tiredtess: venlafaxine / Effexor

[tiredtess]

Just now, tiredtess said:

I have not tried 5-HTP or anything else. I still have "zaps" and anxiety has returned with a vengeance

 

[Altostrata]

Hello, we haven't heard from you for more than a month. You're still having brain zaps? What other withdrawal symptoms do you have?

 

On 9/19/2020 at 11:11 AM, Altostrata said:

Do you have any venlafaxine left? Do you have capsules filled with tiny beads? You may wish to take a few beads for a few months, then taper off them. See About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Did you read the topic about reinstating? If you get a prescription for 37.5mg venlafaxine, the kind that is in capsules with tiny beads, you would be able to take a few beads. This might relieve your withdrawal symptoms.

[tiredtess]

Hi, been off Venlafaxine since last March and am still experiencing "brain zaps" clicking, swooshing and sometimes an almost physical jolt. I am finding things very difficult at the moment as are so many with all the restrictions. A close member of my family passed away two days before Christmas (Covid related) and she was the only person who had time to listen and try to understand. I had started to open up about the abuse I suffered in psych hospital and now she has gone. It was such a difficult funeral given all the restrictions.

I feel I need medication but don't want it. I wake every morning with a feeling of fear and dread and not too sure why. OCD has increased to an upsetting level. I try to keep busy all day including walking. I am at a loss

t

[Onmyway]

Tiredtess, so sorry to hear that you are suffering and you've had losses recently. I can't glean from your signature how you tapered but venlafaxine is one of the hardest drugs to get off of and I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have woken up with dread every morning for a long time but it got better (still back during waves) and it is withdrawal and nothing else and I bet it will get better for you as well. The OCD from cutting quickly is also very familiar. These are all a part of the withdrawal. I can't tell you whether you should reinstate but I can tell you this will get better with time. How much time, I don't know. Hope you see some relief soon.

 

[Nelly]

I am sorry for your loss.

Congratulations on being drug free! I feel your pain. I am taking venlafaxine and I have similar symptoms to you. As horrible as it is, and after the effort that you put in, to get off these drugs,  I would try to take one day at a time, in the hope that your symptoms will ease. Have you tried CBD oil? I don’t know enough about it, but some people do find some relief with this. Loneliness can also impact on how we feel. Also the time of year and being restricted. 

So perhaps ask yourself, given what has been going on in your life recently, that your feelings are understandable, and give yourself time to build yourself up? 

In no way am I wanting to minimise your pain. I say to myself .....what else can I do? I am doing everything I can to help myself, but continue with dreadful physical symptoms. I have learnt to be kind to myself and accept this is how it is. Although this is very hard at times.  At these times, I struggle to have a shower and get dressed. 

I hope you will start to feel better soon x

 

[tiredtess]

thank you for your replies. It will be a year this March that I became Venlafaxine free. The head zaps and OCD are getting progressively worse as is my feelings of dread and fear.

t

[Onmyway]

Tiredtesshave you tried non-drug techniques for the OCD. It's one of the anxiety variants that responds well to CBT and there are books on how to apply it and dedicated clinics and specialists.

 

Some of the techniques for it work to alleviate the symptoms even if the OCD is from drug withdrawal. The fear and dread I don't have solutions for. Or the brain zaps for that matter. Are you able to eliminate or lower other sources of stress. My symptoms always get worse in times of extra stress.

 

Hope you get some relief soon. 

 

[Altostrata]

@tiredtess, how are you doing?

[tiredtess]

always easier to say im fine thanks for asking

[Altostrata]

Are you fine? Has your symptom pattern changed since February?

[tiredtess]

Sorry not to have replied before. Not fine really fine and still have "zaps". Lots of aches n pains and other things. Last time I sa my GP she suggested I had had more than my share of "the services" which I found quite upsetting as none of it was asked for.

[tiredtess]

Brain Zaps

 

Hello, wasn't too sure where to post this so relying on moderator to deal with it.

So, I have been off Venlafaxine for over a year. It was a really horrible experience coming off them although I tapered sensibly. In the end I took advice from another group and bridged over to Fluoxetine the theory being that that was easier to come off. It seemed to work and the "brain zaps" I was experiencing coming off Ven ceased. But have been on Fluoxetine 20mg for a good year and the "zaps" are back. It only seems to be in the morning between waking and waking fully if that makes sense. The last Dr I saw said my mental health was "just me" and I had had my "share of services" which I found offensive and upsetting so have not been back. In fact she wasn't bothered if I went on Fluoxetine or not so didn't arrange any follow up. I never had any side affects from other anti depressants and am worried I shall somehow have to get on a higher dose just to manage the "zaps"

I do hope all that made sense as am really struggling at the moment.

TT

 

50 odd years of treatment + ECT, I forget detail

Edited June 26, 2023 by Shep
added title after moving from another forum

[Shep]

@tiredtess Please note I moved your last thread from the Tapering forum to here in your intro/update thread. Please continue posting questions here so all of your information is in one place.

 

Here is the discussion of brain zaps:

 

Brain zaps

 

Since you've only been off venlafaxine for a year, it's possible the brain zaps are a wave from that withdrawal. It's also possible that you're dealing with some hyper-senstivity or even kindling, which is causing unpredictable symptoms to appear or re-appear. 

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

 

Please update your signature to reflect the drugs changes since you were last posting in your introduction thread back in 2021. A direct link to your signature is here:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[tiredtess]

Thank you for replying. How can I stop them its like a huge wave constantly hitting the shore

TT

[Catina7]

Hi there @tiredtess!  I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling so badly.  Congrats for at least being able to get off the Venlafaxine/Effexor.  I am trying to get off it too, and it's the most evil drug that I've ever taken.  I am too scared to try and bridge onto anything else.  You're in good hands here with our knowledgable and experienced moderators.  Your brain is fighting hard to heal and recover and it will take time.  Make sure you read all the links that the mods provide for you as this will help you the most.  I don't know if you've read any of the success stories on the site, but they can really give us HOPE when we feel discouraged.  Sending you a big hug and warm healing thoughts.

 

Catina ❤️

[Shep]

22 hours ago, tiredtess said:

Thank you for replying. How can I stop them its like a huge wave constantly hitting the shore

TT

 

Is Prozac the only drug you're taking now? Are you using any supplements? 

[tiredtess]

Yes the only drug I'm on. I take multi vitamins, appetite not very good.

Just think I need to up the Prozac

 

 

ADs for over 50 yrs most of that time on Parstelin an MAOI. Also ECT and anti psychotic drugs in the 1970s. In recent years have taken Citalopram for a short time then Venlafaxine + ER 75mg then 37.5. + Mirtazapine. Tapered down from that over many months. Suggested by another group to bridge to Fluoxetine as supposedly withdrawal affects less than with Venlafaxine.

26/06/23. Off Venlafaxine but still on 20mg Fluoxetine.

[Shep]

On 6/27/2023 at 8:10 AM, tiredtess said:

Just think I need to up the Prozac

 

Increasing Prozac may not solve withdrawal from Venlafaxine, which you came off of a year or so ago. If it's a wave from that drug, it will resolve in time. It's really possible you're dealing with a wave from that. Most people have waves a year off these drugs. Please see:

 

Are We There Yet? How Long Is Withdrawal Going to Take?  

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

I would caution against making more changes, especially any large and abrupt changes. This is very challenging to the nervous system. 

 

On 6/27/2023 at 8:10 AM, tiredtess said:

I take multi vitamins, appetite not very good.

 

Do you think you may be dealing with nutritional deficiencies? Are you able to work with a nutritionist to be sure you're getting all of the nutrition you need? Are you eating enough protein and staying hydrated with plenty of water every day? All of this matters.

 

If your vitamins include B vitamins, some people find those to be stimulating. If you're able to get that vitamin through red meat, fish, and other animal products, it may be easier on your nervous system. 

 

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, diet

 

With a poor diet, sometimes spacing your meals into small, frequently eaten snacks can help. This also will keep your blood sugar level, as these drugs and withdrawal are notorious for causing dips in blood sugar. The symptoms of low blood sugar can mimic withdrawal symptoms.

 

Please take good care of yourself. 

[tiredtess]

Off everything now, the first time for 50 years. Had a horrendous time coming off Venlafaxine which is when the Brain Zaps started although I tapered very slowly Along with other horrible withdrawal symptoms I was given the choice of Fluoxetine or Lamotrigne to help as a sort of bridging . My Gp wasn't very interested in what I chose and said I had had my share of services and it was just the way I am.As far as the medics were concerned I have been left to my own devices. Having been on 20mg Fluoxetine for over a year I decided I would come off it as I still had zaps and thought it would all flush out of my system in time. Well zaps got so much worse. Its the sensation that at times makes me feel dizzy which is frightening.

I don't want to see any doctors whatsoever and frightened what I might do.

tt