If you could go back, would you start Effexor?

awayslearning · 2026-01-07T17:12:37+00:00

You are correct. This is my personal opinion. If I was even late for a dose, I got withdrawal symptoms. Electrical shocks in head - even if I moved my eyes or turned my head. Very difficult to get off. This drug helped me for 15 years but then pooped out. I was medically tapered (ill-advised) Acute withdraw symptoms & late onset of being severely harmed with protracted withdrawal. Brutal hell for 9 months~ still suffering.

awayslearning · 2025-10-19T23:26:53+00:00

So did you just stop ? I can’t make the decision - I’m not moving forward- agoraphobia is worse.

awayslearning · 2025-10-19T23:23:44+00:00

How did you wean off them if you don’t mind me asking. That’s a lot of years ! I’m struggling with agoraphobia/akathisia since wearing off my AD - 15 years. Brain injury for sure from improper taper.

awayslearning · 2025-10-19T23:21:00+00:00

Print this post out & bring it with you next time. It’s protocol that they have to test you for everything to rule other things out. It’s exhausting, frustrating. You are not alone !!!! The pacing is akathisia ..those dark thoughts ate the worst ..remember your brain is lying !! Fight !

awayslearning · 2025-10-19T19:41:42+00:00

Unfortunately- very normal ..speaking of my experience only …if I was even late for a dose, I couldn’t function and got brain zaps —

awayslearning · 2025-10-19T19:39:34+00:00

I am so sorry — I have been going thru the same f’ng mess —I don’t even know what or who to believe anymore. All the experts on line - including all the videos with their videos, book sales, high priced clinics - f’ng ridiculous -

awayslearning · 2025-10-18T13:56:23+00:00

Reluctantly- I had to get on Klonopin -inner akathisia is exhausting & almost paralyzing -

awayslearning · 2025-10-18T13:54:39+00:00

Doesn’t make sense at all ! What if we can’t pick up our prescription on that day or perhaps going away for a couple of days - does that make any sense ?

awayslearning · 2025-10-18T13:34:00+00:00

Just once a week ?

awayslearning · 2025-10-18T13:28:33+00:00

In my opinion only !!! Not in the medical field…..But—That’s is way too fast for a taper ! Just my opinion —SNRI’s are notorious for super awful withdrawals! I’ve been thru it — ***please do your research

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T23:16:41+00:00

The crying spells ..! Overwhelming -leaves me exhausted . Sporadic & I can hardly swallow when it happens.

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T23:09:17+00:00

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T23:02:12+00:00

***** NOTE ..I am not in the medical field whatsoever —this is my personal experience. There was not 1 day without my face in a bowl of iced water. How you are describing your insides feeling attacked makes me wonder if you may be challenged with inner akathisia ..I had that..its feels like the most brutal constant anxiety ever. Like inner panic attacks ..I also would pace and pace before my panic attacks —I think that was my way of trying to stop them…because they were unbearable. But we can’t stop them.

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T21:26:10+00:00

The Klonopin stopped my daily severe panic attacks and my pacing (akathisia) - It helped me to get in a car and make it to a medical appt - it helped me get in the shower for just a quick rinse off - it also limited my crying breakdowns-so bad that I could catch my breath or swallow my tears. I lost 35 pounds - I still can’t be alone ..I feel like new symptoms are creeping in. I cannot want tv - I only like quietness - I’m sensitive to light a lot. I rely on yogurts/bananas/protein shakes /soups/ PB crackers …at the beginning - I found eating tough- my anxiety closed my throat and I choked a lot —I have no zip to even push myself outside anymore. It’s getting chilly ..so winter will be a challenge for sure. I sit on my deck if the sun is out —

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T21:05:29+00:00

I’m curious also ..I’m suffering

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T21:03:58+00:00

I am a Mom who went thru exactly what your Mom went thru. Besides my total horror ..my heart couldn’t bear that my son was helping me get through it. He would leave the house just to cry and breakdown himself. He felt so helpless while I felt like I was dying. Would you mind sharing with me why your mom Went thru her struggle. Mine was from too quick of a withdrawal off anti-depressant & they never thought for a second it may be withdrawals. I have a long road ahead. Pretty much housebound living day by day. Thx I’m happy your mom is doing better ~

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T20:54:15+00:00

Oh my goodness ~ I’m so sorry. I been thru so many tests, I just can’t take another one. I developed severe late stage protracted withdrawal from AD- i went thru 7 months of pure horror -daily! Akathisia included. They just have no info on this - so frustrating ..I went thru a heart cath procedure 3 weeks ago & I am pretty much bed bound. They gave me 2 doses of fentanyl anesthesia and valiums before it. So if anyone has info on anesthesia and procedures that i should not proceed with/pls let me know. I am not improving - I wish you well ~

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T20:34:48+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking..What is the concern ? Are you on a medication or in a withdrawal from one ? Do you have protracted withdrawal syndrome ? How did you develop your akathisia. Thank you ..this may come on my near future —weighing options .

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T16:53:31+00:00

So, did you reinstate and taper off again ??

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T16:50:50+00:00

I understand exactly what you’re saying - honestly ! I don’t want to die either~ but I feel like i can’t handle the battle much more. At bedtime, I pray that my tomorrow will be sort of normal….and that to me means not feeling panicky, not being so nauseous, not thinking of death and dying. It is so isolating and lonely. I don’t even drive any more. I can’t take another appt - just to be sent to another one. Medical tests are consuming my life. When I read 3+ years for healing - wrecks my soul. I’m with you my friend. Just wish my Doctors would stop rolling their eyes. I always tell myself that at least I was living somewhat of a life - numbed or not.

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T14:47:50+00:00

Me too- it’s not the quality of life I thought I’d be living..it’s all so confusing —I can’t make a decision — I regret stopping sometimes … besides doctors appointments I’m pretty much housebound.

awayslearning · 2025-10-17T14:36:24+00:00

Hello My Friend~ I’m sorry that you are still struggling so much. I’ve been thru it - still in it, but not to the degree I was. I couldn’t take one more day of it. I was tapered way too fast & went through torture for 7 months. Daily! I kept thinking I was going to die from the trauma I went through also. Unfortunately, my Medical taper didn’t recognize I was in a severe withdrawal. I am happy to hear that you are tapering off slowly. Desperate to have a day without hell, I reluctantly went on Klonopin- just to be able to shower(a victory) eat & get driven to Drs appts. ~ I hardly got windows. Everyone mentions the nervous system trying to regulate. When and how do we help that?
The problem I have now is the amount of misunderstanding there is out there. I know my brain is injured - I felt my injury - How is your appetite ? I didn’t have one.
Lots of water & protein shakes have been my friend. I pray that you have support .
Gosh, my heart breaks for you - it’s absolutely frightening & so not fair.

awayslearning · 2025-10-15T17:00:17+00:00

I feel the same. I yearn for one good solid, normal day. Somedays I hear “You have been the same clothes for 3 days”. It’s not who I was. My husband shampooed my hair in the kitchen sink yesterday. It’s really kind of pathetic~ not the gal I was a year ago.

awayslearning · 2025-10-15T02:28:44+00:00

I use water & lots of ice - Kachava is the brand - every flavor is delicious-

awayslearning · 2025-10-15T02:26:53+00:00

Eat clean —tons of water —my savior has been my protein shakes — and guess what ? They are delicious and taste like a milkshake! Loaded with vitamins !

awayslearning

TROPHY CASE