I've stopped taking Effexor (with my doctor's knowledge and support), and am now going through AWFUL withdrawl symptoms. I've been having them for about 1 1/2 weeks. Headache, nausea, extreme dizziness, and electrical zapping feelings, also tingling in fingers. It's like I'm being electricuted.
I put a call into my doctor, but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this. How long does it last? I wasn't taking a high dose, only 75 mg, then down to 37.5. Before that I was taking 37.5 mg Paxil. Do you think over the counter motion sickness medication would help me with the dizziness?
I have two exams this week, and can barely function. I only feel good if I stay in one place and don't move my head or eyes.
I was on Celexa, and that article referred to by obnurseheather
describes my sensation exactly as I tapered to going off from it - "brain shivers". I thought I was having TIA's. And I weaned down extremely slowly. And even after I was off completely, I still had symptoms for a while. It was kind of frustrating, because my vision would shimmer along with it, and I was afraid of driving because I couldn't predict it. My doctor's only response was telling me to just take a vacation until I was done weaning off from it - as if. Anyways, it definately proves it really does affect the brain chemistry, eh?!
I had been on Zoloft for 2 years, then went off ( i thought I was healed from depression, and didnt realize I was at the point of the med being effective) and never had 1 single withdrawl symptom. The depression came back in a big hurry after our house fire. I was put on Effexor XR, ran out over a 4 day holiday weekend a few months ago and thought I was going nuts. Terrible withdrawl, I didnt think that would happen with extended release. I am going to try to taper then go back to zoloft.
I had a friend that had awful withdrawl from Paxil!
Also, we have had several babies in our unit that had mom's on Paxil and they had withdrawl like I have never seen. They had seizures and jitteriness. We ended up putting them on Ativan and paregoric to counteract this! They were transports from outying hospitals and both mom's said that their OB's said it was fine to keep taking it.
I took Paxil for a couple of years and if I ran out before I got my script filled and missed a day I would get what I call "brain flips", it felt as if my brain was flipping backwards, I was dizzy and headachy and just sick....I was switched to zoloft and when I was being d/c'd from that after about 6-7 yrs, I had similar effects when I stopped it cold turkey, nausea and dizzy...I had to go back on it...then I was switched to Serzone and I didn't have any problems going from zoloft to serzone except after about 3 weeks of that treatment, i woke up in the night and didnt recognize my husband for several minutes, needless to say I was immediately taken off that the next day. I personally like Prozac and if I miss a dose or so which is not very often I don't seem to have those 'withdrawl effects". I thought years ago when I was on Paxil and missed a dose that I was just losing my mind but found out later that it was a real withdrawl type effect.
Just FYI for those who are concerned about serotonin syndrome but still need to take an antidepressant...Wellbutrin SR is a very effective antidep-but works on dopamine and norepinephrine ( no sero.) Therefore, no withdrawal ...and no sexual dysfunction or weight gain!... and for the "child-bearing years" women, Pregnancy Category B (the only antidepressant that is, all others are C). As far as the headaches go ( mentioned in earlier post) if you are one of the few who get them, they are typically transient and go away after the first 1-2 weeks-pretty tolerable if you ask me-especially in comparison to all of the other potential long- term side effects, not to mention the withdrawal sx!!
I had those "brain zaps" while I was ON wellbutrin... well zyban.
I started taking effexor a couple of weeks ago, and the difference in my attitude is amazing! I told my doc that I didn't feel "depressed" per se, but I just didn't have any desire to do anything... letting my house go without cleaning, not just the normal single, working mother dirty, but trashy, which made me feel worse. Tired all the time, which I think is mostly hormonal from my PCOS, but anyway, the effexor is amazing!!!
I went from irritable and lazy all the time, apathetic and hating my job, to happy most of the time, much longer fuse, expecially with my son, and happier with my job situation, even though it could be better!!!
I am willing to risk some withdrawl effects if I ever have to go off of it. I don't notice that if I am late on a dose, getting those strange effects. I hope I don't!
I called a therapist today. I haven't yet started retaking my effexor. But I'm still feeling "dumpy". I don't like the feelings. How long do they usually last??? New question, I have a friend that is trying to get pregnant, took herself off birth control about 2 months ago and also just stopped taking effexor. She still isn't pregnant. Does anyone know how long it takes once coming off the pill if you've never had problems getting pregnant before??
ShandyLynn, Effexor also worked wonders for me too. Too bad the withdrawl is so awful. It's been 2.5 weeks now and I feel much better. The turning point was 2 weeks to the day. I went skiing last weekend and felt great!
BTW- I never felt any side effects if I missed a dose. I didn't start getting the withdrawl until 2.5 days after taking the last dose.
Giggly--what feelings are you referring to when you say you don't like the feelings? If you mean how long does it take to ease your depression after you start taking it, they say 5-6 weeks. Although I felt much better the next day, probably b/c I had finally taken a step in the right direction.
(giggly... getting preggers after stopping the pill is totally different for each woman. I know of a few who have gotten preggers the next month! If she is really trying, she needs to be counting her cycles, and possibly taking her temp every morning to find out when ovulation occurs)
There are TONS of websites dedicated to Effexor. I read a British one that mentioned that Effexor was hurried thru the FDA process. I was on Effexor for over 3 years and had horrid side fx with it. I actually took it for a year longer than I wanted to simply because I was afraid of the withdrawal. I had the brain flips and my mouth would get numb, the tip of my tongue would get numb. I felt like I was getting electric shocks down my right arm into my fingertips. My doc sent me to a neurologist about 2 years ago and she had an EEG done and MRI on my brain. She put me on Neurontin for a while but I stopped cause it didn't work. It was a nightmare. I finally figured it out by myself, cause obviously no one had a clue what the problem was. Now I tell every pharmacist and doctor I run in to about the problems with Effexor and they all look at me blankly like it is news to them.
It took me a month to wean down and switch over to Celexa, but it it holding me okay and I don't get withdrawals if I go >24 hours without it the way I did the Effexor. I think it is an evil drug and I would not wish it on my worst enemy....except maybe Saddam Hussein, hehehe....
ok what happens if you are on one of these drugs and you get pregnant? I am on Paxil 40mg (3yrs now). I cant take the pill due to migranes so we have to rely on other less protective measures. And i always told myself if i ever got preg. i guess id just stop my paxil...now im scared...NO MORE SEX!!!!!! LOL :)
Of course take this info with a grain of salt and discuss with your MD...
That being said, all antidepressants with the exception of Wellbutrin SR (Pregnancy Category B),are Preg Category C... It becomes an issue of risk vs benefit to you/fetus. I do know of people who have become pregnant while taking an AD and their children were fine-
With the variety of birth control pills out there, maybe one of the newer low dose varieties wouldn't impact your migraines....You might have already tried this, but just a suggestion just in case.
Bottom line-talk to your doc about other forms of birth control and your concern about the possibility of becoming pregnant while on Paxil.
kimberle
34 Posts
I was on Celexa, and that article referred to by obnurseheather
describes my sensation exactly as I tapered to going off from it - "brain shivers". I thought I was having TIA's. And I weaned down extremely slowly. And even after I was off completely, I still had symptoms for a while. It was kind of frustrating, because my vision would shimmer along with it, and I was afraid of driving because I couldn't predict it. My doctor's only response was telling me to just take a vacation until I was done weaning off from it - as if. Anyways, it definately proves it really does affect the brain chemistry, eh?!