Effexor withdrawl...Help me!

So, I'm 21 years old.

I've been on anxiety/depression meds since 9th grade...so, 6 years. I decided 4 weeks ago that I've had enough, and I was tired of relying on meds to regulate my mood and my reactions to life. I was on 150mg of Effexor, and I halfed my dose to 75mg for almost 2 weeks, before halfing it again to 37.5mg for a week. Today is my first non-medicated day. (Insert expected happy dance here.)

However, I am having WICKED withdrawls! I could not describe the way that I was feeling until I found it on a website and discovered it was called 'brain shivers'. ()

Has anyone experienced this?

Does anyone know how I can get rid of this? It just feels horrible...Please help me. :(

Tags: effexor, withdrawl

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on April 23, 2008 at 5:42am: Hi Stephanie, i too am on effexor 225mg! I have heard bad things about trying to get off of effexor but it does sound like you are doing it the right way by weaning off. Have you talked to your doctor about this or you did it on your own? The only thing i can say at this point is you have to deal with the bad part to get to the good part. It may take a few days or even weeks, i do not really know! Just hang in there and if it gets real bad, please call your doctor!!! Love ya!
Michelle; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by gone hiking on April 23, 2008 at 8:26am: Stephanie,
I've known a couple of people who ceased using Effexor and experienced some very weird withdrawal symptoms. I believe it is supposed to be gradually tapered off -- it sounds like that's what you've been doing. I don't think either of the people I know had lasting symptoms once they had been off the Effexor for awhile.
bev; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vicki C on April 23, 2008 at 8:28am: Wow now I finally know what it is called! I have been on several different antidepressants over the years and coming off Effexor was most definitely the worst. And you are right, you cannot possibly put int words that sparkly weirdo feeling in your head...I got them if I happened to miss a dose.

It will end soon. I'll pray you through until then!

Vicki C; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by the glitter kid on April 23, 2008 at 10:03am: I've also been on several antidepressants and effexor was by far the worst for withdrawl. I honestly thought I was going to die one night as I was curled up on the bathroom floor. As far as I know, you just have to get through it. I know that doesn't sound helpful but your body will go through withdrawl and you might be able to take things to cover up some of the symptoms but it won't go away entirely. I do hope you're doing this with some assistance from your doctor. I tried to do it cold turkey, without weaning, which is why I had such severe symptoms.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Callie on April 23, 2008 at 10:10am: Have you talked to you dr. The step down idea was great maybe you need to step down even more. I think no matter the dose you will experience a little of the brain jitters when completely off. Duncan always tell me is the the worse thing that has ever happend or you have ever felt.... then i think about it because to me at that moment it is... i am not a big sufferer... and he tells me ok... you can get thru anything for 3 days. absolutely anything.. so hold tight and know you are doing the right things.. we are praying you thru.. if things get worse call your dr. much love. and good luck. callie

years ago i had to get off zoloft my one and only trip down antidepressant lane and it was f-ing miserable.. i was onfire all over, my brian was nuts and i was miserable in my own skin. but once i was off two days i felt like a new person.. that stuff is mean.. love you .callie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna on April 23, 2008 at 11:04am: I just weaned off of Effexor. I won't lie, it SUCKS!! It is totally worth it. Unfortunately, you just have to suffer through it. Everyday will get easier, I promise. Just remember that this is your FIRST unmedicated day.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by laetitia on April 23, 2008 at 11:28am: You are very brave!
I have been weaning myself from effexor but soooo slowly from 100mg to 50 in one year, so I have not suffered any withdrawal symptoms.
I have been cutting tiny bits by tiny bits before jumping to a lower dose.
My psychiatrist assures me that these awful symptoms go away so hang in there.
Maybe having some fun things, pampering, to look forward to, would hep psychologically.
This too shall pass
Peace,
Laetitia; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by short dark and veggie on April 23, 2008 at 11:36am: Hi Stephanie!
I have gotten the brain shivers from a different med when i reduced the dosage. They suck really bad. I decided to continue to ween until i was down to taking a speck of the med. Just kept enough in my system to ward of the shivers. I spoke to my doc and he agreed that was the best way to handle. I was having a hard time functioning at work with the shivs. I felt pretty odd taking a speck of a drug- but it helped so i did it.

Drugs affect people in different ways so maybe a 4 week ween isnt enough? Effexor and Paxil are both really dirty drugs in my opinion, hence the shivers. I applaud you on your choice to get off the meds.

When in doubt, call the doc if its interferring with your life. Just like the illness itself.

good luck girl.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by artistsoul on April 23, 2008 at 4:29pm: As others have shared, your withdrawals are common. I get them with my Lexapro If I miss a dose and they're horrible. One time my meds lapsed a few days between refills, and the effects lasted for a couple of weeks.

With meds like these it's extremely important to follow your Dr.'s advice on weaning. From what I know it takes a long time and in many increments. I wish you the best of luck!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Blue on April 23, 2008 at 5:48pm: Hi Stephanie, I also agree with people that you might want to see your doctor again. My mom had withdrawl symptoms off of effexor and ended up killing our family dog (she drowned in the river due to confusion)....so it is very seroius and I wish you the best of luck...let us know what happens.
Blue; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garden Gnome on April 23, 2008 at 8:15pm: Hi Stephanie, me too, me too! I stopped exactly 2 weeks ago today. I also cut down gradually but stayed on the 37.5mg dose for a few months, due to finding out I had breast cancer after I started cutting down and deciding that perhaps this was NOT a good time to go through this. My 'brain shivers' lasted at least a week, in fact I am still having the occasional one, but they did improve after a few days and became quite bearable after about a week. So hang in there. The last couple of days I have actually been feeling really good. Fortunately I am on school holidays at the moment (I'm a teacher) which is why I decided to do it now. I have also taken zoloft in the past and didn't have any problems at all when I stopped. I love that term brain shivers, I haven't heard it before and it describes it exactly. I have explained it to people as 'electric shocks in my brain'.
Peace, love and all that stuff,
Cheryl (Garden Gnome).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on April 23, 2008 at 9:15pm: Thanks for all the support, guys and gals...

I still feel HORRIBLE. I haven't eaten much today because my tummy is so upset. And I feel like I'm in a constant "drunk" state...Dropping things, kind of wavering, unable to concentrate in class...And I feel like I'm going to cry at the drop of a dime...

It would be so easy to just pop an Effexor, because then it would all go away. But I'm not a quitter, and I don't want to give up.

But guys (and gals), I don't know how to do this. I'm almost in a panic!; ▶ Reply to This