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.

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!  What exactly is your method?

If you're just abruptly stopping without tapering, you'll likely be in for one heck of a ride, as Effexor is one of the more difficult meds to come off.  

I'm glad to hear that you're consulting with your doctor, but if she gave you the red light to just stop abruptly, I would question her level of knowledge about this topic.  Is she your PCP, or is she a psychiatrist?

Looking forward to hearing more about how you're approaching this.

[Epherdream]

1st week i used 5mg of Valium twice a day ..That helped with the panic attacks.Don't think anything can help with the head zaps at all they are just constant. 2nd weeks body sweats,easing of panic attacks. Finding it hard to eat so DR suggested sustegen till i can eat solids again..Head zaps still the same...day 10-12 i have done nothing but sleep and eating a little bit of solid food.See Dr on Wednesday to show her how i am coping...

[Epherdream]

and yes it has been one heck off a ride

[Paxiled]

So I just have to ask, why are you taking this ride?  Why not taper off as slowly as you need to, as is recommended?  Hope this works out.

[Epherdream]

Every other attempt has failed...every other drug i have been addicted too i have cold turkey also. I consulte my Dr once a week in person. I am also documenting my progress,moods ect.. My head zaps are still there but manageable..Day 14 now..Keep u posted and ty for question

[Epherdream]

Doing it tough but have been preparing for this ride for awhile.. I have an understanding wife who iis on medication herself. We have both managed to raise 7 children who are all thriving in life considering our circumstances.
We are living apart temporary but our friendship on love never wane.. As hard it maybe

[Epherdream]

i am on day 18 cold turkey no effexor..problem i am having is trying to eat solids now..Head zaps havent gone yet but i have noticed between 3pm to 8pm they seem to happen. slight anxiety attacks also
Feeling better as each day goes.My doctor is a ton of support and has monitored my progress also...Yes i can see some Sunshine!!!

[Epherdream]

i am on day 20 now.the journey continues

[ChitChatNine]

.

[Paxiled]

Try a healthy dose of fish oil every day for the brain zaps.  Seems to help on every withdrawal site I've been on.

[Epherdream]

Will try that thanx...day 23 now..I find  between 3pm- 8pm is the worst time for them..

[Epherdream]

day 25...Not been a good one head zaps are chronic and 2 anxiety attacks..eating better though..

[Epherdream]

Got 6 weeks till i see the psychiatrist...The variations of side effects is incredible...

[Epherdream]

day 27..coping good today so far..have insomnia now..Talk about a ride!!!
One good thing to come out of today was Psych can see me in 3 weeks now.
Head zaps are the part of  this journey which i find,hard because they dont seem to dissipate

[Epherdream]

day 30.. head zaps bearable but anxiety attacks severe.. Valium helps..
Eating 2 solid meals a day Just a link i thought i'd share
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_discontinuation_syndrome

[remar]

Coming off of Effexor can be a very hard ride for most people. The brain zaps, nausea and loss of apatite are the worst. I tapered, with the help of my Dr, and it was 2 months before I completely got over the brain zaps and nausea. Hang in there because it does get better. I'm really glad to hear you're able to eat solid foods now.  

[Epherdream]

Thankyou so kindly for taking the time to reply..I will hang in there i have only just started experiencing the nausea..Day31

[Epherdream]

i tried the slow tapering first before i decided to go cold turkey..Took a few balls out each day till i got to about 20% but was not prepared for the vicious side effects.so ended back on full dose (75mg) Been on that for 8 years solid  before my decision. I have the support of my Dr. she is monitoring my progress every week. GPs can only do so much and most times have to rely on the web for diagnosis..Valium works for the panic attacks..Nothing works for the brain zaps  but they are bearable.Insomnia again..

[nursegirl6572]

I'm glad you seem to be improving a little bit at a time.  Just remember that patience is a virtue when dealing with something like this....it takes to begin with, but when you go cold turkey, it takes even longer for your body to readjust, it's quite an insult to the system.

Keep posting updates, hang in there!

[Epherdream]

Thanks for your post.. Yes every day seems a little better but the variations of side effects is extraordinary to say the least..Yes it is a huge insult to my body but like you said,patience is a virtue. I am prepared  to go all the way with this regardless of how long it takes.Once again thanks  for your post, it really helps hearing from others.

[4Maddie44]

I withdrew very slowly from 150mg Effexor daily, and have had no withdrawal symptoms at all.  I did this with my doctor's support as it was her who suggested it.  Had been on Effexor for 5 years, and anti depressants for over 20 years.  I
  I stopped cold turkey from Effexor once after 4 years, and 2 weeks were bad, but after that OK for a year, but depression came back.  This time I wanted to do it slowly with no withdrawal side effects.

Good luck with your withdrawal.  You seem very determined.  

[Epherdream]

Thanx for your reply...Im amazed you had no withdrawal symptoms..Yes i am very determined..Great hearing from others who have been on the same ride. I found when a tapered slowly last time i fell into a depressive state.
Yes i have intense side effects this time around cold turkey but have progressed further than tapering slow..33 days today it will be.
Thanks again for your comments

[Epherdream]

Day36.. Sleeping patterns varying..Nausea seems to be getting worse but managing to eat 2 solid meals a day..

[4Maddie44]

I truly, honestly had no withdrawal symptoms whatsever.  That is because I took months and months to come off really slowly.  I reduced by very small amounts.  No zaps, nausea, nothing.  I was pleased with myself, as towards the end I was on  my own as doctor could only take me so far with the withdrawals.  Six months and no depression, just some anxiety.  

I do hope you are coping OK now.  Good you are doing so well, and if it suits you better to gold turkey then taper slowly, that is what is best for you.  shame we have to find out the hard way which way is easiest for us personally.  I admire your strength, and am with you all the way.

Keep us updated on your progress.