I've been on Effexor for about a year I think. This is the second time I was prescribed Effexor for my nerve pain. I have a chronic shooting, burning pain between my neck and shoulder that has plagued me for about 5 years now. I think it's some sort of repetitive strain type of thing as it hurts the most when I log in alot of hours at the computer.
The first time my rheumatologist prescribed the Effexor, I was blissfully unaware of the side effects and the withdrawal effects and she did not alert me to any unwanted effects at all. The side effect I most noticed was that my mild, chronic depression also lifted. Then I noticed that my fibromyalgia symptoms were lessened as well. After taking the Effexor for about two years, I decided I couldn't afford the luxury anymore and stopped taking it.
Ew. It was bad. I was physically ill, nauseated and with what I daintily refer to as "intestinal distress". I recall one day that I had to do some grocery shopping, and I was feeling so sick, and so agitated - hands shaking, paranoid, thinking I was losing my mind - and I stopped by to ask the pharmacist if it could be withdrawal from Effexor. "No. You must just have the flu. I've never heard of withdrawal effects from Effexor." Mind you this was about three years ago, when the horrifying withdrawal stories should have reached everyone's ears by now - at the very least all the docs and pharmacists!
Well, I got over it eventually. I think I was pretty sick for about a week, maybe two weeks. Then last year my depression got the best of me, and I asked the rheumatologist for another prescription - "for my nerve pain". I couldn't tell her I was depressed. And honestly, the nerve pain was definitely back, but not debilitating yet.
Well, I decided this week that I don't want to take it any more. I've been taking Lyrica for a few months now for a new pain that I was feeling in both my arms that prevented me from reaching for things, scratching my lower back, washing my hair, putting on or taking off a shirt over my head - in short, it was really bad. The Lyrica works great, I have a much greater range of motion now. And the "euphoria" side effect ain't so bad either. Now is as good a time as any to drop the Effexor.
I know I should taper, but I just want it over with. I don't want to pay for it anymore. I have two capsules I'm holding in reserve, and a doctor who is very enthusiastic about handing out Effexor. I didn't take my daily dose yesterday. I figured I would keep notes about how I feel - just in case I have nasty withdrawal effects, I cannot rely on my memory to help me out. I want documentation. So bear with me while you learn more about me than you would ever want to know. I'll just keep adding on to this post with my daily notes.
P.S. Rob is fine though he has threatened to move out twice already this past week. He was feeling so "adult" that he actually packed his trash into his car. Todd talked him out of leaving. I'm sure Todd didn't have to work too hard. Rob is very aware that he is not ready, even though he's legally able now.
P.P.S. Todd is fine. Or I should say, Todd is the same as usual. Some days sleeping the day away, some days getting little things done here and there. No word on his disability appeal. No word back on his Medicaid.
12/7 Day 1 - felt fine, little stomach upset.
12/8 Day 2 - woke up with "intestinal distress". brain zaps have started. when i turn my head, my face goes numb - i "lose time". teeny tiny, split seconds of time. just started happening, and it's not real bad. noticeable, not pissing me off yet. if i didn't know it was from the effexor, i would think my bell's palsy was back.
12/9 Day 3 - still some intestinal distress. the numbness has spread from my lips and face to my arms and hands. it's constant, but only if i move. it feels like it originates in my brain, goes to my face, and then travels to my fingertips - but it happens in an instant. honestly, i don't know if this is the same feeling as the "brain zaps" i've heard of. whatever, it's pissing me off. some dizziness. i read somewhere about cold medicine helping with the withdrawals, and i have an old prescription of some vertigo medicine (need to check on the date of that, i'm willing to bet i had that crazy problem after withdrawing from effexor last time). if that script is too old to work, i'll get some dramamine.
12/9 Day 3 - Ack! I couldn't take it, had to take it! I didn't even make it till 9:00 a.m.! The vertigo was so bad I couldn't even move my thoughts without getting so dizzy I thought I would hurl. I had to beg Todd to go get the Effexor because I was hanging my head over the toilet fully expecting to vomit.
What a weenie I am. When the going gets tough, even the tough will take the damn Effexor. I hate Effexor.
I've been on Effexor for about a year I think. This is the second time I was prescribed Effexor for my nerve pain. I have a chronic shooting, burning pain between my neck and shoulder that has plagued me for about 5 years now. I think it's some sort of repetitive strain type of thing as it hurts the most when I log in alot of hours at the computer.
The first time my rheumatologist prescribed the Effexor, I was blissfully unaware of the side effects and the withdrawal effects and she did not alert me to any unwanted effects at all. The side effect I most noticed was that my mild, chronic depression also lifted. Then I noticed that my fibromyalgia symptoms were lessened as well. After taking the Effexor for about two years, I decided I couldn't afford the luxury anymore and stopped taking it.
Ew. It was bad. I was physically ill, nauseated and with what I daintily refer to as "intestinal distress". I recall one day that I had to do some grocery shopping, and I was feeling so sick, and so agitated - hands shaking, paranoid, thinking I was losing my mind - and I stopped by to ask the pharmacist if it could be withdrawal from Effexor. "No. You must just have the flu. I've never heard of withdrawal effects from Effexor." Mind you this was about three years ago, when the horrifying withdrawal stories should have reached everyone's ears by now - at the very least all the docs and pharmacists!
Well, I got over it eventually. I think I was pretty sick for about a week, maybe two weeks. Then last year my depression got the best of me, and I asked the rheumatologist for another prescription - "for my nerve pain". I couldn't tell her I was depressed. And honestly, the nerve pain was definitely back, but not debilitating yet.
Well, I decided this week that I don't want to take it any more. I've been taking Lyrica for a few months now for a new pain that I was feeling in both my arms that prevented me from reaching for things, scratching my lower back, washing my hair, putting on or taking off a shirt over my head - in short, it was really bad. The Lyrica works great, I have a much greater range of motion now. And the "euphoria" side effect ain't so bad either. Now is as good a time as any to drop the Effexor.
I know I should taper, but I just want it over with. I don't want to pay for it anymore. I have two capsules I'm holding in reserve, and a doctor who is very enthusiastic about handing out Effexor. I didn't take my daily dose yesterday. I figured I would keep notes about how I feel - just in case I have nasty withdrawal effects, I cannot rely on my memory to help me out. I want documentation. So bear with me while you learn more about me than you would ever want to know. I'll just keep adding on to this post with my daily notes.
P.S. Rob is fine though he has threatened to move out twice already this past week. He was feeling so "adult" that he actually packed his trash into his car. Todd talked him out of leaving. I'm sure Todd didn't have to work too hard. Rob is very aware that he is not ready, even though he's legally able now.
P.P.S. Todd is fine. Or I should say, Todd is the same as usual. Some days sleeping the day away, some days getting little things done here and there. No word on his disability appeal. No word back on his Medicaid.
12/7 Day 1 - felt fine, little stomach upset.
12/8 Day 2 - woke up with "intestinal distress". brain zaps have started. when i turn my head, my face goes numb - i "lose time". teeny tiny, split seconds of time. just started happening, and it's not real bad. noticeable, not pissing me off yet. if i didn't know it was from the effexor, i would think my bell's palsy was back.
12/9 Day 3 - still some intestinal distress. the numbness has spread from my lips and face to my arms and hands. it's constant, but only if i move. it feels like it originates in my brain, goes to my face, and then travels to my fingertips - but it happens in an instant. honestly, i don't know if this is the same feeling as the "brain zaps" i've heard of. whatever, it's pissing me off. some dizziness. i read somewhere about cold medicine helping with the withdrawals, and i have an old prescription of some vertigo medicine (need to check on the date of that, i'm willing to bet i had that crazy problem after withdrawing from effexor last time). if that script is too old to work, i'll get some dramamine.
12/9 Day 3 - Ack! I couldn't take it, had to take it! I didn't even make it till 9:00 a.m.! The vertigo was so bad I couldn't even move my thoughts without getting so dizzy I thought I would hurl. I had to beg Todd to go get the Effexor because I was hanging my head over the toilet fully expecting to vomit.
What a weenie I am. When the going gets tough, even the tough will take the damn Effexor. I hate Effexor.