Effexor Withdrawal
Image via WikipediaWhy is it that Effexor is spelt 2 different ways? I can never remember which way around it is but it’s spelt with 1 “f” (ie Efexor) in one place and with 2 “f’s” in another (comparing Australia and the US here). It’s all Venlafaxine. Why have they chosen to use 2 different spellings? Bizarre.
I think this blog post is going to be just as bizzare because I am having the worst head-spins ever and probably shouldn’t be trying to write at all.
In fact, the decision about whether or not to blog my withdrawal process from Effexor is a tricky one in itself. You see, I’m not “anti” anti-depressant drugs. And I know when I was first taking Effexor, I did a google search and totally freaked myself out about the possible issues with getting off it again. I was already on it by then but if I’d googled BEFORE I started taking it I may have not wanted to start in the first place.
So let me just say that it is NOT an evil drug. I know a LOT of people have been helped by this drug. In fact, I have been helped by this drug. In the end, not quite enough to keep taking it. I have read others who’ve pronounced it evil because of the difficulties withdrawing. I’ve also read reports from people who didn’t have any trouble withdrawing at all.
Just putting that out there in case anyone happens to stumble upon this post via google search at a later date. Please remember that everyone’s experience is different.
Now I’ve gotten all that out of the way I need to say this:
Withdrawal SUCKS!!!!
At least, today it does. 
Last night I got incredibly ITCHY. An anti-histamine helped a little with that and at least helped me sleep as well. So well I slept in until 9.30am this morning and at 12.30 I’m STILL groggy.
I’m getting head-spins and nausea (which I think is probably a result of the head-spins). It’s a familiar feeling I’ve had before when I’ve forgotten to take my meds.
I remember the itchiness when I first went on the Effexor. It may not be related to the effexor withdrawal. I don’t know.
If you’re feeling sorry for me right now, please send copious amounts of chocolate to PO Box… LOL. Just kidding. 
I WILL get through this. Others have. I will. So will you (for anyone reading this that has come from a search engine).
3pm Update: Paracetamol seems to have kicked in and head-spins are a LOT less now. Yah for Paracetamol!!!
Next Day Update: Today is day 3 of this reduction and day 2 was by far the worst. I’m tired and slightly heady but a HUGE improvement on yesterday. If you’re going through this, hang in there. It DOES get better. {{{HUGS}}}
Travelling T-Shirt News
In unrelated news, the travelling t-shirt has landed at it’s first destination.
If you’re visiting here as a result of the travelling t-shirt. Hi! 
I promise I don’t always whine. Sometimes I’m quite happy even! You can make me even happier by clicking on that pretty pink button in the sidebar and subscribing to my feed. It makes me feel all loved and special like. 
For my regular readers, I will be updating the Travelling T-Shirt page each time a new post goes up. If you want to follow it’s progress, you can find updates there or follow me on Twitter where I’ll be tweeting it’s new location each time it changes blogs.
If you’re interested in sponsoring the travelling t-shirt giveaway, please contact me.
Similar Posts:
- One More Step Along the Road I Go
- Weaning Off Effexor
- D Day
- Who Can’t Spell?
- Not All Anti-Depressants are Anti-Depressing
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Hang in there. I got off Paxil without spontaneously combusting, and you can do this too.
I’d send chocolate but it’s summer here in Las Vegas and I can hardly buy the stuff anymore without it turning into a pile of goo before I get home. It would never survive sitting on a mail truck…
I am eating chocolate for you now.
Um, what? That is not what you meant?
Well tough, it is delicious.
Smootches babe.
{{{hugs}}}
I have a hard time coming off my meds each time the doctors decide I’ve had enough. Hope things settle down soon.
Love the travelling t-shirt idea. Was going to volunteer to host the t-shirt at my place but not willing to commit to anything - even online stuff - right now because I’m scared of letting people down, life is so crazy. But I did want to tell you what a fantastic idea I think it is.
Like Kelley, I’m also eating chocolate right now. Well, it’s cappucino fudge, but I’ll have an extra bite just for you. Can you taste the yumminess?
(Words from hubby–stop eating that and get some REAL dinner……..)
“Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can’t handle.” –An old preacher’s greeting to each day
Hang in there girlfriend! I’m sending you lots of virtual chocolate (no calories that way to undo all the personal training sessions!) My thoughs are with you and before you know it, it will be smiley saturday again!
-hugs-
Lis
Ah yes, the headspins are the worst…
Chocolate is good. Lindt balls are the best, i found.
Kirsten - thanks. LOL about the chocolate. Perhaps you’d better eat some for me then. Seems that’s the solution.
Or perhaps that should be “drink some for me”. 
Kelley - oh the sacrifice you have to put up with for the sake of our friendship. Judging by how tight my jeans are feeling, you’ve done me a real service there babe!!!
Marita - thanks. Hopefully others like the idea too. Take care of yourself. It’s a good idea not to overcommit right now.
River - you can keep the cappucino fudge. Not a fan of anything remotely coffee tasting (even though I would like to be). Appreciate the thought though.
Lynette - great quote! Thanks.
Lis - thanks. Think virtual chocolate is the safest right now!!!!
Tiff - mmmm….Lindt balls. Lucky it’s my birthday soon (ish). Wonder if anyone will give me Lindt balls?????
Everyone - thanks for your ongoing support. So far today is a little better than yesterday and hopefully tomorrow will be a little better again.
I hope it all gets better soon, or at least in time for netball training! Not that I’m obsesses with netball….much.
You are doing great! I could go on but the typing is getting really dodgy. I need sleep.
Talk soon
Sharon!!! You’re back!!! I missed you sooooo much!
I’ve been lost without you at the other end of my computer. It just hasn’t been the same! Looking forward to hearing about your time away. Hope you get a good night’s sleep. 
BTW (by the way), your comment was the last thing I read last night. So guess what I dreamt about??? NETBALL!!!! ROFLOL. I couldn’t catch the ball because the sleeves of my jumper kept getting in the way!!!! So I took it off and gave it to you and guess what’s underneath….another jumper!!! Bizarre!!!!
Awww Lightening !!!
Hang in there girl !!!!!!
I was fortunate in that I had no withdrawals when I gave up Fluoxotine, (But I am back on it now)
But I have had withdrawals for other stuff and it ain’t fun.
BIG BIG hugs, and all the chocolate Kelley can eat is being virtually sent your way.
MWAH !!!
I was just browsing through your blog and came across this post. I’ve been on Efexor for 15 months now. Before this time I was on it for about 2 years but then weaned myself off because we wanted to have another baby.
I get those headspins too if I forget to take it first thing in the morning. I actually had to get the higher dose because I felt as though they weren’t working. I have to go back at the end of the week to get another script.
Are you weaning yourself off them or are you going cold-turkey? Either way, I hope you’re feeling better