Brain zaps effexor withdrawl

Treatment and medication
1

Does anyone have a cure for the brain zaps associated with effexor withdrawl?

2

I found that Kwells travel sickness tabs really helped, but they make u drowsy!!

3

Hi there

yes - very, very gradual withdrawal.  If you have been taking tablets, rather than slow release capsules, then break the lowest dose with a pill cutter (Boots sell them for about a pound), and keep making the dose smaller and smaller untill you are literally licking some dust from a part of the pill.

If you have not been using pills, as opposed to capsules, perhaps ask your GP to prescribe the lowest dose in pill from, so that you can do this.  It takes patience, but it works!

Good luck with it!

Best wishes

 

4

Time, time, time!  It will subside soon!

5

I am hving them. After a week they seem to be lessening.

6

I had tried to come off these things so so many times over the years but the zaps and sickness beat me everytime. Ive even tried taking it in liquid form so that I could reduce it 1mg per week that way, but as soon as I got to a certain leve,l the zaps took over and came with a vengeance everytime I turned my head, so, here I am, still taking them sad

7

Now a month from started to withdraw. Completely off tablets for 1 week. Brain zaps are getting better and not as harsh. x i feel i have got my life back x

8

Yes, I know what you mean.  Even though the withdrawl is awful, I feel like ME again.  Thank you!

9

Keep going hun. Ive now realised what a total zombie I must have been all this time. My home is dirty and a tip. I really didnt give a damn on the ven, Hopefully, things are on the way up for me and you hun. i have just started some st johns wort for a back up. xx I feel for you if you have to work, I work at home and would never had got through it if I had to go out to work xx

10

that stuffbis really bad. itb should be btaken off of the market. it takes time to work throughnthe withdrawel. hgang in nthere and you will make it. praying for a speedy recovery.

11

I took my last tab. on the 16th of July, was extremely difficult but am now feeling clear of the stuff and feel alive again. Time and patience is the key ( I think ). Hang in there.

 

12

I also feel "sharpened"..

13

I'm not a doc, so see your doc if you're (still) having trouble withdrawing.  I found I needed to reduce the dosage very very slowly and gradually, not missing doses and not stopping suddenly.

I stopped effexor recently, see my recent post in "Venlafaxine withdrawal - there is hope!"

Good luck

14

Hi

have a look at the online program The Road Back. Jim, who wrote the program, has a range of supplements to tackle all the side effects of the withdrawal and fantastic support and advice.  High doses of Omega 3 and One Vit E a day help with the brain zaps. It's not easy to get off these meds and the program is worthwhile. Xx.

 

15

The exact same thing with me.  Years I've been trying to quit.   I am still on them because I feel so bad and have so many zaps that I finally go back on them.  I can't only stand it for about a week.  Have you found something to help yet so that you could quit the Effexor?

16

Me, too.  My house is filthy and I haven't given a damn about anything.  I thought it was because I was going through early menopause.  This sh*t has been so bad on me on so many levels.  I'm self-employed and I'm going to have to go out and get new clients if I ever get out of this "I don't give a damn" stage.  Never was like this before.

17

I had been on effexor for 6 years, been off for about a month, I found that Ginger extract for nausea, as well as a small dose of St. johns wart, have almost stopped the zaps. 😉

18

I'll second what darkest21035 said reguarding ginger and add that a small amount of benadryl helped with my stress/pressure headache. Not sure if the benadryl will help with the zaps. 

Luck Luck,

Jan

19

I was put on venlafaxine, AKA, Effexor 2 years ago for aniexiety from menapause & high blood pressure at 46. I had never been on any pills before in my life. Weighed 126, at 5'6 & healthy. I now weigh 164 and want off the pills! I have strange dreams, mood swings & when I try to skip pills I have horrible brain zapps. My doctor never warned me of any of these side effects. My dosage was 150 MG & when I told her I wanted to stop, she tried to increase the dose. I said no. I'm down to 37.5 and now going on a tablet so I can cut that in half as well. I feel like I should have been told ahead of time just how serious this pill was. Very upset & feel betrayed by my family doctor. It's my body, I should have been told the dangers involved.

Shelly

20

After being on Effexor for 15 years or so, I'm trying to get off as well.  Wondered how your tablet reduction is going and about how long it took.  Thanks!

Ree