venlafaxine1990: help please : ( venlafaxine problems ...

[FarmMom]

6 minutes ago, Yersinia said:

Hi @FarmMom and @venlafaxine1990. I’m a fellow “Effexorite” (just made that word up - hope it doesn’t sound too stupid).  
 

The ups-and-downs you are describing sound like the Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

Unfortunately, it’s normal. You feel fine and then, for no apparent reason, you feel WD again.  As difficult as it may be to accept, it’s a good thing - it means your brain is repairing itself.  You won’t always be this way - your brain is fixing itself all the time. 

 

@Yersinia I appreciate your feedback. @venlafaxine1990 and I have both made an increase with Effexor and experiencing this. I think that's what is confusing me. Is it still windows/waves and withdrawal if we have increased? Are we still trying to stabilizing from the increase? The unknown and how long the bad periods are going to late is so terrible. 

When a good time comes i take full advantage and absolutely love it. I never had problems until the end of January when I got the Covid vaccine. I had a terrible panic attack and I suppose it threw me into withdraws. I've slowly went up to try to get relief. 

I've had 4 windows with the shortest being 5 days and the longest 3 weeks, 5 waves, longest being 45 days 😢

[Yersinia]

Hi @FarmMom and @venlafaxine1990 - I'm no expert but I think stabilization after a reinstatement (or perhaps any dose change) usually goes in a "windows and waves" pattern.  See 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

Specifically, under the section titled "How long should you give reinstatement?", there's a mention of how improvement [after reinstatement] often occurs in "The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization".  So I'm guessing any improvement usually occurs in windows and waves. 

 

I'm really new to this though so I'm hoping a mod like @getofflex will pop in to verify my statement 🙂

[getofflex]

I would tend to agree.  At any rate during a reinstatement the original WD is still there so windows and waves can certainly happen.  Often an RI will reduce symptoms not eliminate them altogether.  

Edited July 30, 2021 by getofflex

[venlafaxine1990]

Thanks all for your support. It is very much appreciated.

@FarmMomhow are you doing today?

I had a bad night and struggled with sleep. Ended up taking diazepam 😔

[FarmMom]

I'm sorry you had a rough night. Yesterday was one of the better days I have had in a while. Praying another window is on the front. How long have you been at 37mg now? 

[venlafaxine1990]

1 hour ago, FarmMom said:

I'm sorry you had a rough night. Yesterday was one of the better days I have had in a while. Praying another window is on the front. How long have you been at 37mg now? 

That’s great, I hope it continues and you have lots more good days. 
I’ve been at this dose for almost 6 weeks now. I have bad days and better days. Hoping for normality soon but not feeling too positive it will happen !!x

[venlafaxine1990]

On 7/28/2021 at 11:28 AM, venlafaxine1990 said:

Hi @Altostrata

sorry I haven’t been on here for a while. I found I was getting a bit obsessed with reading stories and worrying myself that I would take years to get better so tried to avoid it for a while.

 

I am now taking 37.5mg. I felt this was the right thing to do, whether or not it was I don’t know, but at the time it felt right as I felt very anxious.

 

im still not better. I’ve had good days and even several good days in a row where I thought things had got better but then it all goes back downhill again. 
 

My vertigo has calmed down at the moment but seems to come and go. Currently having brain zaps that seem to have gotten worse over the last week. I went on holiday and whilst there felt like things were settling down. I had just 1 alcoholic drink and the next day didn’t feel right. It’s gone downhill since!!

The brain zaps have gotten worse and it feels like withdrawal I’ve had before although I don’t understand why when I’m taking 37.5mg daily at the same time everyday.

still get anxious and internal shaking although that comes and goes. Feel like pressure in my head and my ears are ringing loud, probably the worst my ears have been. 
also getting burning sensation in feet and legs and struggle to regulate body temperature- going from hot to cold all the time. 
 

im so fed up. The brain zaps I had from stopping earlier in the year but they stopped. They came back in may a few weeks after reinstatement. And now a month after increasing to 37.5mg they are worse. 
 

I just don’t know what to do. Shall I stick with this 37.5mg and know it will eventually settle? As I do have good days. Or do I increase ? Or reduce? My head is spinning and I’m so fed up with feeling unwell. This has been going on (up and down) for months now and not sure how much longer I can cope !!

 

Will I eventually settle on the 37.5 do you think ? Is it likely the brain zaps will stop? 
 

I’m so scared I’ve permanently damaged myself and I just know I can’t spend the rest of my life like this.

 

Would really appreciate any support and advice you can offer. Thank you x

 

 

 

@Altostrata what are your thoughts? Thanks 

[Altostrata]

My thoughts are these:

 

- When did you increase to 37.5mg venlafaxine? Please update your signature.

 

- Do you feel better, worse, or the same now that you've increased to 37.5mg?

 

- Do you have increased symptoms at any particular times of day? How do you feel before you take venlafaxine and after you take it? What time o'clock do you take it?

 

- Have you been taking a benzo such as diazepam in the last month?

[venlafaxine1990]

On 8/12/2021 at 12:31 AM, Altostrata said:

My thoughts are these:

 

- When did you increase to 37.5mg venlafaxine? Please update your signature.

 

- Do you feel better, worse, or the same now that you've increased to 37.5mg?

 

- Do you have increased symptoms at any particular times of day? How do you feel before you take venlafaxine and after you take it? What time o'clock do you take it?

 

- Have you been taking a benzo such as diazepam in the last month?

will update my signature later when I can get on to my laptop. 
 

I increased to 37.5 on the 23rd June. I take it at 9.30am and don’t feel any different after taking it.  Mornings are usually worse and I usually get some relief where symptoms aren’t as bad later in the day. 
 

ive taken diazepam only a few times on bad nights when I can’t sleep. Usually just once per week.

 

I went on holiday from the 14th to the 25th July and whilst there I felt almost back to normal. I had one alcoholic drink and started to not feel right the next day. Symptoms then gradually got worse again with Brain zaps., internal shaking, anxiety, feeling low etc. 
 

I seem to have some good days then it goes bad again. The last few days have been quite bad with brain zaps on and off, feeling dizzy, internal shaking, fatigue, anxiety, feeling low etc. 
 

do you think this is just a typical waves and windows of reinstatement? Do you think I will slowly stabilise on the 37.5 eventually ?

 

thanks for your support.

 

[Altostrata]

On 8/13/2021 at 2:45 AM, venlafaxine1990 said:

I usually get some relief where symptoms aren’t as bad later in the day. 

 

What time of day (o'clock) does this happen?

 

On 8/13/2021 at 2:45 AM, venlafaxine1990 said:

I went on holiday from the 14th to the 25th July and whilst there I felt almost back to normal. I had one alcoholic drink and started to not feel right the next day. Symptoms then gradually got worse again with Brain zaps., internal shaking, anxiety, feeling low etc. 

 

If your bad patch started with this event, you have experienced a common outcome of mixing alcohol and nervous system sensitivity from withdrawal syndrome. 

 

We have often seen that alcohol will renew withdrawal symptoms or make them worse.

 

Your nervous system will take some weeks to settle down from this upset. Since this happened only a month after you increased to 37.5mg, we can't tell if it's the right dosage for you. If I were you, I would not increase venlafaxine, let your system settle down from the alcohol.

[venlafaxine1990]

11 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

What time of day (o'clock) does this happen?

 

 

If your bad patch started with this event, you have experienced a common outcome of mixing alcohol and nervous system sensitivity from withdrawal syndrome. 

 

We have often seen that alcohol will renew withdrawal symptoms or make them worse.

 

Your nervous system will take some weeks to settle down from this upset. Since this happened only a month after you increased to 37.5mg, we can't tell if it's the right dosage for you. If I were you, I would not increase venlafaxine, let your system settle down from the alcohol.

Thanks for getting back to me @Altostrata .

 

So I generally find that from later afternoon/ early evening I start to feel less of the internal shaking and generally a bit better. But still pretty rubbish, just a bit of relief. 
 

Do you think il ever feel well again?! Im so worried.

[Altostrata]

Yes, people tend to recover, but it can take a while after each shake-up, such as a couple of months.

 

Please keep daily notes of times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This can show if your symptoms are adverse effects from one of your drugs.

[venlafaxine1990]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Yes, people tend to recover, but it can take a while after each shake-up, such as a couple of months.

 

Please keep daily notes of times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This can show if your symptoms are adverse effects from one of your drugs.

Thank you. Will start tracking symptoms etc and report back x

[venlafaxine1990]

Hi @Altostrata

 

so I tracked my symptoms and noticed that all symptoms remain the same all day except the interval shaky feeling generally improves throughout the day. 
I went on holiday again from the 20th-30th august and again whilst there started to feel a lot better. Not 100%, but a lot better. Then on the 29th august I took the tablet 2 hours late which I’m very annoyed with myself for and the next day stated to feel the internal shaking worse again, brain zaps more regular and general feeling low and fatigued. 
do you think taking the tablet just 2 hours late could have caused things to get worse again??

thanks 

[Altostrata]

Need to see those notes in the requested format.

 

On 8/15/2021 at 12:49 PM, Altostrata said:

Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right.

 

[venlafaxine1990]

7 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Need to see those notes in the requested format.

 

 

7am- wake feeling shaky inside , mild brain zaps, weak, tired. Slept well. Mild headache 
9am- breakfast then take Venlafaxine 37.5mg and paracetamol for headache 

10- still shaky inside, mild brain zaps , weak, tired 

11- as above 

12- as above 

1- lunch - starting to feel less shaky. Still shaky but slightly milder 

2- as above 

3- as above 

4- as above 

5- as above 

6- dinner - internal shaking feels worse again

7- internal shaking slightly better but brain zaps a little worse 

8- fell asleep with son 

11.30- woke up feeling internal shaking, headache

12- back to sleep 

6.30- woke - back to mild brain zaps, internal shaking, headache 

 

 

@Altostratado you think taking Venlafaxine 2 hours late could have caused symptoms to flare up worse again? They were starting to settle down and the internal shaking was soooo much better !

[Altostrata]

On 9/2/2021 at 1:43 AM, venlafaxine1990 said:

 

@Altostratado you think taking Venlafaxine 2 hours late could have caused symptoms to flare up worse again? They were starting to settle down and the internal shaking was soooo much better !

 

Yes. As you know, we are always telling people to take their drugs on the same schedule every day. 

 

I am sorry your symptoms got worse. It will take a couple of weeks for them to settle down. 

 

Would you say overall your symptoms were improving in the 6 weeks before you made this mistake? Do you usually have brain zaps all day long?

[venlafaxine1990]

11 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

Yes. As you know, we are always telling people to take their drugs on the same schedule every day. 

 

I am sorry your symptoms got worse. It will take a coup of weeks for them to settle down. 

 

Would you say overall your symptoms were improving in the 6 weeks before you made this mistake? Do you usually have brain zaps all day long?

Yes my symptoms were improving. 
I’m so annoyed as in July I started to feel a little better then had alcohol one day and it all went downhill … then about a month after that i wasn’t back to normal but started to improve again and then took the tablet 2 hours late and now boom back to being awful again. It’s just awful how taking it only 2 hours late on one day can make things worse again. 
 

So with the brain zaps I got them when I stopped Venlafaxine after only taking for 12 days back in February… they went away. I then re started Venlafaxine and the brain zaps came back about a month after re starting. 
they got worse about a month after my increase to 37.5mg and then started to slowly settle - still there but not as often - then got worse again after the alcohol - then again started to slowly settle but still hadn’t completely gone - then worse again now I’m back from holiday after taking the tablet 2 hours late on the last day. 
do you think the brain zaps will ever go away completely?? They are so unnerving!! It sometimes feels like a ‘zap’ and other times feel like a jolt or shake to my brain. Very upsetting and worrying. 
 

I do also have a cold at the moment which I guess could be making things feel worse. 
 

the internal shaking had improved so much, it was still there intermittently but massively improved. It’s now almost constant but in varying degrees of intensity throughout the day since the day after taking that tablet late. 
 

it’s my best friends hen do weekend in 4 weeks time and I’m so worried I’m going to be poorly for it. Really worrying il never actually get back to normal ! 
 

In the past when I’ve reduced my Venlafaxine and then increased again to stabilise it’s taken approx 6 weeks and then I’ve been back to normal. This just seems so much worse this year I’ve been so up and down and feels like this is it now.

 

thank you for all your support. It is very much appreciated.

 

 

[Altostrata]

You've been better before and you'll be better again. You need to avoid alcohol and drug mishaps.

[venlafaxine1990]

Hi @Altostrata I’ve tried to avoid posting as I don’t want to come across as a burden but I’m struggling.

I’m still getting brain zaps and in fact they have got significantly worse. My sleep is a lot better and I just have the odd night where I struggle but generally ok. 
The internal shaking I have days where it’s not there at all and others where it’s not great and will be there a lot of the day. 
 

I started to get out a lot more with friends and pretty much getting back to normality although not always feeling great. I have had several occasions over the last month where I have drank a few alcoholic drinks. My brain zaps are now the worst they have ever been. All day everyday !!! And quite strong in feeling - sometime a zap, sometimes a jolt or shake feeling. Constant feeling like static and pressure in head. 
 

I'm wondering if I need to get off the Venlafaxine as when I was on it before I used to always drink alcohol on it no problem . Or whether I need to increase the dose ???

 

im still on 37.5mg at the moment, once a day in the morning, and take it at the same time every day. 
 

im so fed up with feeling physically unwell everyday and when I mention this brain zap feeling to people they just look at me confused!! 
 

Look forward to your response 

thanks 

Claire 

[Altostrata]

This is a good sign.

11 hours ago, venlafaxine1990 said:

My sleep is a lot better and I just have the odd night where I struggle but generally ok. 
The internal shaking I have days where it’s not there at all and others where it’s not great and will be there a lot of the day. 

 

Are you drinking alcohol? Alcohol is another drug. If you add it, even a drink, it has an effect on your nervous system that might exacerbate your withdrawal symptoms, including brain zaps.

 

If you want to drink, we're not going to be able to support you. You're making your own problems. It's not the Effexor.

[Rosetta]

Deleted. Wrong thread.

Edited November 20, 2021 by Rosetta
Wrong thread