Katie330: Effexor XR Withdrawal Syndrome

[Katie330]

Hi all,

 

My signature basically sums it all up.  I am experiencing terrible withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing 150mg Effexor XR.  I wish that my psychiatrists had told me about discontinuation syndrome before they pushed these drugs on me.  I am wondering when the discontinuation symptoms will go away.  The symptoms are severely affecting my ability to work, and I cannot afford to lose my job.  

 

I REFUSE to go back on the drug.  I would rather die than start this process all over again.  The drugs never did anything to improve my mood and simply made orgasms impossible for the last 3 years of my life.  Now I am worried that I am going to suffer from these symptoms for the rest of my life.  This, of course, is all compounded by my pregnancy hormones.  

 

This is my first pregnancy, so I have nothing to compare it to, but many of my symptoms, particularly the neurological ones (brain zaps, spontaneous muscle twitching, dizziness, delayed brain response) can only be attributed to Effexor withdrawal.  I just wish that I knew how long to expect this to continue so that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am very discouraged by the fact that I am seeing many people taking years to fully recover.  My husband, family, and friends do not understand because they have never had to go through this.  I feel totally alone.

 

Katie

Edited August 3, 2016 by scallywag
added paragraph breaks and tags

[scallywag]

Katie, -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
Shoot, I replied before fully understanding your intent not to reinstate because you are pregnant.
 
Unfortunately your 12-day dose reduction from 150 mg to 0 mg has put you in a tough, tough spot. Withdrawal symptoms are wildly unpredictable.  Some people experience acute withdrawal for 4-8 weeks and are then fully functional. Others have a longer, more challenging recovery.

 

I wish there was someone who could give you an accurate, reliable prediction about your withdrawal. There is no such person.
 
Some people find Omega 3 fish oil helpful in dealing with brain zaps:
 
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)  
 
 
Original post:
Since you so recently discontinued Effexor (July 29, 5 days ago), you would be well advised to start taking 37.5 mg.  Reinstating now may be enough to stop withdrawal symptoms in their tracks.

Edited August 3, 2016 by scallywag
edited to provide correct information

[nz11]

Welcome Katie

So sorry you are stuck between a rock and a hard place ...no fault of your own.

 

You are not alone.

Is your husband family and friends able to read some of the information on this forum?

Wishing you strength

nz11

adding, 'This drug does not seem to be doing anything for me' to my list of dangerous things to say in front of a doctor.

[dowdaller]

Keep going you are doing, dont panic, this is very common unfortunately, 150mg is a big amount to go cold turkey. 

[JanCarol]

I understand your concerns in pregnancy.   It is criminal that your doctor seemed to think that a 12 day taper from 150 to 0 was "just fine."  

 

However severe withdrawal can be as harmful to baby as a tiny dose of antidepressant.

 

If the Effexor was doing nothing, then what are you experiencing now?

 

Intro to Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome

 

Healing from Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery (by Toxic Antidepressants)

 

Delayed Onset of Withdrawal Symptoms

(that is, this may not be the worst of it - you might get through the acute first month, and then be hit again 3, 6, 9, 12 months from now)

 

Please, reconsider a very small, careful reinstatement.

 

Because of the pregnancy, I would start with just 1 bead of effexor.  If it changes your symptoms for the better, we are on the right track.  Go ahead, open up the capsule, pull one single bead out.  Look at it.   This is a very tiny amount, and it might be better for you to be on this small amount, than to subject your baby to the trauma of your withdrawal.

 

It will not "start this process all over again," as you say, because it's nowhere near even a 1/2 dose.  Or 1/4 dose.  Just one tiny bead.  If you can feel a difference, but it's not enough, then 4 days later (that's how long to see if it will work), we might increase it to 2 beads.  Very carefully, very conscious of what your body is feeling.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Stop Withdrawal Symptoms

 

I understand about the importance of that small life in your belly, and it is a decision only you can make.  Please, learn about possibilities before you dismiss them totally.

 

The answers to this are very limited.