Sujema: Effexor withdrawal, 10 days, multiple symptoms, suicidal thoughts.

[Sujema]

Symptoms and coping abilities of others withdrawing from Effexor.

[mammaP]

Hi Sujema, there are some of us here who are tapering effexor, it is a nightmare drug to get away from! I tapered too fast and suffered withdrawal so reinstated then restarted my taper. I am now almost off and looking forward to being completely free of it. 

 

What is your experience? Did you taper or quit cold turkey? Reinstatement is the only way to stop the withdrawal symptoms, then once stable can start a slow safe taper. No-one ever wants to reinstate, ever..... but it is better than suffering the nightmare of withdrawal!  Here is a topic on reinstating to stabilise. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

About withdrawal syndrome http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

You are among friends here, we all have suffered in some way from withdrawal, some more than others and we know how devastating it can be.   

[Sujema]

Hi MummaP ,

Thanks for your reply. It makes such a difference talking to others in the same Effexor boat!

I started on 75mg just over a year ago, reduced to 37mg after bad side effects. I made the decision to come off this 'poison' due to the chronic fatigue, gastritis and generally felt it was numbing me to life.

 

I started tapering 2 months ago, from 37 mg to 18.5. mg, to 9.7, and made the leep to zero 10 days ago.

Since you are still tapering, I don't want to burst your bubble of hope, for a better experience post Effexor.

Perhaps I shouldn't recount my present experience, since we are all biochemically different, and yours may, hopefully, bring you better results.

 

Sujema X

[Fresh]

Hi   Sujema ,     welcome.     That's a super-quick taper you've just done . . .   how are you doing?

[mammaP]

You can share your experience here Sujema, my bubble will not be burst! I have been taking effexor for 13 years now, and tried several times to quit, each time had the nightmare of withdrawal and had to go back on again. It is one of the hardest to get away from without withdrawal, and I have had my share of that over the years! I tapered for around a year, I thought I was tapering very slowly but I still had withdrawal because it was still too fast, even though I thought it was very slow!  Once again I was plunged into withdrawal so I reinstated at the 5 beads I was on when I quit.  Then held for several months before starting to taper again. Now I am fine and have just one bead from the capsule to go. That bead gets smaller and when the tiniest one has gone then I am done. We have others who have also managed to taper and are off effexor now, it can be done, but needs lots of patience. 

 

We recommend tapering 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks and that can take years but it is much better than the fast tapers that I have tried previously. You tapered very fast but did what you thought was best, and doctors really don't know anything about tapering off these drugs. They usually advise very fast tapering by skipping doses and quitting in just a few weeks, then tell patients that they need the drug for life to control the mental illness it was prescribed for  .

 

It is early days for you and you can reinstate if you wish, it doesn't need to be the full dose, often just 1-5 mg can do the trick and halt the withdrawal. The side effects are dose related and are less at lower doses. I was housebound and at one time was bed bound due to the side effects of this poison. I also dropped from 75 to 37.5 because of the side effects, and that is why I also decided to taper off, and chose a slow taper after a few previous cold turkey or very fast tapers over the years. I didn't know about the 10% at the time so even the slow taper was not slow enough and I wish I had seen this site before I started that taper. 

[Sujema]

Hello Fresh,

 

Thank you so much for your reply . It is so good to communicate with others who are having similar experience.

I was prescribed SNRIs for Major Depression Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

After just over 1 year ago I started on 75mg, I began tapering 2 months ago. Starting with 37.5, to 18.7 then 9, and zero 10 days ago.

It may seem like a rapid taper, but I was guided by information I'd read.

Nevertheless it's done. I have no intention of revisiting that poison, after the Chronic Fatigue, stomach ulcer, and a worsening of my original symptoms , due to the drug, to the point where the Psych was upping the ante, to Bi Polar med, which I know I don't have.(or didn't have).

 

Last 10 days I have had constant imbalance, insomnia, pins and needles down the side of my face, which I can cope with , but it's the total despair, gut wrenching sadness and suicidal thoughts that are harder to bear.

I know we are all biochemically different , and it's early day, but to hear others recount protracted symptoms, sometimes years, is so disheartening.

I don't drink, or smoke and have an incredibly healthy diet. Take fish oil. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

I also have Thyroid disease, (Autoimmune ), which affects hormone production, like serotonin .

 

I know of neuro plasticity, and meditation,....,it's the lack of impetuous to do it.....when you just want to hit your head hard against the wall.

[clearday]

I have no intention of revisiting that poison, after the Chronic Fatigue, stomach ulcer, and a worsening of my original symptoms , due to the drug

Last 10 days I have had constant imbalance, insomnia, pins and needles down the side of my face, which I can cope with , but it's the total despair, gut wrenching sadness and suicidal thoughts that are harder to bear.

 

to hear others recount protracted symptoms, sometimes years, is so disheartening.

 

 

 

Hi Sujema,

 

It's great that you found this blog so that you know what is causing your symptoms - it is SNRI Withdrawal -

 

Yes, the protracted WD is hard to deal with, but many of us have dealt with it for years and came out the other end in good shape.

 

You had the depression before the drug, and so did I, so while SNRI WD may cause depression, we'll have to do our best to deal with that in other ways since these drugs just give us more problems.

 

A friend of mine survived two major depressions that lasted over six months each time. And each time, the depression ran its course and he never used SSRIs to get through it. Although the doctors tried pushing SSRIs on him, he declined. He's doing fine these days. I wish I had done what he did! But that's just him, everyone is different.

 

Do what you have to do to survive and get through this. 

 

Keep coming back here for feedback as things get better or worse for you. 

 

I don't blame you for not wanting to go back on these poisons. I'm off Lexapro for one year, and I am so happy to be off it!

 

I still deal with waves of symptoms but slow and steady progress overall. I've had many great days since I quit the drug, but also some challenging WD symptoms.

 

Hang in there - 

[Fresh]

Wow ,     sorry it's hit you this quickly.    A lot of people don't start to get these effects for a month or longer.     For some , they continue to get more and more intense for 9 to 12 months.     So it's a very individual thing.

There's thread on taking  magnesium , which this site advocates.

There's also a thread on Reinstating to Halt Withdrawal Symptoms  that's worth reading.   You need to be as informed about options as possible at this time.  At only 10 days out you have a window where reinstating a small amount may stop the W/D symptoms.

 

Good to have you here  

[Sujema]

Thank all you kind souls, ('Clearday' and 'Fresh' most recent), for your helpful input. One thing I'm having coming to terms with, is that if the Depression and despair I've experienced takes me to the point again where I may need professional help, (Hospital), I am apprehensive they will force the SNRIs on me again.

 

I guess I am new to Withdrawal syndrome, and I am angry that so many people are losing the fight, because " you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't " type of situation.

Why were we not warned by those who are suppose to uphold the Medico's vow, 'first do no harm'!

There is enough proof out there. It is criminal negligence!!!

 

I am adamant that I want to give it my best shot to recover from this insidious drug.

I am high risk for stroke, and further erosion of stomach lining, so to continue is not an option.

 

My heart goes out to those of you who have had years of these symptoms.

You are a courageous bunch of people.

I hope I can stay on this rudderless boat. Im sorry if I sound defeatist, I have been struggling with depression for 15 years or more, and the very thing that was suppose to help, is adding fuel to the fire.

 

Hoping some of your positive stories will give me some hope.

[clearday]

Thank all you kind souls, ('Clearday' and 'Fresh' most recent), for your helpful input. One thing I'm having coming to terms with, is that if the Depression and despair I've experienced takes me to the point again where I may need professional help, (Hospital), I am apprehensive they will force the SNRIs on me again.

 

I guess I am new to Withdrawal syndrome, and I am angry that so many people are losing the fight, because " you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't " type of situation.

Why were we not warned by those who are suppose to uphold the Medico's vow, 'first do no harm'!

There is enough proof out there. It is criminal negligence!!!

 

I am adamant that I want to give it my best shot to recover from this insidious drug.

I am high risk for stroke, and further erosion of stomach lining, so to continue is not an option.

 

My heart goes out to those of you who have had years of these symptoms.

You are a courageous bunch of people.

I hope I can stay on this rudderless boat. Im sorry if I sound defeatist, I have been struggling with depression for 15 years or more, and the very thing that was suppose to help, is adding fuel to the fire.

 

Hoping some of your positive stories will give me some hope.

 

 

 

Amen to what you said, sadly it is all true, wish it wasn't  - 

 

These meds do help a lot of people, and many don't get hit badly with side effects or protracted WD -

 

But when things go wrong with these meds, it's a nightmare, and all of us here are working through it -

 

And so many more out there, clueless as to why they are suffering, being put back on the meds, riding the SSRI Merry-Go-Round -

 

This is the current state of modern psychiatry. 

 

In the 50's it was thalidomide babies and lobotomies. These days, it is us.

 

When will they stop rampantly "doing more harm" ???

 

Why are we stuck with finding diagnoses and solutions with strangers on the Internet?

[Rhiannon]

I know you don't want to put that poison in your body again, but we find that people with histories like yours do not do well with the kind of sudden fast taper and stopping at a relatively high dose that you have done. Since you are struggling at 10 days out, you are not likely to do well. 

 

We find that a very small reinstatement of just a few milligrams of the drug can "put a floor under" the nervous system's withdrawal freefall and give a person enough improvement that they can get through that withdrawal period.  The dose is so low it doesn't produce the poisonous effects that a higher dose gives, but these drugs are so powerful that even that low dose has enough effect that it can steady your brain and help you stabilize.

 

Please allow yourself to consider this possibility.  It's early enough days that you have the choice. I've met hundreds of people who wish they had known this was an option to avoid the hell they ended up going through, sometimes for years. Not to say that's what you're in for necessarily, but it's obvious you're not going to be one of the lucky folks who can come right off these drugs easily, and the sooner you do give yourself that bit of help, the better.

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

[Sujema]

I checked out the Calming and Acceptance video, and I believe this will help me to 'not get in my own way' of my healing through heightened anxiety, when the symptoms hit HARD.

Having read your posts, I know many of you share the despondency and fear for the future. Please take the time to look at this video.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Sujema,

 

In the Introductions forum it is one topic to a person, all of your comments, updates and questions can be posted here in your topic. I moved the above post here.

 

Please place a brief drug history in a signature that will attach itself to all of your posts. The instructions are in my signature which follows this post. That way, wherever you post on the site people will know a bit about where you are coming from in your journey.

[clearday]

After just over 1 year ago I started on 75mg, I began tapering 2 months ago. Starting with 37.5, to 18.7 then 9, and zero 10 days ago.

It may seem like a rapid taper, but I was guided by information I'd read.

Nevertheless it's done. I have no intention of revisiting that poison, after the Chronic Fatigue, stomach ulcer

 

IMO, you basically did a cold turkey. Going from 75 to zero in two months, your body still thinks it needs 75 mg to function, IMO.

 

I cold turkeyed twice because I didn't know any better. If I could do it over, I would have done a long, slow taper as recommended on this forum.

 

For example, once upon a time, I cold turkeyed off six years of Prozac. I was fine for four months and then suddenly my nervous system collapsed one night. And I was sick for years after that. I had abruptly removed the Prozac support pillars, and my body held strong for four months until it couldn't take it anymore, and the dam broke. That's just my experience.

 

So all I can say is, if you start to feel some bad things developing, you may want to reconsider the tapering advice from those on here with experience.

 

It's your journey. At least you know your options and what may happen. It took me eleven years to finally figure out what happened to me. At least you won't be in the dark.

[Sujema]

HELP!!Can anyone help?.....Staff?

 

1. I tapered over 2 months 75mg - 0 Effexor. Last capsule 2 weeks ago.

My capsules are tiny/minuscule beads. Not coping. Waves of fear, fatigue, helplessness.

2. Is it too late to reinstate?

3. How do you overcome the crippling fear of reinstating? It's like knowingly boarding a plane you know is going to crash. Sound drastic??? Believe me , the fear is genuine.

Your help would be very appreciated.

[Fresh]

Hi Sujema  ,    is it getting worse?   You sound scared.

 

It isn't too late to reinstate.   Read the section on Reinstating to stop withdrawal symptoms.

 

I think  (from memory)  that you might try 4 or 5 beads as a test dose.   If you have a bad reaction , it will come quickly and you'll feel different , more unpleasant things.

If it gives SOME symptom relief , then you're on the right track.     I'm not that familiar with all the ins and outs ,  but I'm sure one of the mods can advise.

 

Your fear of reinstating is very valid , and you're only considering it because of the other fears about what might happen if you DON'T do it.  Better for you (in my opinion) if you halt the withdrawal before it picks up more momentum.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Sujema.

 

Yes, you might open one of your capsules and take 5 beads as Fresh suggested. If this helps, you could stay on it for a month or more and then taper.

 

If you try this, please let us know how you do.

[Sujema]

Thank you for replies. When is the cutoff point where it too late to reinstate?

[Fresh]

There's no set cut-off point.    Advice here is based on technical information available and anecdotal evidence from thousands.

 

In "Symptoms and Self-Care" ,  read the thread on About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Stop W/D symptoms.

Alto writes:   Reinstatement is best done immediately upon appearance of WD symptoms.

                    The more time that passes , the less likely it is to work.  The length of this window of opportunity varies according to the individual.

                     Sometimes people can reinstate successfully months after quitting.  Others cannot.

[ang]

Try reinstating, give it a go......   I wish I had known, I gave up my Efexor, after a short taper, it was a disaster.    

Please let us know each day, how you are.  

 

Do you still have tablets left?

 

It seems to me, reading all the stories on this site, that it is a much lighter landing reinstating a half dose, or such, than CT (I would call yours CT)...  We all suffer ..... but make the suffering less, reduce slowly as recommended.

 

I found this site too late.  

[Sujema]

Thank you Ang- Fresh and Altostrata, for your replies. It helps to make informed decisions.

ANG,

Can you tell me your story of your rapid taper with Effexor, and the symptoms you experienced?

[Fresh]

Sujema , have you looked at ang's thread?   It may answer your questions before ang can respond.

[Sujema]

Sujema , have you looked at ang's thread? It may answer your questions before ang can respond.

[Sujema]

Thanks Fresh,

I am far from computer literate, books and paints are my thing,.....how do I find a members 'thread' on this site?

[Fresh]

Go to "Introductions" , and put the screen name into the box at the top SEARCH.   You'll find all posts and/or topics.

[mammaP]

Hi Sujema, I am sorry that you are still suffering but sadly that is common after cold turkey or tapering effexor too fast. I quit too soon after what I thought was a slow taper, suffered withdrawal but reinstated at 5 beads and it made a big difference. It is not too late for you and I hope it helps you too. 

It is important to start low, if 5 beads does not help then it can be increased bead by bead until you are comfortable. Give it a week after reinstating to see if it is going to help before considering another increase. Let us know how you get on. 

[KarenB]

Hello Sujema,

Just wanted to add my support for you.  I am reading your thread closely as I hope to soon start tapering from Venlafaxine.  I am really feeling for you, and wishing that you will discover some previously hidden reserves of strength and hope.  I try to tell myself that even when I'm overwhelmed with fear and sadness and everything else, that still inside me is goodness and strength and hope.  They are harder to see during hard times, but they are still there - they never leave us. 

 

I believe they are there for you too.

 

Sending you also warmth and love and gentleness,

Karen 

[Sujema]

Hi Karen, thank you for your support. Still holding off reinstating, to ease these debilitating WD symptoms. Trying to be patient, in the knowledge that the symptoms ebb....and flow. Learning so much from those amazing people who have paved the way, citing their own experience, and others who have researched and shared their knowledge. Trying to make an informed decision, rather than making life changing decisions, in the midst of overwhelming fear. As I did when I trusted well meaning, but ignorant Medicos.

Day to day,.,, trusting my instinct to heal myself. I have to believe..."this too, shall pass".

[Fresh]

Windows and Waves , Sujema.   It comes and it goes.

[Sujema]

Hello all,

Prior to the commencement of Effexor, I was experiencing severe depression, (MDD) with suicide ideation, fatigue,etc.

Since I am 3 weeks off the SNRI after a 2 month taper, and experiencing the same PRE med symptoms, how can I be sure that I am not just experiencing a 'Relapse' of MDD??

 

NB: Whilst ON regular 37.5 mg Effexor although the suicidal thoughts diminished, I did not have complete cessation of depressive symptoms, (less frequent, often every other day, with chronic fatigue, highly elevated cholesterol and GI inflammation, hence the move to discontinue.)

[Fresh]

Hi sujema ,

 

Before you were started on Effexor , you were taking Lexapro (during 2013).   I'm curious to know how long you took it for , and when you stopped.

 

Knowing what you know now , is it possible that before you were started on Effexor , you were experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping Lexapro?

 

Best ,     Fresh

[mammaP]

Your story is very much like my own with effexor. I too was suffering what they called MDD, an unremitting depressive episode of bi-polar. I started effexor but took it for 5 years at 75mg before I cut to 37.5 because of the side effects.  Fast forward another 5 years and I was really ill, housebound and bedridden at times. No energy, absolute and utter fatigue that meant I couldn't even take a shower without collapsing into bed after.  I had gallstones after the years on it, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Pain in all my joints, I have arthritis too but this was even worse. Muscle pain and weakness, it hurt even to touch my skin on my arms Scratching an itch was so painful it felt like I was using a knife to scratch it with. My memory had gone and I couldn't remember basic things, constantly looking for my glasses when I had them on, looking for the phone while I was texting or even during a call I would look for the phone! 

I couldn't remember my own grandchildrens' names and got my kids names mixed up all the time. A lot of people said they were just the same but they were not, this was unrelenting. I had to give up driving because one day I was driving and suddenly didn't know how to stop the car. Thankfully it wasn't an emergency, just needed to stop but couldn't remember what to do!  I could go on and on, the doctors thought I might be suffering early onset alzheimers 

but scans showed clear and I was told it was my depression over and over again.  I had reacted to every drug they had given me and said they couldn't increase the effexor because of the side effects I had earlier. ( mania, headaches etc. ) 

 

Then one day I put my drugs into drugs.com and discovered the side effects, all of which I had in spades. I decided then and there that I was getting off them.  Over the years I had tried  cold turkey, that didn't last more than a few days because the brain zaps were EXCRUCIATING! Then I asked the doctor who gave me a taper plan.........far far too fast as they all are, I had withdrawal and felt very depressed again so went back. They said I needed it for life.

 

 Then after I saw the info on drugs.com I  did some research and started to taper more slowly, I thought I was going very slow but it was still too fast and I had withdrawal after  a few weeks of thinking I was fine. I was depressed and thought that maybe I DID need them for life like the doctors said and was suicidal because I couldn't live with them and it seemed couldn't live without them either.  I couldn't go back to either state, bed ridden ( and depressed )on or depressed off and severely agitated off.  Ironically the side effects lessened as my taper progressed and I felt much better, until withdrawal! 

 

I found this site and they helped me to see that reinstating just a few  beads was an option.  The first dose was too high and I had some effects from it but I dropped a bead and settled on 4 beads. It took a few months to stabilise enough to restart tapering but I was functional and much better than when I was on 37.5.  I also realised later that my 'MDD' which led to effexor was withdrawal from another drug I had taken previously. 

 

I know you never want to take that poison again, and believe me every time I pop that little bead in my mouth I am angry at the doctors and hate taking it but I will continue until my nervous system has recovered enough to let it go. Having faith is good, I have a very strong faith but that doesn't stop the physiological withdrawal symptoms of a destabilised nervous system. I am glad that I reinstated because I am now doing so much better yet some people who have been suffering from protracted withdrawal for the same amount of time are still in that nightmare. 

[Sujema]

Hi sujema ,

 

Before you were started on Effexor , you were taking Lexapro (during 2013). I'm curious to know how long you took it for , and when you stopped.

 

Knowing what you know now , is it possible that before you were started on Effexor , you were experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping Lexapro?

 

Best , Fresh

[Sujema]

Hi Fresh ,

Yes you are right, I was on Lexapro for. 3 months prior to Effexor. Diagnosed With MDD before the Lexapro, experiencing the symptoms I mentioned.

 

Apart from the horrendous physical side affects on Effexor , as I said. , the depression did occur but to a lesser degree. Since I've come off it, the depression and anxiety have returned with a vengeance , and I guess , the million dollar question is, is this a relapse of my original condition??

I very much appreciate your input .

[Sujema]

Your story is very much like my own with effexor. I too was suffering what they called MDD, an unremitting depressive episode of bi-polar. I started effexor but took it for 5 years at 75mg before I cut to 37.5 because of the side effects. Fast forward another 5 years and I was really ill, housebound and bedridden at times. No energy, absolute and utter fatigue that meant I couldn't even take a shower without collapsing into bed after. I had gallstones after the years on it, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Pain in all my joints, I have arthritis too but this was even worse. Muscle pain and weakness, it hurt even to touch my skin on my arms Scratching an itch was so painful it felt like I was using a knife to scratch it with. My memory had gone and I couldn't remember basic things, constantly looking for my glasses when I had them on, looking for the phone while I was texting or even during a call I would look for the phone!

I couldn't remember my own grandchildrens' names and got my kids names mixed up all the time. A lot of people said they were just the same but they were not, this was unrelenting. I had to give up driving because one day I was driving and suddenly didn't know how to stop the car. Thankfully it wasn't an emergency, just needed to stop but couldn't remember what to do! I could go on and on, the doctors thought I might be suffering early onset alzheimers

but scans showed clear and I was told it was my depression over and over again. I had reacted to every drug they had given me and said they couldn't increase the effexor because of the side effects I had earlier. ( mania, headaches etc. )

 

Then one day I put my drugs into drugs.com and discovered the side effects, all of which I had in spades. I decided then and there that I was getting off them. Over the years I had tried cold turkey, that didn't last more than a few days because the brain zaps were EXCRUCIATING! Then I asked the doctor who gave me a taper plan.........far far too fast as they all are, I had withdrawal and felt very depressed again so went back. They said I needed it for life.

 

Then after I saw the info on drugs.com I did some research and started to taper more slowly, I thought I was going very slow but it was still too fast and I had withdrawal after a few weeks of thinking I was fine. I was depressed and thought that maybe I DID need them for life like the doctors said and was suicidal because I couldn't live with them and it seemed couldn't live without them either. I couldn't go back to either state, bed ridden ( and depressed )on or depressed off and severely agitated off. Ironically the side effects lessened as my taper progressed and I felt much better, until withdrawal!

 

I found this site and they helped me to see that reinstating just a few beads was an option. The first dose was too high and I had some effects from it but I dropped a bead and settled on 4 beads. It took a few months to stabilise enough to restart tapering but I was functional and much better than when I was on 37.5. I also realised later that my 'MDD' which led to effexor was withdrawal from another drug I had taken previously.

 

I know you never want to take that poison again, and believe me every time I pop that little bead in my mouth I am angry at the doctors and hate taking it but I will continue until my nervous system has recovered enough to let it go. Having faith is good, I have a very strong faith but that doesn't stop the physiological withdrawal symptoms of a destabilised nervous system. I am glad that I reinstated because I am now doing so much better yet some people who have been suffering from protracted withdrawal for the same amount of time are still in that nightmare.

[Sujema]

Mamma P,

I empathise with your story, it was an awful time for you. Exactly like mine, but 'on steroids ' !!

Do you still experience depression and anxiety at this tapering dose ?

And have you had some relief from physical and memory symptoms?