling this way. Thank you for giving me strenghth to hang in there 1more day. We will make it off this stuff and I'm determined to get the word out there so no one else goes through the hell of with drawl off this evil drug. |
| This Is Awful - Getting off Effexor |
| posted by Joy on 02 Jan 2007 at 11:53 am |
|
I recently had surgery on my foot and with all of the stress of that forgot to keep taking my Effexor. After 2 days, I realized it and decided to go cold turkey. I have been on it for about 3 months (which I know is a lot less than most of you). I am constantly dizzy and can't concentrate. I get the sensation that my brain is moving around in my head when I close my eyes. It's awful. I'm determined NOT to take another capsule though. If I had known how awful this drug was I never would have taken it. Discontinuation symptoms my ass.....its WITHDRAWL. It's day four for me right now and while I haven't been suicidal or crying, I have been a little depressed. Which could be the fact I cant walk right now contributing to that. I'm determined not to take it though.
Does anyone know exactly how long this lasts for? Ive read years and I don't think I can do this for that long. I was hoping along the 1-2 week range! Silly me.... I think this drug should be pulled from the market and a class action suite should be filed against the manufacturer. This is ridiculous |
| Effexor Hell |
| posted by Tiffinee on 05 Jan 2007 at 5:01 am |
|
Hi,
I was taking effexor for about 3 weeks and wanted the Dr. to taper me off. By the time I got to 37.5 I thought I was going to DIE. I can't imagine having been on this horrible drug for years. It is funny how the doctors fail to mention what can happen if you want off the drug. Today is my first day on 150mg of Wellbutrin. I am hoping and praying I don't get the nausia and vomiting back. Does anyone know about the side efffects when switched to another antidepressent immediately? Thanks! P.S. My heart goes out to anyone who has felt like I did or worse, it is HELL. |
| How long? |
| posted by Kate on 05 Jan 2007 at 4:39 pm |
| All I want to know is how long will this last? Can ANYONE tell me if they've been successful? If so, HOW LONG did it take? |
| I Kicked Effexor! |
| posted by Lola on 05 Jan 2007 at 11:36 pm |
| It took one month of throwing up, the flu, and a medical marijuana prescription (in order to keep food down my stomach!) but yes, I KICKED IT AND SO CAN YOU!!! It will take one month to feel somewhat "normal" again, but it will happen...it will be the longest monthy of your life, but hold in there! |
| I'm Sticking With It |
| posted by Kate on 06 Jan 2007 at 8:16 am |
|
Thank you, Lola, for your response! Knowing that there is someone out there who has successfully come off of this drug is what I needed to STAY off. All of these postings without any real success stories was begining to get me worried that the drug may have caused some kind of permanent damage. Talk about adding to the brain zaps and emotional "crazies"! I'm now on Day 4; so long as I know this won't last forever I'm sticking to it. Thank you!
|
| Effexor - Oh Mama |
| posted by Lisa on 06 Jan 2007 at 4:37 pm |
| I have been on 225 mg Effexor for over a year for migraines. I'm cutting back a little at a time and have the same symptoms as have been described...brain zaps, skin crawling/ tingling, headaches, nausea, vomiting, etc. I have found that Benadryl during the worst days and then Dimetapp during some of the days that aren't so bad helps to cut the symptoms to a manageable amount. You are drowsy, but it's better than the alternatives. |
| The Chicken Or The Egg! |
| posted by Ed Miller on 07 Jan 2007 at 5:26 pm |
|
The problems stated above with Effexor are the exception rather than the rule. Most people can taper off the drug (but not stop cold turkey) without too much problem. However, as with Paxil, it appears that side effects are more frequent than was realized the first few years.
The trouble is many of the above effects, such as insomnia, are commonly seen with the depression, which is what one is trying to treat with Effexor. So, its difficult to separate if its due to the medicine (or its withdrawal) or to the underlying condition, depression. Maybe the depression is just coming back as one stops the drug. At any rate, the experts all agree that the drug should be tapered, rather than stopped cold-turkey but the time-frame for the taper need not be too long (ie weeks to 3 months at most) Again, some of the symptoms people are getting after being off the drug for some time may be due to their underlying depression coming back rather than to the med. Their are several newer antidepressents touted to have less side effects that can be tried. And there is also value in regular daily periods of sunlight (you may have heard of SAD, seasonal affective disorder which is more common than is commonly known) and physical activity for many with depression. |
| Empathy Please... |
| posted by Diane on 08 Jan 2007 at 11:33 am |
|
Exception ... not the rule? Ed, you've obviously never had to come off the drug yourself. Otherwise, you'd show a litte more compassion for those of us dealing with this drug.
I am home from work today, because I missed my dose of Effexor yesterday. We were busy, and it slipped my mind. After a night of nightmares, shakes and sweats, I got out of bed to shower. The vomitting and diareahha started. It occured to me that I'd felt like this once before--when I missed a dose when I was ill a couple of months ago. After sleeping for a few hours, I googled Effexor withdrawal, and here I am. Yes, insomnia can be a side effect of depression. HOWEVER, brain zaps, uncontrollable shaking and crying, vomitting, diareaha, severe stomach cramping ARE NOT. I called my husband to discuss my stopping taking the drug, because after feeling like this and after reading these entries (and entires on MANY other web sites), I am terrified to continue taking the drug. I am only taking 37.5 mg, and I've only been taking Effexor since August..to help my deal with the death of my cousin. Well, six months later and only taking 37.5mg daily, I missed ONE dose and am having withdrawal. The FDA is out of their mind allowing this drug to be legal. I find it comical (not because you suffered) that Lola had to use medical marijuana to help her cope with her withdrawal from an FDA approved drug). So, for those of you who understand what I'm about to face, pray for me, or do a little dance, whatever your spiritual connection allows, because I am determined to attempt a planned, weaned withdrawal. What a way to start the New Year!! My understanding and compassion to those of you experiencing these feelings...or to those of you with the courage enough to face them to stop the addiction....because that is what it is. |
| Effexor - I Agree Compassion Please |
| posted by Jenny on 09 Jan 2007 at 7:48 am |
|
I need to say something as well. I have been trying to get off this medicine for 3 months. I have been sick beyond my wildest imagination. Nothing has helped with the withdrawal. I am sick of people, including my doctor, telling me it is all in my head or I have a flu bug.
It is impossible to get the flu everytime I decrease the amount of this drug. I have been off work several times due to the fact I cannot function because the headaches and dizzyness are horrific. Like so many of you here, I wish I NEVER took this drug to begin with. All I can say is thank goodness for those of you on here who helped me with not feeling like I was alone in this. And there has to be a better way of withdrawaling from this drug. And yes, I was sick all through the holidays. But I am determined to get off this horrible drug. |
| Effexor - Caused Wild Spending & Uninhibited Behavior |
| posted by Elaine on 09 Jan 2007 at 3:41 pm |
|
I went to my Dr and he prescribed Effexor for my depression & stress. Later I found out my depression/health problems was due to my use of Splenda in protein bars and shakes.
I found this really great natural health web site: http://www.mercola.com by Dr. Mercola - excellent site. I got off Effexor because it was making me out-of-control, I believe I was on 75 mg, I took it everyother day for eight days and finally got off of it, it was ruining my LIFE!!!! For depression I now take Omega-3 fish gel caps - according to my weight (5 a day), and it really has helped alot, on days I don't take it my mood is all over the place. To get well, consider seeing a natural health doctor, to learn more about natural remedies. Best Wishes to you all, I've been there. |
| This Stuff Is Evil |
| posted by I Quit Quitting on 10 Jan 2007 at 7:58 am |
|
I have been taking Effexor for 10 years . I was originally given this med because I had just had my 3rd child and was already a bit off my rocker. I did it for my family and it did work for me , but now I am wondering what the long term effect's will be. Your previous post's make me even more concerned because of the length of time that's past taking this.
My doctor changed the dosages of my medications. I am on a cocktail of medications for depression, Bi-polar and post traumatic stress disorder. The Effexor was stopped cold turkey 1 week before the winter holidays. I was without the medication for 2 weeks. New Year's Eve I begged my husband to call my doctor and give me the drug back. I experienced all of the symptoms listed above with the exception of nausea. I wasnt able to even put food in my mouth, I spent 1 1/2 weeks without food and couldnt realize that I was becoming very dehydrated. I felt like I was going to die as well. The scariest part for me was when the anger became so bad that I litterally ripped my clothes off my body then shred the ripped clothes to bit's. Doing the dishes made me angry. I didn't dare to drive , I knew what I was capable of doing and refused to take this insanity into the world. So I became a hermit for the length of time untill I was able to start the medication again. My point is, it IS the Effexor causing the withdrawals... being on Wellbutrin and Lamictal still was proof enough for me that it is the Effexor. I'm hooked for life unless I can get into rehab for it. Sadly, enough rehab is needed to get off of a drug that was intended to help us. I hope we all can get rid of this addiction either that or demand they lower the price of this crap. It's a lose lose situation in my case, I refuse to let my family go through my hell again !! They dont deserve a mother who act's like a maniac. |
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