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Effexor XR withdrawl symptoms

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Posted 6/9/2014 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have found some old posts on this topic, but none in the recent past. I have been off this stuff for about 3 weeks now, and would like some discussion on some possible irritating side effects that I am experiencing. None of them are debilitating, or would hinder my independence of this drug. Just would like to find out if any of you attribute these conditions to the withdrawal and if they are temporary or longer lasting. rolleyes
Posted 6/9/2014 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I went through Effexor withdrawal and it was bad. I was dizzy, paranoid, and had bad brain zaps.

Why are you going off of the medication?

If the medication was working, some of the bad effects of depression might not go away until you try going back on or another medication.

I wish you the best.

Hugs, Karen

PS when I went through this, I could barely walk straight. The dizziness prevented me from it.
Posted 6/9/2014 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Am I allowed to refer to you as Karen, or should I reference your username? Since I just started on this community today, I don't want to do anything that would be inappropriate.

I am off the medication, because I never intended to stay on medications any longer than it was absolutely necessary. I didn't see the depression coming about a year ago, although I realize, in retrospect, that there were several triggers that pushed me "off the table." Up until that time, I never took any kind of drug therapy for depression or, for that matter, any chronic mental or physical ailment.

Eventually, I worked through the various situations that had led me to the depression, and I no longer felt I needed any kind of artificial support, outside my own inner strengths and self control. I weaned off the Effexor XR, (and Seroquel which I was taking at night, apparently to help me sleep) as expeditiously as possible within the context of a prudent approach. In all fairness to the medication regimen I was on, it did help me to calm down and get a hold on my exaggerated view of life's challenges. My so-called "delusions" were all based on real situations, I just had a tendency to blow some of them out of proportion to the point of anxiety mixed in with the depression.

I have no intention of going back on any medication if I can succeed in fending off the kinds of circumstances that brought about this temporary impact.

There are certainly those who benefit with a prolongation of medications for supportive maintenance. Thank God, I no longer feel I am one of them. I also wish you the best, Karen
Posted 6/10/2014 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, refer to me as Karen...

Did the doctor help you taper off? You can go below the 75 mg and go off slowly. But it sounds as if you aren't having too many withdrawal effects, so that is good.

I will always have to be on medication. I can live with that, though I don't want to. But with a chemical imbalance, I need medication to help me function.

I wish you the best with going off and with your recovery from depression.

Hugs, Karen....
Posted 6/10/2014 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
My weaning process was a joint effort, probably accelerated to some degree, due to my determination to become drug free. My doctor was very cooperative in this endeavor, and advised me not to try and do it too fast.....I went from 225 mg. Effexor XR to 150, to 75, to 0. Each interval was 2 weeks in duration.

The Seroquel started at 200 mg., then to 100, then 50, then 25, then 0. Again, it was based on a 2 week interval for each dosage, except only 1 week on the 25 mg.

I certainly wish you could come off your meds also, since you apparently would like to do so. Medications which endeavor to balance neurotransmitter levels are very difficult to assess, except subjectively. They cannot measure, quantitatively, the effect of a given medicine on the living brain. They can only grade the observed and stated improvements. I have always wondered how so many of the associated neurotransmitter substances can be balanced in a way that the result could be analyzed. How do you know, for instance, that you are not creating too much serotonin, or dopamine....or an improper ratio of norepinephrine to GABA. It all seems like one big crapshoot. And the myriad list of side effects of these meds. just leave me overwhelmed and worried about the long term use of them.
Posted 6/10/2014 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
hi dr.tarr. effexor hard to come off for me too. but the s/e will pass. i have come of 10 years of seroquel at massive doses. 1200mg. weaned of-course but i am off it now. just wanted to welcome you to the forum. i skim read your posts, re: diabetic retinapathy. vision goes off at times, bung eyes!! lol. feel better soon. healing thoughts i send to you. see ya around, pardon the pun!!!
Posted 6/10/2014 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I admire you effort to end your medications.

You don't mention any coping skills that you use to replace the meds, in how you will deal with lifes challenges. They will not go away. The verbage you use, brings to mind, pulling yourself up by the boot straps and moving on. Have you asked yourself honestly, "I am I dealing with my issues or stuffing them"

I can ask these questions due to the fact that I have been there?

If you are a Dr. in truth, how can you heal others before healing your self? Giving your self compassion and love may start with the meds you just might need a little longer than planned.

As for the side effects, the "crap" in the processed food people eat I things far out way the meds needed. Water and a natural whole food diet do wanders to counteract the side effects of a lot of meds. Doing this myself with great success!.

The other of the coin for you to think about
Peace
Trina
Posted 6/10/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Dear BnotAfraid.....My coping skills were born of sheer necessity to overcome the great obstacles that were in front of me. Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. I have always been a man of great inner strength and spiritual faith. I pride myself on the power that comes from knowledge and personal problem solving. I had reached the point of wanting to give up a life that had been very dear to me. Only a man or woman who has a tremendous amount to lose can appreciate the journey I have traveled. In the beginning, I was struggling and clawing to survive, then I reached a point where I was afraid I might. I would never have been the instrument of my own demise, but many times I prayed that God would not let me wake up the next morning. It would take a novel for me to describe all the situations and triggers that pushed me to my depression. Will they re-emerge to the point of dragging me back down into the abyss.. Definitely not, for I have learned how to adapt to those fears and disappointments. I have re-structured my defense mechanisms and have embraced the strengths that I did not completely know that I had. I am not a "doctor" even though my career was in the medical field. As I stated earlier, my display name is based on a fictional character from one of Edgar Allen Poe's stories. I don't presume to be able to heal anybody, but would like to offer my experiences and lessons learned to those who might need them. I agree with you, that nutrition plays a big part in recovery and proper physical and mental maintenance. I have read that 2 or 3 grams of quality fish oil, combined with 1 or 2 grams of Vitamin C will help you deal with some of the side effects of Effexor withdrawl. I am using it myself, but, so far it is too soon to tell if it will be beneficial.
Posted 6/11/2014 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Missed the relations to EAP, very interesting!

Still, I would like to know your particular skills. I have been down that dark path one or two times, have a strong faith that has pulled me out and as of now, continues to keep me in the Light brighter more than ever before.

Mindfulness is one of my main go to skills. I find journaling, art, music,[teaching myself to play the piano] walking, and volunteering, very helpful. I am currently running a co-ed survivor support group, trying to start an open womans survivor support group.

It is interesting what keeps us all going, inspires others to keep practicing their skills in the good times so when darkness comes they can do them with less effort.

I believe there is no Normal. However, when people get back to feeling good and productive, they have reached a life style change that can move them forward and away from the hold our illness's seem to have on us in the beginning.

Peace
Trina
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