Coolmongoose12- need help, withdrawal from effexor

[Coolmongoose12]

Hello I am new and wanted to introduce myself here. I am really looking for help and advice I have recently been going through what feels like a roller coaster and nightmare this past month or two. I will try to keep things short and explain what has happened to me. I have always had anxiety my whole life and depression growing up but was prescribed celexa many years ago and then switched to effexor for the rest of my life until recently. I recently had a major panic attack when i was out with friends and it got so bad I ended up in the emergency room which is a first with me. From that episode on i had major bouts of anxiety and some panic attacks where i would cry and had to call family and friends for help. This happened for about two weeks or so and it seemed that i was slowly getting a handle on it.

Also before this my psychiatrist had retired and my friend recommended i see a new psychiatrist to help with what i was going through. After seeing my new psychiatrist i explained to here what was going on and suggested switching from effexor to pristiq. The issue here is she told me to switch directly from effoxor 75mg to pristiq 50mg, I was a little hesitant at first and asked here if there would be withdrawal from the effexor. She told me that there shouldn't be any major withdrawals since pristiq and effexor are essentially the same chemical. After stop the effexor and starting the pristiq no taper I experienced on the second day what i can describe as withdrawal, extreme vertigo, chills, I felt like i was drunk everywhere i went, muscle weakness, brain zaps, horrible burning sensation all over my body, its like someone set my nerves on fire and terrible headaches. This went on for about a week, i was struggling at work, i couldn't concentrate and i kept dozing off. Finally i called my psychiatrist to tell her what was going on and she told me to reduce the pristiq dose to 25mg. So i have been on pristiq 25mg for the last two weeks. I do feel like better on the lower dosage I am slowly improving, the brain zaps are mostly gone and I don't feel sick all day, but i still get bouts of dizziness and muscle weakness. I also feel bloated a lot and i feel like i get heart palpitations every now and then. I am sorry if this is long but I really just need to know if what I am going through is withdrawal. I have a good friends and family that are supportive but they just don't understand what im going through and it makes me cry because i feel like I am alone. Please let me know what you think.

[LotusRising]

Hi @Coolmongoose12

 

Welcome to SA,

 

On 10/5/2024 at 6:54 AM, Coolmongoose12 said:

I really just need to know if what I am going through is withdrawal.

The symptoms you're experiencing definitely sound like they could be related to withdrawal (WD). 

 

Is there a reason she switched you to another drug, rather than increasing your dose of effexor? Ideally, you should have been tapered off effexor before starting pristiq, but many doctors do a direct switch even though they're not interchangeable. Are you still taking buspirone?

 

On 10/5/2024 at 6:54 AM, Coolmongoose12 said:

I recently had a major panic attack when i was out with friends and it got so bad I ended up in the emergency room which is a first with me. From that episode on i had major bouts of anxiety and some panic attacks where i would cry and had to call family and friends for help. This happened for about two weeks or so and it seemed that i was slowly getting a handle on it.

Was anything happening at the time that may have precipitated the anxiety/panic attacks?

 

Some people find that there medication just stops working. The thread below explains this:

 

Again, welcome. Answering the above questions will help us out.

[Coolmongoose12]

2 hours ago, LotusRising said:

Is there a reason she switched you to another drug, rather than increasing your dose of effexor? Ideally, you should have been tapered off effexor before starting pristiq, but many doctors do a direct switch even though they're not interchangeable. Are you still taking buspirone?

Hi Lotus thank you for replying to my post, its means a lot to me. I am honestly not 100% sure why she switched me over, I remember she mentioned that pristiq was more effective and had less side effects then the effexor. My old psychiatrist would of just upped my does instead. Honestly my gut feeling is she thought I had reached tolerance since I was on it for a long time even if i was only on 75mg at the time. I am currently not taking the busiprone, i was worried it was making my dizziness worse so i stopped last week.

 

3 hours ago, LotusRising said:

Was anything happening at the time that may have precipitated the anxiety/panic attacks?

 

Some people find that there medication just stops working. The thread below explains this:

I was going through some health anxiety and some stress related to work and life issues before the major panic attack that happend. I was also experiencing chest pains and headaches which is why I ended going to my GP and he prescribed me the metropolol for the chest pains and to help with my blood pressure. I am also currently dealing with high blood pressure too, but I am exercising everyday and changing up my to diet to help lower my blood pressure naturally. I do believe that all the off above played a roll in stressing me out even more and of course I had the one major panic attack when out with friends at dinner. I will be honest that i had drank alot of alcohol before I had the major panic attack that ended up putting me in the ER, which I think gave some sort of PTSD and made my anxiety even worse. Thank again Lotus.

[LotusRising]

@Coolmongoose12

 

It sounds like you had a number of stressors all at once, and then the medication switch, which likely aggravated things.

 

If you feel like you're improving, you would likely want to continue holding on this dose until symptoms settle. 

 

Are you using any coping skills for handling the panic/anxiety? We've got a lot of great resources on the site. 

 

Also, would you mind updating your signature to reflect the date you stopped buspirone and the date you dropped down to 25mg. It's a big help for us.

[LostInCanada]

Hi and welcome to SA.

Putting the drugs you are on into a drug checker shows this:

1 Interaction Found

Don’t use together

Serious

Monitor closely

Minor

Monitor Closely

Significant interaction possible (monitoring by your doctor required).

desvenlafaxine + metoprolol

desvenlafaxine will increase the level or effect of metoprolol by altering drug metabolism.

Additional Information: Combination may increase drug blood levels. Your doctor will monitor you for dosage adjustments. 

 

 

 

14 hours ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

drank alot of alcohol

Alcohol will destabilize your CNS. We recommend no alcohol, no caffeine which includes chocolate and green tea, no MSG, no sodium nitrates (found in bacon and processed deli meats), reduce refined sugars, etc. 

[LostInCanada]

 

 

[LostInCanada]

 

 

[Coolmongoose12]

Thank you both for your replies and I went ahead and updated my signature lotus. I am feeling better on the 25mg dose so I plan on holding at this dosage until I regain my strength and most of the symptoms are gone though i don't know how long that will take.

10 hours ago, LotusRising said:

Are you using any coping skills for handling the panic/anxiety? We've got a lot of great resources on the site. 

Currently I am practicing on my breathing techniques and i have also started walking in the mornings at work to help with the stress. I plan on checking out everything on the site especially the coping techniques that is what I really need to work on.

 

9 hours ago, LostInCanada said:

i and welcome to SA.

Putting the drugs you are on into a drug checker shows this:

1 Interaction Found

Don’t use together

Serious

Monitor closely

Minor

Monitor Closely

Significant interaction possible (monitoring by your doctor required).

desvenlafaxine + metoprolol

desvenlafaxine will increase the level or effect of metoprolol by altering drug metabolism.

Additional Information: Combination may increase drug blood levels. Your doctor will monitor you for dosage adjustments. 

Thanks Lostincanada  I will bring this up to my doctor and see if i can get off the metropolol or switch to something else, I had not idea about this drug interaction.

As for the alcohol I have recently stopped it to avoid making my symptoms worse. Also thank you for providing me the links I will definitely read everything and hopefully put some of it to good use. Again thank you both for the help, I have been going through alot and just getting to talk to others about this and receiving help is giving me much needed hope and motivation.

[LostInCanada]

1 hour ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

I have been going through alot and just getting to talk to others about this and receiving help is giving me much needed hope and motivation.

Our pleasure. We all need each other on here for sure.👍❤️

[Coolmongoose12]

Hi i had a few questions. I have been feeling really bloated and gassy lately. Another thing thats been bothering me is feel my heart beating wich is weird. Its like im super in tuned with my body and it feels uncomfortable at first it gave me anxiety but now i just accept it. Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this. 

[LostInCanada]

53 minutes ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

heart beating

This is very common. You are doing well with accepting it. It is just heightened awareness as you mentioned. 

 

56 minutes ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

really bloated and gassy lately.

These drugs affect our gut since that is where serotonin is produced. Your body should work this out. Avoid taking OTC drugs for it. I have found ginger is helpful. If you search the site under self care this is addressed.

[LostInCanada]

It's a long read but there might be something that resonates with you.

 

 

 

[Coolmongoose12]

1 minute ago, LostInCanada said:

This is very common. You are doing well with accepting it. It is just heightened awareness as you mentioned. 

 

These drugs affect our gut since that is where serotonin is produced. Your body should work this out. Avoid taking OTC drugs for it. I have found ginger is helpful. If you search the site under self care this is addressed.

Oh ok that makes sense, I might try some ginger tea to see it helps. Thanks again.

[Coolmongoose12]

Great I will take a look at the link.

[Coolmongoose12]

Woke up today feeling good, then got to work and I am feeling terrible. I feel sick, my body feels cold and tired and aches and pains all over. Its days like this that make me want to beg my pchyiatriast to put me back on the effexor. Though i dont know if reinstating the effexor would help now. Sorry just frustrated, I am not sure is this one of those  withdrawal waves?

[LostInCanada]

Might just be good old withdrawal symptoms. The switch between the sister drugs is not seamless. Often many switch from pristiq to Effexor to taper as it is easier to get off. It sounds like the Effexor was pooping out on you. Generally psychiatrists will just increase the dosage which is basically what was done by putting you on the stronger pristiq. 
 

[Coolmongoose12]

Yeah you’re probably right, I need to stick out till my withdrawal symptoms go away or lessen. 

[Magenta]

On 10/8/2024 at 9:19 AM, Coolmongoose12 said:

Hi i had a few questions. I have been feeling really bloated and gassy lately. Another thing thats been bothering me is feel my heart beating wich is weird. Its like im super in tuned with my body and it feels uncomfortable at first it gave me anxiety but now i just accept it. Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this. 

 

for me when I got off my medication I realized it was making me numb which resulted in me feeling like I was “waking up” which made me obnoxiously aware of my body so I can totally relate to this! 

[Coolmongoose12]

Thanks Magenta makes me feel better knowing its not just me. 

[Coolmongoose12]

Hi has anyone experienced burning and itching sensation around the back or top of their head. I feel it around the spot where i had shingles in the past. The strange thing is I dont think its shingles because I dont have a rash or any or blisters and the pain comes and goes. Im wondering if this is from the withdrawal. 

[LostInCanada]

@Coolmongoose12 burning and itching is very common in withdrawal. If you search either of those words on the site, hundreds of references come up. 

Since WD affects all our nerves, it seems reasonable it would show up where you had shingles.

Quote:

Postherpetic neuralgia happens if nerve fibers get damaged during an outbreak of shingles. Damaged fibers can't send messages from the skin to the brain as they usually do. Instead, the messages become confused and heightened. This causes pain that can last months or even years.Feb 10, 2023

https://www.mayoclinic.org › syc-...

Postherpetic neuralgia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

[Coolmongoose12]

Ok that makes sense thank you for the explanation lostincanada.

[Coolmongoose12]

Hi I am sorry that i keep coming back to complain but I have had a rough day yesterday. I woke up ok, but as soon as i left for work and got out of my house i feel dizzy and disregulated but the wierd thing is I felt it on my right side of my body. I had a hard time at work, i have noticed that my focus is all over the place and i take longer to complete certain tasks. Then I got home and cried because i feel like i am alone. I have also feel like I am out of breath alot and chest is heavy sometimes I dont know if is the withdrawals or the metropol. I have called my doctors office to tell them i want off but still waiting on a call back. Then last night for some reason I could my heart racing for a bit then stopped. I have also been stressing about an upcoming vacation that is coming up in 3 weeks that i might have to cancel which i was looking forward and it makes me sad 😞. The vacation is a music festival that im going with some friends but im worried the loud music and large crowds will affect. Again I know this alot to read but im really struggling lately.

[Coolmongoose12]

Hello I was wondering if anyone has had experience tapering off metropolol. I am trying to get off it as i suspect some of my symptoms could be related to it. I tried to get off it before but I went terrible for me my blood pressure would shoot up along as with my anxiety. I called my doctors office and told them i wanted to get off but still waiting to hear back from them. Not sure what to do as i know they say not to immediately get off a beta blocker. I have been stressing over this issue and need some advice. 

[stevew31]

@Coolmongoose12 Hi. Sorry to hear about your struggles. I was on 37.5mg of Effexor for about 17 years and recently went off of it in 2023. It took me six months but I had not understood how to taper the capsule form of the drug, so I tapered the wrong way. I did have some of the same types of withdrawal symptoms and could be emotional as in breaking down crying when things got overwhelming. This was very unlike me since I rarely cry.

 

It's too bad about the music festival that you are considering cancelling but, as a concert goer myself, that might be a wise idea. The sudden change in your meds could cause some unpredictable circumstances. I love to go to concerts but sometimes the loud music and crowds get to me after a while and I don't think I would venture to one after having tapered off of my meds recently. I think the less you stress yourself the better. I am going through withdrawal right now after tapering off of several meds and I have decided that's it's better just to relax and not take anything on that will set me up. Maybe three weeks of relaxing, doing things you enjoy that aren't stressful, will do wonders.

 

 

[LostInCanada]

2 hours ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

I have called my doctors office to tell them i want off but still waiting on a call back

I would give a call to your pharmacist and see what they recommend instead of waiting on a doctor. Just a suggestion.

2 hours ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

i feel like i am alone.

It is a hard journey, definitely not fair and one we didn't sign up for. At least we have each other on here. 

2 hours ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

music festival

For me, this would be very activating. Loud noise and lights are now problematic. Whatever you can do to soothe your CNS will be beneficial. Accepting our limitations and finding things we can enjoy at the moment make it easier. ❤️

[Erimus]

2 hours ago, Coolmongoose12 said:

Hello I was wondering if anyone has had experience tapering off metropolol. I am trying to get off it as i suspect some of my symptoms could be related to it. I tried to get off it before but I went terrible for me my blood pressure would shoot up along as with my anxiety. I called my doctors office and told them i wanted to get off but still waiting to hear back from them. Not sure what to do as i know they say not to immediately get off a beta blocker. I have been stressing over this issue and need some advice. 

 

Have a look at Tapering Alpha Blockers or Beta Blockers

Edited October 12, 2024 by Erimus

[Coolmongoose12]

I want to say thank you all for the support! I think canceling the festival is probably for the best as I don't feel excited or have the motivation to go. I also don't want to be miserable there when I'm supposed to be on vacation. It’s best for me to stay home and rest instead. As for the metropolol thank you for the link Erimus, I will see about working with my doctor or pharmacist about tapering off it. Im feeling better today and doing my best to hang in there.

[Claudelex]

Hi @Coolmongoose12.  We have similar stories.  I was switched directly from Lexapro to Zoloft after being on Lexapro 20mg for around 15 years.  I have had many issues since the switch with burning skin, scalp, muscle twitches, hypnic jerks, buzzing sensation internally, headaches, tinnitus etc.. I was also taking metoprolol, started taking it around 8 months prior to the switch and even then I started feeling weird buzzing waist down. I ended up tapering off metoprolol a few months ago by cutting my tablets over around a 2 month period, reducing each week or so.  Not sure if that’s too fast but my doctor said to cut them in half for a week, then a quarter for another week, then stop so I thought I would go slower to be sure as the doctor wasn’t helpful with the SSRI’s.  Anyway, I wish you well and hope you feel better soon.  I struggle to work too and am thankful that I usually work from home.  My biggest issues at the moment are burning nerve pain on my scalp and tinnitus, although I also have burning prickly skin tonight which has been much better of late.

[Coolmongoose12]

Thanks Claudelex, i really appreciate your reply! Yeah its been tough lately mainly dealing with the nerve pain and fatigue. I get home from work so exhaused and everypart of my body aches. Heres to both of us healing.  I am praying for both of us! 

[Coolmongoose12]

Hello just wanted to follow up with an update. I have been slowly improving most of the symptoms are slowly going away and my balance is improving. The one thing i have noticed though is if i go for a walk or if im in the sun for a prolonged time i start to feel tired. I went to a fair yesterday with some friends and even thought i had alot of fun when i got home i felt sick. I was hot and we did alot of walking and even thought i drank alot of water my body was drained. When i got home i went straight to bed as i couldn't do anything else.  It also felt like i had a fever. I hope this is not a new normal.

[LostInCanada]

Your CNS has been destabilized. It takes a very long time to heal. It is recommended not to overdo it regarding exercise or sun exposure. 20-60 minutes of gentle walking is beneficial. It is very easy to add too much stress to your system which will increase symptoms. 

Not only are you dealing with WD but you are on 2 drugs that have contraindications. 

You need to treat yourself gently. 

[Coolmongoose12]

Thanks LostinCanada I will make sure to keep that in mind. I have to keep reminding myself to take easy and not try to do too much. 

[member21]

On 10/21/2024 at 9:07 PM, LostInCanada said:

It is recommended not to overdo it regarding exercise or sun exposure. 20-60 minutes of gentle walking is beneficial.

Would you elaborate more about the sun exposure.

Is there a thread on the subject on this site.

 

I got low vitamin D in my blood work...so was trying 15-20 min of sitting in the sun. But it has caused my mood to go low...fatigue, and other symptoms.