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Problems Sleeping From Effexor Withdrawl?
I had a Traumatic Brain Injury back in 1993 and basically died. I have been taking 450 mgs of Effexor for several years now. My Dr decided now to take me off of it and withdrew me off 150 mgs at once. After 2 weeks I'm having major problems in sleeping plus keeping control of my behavior - I feel like I'm bouncing off the walls and my Depression has gotten worse, plus at times I'm suicidal. However this is also a hell of a time with the holidays to be taken off medication to try something new, especially since I have to be taken off 150 mgs at a time, every month and I'm still on my first 150mg.
Is the sleeping issue and bouncing off the walls, etc part of my Brain Injury or is that from the Effexor withdrawl?
Please don't tell me I can't be taking that much Effexor -- I've already been that route with Drs at the rehab hospital when I had my knee replaced - they called my drug store to confirm it and then apologized to me.
Is the sleeping issue and bouncing off the walls, etc part of my Brain Injury or is that from the Effexor withdrawl?
Please don't tell me I can't be taking that much Effexor -- I've already been that route with Drs at the rehab hospital when I had my knee replaced - they called my drug store to confirm it and then apologized to me.
Dear Photog,
Where did you go? Are you doing okay? I checked back yesterday, and now today it's late in the morning, so I have to go again, but I'll look back in tomorrow.
GG
Where did you go? Are you doing okay? I checked back yesterday, and now today it's late in the morning, so I have to go again, but I'll look back in tomorrow.
GG
Dear Photog,
Wow, very sorry about the injury to your head! Let's see, I have been an SSRI personage for many years, and Effexor is part SSRI. During my years of usage, I switched types, and eventually went back to my original one. When I went back, I went completely off the SSRI and then made the switch. Whilst I was cutting back on the SSRI, I really lost it. So, I think I have the experience to speak with some authority on your situation right now, and hopefully help you, especially since it's Christmas.
As for your doc reducing the amount by so much, initially this is the right way to do it, get a big chunk out of the way. The problem is, you lose it so bad. While Effexor is not "addictive," nevertheless it causes the identical withdrawals as someone on heroin. You've seen plenty of movies showing how people act who need a fix. That's you. Just knowing this is helpful.
You are in dire need of a big-time tranquilizer, epileptic drug, nerve pain medicine, anything that will sedate you and lift your mood. It's the holidays, but if your doctor is with a group that has an on-call system where at least one doctor will respond to you, telephone them and let 'er rip, make sure they call in to a pharmacy with something that will really knock this thing down, even if they have to give you three different things, including sleeping pills. A hospital ER can do the same thing. On the far side, you can also admit yourself to a Detox Facility or Psychiatric Hospital, most large towns have them, and they can knock you out, put monitors on you, and you can kick it all, cold turkey, and make it through withdrawals passed out, in just a few days.
Nevertheless, even with medicine, when I withdrew, I was taking a minor tranquilizer and codeine at the time I went off the SSRI, and I still had a very hard time. So, while you are waiting for medication or hospitalization relief, there are several things I did that helped a little. Take what you want, leave the rest. (1) It is hard to focus on anything, but try, read a little, do a puzzle, set up a variety of simple stuff to pass the time and go at them one by one. (2) The last thing you want to do is go outside, but do it. Stand on the grass in your yard, breathe deeply, look all around, get grounded. This works especially well at night. Walk around out there, face the fear as long as you can bear it. (3) Take a shower. (4) Eat and drink a lot, especially water. (5) Soothing rhythmic sound helps, put on some music like that, or watch a five-star movie, they have their own rhythm. (6) Any kind of exercise helps. (7) Call the Crisis Intervention phone number, they'll talk to you all day, so keep their phone number, in big writing, taped up on the wall next to your phone. (8) If you have to, get someone to get drunk with you...but the hangover will be rough, so you'll have to stay drunk. (9) And last, but not least, I think you should go out today and buy the book by James Frey, "A Million Little Pieces," and start reading it immediately. You'll get into it on the first page, it's that good. He has a website where struggling and recovering addicts post there in the forums, at www.bigjimindustries.com.
I know this is pitiful advice, because ain't nothin gonna touch that wild break-out "I'm gonna throw something" insanity. Just feels like you're ripping apart. Sheer terror. Way down a dark hole and you can't get out no matter what you do. Everything is wrong, nothing is right. It's a nightmare. I, too, wanted to die. Like I said, I lost it. That's why you've got to get ahold of some good medication. Also, I will check back on you again tomorrow morning, I check these posts almost every day. And don't forget you can call Crisis Intervention, they're open 24/7.
Oh, and just cancel Christmas. Stay in bed if you want to. You're sick. Lots of people get sick over the holidays. Get yourself in sick mode, pull your books around your couch or bed, get your comfort stuff handy, books (A Million Little Pieces and the Bible), and just TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF. People DO understand it when you say, "I'm sick, I can't come, it's the flu." White lies are okay. Because you can't do anything while you're like this.
Hope someone will give you some drugs to take the edge off. I've been where you are, and I have given you everything I have on the issues, because this might be my one shot to assist you. Keep us posted if you can. Talk to you tomorrow.
GG
Wow, very sorry about the injury to your head! Let's see, I have been an SSRI personage for many years, and Effexor is part SSRI. During my years of usage, I switched types, and eventually went back to my original one. When I went back, I went completely off the SSRI and then made the switch. Whilst I was cutting back on the SSRI, I really lost it. So, I think I have the experience to speak with some authority on your situation right now, and hopefully help you, especially since it's Christmas.
As for your doc reducing the amount by so much, initially this is the right way to do it, get a big chunk out of the way. The problem is, you lose it so bad. While Effexor is not "addictive," nevertheless it causes the identical withdrawals as someone on heroin. You've seen plenty of movies showing how people act who need a fix. That's you. Just knowing this is helpful.
You are in dire need of a big-time tranquilizer, epileptic drug, nerve pain medicine, anything that will sedate you and lift your mood. It's the holidays, but if your doctor is with a group that has an on-call system where at least one doctor will respond to you, telephone them and let 'er rip, make sure they call in to a pharmacy with something that will really knock this thing down, even if they have to give you three different things, including sleeping pills. A hospital ER can do the same thing. On the far side, you can also admit yourself to a Detox Facility or Psychiatric Hospital, most large towns have them, and they can knock you out, put monitors on you, and you can kick it all, cold turkey, and make it through withdrawals passed out, in just a few days.
Nevertheless, even with medicine, when I withdrew, I was taking a minor tranquilizer and codeine at the time I went off the SSRI, and I still had a very hard time. So, while you are waiting for medication or hospitalization relief, there are several things I did that helped a little. Take what you want, leave the rest. (1) It is hard to focus on anything, but try, read a little, do a puzzle, set up a variety of simple stuff to pass the time and go at them one by one. (2) The last thing you want to do is go outside, but do it. Stand on the grass in your yard, breathe deeply, look all around, get grounded. This works especially well at night. Walk around out there, face the fear as long as you can bear it. (3) Take a shower. (4) Eat and drink a lot, especially water. (5) Soothing rhythmic sound helps, put on some music like that, or watch a five-star movie, they have their own rhythm. (6) Any kind of exercise helps. (7) Call the Crisis Intervention phone number, they'll talk to you all day, so keep their phone number, in big writing, taped up on the wall next to your phone. (8) If you have to, get someone to get drunk with you...but the hangover will be rough, so you'll have to stay drunk. (9) And last, but not least, I think you should go out today and buy the book by James Frey, "A Million Little Pieces," and start reading it immediately. You'll get into it on the first page, it's that good. He has a website where struggling and recovering addicts post there in the forums, at www.bigjimindustries.com.
I know this is pitiful advice, because ain't nothin gonna touch that wild break-out "I'm gonna throw something" insanity. Just feels like you're ripping apart. Sheer terror. Way down a dark hole and you can't get out no matter what you do. Everything is wrong, nothing is right. It's a nightmare. I, too, wanted to die. Like I said, I lost it. That's why you've got to get ahold of some good medication. Also, I will check back on you again tomorrow morning, I check these posts almost every day. And don't forget you can call Crisis Intervention, they're open 24/7.
Oh, and just cancel Christmas. Stay in bed if you want to. You're sick. Lots of people get sick over the holidays. Get yourself in sick mode, pull your books around your couch or bed, get your comfort stuff handy, books (A Million Little Pieces and the Bible), and just TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF. People DO understand it when you say, "I'm sick, I can't come, it's the flu." White lies are okay. Because you can't do anything while you're like this.
Hope someone will give you some drugs to take the edge off. I've been where you are, and I have given you everything I have on the issues, because this might be my one shot to assist you. Keep us posted if you can. Talk to you tomorrow.
GG
Hi.
Did you experience insomnia prior to intake of venlafaxine (Effexor)? If you did not, it would be less likely that the sleeping problems you are experiencing now are related to the previous traumatic brain injury, although nothing can be certain at this point.
There have been reports that immediate cessation of venlafaxine has caused withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe, as can be seen with other SSRIs (a class of anti-depressive drugs). Insomnia has been one relatively common occurrence in these reports, although the consumer information on Effexor does not list this as a withdrawal symptom.
You should talk about this with your doctor to determine any association between your insomnia and cessation of venlafaxine intake.
Hope this helps.
Did you experience insomnia prior to intake of venlafaxine (Effexor)? If you did not, it would be less likely that the sleeping problems you are experiencing now are related to the previous traumatic brain injury, although nothing can be certain at this point.
There have been reports that immediate cessation of venlafaxine has caused withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe, as can be seen with other SSRIs (a class of anti-depressive drugs). Insomnia has been one relatively common occurrence in these reports, although the consumer information on Effexor does not list this as a withdrawal symptom.
You should talk about this with your doctor to determine any association between your insomnia and cessation of venlafaxine intake.
Hope this helps.
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