Lightening Online

36 comments:

1. Lynette, 20. October 2008, 9:59
   

   Thanks for this. I was wondering how you were going on your meds with all this other stuff happening.
   Am about to start withdrawing from my meds and am actually scared stiff….. especially at this busy time of year, but who knows, maybe I will find myself again.
   Thanks for your tips too.

   Pray you are back real soon and able to have some time to yourself.
   Praying for mediacl wisdom in this and that there are no long term side effects for your son.

    
2. Bettina, 20. October 2008, 13:55
   

   Hope everything goes well with the ultrasound and that the med withdrawels disappear soon.

    
3. Prizetastic, 20. October 2008, 23:56
   

   You’re in my thoughts. Hope all goes well with the meds and the ultrasound….. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for you xxx

    
4. Sharon, 21. October 2008, 8:26
   

   ***Update from Lightening***

   Hello Lightening blogreaders…

   Jodi has asked me to update you on Lleyton’s progress, as you may have guessed she hasn’t returned home yet.

   Lleyton had surgery last night (Monday), he is in quite a bit of pain but will make a full recovery.

   I’m sure she would appreciate your thoughts and prayers, as you can imagine this is pretty tough on a Mum. No one likes to see their kids in pain. And Jodi being a nicer Mum than most (well, than me!) she is really feeling for him.

   The good news is he will be ok. The operation went well and he will make a full recovery.

   Cheers
   Sharon.

    
5. Gemisht, 21. October 2008, 13:45
   

   Ohhh thanks for the update Sharon. If you see this and talk to her again, please let her know that she is in my thoughts as is Lleyton for a full recovery. Having one of your kids having an op is no fun at all.

    
6. river, 21. October 2008, 19:14
   

   Injury?? Did I miss something in my reading? Hope Lleyton is okay.
   And coming off the meds by “jumping in the deep end” ? Well done.

   If you’ve got time while in Adelaide find a Ray’s Outdoors store and check out their camping washing “machines”. They’re small, look like a mini compost tumbler, you put your day’s clothes in, add a small amount of water and soap, (I’d think liquid soap would be the thing here) turn the handle a few times and your washing is done. Not sure how well they’d cope with family sized loads, but good for “smalls” and you could do the big things, jeans, towels, etc in a laundromat. You could probably use one of these just by letting the motion of the travelling do the agitating part.

    
7. Sharon, 22. October 2008, 14:44
   

   I heard from Jodi again yesterday. She was doing much better than Monday. I will be sure to pass on your regards if I speak to her again.

    
8. Boo, 22. October 2008, 16:58
   

   Hi Jodi

   I know exactly what you’re talking about. Especially the dizzy, floor suddenly fell out from under you feeling. I’ve gone off effexor-xr twice now. The first time I went off it, I made the mistake of going from 150mg a day to nothing! The quezy sick feeling lasts much longer when you go from a higher dose. Second time I wasn’t so stupid. I went off at 75mg, which is suggested by doctors anyway. Not so bad, but still…dizzy yukky head feeling if I moved my eyes too quickly.

   Anyway, it will pass. It always does. Sadly, I know that there will be a next time…so at least I am well prepared!

   Boo

    
9. mharms, 23. October 2008, 7:24
   

   I hope everything’s well with you. Take care.

    
10. Sueblimely, 23. October 2008, 19:49
    

    The particular medication you are on can have some unpleasant withdrawal effects but it sounds as if you are doing it sensibly Jodi. Not that I have tried coming off it but I have forgotten for two days in a row a few times and boy do I know it. You describe the feelings in so well - it is like a power surge in the head. I have read of them being called brain explosions.

    To be honest I am afraid to come off the things and my doc reckons I should be on them for the rest of my life because of a genetic condition I have. Long term use like this is a worry too though.

    I had to edit this because a message came up saying that the name of the medication, ef…or could be flagged as spam

     
11. jeanie, 24. October 2008, 6:30
    

    Good luck with it ALL!

     
12. phil, 10. November 2008, 20:32
    

    I am currently at week three of going cold turkey from a 75mg dose of Venlafaxine. It has been a very unpleasant experience but today was a turning point and I am through the worst. I did some checking so I knew what was coming and it was as bad as they say - I have had all the symptoms. I found some internet people recommending the following to alleviate the withdrawal; Benadryl cough syrup; St johns Wort; Vitamin B; Omeaga oil; Orange juice. I tried them all and I have to say I did notice some benefits, but the experience was nonetheless very nasty. I liked the St Johns Wort best - it made me quite mellow. If you do come off Venlafaxine you must set aside a month with no work or any chores and just deal with the horrors. It is great out the other side.

     
13. phil, 19. November 2008, 8:48
    

    First thanks to Lightening for borrowing your site. Well another ten days has passed since stopping a 75mg Venlafaxine dose and my previous post here.

    There were two reasons I stopped taking. The first was because I was 99% sure the underlying issue that was dogging me and making me depressed had been resolved. It is a long story and I won’t bore you with it - but for the ladies out there, it is a love story that stretches 35 years and 12000 miles.

    Secondly I had developed a degree of anger and sense of frustration in recent months and I put that down to my inner self wrestling with a drug which I no longer needed. In essence I felt I was a well person being given mind altering drugs and the whole thing was now working against me.

    I decided to stop without my doctor being involved because my experience of being someone who is depressed is that you essentially have no voice. What I mean by that is that whatever you say to anyone regarding a theory or idea is received with polite disdain. “Oh really, that’s nice” kind of thing. You may know what I mean. This way I can deliver my doc a “fait a complit” without his tut-tutting.

    I have had no return of my depressive state or symptoms, which indicates my theory about being no longer depressed is 100% correct. Truly I feel no depression symptoms at all. I do still feel occasional brain zaps and a little dizzy still, but I am functioning quite well and enjoying life again..

    This leads me to talking about the the time-line for withdrawal. I can find no information, anecdotal or otherwise, about just how long does the withdrawal take to finally be over. My experience was a dreadful initial three weeks and then a week of diminishing effects to a point where I basically have no withdrawal symptoms. As I mentioned though I still have a zap or two and do feel a little tired, and I guess it would not be unrealistic to feel so after coming off a very powerful drug.

    If Lightening or anyone else can shed some light on the total time taken to feel no ill effects from withdrawal I would love to know.

    If my posting is helping anyone - you are very welcome. I feel for anyone who is depressed and relying on pills. It really sucks.

    Thanks.

     
14. Jenny, 6. February 2009, 8:53
    

    Good luck to all of you. I am coming off Venlafaxine75 after being on it for 7-8 years.
    The withdrawl comes in waves since I am using the “bead method”. I have had severed digestive problems for the last 2 years and have lost a huge part of my life. My problems all seem to be coming from being on Effexor. Test after test show normal for the past 2 year, all digestive.
    Since I have been weaning off, I am seeing new symptoms: More severe nausea, brain fog, brain zaps and I haven’t slept in days.

    There is alot I would like to say but I know you have heard it all.

    P.S. I traveled 5 hours away from home to a hospital that I thought may be able to help me. I’ll know something about all the test for digestive disorders tomorrow, but I think they will not find anything either…it’s the Venlafaxine, I’m sure of. I just want my life back.

    God Bless

     
15. Tiffany, 23. March 2009, 6:44
    

    I am hoping someone on here can help me. I have read all of the posts on here and on many other sites and have not gotten the answers I have needed. My doctor is a prick and knows nothing about the withdrawls of SSRI’s so I turn to the online community for support. Here goes…

    I have been on 150 mg of Efxr for almost three years. three months ago, I managed to get down to 37.5 mg which was complete HELL. After I adjusted (sort of) I found out I was pregnant. (I am now 7 weeks) and at 5 weeks I went from 37.5 to nothing. I swear I almost became catatonic from this. I felt like a robot with serious depersonalization and many many other horrible symptoms. I then decided to open up the capsule and take a few mg (about 6-10) just to get through the day.

    I am down to literally 2mg a day and I just can’t do it. I feel so unreal and am beginning to have feelings of wanting an abortion just so I can stay on them. I look in the mirror and picture killing myself. I am completely lost as to what to do because I don’t want to stay on it and harm my baby, but at the same time, coming off of it is making me hate what is growing in my tummy. I feel like a complete psychopath and need to get off this safely.

    The other MAJOR problem is that I am almost positive I have developed Serotonin Syndrome. I have been on all different doses of Efxr, I used to drink large amounts of alcohol, use cocaine and MDMA all while being on it a couple of years ago.

    Any help is VERY much appreciated. Please keep in mind that I am pregnant and cannot take St. John’s Wort or anything else for that matter. I really just need to know if I am ever going to be the same again without the pills or If I am going to feel like this forever.

    I can’t find a straight answer about healing Serotonin Syndrome anywhere. To be honest, I really don’t even understand what it is. Am I not making my own Serotonin anymore or is my brain making too much?

    PLEASE HELP!!!!

    thank you

     
16. Boo, 23. March 2009, 11:12
    

    Tiff

    I am currently trying to get pregnant and on 75mg’s a day. My doctor said that it is completely safe. Also, with your case in point, the little risk’s that you have in taking the pill’s is better than the emotional turmoil of a newly pregnant woman.

    I feel a bit like you. I now feel like I should just stay on my low dose forever because the low’s when I go off the pill’s are just too hard for the family to deal with. But I’m also getting counciling and I hope that you’re getting more help than just the pill’s.

    Find a dose that is good for you, that is not too high. 37.5mg is good. And stick to it. Don’t be playing with the level’s too often because it’s not good for your head.

    And I suggest finding a different doctor. It’s awful to think there is a doctor out there who is unwilling to put a mother’s mind at ease, especially since she has depression.

    PLease talk to someone. Please write it down and let someone know exactly how you’re feeling. You need a better doctor and you need someone to support you heavily through this. There are some good online forums for depression as well as places like babyfit.com where you may be able to find a support group to get you through.

    Boo

     
17. stephanie, 14. April 2009, 20:15
    

    Hi

    I have been on Effexor for 10 years at 300mg per day (xr). I am trying to cut back and have been taking 150mg daily for the last few weeks. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, so I am not really sure as to whether my symptoms of aching joints are related to RA or withdrawal from Effexor. The brain zaps are bearable, but I seem to be experiencing some weird thoughts. My dreams are so vivid and I can remember each and everyone of them the next morning. I am also very tired and am sleeping most of the time. Has anyone else experienced the same thing?

     
18. lightening, 15. April 2009, 1:08
    

    Hi Stephanie,
    300mg is considered quite a high dose. I was on it for a short time but my brain just couldn’t cope. The most difficult thing can be working out whether you’re having some kind of withdrawal reaction or whether symptoms are depression returning. Make sure you communicate everything you notice with your health professionals. {{{HUGS}}}

     
19. stephanie, 17. April 2009, 18:29
    

    Thanks for that. I have an appt with my Rheumatologist soon and I also need to get my fatigue under control. Apparently one of the withdrawal symptoms of Eff. can be fatigue!!!

     
20. Julian, 23. October 2009, 13:48
    

    Hi
    Im on the DT coaster atm. Worst experience Ive had. Ive been on effexor xr 2 years now at 300mg a day - It has really helped with my condition, but as my recovery from severe depression and anxiety progressed and i started to have less need for the meds I accidently missed a day here and there. Big mistake - the next day - usually the time i realised id forgotten to take meds was a nightmare Migraine headaches disorientation loss of blance nausea the runs and difficulty staying awake. Recently i had A forgetful day and hit the usual next day symptoms - I got angry that this drug had this much control on me - after 12 hours i took 1 x 150 mg tab vowing never again to be at 300 mg. realistically thats 2 big a drop but i found the 2nd day improved and on 3rd day i was back to normal although on 150mg less - beauty that wasnt so hard Im glad i bit the bullet. My sex drive went balistic tho as a side effect - not necessarily a good thing lol. - I think a lot has to do with my positive focus and feeling of wellbeing at the time - i havent been depressed in months so the reason im taking the stuff really has only been because id be sick if i didnt. Move on 1 month- Im feeling good only copped a 3 day hit for the loss of 50% of my med and things are great and steady. Im thinking i want to kick this stuff for good. Do i use some 75mg tablets or drop 150 again? I went for 150mg- having run out of 75Mg tablets. Which brings me to the present- im on day 4 cycling between ravenous hunger and extreme nausea. Im moving around and have about the same cognitive capacity as though im continually drunk. I havent had the headaches or runs tho so thats good. Im really hoping tomorrow will be a better day and I start to improve. Im still resisting the urge to stop it all with a tablet. but my resolve is weakening with every bout of nausea. I hate being contolled by these tablets.
    I gotta say even tho i have done a lot of research and have a good understanding of these meds, im still being an idiot. Whilst i have had discussions with my Doc about going through this process. She hasnt been involved im these recent 2 drops in meds - Really stupid and I would not reccomend anyone do this. 2 reasons 1 is dealing with the side effects may require medical help, and 2 the reason you are taking the meds in the 1st place has to be monitored. In my case the reason im taking the meds changed from me needing them for depression to taking them because id be sick if i didnt happened about 6 months ago so im ok with the depression side of things. Cant wait to be free of these things. Oh and sex drive gone balistic again but the nausea kind of counter acts it. At least im still smiling for now and i hope im through the worst of it.
    Cheers

     
21. Matt, 13. December 2009, 18:49
    

    Hi All, I am on day two of coming off 150mg a day after 18 months, the brain explosions aren’t severe yet just some strange little twitches. Anyone got a heads up on what else is coming.

    Thanks
    Matt

     
22. lightening, 14. December 2009, 11:06
    

    Hey Matt - good luck with it all. Everyone’s body is different. You may not have any other troubles coming off. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Don’t be afraid to be in touch with your doctor if you’re concerned about anything.

     
23. Tiffany, 14. December 2009, 16:55
    

    Hi Matt, I hope you aren’t going from 150mg to nothing at all… You should be tapering off from 150 to 112.5mg, then to 75mg, then to 37.5mg and finally nothing. I have been on Effexor for 5 years and came off it once after 2 years. I had to taper down because after 3 days without it I went mental. Had brain zaps, nausea, cold sweats, anger, irritability and so much more. I hope this doesn’t happen to you. Everyone is different keep in mind and I hope the best for you. I had a horrible time even tapering off and tried again a year ago and failed. I cannot come off it now because I am pretty sure I have developed seretonin syndrome. Good luck!!!

     
24. libby, 29. March 2010, 10:24
    

    i had my dose of 75mg effexor xr halved 3 weeks ago, and it has been hell,
    i am now past most of the withdrawals except constant, overwhelming anxiety,
    agoraphobia and anger, i am more angry at not being told what this drug can do, not before going on it, not during my 13 years on it and not when told i had to come off it.
    my psych’ said all i would get was some sort of uncontrollable muscle twitch, what bull. i am not an angry person, so it is really scary. i was suicidal coming off this drug and spent days on a contract with lifeline ringing them every day every hour,
    it was only thoughts of hurting my kids and grandkids that kept me going.
    i am really scared because i know i am only half way to getting off this drug, i now have to stop the last 37.5 mg, i wish people had given me warning, i would never of taken it in the first place. help me i am afraid of the next step.
    i amm a 49 year old female, was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia. i live alone.

     
25. Beck, 32, 14. April 2010, 17:13
    

    Thanks for the comfort! It’s week 3 for me of withdrawl (stepping down from 150mg)… and such a comfort to know I’m not going nuts.. Dizzy… spinning… nauseous feeling. I’ve just taken the last step step 37.5 to none… second attempt..

    I went to work to sit quietly, read so i wouldn’t be alone- Nope- not a good thing. I feel manic- not me at all- racing ideas. I’ve come home.. in tears

    I knew it would be challenging, by how severly sick i felt forgetting to take my meds. But i”m stubbonly determined to finish.

    I’m going to go for a swim!
    Good luck all!

     
26. Matt, 15. April 2010, 16:30
    

    Well, against advice I have no been completely off Efexor since the 12th December 2009. Still some minor side effects. Was a fairly nervous time, luckilly I was on Efexor as a replacement to pain meds (the doctor felt it better to keep me up beat rather than pain free.) that said still not on pain meds either.

    Suffer some blue days and the kids put me to the test often, however I have coped and are still doing so. I had some advice in the 2nd week as I was suffereing bouts of nausea, the local chemist gave me an over the counter maxlon treatment and st johns wart which assisted.

    To those still coming off or looking to, life is far better on my side now.

     
27. Jill Gregory, 26. April 2010, 11:11
    

    Hi - I ended up here and reading your blog because I googled “effexor withdrawal and hunger”. I was wondering if anyone else feels hungry as sort of another side effect of the withdrawal - really? Another side effect!

    I’ve been on effexor 37.5 for several years and forgot to take the pills 2 days in a row and OMG the weirdness I felt and the weird head thing - I call it loopy. So, realizing how potent this drug is, I decided to get off it and see how I am with no medication. It’s now been 5 days without any pills and I don’t feel any worse, but sadly I don’t feel any better.

    I’m freaking out about the hunger thing because I’ve been dieting and have lost 30 lbs but now I’m afraid of slipping and gaining back some weight. NO! Effexor withdrawal is taking over my life and I’m not liking it.

    Like you said, exercise seems to help. I go to the gym 4 days a week and have continued even tho I was afraid I’d fall of the treatmill or something! Happily I did not and while I’m on it, I feel pretty normal. I actually ok while I’m still, like watching tv, but when I’m motoring around and moving my head alot that’s when I feel loopy.

    Soooo, just wanted to touch base with another victim of withdrawal symptoms.

    Thanks - and good luck!

     
28. Jill Gregory, 26. April 2010, 11:16
    

    . . . . . . and I forgot to mention having the emotions of a 12 year old girl going thru puberty. OMG I could look at a shoe on the floor and burst into tears. Have you had any of that. I really don’t want to be a 12 year old again. Yikes.

    : )

     
29. admin, 26. April 2010, 12:36
    

    Hi Jill,
    Thanks for taking the time to comment. I used to find the same thing if I forgot to take it. Weird headspins and just feeling plain awful. Some of the symptoms I also get when I forget to take what I’m on now (Citalopram) but nowhere near as bad. I really hope you’re being monitored by a professional and not just coming off the drug without any support. Once my body was completely clear of the drug, I slowly slipped in a downward spiral and needed to go on something else (so despite the side effects and horrible withdrawal, it was actually helping while I was on it). I did however refuse to go back on the same drug and fortunately had a new GP at the time who agreed it wasn’t the right one for me.

    Effexor is known to suppress appetite so that might be what is happening with the hunger as you withdraw from it. I’m 10-15kg heavier now than I was while I was on Effexor. Not the news you want to hear I’m sure. Still, exercise and trying to eat good foods should help (SO hard when you feel like crap I know). What I do try to remind myself is that I’m better off happy and a little heavier than I am slimmer (I’ll probably never actually be “slim”) and struggling with life.

    I can so relate to the moving head thing. In fact, reading your experiences, I can actually still feel those feelings. It will pass.

    Crying? I’m so emotional anyway that it’s hard to tell what’s just me and what is withdrawal or my depression returning. I did find I was particularly teary as I came off Effexor and I also find that overall, my entire emotional range is a bit muted when I’m on an anti-depressant.

    All I can say is hang in there. Take paracetamol if things are really bad (it seemed to help me). It did take about a month for all of the symptoms to subside but during that time they gradually improved. And keep an open mind to the fact that you may need to try another drug. Not all of them are like Effexor. I do sometimes think certain symptoms of withdrawal are not caused by the withdrawal but by the depression returning. It’s hard to tell and everyone’s body is different. I know of people who have worse experiences than I did with withdrawal and others who had very little trouble coming off the drug.

    My inbox is open if you need to chat. If you want to contact me privately there is a tab at the top of the blog titled “contact” which will give you a form to contact me directly. Hope you can get everything sorted and get the help and support you need to get your body back on track.

     
30. Jill Gregory, 28. April 2010, 5:07
    

    Hi - wow you got back to me very quickly (thanks)! Yesterday, I had a sign that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I still had the weird head thing but it was not as strong as every other day and today . . . a miracle! I am almost normal. I still have a bit of the head loopiness but not too much. I think that by the weekend, I will be back to my old self - hmmmm wonder what that will be like. All I know is that no matter what happens in my future life, effexor will not be a part of it. Another medication at some point may be needed but not that poison!

    Thanks for your support - your blog really did help me.

    : )

     
31. Rachael Jeffery, 15. June 2010, 13:48
    

    Hi, I have just currently stopped my venafelaxine also, i went from 150mg to 75mg and now to nothing and am having a rough time with it, though it is only early days , day 5 to be exact. These brain ‘zaps’ are certainly keeping me on my toes, not in a pleasant way. And i am also having trouble with dizziness, hot sweats through the day and at night, and some trouble sleeping but not as much as i was when i first started venafelxaine. I am also crying at the drop of a hat over very minor things and having lots of dreams. I appreciate all the stories people have shared and making myself feel i am not alone. I also have read of some things to help in this process such as the omega 3 supplementation and i am implementing them into my withdrawl also. I no longer feel that i am alone in this and i have a wonderfully supportive family and husband behind me in my decision. Thank you for the space to vent my worries and trouble with this withdrawl at this time. I shall give am update soon, hopefully with a few less side effects! Thanks for listening

     
32. admin, 16. June 2010, 1:33
    

    Hi Rachael,
    Thanks for sharing your experience too. I’m so pleased to hear you have some good support. Hang in there. Things should gradually ease up. If the crying doesn’t though, keep an open mind to the fact that it may be the depression (I did get particularly teary though in the withdrawal so fingers crossed that’s all it is). Keep us posted on how you are going.
    {{{HUGS}}}
    Lightening

     
33. Rachael Jeffery, 19. June 2010, 21:35
    

    thanks so much for the reply, i am now currently 8 days in and am feeling so much better. Crying has subsided, brain zaps are less frequant and agressive and i am sleeping better with only a little dizziness through the day. I think anyone just starting to come off should really surround themselves with strong people to support them because it is hard at the beginning, i struggled but am so thankful i have made it here and that the worst is over so far….i hope. Thanks so much lightening for ur kinds words.
    will let you know in a few weeks when hopefully the withdrawral has finished how things are
    Rachael feeling better

     
34. Tilda, 20. August 2010, 18:59
    

    Only on day 1 of trying to reduce my dosage from 300mg to 225mg. Will be taking 300mg tomorrow then 225mg the day after. I have two young children to look after and also live out of town. I can only hope a slow weaning process will allow me to wean off effexor and if need be onto a different med. It has been great to find this blog to read what others have gone through and somewhat know what to expect. I have felt a bit ‘out of it’ today, and have had a headache and feel sleepy….but after going outside for a while I have seemed to pick up a little. Will see how I go!!

     
35. admin, 21. August 2010, 21:09
    

    Tilda - Very wise idea to take it slowly, particularly given the high dose you’re on. My body could never tolerate the 300mg. It really messed with my head. Take care of yourself. Do you have anyone to give you a break from the kids? Hang in there and keep us posted with how you are going. {{{HUGS}}} Lightening

     
36. Tilda, 21. August 2010, 21:32
    

    New plan - staying on 300gm til I go back to the Dr! I took 300gm today but had horrible dizzy spells and also have had trouble putting words together!! Thankyou for your support!!

     

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