cold turkey

[Epherdream]

I am on my 5th day cold turkey getting off effexor 75mg after 8 years...Before did this i consulted my dr and told her the method which i was choosing to get off..she was in full support been on them 10 years.Some of the stories on here are so similar..And hope too.

[Epherdream]

Ive stopped counting days..i feel alive!!!

[Epherdream]

Shame about the weather there..You are far from cold and miserable...You made make smile and fill me full of positive thoughts throughout my journey..Bloody cold always gets my arthritis..I have broken 28 bones in my body and know the feeling only too well.Chin Up!Warm climate helps..I live North Australia so warm in winter.

[4Maddie44]

My arthritis is very painful at the moment.  Back seized up.  I hope my depression does not return as this is really dragging me down.  Hope all is OK with your family.

Pouring with rain here on Easter Sunday.  Cold and miserable, just like me.  See it is nice and warm where you live as our news full of the Royals visit.  I have never see them myself.

Take care.

[Epherdream]

Thanks Maddie..Glad u have been there for advice and share thiis ride..Enjoy a beautiful easter with your Family..as with everyone else who  have offered advice to me. It has been greatly appreciated and never forgotten.
Day 80

[4Maddie44]

Hi there, I am so pleased for you.  Well done - feel proud of yourself.  You stuck it out, and now you are feeling the benefits of stopping the medication.  I am Effexor free too, and after over 20 years on different anti depressants, I am pleased with myself.

Although I had no side effects from the Effexor, I am glad I am trying life without it.  

My appetite has diminished a lot since I stopped the Effexor, which is a good thing in my case, as I am now losing the weight I put on whilst taking it.  

You have seized life again.  So happy for you.

[Epherdream]

Day 75..Wow is all i can say..I feel alive again.Head zaps have ceased and nausea gone. No depression what so ever.I feel in control and so happy that the ride has had the results i prepared for..Early days still but life is fantastic
.Effexor free after 8 years.and can hardly notice any anxiety.If i do,this ride has given me the skills to cope with anything that comes my way.My diet has picked up but still only 2 solid meals a day.the good is outweighing the bad.
Thanx for sharing my journey and positive thoughts and comments.
I will continue to share my progress.

[4Maddie44]

So pleased you are doing so well with no depression.  Thinking of you.

[Epherdream]

Day 63..Head zaps tapering very well..One observation after this long is my heart rate has dropped from 80s Bpm to a relaxed 60sbpm. Thats also not on Valium. The nausea is the one im finding hard. Keeping my diet up,portions of food a lower though.No depression whatsoever..Little spring in my step as the sunshine draws near.

[Epherdream]

Wedding pic is me and my beautiful bride..Grandaughter Leilani Elle-Louise born 6lb 6..Drove 500 kilometers to share my sons moment..A life changer for many.
On day 60 now and the good days are now outweighing the bad ones
Thanx Maddie

[4Maddie44]

Hi, well congratulations.  Whose wedding is the photo of?  Tell me more about the new arrival.

[Epherdream]

Grandfather at 45....Yess

[4Maddie44]

The end is in sight.  So glad you have no depression.  I still get anxiety now and then even though stopped medication last September.  

Yes you have certainly been on a rollercoaster ride.  Well done you.  

My thoughts are with you.  Take care.

[Epherdream]

Day 56...Yes finally seeing some sunshine..head zaps are less dramatic,still have nausea.My sleeping patterns are now 5-6 hours a night  on avaerage..Best in a long time. still emotional but no depression whatsoever...There is a BIG difference as most of you would know.Still losing weight though.I have 2 solid meals a day still,due to nausea, i have had to lessen my portions of food..Anxiety levels slowly tapering but still lingering, i expected that. It has been one mighty ride which i continue..keep safe peoples..

[4Maddie44]

Aw I .loved being called  a champion.  Thanks.

[Epherdream]

You my dear lady are a champion..More motivation for me thanx Maddie

[4Maddie44]

Well I started on the old type anti depressants beginning of 1992.  Been on lots of different ones ever since.  Stopped a couple of times, but depression returned.  Also had ones that gave me bad side effects.  Been a rollercoaster for all those years.

I was on Effexor 4 years when I stopped cold turkey, but depression returned after one year.  Last time I was on it 5 years before I quit.  I am doing really well after 6 months.  

I am a 73 year old grandma, so feel pleased that at my age, and having been on anti depressants for so long, I am doing well -   fingers crossed!!

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.  

[Epherdream]

Thanks for your kind words and support..Im doing this alone so to hear well wishes is so refreshing

[Epherdream]

Researching this SNRI Discontinuation syndrome
Most cases of discontinuation syndrome last between one and four weeks but a substantial minority, perhaps up to 15% of users, have persistent withdrawal symptoms evident months after withdrawal.
So after 8 years solid my  norepinephrine. receptors are unblocked ..Probably why its taking so long to adjust back to some normal pattern of living..

[4Maddie44]

My goodness you are going through the mill.  Your withdrawals are so bad after so long.  You really do have strength and patience to put up with it all.  Constant head zaps sounds awful but my goodness you do seem to be coping with them.  48 days - I cannot believe it is taking so long.

When I stopped cold turkey once my withdrawals lasted two weeks.  This time as I did a really slow withdrawal I have had no withdrawal symptoms at all.  You are amazing that you can stop cold turkey and put up with all these things for so long.  

I so admire you.

[Epherdream]

Sounds very similar to Phenergan..Nothing is working at the moment for my sleep patterns.. Trying 2000mg of Valerian tablets for the past 3 days to try and help sleep.Not doing much at all

[Epherdream]

day 48.. Insomnia again..still eating 2 solid meals but the portions are smaller due to nausea..Loosing weight but not too dramatic.2 anxiety attacks in last 2 days, but  now i am aware of when i will get one.Before they were so unpredictable.
Head Zaps are constant but so used to them now.Patience..I have that to drive me through this next phase.. A little emotional at times but no depression whatsoever.
Each day presents new challenges in everyday activities.

[Cassangel69]

I take hydroxyzine (Vistaril) 50mg before I go to bed these days and it helps me sleep well.  It is an antihistamine and not a narcotic. Here is some information on it =)

Hydroxyzine reduces activity in the central nervous system. It also acts as an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing and runny nose, or hives on the skin.

Hydroxyzine is used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. It is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia. Hydroxyzine may also be used to control nausea and vomiting.

Hydroxyzine is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know it has saved me when I was having severe panic attacks 2 years ago and is helping me now with my withdrawals from getting off gabapentin.  Many hugs!   I hope you feel better and better every day =)

[Epherdream]

my sleeping patterns are stil all over the place..averaging 3-4 hours a nite per week.Still eating two solid meals a day. No anxiety attacks for  few days now, been great.Starting to lose my balance again,usually  between the afternoon and evening. Not much change with the headzaps. Early days still, but i am not going in a backwards spiral of instabilities and depressive mind sets.

[Epherdream]

thanx heaps..it is not a pleasant journey,and your not alone.. Mental stability is a great goal