Fish4Life: 28 days Effexor free. Insane symptoms looking for support.

[Fish4Life]

Hey guys first time poster here.  36 yo male.  I just finished up a 4 month taper off Effexor 50mg IR.  My taper went ok for the most part.  I jumped from about 6mg when I quit.  It's been 28 days now and all hell has broken loose.  Insane anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, and terrible insomnia.  I've struggled with anxiety and panic for a lot of my life.  I guess my questions are does it usually take about a month or so to feel the full brunt of withdrawal symptoms?  Of course I'm freaking out that maybe this is my panic coming back but it feels so chemical in nature. 

 

I read about reinstating a small amount to stabilize.  I work full time and need to be functional so I'm 3 days in of reinstating 6mg.  Can't tell a huge difference either way yet.  Do you guys think I should continue to reinstate a small dose?  I had a nasty withdrawal off 1 mg Klonopin 39 months ago but this is fairly comparable. 

 

Just looking for some support and ideas.  Feel like I'm losing my mind.  Thanks for any input.

Edited November 20, 2017 by baroquep

[ChessieCat]

Hi Fish welcome to SA,

 

This is SA's topic about reinstating:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

I am pleased that you didn't take too high a dose when you reinstated.  It takes about 4 days for the drug to get to a steady dose in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.

 

Q:  Have you noticed any improvements since reinstating?  It is a good idea to keep daily notes on paper because you may be able to see improvements which you can't feel.

 

Because you are taking immediate release Effexor you might want to consider splitting your dose and taking it twice a day.  You may be experiencing interdose withdrawal.  The best way to do this is to move 1/2 of the dose 1 hour ahead/back (depending on if you are taking it in the morning or evening) each day until it is 12 hours apart.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

Keep Notes on Paper

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Stabilising - What Does That Mean?

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?
 

Brain Remodelling

 

This is your own Intro where you can ask questions and journal your progress.

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

[Fish4Life]

Thanks for the reply ChessieCat.  It seems after reinstating the panic has maybe dampened down a little bit.  Thank you for all the links also.  I think I may have tapered a little too fast dry cutting a 1/4 tab at a time.  I wasn't expecting such a strong surge of symptoms at 28 days off hoping I was in the clear.  Do these sound like classic withdrawal symptoms to you?  Of course my mind is telling me otherwise.  Thanks again for your reply.

[aviator2018]

Hi Fish4life,

 

I myself am withdrawing from Effexor. I did few cold turkeys previously and thought it i wait it out it, it will get better.

 

I have also tapered Paxil over the course of 5 months and cold turkeyed Effexor earlier and in my experience I didn't see much difference in the withdrawal symptoms in both cases( they were disabling).

 

Thanks to Altostrata who advised me after cold turkeying Effexor to reinstate a small dose, that helped tremendously  and I can feel the healing happening. I am not much experienced with the tapering but from my Experience the longer you taper the better you heal and feel along the road to recovery.

[Fish4Life]

Thanks for the reply aviator2018.  Yeah I'm  day 4 of reinstating 6mg of effexor to hope to stabilize.  Still having pretty strong anxiety and panic.  Haven't slept more than a few hours the past 4 nights.  Did you have alot  of anxiety when you ct'd off Effexor?  I've struggled with anxiety for most of my life but this stuff feels very chemical in nature.  Hoping it subsides soon.  Sucks...

[aviator2018]

Hi Fish4life,

 

I was initially diagnosed with Anxiety back in 2003. I always had chronic anxiety and during withdrawal it got worse. I would cry a lot and the anxiety would be worst in morning with cortisol spike.

 

Take my words and I assure you your anxiety will subside soon. You won't believe it and would doubt if you every will be relieved for such high anxiety( caused by withdrawal). The only way to relieve your anxiety to stick to a stable dose for now and give your self some time. I am very well aware of the feeling of anxiety in withdrawal. It is almost 24/7 but it will ease up for sure.

[Fish4Life]

Hi aviator2018,

Thanks for the reassurance this will get better.  Going to stay on this small amount for awhile and hopefully things will settle down.  Just hard to think straight with no sleep and panic 24/7.  I know these attacks won't kill me but they still suck big time.  Trying not to feed the fear cycle but struggling at the moment.  Thanks for your input.

[nz11]

Hi fish 

Are you able to put in your drug sig when you started these drugs? 

How long had you been on the Effexor for two months ? 10 years?