Effexor Withdrawal

barneyb · 03-02-2006, 12:07 PM

I forgot to take my Effexor on Tuesday & Wednesday (I was feeling good & things were busy, so I guess the brain fogs got me again) and I was amazed at how bad I started to feel & how quickly. At least I think that what's been happening for the last 12 hours is due to that. . . Last night I had the most horrible headache -- stabbing pain, nausea, stiff neck, dizziness -- and today my stomach is really upset.

WARNING: TMI ahead!!!! I noticed when I took a dose late once before that my stomach gets involved pretty quickly. I get stomach/intestinal cramps and have an urgent need to have bowel movement. But here's what's gross/scary/weird - when I have a bm, there is a lot of mucus in it & sometimes all I pass is mucus. Yuck! Is this because of the Effexor or lack of it or is something else going on? I go back to the dr. next Tues. but am wondering if I need to call & go in earlier. . . Anyone know enough about Effexor withdrawal to tell me?

I took my pill yesterday around 4:30 and would have thought I'd feel better already, but the headache came about an hour after and the stomach upset is 12 hours later. I feel yucky.

penguinlover · 03-02-2006, 04:01 PM

I take Effexor XL and you DO need to take it regularly and not miss it. My doctor said that if you miss a day or two, you will definitely notice major withdrawal. I was told too that when I decide to go off of Effexor XL, it's going to have to be a gradual process so my system can adjust.

I take my Effexor XL every morning at the same time before I go to work and I have no problems at all.

kringstraw · 03-02-2006, 07:51 PM

Hate to be a downer, but my poor DH is going through Effexor withdrawl right now. He took it for 3 years. He weaned down even slower than what the drug company recommended and he is still having horrible symptoms 3 WEEKS! after his last pill. This is his 2nd attempt to stop this drug.

Do yourselves a favor. Google Effexor withdrawl and talk to your doctor. IMPO this drug should be removed from the market.

barneyb · 03-02-2006, 11:25 PM

I know that withdrawal is rough -- I've researched that. The fact of the matter is that, when I remember to take it, this is the best medication I've taken. I'm anxiety-free, except in normal anxiety producing situations (like the student who tried to punch me today), and my side effects are non-existent. I just wondered if the bm thing is due to not taking it, or if it's something else entirely. Guess I'll have to talk to the doc next week -- I'm better today, so I think it's the lack of meds.

ABumpyGal · 03-04-2006, 07:55 AM

I'm a bit late here, but I bet it's the withdrawal. How are you feeling now?

I'm on three majorly addictive medications for pain that no matter what one does, your body will get dependent on them. I've dealt with the fact of dependence, but I obsessively worry about addiction; plus I develop tolerance quickly. To deal with this issue I take a "med holiday" and completely go off one of the medications, half another (it isn't safe to withdraw from that quickly), and sadly must maintain the dosage of the last (as it is Valium, and that can cause seizures if you withdraw! Learned that the hard way, and not by choice!

). I then flush any extras when I get my next refill. I've also had to suddenly withdraw from psych medications due to emergencies.

What amazes me is how uniform the withdrawal from all of these medications is. It's all exactly the same for me, and very much as you described. You have my sympathy

And yes, (TMI alert!!) my BMs can get quite mucus-y. The reason why, in my case, is that the withdrawal also causes my nose to run. Some of that is going to go down my throat as post-nasal drip, especially when I sleep, and it has to come out somehow. That's just my theory, as it makes sense. It could be something else. I just know it happens to me as well each month and I'm not dead yet! I take Immodium and drink blackberry juice (old Appalachian remedy for diarrhea) when this symptom sets in.

I hope you're feeling better and that you'll never have to go through that again!
Dana

lovely1 · 03-04-2006, 08:11 AM

Hey my mother took it for about 1year. When she would miss a dose she would be so dizzy she couldn't move her head. Thank God she went to the doctor and they weaned her off. She did good and is fully off the medication with NO lasting side effects. Hope al is well

barneyb · 03-05-2006, 09:09 PM

I'm remembering to take my pill every day, so no more of the tummy upsets. Unfortunately, I'm still developing deep bruising for no apparent reason and these last couple of days I have had a horrible time with headaches -- migraine like, but not as severe. I am so tired of not feeling 100%, but I go back to the dr on Friday, so we'll see what's what at that point. If I can lose the headaches, I'll be perfectly happy with Effexor. I have no anxiety, just this killer headache. Going to bed in the dark and putting a pillow over my head. . .