Islam: EFFEXOR 150 mg, for 4 months, symptoms last with me 1.5 years it ruined my life

[Islam]

I have been on Effexor 150 mg and i stopped after taking it for 4 months and did ECT “electric compulsive therapy for 8 sessions it didn’t help me at all. And i stopped the Effexor cold turkey. But since then my life turned in nightmare. I get all these zaps through my body like 300 times a day and goosebumps all over my face body and arms. Even when i touch water or someone touch or if i get excited and happy telling a story i get these zaps. Its non stop and i cant find a way to stop. It been over 1.5 years and all these symptoms are killing me. I wonder if anyone here got these symptoms specially the goosebumps that first start with zaps and then goes so high . When i even wear my tshirt or socks anything it starts with thr touch of anything to my body or when the weather gets cold. Also it did something to my vision i cant see clear anymore. Please guys any help?

[Islam]

I have been on Effexor 150 mg and i stopped after taking it for 4 months and did ECT “electric compulsive therapy for 8 sessions it didn’t help me at all. And i stopped the Effexor cold turkey. But since then my life turned in nightmare. I get all these zaps through my body like 300 times a day and goosebumps all over my face body and arms. Even when i touch water or someone touch or if i get excited and happy telling a story i get these zaps. Its non stop and i cant find a way to stop. It been over 1.5 years and all these symptoms are killing me. I wonder if anyone here got these symptoms specially the goosebumps that first start with zaps and then goes so high . When i even wear my tshirt or socks anything it starts with thr touch of anything to my body or when the weather gets cold. Also it did something to my vision i cant see clear anymore. Please guys any help?

Edited April 15, 2020 by manymoretodays
merged from S and SC, added 4 mos total usage to title

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Islam.  I'm sorry you're suffering.

 

You are experiencing protracted withdrawal from your cold turkey of Effexor.  The zaps you describe as well as vision problems are typical withdrawal symptoms.  You will heal, but it will take time.  So that you have a better idea of what you're experiencing here is some information on withdrawal and healing.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal ...

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

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These explain the healing process really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

   On 8/30/2011 at 2:28 PM,  Rhiannon said: 

When we stop taking the drug, we have a brain that has designed itself so that it works in the presence of the drug; now it can't work properly without the drug because it's designed itself so that the drug is part of its chemistry and structure. It's like a plant that has grown on a trellis; you can't just yank out the trellis and expect the plant to be okay. When the drug is removed, the remodeling process has to take place in reverse. SO--it's not a matter of just getting the drug out of your system and moving on. If it were that simple, none of us would be here. It's a matter of, as I describe it, having to grow a new brain. I believe this growing-a-new-brain happens throughout the taper process if the taper is slow enough. (If it's too fast, then there's not a lot of time for actually rebalancing things, and basically the brain is just pedaling fast trying to keep us alive.) It also continues to happen, probably for longer than the symptoms actually last, throughout the time of recovery after we are completely off the drug, which is why recovery takes so long.

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other member.  We're glad you found your way here.