Anti Depressant Withdrawl

[lefty1129]

I was on 225 mgs  of Effexor XR and stepped down from December 22, and Sunday was my last dose (every other day at 37.5mg)  I have had horrible side effects with this drug since October.  I was on Cymbalta prior to that and had side effects just as bad.  Tremors, stuttering, "brain zaps"  mood swings, anxiety attacks.  I guess the big question is how long is this going to go on??

[albesir]

yeah, it sounds like a lot of withdrawals I've heard from similar antidepressants.  Funny, you have to print "hot coffee" because people apparently don't understand that coffee is naturally very hot in order for fast food restaurants not to get sued, but antidepressants that take away most normal brain activity while taking them as Ive seen more than a few friends with those that cause major withdrawal symptoms(most of them, since the incorporate feeling better with the drug) don't need the label or psychologists(or regular physicians) to tell patients that they will likely experience many if not all these side-effects if the try to come off of these drugs.  I was raised in a family that, yes has mental problems, but tries to control them internally, and while I've not tried them myself I've seen what withdrawal symptoms come with them.  So, my opinion may not be completely accurate.

[justme231]

I have to admit the head thing is just about the weirdest thing I have ever experienced.  Accompanied with dizziness, nausea, and leg cramps.  And the crying....  I have done enough crying in the last two weeks to last me a lifetime!  My reason for taking Effexor was also situational.  I am not used to ADs.  I am familiar with it because my husband's side of the family has a history of depression and both of my daughter's have had issue with it.  If I had known that it would be this hard to come off of it, I never would have gone on it 2 years ago.  I'd like to know why there is not a law making health care providers provide us with this information first before prescribing these drugs.  Also, why is it that no one ever tells you what you will experience after you quit taking the drug!  

My tapering was a little different from what I am reading here.  I was on 75mg for two years and then I was told to take it every other day for at least two weeks before going down to 37.5 every other day.  I did the first cut for 3 weeks and then the second dose for 2 weeks.  I have been completely off of it for four days.  Boy, do I feel like ****!  I don't remember it being this difficult when I quit smoking!  Just knowing I am not alone in this really helps.  Thanks everyone for your input.

[Hensley258]

I can surly relate to the withdrawl symptoms you described. It really does feel like this odd sensation is actually in the brain and not the head. It's not like a headache or any other head pain or sensation I can think of. It's kind of like a swurly whurly feeling deep in the brain itself. God I hate that feeling. It's like a flickering inside the brain and it really drives one to distraction. Mine gets so bad that It actually feels like my eyes are mis-aligned and my equalibrium is off. Kind of like dizzyness but different. As if my vision is somehow altered ar skewed in an odd way. Honestly it really scares the hell out of me.

You know I get the same symptoms with every AD I have tried to stop taking. I have stopped and started many in the past several years because they tend to lose effect after a couple years and I must change.

[MarshaRNSavannah]

I  was on Effexor XR 75 mg for 4 years.  I tried to stop taking several times to no avail secondary to horrendous "brain zaps" withdrawal; almost like brain vertigo with a twist.  I told my internist several months ago that I really wanted to stop taking the Effexor because I have no reason to be taking it! My internist gave me 37.5 mg for 4 weeks.  Then,  3 weeks' worth of 37.5 which I cut in half and spread out over 3 weeks and then cut the half in half (teeny weeny pieces!) and took them for about 8 days.  I have had nothing in my system for over two and a half weeks.  

Despite all of this slow tapering, I'm suffering from what I can only describe as overall brain disjointedness.  Perhaps best described as all over the top and back of my head "muted brain zaps." This is present all day, from the time that I get up to the time that I go to bed.  I'm literally struggling to keep my thoughts calm and connected.  I'm physically clumsy, which is not normal; I've dropped 2 or 3 pieces of glassware this past week while in the kitchen.  I'm banging into things; it is as though my depth perception is off.  I have to force myself consciously to follow conversations and complete tasks and stay focused at work.  It's dreadful, just awful.  My brain feels as though it is not connected properly.  

To any readers who have NOT taken Effexor XR for an extended period of time and tried to stop taking it, I'm certain that this all sounds ridiculous.  It is difficult to describe the sensations.  I've been fortunate to not have any nausea or other side effects.  My only side effect is the brain fogginess and strange physical sensations that I can only describe as blunted, muted zapping activity going all constantly in my brain.  Notice that I'm saying my brain; it is not my head; it is inside my brain.  Nausea would be much preferable to having my brain dysfunctioning like this.  

The manufacturers of Effexor XR should be ashamed of themselves for not educating the public and prescribing physicians of the dreadful and serious side effects of Effexor withdrawal.  If I had any idea that I would be experiencing this type of withdrawal, I would have never ever in a million years have been agreeable to taking the Effexor.  I was having situational depression.  This passes; I did not need to take the Effexor to fix it.  My mistake.  

I'm frankly fearful that this will not go away.  It is very frightening.  If I had not read this forum and other forums, I would be imagining that I have developed some type of brain abscess or infection.  It is AWFUL.  I am determined not to start taking it again though. I'm just waiting for my head to clear.  Every day that I wake up, I'm hoping that my head will feel normal again.  So far, no improvement.  

Does anyone know the physiology behind what is going on?  

[Hensley258]

I sounds like you tapered off nice and slow. That should have done some to help with the withdrawl symptoms. I used to take 300Mgs of Effexor a day and after I stopped, it took around 2 Months before all the withdrawl was 100% gone.