Weaning off Effexor-XR and Risperdal

[pattyannpooh]

Hi, all I have been on Effexor-XR 150 mg since the birth of my son in November of 2002 and then they put me on Risperdal 1 milligram in February of 2006 and now as of March 7, 2008 I am weaning off both.  My doctor has me taking 75 mg of Effexor for 1 week and then 37.5 mg of Effexor for 1 week and then stop.  She has me weaning off the Risperdal by taking 0.5 mg for a week then 0.5 mg every other day for a week.  I have had horrible weight gain with both of these medications.  I also have had chronic nausea and frequent vomiting since my gastric bypass in January of 2005 but the nausea is even worse than it was and I know this is from the Effexor-XR being lowered.  

I am just wondering how long this horrible nausea will last (different than the nausea) I usually experience.  I am also suffering from horrible headaches.  If anyone out there can tell me what they did for the severe nausea and debilitating headaches please tell me, (I am desperate and I will try anything) except I am not going back on my full dose of Effexor and I am getting off of this EVIL ADDICTING DRUG!!!!

Please share any and all suggestions please!

[songwriterdelta]

Go a websight vcalled The Road Back and read about how they handle withdrawlas from anti-depressants, etc. It helped me greatly with what Geodon had done to me when I came off too quickly--I had acute anxiety/chronic agiation from the geodon for a year. that program- uses capsules that stop anxiety and withdrawal  side effects.

[justme231]

Decided to go back a few pages and make sure I wasn't missing anything directed at me.  Sorry it took so long to reply.  I can now say with 100% certainty that it was the Effexor withdrawal.  My first symptoms started when I started to wean off of it in January.  Didn't know it then, but I sure do now.  It got really bad on March 15 (which happened to be my birthday - not the best gift) but almost 2 weeks later I am almost back to my old self.  I still have moments of  -mood swings, brain zaps, and even dizziness- but they have diminished greatly and I am staying optimistic about all this.  What really helped me through this was acupuncture.  
Thank you for thinking to ask this question, though.  I appreciate your time and concern.

[Hensley258]

((justme231)) Are you 100% sure that all of this is from the withdrawl?

I know that when I weaned off Effexor I obviously suffered from major withdrawl symptoms, but I also noticed a return of my depressive symptoms. This included Crying spells, lack of concentration, hopelessness, feelings of unexplained fear, lathargy, fatuge, exaustion, anxiety and all kinds of depressive symptoms.

At first I was chalking these symptoms up to the Effexor withdrawl, but they kept getting worse the longer I was off my medication. Eventually I couldn't even get out of bed and I had to get back on AD medication and face the fact that without antidepressants I couldn't function. It reminded me of why I was on the Effexor in the first place.

[justme231]

Thank you for your advice.  I will try it.  I don't remember feeling this bad from anything I have weaned off in the past.  It is only day 2 since being completely off of it, but I have been in the weaning process for about a month.  The symptoms have been slowly getting worse, not better.  I am willing to try anything except another drug.  It is nice to know that it won't last forever.  I just don't feel like going on some days.  I cry all the time.  I think that is the worst of it.  I hate crying!!!
Again, thank you.

[Hensley258]

It takes time. I would say the first 4 weeks after discontinuation are the worst.

After the second month med free, you should be feeling a bit better.

I used to take 300Mgs a day for 4 years and I was able to get off it. I'm sure you can do it too. It's just a slow adjustment. Just keep in mind that often Depression can return. Sometimes worse than before and with no AD medication the symptoms of this depression can be a lot stronger than the first episode.

I have experienced withdrawl from every AD medication that I have ever taken, this includes Zoloft, Serzone, and Cymbalta just to name a few. I agree, it is a very nasty feeling. I get very light headed and experience Vertigo really bad during withdrawl. Headaches and nausa are also very common.

Trust me it gets better, but it takes anywhere from 1 to 3 months before improvement is realized.

I do have a trick that helps with the withdrawl (at least for me) I shutter to say it because it will sound like I am advocating the use of another drug, (which I'm not)

During med changes I usually have to wash out of one AD medication before I can start another. I have found that just a little Xanax really helps a lot with the withdrawl symptoms. I only take Xanax during a wash out period to help with the withdrawl symptoms. The Xanax is easy to stop (at least for me) once the withdrawl ends a couple months later.
Yes, Xanax can be habbit forming, but that's why you only take no more than 0.25Mgs twice daily during the withdrawl phase. Taken in low doses Xanax isn't a problem to stop because it doesn't produce the same nasty withdrawl that Effexor does.

IMPORTANT! again I am NOT advocating the use of taking one drug to fix another, rather just a temporary usage until the sickness is gone. This works for me and may NOT work for everyone. I'm just offering you my personal story about how I have gotten thru the med withdrawls.

If you do decide to temporaraly utilize Xanax to help with withdrawls then it is VERY important that you stop the Xanax after the Effexor withdrawl is passed. Usually about 2 or 3 months. Xanax is a very safe drug, but not one that you want to be taking over the long term. Reason being is that most people tend to build up resistance to Benzos like Xanax relitivly fast. Thus if you take it too long then more and more is required with each passing month just to get the same effect. You see where this can lead if your not careful?

Another thing that helps.... A quiet, long and super hot bubble bath with scented candles. I know that sounds silly comming from a guy with a wife and kids, but I am not ashamed to say that it really does help. At least for an hour or so anyway.

One more trick I have learned.... During withdrawl I drink a ton of water, everyday, all day long. I hate drinking so much water, but I have found that it does help the body get over the withdrawl a little faster. Also I will force myself to do a cardio workout at least 3 times a week. You will feel like **** doing it because your head will feel swimmy and swishy, but I swear the cardio exersise shortens the withdrawl period too.

Thats pretty much my time tested AD med withdrawl plan. It works for me. Who knows, it may work for you too. It took me about 14 years of trial and error to figure all that out, but it really does work.

I think it's safe to say that the "Withdrawl" question is posted on this forum at least 10 times a day. The admins of this forum really should post a permanent sticky about this question. Not really sure why they haven't done that yet.

Hope you feel better soon.