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HELP !!!
How do you stop effexor withdrawal headaches. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!
Hi, I have been on anti depressants for 20 years, and Effexor 150mg daily for 9 years. My doctor advised I withdraw, and with her help it has taken me 10 mo ths to come off it completely. I was on the tiniest amount at the end.
It is 6 weeks since I completely stopped. During the last couple of weeks I have been getting headaches but I don't know if it is due to withdrawals. I have had migraines all my adult life, and have macular degeneration and cataracts in my eyes, so headaches could be due to those too. I just ride them out as best I can. If it is withdrawal, it is because our body and brains have to get used to doing without medication it has relied on for years.
I have a substance I roll on my head to cool headaches, and an anti headache band I wear on my hand. This is based on acupressure and a besad on the band is located on a pressure point below the thumb which is said to ease headache symptoms. I think anything is worth a try.
As I am used to migraines, even the flashing and pins and needles in my face I accept, and if it is withdrawal headaches, they should ease with time. I will only take a mild pain killer if really need it. Too many pain killers will only induce a worse headache if we take too many in one day.
Not much help am I? I was so pleased I had withdrawn from Effexor with no side effects, so I presume the headaches I am getting now will ease with time. If that is the only symptom of withdrawal, I am pleased. As I went cold turkey once, and well that was a different story. I do hope you withdrew slowly, and that with time, your headaches will cease.
Take care. If you did go to doctor, what did they say? Did they help?
It is 6 weeks since I completely stopped. During the last couple of weeks I have been getting headaches but I don't know if it is due to withdrawals. I have had migraines all my adult life, and have macular degeneration and cataracts in my eyes, so headaches could be due to those too. I just ride them out as best I can. If it is withdrawal, it is because our body and brains have to get used to doing without medication it has relied on for years.
I have a substance I roll on my head to cool headaches, and an anti headache band I wear on my hand. This is based on acupressure and a besad on the band is located on a pressure point below the thumb which is said to ease headache symptoms. I think anything is worth a try.
As I am used to migraines, even the flashing and pins and needles in my face I accept, and if it is withdrawal headaches, they should ease with time. I will only take a mild pain killer if really need it. Too many pain killers will only induce a worse headache if we take too many in one day.
Not much help am I? I was so pleased I had withdrawn from Effexor with no side effects, so I presume the headaches I am getting now will ease with time. If that is the only symptom of withdrawal, I am pleased. As I went cold turkey once, and well that was a different story. I do hope you withdrew slowly, and that with time, your headaches will cease.
Take care. If you did go to doctor, what did they say? Did they help?
Effexor is notorious for being one of the hardest antidepressants to discontinue. Can you give us some more details? How long were you on it? Did you taper off? What dose were you taking when you stopped? When was your last pill?
If you weren't gradually tapered, you need to contact your doctor and formulate a plan. If it hasn't been a long time since you stopped taking it, the doc may recommend resuming the Effexor, then tapering off slowly. The most optimal way to discontinue Effexor is a VERY slow and deliberate taper. The slower, the better.
There are some other things that can help with the symptoms of the discontinuation syndrome, again, you need to talk to your doctor about this. If you weren't tapered, please get into see him/her as soon as you can. Especially if you came off at a significant dose, you may be in for a VERY rough ride.
Why did you decide to stop taking it btw? What were you on it for?
If you weren't gradually tapered, you need to contact your doctor and formulate a plan. If it hasn't been a long time since you stopped taking it, the doc may recommend resuming the Effexor, then tapering off slowly. The most optimal way to discontinue Effexor is a VERY slow and deliberate taper. The slower, the better.
There are some other things that can help with the symptoms of the discontinuation syndrome, again, you need to talk to your doctor about this. If you weren't tapered, please get into see him/her as soon as you can. Especially if you came off at a significant dose, you may be in for a VERY rough ride.
Why did you decide to stop taking it btw? What were you on it for?
Welcome to the forum! Hopefully you tapered/weaned down off Effexor. Are you totally done now or still tapering?
The discontinuation syndrome of this particular antidepressant can be brutal for some people. I have been on 6 or 7 AD's over the past 12 yrs and some were harder than others to discontinue. From all the reading I have done, headaches "can be" a problem for some getting off Effexor. A week to 10 days should help.....there are many articles out there about Effexor w/drawals...here's just one:
http://effexorwithdrawal.com/
If you are on other meds...that can play a huge part in it, too.
Hope you'll come back and let us know how you are doing~
The discontinuation syndrome of this particular antidepressant can be brutal for some people. I have been on 6 or 7 AD's over the past 12 yrs and some were harder than others to discontinue. From all the reading I have done, headaches "can be" a problem for some getting off Effexor. A week to 10 days should help.....there are many articles out there about Effexor w/drawals...here's just one:
http://effexorwithdrawal.com/
If you are on other meds...that can play a huge part in it, too.
Hope you'll come back and let us know how you are doing~
hello and welcome. how long have you been on it and at what dosage?
did you taper down before you stopped?
did you taper down before you stopped?
If you are not on any other meds, St Johns Wart is a good replacement for many benzo and SSRI, but it is counteridicative with many meds. Check with your doctor to make sure it would be an okay herb for you, it's actually quite strong.
What have you tried so far? Hot then cold compresses valieran root.
Did MD supervise Effexor withdrawal? If not, maybe split capsule into 2 parts. Take a little to wean off.
Could headache be something else?
Tension regarding holidays? Stay in bed w the hot pad & maybe take excedrin. Don't do all these though! Get with your MD. Pamela
Did MD supervise Effexor withdrawal? If not, maybe split capsule into 2 parts. Take a little to wean off.
Could headache be something else?
Tension regarding holidays? Stay in bed w the hot pad & maybe take excedrin. Don't do all these though! Get with your MD. Pamela
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