Withdrawal effects or just sick?

[joro324]

Hi, I have just come across this site.  I am 7 days off Effexor after being on a 300mg dose for 4 years.  I also have quetiapine at night to help me sleep.  I have been experiencing what now seems to be normal side effects - brain zaps, different emotional states, crying for the first time in years, anger, frustration which is very hard for my husband and children and I just feel like a failure.  I don't know if this is co incidence but I also have what feels like flu - aching body, sore throat, no energy.  I am unable to join in normal daily activity with the family and this is making me feel more isolated.  I am unable to distinguish whether I am experiencing all withdrawal symptoms?  Or do I just have the bad luck of having flu while withdrawing?  I also have such terrible neck and shoulder pain.  Today I think it has struck a nerve which is going down my shoulder and arm.!!!  HELP!  Please tell me this is all going to improve!  I want to be off  this medication so desparately!

[Celia_]

Flu' like symptoms , neck and shoulder pain , lethargy are all well recognized withdrawal effects.

It WILL pass.  Things WILL improve.  I know this because I survived it and it's well worth sticking it out if you can.

[sara12345]

You were on a very high dose of Effexor.  You would need to taper off of it very slowly.  It should take at least months to go off of it safely I  would think.  I must ask you, why are you going off of it after being put on such a high dose?  Maybe you need the Effexor or some other anti-depressant.

[remar]

I agree with the above poster. I found that Effexor was the hardest of all the antidpressants I've taken to come off of. You can have flu like symptoms and also the back and shoulder pain. I'm curious to know also if you tapered or stopped cold turkey. It can take awhile to get off this med. You can still have some withdrawal symptoms but they're not nearly as bad as going cold turkey.

[rjwells00]

I feel so sorry for you you we.re on a very large dose for quiet a while.  They should tave you tappering off and not doing it cold turkey.  I went through withdraw for main pills and withdraw from effexor xr and i would much rather come off pain meds then effexor it was ten times and i wasnt takeng very high dose and was only on it for about 6 months.  I totally know what you are going through you are more then welcome to contact me and I can tell you how I got through it and when and what to expect