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Shortcake: Effexor withdrawal. When will it end?


Shortcake

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Hello all!

I am new here. Looking for people who are going through this as well. I was on 150mg of effexor xr for 17 years. 3 years ago I slowly started tapering down. I made it to about 20mg (I was taking 140 little balls out of the 37.5mg capsules). I had been super stressed and started drinking lemon balm tea, holy basil, chamomile, and taking l-theanine and all this apparently caused seratonin syndrome. I went to the ER and the ER doc stopped my effexor. I thought that's fine since i want off them anyway... The first 3 days I took 1 mg ativan morning and night to get through the worst. I have some great days where I feel better than I have in years and then some days I feel the withdrawal hard. Nausea, dizziness, headaches, light headed, feeling like I'm in a dream, anxiety constantly... I feel like I'm buzzing all day, panic attacks, insomnia.

Tell me this gets better soon. I only have 3 more months off work... I'm getting so tired of fighting all day. I don't know how much longer I can do it.

Edited by scallywag
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Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Hey Shortcake,

 

I don't like telling you this, but the withdrawal can go on for years. I am three years off of Zoloft and zyprexa. the nausea and light headedness went away within weeks of quitting the meds, but the insomnia and fatigue can go on for years. Like you quitting the meds was a mixed bag, I felt better and was clearer in the mind, but the poor sleep is maddening and leaves us exhausted and like shells of ourselves after a while. I am about worn out at this point, but I have been reading some encouraging stories of reinstatement lately. People seem to get back to their lives quicker through reinstatement (sometimes within a week to two) , while going down the long road of withdrawal can take years.

 

Poetjester (Derek)

Court committed to take Prozac, Paxci, and Respiradol from 8/95 to 3/96.   developed severe akithisia and brain damage.  Was unable to speak and walking in circles 15 hours a day.  Went in for 5 sessions of ECT during a 10 day period in March of '96 and my forced medication was discontinued at that time.  My akithisia and brain damage cleared up within a few days of stopping the meds.

 

On Zoloft (200 mg) and Zyprexa (17.5 mg) March 1998- Feb 2014

In between was placed on Effexor 200 mg and Abilify for six months in 2004.  Developed mild akithisia which went away once I stopped the Abilify.  Developed severe GI issues in Dec 2001 and from that time on suffered from fatigue and hypersomnia where I would sleep between 12 and 20 hours a day and rarely ever left my apartment. 

 

Had tapered to 100 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Zyprexa at the time of going cold turkey Feb. 2014

Went 5 days without sleep at the beginning while vomiting all over my apt.  Had brain zaps for a number of weeks and also lightheadedness which both eventually went away.  However 2 1/2 yrs later I still struggle with insomnia, depression, and fatigue.

 

 

 

 

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I'm okay with the insomnia and fatigue. Its all the other symptoms that need to gom. I can't function... and I need to. By reinstatement you mean going back on the drugs?

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Yeah, reinstating means going back on the drugs, but there are a lot of people who keep plodding ahead in withdrawal and some do seem to get better, but it takes a lot of time. The problem with extended insomnia and fatigue is that it starts leading to cognitive problems- forgetfulness, horrible short term memory, exhaustion, etc. it seems to depend what kind of wd symptoms you are having as to how successful withdrawal will be. I live alone on a fixed income so it's easier for me to handle some of the stresses of wd, but for people with jobs it can be almost an impossible burden. I have read a few really hopeful success stories lately of people who have gone through withdrawal for a year to even 5 years where they start nearly losing their minds, or are housebound and miserable crying every day for a year or else like me, feel like one of the walking dead as the toll of extended insomnia or very poor sleep quality wears us down to the nub and makes us feel pretty passionless, about like zombies, and who have reinstated or gone back on the drugs and within a week to a month are back to their own selves again- happy and active. if you like I can refer you to these stories. I am on a facebook page for both people taking Zoloft and and another one for members of this site who are in wd.

Court committed to take Prozac, Paxci, and Respiradol from 8/95 to 3/96.   developed severe akithisia and brain damage.  Was unable to speak and walking in circles 15 hours a day.  Went in for 5 sessions of ECT during a 10 day period in March of '96 and my forced medication was discontinued at that time.  My akithisia and brain damage cleared up within a few days of stopping the meds.

 

On Zoloft (200 mg) and Zyprexa (17.5 mg) March 1998- Feb 2014

In between was placed on Effexor 200 mg and Abilify for six months in 2004.  Developed mild akithisia which went away once I stopped the Abilify.  Developed severe GI issues in Dec 2001 and from that time on suffered from fatigue and hypersomnia where I would sleep between 12 and 20 hours a day and rarely ever left my apartment. 

 

Had tapered to 100 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Zyprexa at the time of going cold turkey Feb. 2014

Went 5 days without sleep at the beginning while vomiting all over my apt.  Had brain zaps for a number of weeks and also lightheadedness which both eventually went away.  However 2 1/2 yrs later I still struggle with insomnia, depression, and fatigue.

 

 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Shortcake and welcome to SA,

 

So that we can make suggestions based on your drug history would Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years. Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking. If you are using a phone there are instructions in Posts 9 & 10.

 

Once we have more detailed information about about your tapering history and at what dose and when you stopped we will be better able to know whether a reinstatement of a very small dose may be helpful.  If you do decide to try a reinstatement please let us know before taking it so we can suggest a dose.  Please do not go back on your previous dose (and definitely not any higher) because your brain will have already made some adjustments since you have been off the drug.  The idea of reinstating a small amount is to get withdrawal symptoms to a bearable level, not to get rid of them completely.  After stabilising you could then taper off the drug.

 

Please check out these links, and especially read Post #1 of reinstatement. 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

These helped me to understand SA's recommendations:

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

 

You can ask questions here in your Intro/Update topic and journal your progress.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome from me too, Shortcake.  I am tapering effexor, slowly but in a manageable way.  Chessie Cat had all the right information for you, so once you come back with the details then you'll be able to start working on a plan.  It's good to have you here - you'll find lots of support and people who understand.

 

Hugs,

Karen

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Shortcake.

 

It is very unlikely that combination of herbs caused serotonin syndrome. Rather, it sounds like you developed withdrawal symptoms from reducing Effexor too fast.

 

How long has it been that you quit Effexor? Do you have any left? 

 

If it's been a short time, you might try reinstating 10 beads a day.

 

How long and how often have you been taking the Ativan? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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I don't believe I had withdrawal from going down too fast. I had slowly been weaning down over 3 years. At the time, each week I would remove 10 little balls from the 37.5 capsules per week. Take it for a week, then thd next week remove 10 more. At the time I was stopped on them, I had been taking out 140 little balls. The next week I would have removed 150 little balls. So I was at about half of 37.5mg. In the er they did a test with my reflexes and eye movements which showed mild seratonin syndrome. I had been drinking those herbs from morning until night.

The first few days of withdrawal were bad but I was on ativan so mostly slept. Then I felt great for a while. Now one month later and theyre bad. I'm nauseous and dizzy, having frequent panic attacks, anxiety is bad. I do have generalized anxiety disorder but its gotten crazy bad and now I have panic disorder as well.

I'm off work for 3 more months and think if this doesnt get better in the next month then I will go back on my effexor and wean off at a later date. I still have some 37.5 capsules that have 140 little balls removed and then some of my 37.5 mg full capsules.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Oh and I came off January 3rd. So it has been exactly 1 month off them.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Is it not possible that these symptoms will go away soon? I thought over 3 years was a slow taper... only taking out 10 balls a week for the last 6 months. And then stopping at half of 37.5mg. Ugh. Please tell me theres hope.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Thank you for all the information. After reading it I see that 10 balls out a week may have been too much.

 

So what do I do now? I can't handle the withdrawal symptoms. I have been off the effexor for one month. Never actually calculated the dosage but I assume it was about 17-20mg? I want off this drug but if these symptoms last too much longer I can't do it. I was going to wait another month but theyre just getting worse.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Sorry I really am in such a brain fog right now and I keep remembering thibgs. This past summer i was taking out 3 little beads a week... then went to 5 a week then thought well this isnt bad, then started with 10 beads a week in the fall.... which is when i started having more anxiety and panic. So too fast a taper and discontinuation. So how do i fix it?

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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How much have you reinstated? 5 beads wasn't bad? 10 was too much? If I were you stay at 5 for 4-6 weeks and if you need to go up more from there add a couple more, don't add to fast your body needs to adjust. Good luck!! Ali

10 years citalopram 30mg- tapered down in December 15/2015- Jan 15/2016 to 20mg for two weeks, ten for one week and five for another week, then stopped, less then two weeks later, sheer hell broke lose with debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

 

Update-- reinstated 5mg of celexa on feb 5-- within hours noticed immediate difference in WD symptoms-- Holding holding and more holding.

 

Updose- March 23/16 too 10mg- relieved the harsher head symptoms- current symptoms headaches, dizzy, numbness and tingling in my head.

 

Benzos- 2015-Ativan on and off for 6 months 2mg- switched to clonazepam nov 2015- 2mg till Jan 2016 Zopiclone 7.5mg nov-dec 2015- was tapered off over 4weeks- Currently in protracted withdrawal. ????????????????????????????????

 

Update- ended up in the hospital April 18/16 major suicidal ( never had that before) was admitted/ been there ever since, put me back to full dose celexa 30mg no drugs added, IAM FINALLY STABLE AFTER 3 months of tortuous hell. Got a great physiatrist that new all about WD, he will help me taper properly in a couple of months at 5% deductions holding 8 weeks. I never want to relive that hell again.

 

Udate- stable and holding, doing things slowly is key.

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I havent reinstated at all. I tapered over 3 years and was on 17-20mg and was stopped abruptly on January 3rd 2017. So exactly one month ago. I have been completely off them for one month. But i want to reinstate if it will get rid of this horrible withdrawal. But at the same time i feel like i should tough it out and hope it goes away after another month

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Shortcake -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

Since your last dose of 17-20 mg Effexor was on Jan. 3 2017, you are still in the period when reinstatement is more likely to be effective. The risk of it not working or of reinstatement intensifying symptoms increases. Or said another way: more time since last dose, higher risk.

 

About reinstating:

 

The inserts in all the newer antidepressants and many other psychiatric drugs advise reinstatement of the medication if withdrawal symptoms appear. This is all medicine knows about how to treat withdrawal.

 

For people who are about 4 weeks out, we suggest that people consider taking a much lower dose than their "pre-jump" dose. From the topic about reinstating:

 

Start low to see what you need. You can always increase if necessary. If you've been off the drug for a month or more, many people can find relief from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms by reinstating as little as 1mg-5mg. [based on having taken 20 mg previously]

 

Please read the posts, especially the first one in the topic:

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

 

And

 

I don't believe I had withdrawal from going down too fast. I had slowly been weaning down over 3 years. At the time, each week I would remove 10 little balls from the 37.5 capsules per week. Take it for a week, then thd next week remove 10 more. At the time I was stopped on them, I had been taking out 140 little balls. The next week I would have removed 150 little balls. So I was at about half of 37.5mg. In the er they did a test with my reflexes and eye movements which showed mild seratonin syndrome. I had been drinking those herbs from morning until night.

...

My "taper" off Effexor XR in 2004/5 was exactly the same as yours - about 10 beads per week. I started from a (low) 37.5 mg dose. I was lucky to have only about 6 weeks of difficult symptoms that then abated gradually.

 

It's such a shame that neither of us were given advice to go slower and to continue to taper to a dose of fewer than 10 beads before stopping entirely.

 

Please have a careful read about reinstatement and come back here to ask questions. If you'd like an initial reinstatement dose suggestion, please post to let us know.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Thank you I will read more on it. Did you taper all the way down?

 

My dilemma right now is whether to tough it out and hope the symptoms all go away soon or to reinstate. But right now I feel really hopeless. I'm sick of the symptoms. My head feels really messed up. I have a toddler to care for. Luckily my mom is staying with us to help while I go through this. I just want to be okay again. My plans as NEVER to go off this drug fast... hence it taking 3 years just to get to 37.5. But the er doc took me off. My own family doctor is useless. Told me all symtpoms would be gone in 2 weeks. Thiugh when i had asked her about weaning 3 years ago her suggestion was 1 pill every second day... so that says enough about her knowledge.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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I would like help with reinstating please. I have 37.5 mg capsules. And i also have some that have 140 bead removed. I will need help figuring out how to determine how to get to 1mg by counting the beads. I know itll inolve math but right now my brain cant handle this stuff. Its actually really scaring me.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Also... i read this on there

"Your present condition. If you have symptoms of hyper-reactivity, alerting (anxiety, panic, sleeplessness), you may be too sensitive for reinstatement. If you want to try it anyway, you might wish to try reinstating at a very low dosage, such as 1mg (if you had been taking 20mg Celexa)."

 

I DO have those. So I'm scared and I don't know what to do.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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WD symptoms are just too real at even microscopic levels of these drugs. I reinstated at a ultra low dose of Lexapro. 1 mg was too much for me, but 0.5mg took the edge of the worst symptoms. If you want to reinstate, start at a very low dose and take it from there. You can always updose later if you need to.

<p>Sept 2015: 5 mg Cipralex for 3 weeks. Lots of side effects. Reduced to 2.5 mg for 2 weeks. Experiencing withdrawal and side effects still after dose reduction. Quit after almost 4 weeks on 2.5 mg because of adverse effects. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms still. Reinstating 1mg after 3 weeks. Reduced to 0.50 after 2 days due to sensitive reaction (dysautonomia) and trip to ER. January 2016: After 14 months of tapering from 0.5 mg im now down to 0.08mg. Planing on one more drop before 4-8 weeks healing, then jump to zero. 14.03.17: Lexapro free!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I did taper Effexor XR to zero. I am working my way to zero now with Cymbalta, a drug that is an SNRI similar to Effexor.
 
Here's what I suggest:

  • Take 3-5 Effexor unaltered-fresh-from-the-bottle/foilpak capsules.
  • Get two small bowls or containers. Label one "unknown" and the other "counted"
  • Put the capsules in the "unknown" bowl.
  • Take a capsule from "unknown" bowl, open it and empty the beads on a surface that allows you to count them.
    Tip: I use a sheet dark-coloured paper placed on a rimmed cookie sheet. The dark paper allows me to see the beads and the rimmed cookie sheet prevents the beads from rolling off the surface.
  • Count the number of beads. Record that number on paper.
  • Put the beads back in the capsule. Put the counted capsule in the "counted" bowl.
  • Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 for each capsule until you have a count for all capsules.
  • Calculate the average bead count per capsule.
  • Calculate the # beads/mg:  beads/mg = average bead count / 37.5 mg

Hope that helps. you'll have to do the counting, but we can assist with or check the calculations.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Do you guys think its best that i reinstate right now? Is that basicallt what you need to do if you came off too fast? Im just really scared right now.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Reinstatement or not, just know your symptoms will get better over time. When you are in WD it is hard to think that way, but it gets better. I was so sick and never thought i would make it. After some time things started to look brighter. Now im much better and It is strange to think back on how it was a year ago. Reinstatement did help me,

but i still had symptoms. Stabilizing is a relative term in this game. Wish i could give you an answer, but only you can make a choice on what to do next.

<p>Sept 2015: 5 mg Cipralex for 3 weeks. Lots of side effects. Reduced to 2.5 mg for 2 weeks. Experiencing withdrawal and side effects still after dose reduction. Quit after almost 4 weeks on 2.5 mg because of adverse effects. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms still. Reinstating 1mg after 3 weeks. Reduced to 0.50 after 2 days due to sensitive reaction (dysautonomia) and trip to ER. January 2016: After 14 months of tapering from 0.5 mg im now down to 0.08mg. Planing on one more drop before 4-8 weeks healing, then jump to zero. 14.03.17: Lexapro free!

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Its just that i only have 3 months left of paid time off work. After that... how do i pay rent? I just need to get better. With or without the drugs. My daughter needs me and if i cna only function on these drugs then thats what i will do. Right now i am really bad. I cant handle it.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Do you guys think its best that i reinstate right now? Is that basicallt what you need to do if you came off too fast? Im just really scared right now.

 

Reinstatement is the only known effective "treatment" for withdrawal symptoms. Reinstatement doesn't work for everybody but it's more predictably effective the sooner after last dose reinstatement occurs.

 

Given my own experience with stabilizing on a daily dose (I'd been doing a skip-days approach) and what I've seen and read from others reinstating vs. others who've given it time, if I were in your situation -- parent of a young (?) child, being the only income in household, facing a return-to-work date  in 3 months -- I would give low-dose reinstatement a fair trial.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Okay. Its weird because i had the initial withdrawal for the first few days then for a couple of weeks i was feeling SO GOOD. Then all of a sudden the withdrawal hit me again harder than before and im so confused. Why does it come later?

*counting out beads now*

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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First capsule count is 180 beads. And i had been taking out 140. How do i calculate the percentage?

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Okay so i was down to about 8mg when i was stopped abruptly. And i still have this bad withdrawal? But had been having withdrawal symptoms mildly for about 2 months. So i had been going down about 2mg a week when i started having withdrawal.

What would I reinstate with at that low a dose before?

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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For many people WD symptoms follow a pattern of waves (periods of worsening) and windows (periods with less symptoms). Different factors, like lifestyle, stress and other aspects of our health might contribute to the course of the symptoms. It is very common to experience "on/off" periods/patterns when it comes to WD symptoms. Reinstating might reduce the symptoms and you can try to stabilize for some time before gradually taper at a very slow rate.

<p>Sept 2015: 5 mg Cipralex for 3 weeks. Lots of side effects. Reduced to 2.5 mg for 2 weeks. Experiencing withdrawal and side effects still after dose reduction. Quit after almost 4 weeks on 2.5 mg because of adverse effects. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms still. Reinstating 1mg after 3 weeks. Reduced to 0.50 after 2 days due to sensitive reaction (dysautonomia) and trip to ER. January 2016: After 14 months of tapering from 0.5 mg im now down to 0.08mg. Planing on one more drop before 4-8 weeks healing, then jump to zero. 14.03.17: Lexapro free!

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And yes. I'm a single mom. I have a great job that pays wonderfully, but i need to be thee to get paid lol. No child support. She has no father. She is almost 3. So thankful for my wonderful family who has stepped in while i go through this.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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Capsule 1: 180 beads

Capsule 2: 188 beads

Capsule 3: 186 beads

 

Was taking approx 44 beads a day when I was stopped abruptly 1 month ago.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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If i take half a benedryl and ginger gravol the symptoms subside a bit.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Many people experience a honeymoon of no symptoms lasting several weeks after the first few days. The CNS (central nervous system) starts adapting to the absence of the drug fairly quickly but sooner or later it can't make changes fast enough to keep symptoms at bay. You can learn more about that at these links:

One theory of anti-depressant withdrawal syndrome

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Bead to milligram calculations:

 

Average # beads per 37.5 mg capsule = 184.7, so 185

 

1 mg = 4.9 beads; for your calculations use 1 mg = 5 beads, or each bead = 0.2 mg

 

If you were taking 44 beads daily, that is approx. 8.8 mg. (44 / 5 = 8.8)

 

Reinstatement:

If you reinstate now, try between ¼ and ½ of your last dose, so between 11 and 22 beads. Pick a number between 11 and 22 beads. Take the same number of beads at the same time each day. If you have new severe symptoms or dramatic worsening of your current symptoms, stop the reinstatement. Otherwise, give yourself about 2 weeks: 4-5 days for the Effexor to reach a steady state and another 10 days for your CNS to start to stop the frantic work it started when you stopped taking Effexor.

 

If you choose to reinstate later, please do not try doses as high as 11 or 22 beads. Your CNS may well have made further adaptations in Effexor's absence.

 

Please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s). This post has a useful format for a daily log:

Take notes of doses and symptoms.

 

Please read: How long to stabilize after reinstating or updosing.

 

Let us know how things go for you.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Thank you so much Scallywag. I appreciate all your help. I am very nervous doing this. Have people had a lot of success with reinstating? Would it be better if I reinstated lower, say 11 beads?

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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P.s. I have health anxiety.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Shortcake,

 

The lower option is usually better as it's easier to slowly move up if needed, but harder to manage if you reinstate too high and end up feeling awful.  

 

Those who reinstate closer to the date of their last dose are more likely to be successful in their reinstation.  So at 1 month out your chances are good (not guaranteed, but good). 

 

It's very useful that you recognise your health anxiety.  Do you have ways of managing this?

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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Hi Karen,

 

Sometimes I can use self talk to talk myself down. Sometimes I have to use ativan. I had everything under control until early fall when I started to taper down fast and obviously too quickly. Im really kicking myself. I didn't realize this was withdrawal and kept tapering. Even the er doc didnt recognize withdrawal... but misdiagnosed as seratonin syndrome and stopped the meds abruptly.

Having bad anxiety/panic right now. I want to go to the hospital but mom is here with me and says I'm fine. Distraction seems to make it okay too.

 

I took melatonin tonight to help me sleep but i think it makes me more anxious. And now talking about it makes it more so. Then i took half a benedryl because thst seems to help my physical symptoms but now im freaking out wondering if theyve messed me up. Im just really scared.

Started weaning from Effexor XR (put on these in 1999)in September 2013 150 mg by removing a few little balls a week and ended at 8 mg January 2017. ER doctor stopped them January 3rd, 2017 due to what she thought was seratonin syndrome. I now know it was withdrawal.

 

Reinstated 2.25mg Effexor Xr February 4, 2017

 

Previous meds Zoloft 1997-1999 stopped abruptly July 1999. A few months later I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Effexor XR, Epival, and Trazadone. A few years after that I was told the bipolar was a misdiagnoses and they stopped the Epival. At some point I stopped the trazadone myself.

 

Supplements:omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d, magnesium, high dose probiotic.Ativan when needed

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