Robdog: 3 years off Venaflaxine and i am still not right

June 5, 2015

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

Thanks in advance:)

June 5, 2015

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust -

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

Before you consider going back on this drug.

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

Here are just some recent threads:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

June 6, 2015

Welcome Robdog,

I'm so glad you found us. I agree with clearday, congratulations with getting off Venafalxine and staying off.

What you are describing sounds like a symptom of protracted withdrawal. I'm very familiar with those sudden feelings of dread which come from nowhere, I've been having them too, ever since I stopped taking lexapro several years ago. Its a feeling like nothing I'd ever experienced previously. For me, they are slowly diminishing. I've also become much more spiritual since going into withdrawal and find it has helped with acceptance of the symptoms.

In some ways I see the whole withdrawal experience as being one, long forced meditation session which is transforming me into a more evolved version of myself

I particularly relate to what you wrote here:

My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

Withdrawal anxiety is a physiological thing and not something we have any control over. These thoughts and sensations come out of nowhere, the result of a glitchy nervous system, still trying to re balance itself. The way I feel my mind has been strengthened by this experience is not to become better at controlling anything, but in its ability to recognize these things as impermanent and meaningless and to let them go. Its not easy, because they can be very intense at times, but its good practice.

I've been completely drug free for just over 2 years now and even though I'm still having symptoms daily and have a ways to go before being recovered, I wouldn't consider taking another psychiatric medication now, not with everything I've learned about them.

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us.

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover. Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

In our Finding meaning forum you will find discussions on meditation, spiritual practices, including Buddhism and other ways members have found meaning in the withdrawal 'journey'. You are welcome to join any conversation or start your own.

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

Please feel free to write whenever you want, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

Petunia.

June 6, 2015

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust -

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

Before you consider going back on this drug.

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

Here are just some recent threads:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

June 6, 2015

Welcome Robdog,

I'm so glad you found us. I agree with clearday, congratulations with getting off Venafalxine and staying off.

What you are describing sounds like a symptom of protracted withdrawal. I'm very familiar with those sudden feelings of dread which come from nowhere, I've been having them too, ever since I stopped taking lexapro several years ago. Its a feeling like nothing I'd ever experienced previously. For me, they are slowly diminishing. I've also become much more spiritual since going into withdrawal and find it has helped with acceptance of the symptoms.

In some ways I see the whole withdrawal experience as being one, long forced meditation session which is transforming me into a more evolved version of myself

I particularly relate to what you wrote here:

My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

Withdrawal anxiety is a physiological thing and not something we have any control over. These thoughts and sensations come out of nowhere, the result of a glitchy nervous system, still trying to re balance itself. The way I feel my mind has been strengthened by this experience is not to become better at controlling anything, but in its ability to recognize these things as impermanent and meaningless and to let them go. Its not easy, because they can be very intense at times, but its good practice.

I've been completely drug free for just over 2 years now and even though I'm still having symptoms daily and have a ways to go before being recovered, I wouldn't consider taking another psychiatric medication now, not with everything I've learned about them.

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us.

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover. Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

In our Finding meaning forum you will find discussions on meditation, spiritual practices, including Buddhism and other ways members have found meaning in the withdrawal 'journey'. You are welcome to join any conversation or start your own.

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

Please feel free to write whenever you want, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

Petunia.

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply.

It has been a very strange 3 years since i stopped these meds, along the way i have had times of great clarity when i have never felt better in my life. I have had other times like this past 12 months mostly where i have felt pretty bad but through my Buddhist practice i am in a much better place to as you put it "see the impermanence" in the feelings. Feelings are just that, they are not a "self" or anything to cling to, this is very very hard to see though when they flare up strongly.

Along with the anxiety i get a lot of tension in my body, i get OCD about things and struggle to concentrate properly at times. I am so glad i found this site though as i have a doctors appointment on Monday relating to a skin condition and i was going to ask to go back on meds, now i know though that even after 3 years there is a chance things will improve i will see it out for sure. The last thing i want to do is go back on Effexor or any other brain altering medication. It has been so long though i was beginning to think the damage was permanent and i would never see any improvement. From having a brief look at some other threads though i dont think i have had it as bad as some.

In a strange way i am very thankful this has happened to me, since coming off these and having the problems i have had i have lost around 70lbs through a mainly vegetarian diet and yoga and walking as exercise. I have become a much better person through my Buddhist practice and although i have had some very tough times i can handle them in a much better way than i could before. My past way of handling problems was drink and drugs, now it is meditation and contemplation.

My skin is my main concern at the moment as my anxiety and other issues make my psoriasis flair up badly but im hoping to see a skin specialist soon. I am also going to stay at a buddhist monastery here in the UK on thursday for 3 nights to get a feel for it. I am hoping this will help me even more in my practice and coping with these feelings.

I will for sure look intom them Omega 3 oils and Magnesium when i get time and do something with my sig.

Thanks again for your time:)

June 6, 2015

Yes, people continue to improve after 3 years of withdrawal/recovery from SSRIs -

Here is one example of someone who was in very bad shape during withdrawal, yet by 4 1/2 years, feels largely recovered to normal.

It is a great story to read, it is short:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3523-success-recovery-from-protracted-zoloft-withdrawal-and-pssd/

These medications often help people when they are on them for awhile.

But coming off them can be very brutal, or side effects develop, the meds stop working - and for pretty much everyone on here - the long term costs heavily outweigh the benefits -

Scientists are coming to the same conclusions, that these drugs cause more harm than good:

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00117/full

June 6, 2015

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust -

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

Before you consider going back on this drug.

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

Here are just some recent threads:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

Welcome Rob

Thinking I am going a little crazy yep I know that feeling I know your history is in the first post but I was hoping to get you to put it in your signature please. There are a lot of things we need to know post effexor wd so stick around keep reading will catch up with you after you have had some study and processing time. Not all things you read will fit all people keep in mind we are all a bit different.

peace

June 7, 2015

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

Thanks in advance:)

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off. Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils. Just stay away.

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around. You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic. This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out. You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site. Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds. Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds. Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion. I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

June 8, 2015

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust -

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

Before you consider going back on this drug.

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

Here are just some recent threads:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

Welcome Rob

Thinking I am going a little crazy yep I know that feeling I know your history is in the first post but I was hoping to get you to put it in your signature please. There are a lot of things we need to know post effexor wd so stick around keep reading will catch up with you after you have had some study and processing time. Not all things you read will fit all people keep in mind we are all a bit different.

peace

HI:) Should i put my whole history in there, ie recreational drugs used alcohol abuse etc or just my antidepressant use?

June 8, 2015

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

Thanks in advance:)

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off. Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils. Just stay away.

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around. You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic. This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out. You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site. Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds. Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds. Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion. I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

Thanks for taking the time to post your opinion. Now i have discovered this forum and realize even after all this time there is still a chance i will totally recover i will see it out for sure. I can handle the anxiety, it does effect my quality of life hence me thinking of going back on meds but this was down to the fact i thought i was gonna be stuck like this forever.

Had an interesting appointment at the doctors today. I went regarding my Psoriasis which is made much worse because of my anxiety. I asked to see a skin specialist and he said fine. I explained about my anxiety making it flare up and without another question he offered me meds! He did not ask me how bad it was, what my lifestyle was like, my diet etc, he asked me nothing just straight onto meds.

I told him i did not want to do this because in my opinion being on the meds in the first place then stopping them 3 years ago is what has made me alot worse. I basically said i was still withdrawing from them but he said this was not the case. He said its just underlying issues resurfacing because i stopped my Effexor and that some people need to be on the meds for life!

I told him no thanks i will stick with my meditation and buddhist practice but he was still trying to get me to go on them. I explained about my online reseach and this forum etc and he was still not really interested.

I think the problem is with doctors is they just go with what there told, until they are officially told these meds do long term damage when stopped they will just go on dishing them out. I told him i had minor symptoms when i started them and now i have stopped them its like all my problems has been made much worse.

Never mind though i know for sure i am not going back onto them.

June 8, 2015

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

Thanks in advance:)

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off. Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils. Just stay away.

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around. You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic. This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out. You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site. Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds. Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds. Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion. I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

Thanks for taking the time to post your opinion. Now i have discovered this forum and realize even after all this time there is still a chance i will totally recover i will see it out for sure. I can handle the anxiety, it does effect my quality of life hence me thinking of going back on meds but this was down to the fact i thought i was gonna be stuck like this forever.

Had an interesting appointment at the doctors today. I went regarding my Psoriasis which is made much worse because of my anxiety. I asked to see a skin specialist and he said fine. I explained about my anxiety making it flare up and without another question he offered me meds! He did not ask me how bad it was, what my lifestyle was like, my diet etc, he asked me nothing just straight onto meds.

I told him i did not want to do this because in my opinion being on the meds in the first place then stopping them 3 years ago is what has made me alot worse. I basically said i was still withdrawing from them but he said this was not the case. He said its just underlying issues resurfacing because i stopped my Effexor and that some people need to be on the meds for life!

I told him no thanks i will stick with my meditation and buddhist practice but he was still trying to get me to go on them. I explained about my online reseach and this forum etc and he was still not really interested.

I think the problem is with doctors is they just go with what there told, until they are officially told these meds do long term damage when stopped they will just go on dishing them out. I told him i had minor symptoms when i started them and now i have stopped them its like all my problems has been made much worse.

Never mind though i know for sure i am not going back onto them.

Doctor's are smart people, but for the most part they do just what they are told. When the information that they are told is manipulated and in some cases just falsified, and therefore totally incorrect, you get a doctor that really thinks the data is legitimate and helpful but actually causes significant damage the the patients. You might find the book "anatomy of an epidemic" by Robert Whitaker to be interesting, considering that you've arrived at this conclusion independently.

You'll probably fully recover if you're doing as well as you are at 3 years out. My advice is to be patient with yourself and accept that some symptoms are worse now because of the medication that you took 3 years ago. It's very powerful medication that affects the nervous system, and the endocrine systems of your body (seeing that seritonin and norepinephrine both influence A LOT of physiological processes). Doctor's have no idea how powerful the stuff they are prescribing to their patients actually is, they just see patients responding well and assume that everything is OK - if a patient reports an averse effect, the doctors usually assume that there is something wrong with the patient (a totally irresponsible way to practice medicine, but that's how it goes here in the US).

Good luck, you'll be fine in a year or two from now (I know that sucks, believe me I know )

June 9, 2015

Just wanted to pop in quick and say hello, and that i too came off Effexor very fast...that dread and panicky weird stuff started happening while I was still on my dose of 225mg and my Dr tried to help me by putting it up to 262.5mg. Things only got worse, its hard to remember now how it felt those months, I was in terrible shape. Then he told me to taper off that dose in 3 months, and he tried 3 different SSRI's in the year following because i was clearly in horrible shape. I finally began a slow 4 year taper to get off Paxil, the final drug they tried me on post Effexor. I am much MUCH better today (4 years since stopping Effexor). The other SSRI's only muted the Effexor wd a little bit, so i have a fairly clear idea of how the wd has progressed and I can promise you its nothing like it was back then. I do still get that weird dready feeling wash over me but its so mild now I am able to label it wd, and side step it. It doesnt interefere. Another interesting thing is I too have skin issues, excema, on the palms and fingers. Ive never had it in this way before and it started in wd. I can get flare ups leaving me bloody and blistered. I treat with cortisone when desperate and a non steroidal cream otherwise. I hope this dies down as I complete this taper and get more distance between me and the meds in general. Good luck to you too, I know how scary it is to think this is a new you, even though deep down you know exactly what caused this. the invalidation of the medical system is awful and just makes it all worse. But you're on the right track now.

June 9, 2015

Doctor's are smart people, but for the most part they do just what they are told. When the information that they are told is manipulated and in some cases just falsified, and therefore totally incorrect, you get a doctor that really thinks the data is legitimate and helpful but actually causes significant damage the the patients. You might find the book "anatomy of an epidemic" by Robert Whitaker to be interesting, considering that you've arrived at this conclusion independently.

You'll probably fully recover if you're doing as well as you are at 3 years out. My advice is to be patient with yourself and accept that some symptoms are worse now because of the medication that you took 3 years ago. It's very powerful medication that affects the nervous system, and the endocrine systems of your body (seeing that seritonin and norepinephrine both influence A LOT of physiological processes). Doctor's have no idea how powerful the stuff they are prescribing to their patients actually is, they just see patients responding well and assume that everything is OK - if a patient reports an averse effect, the doctors usually assume that there is something wrong with the patient (a totally irresponsible way to practice medicine, but that's how it goes here in the US).

Good luck, you'll be fine in a year or two from now (I know that sucks, believe me I know )

Thanks for your reply. I certainly hope i fully recover. I would say the first 18-24 months after stopping were actually easier than this last 12 months has been. One bout of panic and anxiety seems to be able to set me off for a long time, then it eases for a while then another bout and on the cycle goes.

Just knowing i am not going mad and others have experienced these symptoms and it seems much worse has made me determind to get through this.

I will take a look at that book. I know when i was a child you would go to the doctor and whatever was wrong with you the doctor would just know what treatment or medication was the right course of action. The last few years when i have gone to see a doctor, at least 50-60% of the time, they have actually looked in a book to see what was needed, the doctor who told me there would be no problems coming off Effexor did this. It is for sure as you say, they believe what they are told and have lost the ability of critical thinking.

June 9, 2015

Just wanted to pop in quick and say hello, and that i too came off Effexor very fast...that dread and panicky weird stuff started happening while I was still on my dose of 225mg and my Dr tried to help me by putting it up to 262.5mg. Things only got worse, its hard to remember now how it felt those months, I was in terrible shape. Then he told me to taper off that dose in 3 months, and he tried 3 different SSRI's in the year following because i was clearly in horrible shape. I finally began a slow 4 year taper to get off Paxil, the final drug they tried me on post Effexor. I am much MUCH better today (4 years since stopping Effexor). The other SSRI's only muted the Effexor wd a little bit, so i have a fairly clear idea of how the wd has progressed and I can promise you its nothing like it was back then. I do still get that weird dready feeling wash over me but its so mild now I am able to label it wd, and side step it. It doesnt interefere. Another interesting thing is I too have skin issues, excema, on the palms and fingers. Ive never had it in this way before and it started in wd. I can get flare ups leaving me bloody and blistered. I treat with cortisone when desperate and a non steroidal cream otherwise. I hope this dies down as I complete this taper and get more distance between me and the meds in general. Good luck to you too, I know how scary it is to think this is a new you, even though deep down you know exactly what caused this. the invalidation of the medical system is awful and just makes it all worse. But you're on the right track now.

Thanks for the support it is much appreciated

June 9, 2015

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA. I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong! You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything! :angry:

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it.

June 9, 2015

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

June 10, 2015

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA. I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong! You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything!

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it.

I certainly wnot be going back on any psychotropic drugs thats for sure and thanks for the details about the cream:)

June 10, 2015

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

I used to do alot of bodybuilding and at that time in my life i was using anabolic steroids, just after i started using them that is when my psoriasis started. I was using no other meds then. My wife swears it was the steroids that initially started it although i haved a feeling it was the anxiety the steroids created in me.

I will say though i have noticed a massive increase in psoriasis since i came off effexor. Although again since coming off i have suffered with much worse anxiety so it could be that also.

June 10, 2015

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

Now you mention it, no I didnt have it pre SSRIs! Never thought of it being due to them but haven't had a flare up since quitting but did do a very slow taper which means no major withdrawal symptoms so far. I have arthritis which progressed rapidly after starting drugs and now have 3 joints replaced and get another one next week, didnt associate that with drugs either!

June 10, 2015

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA. I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong! You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything!

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it.

there is no test for psoriatic arthritis

https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriatic-arthritis/diagnosis/tests-to-confirm

drugs do trigger auto immune disorders including lupus who knows what else

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6722-auto-immune-diseases-triggered-by-ssri-withdrawal/

and

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2758-ssri-antidepressants-may-also-affect-human-immune-system/

drugs that can trigger psoriasis

http://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/medications-that-trigger-psoriasis.aspx

and

ssri drugs that trigger it

http://www.inspire.com/groups/talk-psoriasis/discussion/psoriasis-triggered-by-ssris-zoloft/

I have not read them all but there are connections.

June 11, 2015

have you tried autoimmune paleo diet? since you have psoriasis, it would help that and probably also your mental wellbeing.

Robdog: 3 years off Venaflaxine and i am still not right

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