Effexor withdrawal

[cactus212]

About three weeks ago I finally finished weaning myself off of Effexor.  I had been taking 300mg daily for about 10 years and gradually cut my dosage back over an 8 month period until I was taken one-quarter of a 37.5mg tablet once a day.  I stopped that 3 weeks ago.  Throughout the whole weaning process I really didn't suffer any serious withdrawal symptoms but now I am having a bunch of problems.  I can't sleep (I still take two sleep meds), I have periodic nausea, headaches, lightheadedness, foot and leg pain, fatigue, headache and excessive sweating including night sweats.  I'm guessing these are all a result of my body's biochemistry and physiology needing time to reset itself to functioning without that drug and that it's just something I'll have to live through.  I am wondering if anyone has any idea how long I can expect this to last. Weeks, months?  Are some of the side effects of the drug permanent, like the essential tremor I developed?  

[remar]

You may be doing the right thing by taking a quarter every other day. You have been on this med for a long time so tapering very slowly is going to help with the withdrawal.
The above poster is right. We're all different and it's so hard to say how we're going to react when coming of a med. Hang in there because it will get better. Take care. Remar

[cactus212]

Yesterday I took a quarter of a 37.5mg tablet of the generic and the nausea and headache went away.  I've increased my sleep med dosage a little so I can get some rest but that leaves me feeling hung-over most of the morning.  I'm thinking I'll try taking a quarter tab every other day for awhile.  I probably should make an appt. with my GP; my psychiatrist isn't any help, he'd prefer I stay on these drugs forever.  My GP isn't much better.  It seems like no one wants to sit down with me and help me find a way to manage all the physical symptoms of the drugs, withdrawing from the drugs and my PTSD.   I used to run to help manage my insomnia and chronic pain but I started having problems with the ball of my foot about 6 months ago and haven't been able to run or even walk/hike much.  I'm certainly feeling depressed but I think that, under the circumstances feeling depressed is normal.  One thing I'm certain of is that I will never go on any type of antidepressant again unless I'm in truly dire straits.

[whodunnit]

Hi,

10 years is a long time for your brain to rely on a drug so it is having it's effect now you've gone to zero. You've done very well to wean down so slowly. Sometimes it seems an individual is going to feel the bad things regardless but you're on your way and I have to say the worst has got to be over.

There's no time frame for each of us but certainly I would think only of a week or two from now for most to be OK again. I'd suggest seeing the doc wouldn't be out of order either. Particualrly to check on that tremor as after 10 years on one drug it could be anything causing that.

I've not heard of tremor as a reported side effect previously, for Effexor. Lithium? Certainly. Maybe there are other meds you've had that started that or even a natural problem, they do happen.

Good luck and do see the doc.