3 months off Effexor and still struggling with withdrawal symptoms

[Silonrose]

Greetings

 

In the summer I went through a prolonged stress event after making a disastrous real estate decision.  The stress sent me into a death spiral and I went on Effexor for about 5 month at 150mg.  The side effects were of course horrible, my doc bumped me up to 300mg for a while and I thought I was dying.  My poor liver:(.  By fall I had moved again the the acute stress receded so I decided to get off this poison.  I tapered off too quickly, under 3 week to 0.  I didnt realize the consequence of this would be protracted discontinuation symptoms > mainly body aches, severe dry eyes, fatigue, brain fog, mornings are very rough.  I am wondering how long it took others to recover and feel somewhat 'normal'?  thx

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm sorry you are going through this.  It's a good thing you got off after only 5 months, because your recovery will probably be faster than those of us on it for years or decades.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, and dosages of each medication decrease or increase. Here is an example: 

 

March 12, ’22: Lexapro 5 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

March 29, ’22: Lexapro 4 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

April 17, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

May 19, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 25 mg

 

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This helps you understand why recovery is a long, slow process. 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Because these drugs make changes to our nervous system, and our nervous systems are highly complex, recovery takes a very long time.  This link will help you understand this better.  

 

What is Happening in Your Brain? (Explains why recovery takes so long)

 

This link will go into all the factors that affect our recovery time: 

 

How Long Withdrawal Can Last

 

In the meantime, be sure and check out the link for non drug coping techniques.  These can help significantly.  Good luck, and let us know how you are doing. 

Edited February 17, 2023 by getofflex