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Effexor Withdrawal
Somebody please help me! I am 23 years old, and have been on antidepressants for about 5 years to treat chronic migraine headaches. I started on Paxil,then went to Lexapro b/c Paxil wasn't working, but I gained about 35 lbs. on it so my Doc put me on Effexor. Now my headaches are finally under control and I am tired of being on drugs! But I cannot go more than a few hours without it! I was taking 75 mg., and I took 37.5 mg for almost two weeks. During those two weeks, I was unmotivated, sad all the time, I could not sleep,dizzy,nauseous,and I was EXTREMELEY angry when I wasn't crying like a baby(sometimes I was both!). I tried to not take it at all today( my doctor suggested cutting the dose in half for 1 week and then going to every other day for 1 week) but I got the brain zaps and actually had thoughts about killing myself(although I love my life and am certainly NOT suicidal) and it had only been a few hours past when I was supposed to take it. After reading others' feelings on Effexor withdrawal, I am relieved to know that I am not alone-but I still gave in and took a pill. Of course now I feel a little better. I am starting a new job in a week, and getting married in October. I have also suffered from severe Psoriasis since I was 14(I think that is probably what caused me to need antidepressants in the first place). I am trying really hard to transform my life- I want to lose weight before my wedding( I need to lose a good 60 lbs that I have gained over the years that I have been on antidepressants) and I want to get my Psoriasis under control(which is stress related) so I can wear shorts this summer and look beautiful on my special day. I want to know others' opinions- if this awful feeling isn't going to get better then I don't think I can do it while starting a new job and trying to plan my wedding, lose weight and get my Psoriasis under control. Another problem is my fiancee- he is wonderful when it comes to my physical appearance-my flaky skin and fat rolls don't bother him- but he doesn't understand that I am not depressed, that my mood swings and recent headaches are beyond my control. He thinks I should just be able to ignore the brain zaps and crazy feelings-but I can't! I think it is probably in my best interest to go back on the Effexor and get back to my life right now- and I'll try again to get off it once my wedding is over. But I am afraid that I will never be able to get off this awful stuff and I won't be able to function and live my life without it! Someone please tell me how to get through this!
thank you david and micheal!! the thing that bothers me the most about my dreams are things like,ill wake up made at my husband or kids,(4,6,9 & 14)thinking they have done something that i must have dreamed about ,or the same as michael said about people being togather i havent seen in 15 years .i have acualy went threw my childs funeral arangments ,visitation,and funeral to wake up scared to death .i hate to go to sleep but im sooooooo tierd.i have dreamed the crazest stuff, and then haft to wake up in the morning to wonder what was true or not.im not sure ,i have to ask my husband alote of things .he thinks im going crazy and realy wants me off the pills now.ijust found out a family member was put on this nasty stuff they have been on it for a week ,im trying to talk them out of it.to top it all off i still have 37.5 mg to drop this saterday.its hard going threw the withdrawals with my job .i own my own buesness and alote of people and families need me to be open. i wish everyone the best of luck that is goig threw this painfull hell!!!!!
hi Sallie 1 and The david, nice to meet you both, I have just read both your comments for the day and first of all sallie, don't worry about the dreams sweetie, that is all they are; DREAMS, fictious memories that are all thrown together in a big pot and stirred around. I woke the other night because I was screaming in my dreams, did i actually scream?? i don't know, should i worry about it?? NO WAY. Look up dream in the dictionary; here is what it says: mental activity, an IMAGINED series of events, occuring during sleep. I had people appear in my dreams that I haven't seen for 35 years, together with people from now, all together a funny mix that would never happen in real life; would be hilarious if it did :-)
For the David, I know how you feel in particular about the xanax as I have done the same the last couple of days, but why?? Are we scared to stand on our own two legs, aren't we pretending we are ok by just popping another pill, i think we are.
Don't forget that xanax is extremely addictive in a very short period of time; what's better, spaced out due to a lack of effexor or a xanax junkie??
I totally agree that we are all healthy human beings and that the body eventually will correct itself from depression, that is a proven fact.
I agree with your theory on doctors, yes, i like mine as well as a person, but not as a professional; very true they get paid huge sums (and I do contribute)for pushing deadly drugs.
As far as the tiredness goes, yes, same here, by a certain time in the afternoon i would like to just lay down for an hour or so, but in order to push through and get back into a normal rhythm of life where i can work again i go and do something i enjoy or even treat myself to something nice as a reward for making it this far. Put this in practise for the sore and stiff muscles once a week, treat yourself to a massage, it makes you feel great, fills in the time when you feel less energetic and it lasts for days.
Remember, Rome wasn't build in a day so we aren't out of the woods yet but each day without is a step closer to a drug free life.
Tomorrow is 1 week ago that i took my last effexor and i can definately see and feel the difference; brain zaps are getting less, dreams are getting less, i can almost laugh again, or at least smile, still sweating like a trooper and a little bit of the shakes(tremor), but hey, I have my forum where i can talk about my feelings and side effects, even though I don't know any of you, I feel closer to you than many other people around me because we all feel the same, my cyberspace effexor kicking buddies :-)
And David, if you ever start that petition or law suit against effexor PLEASE let me know, I WILL SIGN SECOND TO YOU!!
Don't know if this is allowed but my real name is Michael and i live in australia on a beautiful island surrounded by beaches and ocean; when i get down i go for a walk and utilise the nature around me :-)
If i make spelling mistakes, sorry guys, i am of dutch origin and sometimes come up with some ripper english/Dutch mixes ;-)
Ok, off to bed and of to the psychiatrist tomorrow for another round in the ring(and to fatten his wallet) and the fight against effexor.
Sleep tight and stay in touch, together we shall win this war!!
For the David, I know how you feel in particular about the xanax as I have done the same the last couple of days, but why?? Are we scared to stand on our own two legs, aren't we pretending we are ok by just popping another pill, i think we are.
Don't forget that xanax is extremely addictive in a very short period of time; what's better, spaced out due to a lack of effexor or a xanax junkie??
I totally agree that we are all healthy human beings and that the body eventually will correct itself from depression, that is a proven fact.
I agree with your theory on doctors, yes, i like mine as well as a person, but not as a professional; very true they get paid huge sums (and I do contribute)for pushing deadly drugs.
As far as the tiredness goes, yes, same here, by a certain time in the afternoon i would like to just lay down for an hour or so, but in order to push through and get back into a normal rhythm of life where i can work again i go and do something i enjoy or even treat myself to something nice as a reward for making it this far. Put this in practise for the sore and stiff muscles once a week, treat yourself to a massage, it makes you feel great, fills in the time when you feel less energetic and it lasts for days.
Remember, Rome wasn't build in a day so we aren't out of the woods yet but each day without is a step closer to a drug free life.
Tomorrow is 1 week ago that i took my last effexor and i can definately see and feel the difference; brain zaps are getting less, dreams are getting less, i can almost laugh again, or at least smile, still sweating like a trooper and a little bit of the shakes(tremor), but hey, I have my forum where i can talk about my feelings and side effects, even though I don't know any of you, I feel closer to you than many other people around me because we all feel the same, my cyberspace effexor kicking buddies :-)
And David, if you ever start that petition or law suit against effexor PLEASE let me know, I WILL SIGN SECOND TO YOU!!
Don't know if this is allowed but my real name is Michael and i live in australia on a beautiful island surrounded by beaches and ocean; when i get down i go for a walk and utilise the nature around me :-)
If i make spelling mistakes, sorry guys, i am of dutch origin and sometimes come up with some ripper english/Dutch mixes ;-)
Ok, off to bed and of to the psychiatrist tomorrow for another round in the ring(and to fatten his wallet) and the fight against effexor.
Sleep tight and stay in touch, together we shall win this war!!
I noticed the system usese the asterisk to get rid of my bad language. I wanted to apologize to everyone for using the bad language. It was very S.H.I.T.T.Y. of me. (Lets' see if the systems blanks that one! .D.A.M.N.!
Hey, Sallie1, it is going to be okay. The dream thing only goes on for a few weeks. Somebody told me it is because while our brain readjusts itself back to normal, that we remain in REM sleep too long, whatever that means. I have had so many frustrating, bizarre, weird dreams. Last night I broke down and took a couple of Xanax to try and knock myself out. Well, guess what, I slept through the night and had the most bizarre dream, but at least I didn't wake up every hour in a cold sweat.
And to the other gentleman who seems to have been through it all, I can relate. And I am totally burned out on doctors and their wacked theories. I am not taking any more of their pills. I am going to eat healthy organic foods and take herbal cleanses and flush all of their poison out of my system. I have been on an herbal cleanse for a week now, and my head is clearing up beautifully. I feel alive and full of love for my family and friends, and all it took was a short walk across hell to get to the other side.
And as far as religion goes, God bless you all for helping me get through this nightmare.
The truth is, we are all healthy. Our bodies and minds are reacting exactly the way a body should when it has been poisoned by prescription drugs. And over time, as the drugs are flushed out, we will feel better and better. Some of these drugs are very difficult for the body to get rid of. I think it could take up to a year to get every trace out. It's kind of lack in the 60's when I was taking LSD and smoking pot. I would see things for days after a trip. Effexor is just the same. Withdrawal from Effexor is just like the morning after a really bad Acid trip. Except on Effexor, I think it takes a good 2 weeks to flush out the poision. Drink lots of water and eat a lot of fresh food. And quit taking all the other **** the doctors are prescribing. Hell, I threw away my heart medications, and my blood pressure has never been lower!
I told my doctor I was quitting all these medications and the poor ******* told me to at least take Xanax to get me through this! And then he shoved a free Nasocort sample into my hand. He didn't want to discuss any ways and means to actually become drug free and healthy. In his head, there is no such thing. I'm going back to see him in a year all healthy and tell him that he really needs to change his pill-pushing ways!
The sad thing is, I kind of like my doctor, at least as a person. But the truth is, he is an intelligent fool who pushes deadly drugs and gets paid huge sums. He's just a puppet.
Okay, now to complain, it seems that several times during the day, all the energy just seems to leave my body and my muscles all cramp up just like a 6th street junkie. All I can do is crash on my Lazy Boy for an hour. Then it goes away. My wife thinks that the body is unloading toxins during that time.
But the bottom line is, when you quit a drug, you are going to suffer like the damned, at least for a while. But at least you get your life back. I feel really sorry for anyone who goes back on Effexor, because the truth is, it's just being a zombie. Hey if we have issues that make us anxious and depressed, well, God is on our side and is going to help us through this. I mean, King David didn't write
Yeah, tho I go thru the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for I have Effexor.
No, he wrote for Thou art with me.
That's the game we have to play. I don't care if you have no religion. If you don't, don't sweat it, just do the best you can. I mean, just ask God to help you as best you can. I'm a Catholic, and we believe that God loves everybody and is anxioius to help them out no matter what religion they may or may not have, and that people from all religions and walks of life will walk the streets of Heaven one day. We believe that the person who reaches out their hand and asks for help will receive it.
Anyway, thanks for being there. I feel 100% better everytime I rant and rave on the forum. This is great therapy all by itself. Well, I have to go to sleep. I have decided not to take anymore Xanax. I will just have to find some other way to go through the night. Maybe I'll wind up in the Lazy Boy watching old movies all night. Hmmm...where did I put that organic popcorn?....
And to the other gentleman who seems to have been through it all, I can relate. And I am totally burned out on doctors and their wacked theories. I am not taking any more of their pills. I am going to eat healthy organic foods and take herbal cleanses and flush all of their poison out of my system. I have been on an herbal cleanse for a week now, and my head is clearing up beautifully. I feel alive and full of love for my family and friends, and all it took was a short walk across hell to get to the other side.
And as far as religion goes, God bless you all for helping me get through this nightmare.
The truth is, we are all healthy. Our bodies and minds are reacting exactly the way a body should when it has been poisoned by prescription drugs. And over time, as the drugs are flushed out, we will feel better and better. Some of these drugs are very difficult for the body to get rid of. I think it could take up to a year to get every trace out. It's kind of lack in the 60's when I was taking LSD and smoking pot. I would see things for days after a trip. Effexor is just the same. Withdrawal from Effexor is just like the morning after a really bad Acid trip. Except on Effexor, I think it takes a good 2 weeks to flush out the poision. Drink lots of water and eat a lot of fresh food. And quit taking all the other **** the doctors are prescribing. Hell, I threw away my heart medications, and my blood pressure has never been lower!
I told my doctor I was quitting all these medications and the poor ******* told me to at least take Xanax to get me through this! And then he shoved a free Nasocort sample into my hand. He didn't want to discuss any ways and means to actually become drug free and healthy. In his head, there is no such thing. I'm going back to see him in a year all healthy and tell him that he really needs to change his pill-pushing ways!
The sad thing is, I kind of like my doctor, at least as a person. But the truth is, he is an intelligent fool who pushes deadly drugs and gets paid huge sums. He's just a puppet.
Okay, now to complain, it seems that several times during the day, all the energy just seems to leave my body and my muscles all cramp up just like a 6th street junkie. All I can do is crash on my Lazy Boy for an hour. Then it goes away. My wife thinks that the body is unloading toxins during that time.
But the bottom line is, when you quit a drug, you are going to suffer like the damned, at least for a while. But at least you get your life back. I feel really sorry for anyone who goes back on Effexor, because the truth is, it's just being a zombie. Hey if we have issues that make us anxious and depressed, well, God is on our side and is going to help us through this. I mean, King David didn't write
Yeah, tho I go thru the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for I have Effexor.
No, he wrote for Thou art with me.
That's the game we have to play. I don't care if you have no religion. If you don't, don't sweat it, just do the best you can. I mean, just ask God to help you as best you can. I'm a Catholic, and we believe that God loves everybody and is anxioius to help them out no matter what religion they may or may not have, and that people from all religions and walks of life will walk the streets of Heaven one day. We believe that the person who reaches out their hand and asks for help will receive it.
Anyway, thanks for being there. I feel 100% better everytime I rant and rave on the forum. This is great therapy all by itself. Well, I have to go to sleep. I have decided not to take anymore Xanax. I will just have to find some other way to go through the night. Maybe I'll wind up in the Lazy Boy watching old movies all night. Hmmm...where did I put that organic popcorn?....
Good God, I'm back 5 minutes later. I just wanted to say something about dreams to the nice lady who wondered if they were real or not. The answer is, no. The past does not exist, it's over and done. All we have is right now. So drop the worry and the guilt. Dreams are mostly just a release of frustration. But we don't have to let them control us. The next time you are bothered by a dream, tell a friend about it, and get their take on it. Half the time, the dream is just letting off steam about something you are frustrated about. So, find out what is frustrating you, and work on making that better. And besides, if you dream about something in the past that you are still guilty about, then forgive yourself. Heck, I forgive you, if that helps. One thing for sure, you have got to start being nice to yourself. I think a plate of milk and cookies might be just the way to kick off a "be nice to myself" night. But just remember, that if you go off Effexor, you may have some absolutely asskicking dreams. But as far as I am concerned, the only thing that matters is not letting the dreams scare you into going back on Effexor. Just hang in there and it's going to get better. This is a terrible drug, that turns us into zombies and then scares the **** out of us when we try to quit. There is nothing as scary as the fear of becoming mentally unstable and unable to tell reality from dreams. And that's what Effexor does. It creates that fear in our heads at night and when we sleep. Heck, one night I woke up in my own home and had no idea where I was. Now, that is scary.
Effexor is an evil drug and we have to suck it up and fight back with everything we've got. But then it will be gone and we will be back to normal once more.
I tell you one thing, if there is ever a class action lawsuit against Effexor, I will sign it. Those drug compaines ought to be paying for this kind of psyche damage. This **** is worse than anything the CIA could concoct.
Okay, I am done freaking around. Just keep the faith and don't worry about your dreams. Mine happen to be calming down a bit, but it's taken 2 weeks to get to where I'm not scared to fall asleep. Also, if you are the type to sleep with a gun in the dresser, I recommend you unload the damn thing until this is over.
Effexor is an evil drug and we have to suck it up and fight back with everything we've got. But then it will be gone and we will be back to normal once more.
I tell you one thing, if there is ever a class action lawsuit against Effexor, I will sign it. Those drug compaines ought to be paying for this kind of psyche damage. This **** is worse than anything the CIA could concoct.
Okay, I am done freaking around. Just keep the faith and don't worry about your dreams. Mine happen to be calming down a bit, but it's taken 2 weeks to get to where I'm not scared to fall asleep. Also, if you are the type to sleep with a gun in the dresser, I recommend you unload the damn thing until this is over.
im having trouble being able to tell if my dreams are real or not .they are all about stuff thats going on in my life .im not sure whats true or not is that a normal withdrawal of this hell.every night off its getting worse.im scared to say anything to anyone about anything because im not sure if its happend or we did that.
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