so many questions about Effexor withdrawl

[aprilgirl1963]

I have gone off Effexor 75.  I have been off for six days. My doctor said I could go off "cold turkey" I think he believes I am a stronger person than I think I am.  This is my third attempt at "cold turkey". The first time I got a sever migraine on Easter morning with a houseful of guests - I was either vomiting or sleeping, so I took one capsule Sunday. evening because I had to go to a week long conference, and had to drive 250 miles. I was feeling sick so I took another capsule. I continued to take them during the conference, so I have had a total of six capsules since March 27th. The worst part has been the "air pressure sounds" like a compression air pump in my head, or "brain zaps". How long can I expect that to continue? A different doctor put me on this med for anxiety as part of a weight loss program but I have gained nearly 80 pounds since I first started taking it. Also, my sex drive took a major dive. So, my question(s)...How long can I expect the brain zaps to continue? Will I really lose some weight? I run 3 to 5 miles daily.  Will exercise make the withdrawl worse becuase of the seratonin release from exercise? Would St. John's wort help in making the withdrawl effects less? Was the migraine just a fluke or is it a real symptom from withdawl? How long until I get my sex drive back? I am really looking forward to this brave new world!

[aprilgirl1963]

I have been off Effexor for 8 days. I couldn't go to work today because I was feeling really sick to my stomach. I think this too will pass. I am a counselor and have been on vacation this past week. That is why I decided (with my doctor's support) it is "just do it time!" I am feeling better as the day goes on. I feel like the woman in that old movie, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" when she says, "excuese me? Does the noise in my head bother you?"  Well, I know it doesn't bother anyone else, but at times it certainly does bother me! I also went for a four mile run today, and it is nice to get the seritonin (sp) synopsis (sp) in a natural fashion.

[sadsmitty]

Not sure if you've decided to take it again but if you got back on to escape the withdrawal hell I just wanted to share that I DID it!! - I got off Effexor on my second attempt with very little withdrawal.  

I started tapering down from 225mg mid January and had gotten down to 37.5 in 4 weeks with no side effects.  With my pdoc's suggestion I took my last pill Monday and started Wellbutrin on Tuesday.... OMG - by 4pm Tuesday I was useless, and by Wed. morning all I could do was sit on the side of the sofa holding my head... I called pdoc and he said take 37.5 immeidately, and another before bed if I still felt badly.

So I got back onto 37.5 daily with another every second day just to take the edge off.  Finally got to just one daily pill, and then attempted a second withdrawal.  I lined up friends to look in on me and make sure I was eating something each day.  I did feel like I had the Flu for about 4 days.  I had some whooshing in my head, but no brain zaps.  

My advice is to really, truly taper slowly for a good long time.  Enlist a team to root for you.  My pdoc probably knows his meds, but doesn't really seem interested in his patient, so you need to look after yourself with what feels right.  

I hope by now you're feeling better - and good luck getting off that Hellish drug.  I've taken AD's for 15 years and have never had such a dreadful time.

[Paxiled]

Cold turkey is a bad idea; skip this doc next time around.  What you can try is a hefty dose of fish oil every day for the brain zaps, and, yes, some people report benefits from St. John's Wort.  And actually, you're not doing that badly -- this can be really bad to withdraw from, and some people never make it, so you're doing quite well.