Effexor Withdrawal - no physical SE's Just mental

[butterfly430]

I have weaned off Effexor XR very slowly per my psychiatrist. I finally got to a point where there was nothing left to take, so I stopped 2 days ago. So far, I don't seem to be having any of the physical symptoms like brain zaps, dizziness, etc. But I am horribly depressed, crying all the time, feeling hopeless, lashing out at people (at work, which is bad), and having insomnia. My doctor started me on Lamictal while I was going off the Effexor, so it's not as if nothing is in my system. My question is, are these emotional symptoms normal for Effexor withdrawal, even if I weaned down slowly? How long can I expect them for? I'm feeling very desperate. Thank you.

[Paxiled]

Two things you can try for the sleep problem -- melatonin and Calm's Forte.  You can find them in a good health food store.  Good luck.

[butterfly430]

Thank you both. It's good to know it's not all in my head (well, it is, but you know what I mean). I don't want to go back on Effexor after that hellish experience, but I was wondering if I needed a little bit of an SSRI or something. It's like a chemistry experiment. Anyway, I see my p-doc on Thursday, so I'll see what he says.

The bad sleep is really a problem, but I'm going to try to stay positive that everything will get straightened out.

[Paxiled]

Will just comment here -- my opinion -- these withdrawals are caused by the changes in the brain made by the medication; when you stop taking it, the brain has to try and adjust back to working normally.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with suppressed this or that.  If it did, it wouldn't happen so quickly and coincidentally with stopping a medication without any other intervening emotional stress.  Dr. Gould has a very conventional interpretation of this; for a more incisive interpretation, there's a good book called The Anti-Depressant Solution by Joseph Glanville.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You have received the right advice from Paxiled....these are common and won't last more than a few days unless there is something that has been bothering you and has been suppressed by the medication...if so, you are better off facing and resolving that issue if you can....you can get some help immediately on that at www.myvirtualshrink.com

[Paxiled]

Yes, these are common withdrawal symptoms.  You have two choices -- tough it out, or go back on the med at the last dose at which you felt fine and taper more slowly.  We all have our own speed, and even then many of us will still suffer bad withdrawal no matter how slow we go.  You might try taking some St. John's Wort for awhile --some have reported it helps with this.  Make sure, though, it isn't contraindicated with the other meds you're taking first.