Stopping Effexor - away with the pixies!

[fiddlydee]

Hello

I am in the process of stopping Effexor. I have read all sorts of horror stories but had found cutting down really wasn't too bad. I am now on day two of no ADs at all and am not doing so well. I feel sick all the time and the only way I can stop this is to constantly eat. I am away with the pixies. I can't concentrate. My brain hurts and I feel all wobbly and really am away with the pixies. See, I've just re-read this and realised I've written the same thing twice!

How long does this last?

Poor you, only time I've come off them is when I've run, I remember an awful Bank Holiday period with extreme side-effects, the brain zaps were the worst symptom for me

Have you reduced VERY gradually? If it's very bad,could you go back to just a tiny dose and reduce even more slowly. I made the mistake once of coming off a similar drug cold turkey and it was awful...brain zaps ,like serajen, and feeling very teary. Are you doing this under the guidance of your Dr/Psych (not trying to be nosy! Just wonder if you could get some professional advice and support?) Try not to be disheartened-you can get it sorted out-just try to be gentle with yourself meanwhile

It sounds like you have come off too fast, I have loads of experience of this, you really need to come off these drugs very slowly and doctors often underestimate how slow some people need to go, best thing is probably to go back to a dose where you feel comfortable and free of withdrawal symptoms and only when you feel really well make a small reduction (no more than 5% of previous dose). In my profile I have a blog of my own experience withdrawing and a really good book to read is www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Off-Antidepressants-Successful-Withdrawal/dp/1845292561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305269571&sr=8-1