Advice on Effexor Withdrawl

[KMUZIK]

I've been on Effexor for 18 months and was on 150mg, I dropped to 75mg around 5 months ago and have felt very bad since. Ongoing sinus problems, Blocked nose, headaches etc. 8 Weeks ago I dropped to 37.5mg a day, then after 4 weeks started breaking the pills in half. As I have Fybromyalgia I was advised to switch to Duloxetine as it would help the pain from Fybromyalgia as well as having Anti Anxiety / Depression benefits. To cut to the chase when a finally stopped taking Effexor 5 days ago I have had Diarrhea every day from when I have woke up, then off and one for around 8 hours. It would taper off in the afternoons and at night I would be ok apart from a few gripes. Along with that I have what feels like sinus headaches, random sharp pains in my limbs and generally feel like I have been run over by a bus.

I have been to see the doctor twice in the last week and rang twice and they seem to be avoiding any concept of withdrawal. Can anyone one give me some help on the following;-

1- 5 days of Diarrhea, is this part of the withdrawal? has anyone else been through this and how long did it last
2- Many people mention vitamins and supplements that have helped. What vitamins and supplements would you advise

Your help would be much appreciated

K    

[jungle131]

If you are having withdrawal effects on Effexor is normal. Pristiq will help you for at least 2 years without night sweats, plotting suicide ways of doing it. Effexor is crap. But fact you are getting off it means that it would be against advice, which say's you are in denial because of the way people treat us on these meds. My useby date at 50 is over because I also now have been diagnosed with ADHD. That would explain my super robot mechanic output fueled and swimming in alcohol while working. Thats alcoholic to community, to a Psychiatrist I have been self medicating. Work that one out. I could of been a mental millionaire if it was picked up earlier in life. I'm off the grog but now they give me speed plus upped pristiq to 150mg. Now it aint working anymore because I take 50mg dexamphetamine (not prescribed 10mg) and four cans of bourbon and coke just to relax when stressed. It works fine for now but I dont want to inherit two habits being drugs and alcohol. Thats doing my head in with arguments with agencies and family whom seem on attack mode. I worry now because of my tolerance to substances. I feel totally imune to all my medication now. I want to take it all and see what happens. Pristiq or even effexor wont kill you providing you get to hospital and take activated charcoal, but dexamphetamine rush, I may wake up dead. I am sick of my depression ****, so I have no fear. That makes me borderline in mental health here. I will be in and out like a rocket because I dont meet their criteria, even thougfh I will do 220kmh in a car not caring what tree I could bounce off. You would not believe where I take my 4x4. They call me Jungle for that reason. If you asked if someone knows Jungle, they will say theres only one jungle and he is crazy

[jungle131]

Try Pristiq

[remar]

I found this med to be one of the hardest for me to come off of. The withdrawal will go away. We're all so different so I can not give you a time when it will. It's sad that some Drs will not tell you about possible withdrawal when they first prescribe it for you. Try to hang in there. It will get better.

[KMUZIK]

Thanks for those words of wisdom, I hope it doesn't take as long as 3 months, good luck with your journey.

[groknz]

I am also coming off Effexor (see my question on this too). I have been suffering withdrawal symptoms but they do seem to abated quite a lot since I started taking 150mg 5-HTP, 1500mg of high potency fish oil and a vitamin supplement labelled men's multi. I am hoping the improvement will last but at this stage I am just trying to keep my resolve to get off and stay off after more than 10 years dependency and several failed attempts in the past. I haven't actually told my doctor this time. I am looking forward to being able to tell her next time that I have quit. My previous attempts have ended with a recommendation to increase the dose.

Good luck. Hang on in there and hopefully things will improve. It seems to vary from person to person but 1 to 3 months seems typical before the symptoms are gone.

[KMUZIK]

Ok thanks, I was just a bit confused by all the various bits of advice on supplements etc but I spent a bit of time last night and and narrowed it down to;-

Vitamin E
Omega 3 oil (Super strength)
Vitamin C

So i've ordered some, I'm feeling marginally better today so thats a start a suppose

Cheers

K

[4Maddie44]

You will find masses of information on this subject.  Just put in Effexor withdrawal and see all the comments.