The makers of effexor need to be sued!!! They knew full well that people would have to go through hell to get off it. And some people just give up and never get off. Wish someone would start a class action lawsuit.
I agree 1000%!! My mother-in-law has been on it since 1999 because there is no way she can cope with coming off of it. The truly crazy part is her doctor wants to increase the dose that she’s on. These commercials show these drugs don’t work by saying “is your antidepressant not working, try adding some other drug that won’t work either” Effexor changed my chemical make up for the rest of my life, I’ve been off of it for 20 years and I still have side effects. Mostly when I get real tired I get the mind zaps. I feel so sorry for people who can’t find the strength to get off that mess. I think finding my dad after he lost his battle with these drugs is what forced me to stop. I want so badly to sue for him taking his life. I have a video called June 2nd 1999. It’s the story of the morning I found my dad. I confronted his doctor that morning. I was told years later by the doctors son that his dad stopped practicing and started teaching because he was so afraid of someone coming into his practice like I did.
@@annmarieoliverie7526 that’s exactly where I was. Completely emotionless. Effexor is exactly as my doctor said it was, he called it a mood stabilizer vs an antiperspirant. It crazy how you feel like you’re watching someone else operate your body from the backside of your mind screaming inside wanting to take back control. How many mg are you taking right now?
@@annmarieoliverie7526 I completely understand. Did you see @georgiabessie4011 comment earlier about what she had to do to come off it. She had been on it for 23 years. She did the method of coming off of it that I wish I would have done. You have to open the capsules and remove some of the beads to lower your dose. I had no idea that going from 25mg to nothing was going to rock my world so bad.
Do you need to talk? Tell me some details of how much you were taking and how you tapered off or went cold turkey. Let me know if you need to talk. I know how hard this is. You got this bro!! 30 seconds at a time. This ain’t a day by day situation. This is winning the war 30 seconds at a time.
@@Speedbagthrasher man I been on it for 10 years and I’m on a really really low dose. This is a drug that you can’t even taper. If you even lower the dose just by a crumb your body goes wild. It’s fucking insane .. I’m on 12 mg from 75mg
No one knows the hell of withdrawal and the anger for being lied to and destroyed by the Pharmaceutical industry. Not until they are directly affected. Thanks for standing up and being honest.
Effexor withdrawal was the hardest time of my life. I stopped cold turkey. DON’T DO THIS!!! It nearly killed me. The withdrawal took weeks. I am on another med because of my GAD is a lifetime struggle. Things are better now.
@@rustymullins6623 ask your doctor as after four months things should improve. But my anxiety returned and it was bad after feeling better for a few months. No one wants to take anxiety drugs but my new drug has made life enjoyable again. The side effects are minimal compared to Effexor. Effexor is dangerous in my opinion. The withdrawal nearly made me want to end it all. With the new meds, I am enjoying life again. Never thought I would.
I’m about 3 months from my last dose of Paxil. The last 90 odd days have been absolute hell. However, the worst has passed, thank God. Not once did I lose my patience with my daughter, and that was my biggest worry. It takes so much but it’s possible. If your watching this video, your probably struggling too, please, please believe me this will get better. Sleep as much as you can. Walk outside. Do yoga. Eat good , force some yogurt and berries if you have too. This will pass I promise you. Hit me up anytime if you need help through this. I’m a very privileged person with an angel for a husband, and it was still brutal. Unreal what these drugs can do to our minds.
You see it too, pain understands pain. I’m so happy that you’re 90 days without!! That’s awesome!! It’s still rough but as you said, the worst is behind you. Honestly reminds me of the how Tom Hanks and Wilson felt leaving the island. It was a horrible and tough effort at first but it’s truly worth the fight! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and share with us. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great Sunday afternoon!!
I can relate a lot to your story. I'm really sorry that you had to go through this experience, Jeff. I'm trying to withdraw from Venlafaxine now, but it's absolute night mare. I have severest migrane in my life for 3 weeks in a row now and my brain seems to melt from inside. My eyes explode from intracranial pressure. I never been suicidal in my life (The reason my doctor prescribed me antidepressants was chronic fatigue and burnout), but not I'm ready to end my life just because of unbearable pain and brain pressure. I don't understand why doctors prescribe anti-depressant so easily to people and don't explain the consequences they will face later and the hard withdrawall that will follow which will basically make you suicidal, even if you never had suicidal thorughts.
How many mg were you taking before you started to come off of it? Did you taper yourself down or have you quit cold turkey? This stuff is so scary when coming off it. I still don’t know how doctors are allowed to prescribe this stuff? Where are you from? It’s interesting to learn how doctors all around the world give this stuff out like it’s candy promising you to feel better but all it is is a trap. They want you to be stuck on this stuff for the rest of your life. The pharmaceutical companies don’t make any money by making you better.
@@Speedbagthrasher , my Lithuanian doctor decided to withdraw me "gradually" (as he said) from 150 mg to 0 mg in 6 day :D After experiensing terrible withdrawal I started to research on this and came across your channel. Also understood that Venlafaxine disontinuation in 6 days is basically cold turkey (((( Especially for people who was on this drug for a year and more. I'm Belarusian currently based in Lithuania due to political persecution in my country. I went to the doctor because of chronic fatigue/burnout issues and received a prescription for venlafaxine without even having a blood test or basic medical exam :( By that time I didn't know that Venlafaxine is so addictive and now it's too late :(
We need to have a class action lawsuit against the drug companies. I"ve been on this drug what seems like forever..I hate it. Someone out there please help us.
I’m so sorry you’ve been on this a long time. It feels like prison!! I am 100% with you. I can’t believe this stuff is allowed to be prescribed as something that makes people better when they need help.
I came off this drug by myself because the doctors did not care, just kept dishing out the prescription. I was becomming heavier by the month and felt dreadful . Home alone after two whole years in a psychiatric ward on this shit. I decided to wean myself off it and bloody hell I succeeded. When I look back I feel pride, it was tough - I didnt realize other folk had had it as bad.
Awesome!! So proud for you!! I love and hate hearing people tell me their stories. You have to have a special level of fight in you to get off this stuff, those are the stories I love to read. I hate reading the stories from the people who went to a doctor for help and they shovel poison down our throat and then tell us this will be the way things are for the rest of your life with no plan of how to get you off this stuff. These drugs are supposed to be given as a temporary fix for a temporary problem. That’s not the case. My mother in law was depressed after her mom passed away. That was 25 years ago and she still takes this stuff everyday because the is trapped on it. Not everyone is as strong as we are, and I proudly say “we” because I fought my ass off to get off this stuff! Thank you greatly for sharing some of your story with me. I can only imagine the hell you went through to get free of this. Your story will inspire someone else to fight the way we did. 🙏🏼🤛🏽
Thank you for watching and sharing Rob! I feel greatly for you. You’re starting to get past the worst of it. Proud of you brother for making it as far as you have. So many people can’t make it past a few days. It feels like being a prisoner in your own body. Keep up the hard work! I’m always here if you need to talk. How long were you on it and what was your mg?
Hello I’m trying to come off effexor 150 for 1 year have gotten worse thoughts and not liking life so so unlike me. I feel the effexor has worsened my good feelings and all my emotions. Ty !
@@annmarieoliverie7526 hi Ann, have the doctors put you on a lower dose yet? Are you taking 150mg pills? I was on multiple sizes of pills. I was on 350mg. I believe I was taking 2 150mg pills and 2 25mg pills. If you need to talk you can always email, text, WhatsApp, Instagram. I give my email out to everyone incase they ever get where I was and ready to step off the edge. Thethrasherhouse@gmail.com , 903-738-1312 thats my cell and works with WhatsApp and telegram and my Instagram is @speedbagthrasher
@@Speedbagthrasher thank you Jeff! You are so thoughtful and considerate I appreciate you so much! I’m on 150 looking to get off effexor I feel it’s doing more harm than good. I’m numb emotionless and still depressed and having “bad” thoughts, I’m 63 and I am tired of feeling like this. Going to be away for a week when I come back I’ll start tapering off with help of my dr. I’m disappointed in these drs. Always pushing…try this..try that. Not really knowing what’s best. I want off all of them so I can feel like myself again. Ty fir listening and caring.
@@annmarieoliverie7526 it made me completely numb. It’s not an antidepressant, it’s a mood stabilizer. And that’s exactly what it does. It numbs you so you feel nothing. It’s a very dangerous drug. Food and exercise are the greatest antidepressants you can find. Not these pills they try to shove down our throats. I’m 46, I came off Effexor 20 years ago and it still has small affects on me when I become very tired. Get off it as soon as you can. DO NOT let them put you on a drug to come off it and DO NOT let them put you on another antidepressant. You can beat this depression without them. I’ll help if you need it. I really mean that.
I was told by my oncologist Effexor would help ease my hot flashes. I took the drug for 2 years and it did helped ease hot flashes a little. I wanted off Effexor and she did lower my prescription to 37 mg. I did that a few weeks and then I stopped the medication thinking all would be ok. That was a big mistake! My oncologist never warned me how horrible the side effects would be. I’ve tapered off Effexor and finally feeling better but still still have at time a pounding in my head, trouble staying asleep, and terrible nightmares. Please don’t take this medication for hot flashes as she prescribed for me!
Thank you so much for sharing!! It’s crazy how many things doctors put people on this drug. I’m so happy you were able to get yourself off it. 37 mg is too many mg to just quit cold Turkey off that dose.
Hey Jeff - I went through the same GARBAGE SHIT EPISODES last year when coming off of Prozac (brain zaps, suicidal, all that shit). Of course, my doctor said I should stay on it.. and maybe for life. I was like, fuck that. Getting off psych meds (and I also detoxed of of clonapin many many moons ago), is a nightmare. I have devoted a huge part of my life to helping people get through it in a non-pharmacological manner. And by raising awareness. Psychiatry is such a fucked industry. I swear, historians of the future will be shocked that we allowed them to treat us this way. I'm super proud of you - it's so so so so hard to do. People that have no experience in this matter will never understand - and should be grateful. But all the people here and those reading know how awful it is. You're doing GREAT. Keep spreading the word. And yes - to anyone reading and needing help with it, weed helps tremendously.
“Possibly for life” fuck that!! It’s as if they want us to be slaves to the drugs! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so sorry you had to endure the pharmaceutical nightmare of these drugs. I think you’re absolutely right there in the future they will look back on this and just shake their head wondering how in the hell could they have ever allowed this to happen but you know they’re all FDA approved which is total fucking bullshit! I’ve learned with Effexor the smartest thing you can do to come off it is get to the lowest dose then once you’re on the smallest pill to start breaking them open and count the pellets inside and every few days start reducing the number of pellets by one so eventually you can stop taking them with less side effects. The pharmaceutical industry is completely fucked. My father killed himself because he could not manage to make it through the withdrawal symptoms. I should’ve sued these companies back then when he did that.
I am five day off from venafaxine 75 mg after 1.5 month . I have haluzination , bad headack all the day. I try to get better with whisky. Help me and guid me to overcome. How long do i have to suffer more?
Im on my first week of coming off 220mg for 6 years. 3rd day. I poured half the beads out of one of my 3 capsules. Im gonna do that for a month. Then the next month ill leave just a small amount of beads. In 2 months ill be at 150. Ill stick at that a month and do the same. The thing is- its dramatically increased my cholesterol serum and now they want me on statins. That's proven now. Nope, no more meds. I take 1 mg of zanax for sleep. I gotta get off that too. I have Fibromyalgia and anxiety. 48. At 75 mg I will be at a amount that my cholesterol will be non effected. Wish me luck. Im scared. @Speedbagthrasher
Holy shit! New found hero for being able to describe the full withdrawal! I'm in the same place you once were where I'm saying these meds are giving me anxiety and depression, not curing anything. Thanks for putting your words out cuz I plan on letting the closest people to me listen to this and get it. There's a thing just knowing you did it, others can. You put a little hope in me and I needed it. Not that this isn't the worst situation to face... I've missed that 9 o'clock more than once and always ended up in the fetal position unable to function at all. I believe as you do that our doctors and the industry along with our governments insight are all off target and are just dealers. Pisses me off cuz my other dealers are a lot nicer! I appreciate you
I’m soooo sorry I missed this message!! This is the reason I made this video, in the hopes that I can help inspire others to get off that horrible drug!! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help get you ready to come off it. I wish I would have known more about how devastating it can be coming off Effexor. I wish I knew about counting the beads to truly taper off. Brother!! I’m here for you. If you need to talk hit me up 903-738-1312. I won’t miss a text message I promise. Again, so sorry I missed this brother 🦾🦾you can beat this drug, if I can do it you can do it!
You hit the nail on the head. One day at a time for us, is too long. It’s second by second. Thank you 🙏🏻 your video is helping me get through these damn brain zaps ⚡️. Going outside during the day is hell; it feels like I’m in a movie, I don’t feel connected to anything, my life feels fake. I am hopeful to come off these meds and never looks back. FDA my ass approved🫠🙄 don’t trust fda anymore at all. My brain doctor never once mentioned withdrawal symptoms, this is hell
I remember that feeling all too well. Felt like I was tucked away in the back of my mind while someone else was at the wheel. Daytime was definitely the worst. It was if the sun was too much to bare. The brain zaps are horrible! You’ll get past them, 30 seconds at a time!! You got this! And you’re right, my doctor was the same way, didn’t tell me any of the side affects when he put me on them. Just said take these. I was taking them before TH-cam was even made so I couldn’t find information on it like you can now. The FDA is bought and paid for by these companies that push these drugs. I’m always here is you need to talk.
I’m with you friend…I was on them 25 years..150 mg per day… my life eventually became a dull dim world..I weened my own self without knowing what I was getting into..the last two months have been a living nightmarish hell…everything from panic attacks..paranoia..epilepsy type blackouts…I can keep going on here…on top of that,I just got out of the hospital a week ago from a heart attack and 3 stents…I think the extreme amount stress of Effexor withdrawal brought all this on…
@@rustymullins6623 wow!!! It’s was easy for me to step down from a high dose to a low dose without feeling a change, but to go from a low dose to no dose was horrible!! What was your cut off day like? How low has you tapered down to?
@@Speedbagthrasher I expierenced “ Euphoria” ..I felt my senses were all back in a super acting way..the sky was brighter..birds singing…the air smelled awesome….I thought it was done and over with…then in the wee morning hours,I woke up “ brain dead”..from now what I understand was epileptic like siezure…it took hours for this to wear off and I had like 3 more after that…here I am at this very hour,still having withdrawal symptoms and trying to not take a clonipin to ease the episode…I feel I lost my springtime battling dark mind episodes…it has to get better sometime
@@rustymullins6623 we’re still living 30 seconds at a time. You’ll get Pat here. I’m proud of you for find the strength to message me. YOU GOT THIS!! you have to make the brain believe that every withdrawal symptom is a small victory!! Get in that mirror and tell yourself you got this!! You’re stronger than you know!
Thank you. Currently in Lexapro withdrawal. I wish more people would talk about this. I'm feeling bad for all these teenagers being given antidepressant medications.
I’ve heard the withdraws are just as bad as coming off Effexor. It’s terrifying how easily they give these drugs to young people. I was recently put on gabapentin for neuropathy. I was told it’s non habit forming, was on it for 3 weeks before it made me have seizure. Came off it for one night and guess what, same withdraws as coming off Effexor. So now I’m weaning myself off this mess too.
I'm polydrugged and damaged by Lexapro. I have flashbacks,insomnia and brain will conjure its own thoughts etc. Very serious and scary. Been like this for months, I don't know wat to do, only have a few individuals who share these rare severe symptoms. Will I get better?
@@germainedenon311 how did you step down from the drugs? Are you still taking anything? I remember being in a very similar state of mind. I was terrified I was going to kill myself or hurt others. I was completely out of control.
@@Speedbagthrasher thanks Jeff for replying. I CT from the drug as it gave me bad inner restlesness, no help and only severe brain damages. I'm one of the very rare few (only found another 3) who have visual flashbacks after taking these drugs. I just don't know wat to do now and wonder if my brain will heal with time. There's no treatment
@@germainedenon311 first, if you're still on the meds and feel like you're too sensitive to it(I am. I get all those terrible side effects too) talk to your dr about weaning off. Don't go cold turkey. It will make you physically and mentally ill. But YES! you will feel better. It just takes a very long time for your body and brain to adjust. Expecially after you've weaned off. It will last for a while even after they are out of your system, you have extreme mood swings and depression but knowing that it's the meds, and not you, does help some. These days I stick to kava kava tea for anxiety. Or ashwagandha drops. And st John's wart for mood when needed. I would rather deal with anxiety and depression than ever go through that mess with the pills again... but if you are one who really needs to be on something, maybe try a mood stabilizer instead. They are a little more mild. But you shouldn't take anything that is giving you intrusive thoughts or feeling abnormal, personality wise. I'd say it's the wrong medication for you. But again, I'm not a dr. Talk to yours asap if you are feeling really badly.
It feels like your being electrocuted. That was the best way I could describe it. It was a nightmare! But I did eventually make it past them. That was a glorious day.
Your most welcome! Are you saying you have been on it for 4 years or you’re about to start taking this for 4 years. I ask that because I’ve never heard of someone being told they will be on it for 4 years right when they start it. Now, I know A LOT of people who have been on it for 4 years and wish like hell they can get off it.
Thank you for your video Jeff. I was taking 150mg of Effexor for 18 years. I tapered off in November and took my last dose start of February. It’s been a rollercoaster ride. It scares me but also gives me hope that if I can make it through the year this shit will be over. Thank you 🙏🏼
Leanna, I’m so sorry I missed this message. That’s awesome you started coming off Effexor! How’re you holding up? You have to remember you will make it past this. This state you’re in now is only temporary and you will beat this!! I know you can!! Please let me know if you need to talk at all. My mother-in-law has been on it for 23 years. I think she will be on it for life. It’s such a strong drug some people can’t come off it. Scary thing is after this much time her doctor wants to up her dose. Please let me know how you’re coming along.
@@Speedbagthrasher Hey! Apologies for the late reply. I’m actually doing so well now. It was a rough 5 months I’m not going to lie but I feel like I’m coming out of this other side of this. Magic mushrooms have helped me massively, taking a macro dose in a safe and therapeutic setting and having a mild psychedelic experience every so often has brought me back to the peace in life. I finally feel like I have control of my own mind which in all honestly I don’t think I’ve ever had. I’ve been running my life in fight/flight mode, programmes caused by childhood trauma. I think facing that and trying to heal has been integral to my success with coming off the Effexor. Thank you so much for replying to me, I can’t tell you how much hope your video gave me during the hardest of times
@@leannesinclair8508 I can’t tell you how excited I get when I read about people beating their nightmares with Effexor as well as finding a great way to process the traumas that have happened in their past. Truly humbled this video brought you comfort in such a difficult time in your life. YOU GOT THIS!!! Please let me know how you continue to do!! Your story is hope for everyone who reads this. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Hope you have a great weekend. I have really wanted to try micro dosing. I still feel I have some things I need to sort out from my past.
30 years!! Wow! Right after I found my dad my family doctor said “Jeff you’re going to be going through a lot of anxiety, when you feel anxious take one of these” one of these was Xanax. Crazy thing is how fast you grow dependent on that stuff just to feel normal. It was also a mind eraser. I couldn’t remember anything from the day before and I would also wake up 10x more anxious than I was the day before, that’s because Xanax is a fast burn drug and you start to withdraw less than 24 hours of taking it. So on top of depression and anxiety you’re also adding a severe dose of withdrawal without realizing what’s going on in your brain. It’s a total train wreck. These doctors train us to be addicts but won’t teach you how not to be one. In my opinion they should pay for you treatment to shake these horrible drugs. Let me know if you ever want to talk about it. I’m always here for you. What all are you taking? Or what are you trying to come off of? You can always email me thethrasherhouse@gmail.com or text me 903-738-1312.
Thanks Jeff, You are a gifted communicator. And Brave. I'm walking up this venaflaxine withdrawal path. I had my husbandd listen to your tale. I was then able to talk to him in more clear way because you were so clear. My husband was actually grateful to hear the hard things. Im really angry at drs. Just like you. Because they didn't sove my problems instead they gave me additional ones. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will comfort you and give you peace. If I were your dad watching down from heaven, I would be so so so proud of you.
Thank you very much Christine! That truly means a lot for a man who has always wanted his fathers approval. I know you’ll be able to make it past this stage in your life. So happy this video was able to help not only you but your husband as well. I don’t think my mom had any idea what my dad was truly going through when he took his life. I remember overhearing them talk once she said “if you’re not going to get better maybe you need to go somewhere else” she had no idea what she was saying. He was coming off meds and she had no idea how dangerous it was. Let everyone around you know what you’re preparing to do. Let people know you may be on edge for a little while. If you ever need to talk I’m always around as well. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who’s been through the ringer. Have you started tapering down? You can definitely beat this!! Nothing you can’t do!!
You want to talk about it here or off line? I know the feeling. It’s like being in prison in your own body. Let me know if you want to talk. I know you can make it off this stuff. If I did you can!!
Been stuck on this since 2000 tried to come off and it was always too fast and had to reinstate every time going through hell. Now succeeding and down to 2 mg opening capsules and counting beads , it will take me over 5 years to come off safely without losing stability from 225 mg. This pill should be illegal! So many no longer here.
9 anni di citalopram, fatto scalaggio per passare ad un altro farmaco, niente da fare l inferno in terra da impazzire, chiusa in casa dalla depressione e ansia,ricominciato di nuovo da capo citalopram nn ne esco piu😢
Jesus, this is the most accurate assessment of effexor withdrawal I've ever heard. I'm tapering down now, and I feel like absolute garbage. Brain shivers, mood swings, confusion, mania, fear of losing the best job I've ever had.. Wish I could smoke some good weed, but I get randomly tested, and I'm trying to get completely sober from everything. I'm already gaining weight from lowering my dose. I'm horrified about getting through the withdrawal, but even more horrified to be on this shit another day..
Hi Jeff, man I hate that you’re going through this right now. Do you mind me asking how you’re tapering? How many milligrams where you on and how many are you on now? If you step down too fast it will rock your world. Sounds like you’re having a rough go with it. How long have you been on Effexor? Feel free to reach out to me by text or phone call. 903-738-1312. I talk to people about how to come off this nightmare of a drug all the time from all around the world. If you’re not in the US, I’m on WhatsApp and and telegram as well. Out side of THC I would strongly recommend getting some lions mane mushrooms, not to get high. Micro dose is very healthy. I’ve heard amazing things about lions mane for rebuilding nerves and it’s great for stress and anxiety. The best overall natural thing you can do is you have to start working out and you have to make food your medicine. Do you know what your blood type is? I would strongly recommend eating for your blood type while going through this. But working out is critical!! Please let me know if you want to talk. I’m in your corner pulling for you!! You got this bro!!
@@Speedbagthrasher Thank you. I was on 150mg/day for about 4 years. I went down to 75mg for a week, then 37.5 for a week, now I'm doing 37.5mg every other day. The withdrawal effects started day 1, and I'm still having them everyday. I feel wobbly like I'm going to fall down when I walk. When I tried to come off it before, I got scared back into taking it just because of the withdrawal effects. I'm not giving up this time. I'm getting off this shit, but it sucks.
@@jeffwolfe5661 this is not a drug you can take every other day. It’s yo-yo effect is way too intense. How did you feel when you went from 150mg to 75mg? Same question about going from 75mg to 37? 37mg to 0 is far too tall of a dose to quit cold turkey. Once your body become stable on 37mg that’s when you need to break the capsules open and count the pellets inside the capsule. If there 50 pellets inside the capsule start by removing 10% of the pellets everyday for a week OR till your body feels somewhat normal again. Once you feel normal decrease it by another 10%. Take this process slow. I know you want to get off this stuff but to do it safely you gotta go slow.
This literally made me cry. Thank you for sharing your experience. The nurse I delt with made me feel like I was crazy for feeling what I’m feeling! I’ve found that covering my eyes helps so tremendously with the side effects of the withdrawal hope somebody sees this and it helps them!
I’m so sorry you’re going through the horrible withdrawal symptoms from this demon of a drug. How Effexor was ever allowed to be but on the market is beyond me. I’ve found way too many doctors and nurses don’t know the dangers of some of these drugs and they are given out recklessly. Thank you tremendously for sharing. Please let me know if you ever need to talk! You can definitely get past this!! You got this!
He’s right, the withdrawal was hell for me. The brain zaps, dizziness (vertigo) and nausea were terrible. I was so relieved when these withdrawal side effects ended, which they will eventually. A slow taper works best. Stick with the taper schedule your doctor gives you and you will eventually get through it.
It seems to be never ending while going through it. So glad you made it off! Sad thing is there are so many doctors that prescribe this to people and don’t have a clue how to get them off it. Most doctors see this drug as a forever drug.
Wow, this moved me. Thanks for sharing; it must have been difficult to post this. You never know what someone is going through. You are one strong dude, brother. I wish you all the best, thirty seconds at a time.
Thank you very much for taking the time to listen. Thirty seconds at a time is all we can do sometimes. I really appreciate the support. This video was tough but much easier than the one titled June 2nd, 1999. That one tore my heart out to make. But I’m glad I did. A year after I posted it someone reached out to me and said that video kept them from killing themself. I broke down into tears of joy. It did it’s job, as long as it helped one person it was worth the pain of recording. I also record these so that one day when I’m gone my 7 year old son can listen to my stories in my own words. I’d give anything to hear my dad tell any of his stories again.
I feel your anger, and know this pain. I’m Trying to come off Effexor again after failing two years ago. I’m on day five. I’m so grateful that people like you know how hard it is, but I’m sorry you’ve went through it. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I feel like I’ve lost years to being a ghost of myself, my teenage years and now coming into my twenties. I hope I do it this time. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I’m sending love out to anyone who is going through/has gone through this.
Thank you greatly for reaching out Gabrielle! 5 days is awesome!! That’s a huge success! I remember sitting there at my doctors office looking at everyone else in the room and they all had the same tranquilized looks on their faces and I was sitting there in my mind screaming let me out of here!! You’ve got this🦾🦾🦾 look yourself in the mirror and say it repeatedly and feel every emotion you have. It’s like your body is learning how to feel all over again.
@@bekamoreno im still going strong, since June. I still have some symptoms but I’m mostly in the clear with it. It’s a long journey still, I’m still feeling like I have to learn how to feel again? If that makes sense. Thank you so much for asking kind stranger, I’m sorry I missed your comment. Sending love wherever you are
68 year old woman finally off Paxil. Started taking it in my 40s. Only get the brain zaps when I’m extra tired. But this stuff really messed my stomach up. Feel bad, try to force myself to eat and then feel worse! I’ve been off the stuff for 3 months now. The absolute worse thing I’m experiencing is when I first wake up in the morning this wave of anxiety and desperation takes over my body like a convulsion and I have to breathe through it. Your story is very compelling! God Bless you for sharing it. 🦋
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. It’s pure hell. It’s amazing how they will put someone on Paxil for 20 plus years. These are supposed to be short term drugs to help you get out of a depression state. Have you tried St John’s Wart? It helps quite a bit with anxiety. I would also highly recommend finding a mushroom micro dosing clinic. I’ve heard great things from my friends who have tried it. Early morning deep breathing exercises are huge help. Also make sure your gut biome is working well. If your gut is not healthy your brain won’t be healthy.
Thank you greatly for taking the time to listen!! I would say it’s the second most real story of mine. The most real is much more painful to watch. It’s a video I made talking about the morning I found my dad after he killed himself. Do me a favor and share this video with someone you think needs to see it. So many people out there suffering from this poison. Are you doing ok? Most people who watch this video are struggling to come off Effexor or drugs similar to them. Suicide PTSD 21 years after my fathers suicide June 2nd 1999 th-cam.com/video/-hnxvEMFfGg/w-d-xo.html
27 years for me. 27 on so many big pharma drugs. Im on month 2 of cold turkey withdrawl. Life is a living hell. I was on 9 different meds; one piled on top of the other, for the side effects of the other drugs. What a nightmare. I pray for my life every day.
We really need a support group/forum for this. Reading all the comments and I want to chime in but most of them are from a year ago.. I am currently trying to come off Venlafaxine for what I hope will be the last time. I also have a newborn so this is struggle upon struggle. But Im done putting it off.. there is always going to be some reason that now is not the right time. The time is now. And your videos help me tremendously.
I tapered down to 37.5 and now I’m at the beginning of week 2 (no Effexor left) with all these side effects you’re talking about but the projectile vomiting thing is pretty violent and it sucks! I’ve already kicked the klonapin. That took over 2 years & was hell. Now I’m getting over the Effexor and it’s hell too. Thank you so much for this video. It’s very helpful to hear because it’s so relatable. I won’t end myself. I will fight this good fight. I will be better soon enough.
Thank you for this. So many similarities with me right now. I've been on Pristiq for 6 years and I am currently weaning off. If I don't talk to myself in the mirror between fits of rage and uncontrollable sobbing, I don't know what I'd do. Pristiq is closely related to effexor. EVERYTHING this man says is true about antidepressants, be warned. Next month I'm taking the last step off of 25mg and I've been putting it off all summer because I am scared to death. This is even with me being in therapy! When I asked my Dr. 3 years ago about my chances of "making it" in life without the medication, she shook her head no. I resigned to being medicated the rest of my life, until this year. These people are TRYING to kill us, and now we gotta fight for our lives. Good luck everyone!
Have you split your capsules open before. Do you know if they’re powder or bbs? Don’t let them tell you 25mg is the lowest dose you can take. That’s just the smallest mg they offer. I hope they’re tue bbs, makes it easier. This stuff is horrible! Not a single person has ever chimed in saying how it changed their life for the better. Maybe it has, I just haven’t met that person yet.
@@Speedbagthrasher Thank you Jeff, you are correct, several doctors told me that 25mg is the lowest available dose. It's a hard tablet, not bbs, because I use the generic form of Pristiq, my apologies for not clarifying that. I will definitely speak to my doctor about using non-generic for the smaller dose, thank you so much! I'm tired of being fed antidepressants and birth control pills for all of my problems. At the time I began my prescription, I needed help as I was not in a safe mindset, but what they don't tell you is that you RETURN to that mindset once you quit the pills and therapy be damned. Here I thought I had 6 years of "working on myself" to prep for the day I quit, but maaaaaaaan was I wrong. Like you, I have a great support system and ultimately that's what will save you during withdrawal.
@@LightlyAngie307 do our doctors think we will be on this for life? It would be so different if the drug made you really feel better and were told “hey, detox from this stuff is horrible, but once you’re past the detox stage you’ll be great” Not the case at all! They don’t warn you about any of the stuff thats about to happen to you. I was on this stuff before TH-cam was even a thing. You had no way to investigate this stuff back then.
@@Speedbagthrasher Before the YT?! Wowza, mad respect for that 🙏. Well it's people like you who make a community for us all to heal each other and I appreciate it, thanks again.
You should go on Ted talks. You are a great speaker and tell your story in a way that makes a person feel like the are riding it out beside you. I took Effexor years ago…never again. My Mom’s Dr prescribed it for her and I threw a fit. Also, I’m so sorry to hear about you loosing your Dad the way you did. I lost someone I loved from suicide years ago and it tore my heart out. so- Mr East Texas, best of luck from the Texas Gulf Coast ❤
Hi! The Texas Gulf Coast, I Have to click that button when I’m signing my guys up for some oilfield training for Nustar. So happy to hear you were able to get away from that nightmare of a drug! It’s terrifying how quickly and easily they throw those down our throats. And we think “hey, this guy has a bunch of shiny certificates on his wall he must know what he’s talking about” right. Sad fact is once he got out of school his education on new drugs came from pharmaceutical reps that they think they can trust. My mother in law has been on it for 21 years and her doctor recently said she wanted to up her dose. Scary how they think they can fix things by throwing more gas on the fire. Don’t get to hot, it’s been brutal down here.
Jeff! I’m finally out of the woods! I did it!! I’m back in my own body with 100% of me and it feels great. Thank you again for this video. See you bro!
@@pgprog YES!!! I can’t tell you how pumped I get when I read success stories!! I am so proud of you for fighting through it. You’re a beast bro!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Hi Mike, blows my mind when I hear how long some people have been on this stuff. My mother in law has been taking it since 23 years. How many milligrams were you taking daily and how low did you get down to before you stopped? How are you feeling since you started to detox? Sorry for all the questions. It’s almost impossible to explain to someone who hasn’t walked down this road.
@@Speedbagthrasherhopefully hes doing alright and id like to know the same from yourself if possible U mentioned side effects still being experienced to this day?
@@EvanRajala when I get really exhausted I will get pulses, the precursor to the brain zaps. Most of the time they last only a few seconds. I’ve learned that when I tell myself to slow down. I’m bad about not sleeping enough at times when I’m juggling too many things at once. When I feel those pulses hit me for just a second i automatically start thinking about how I can get some sleep. I have learned how important proper sleep if for recovery.
@@Speedbagthrasher have u felt before in the bed about to daze off as if ur flying and then u begin rapidly falling then u jolt awake ? That is a brain zap. The others from antidepressants are… well… probably some neurotoxic impairment residual effect… i mean, the drugs stimulate neurons to death and much worse after all… Was this all the side effects? This weird brain zap thing? U tried drinking or coffee or weed? What were ur dosages and how long u take venlafaxine for?? I wanna compare ur experiences to mine Heard of PSSD ? Brain fog, s*ual dysfunction, etc… persisting after the discontinuation of drugs
@@EvanRajala did you not watch the video that is attached to this one in the description? Effexor / Venlafaxine Withdrawal, A pure nightmare! Someone you know needs to hear this! 1/21/2023 th-cam.com/video/sdku5_qQC4Q/w-d-xo.html
@@keithhatch56 thank you very much Keith. It’s the only way I know how to be. The realest one is about my father’s death. That one still gets me when I watch it. It’s almost like watching someone else tell the story. Thank you greatly for taking the time to watch.
Thank you for telling your story. I am lowering my Effexor dose and am dealing with the worst body aches I’ve ever experienced. I wanted to find some solidarity and was searching for other people’s experiences
@@Speedbagthrasher Hi there, I went down to 187.5, I was on 300mg. I’m lucky that the side effects didn’t last too long, that being said, I’ve never been off the medication completely
@@TinkererTaylor hopefully one of these days you can get that stuff out of your routine. I don’t think it’s natural for us to be on a drug indefinitely.
I ran out 4 days ago. I have to hold onto walls so I don’t fall over. My feet are numb after being freezing cold. The sweating, the migraines. I cold turkeyed from Klonopin and I was bed ridden for three years. What a mess. I live by myself and there is so much to do. I have exploding head syndrome and my heart is failing from the strain my mind and body went through. Now it’s Effexor’s turn to kill me.
I commend you.This should have a million views.Doctors tried to get me on anti depressants but i refused.I believe the human brain will heal itself if we give it the time.Prescription drugs will ruin this process.Doctors are like cops we need them but they are not our friend.
Thank you very much Keith!! I hope one day it has a million views, takes people to share it to get there. I learned through my process of healing you can’t fix a broken heart and damaged soul with pills. They simply throw a blanket over a problem and pretend it’s not there. Then you have the nightmare of coming off those horrible drugs and once you do and you start feeling real emotions again you have to go through the entire healing process all over. It’s a dangerous and vicious cycle. You did the right thing by refusing their cocktails of pills. Scary how quickly they throw all sorts of drugs in your face seeing what works and what doesn’t. They’ll tell you that you have a chemical imbalance without ever drawing a drop of blood to see what you imbalance is. They play a game of pin the tail on the donkey with prescription drugs. Thank you for reaching out and you comment!! I appreciate it greatly!
Thank you for making this video. I am also one of the unlucky people prescribed this poison of a drug. I've failed to get off it many times but am definitely succeeding this time. I'm one week out of my first dosage reduction and have to go through it another 3 times to be fully off. We say yes to anything when we're suicidal and need some hope. Did it stop me from committing suicide? Possibly, but it also stopped me living. Good luck to you in future.
Thank you for sharing! Do you mind explaining to me how you are tapering off this? Is it a plan your doctor is helping with? How many mg were you on and what is the tapering schedule? I truly hope for you the best while coming off this and life after.
@Speedbagthrasher I've been on 150mg and just stepped down to 112.5mg daily. Yes, I am doing it under the supervision of my GP. She isn't the one who prescribed it to me and suggested I should get off them due to my anxiety and agitation. My psychologist also said that they weren't best suited to my mental health problems. I have OCD, CPTSD, anxiety and depression. The minimum dose in the XR is 37.5mg and we hoped that reducing my dosage by that amount would minimise the withdrawal effects. Made no difference in my opinion. I'm waiting for these symptoms to stabilise then I will drop down to the 75mg and so on until I'm off them completely. As you know, it's hard to work and function in any capacity in the beginning of the withdrawal period so I have to plan time off work and my other responsibilities accordingly.
@@samanthabright3390 dropping from 150 to 112.5 is a manageable drop. That’s a 25% decrease in your mg. It sounds like they have you on a linear decrease of you meds. Or they are going to reduce your dose by 37.5 each time. That’s good and that’s bad. So right now you did a 25% decrease which can be pretty rough on some people. I typically tell people to only do a 10% decrease. When you drop from 112.5 to 75 that’s going to be close to a 35% decrease. Then when you drop from 75 to 37.5 that’s a 50% decrease. I am not a doctor. But I have fought this drug and I’ve helped others come off it. When you reduce your mg by 10% it is much easier on you to tapper off. It takes longer but the transitions are normally smoother. As people get lower in their doses it sometimes becomes helpful to only reduce your dose by 5%. Some people are very sensitive to this drug and some not so much. If you’re having withdrawals dropping from 150 to 112.5 you may want to think about dropping by percentages vs by the pill sizes. Doing it by percentage is more time consuming because you have to count the bbs in the capsule or there is a way to let them dissolve in water and you drink a specific amount of the water. Doing this takes a bit more work but it’s so much easier on your chemistry. I’m going to drop in a video link of a doctor talking about how Effexor affects our brain and he talks more in depth about dropping by percentage vs linear. I would also highly encourage you to start listening to meditation videos from Joe Dispenza about the power of healing our bodies from our own energy force. I would also tell you to look into RTT hypnosis for your anxiety. Have any of your doctors explained how when your anxiety spikes, your adrenal gland gets exhausted, which spikes your cortisol, which negatively affects your thyroid? None of my doctors ever did. My chiropractor was the one who explained all this to me and how to better manage my anxiety. I promise you that meditation and hypnosis would do you a huge amount of good. Also, drink plenty of good water. Spring water is best. If you are drinking tap water or bottled water that says “purified” it’s not good for you. Spring water is the best. 80% of serotonin is produced in our gut so if your gut is unhealthy your brain will be unhealthy. th-cam.com/video/2GLpsW_-a4E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6tXk9Ot2-bSxr5f9 Look up the videos from Joe Dispenza about meditation. Depression comes from events in our past, anxiety comes from the unknowns of the future, learning to quiet those negative thoughts in your head and learning to live in the present is how you learn how to get past depression and anxiety. Please let me know if you have any questions. I help a lot of people with this stuff. Like I say, I’m not a doctor, just a guy who have survived a lot of stuff and learned some things along the way.
I came off methadone after 13 years cold turkey and it was 3 months of hell..Been clean for 1 and half and feel so much better..The Pharmaceutical company's love you're money and care less what happens to common people..I had to stay busy which was very hard cause it's a task just to get outta bed..Stay strong Jeff and positive..You can do it..
Wow!!! 13 years of methadone!! That is some powerful stuff. I am seriously impressed you came off cold Turkey. I can only imagine how torturous those first months were. So glad you were able to kick that stuff. You’re absolutely right, the drug companies want you hooked. That how they make their money, no money in cures. Thank you very much for sharing. I fee bad I’m just no responding. It’s been one of those weeks. Stay strong my brother!! I’m always here if you ever need to talk. You never know when a flashback comes on you. 903-738-1312.
@@Speedbagthrasher losty 2 week take homes one two many times and 20 Milles back and forth and price of gas will do that to a person 3 months and came out clean on other side and it's awesome not have to rely on something you thought you'd be on the rest of your life..
@@paigekowalski275 you have to get off that drug. It turns you into a prisoner in your own mind. You need to do it safely and slowly but you have to get off it. That drug forces you to take it for life. If you need help how to come off it let me know.
I was on a high dose for 6 years. Took me a year to work my way down to 37.5mg and now I’ve been off it for 5 days. It feels like a hangover. Headaches, light and sound sensitivity, brain zaps and weird little pulses all over my body like I have Parkinson’s or something. Hopefully it goes away. Fingers crossed.
I am going through it as well. It’s not as bad as what he went through, bc I weaned off. Hopefully it slowly improves. I also find light, and littlest sounds will irritate me.
Be careful after the 3rd week it was the worst for me. It’s been a now 5 weeks and I’m still going through it. I went through feeling completely psychotic . The morning I’m ok but at night I raise back high. This is the worst feeling I’ve ever felt. I’m a strong woman and I’m finding this hard to deal with. I was only on Venlafaxin for 3 months. My doctor kept huping my dose and now my withdrawal symptoms are a nightmare.
You described 100% of my symptoms! Thank you for such courage to speak up! I’ve been tapering this trash for 1.5 months and still have less than halfway to go… I still feel everything even by counting the pellets… I’m actually in a mental breakdown rn. Thank you, I’ll push through this. I’ll be out of this thing. God bless you brother
30 seconds at a time, that’s the aim, right now it’s 30 seconds at time. Thank you for reaching out and also taking the time to watch. You will 100% get past this!!
Hey guys, thank you for your concern. I’m feeling quite better than before, thank God! I’ve started an even slower taper by taking a bead every 4 days. Right now I’m on 18 beads. I’m much more stable, but not free from symptoms, of course. Thank you for your advice! God bless y’all 🙏🏻🩷
Bro, I have gotten so much better on the bag learning from your videos. I started baggin to rehab a shattered wrist and elbow after a 30' fall at my job as a structural ironworker. Pain meds struggle for me too. Big pharma is the devil. I want you to know how much i appreciate your time making vids. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I dont know you personally but I love you man. Suicide is not an option bro, The speecbag world needs you. Keep your head up, sincerest thanks to you.
Thank you very much, John!! 30’ fall is serious!! So lucky a shattered wrist and elbow is what you walked away with. Pain killers are so easy to become hooked on. I didn’t even know I was till a ran out. The speed bag is such a great tool for physical and mental rehab. It’s fantastic for the brain, body, and soul. Makes me so happy to know my speed bag videos are helping bagger grow their skills!! If there is anything I can ever help with please let me know. I was FULL when I started out and still am when I watch guys like Brad Bachmann. That guy blows my mind!
I’ve been in effexor for 20+ years and have tried twice to come off with support. Both times within 6 months I cried uncle and went back on. Before Effexor, I went on Prozac in 1988, then on a couple of other SSRI’S and for a few years on Zoloft. I keep coming to TH-cam hoping to find that there is a treatment for getting off these hard drugs. I’m so sorry for what you went through. You are a badass to follow it through.
I'm so sorry you've had to go through this and still are... I was given this medication today and I've been doing research and watching/reading things to try to get a better idea about what I'm in for and yeah.... I don't know if it would be worth it after the countless amount of people being effected negatively by this medication...
I hate that you’re going through something in your life that has doctors thinking this will make you feel better. I’m very happy you’ve been doing your research and not just blindly taking what is put in front of you. It’s natural to want to have full trust in your doctor but sometimes it does a lot of good to do your homework. I would like to you by phone or text if you have some free time. I have some questions for you. And I may have some answers for you. Hit me up 903-738-1312.
I’m currently going through withdrawal. I’ve cross- tapered to mirtazipine which I was on before and should never have come off it- I had no issues coming off that. But this!! It’sIke living in a real life nightmare. The nausea and zaps are awful and I was only on 75mg for five months. The worst thing is the muscle weakness and exhaustion. Even the simplest of everyday tasks are like pushing a bolder up a mountain. It’s driving me mad but I’ve got to stick with it. I’m so sorry you’ve had such an horrific experience, sounds far far worse than mine. I hope things are way better for you now. This drug is poison- but I feel the poison builds and builds waiting for you to come off it and then bam! It hits like a beast. This drug should be taken off the market. I hear stories of people who can never get off it, stuck on it for life. It really is the shits. I’m two weeks into withdrawal and I’m just hoping it passes soon as I can’t function at all. Peace. 👊
I know exactly how you feel!! I’m so sorry you’re having to fight so hard to function. It will get better, it just takes some time. I know it may seem like a major undertaking, get outside, get some fresh air, take a walk, get your blood moving. You have to teach your body how to function again. I’m with 100%!! This drug should be black labeled and stripped from the market. It’s pure poison and the FDA doesn’t care at all. The FDA is as much to blame as the drug companies are. Please keep checking back in. If you need to talk let me know. I’m always around to help out. It will get better!!! 30 seconds at a time. You got this!! I’m in your corner cheering for you 🦾🦾
Thankyou friend you have described exactly what im going through. 300mg a day. Cold turkey release. Its hell. Two months since i stopped and brain jolts are still there. Suicidal thoughts can be a real issue but i have been admmited into hospital on suicide watch when they occur. I suffer from severe childhood trauma and what little sanity i had left effexor took. I know i can get through this but the hardest part is educating people that this is not a self inflicted drug addiction. I trusted the people who put me on it. I was told it would help. Bless you my friend and everyone else going through it. ❤
Oh my god!!! The intensity of the misfires in my brain when I would miss one single dose of 300mg was unreal. I can’t image how hard it’s been for you the past two months coming off 300mg cold Turkey. My heart hurts for you as I read this. Things like coQ10 may help with the brain zaps, lions main helps rebuild the damaged receptors. This drug should be taken off the market. It destroys peoples lives. I was the same way as you, I was hooked on a drug the doctors gave me. The doctors are educated by the pharmaceutical companies. You need to watch the series Dope Sick. It will infuriate you. I would also start listening to Joe Dispenza as he talks about how to meditate and how to heal past trauma as well as being able to focus through what you are battling. Please let me know if you need to talk. IT WILL GET BETTER!! I can promise you this! Just takes time. Lots of exercise helped me a lot as well. You have to push past the madness. I’ve been off that stuff for 20 years now. I am proof you can do this!! I’m right here with you.
@Speedbagthrasher you have no idea how you have touched my heart. I was in tears listening to you. Your courage gives me strength. I shall keep in touch on progress. Thankyou brother you have given me a new hope. ❤️ ✌️ 🙌
@@distortedreality3116 you have no idea how humbling it is to read that. YOU GOT THIS. If you need to talk let me know. I’m always here for you. You’re stronger than you can imagine right now. I know this because you have made it 2 months off this poison. So many people can’t go 2 days off it. You’re a best to be reconned with!!
DUDE. I felt that. " 5 seconds at a time" ... " Broken people seek out broken people...." My withdrawal took 2 years. I actually shaved bits of Paroxitine with a razor to taper. Still feeling effects... albeit less and less. For me , its getting better microscopically...when I look back theres progress...its definitely worth the price.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing. I know exactly what you’re going through. I tell people it took me a year to feel halfway normal. Halfway normal was soooo much better than the hell and torment I had just gone through. It took several years to not feel the effects of that poison. Crazy thing is when I get really stressed or really worn down I still have flash symptoms of the mind zaps. My body will pulsate like it back then. I try not to let myself get that tired. I truly hope you the best recovery. Let me know if ever need to talk. Sounds like you’re starting to see your way through the nightmare.
I am now 26 and been thru all this for YEARS (i was 15/16 when we started the whole trial of meds thing which we still have not figured out) but thru it all that was my biggest tool, a pill cutter. I made sure to pay close attention each day when I would cut chunks off of my pill for that day’s dose, and even capsules I would open them up so that I can dump out just a tiny bit while I put it back together again and again call that my dose for that day. I never really listen or go off of what they tell me, as every two weeks isn’t a do able thing and is way worse then if I just do it myself lol, I found it way easier for my body if I do it day by day and little by little and it works. It’s just funny to me how a lot of these so-called doctors honestly have no idea what the heck they’re even talking about and as they said I came in here because I was suicidal now getting off of it that’s just a for sure like for sure thing almost as if it’s just a death wish for me and it’s so tragic (like I can’t think of another word just it’s heartbreaking) and it just really makes you question it all like doctors and drug dealers like it’s all the same, so why shame one when you praise the other? Make it make sense because it really doesn’t.
Thanks man, needed to see this. I'm currently three days into withdrawal, going cold turkey after four or five years on 150mg Effexor--bad idea I know but I felt if I try to taper off I might not follow through. Feels like a bad acid trip and a brutal hangover rolled into one. These Pharma execs should all be on public trial, but that's not the world we live in. - Josh from Australia.
Hi Josh, so sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. Man, you’ve been through the ringer! How are you feeling? That’s a large drop off that mg. You can beat this for sure!! You’re doing the right thing by coming off all their meds. Crazy that their reach goes all the way around the world. Have you ever watched the series Dope Sick? That one got me fired up!! I talk with friends from Australia a lot. I buy speed bags out of Melbourne. Please keep me up to date on how your detox goes. If you need to talk let me know. You got this bro!! 30 seconds at a time!!
@@Speedbagthrasher All good man, I appreciate the response! I knew when I had tears rolling down my face yesterday I was doing the right thing--I can spit again too, haha. It's crazy to think I spent every day of the last five years totally dehydrated from this stuff. Nice, I'm in Melbourne myself. I haven't seen that documentary but I'll check it out. Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.
It’s a total nightmare! I know people that don’t have the support or strength to get themselves off of it. That drug makes people slaves. Glad you made it past it!
Thanks for putting this out there man,sorry for what you had to go through..I had a similar situation with the misfires after coming off of Lexapro. Unfortunately I switched to narcotic painkillers which is an entire story in itself
Man!! I’ve heard lexapro is just as bad. Evil stuff they put us on to try to fix broken hearts and tattered souls. I was on the pain killers for years and am so glad I shook that demon. Very happy the videos have helped you on the bag. Feel free to reach out to me about speed bag question or just need to talk about life. I’m always around. 903-738-1312. I really mean that. Looks like you’ve been through some rough stuff too!
You’re most welcome!! Sometimes we need to know someone else has made it past the nightmare. Let me know if you need to talk. Are you preparing to come off Effexor or already in the withdrawals?
hey, this video hit home for me. I am currently tapering off of effexor and I am all too familiar with those "zaps". You are so right about people not knowing what withdrawal is really like. Thirty seconds at a time...Thank you for raising awareness and giving me inspiration. I am truly sorry for your father's loss. Keep strong and take care.👍
Thank you for watching and sharing you’re experience. This mind zaps are crazy intense!! You got this!!! I promise you can beat this drug, one day you’ll look back at it as it was just a bad dream. 30 seconds at a time, just like racing, focus on the next turn not the finish line. How many mg were you on and how long were you taking it? I find it helpful to share that with others so people can know what to expect.
@@Speedbagthrasher I’ve been taking this for 2 years…225mg. I recently (2 weeks) started tapering off so I can switch to another antidepressant. It’s amazing (mainly in a bad way) how much this TINY pill can affect me. I’ve been fearful about coming off this drug due to the fact of taking one dose later than usual will really fuck you up. It is so hard to describe the withdrawal symptoms to anyone who hasn’t taken Effexor. I can only describe being able to feel all the cells in my body pulsating and thrashing around while my brain skips like a cd with scratches.
5 months!! Very proud you have made it so far!! Do you mind telling me why they put you on this stuff and what was your process for coming off it? And you’re most welcome. I hope it helps seeing someone who has made it past the worst of it and is still happy in life.
@@Speedbagthrasher They put me on this poison for opioid withdrawal anxiety 18 years ago. They have done nothing but made me sick as a dog and morbidly depressed all of this time. It was either try and stop them or just end it. So I tapered off them for 6 months (far too rapid it seems) stopped this February and its been a roller coaster ride ever since... Lost 25 pounds and walk 20000 steps a day. Still struggling, but I notice I am getting better (relatively) Man what an EVIL drug this is... I refuse to give up! (feels like I am lying telling you this. *lol* ) but as you said in the video, we need to lie to ourselves to get by.
@@Speedbagthrasher It sure does help to know you aren`t alone in literal hell. They put me on Effexor 18 years ago and I can`t remember why honestly. I tried to taper off it as slow as I could (6 months) by picking out balls out of the capsules. Quit 37.5mg February this year. It`s been a roller coaster ride ever since. But It is getting milder comparatively to the beginning, Still truly hard, though... But I will get through, somehow. It really does a number on your entire body. I am down 25 pounds and up to 20000 steps a day walking (some days I can`t sit still at all) Nights are worst at the moment waking up at 2 hour intervalls on cortisol FIRE... So haven`t had a decent night sleep for months. But I have to tell myself that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have to lie to myself as you said in the video ;) The horrible thing is all the mind tricks your own brain do to fool you into spiralling deeper into despair, but I am learning not to listen.
I’m so sorry you’re going through that. I’ve heard it can be rough as hell. How’re feeling right now? Sorry it took me so long to respond. Been in new job training all day.
Your experience was most close to mine. I survived on the love for my children bc my family was trashing me through it, and besides my child, and then new baby, I was alone, as a single mom mostly. My new boyfriend had no idea and I was not told anything by my doctor.
Ohhh Misty!! I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone and taking care of your children, I can’t even imagine. I couldn’t even hold down a regular job. I’m resizing as I’m preparing to stop my gabapentin meds tonight that I’m having PTSD symptoms. Never thought coming off a doctor prescribed medication would cause me to have PTSD. I wasn’t told anything by my doctor when he put me on it either. So great you were able to get away from that drug. How are you and your kids now? Terrible your family wasn’t there for you. I don’t think I could have made it without my wife by my side the whole time.
@@Speedbagthrasher Hey, just to tell you the short of my story, your 30 days was my 1.5 years. The dizziness started going away when the sun went down after about 9 months, so the dizziness lasted through my pregnancy that was already conceived and was about 1.5 years. As I was weaning off, I miscarried my first baby, alone with no doctor visit. My only child at that time had just turned 5 when I miscarried. Just Ias I was finishing counting grains to finish weaning myself off, I got pregnant again just a few months after the miscarriage. My parents were not hearing my words and trashed me as a bad parent. Then my new boyfriend at the time thought I was just turning lazy and was a gold digger. The whole thing just got worse from there. About 4 years ago my mental status finally started being able to heal. The depression has been horrible and I wanted to end my life so many times. Until recently, in the last couple of years. The love I have for my kids helped me through it and now I see God was there too and I've come to be able to forgive everyone and see a better way of living. But people are just now starting to hear me. I'm a total natural medicine believer now and see nature as our intended source. I'm 20 years behind schedule in life, but wanting to make up for it or make it good as best I can. It's a blessing to be able to heal with hearing your story as well. Yours is the closest to mine that I've found without it being a suicide. I'm so sorry you've gone through this as well. Maybe speaking to each other can help our PTSD from these pharmaceuticals. Thank you for being brave enough to post your story and experience.
I’m easy to get ahold of. 903-738-1312 is my number and thethrasherhouse@gmail.com is my email. I’m always here to talk. I see the text much faster than email lol.
@@mistyphashay that’s a lot to go through!! Hate that you had to do most of that alone. Most people have no idea what it’s like fighting your way back to a normal mindset after going through that. So very happy you survived it, unfortunately a lot of people like my dad didn’t make it.
I was on Venlafaxin 1.5 year, Had no issue during withdrawal, u need to decrease dose very carefully and gradually. It took 2-3 months for me to completely stop it. Yes, I had brain zaps for 2-3 days after but it was tolerable for sure.
Thank you very much Scott!! It’s been a long time since the part of my life but I still have demons that I have to chase away. As we all do, thank you for listening!
I’m starting my detox and scared shitless. Why would they prescribe a drug like this to anyone?!?!??? I need to shake my rock and purpose in life. God bless
I'm back again for an update. I went cold turkey on December 2 2023. 102 days and counting. I'm more clear-headed but still suffer from really bad days where I just can't go anywhere. My anxiety just peaks something wicked. The suicidal thoughts are still there, especially when I see my partner suffering because of this. Most days, I feel like a waste of space. However, I am getting better slowly. Stay strong friends no matter what. Seek help and don't hold back the tears. Let them flow. Holding back the tears is like removing the brake pads from your car. ❤ ✌️ 🙌
I’m glad to see you made it to 102 days. This stuff is crazy tough to shake. Each day gets a fraction better. I know right now it’s still tough, you got this!! For the other people that are going to read this I have questions and suggestions. How long has you been taking Effexor, how many mg were your doses, and had you tapered down at all before going cold turkey? I have said this quite a few times and posted a video about this as well. I don’t ever recommend anyone going cold turkey off this drug. It is extremely dangerous and the affects can last a very long time. I truly feel a tapering schedule is much safer and much easier on the body. I went off Effexor cold turkey as well. Had I known about how to safely taper off it there is no way I would have willingly done so. I didn’t know about the method of splitting the capsules open and counting the bbs back then. I have learned a lot more about why this drug in particular is so hard to come off. I’m going to attach a link in this comment that explains how the chemistry of this drug affects our brains in such a negative way when we come off it. From the bottom of my heart I can sympathize with every emotion you’re fighting through right now. Some days it feels like you can’t make it another 30 seconds much less the rest of the day. You got this!! I truly hate the pharmaceutical companies for ever making such a horrible drug and all the doctors that are incentivized to prescribe it so willingly. I’ve heard it has been banned in Europe. That’s awesome!! It should be banned everywhere!! When it is they need to slowly taper everyone off it so the world doesn’t go into total chaos. Any more than it already is. Please check back in and let me know how you’re doing. 102 days is amazing!! Most people can’t make it 2 days coming off cold turkey. Here is that video th-cam.com/video/2GLpsW_-a4E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wZcGFePnJrJ6FOH1
I was on Effexor for roughly six years. I was on 300mg a day. I tried tapering off but failed. I decided to just be done with them, and the only way for me was to flush them and face the hell head on. I'm not in any way suggesting that anyone follow suit. I am not a Dr, and I did this against all medical advice. The worst of the pain lasted around three weeks. I was put on suicide watch. I currently take cannabis for the really hard days. Whatever method you should choose, believe me, there are better days ahead. Prayers sent out to all who are struggling.
@@distortedreality3116 I was reading that Effexor is the hardest antidepressant to come off of. Crazy how they put us on a drug to help anxiety that when no Ming off it is 10 times worse than I was when they put me on it. A lot of people can barely make it a few days coming off cold turkey. Did you watch that video I included in my last reply. Some great info in that one. What method of tapering did you try? I have seen a lot of doctors do tapering that is way to aggressive. They don’t give the patient enough time to level off between reductions. If the decline is too steep they might as well go cold turkey like we did. I have never recommended using another drug to help come off this but in that video I included I like how he talked about using Prozac to help come off it and only using Prozac for a very short period of time. Not keeping the patient on it for life like most people are once they get on Effexor. I too commonly see doctors prescribe Ativan or Xanax to help people get off this. Talk about insult to injury. That stuff is a horrible drug to put anyone on who suffers anxiety. It actually causes your anxiety to increase because your body grows tolerant to is so damn fast. Too many doctors are just throwing darts in the dark and handing out what gets them the best vacations.
I felt that you have been through some rough shyt ,and got through it - just something in the vibe you give off...thanks for sharing that buddy, I can relate. You definitely have a mutual friend ☝️,that much is obvious,lol. Much love Jeff Thrasher ☝️❤️👊
Akathisia, akathisia, akathisia. Akathisia is that restlessness and agitation you feel. It’s not benign and is evidence of brain injury occurring. Pushing through withdrawal akathisia can cause an even bigger injury so do not let yourself stay uncomfortable for too long. Taper slowly. Count beads or file and weigh pills. Once you are hurt, akathisia can come back and usually does. Even after 20 years of no Effexor, so avoid medications after this if you experienced akathisia either acutely or while coming off. Mine erupted tardive months and months after stopping a benzo. The same thing can happen with an antidepressant.
I made a video recently that talks about the counting the beads to slowly taper off. When I came off gabapentin too quickly I felt I immediately went back into Effexor detox again. I was extremely methodical about how I came off gabapentin. I wish I new about the counting beads method when I came off them 20 years ago. It would have been much smoother. I’m sure that I damaged my brain during my withdrawal. Thank you for sharing my friend.
Hi Brenda, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through pure hell. Tell me your story. I would love to know why you went on this stuff to begin with, how many mg did you get up to and how did you taper off? Or did you cold turkey?
@@Speedbagthrasher I’ve been weaning myself off 150mg of Venlafaxine. I went to my doctor today and he wants to get me back to 150mg bc about 2 months ago I went down to 37.5 twice a day… 150. And he could see what I’m going through and wants me back up, and I’m confused… I’m a 73 yr old. I’ve been so many bad psych meds and wards for nothing bc ppl used my diagnosis, so called sorry I want to in it more. Not capable now
The sad thing is these doctors are educated by the pharmaceutical sales rep. And doctors don’t like it when they aren’t the smartest person in the room. None of these doctors would prescribe this stuff if they had ever been through the withdrawals. Are you doing ok?
I just tried quitting cold turkey last week. Did not go well at all.. i could push through the brain zaps but the absolute anger and rage I felt for everyone and everything was way too much. My phone screen is smashed to pieces, i destroyed things that were important to me, i hurt people close to me emotionally because of the things i said in anger, and I'd wake up in the middle of the night and catch myself talking and fighting in my sleep saying really violent things while kicking and punching.. I'm back on it for now until i can safely come off. Its impossible to hold down a job while going through effexor withdrawal
Call me!!! Seriously let’s talk!! I want you to know it’s ok and I am actually super happy you went back on them. There is a better way!! Reading this I realize how much trauma I still hold from enduring through what you just went through!! This stuff is no joke!! 903-738-1312 I can help make the next time you come off easier.
I have seizures and have been wanting off that shit for years. I would be terrified to try to go through withdrawals again knowing what my brain does when I have focal tonic seizures. I have always suspected Effexor/Venaflexane caused the seizures. Tried quitting it once and it’s the worst thing ever. You made a great inspirational video.
Thank you very much!! This drug is scary!! As more and more people comment about their experiences I am more blown away that it’s still being prescribed to people. Once it gets it’s talons sunk in it’s damn hard to get off it. I fully understand why you would be scared to go through withdrawals again. I don’t think I could have done it twice. Let me know if I can help in anyway. You definitely got me in your corner!
I am going thru this now and i feel just like you do at 11:00 when i blast my music and force myself to workout on nothing but caffeine and will power while feeling like i will collapse from the lightheadness and explode from the rage at the same time.
You can beat it!!! You have to think of every horrible feeling that you’re going through as a victory. Slowly the brain zaps will get less intense and little by little you’ll start coming out of the fog. I promise it will get better. You got this!!! Proud of you for fighting your way out!
@@Speedbagthrasher I actually never got brain zaps but got every other withdrawal symptom known to man. Did you feel like you had a mild case of the flu or a constant hang over type feeling thru the withdrawals? Did you notice the flu like symptoms would get worse after physical activity?
@@BigBadMF43 ohhh you’re lucky! Hard saying that with all the other side effects you go through but the brain zaps were horrific. Crazy thing is when I get really depleted even 20 years later I still have flashes of them. I definitely felt the flu symptoms. They lasted about a month to 6 weeks. They eventually started getting easier to deal with. The feeling of nausea and sea sickness was very intense at first.
@@Speedbagthrasher I have been dealing with this for years. i came off 300mg effexor and 3 other drugs taken together. how long did it take you to feel 100% or 99% recovered?
@@BigBadMF43 it took a year for the brain zaps and vertigo to go away. Smoking really strong weed helped with a lot of my nausea and anxiety. I came off Effexor in 2003 I stopped smoking weed in 2014. That was another nightmare in it’s self. I basically didn’t eat for a month. I still don’t sleep well, I can’t have THC because my job. What other meds were you on? I was taking 350mg of Effexor and 100mg of Seroquel to sleep. I stayed on seroquel for months after I stopped Effexor just so I could sleep.
You just described it perfectly. It was pure hell for me. I've been on and off it. From 150 to 75 and then I tried cutting it off entirely, it was a bloody nightmare. Im back on 75 again but im planning to take it slow this time.. from 75 and then half of that.. This drug should be illegal.
I agree 1000%!! It’s amazing that weed is still not federally legal but all of these meds that will make you kill yourself are legal. Are you meds the capsules with the pellets in them or solid pills?
@@Speedbagthrasher because politicians have been paid off by big Pharma, at the expense of regular citizens. its messed up as hell. i was on the solid pill initially, but now am on the capsule. have you gone off it entirely?
Most people talk about the withdrawals when coming off effexor/venlafaxine. I had side effects while on that crap, some of which i still experience 4 years after coming of it. The withdrawals were friggin. ...i cant find words. Within a few months of being put on this poison i ended up in a psychiatric ward for 2 weeks. I had never been suicidal before. I, like most, have permanent damage from that 'medication '
I'm coming off this now. luckily only got up to 75mg but your video encouraged to not go up to 150! I'm doing it real slow but im so dizzy its unreal, i cant look around at all and have major stiff neck. your raw honesty here in this video brought tears to my eyes man. respect to you. wishing you well x
The dizziness is so intense. When did that start for you? I didn’t get vertigo till I missed a dose or when I stopped all together. Is it making you dizzy all the time?
@@Speedbagthrasher it came the first day of fully stopping. about 6 hours after missed dose and has stayed now for almost a week. moving my head really slowly to avoid it. valium is helping a bit. terrible drug!
i’ve been on 150 for 3yrs. Last month, started weekly ween off, from 115 to 75 to 37.5. just took my last 37.5 on saturday morning and having the worse feelings ever (brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, tingling). idek what to do anymore, it fucking sucks, been to the hospital three times in 2 months and it was for other issues (stomach and neurological). i’m glad i saw this video
Are you opposed to getting back on them and tapering down even more? I know it’s only been a few days but what you’re going through is just the beginning. You need to taper down to a lower dose before you stop. I was down to 25mg when I quit and it was horrible. I wish I would have known about counting the pellets inside the capsules. You need to get down to as low as absolutely possible before taking your last dose. If you’re fully committed to not taking anymore I’m right here with you!! I know exactly what you’re going through. You can get past this I promise!! It’s a fucking nightmare but you can beat this. Please let me know if you need to talk.
Currently going through effexor withdrawal even though I am quitting effexor with medical supervision. Only on day 3 and it’s hard to not want to pop an effexor to get these feelings to go away. The constant dizziness and nausea allow is hard to handle.
What dose did you get down to before you stopped taking it? I know exactly how you feel. You have to think about every dizzy spell and nausea episode as a small victory. You have to tell yourself you’re winning!! 3 days of hell is completely worth it. You can beat this Keara, I’m serious, if you need to talk send me a text or call or email. I tell everyone this, I really mean it. You have support, even from a total stranger. 903-738-1312 or my email is Thethrasherhouse@gmail.com I’m always available. Just remember, it’s not one day at a time, it’s 30 seconds at a time. Great job on making it 3 days, 10 hours, 17 minutes, and 32 seconds off that mess. You’re winning!
right there with you, even doing it the proper way thru doctor supervision and dropping to the lowest dose.. now dealing with all that plus the brain zaps fatigue all that amazing stuff.. good luck!
@@blockay69 I’ve been off it for 20 years. I still have flashbacks of it. You can drop your dose lower by opening the capsules and counting the BBs. If there are 100 in each capsule drop down to 80 for a week, then 70 for a week, then 50…. I’ve know people now who went all the way down to 2 BBs a day then were able to quit without the nightmares you’re going through right now. Your doctor won’t tell you to do what I just did. You have to remember, doctors were the ones who put you on this stuff. Don’t don’t always know what’s best for their patients. I’ve learned this the hard way too many times now. If you watch my gabapentin withdrawal video I talk about how I was opening my capsules and weighing them. They are powder where Effexor is small pellets in the capsule. I wish like hell I knew about that method when I stopped.
I want to get off this sooo badly . I've tried a half dozen times over the years.😢😢😢it was a good thing I own a gun. I'm not giving up though. I really don't think it can be done while holding a job. Sometimes I couldn't move off the couch for anything. I was about to commit to a psychiatric ward when family came out to help. I'm so happy for you and your success.
@@adminncre4923 thank you very much. This drug has some crazy side effects. It’s horrible but you can beat it!! It’s a commitment when you finally make that final jump. What’s the lowest you’ve tapered down to? I wonder if the tinnitus mental or physical. I remember my ear drums would flutter really. Suck a weird feeling.
Honestly I just opened your amazing video you are a god send I had a massive breakdown I don't remember a dawn thing for a year put on venlafaxine quetiapine diazepam and you just hope I many a thought of ending things and coped through self harming but I am slowly eliminating one by one first quetiapine then diazepam now venlafaxine you give me hope and strength and so does your beautiful partner people forget the partner pain what an absolute heart of gold you have and you deserve to be happy thank you
I listen to this video everyday. I completely understand effexor withdrawal hell.... Even being on another antidepressant now. I'm still having withdrawal. Brain zaps, brain fog, exhaustion (extreme) is pure hell. I find inspiration in you man... I keep praying it gets better 🙏. This is honestly HELL. A living hell. Im about 4 months off effexor... It's relentless. Once im feeling better im getting off pharmaceuticals all together. This has been HORRIBLE. Is there any way to talk to you about this? Im feeling severe exhaustion... Im about to throw in the towel. I just want to give up. If you get this message im wondering did you feel exhausted during your withdrawal? This is killing me
It’s like living in the back of your mind while someone trashes you body and there’s nothing you can do about it. You got this!! I will get better, this is just temporary, one day you’re going to wake up and the zaps will be mostly all gone. I’ve been off 20 years and when I get really depleted they come back for a minute. But in a day to day, I’m good now. You will be too! You got this!
@@alyssamiller9329 I was tired all the time. Looking back on it I felt like I was constantly running in my mind and was flat out exhausted. I recorded that video in the same light that reminded me of how I felt back then, it was dark for me.
"One day at a time" feels like a thousand days. Effexor ruined my life. It's a SSNI, so if you have high levels of ephernephrin or norepinephrine like me (unknown at the time), it will make you manic, and literally change your personality. I was attempting to detox while dealing with family hell. Made some of the worse decisions of my life during detox. Didn't have the support and still don't. Life is just hell, and then you die.
This is why I stress living 30 seconds at a time. One day at a time is too far away to see. I wish doctors did better evaluation before putting people on any of these meds. My doctor telling me I have a chemical imbalance, ok, take some blood and looks see what imbalances I’m suffering from. They throw darts in the dark. How are feeling. I’m sorry, I didn’t see this when you posted it. This stuff is rough! You got this!!
I've been going on and off this drug for years, every time i quit i say to myself never again! i swear it off forever, then life happens and about a year or two goes by i spiral back down into the depths of hell and i go back on it.
There is no way I could get back on that stuff. My experience was so bad coming off it I could never go through that again. Plus while I was on it I was completely numb. This stuff might bring some normalcy to some people lives, I’m just not one of them. It wrecked me for a long time. 20 years later still have flashbacks of being on it.
I myself have been off this drug now for 17 days after trying to come off of it for 4 years, and I can definitely say the first 3 days were the absolute scariest, the best way I can describe antidepressants especially this one, is when you take this drug you take on an emotional debt to get through some ruff shit or to grow as a person, problem is the longer and or both the bigger the dose the bigger the debt and a lot of times when it’s time to come off that drug and pay that debt back it’s simply to much for people and they pay with their life instead, Hats off to you sir for getting through what I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
That’s an excellent way of putting it. You’re absolutely right. Two years was a lot of debt for me to pay at 300mg. I’m so glad your making it though the storm. It’s extremely scary at times. Are you feeling ok or still on rocky ground? How are you doing with feeling emotions again? Thank you for sharing and for watching. I truly hope this video helps people know you can beat this drug.
@@Speedbagthrasher i actually do take it day by day but I’m also on the high functioning side of the spectrum so my brain might be wired in a different way, so far it’s just been a lot of what feels normal and just taking it day by day, I plan on talking to a therapist after work hauling ammonia to farms slows down, biggest thing I can say for people is try try again, and NEVER under any circumstances try detoxing alone. Cheers from the Canada 🇨🇦
@@jordanmackinnon3877 I say the very same thing, you should let lots of people know you’re going to detox off this stuff. It can get down right ugly. I’ve only read of one other person that cut their Effexor open an counted the pellets. I recently did that with gabapentin so I could have a smooth detox. It worked well. It seems everyone I’ve talked to on here goes from 37.5 to 0 and it’s extremely difficult for them. If I had it to do over again I would be counting pellets to come off a much lower dose. The doctors don’t realize how hard it can be dropping from that dose. I can’t imagine any doctor out there prescribing Effexor to patients if they had ever gone through the detox themselves. Hello from Deep South Texas!
I'm begging my dr too get me off this now cuz I'm just rage on it but no legal weed so no rush untill I can get the f out of terrible texas this place is shit for withdrawal big x big x I got another diagnosis here from withdrawal f these Dr's.
I’m on day three right now. Seeing someone else going through what I’m feeling so early on in the process and the fact that they got through this is giving me hope. Hope I can get myself off this drug. Thank you.
You’re not alone in this!! You can definitely make it off this demon they have put inside your body. How many mg were you on and for how long? How many mg was your last dose? I have been exactly where you are right now and I am 100% proof you can beat this!! You have to think of every horrible withdrawal feeling as a victory. You have to turn all of you horrible feelings inside to feelings of strength. Remember, you don’t beat this one day at a time, it’s 30 seconds at a time. Eventually you’ll make your way up to a minute, you got this!! Let me know if you need to talk. You’re a bad ass and you’re stronger than that pill!
@@Speedbagthrasher I was on 75mg only for around two years and a few months, I did no tapering because I quite frankly didn’t have the time to feel this way anymore, my last dose was 75mg, I was okay for the first day, but I’m now on day three and with little to no sleep and constant brain zaps am struggling, but I’m determined to beat this!
@@xo_barbs that’s a strong drop off. I know you’re very anxious to get off that drug. If I had it to do over again I would have tapered down to a much lower dose. The lowest dose I think they offer now is 37.5mg. When you get down to that then you open the capsules and count he BBs and say there are 100 in there you remove 10 bbs a day for a week, then 20 bbs the next week till you’re down to just a few. I just saying from the nightmare I went through that’s 100% what I would do if I had to go through that again. It’s what I did when I came off gabapentin recently. It made a huge difference in how long I detox but also gabapentin is a walk in the park compared to Effexor. Effexor is a SRNI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) Please don’t let what I’m saying discourage you from your determination. Beating Effexor takes a battle plan. Does anyone know that you’re doing this? Family, friends, spouse, coworkers, kids? Prepare yourself for a fight of your life. The first 30 days I came off that stuff was the most grueling and torturous days of my life. I feel being honest with people is best. It’s like getting a tattoo, you tell a friend “oh it’s not that bad, doesn’t hurt at all” and they think it’s the worst pain they’ve endured because you said it wouldn’t hurt. But tell you friend it’s the most painful thing they’ll go though and it doesn’t seem that bad. Well, I’m telling you now this is the worst thing you’re going to go through, and you can survive it. You just need to be ready for the fight. Again, let me know if you need to talk. Share my video with friends and family so they know what you’re going through is real. Most people have no clue what you’re experiencing.
@@Speedbagthrasher I have a few friends that know what I’m doing, no family, and all of my friends are online. They are checking in with me periodically to see how I am doing, I don’t feel so alone even though it is not in person. At the minute it’s like a constant pressure on the front of my forehead along with brain zaps and dizziness. You’re correct, I was super anxious to come off them but I know this is the best thing for me. It’s almost like my brain is telling me I am exhausted and should sleep, yet I lie in bed until the sun has come out at 7am, and am only able to sleep then for a few hours. It’s like my brain knows I am exhausted but I am also too anxious to sleep, as I know these affects are going to get worse when I wake up the next day. But I’m determined to stick this out and battle through as I want a better quality of life. I’m actually going to send your video to the people who are checking up on me, because at the minute they’re asking the basics - how are you, have you eaten, are you drinking water. Rather than, how is your mental state? Have you had any intrusive thoughts? I’m only 23, but I’m determined to get off this hellish drug that has made the last few years of my adult life miserable.
@@xo_barbs I was 23 when I was out on them, I turned 26 the month I came off them. You’re almost at day 4. There are some good teas that you can drink to help you sleep. When I was coming off Effexor I was taking Seroquel to help me sleep. I was taking that before I stopped the Effexor. I didn’t sleep much back then. After my fathers suicide I had horrible nightmares for years. They finally started to fade away. The Seroquel made me sleep for 8 hours. It’s actually a drug for schizophrenics, it makes normal people sleepy. Problem is when you take that stuff. You still dream like crazy but your body doesn’t go into a paralyzed state so you act out your dreams in bed while you’re asleep. The dizziness is unreal, tue brain zaps are insane, it’s completely uncontrollable and the bad part is as you grow more tired they get worse. What kind of job do you have? Are you able to work right now? Why were you originally put on it? If you don’t mind me asking. If you don’t want to answer publicly you can message me by email me at thethrasherhouse@gmail.com DM me on Instagram @speedbagthrasher (I coach people on the speed bag, it’s actually extremely good for depression) or text me 903-738-1312. I don’t know if I would have made it without the help of my wife. I was really messed up in a lot of ways back then. I was suicidal when they put me on that drug and they knew I was. Why put me on a drug that when you come off it makes you want to kill yourself. How are your thoughts doing? I really mean that. It can be very scary being locked inside a prison in your own body. That’s how I felt. I had to keep telling myself over and over “you got this! You’re a bad mother fucker! You can beat anything” You’re going to do the same thing. Positive reaffirmation is critical. And when you have the dark thoughts you need to talk to people about them. Stay away from alcohol!!! It’s the worst thing you can do while going through this.
The makers of effexor need to be sued!!! They knew full well that people would have to go through hell to get off it. And some people just give up and never get off. Wish someone would start a class action lawsuit.
I agree 1000%!! My mother-in-law has been on it since 1999 because there is no way she can cope with coming off of it. The truly crazy part is her doctor wants to increase the dose that she’s on. These commercials show these drugs don’t work by saying “is your antidepressant not working, try adding some other drug that won’t work either” Effexor changed my chemical make up for the rest of my life, I’ve been off of it for 20 years and I still have side effects. Mostly when I get real tired I get the mind zaps. I feel so sorry for people who can’t find the strength to get off that mess. I think finding my dad after he lost his battle with these drugs is what forced me to stop. I want so badly to sue for him taking his life. I have a video called June 2nd 1999. It’s the story of the morning I found my dad. I confronted his doctor that morning. I was told years later by the doctors son that his dad stopped practicing and started teaching because he was so afraid of someone coming into his practice like I did.
I’m on effexor for 1 yr want to get off no emotions left good bad just numb…
@@annmarieoliverie7526 that’s exactly where I was. Completely emotionless. Effexor is exactly as my doctor said it was, he called it a mood stabilizer vs an antiperspirant. It crazy how you feel like you’re watching someone else operate your body from the backside of your mind screaming inside wanting to take back control. How many mg are you taking right now?
@@Speedbagthrasher I’m on 150 mg … just want off bc I’m feeling pretty bad.
@@annmarieoliverie7526 I completely understand. Did you see @georgiabessie4011 comment earlier about what she had to do to come off it. She had been on it for 23 years. She did the method of coming off of it that I wish I would have done. You have to open the capsules and remove some of the beads to lower your dose. I had no idea that going from 25mg to nothing was going to rock my world so bad.
Going through it now buddy and I’m suffering beyond compare. Holy shit
Do you need to talk? Tell me some details of how much you were taking and how you tapered off or went cold turkey.
Let me know if you need to talk. I know how hard this is.
You got this bro!! 30 seconds at a time. This ain’t a day by day situation. This is winning the war 30 seconds at a time.
@@Speedbagthrasher man I been on it for 10 years and I’m on a really really low dose. This is a drug that you can’t even taper. If you even lower the dose just by a crumb your body goes wild. It’s fucking insane .. I’m on 12 mg from 75mg
No one knows the hell of withdrawal and the anger for being lied to and destroyed by the Pharmaceutical industry. Not until they are directly affected.
Thanks for standing up and being honest.
Thank you very much!! These companies are vampires.
SAME, I HAVE BEEN SIX MONTHS OFF ZOLOFT AND STILL LIVING IN HELL!
@@petersuvara And when you realize loved ones are being poisoned too. Sometimes it’s too late and that’s a bitter pill to swallow, pun intended.
@@annidee sometimes the damage is long lasting indeed. I’ve seen it myself, not with family, more friends, but it’s just so frustrating.
@@petersuvara For whatever reason, I’ve spent hours a day for months now listening to the stories. It’s a horror show. Not just psych meds. ALL meds
Effexor withdrawal was the hardest time of my life. I stopped cold turkey. DON’T DO THIS!!!
It nearly killed me. The withdrawal took weeks. I am on another med because of my GAD is a lifetime struggle. Things are better now.
4 months cold turkey…still in the middle of the battle…will it go away?
@@rustymullins6623 ask your doctor as after four months things should improve. But my anxiety returned and it was bad after feeling better for a few months. No one wants to take anxiety drugs but my new drug has made life enjoyable again. The side effects are minimal compared to Effexor.
Effexor is dangerous in my opinion. The withdrawal nearly made me want to end it all. With the new meds, I am enjoying life again.
Never thought I would.
You described everything I felt when I was on this medication. Effexor is the devil!!!!
I’m about 3 months from my last dose of Paxil. The last 90 odd days have been absolute hell. However, the worst has passed, thank God. Not once did I lose my patience with my daughter, and that was my biggest worry. It takes so much but it’s possible. If your watching this video, your probably struggling too, please, please believe me this will get better. Sleep as much as you can. Walk outside. Do yoga. Eat good , force some yogurt and berries if you have too. This will pass I promise you. Hit me up anytime if you need help through this. I’m a very privileged person with an angel for a husband, and it was still brutal. Unreal what these drugs can do to our minds.
You see it too, pain understands pain.
I’m so happy that you’re 90 days without!! That’s awesome!! It’s still rough but as you said, the worst is behind you. Honestly reminds me of the how Tom Hanks and Wilson felt leaving the island. It was a horrible and tough effort at first but it’s truly worth the fight!
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and share with us. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great Sunday afternoon!!
How’re you doing now?
I can relate a lot to your story. I'm really sorry that you had to go through this experience, Jeff.
I'm trying to withdraw from Venlafaxine now, but it's absolute night mare. I have severest migrane in my life for 3 weeks in a row now and my brain seems to melt from inside. My eyes explode from intracranial pressure. I never been suicidal in my life (The reason my doctor prescribed me antidepressants was chronic fatigue and burnout), but not I'm ready to end my life just because of unbearable pain and brain pressure. I don't understand why doctors prescribe anti-depressant so easily to people and don't explain the consequences they will face later and the hard withdrawall that will follow which will basically make you suicidal, even if you never had suicidal thorughts.
How many mg were you taking before you started to come off of it? Did you taper yourself down or have you quit cold turkey? This stuff is so scary when coming off it. I still don’t know how doctors are allowed to prescribe this stuff? Where are you from? It’s interesting to learn how doctors all around the world give this stuff out like it’s candy promising you to feel better but all it is is a trap. They want you to be stuck on this stuff for the rest of your life. The pharmaceutical companies don’t make any money by making you better.
@@Speedbagthrasher , my Lithuanian doctor decided to withdraw me "gradually" (as he said) from 150 mg to 0 mg in 6 day :D After experiensing terrible withdrawal I started to research on this and came across your channel. Also understood that Venlafaxine disontinuation in 6 days is basically cold turkey (((( Especially for people who was on this drug for a year and more. I'm Belarusian currently based in Lithuania due to political persecution in my country. I went to the doctor because of chronic fatigue/burnout issues and received a prescription for venlafaxine without even having a blood test or basic medical exam :( By that time I didn't know that Venlafaxine is so addictive and now it's too late :(
Now I will definitely be very careful about what doctors prescribe to me. I wish I didn't have to learn this the hard way.
We need to have a class action lawsuit against the drug companies. I"ve been on this drug what seems like forever..I hate it. Someone out there please help us.
I’m so sorry you’ve been on this a long time. It feels like prison!! I am 100% with you. I can’t believe this stuff is allowed to be prescribed as something that makes people better when they need help.
I've been on Effor since 2021 ...... now I'm scared to death about coming off it !!!!
I came off this drug by myself because the doctors did not care, just kept dishing out the prescription. I was becomming heavier by the month and felt dreadful . Home alone after two whole years in a psychiatric ward on this shit. I decided to wean myself off it and bloody hell I succeeded. When I look back I feel pride, it was tough - I didnt realize other folk had had it as bad.
Awesome!! So proud for you!! I love and hate hearing people tell me their stories. You have to have a special level of fight in you to get off this stuff, those are the stories I love to read. I hate reading the stories from the people who went to a doctor for help and they shovel poison down our throat and then tell us this will be the way things are for the rest of your life with no plan of how to get you off this stuff. These drugs are supposed to be given as a temporary fix for a temporary problem. That’s not the case. My mother in law was depressed after her mom passed away. That was 25 years ago and she still takes this stuff everyday because the is trapped on it. Not everyone is as strong as we are, and I proudly say “we” because I fought my ass off to get off this stuff! Thank you greatly for sharing some of your story with me. I can only imagine the hell you went through to get free of this. Your story will inspire someone else to fight the way we did. 🙏🏼🤛🏽
I’m coming off this drug. A month in and it’s getting better. Listening to your emotions is like you are talking about me. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and sharing Rob! I feel greatly for you. You’re starting to get past the worst of it. Proud of you brother for making it as far as you have. So many people can’t make it past a few days. It feels like being a prisoner in your own body. Keep up the hard work! I’m always here if you need to talk. How long were you on it and what was your mg?
Hello I’m trying to come off effexor 150 for 1 year have gotten worse thoughts and not liking life so so unlike me. I feel the effexor has worsened my good feelings and all my emotions. Ty !
@@annmarieoliverie7526 hi Ann, have the doctors put you on a lower dose yet? Are you taking 150mg pills? I was on multiple sizes of pills. I was on 350mg. I believe I was taking 2 150mg pills and 2 25mg pills. If you need to talk you can always email, text, WhatsApp, Instagram. I give my email out to everyone incase they ever get where I was and ready to step off the edge. Thethrasherhouse@gmail.com , 903-738-1312 thats my cell and works with WhatsApp and telegram and my Instagram is @speedbagthrasher
@@Speedbagthrasher thank you Jeff! You are so thoughtful and considerate I appreciate you so much! I’m on 150 looking to get off effexor I feel it’s doing more harm than good. I’m numb emotionless and still depressed and having “bad” thoughts, I’m 63 and I am tired of feeling like this. Going to be away for a week when I come back I’ll start tapering off with help of my dr. I’m disappointed in these drs. Always pushing…try this..try that. Not really knowing what’s best. I want off all of them so I can feel like myself again. Ty fir listening and caring.
@@annmarieoliverie7526 it made me completely numb. It’s not an antidepressant, it’s a mood stabilizer. And that’s exactly what it does. It numbs you so you feel nothing. It’s a very dangerous drug. Food and exercise are the greatest antidepressants you can find. Not these pills they try to shove down our throats. I’m 46, I came off Effexor 20 years ago and it still has small affects on me when I become very tired. Get off it as soon as you can. DO NOT let them put you on a drug to come off it and DO NOT let them put you on another antidepressant. You can beat this depression without them. I’ll help if you need it. I really mean that.
I was told by my oncologist Effexor would help ease my hot flashes. I took the drug for 2 years and it did helped ease hot flashes a little. I wanted off Effexor and she did lower my prescription to 37 mg. I did that a few weeks and then I stopped the medication thinking all would be ok. That was a big mistake! My oncologist never warned me how horrible the side effects would be. I’ve tapered off Effexor and finally feeling better but still still have at time a pounding in my head, trouble staying asleep, and terrible nightmares. Please don’t take this medication for hot flashes as she prescribed for me!
Thank you so much for sharing!! It’s crazy how many things doctors put people on this drug. I’m so happy you were able to get yourself off it. 37 mg is too many mg to just quit cold Turkey off that dose.
For prescription medication Effexor is the worst … I am so happy to find you , you gave me strength… thanks from the bottom of my heart ❤️…
You’re most welcome!!
I know exactly what you are talking about! The doctors really need to disclose this.
Hey Jeff - I went through the same GARBAGE SHIT EPISODES last year when coming off of Prozac (brain zaps, suicidal, all that shit). Of course, my doctor said I should stay on it.. and maybe for life. I was like, fuck that. Getting off psych meds (and I also detoxed of of clonapin many many moons ago), is a nightmare. I have devoted a huge part of my life to helping people get through it in a non-pharmacological manner. And by raising awareness. Psychiatry is such a fucked industry. I swear, historians of the future will be shocked that we allowed them to treat us this way. I'm super proud of you - it's so so so so hard to do. People that have no experience in this matter will never understand - and should be grateful. But all the people here and those reading know how awful it is. You're doing GREAT. Keep spreading the word. And yes - to anyone reading and needing help with it, weed helps tremendously.
“Possibly for life” fuck that!! It’s as if they want us to be slaves to the drugs! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so sorry you had to endure the pharmaceutical nightmare of these drugs. I think you’re absolutely right there in the future they will look back on this and just shake their head wondering how in the hell could they have ever allowed this to happen but you know they’re all FDA approved which is total fucking bullshit! I’ve learned with Effexor the smartest thing you can do to come off it is get to the lowest dose then once you’re on the smallest pill to start breaking them open and count the pellets inside and every few days start reducing the number of pellets by one so eventually you can stop taking them with less side effects. The pharmaceutical industry is completely fucked. My father killed himself because he could not manage to make it through the withdrawal symptoms. I should’ve sued these companies back then when he did that.
Bre , thank you.
I am five day off from venafaxine 75 mg after 1.5 month . I have haluzination , bad headack all the day. I try to get better with whisky. Help me and guid me to overcome. How long do i have to suffer more?
God, thank you for this video Jeff. Crying watching this while I am coming off effexor.
@@metalxkittyxo4225 I’m so sorry that you’re fighting to come off this stuff? Do you mind telling me a little bit of your story?
Im on my first week of coming off 220mg for 6 years. 3rd day. I poured half the beads out of one of my 3 capsules. Im gonna do that for a month. Then the next month ill leave just a small amount of beads. In 2 months ill be at 150. Ill stick at that a month and do the same. The thing is- its dramatically increased my cholesterol serum and now they want me on statins. That's proven now. Nope, no more meds. I take 1 mg of zanax for sleep. I gotta get off that too. I have Fibromyalgia and anxiety. 48. At 75 mg I will be at a amount that my cholesterol will be non effected. Wish me luck. Im scared. @Speedbagthrasher
Holy shit! New found hero for being able to describe the full withdrawal! I'm in the same place you once were where I'm saying these meds are giving me anxiety and depression, not curing anything. Thanks for putting your words out cuz I plan on letting the closest people to me listen to this and get it. There's a thing just knowing you did it, others can. You put a little hope in me and I needed it. Not that this isn't the worst situation to face... I've missed that 9 o'clock more than once and always ended up in the fetal position unable to function at all. I believe as you do that our doctors and the industry along with our governments insight are all off target and are just dealers. Pisses me off cuz my other dealers are a lot nicer! I appreciate you
I’m soooo sorry I missed this message!! This is the reason I made this video, in the hopes that I can help inspire others to get off that horrible drug!! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help get you ready to come off it. I wish I would have known more about how devastating it can be coming off Effexor. I wish I knew about counting the beads to truly taper off. Brother!! I’m here for you. If you need to talk hit me up 903-738-1312. I won’t miss a text message I promise. Again, so sorry I missed this brother 🦾🦾you can beat this drug, if I can do it you can do it!
@Jeff Thrasher thank you for helping me as well. 2023 day 6, I will SURVIVE 😢
This hero is telling the truth!
Thank you for listening!! Hope you’re doing ok.
You hit the nail on the head. One day at a time for us, is too long. It’s second by second. Thank you 🙏🏻 your video is helping me get through these damn brain zaps ⚡️. Going outside during the day is hell; it feels like I’m in a movie, I don’t feel connected to anything, my life feels fake. I am hopeful to come off these meds and never looks back. FDA my ass approved🫠🙄 don’t trust fda anymore at all. My brain doctor never once mentioned withdrawal symptoms, this is hell
I remember that feeling all too well. Felt like I was tucked away in the back of my mind while someone else was at the wheel. Daytime was definitely the worst. It was if the sun was too much to bare.
The brain zaps are horrible! You’ll get past them, 30 seconds at a time!! You got this!
And you’re right, my doctor was the same way, didn’t tell me any of the side affects when he put me on them. Just said take these. I was taking them before TH-cam was even made so I couldn’t find information on it like you can now.
The FDA is bought and paid for by these companies that push these drugs.
I’m always here is you need to talk.
I’m with you friend…I was on them 25 years..150 mg per day… my life eventually became a dull dim world..I weened my own self without knowing what I was getting into..the last two months have been a living nightmarish hell…everything from panic attacks..paranoia..epilepsy type blackouts…I can keep going on here…on top of that,I just got out of the hospital a week ago from a heart attack and 3 stents…I think the extreme amount stress of Effexor withdrawal brought all this on…
@@rustymullins6623 wow!!! It’s was easy for me to step down from a high dose to a low dose without feeling a change, but to go from a low dose to no dose was horrible!!
What was your cut off day like? How low has you tapered down to?
@@Speedbagthrasher I expierenced “ Euphoria” ..I felt my senses were all back in a super acting way..the sky was brighter..birds singing…the air smelled awesome….I thought it was done and over with…then in the wee morning hours,I woke up “ brain dead”..from now what I understand was epileptic like siezure…it took hours for this to wear off and I had like 3 more after that…here I am at this very hour,still having withdrawal symptoms and trying to not take a clonipin to ease the episode…I feel I lost my springtime battling dark mind episodes…it has to get better sometime
@@rustymullins6623 we’re still living 30 seconds at a time. You’ll get Pat here. I’m proud of you for find the strength to message me. YOU GOT THIS!! you have to make the brain believe that every withdrawal symptom is a small victory!! Get in that mirror and tell yourself you got this!! You’re stronger than you know!
Thank you. Currently in Lexapro withdrawal. I wish more people would talk about this. I'm feeling bad for all these teenagers being given antidepressant medications.
I’ve heard the withdraws are just as bad as coming off Effexor. It’s terrifying how easily they give these drugs to young people. I was recently put on gabapentin for neuropathy. I was told it’s non habit forming, was on it for 3 weeks before it made me have seizure. Came off it for one night and guess what, same withdraws as coming off Effexor. So now I’m weaning myself off this mess too.
I'm polydrugged and damaged by Lexapro. I have flashbacks,insomnia and brain will conjure its own thoughts etc. Very serious and scary. Been like this for months, I don't know wat to do, only have a few individuals who share these rare severe symptoms. Will I get better?
@@germainedenon311 how did you step down from the drugs? Are you still taking anything? I remember being in a very similar state of mind. I was terrified I was going to kill myself or hurt others. I was completely out of control.
@@Speedbagthrasher thanks Jeff for replying. I CT from the drug as it gave me bad inner restlesness, no help and only severe brain damages. I'm one of the very rare few (only found another 3) who have visual flashbacks after taking these drugs. I just don't know wat to do now and wonder if my brain will heal with time. There's no treatment
@@germainedenon311 first, if you're still on the meds and feel like you're too sensitive to it(I am. I get all those terrible side effects too) talk to your dr about weaning off. Don't go cold turkey. It will make you physically and mentally ill.
But YES! you will feel better. It just takes a very long time for your body and brain to adjust. Expecially after you've weaned off. It will last for a while even after they are out of your system, you have extreme mood swings and depression but knowing that it's the meds, and not you, does help some.
These days I stick to kava kava tea for anxiety. Or ashwagandha drops. And st John's wart for mood when needed. I would rather deal with anxiety and depression than ever go through that mess with the pills again...
but if you are one who really needs to be on something, maybe try a mood stabilizer instead. They are a little more mild. But you shouldn't take anything that is giving you intrusive thoughts or feeling abnormal, personality wise. I'd say it's the wrong medication for you. But again, I'm not a dr. Talk to yours asap if you are feeling really badly.
The sponge on the head with electrical shocks is the exact words I have been looking for when I am trying to describe the horrible withdrawals
It feels like your being electrocuted. That was the best way I could describe it. It was a nightmare! But I did eventually make it past them. That was a glorious day.
Hey bro, you did me a hell of a favor making this video b/c I'm just starting a 225mg 4 year take. You're a badass man, thank you!
Your most welcome! Are you saying you have been on it for 4 years or you’re about to start taking this for 4 years. I ask that because I’ve never heard of someone being told they will be on it for 4 years right when they start it. Now, I know A LOT of people who have been on it for 4 years and wish like hell they can get off it.
Thank you for your video Jeff. I was taking 150mg of Effexor for 18 years. I tapered off in November and took my last dose start of February. It’s been a rollercoaster ride. It scares me but also gives me hope that if I can make it through the year this shit will be over. Thank you 🙏🏼
Leanna, I’m so sorry I missed this message. That’s awesome you started coming off Effexor! How’re you holding up? You have to remember you will make it past this. This state you’re in now is only temporary and you will beat this!! I know you can!! Please let me know if you need to talk at all. My mother-in-law has been on it for 23 years. I think she will be on it for life. It’s such a strong drug some people can’t come off it. Scary thing is after this much time her doctor wants to up her dose. Please let me know how you’re coming along.
How are you now Leanne?
@@Speedbagthrasher Hey! Apologies for the late reply. I’m actually doing so well now. It was a rough 5 months I’m not going to lie but I feel like I’m coming out of this other side of this. Magic mushrooms have helped me massively, taking a macro dose in a safe and therapeutic setting and having a mild psychedelic experience every so often has brought me back to the peace in life. I finally feel like I have control of my own mind which in all honestly I don’t think I’ve ever had. I’ve been running my life in fight/flight mode, programmes caused by childhood trauma. I think facing that and trying to heal has been integral to my success with coming off the Effexor. Thank you so much for replying to me, I can’t tell you how much hope your video gave me during the hardest of times
@@bekamoreno I have just replied below in the thread thank you for asking 💗
@@leannesinclair8508 I can’t tell you how excited I get when I read about people beating their nightmares with Effexor as well as finding a great way to process the traumas that have happened in their past.
Truly humbled this video brought you comfort in such a difficult time in your life. YOU GOT THIS!!! Please let me know how you continue to do!! Your story is hope for everyone who reads this. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Hope you have a great weekend.
I have really wanted to try micro dosing. I still feel I have some things I need to sort out from my past.
Ohh, wow....I've been on it for 30 years....Still dealing with benzo withdrawal now...Thanks for doing this....
30 years!! Wow! Right after I found my dad my family doctor said “Jeff you’re going to be going through a lot of anxiety, when you feel anxious take one of these” one of these was Xanax. Crazy thing is how fast you grow dependent on that stuff just to feel normal. It was also a mind eraser. I couldn’t remember anything from the day before and I would also wake up 10x more anxious than I was the day before, that’s because Xanax is a fast burn drug and you start to withdraw less than 24 hours of taking it. So on top of depression and anxiety you’re also adding a severe dose of withdrawal without realizing what’s going on in your brain. It’s a total train wreck. These doctors train us to be addicts but won’t teach you how not to be one. In my opinion they should pay for you treatment to shake these horrible drugs.
Let me know if you ever want to talk about it. I’m always here for you. What all are you taking? Or what are you trying to come off of? You can always email me thethrasherhouse@gmail.com or text me 903-738-1312.
Thanks Jeff, You are a gifted communicator. And Brave. I'm walking up this venaflaxine withdrawal path. I had my husbandd listen to your tale. I was then able to talk to him in more clear way because you were so clear. My husband was actually grateful to hear the hard things. Im really angry at drs. Just like you. Because they didn't sove my problems instead they gave me additional ones. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will comfort you and give you peace. If I were your dad watching down from heaven, I would be so so so proud of you.
Thank you very much Christine! That truly means a lot for a man who has always wanted his fathers approval.
I know you’ll be able to make it past this stage in your life. So happy this video was able to help not only you but your husband as well. I don’t think my mom had any idea what my dad was truly going through when he took his life. I remember overhearing them talk once she said “if you’re not going to get better maybe you need to go somewhere else” she had no idea what she was saying. He was coming off meds and she had no idea how dangerous it was. Let everyone around you know what you’re preparing to do. Let people know you may be on edge for a little while.
If you ever need to talk I’m always around as well. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who’s been through the ringer.
Have you started tapering down?
You can definitely beat this!! Nothing you can’t do!!
I am on venaflaxine also and tapering. I am down to around 20mg. So far so good. I hope everything worked out for you.
Thanks for sharing your truth. I'm so sorry about your dad.
Thank you very much for watching. It seems these days they try to cover up and sweep away stories like mine. I really appreciate you reaching out.
The part where you’re listening to lose myself, sums it up for me so fuckin much. I just want off of Effexor so bad 😭 thank you!
You want to talk about it here or off line? I know the feeling. It’s like being in prison in your own body. Let me know if you want to talk. I know you can make it off this stuff. If I did you can!!
Been stuck on this since 2000 tried to come off and it was always too fast and had to reinstate every time going through hell. Now succeeding and down to 2 mg opening capsules and counting beads , it will take me over 5 years to come off safely without losing stability from 225 mg. This pill should be illegal! So many no longer here.
9 anni di citalopram, fatto scalaggio per passare ad un altro farmaco, niente da fare l inferno in terra da impazzire, chiusa in casa dalla depressione e ansia,ricominciato di nuovo da capo citalopram nn ne esco piu😢
Jesus, this is the most accurate assessment of effexor withdrawal I've ever heard. I'm tapering down now, and I feel like absolute garbage. Brain shivers, mood swings, confusion, mania, fear of losing the best job I've ever had.. Wish I could smoke some good weed, but I get randomly tested, and I'm trying to get completely sober from everything. I'm already gaining weight from lowering my dose. I'm horrified about getting through the withdrawal, but even more horrified to be on this shit another day..
Hi Jeff, man I hate that you’re going through this right now. Do you mind me asking how you’re tapering? How many milligrams where you on and how many are you on now? If you step down too fast it will rock your world. Sounds like you’re having a rough go with it. How long have you been on Effexor? Feel free to reach out to me by text or phone call. 903-738-1312. I talk to people about how to come off this nightmare of a drug all the time from all around the world. If you’re not in the US, I’m on WhatsApp and and telegram as well.
Out side of THC I would strongly recommend getting some lions mane mushrooms, not to get high. Micro dose is very healthy. I’ve heard amazing things about lions mane for rebuilding nerves and it’s great for stress and anxiety.
The best overall natural thing you can do is you have to start working out and you have to make food your medicine. Do you know what your blood type is? I would strongly recommend eating for your blood type while going through this. But working out is critical!!
Please let me know if you want to talk.
I’m in your corner pulling for you!! You got this bro!!
@@Speedbagthrasher Thank you. I was on 150mg/day for about 4 years. I went down to 75mg for a week, then 37.5 for a week, now I'm doing 37.5mg every other day. The withdrawal effects started day 1, and I'm still having them everyday. I feel wobbly like I'm going to fall down when I walk. When I tried to come off it before, I got scared back into taking it just because of the withdrawal effects. I'm not giving up this time. I'm getting off this shit, but it sucks.
@@jeffwolfe5661 this is not a drug you can take every other day. It’s yo-yo effect is way too intense.
How did you feel when you went from 150mg to 75mg? Same question about going from 75mg to 37?
37mg to 0 is far too tall of a dose to quit cold turkey. Once your body become stable on 37mg that’s when you need to break the capsules open and count the pellets inside the capsule. If there 50 pellets inside the capsule start by removing 10% of the pellets everyday for a week OR till your body feels somewhat normal again. Once you feel normal decrease it by another 10%. Take this process slow. I know you want to get off this stuff but to do it safely you gotta go slow.
I understand …4 months cold turkey…from 25 years of 75mg Effexor..higher doses at times..what a mess I got myself in here…
This literally made me cry. Thank you for sharing your experience. The nurse I delt with made me feel like I was crazy for feeling what I’m feeling! I’ve found that covering my eyes helps so tremendously with the side effects of the withdrawal hope somebody sees this and it helps them!
I’m so sorry you’re going through the horrible withdrawal symptoms from this demon of a drug. How Effexor was ever allowed to be but on the market is beyond me. I’ve found way too many doctors and nurses don’t know the dangers of some of these drugs and they are given out recklessly. Thank you tremendously for sharing. Please let me know if you ever need to talk! You can definitely get past this!! You got this!
Oh , yes! I felt rollercoaster emotions- from laughter to intense rage! Im 2 years out still having withdrawals...
How long did you take effexor?
Wow.
Oh no 2years😮I am only 2weeks cold turkey and doing my best to persivere.but now definately not giving up.
He’s right, the withdrawal was hell for me. The brain zaps, dizziness (vertigo) and nausea were terrible. I was so relieved when these withdrawal side effects ended, which they will eventually. A slow taper works best. Stick with the taper schedule your doctor gives you and you will eventually get through it.
It seems to be never ending while going through it. So glad you made it off! Sad thing is there are so many doctors that prescribe this to people and don’t have a clue how to get them off it. Most doctors see this drug as a forever drug.
Thank you for sharing this , it’s true Venlafaxine is poison , tapering very very slow . Could take years to come of🙏🍀
Wow, this moved me. Thanks for sharing; it must have been difficult to post this. You never know what someone is going through. You are one strong dude, brother. I wish you all the best, thirty seconds at a time.
Thank you very much for taking the time to listen. Thirty seconds at a time is all we can do sometimes. I really appreciate the support. This video was tough but much easier than the one titled June 2nd, 1999. That one tore my heart out to make. But I’m glad I did. A year after I posted it someone reached out to me and said that video kept them from killing themself. I broke down into tears of joy. It did it’s job, as long as it helped one person it was worth the pain of recording. I also record these so that one day when I’m gone my 7 year old son can listen to my stories in my own words. I’d give anything to hear my dad tell any of his stories again.
I feel your anger, and know this pain. I’m Trying to come off Effexor again after failing two years ago. I’m on day five. I’m so grateful that people like you know how hard it is, but I’m sorry you’ve went through it. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I feel like I’ve lost years to being a ghost of myself, my teenage years and now coming into my twenties. I hope I do it this time. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I’m sending love out to anyone who is going through/has gone through this.
Thank you greatly for reaching out Gabrielle! 5 days is awesome!! That’s a huge success! I remember sitting there at my doctors office looking at everyone else in the room and they all had the same tranquilized looks on their faces and I was sitting there in my mind screaming let me out of here!! You’ve got this🦾🦾🦾 look yourself in the mirror and say it repeatedly and feel every emotion you have. It’s like your body is learning how to feel all over again.
How are you doing Gabrielle?
@@bekamoreno im still going strong, since June. I still have some symptoms but I’m mostly in the clear with it. It’s a long journey still, I’m still feeling like I have to learn how to feel again? If that makes sense. Thank you so much for asking kind stranger, I’m sorry I missed your comment. Sending love wherever you are
68 year old woman finally off Paxil. Started taking it in my 40s. Only get the brain zaps when I’m extra tired. But this stuff really messed my stomach up. Feel bad, try to force myself to eat and then feel worse! I’ve been off the stuff for 3 months now. The absolute worse thing I’m experiencing is when I first wake up in the morning this wave of anxiety and desperation takes over my body like a convulsion and I have to breathe through it. Your story is very compelling! God Bless you for sharing it. 🦋
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. It’s pure hell. It’s amazing how they will put someone on Paxil for 20 plus years. These are supposed to be short term drugs to help you get out of a depression state.
Have you tried St John’s Wart? It helps quite a bit with anxiety. I would also highly recommend finding a mushroom micro dosing clinic. I’ve heard great things from my friends who have tried it.
Early morning deep breathing exercises are huge help. Also make sure your gut biome is working well. If your gut is not healthy your brain won’t be healthy.
Bro just told the most real story ever told. Can't belive this isn't a viral video. ❤
Thank you greatly for taking the time to listen!! I would say it’s the second most real story of mine. The most real is much more painful to watch. It’s a video I made talking about the morning I found my dad after he killed himself. Do me a favor and share this video with someone you think needs to see it. So many people out there suffering from this poison.
Are you doing ok? Most people who watch this video are struggling to come off Effexor or drugs similar to them.
Suicide PTSD 21 years after my fathers suicide June 2nd 1999
th-cam.com/video/-hnxvEMFfGg/w-d-xo.html
27 years for me. 27 on so many big pharma drugs. Im on month 2 of cold turkey withdrawl. Life is a living hell. I was on 9 different meds; one piled on top of the other, for the side effects of the other drugs. What a nightmare. I pray for my life every day.
Anyone else have a constant lump in their throats from this?
Are you still on Effexor or coming off it? And if you’re coming off it how long has been since your last dose?
We really need a support group/forum for this. Reading all the comments and I want to chime in but most of them are from a year ago.. I am currently trying to come off Venlafaxine for what I hope will be the last time. I also have a newborn so this is struggle upon struggle. But Im done putting it off.. there is always going to be some reason that now is not the right time. The time is now. And your videos help me tremendously.
I tapered down to 37.5 and now I’m at the beginning of week 2 (no Effexor left) with all these side effects you’re talking about but the projectile vomiting thing is pretty violent and it sucks! I’ve already kicked the klonapin. That took over 2 years & was hell. Now I’m getting over the Effexor and it’s hell too.
Thank you so much for this video. It’s very helpful to hear because it’s so relatable. I won’t end myself. I will fight this good fight. I will be better soon enough.
@@Joy-Marie369 how long were you on 37.5 before stopping? How are you feeling right now? Do you feel withdrawals are getting any less intense?
@@Speedbagthrasher I was on 37.5 for 2 months. I have been on these meds for over 20 years. I’ll never trust doctors again.
Thank you for this. So many similarities with me right now. I've been on Pristiq for 6 years and I am currently weaning off. If I don't talk to myself in the mirror between fits of rage and uncontrollable sobbing, I don't know what I'd do. Pristiq is closely related to effexor. EVERYTHING this man says is true about antidepressants, be warned. Next month I'm taking the last step off of 25mg and I've been putting it off all summer because I am scared to death. This is even with me being in therapy! When I asked my Dr. 3 years ago about my chances of "making it" in life without the medication, she shook her head no. I resigned to being medicated the rest of my life, until this year. These people are TRYING to kill us, and now we gotta fight for our lives. Good luck everyone!
Have you split your capsules open before. Do you know if they’re powder or bbs? Don’t let them tell you 25mg is the lowest dose you can take. That’s just the smallest mg they offer. I hope they’re tue bbs, makes it easier. This stuff is horrible! Not a single person has ever chimed in saying how it changed their life for the better. Maybe it has, I just haven’t met that person yet.
@@Speedbagthrasher Thank you Jeff, you are correct, several doctors told me that 25mg is the lowest available dose. It's a hard tablet, not bbs, because I use the generic form of Pristiq, my apologies for not clarifying that. I will definitely speak to my doctor about using non-generic for the smaller dose, thank you so much! I'm tired of being fed antidepressants and birth control pills for all of my problems. At the time I began my prescription, I needed help as I was not in a safe mindset, but what they don't tell you is that you RETURN to that mindset once you quit the pills and therapy be damned. Here I thought I had 6 years of "working on myself" to prep for the day I quit, but maaaaaaaan was I wrong. Like you, I have a great support system and ultimately that's what will save you during withdrawal.
@@LightlyAngie307 do our doctors think we will be on this for life? It would be so different if the drug made you really feel better and were told “hey, detox from this stuff is horrible, but once you’re past the detox stage you’ll be great”
Not the case at all! They don’t warn you about any of the stuff thats about to happen to you. I was on this stuff before TH-cam was even a thing. You had no way to investigate this stuff back then.
@@Speedbagthrasher Before the YT?! Wowza, mad respect for that 🙏. Well it's people like you who make a community for us all to heal each other and I appreciate it, thanks again.
You should go on Ted talks. You are a great speaker and tell your story in a way that makes a person feel like the are riding it out beside you. I took Effexor years ago…never again. My Mom’s Dr prescribed it for her and I threw a fit. Also, I’m so sorry to hear about you loosing your Dad the way you did. I lost someone I loved from suicide years ago and it tore my heart out. so- Mr East Texas, best of luck from the Texas Gulf Coast ❤
Hi! The Texas Gulf Coast, I Have to click that button when I’m signing my guys up for some oilfield training for Nustar.
So happy to hear you were able to get away from that nightmare of a drug! It’s terrifying how quickly and easily they throw those down our throats. And we think “hey, this guy has a bunch of shiny certificates on his wall he must know what he’s talking about” right. Sad fact is once he got out of school his education on new drugs came from pharmaceutical reps that they think they can trust.
My mother in law has been on it for 21 years and her doctor recently said she wanted to up her dose. Scary how they think they can fix things by throwing more gas on the fire.
Don’t get to hot, it’s been brutal down here.
Jeff! I’m finally out of the woods! I did it!! I’m back in my own body with 100% of me and it feels great. Thank you again for this video. See you bro!
@@pgprog YES!!! I can’t tell you how pumped I get when I read success stories!! I am so proud of you for fighting through it. You’re a beast bro!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I’ve been on Effexor for 7 years and just started the detox. Thank you so so much for this. It’s so hard to explain to anyone you hasn’t been here.
Hi Mike, blows my mind when I hear how long some people have been on this stuff. My mother in law has been taking it since 23 years.
How many milligrams were you taking daily and how low did you get down to before you stopped? How are you feeling since you started to detox?
Sorry for all the questions.
It’s almost impossible to explain to someone who hasn’t walked down this road.
@@Speedbagthrasherhopefully hes doing alright and id like to know the same from yourself if possible
U mentioned side effects still being experienced to this day?
@@EvanRajala when I get really exhausted I will get pulses, the precursor to the brain zaps. Most of the time they last only a few seconds. I’ve learned that when I tell myself to slow down. I’m bad about not sleeping enough at times when I’m juggling too many things at once. When I feel those pulses hit me for just a second i automatically start thinking about how I can get some sleep. I have learned how important proper sleep if for recovery.
@@Speedbagthrasher have u felt before in the bed about to daze off as if ur flying and then u begin rapidly falling then u jolt awake ? That is a brain zap. The others from antidepressants are… well… probably some neurotoxic impairment residual effect… i mean, the drugs stimulate neurons to death and much worse after all…
Was this all the side effects? This weird brain zap thing? U tried drinking or coffee or weed? What were ur dosages and how long u take venlafaxine for?? I wanna compare ur experiences to mine
Heard of PSSD ? Brain fog, s*ual dysfunction, etc… persisting after the discontinuation of drugs
@@EvanRajala did you not watch the video that is attached to this one in the description?
Effexor / Venlafaxine Withdrawal, A pure nightmare! Someone you know needs to hear this! 1/21/2023
th-cam.com/video/sdku5_qQC4Q/w-d-xo.html
I have watched this 3 times and have never been addicted to any drug.The honesty and sincerity and courage are very impressive
@@keithhatch56 thank you very much Keith. It’s the only way I know how to be. The realest one is about my father’s death. That one still gets me when I watch it. It’s almost like watching someone else tell the story.
Thank you greatly for taking the time to watch.
Thank you for telling your story. I am lowering my Effexor dose and am dealing with the worst body aches I’ve ever experienced. I wanted to find some solidarity and was searching for other people’s experiences
Hi Taylor, how large of a dose did they have you on before you started tapering off it? What are you down to?
@@Speedbagthrasher Hi there, I went down to 187.5, I was on 300mg. I’m lucky that the side effects didn’t last too long, that being said, I’ve never been off the medication completely
@@TinkererTaylor hopefully one of these days you can get that stuff out of your routine. I don’t think it’s natural for us to be on a drug indefinitely.
I ran out 4 days ago. I have to hold onto walls so I don’t fall over. My feet are numb after being freezing cold. The sweating, the migraines.
I cold turkeyed from Klonopin and I was bed ridden for three years. What a mess. I live by myself and there is so much to do. I have exploding head syndrome and my heart is failing from the strain my mind and body went through. Now it’s Effexor’s turn to kill me.
Ti capisco benissimo 😔
I commend you.This should have a million views.Doctors tried to get me on anti depressants but i refused.I believe the human brain will heal itself if we give it the time.Prescription drugs will ruin this process.Doctors are like cops we need them but they are not our friend.
Thank you very much Keith!! I hope one day it has a million views, takes people to share it to get there. I learned through my process of healing you can’t fix a broken heart and damaged soul with pills. They simply throw a blanket over a problem and pretend it’s not there. Then you have the nightmare of coming off those horrible drugs and once you do and you start feeling real emotions again you have to go through the entire healing process all over. It’s a dangerous and vicious cycle. You did the right thing by refusing their cocktails of pills. Scary how quickly they throw all sorts of drugs in your face seeing what works and what doesn’t. They’ll tell you that you have a chemical imbalance without ever drawing a drop of blood to see what you imbalance is. They play a game of pin the tail on the donkey with prescription drugs.
Thank you for reaching out and you comment!! I appreciate it greatly!
I would share it but i cant find face book on you tube share
@@keithhatch56 I’ll have to look into that. I haven’t been on Facebook for 9 years.
@@Speedbagthrasher, how long were you on effexor for?
@@brandoncabezas5473 it’s been 20 years since I was on it and it was all pretty fuzzy back then. I would say 1.5 to 2 years.
Thank you for making this video. I am also one of the unlucky people prescribed this poison of a drug. I've failed to get off it many times but am definitely succeeding this time. I'm one week out of my first dosage reduction and have to go through it another 3 times to be fully off. We say yes to anything when we're suicidal and need some hope. Did it stop me from committing suicide? Possibly, but it also stopped me living. Good luck to you in future.
Thank you for sharing! Do you mind explaining to me how you are tapering off this? Is it a plan your doctor is helping with? How many mg were you on and what is the tapering schedule?
I truly hope for you the best while coming off this and life after.
@Speedbagthrasher I've been on 150mg and just stepped down to 112.5mg daily. Yes, I am doing it under the supervision of my GP. She isn't the one who prescribed it to me and suggested I should get off them due to my anxiety and agitation. My psychologist also said that they weren't best suited to my mental health problems. I have OCD, CPTSD, anxiety and depression. The minimum dose in the XR is 37.5mg and we hoped that reducing my dosage by that amount would minimise the withdrawal effects. Made no difference in my opinion. I'm waiting for these symptoms to stabilise then I will drop down to the 75mg and so on until I'm off them completely. As you know, it's hard to work and function in any capacity in the beginning of the withdrawal period so I have to plan time off work and my other responsibilities accordingly.
@@samanthabright3390 dropping from 150 to 112.5 is a manageable drop. That’s a 25% decrease in your mg. It sounds like they have you on a linear decrease of you meds. Or they are going to reduce your dose by 37.5 each time. That’s good and that’s bad. So right now you did a 25% decrease which can be pretty rough on some people. I typically tell people to only do a 10% decrease. When you drop from 112.5 to 75 that’s going to be close to a 35% decrease. Then when you drop from 75 to 37.5 that’s a 50% decrease. I am not a doctor. But I have fought this drug and I’ve helped others come off it. When you reduce your mg by 10% it is much easier on you to tapper off. It takes longer but the transitions are normally smoother. As people get lower in their doses it sometimes becomes helpful to only reduce your dose by 5%.
Some people are very sensitive to this drug and some not so much. If you’re having withdrawals dropping from 150 to 112.5 you may want to think about dropping by percentages vs by the pill sizes. Doing it by percentage is more time consuming because you have to count the bbs in the capsule or there is a way to let them dissolve in water and you drink a specific amount of the water. Doing this takes a bit more work but it’s so much easier on your chemistry.
I’m going to drop in a video link of a doctor talking about how Effexor affects our brain and he talks more in depth about dropping by percentage vs linear.
I would also highly encourage you to start listening to meditation videos from Joe Dispenza about the power of healing our bodies from our own energy force. I would also tell you to look into RTT hypnosis for your anxiety.
Have any of your doctors explained how when your anxiety spikes, your adrenal gland gets exhausted, which spikes your cortisol, which negatively affects your thyroid? None of my doctors ever did. My chiropractor was the one who explained all this to me and how to better manage my anxiety.
I promise you that meditation and hypnosis would do you a huge amount of good.
Also, drink plenty of good water. Spring water is best. If you are drinking tap water or bottled water that says “purified” it’s not good for you. Spring water is the best. 80% of serotonin is produced in our gut so if your gut is unhealthy your brain will be unhealthy.
th-cam.com/video/2GLpsW_-a4E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6tXk9Ot2-bSxr5f9
Look up the videos from Joe Dispenza about meditation. Depression comes from events in our past, anxiety comes from the unknowns of the future, learning to quiet those negative thoughts in your head and learning to live in the present is how you learn how to get past depression and anxiety.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I help a lot of people with this stuff. Like I say, I’m not a doctor, just a guy who have survived a lot of stuff and learned some things along the way.
I came off methadone after 13 years cold turkey and it was 3 months of hell..Been clean for 1 and half and feel so much better..The Pharmaceutical company's love you're money and care less what happens to common people..I had to stay busy which was very hard cause it's a task just to get outta bed..Stay strong Jeff and positive..You can do it..
Wow!!! 13 years of methadone!! That is some powerful stuff. I am seriously impressed you came off cold Turkey. I can only imagine how torturous those first months were. So glad you were able to kick that stuff. You’re absolutely right, the drug companies want you hooked. That how they make their money, no money in cures. Thank you very much for sharing. I fee bad I’m just no responding. It’s been one of those weeks. Stay strong my brother!! I’m always here if you ever need to talk. You never know when a flashback comes on you. 903-738-1312.
@@Speedbagthrasher losty 2 week take homes one two many times and 20 Milles back and forth and price of gas will do that to a person 3 months and came out clean on other side and it's awesome not have to rely on something you thought you'd be on the rest of your life..
@@mellojellofello isn’t that the truth!! I am so glad I’m not a slave to that stuff anymore!! So glad you got off them as well!
I'm 30. I was prescribed this when I was 14... I hallucinate annf get extremely shaky and almost worry when I'm low in the bottle
@@paigekowalski275 you have to get off that drug. It turns you into a prisoner in your own mind. You need to do it safely and slowly but you have to get off it. That drug forces you to take it for life. If you need help how to come off it let me know.
Thanks for sharing that, Jeff. I had a similar experience weaning off of Paxil. Love you brother!
Love you too brother!! So glad you were able to make it past that nightmare!
Paxil- same here. 2 years to wean off. Still have withdrawal symptoms.
I was on a high dose for 6 years. Took me a year to work my way down to 37.5mg and now I’ve been off it for 5 days. It feels like a hangover. Headaches, light and sound sensitivity, brain zaps and weird little pulses all over my body like I have Parkinson’s or something. Hopefully it goes away. Fingers crossed.
Hopefully you make it past the brain zaps soon. It’s no fun at all!
I am going through it as well. It’s not as bad as what he went through, bc I weaned off. Hopefully it slowly improves. I also find light, and littlest sounds will irritate me.
I have the pulses through my body too coming off of Paxil right now
Be careful after the 3rd week it was the worst for me. It’s been a now 5 weeks and I’m still going through it. I went through feeling completely psychotic .
The morning I’m ok but at night I raise back high. This is the worst feeling I’ve ever felt. I’m a strong woman and I’m finding this hard to deal with. I was only on Venlafaxin for 3 months. My doctor kept huping my dose and now my withdrawal symptoms are a nightmare.
You described 100% of my symptoms! Thank you for such courage to speak up!
I’ve been tapering this trash for 1.5 months and still have less than halfway to go… I still feel everything even by counting the pellets… I’m actually in a mental breakdown rn. Thank you, I’ll push through this. I’ll be out of this thing. God bless you brother
30 seconds at a time, that’s the aim, right now it’s 30 seconds at time. Thank you for reaching out and also taking the time to watch. You will 100% get past this!!
How are you feeling now?
You might need to go slower if you become too unstable it becomes unbearable. Look up Dr. Ashton method of tapering.
Hey guys, thank you for your concern. I’m feeling quite better than before, thank God! I’ve started an even slower taper by taking a bead every 4 days. Right now I’m on 18 beads. I’m much more stable, but not free from symptoms, of course. Thank you for your advice! God bless y’all 🙏🏻🩷
@@bekamoreno I'm at 5 beads now myself. I have withdrawal symptoms but they are bearable. Glad to hear you are doing better. God bless you as well.
Bro, I have gotten so much better on the bag learning from your videos. I started baggin to rehab a shattered wrist and elbow after a 30' fall at my job as a structural ironworker. Pain meds struggle for me too. Big pharma is the devil. I want you to know how much i appreciate your time making vids. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I dont know you personally but I love you man. Suicide is not an option bro, The speecbag world needs you. Keep your head up, sincerest thanks to you.
Thank you very much, John!! 30’ fall is serious!! So lucky a shattered wrist and elbow is what you walked away with. Pain killers are so easy to become hooked on. I didn’t even know I was till a ran out.
The speed bag is such a great tool for physical and mental rehab. It’s fantastic for the brain, body, and soul. Makes me so happy to know my speed bag videos are helping bagger grow their skills!! If there is anything I can ever help with please let me know. I was FULL when I started out and still am when I watch guys like Brad Bachmann. That guy blows my mind!
Thanks Jeff, I’m going through this hell now. I HATE IT SO MUCH, it’s driving me insane.
I’ve been in effexor for 20+ years and have tried twice to come off with support. Both times within 6 months I cried uncle and went back on. Before Effexor, I went on Prozac in 1988, then on a couple of other SSRI’S and for a few years on Zoloft. I keep coming to TH-cam hoping to find that there is a treatment for getting off these hard drugs. I’m so sorry for what you went through. You are a badass to follow it through.
I'm so sorry you've had to go through this and still are... I was given this medication today and I've been doing research and watching/reading things to try to get a better idea about what I'm in for and yeah.... I don't know if it would be worth it after the countless amount of people being effected negatively by this medication...
I hate that you’re going through something in your life that has doctors thinking this will make you feel better. I’m very happy you’ve been doing your research and not just blindly taking what is put in front of you. It’s natural to want to have full trust in your doctor but sometimes it does a lot of good to do your homework.
I would like to you by phone or text if you have some free time. I have some questions for you. And I may have some answers for you. Hit me up 903-738-1312.
I went thru 6 1/2 years of complete and utter torment …..no words for any of these meds
Absolutely proof the FDA is bought and paid for.
Thank you so much for posting this. I desperately needed to hear every single word you said.
@@Joy-Marie369 I am always here if you need to talk!!
I’m currently going through withdrawal. I’ve cross- tapered to mirtazipine which I was on before and should never have come off it- I had no issues coming off that. But this!! It’sIke living in a real life nightmare. The nausea and zaps are awful and I was only on 75mg for five months. The worst thing is the muscle weakness and exhaustion. Even the simplest of everyday tasks are like pushing a bolder up a mountain. It’s driving me mad but I’ve got to stick with it. I’m so sorry you’ve had such an horrific experience, sounds far far worse than mine. I hope things are way better for you now. This drug is poison- but I feel the poison builds and builds waiting for you to come off it and then bam! It hits like a beast. This drug should be taken off the market. I hear stories of people who can never get off it, stuck on it for life. It really is the shits. I’m two weeks into withdrawal and I’m just hoping it passes soon as I can’t function at all. Peace. 👊
I know exactly how you feel!! I’m so sorry you’re having to fight so hard to function. It will get better, it just takes some time. I know it may seem like a major undertaking, get outside, get some fresh air, take a walk, get your blood moving. You have to teach your body how to function again. I’m with 100%!! This drug should be black labeled and stripped from the market. It’s pure poison and the FDA doesn’t care at all. The FDA is as much to blame as the drug companies are.
Please keep checking back in. If you need to talk let me know. I’m always around to help out.
It will get better!!! 30 seconds at a time. You got this!! I’m in your corner cheering for you 🦾🦾
Thankyou friend you have described exactly what im going through. 300mg a day. Cold turkey release. Its hell. Two months since i stopped and brain jolts are still there. Suicidal thoughts can be a real issue but i have been admmited into hospital on suicide watch when they occur. I suffer from severe childhood trauma and what little sanity i had left effexor took. I know i can get through this but the hardest part is educating people that this is not a self inflicted drug addiction. I trusted the people who put me on it. I was told it would help. Bless you my friend and everyone else going through it. ❤
Oh my god!!! The intensity of the misfires in my brain when I would miss one single dose of 300mg was unreal. I can’t image how hard it’s been for you the past two months coming off 300mg cold Turkey. My heart hurts for you as I read this. Things like coQ10 may help with the brain zaps, lions main helps rebuild the damaged receptors. This drug should be taken off the market. It destroys peoples lives. I was the same way as you, I was hooked on a drug the doctors gave me. The doctors are educated by the pharmaceutical companies. You need to watch the series Dope Sick. It will infuriate you.
I would also start listening to Joe Dispenza as he talks about how to meditate and how to heal past trauma as well as being able to focus through what you are battling. Please let me know if you need to talk.
IT WILL GET BETTER!! I can promise you this! Just takes time. Lots of exercise helped me a lot as well. You have to push past the madness. I’ve been off that stuff for 20 years now. I am proof you can do this!! I’m right here with you.
@Speedbagthrasher you have no idea how you have touched my heart. I was in tears listening to you. Your courage gives me strength. I shall keep in touch on progress. Thankyou brother you have given me a new hope. ❤️ ✌️ 🙌
@@distortedreality3116 you have no idea how humbling it is to read that. YOU GOT THIS. If you need to talk let me know. I’m always here for you. You’re stronger than you can imagine right now. I know this because you have made it 2 months off this poison. So many people can’t go 2 days off it. You’re a best to be reconned with!!
@@Speedbagthrasher ❤️
DUDE.
I felt that.
" 5 seconds at a time" ... " Broken people seek out broken people...." My withdrawal took 2 years.
I actually shaved bits of Paroxitine with a razor to taper. Still feeling effects... albeit less and less. For me , its getting better microscopically...when I look back theres progress...its definitely worth the price.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing. I know exactly what you’re going through. I tell people it took me a year to feel halfway normal. Halfway normal was soooo much better than the hell and torment I had just gone through. It took several years to not feel the effects of that poison. Crazy thing is when I get really stressed or really worn down I still have flash symptoms of the mind zaps. My body will pulsate like it back then. I try not to let myself get that tired.
I truly hope you the best recovery. Let me know if ever need to talk. Sounds like you’re starting to see your way through the nightmare.
I am now 26 and been thru all this for YEARS (i was 15/16 when we started the whole trial of meds thing which we still have not figured out) but thru it all that was my biggest tool, a pill cutter. I made sure to pay close attention each day when I would cut chunks off of my pill for that day’s dose, and even capsules I would open them up so that I can dump out just a tiny bit while I put it back together again and again call that my dose for that day. I never really listen or go off of what they tell me, as every two weeks isn’t a do able thing and is way worse then if I just do it myself lol, I found it way easier for my body if I do it day by day and little by little and it works. It’s just funny to me how a lot of these so-called doctors honestly have no idea what the heck they’re even talking about and as they said I came in here because I was suicidal now getting off of it that’s just a for sure like for sure thing almost as if it’s just a death wish for me and it’s so tragic (like I can’t think of another word just it’s heartbreaking) and it just really makes you question it all like doctors and drug dealers like it’s all the same, so why shame one when you praise the other? Make it make sense because it really doesn’t.
Thanks man, needed to see this. I'm currently three days into withdrawal, going cold turkey after four or five years on 150mg Effexor--bad idea I know but I felt if I try to taper off I might not follow through. Feels like a bad acid trip and a brutal hangover rolled into one.
These Pharma execs should all be on public trial, but that's not the world we live in.
- Josh from Australia.
Hi Josh, so sorry it’s taken me so long to respond.
Man, you’ve been through the ringer! How are you feeling?
That’s a large drop off that mg. You can beat this for sure!! You’re doing the right thing by coming off all their meds. Crazy that their reach goes all the way around the world. Have you ever watched the series Dope Sick? That one got me fired up!!
I talk with friends from Australia a lot. I buy speed bags out of Melbourne.
Please keep me up to date on how your detox goes. If you need to talk let me know. You got this bro!! 30 seconds at a time!!
@@Speedbagthrasher All good man, I appreciate the response!
I knew when I had tears rolling down my face yesterday I was doing the right thing--I can spit again too, haha. It's crazy to think I spent every day of the last five years totally dehydrated from this stuff.
Nice, I'm in Melbourne myself. I haven't seen that documentary but I'll check it out.
Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.
Hi there how did it go? I took 6 months to come of taking out beads.
SSRI's are no joke... I had serious issues getting off effexor. Same side effects.
It’s a total nightmare! I know people that don’t have the support or strength to get themselves off of it. That drug makes people slaves. Glad you made it past it!
Thank you for your honesty Jeff. Bless you Man❤
Thank you greatly for taking the time to watch. Really means a lot to me that the word is spread about this stuff. Almost killed me.
Thanks for putting this out there man,sorry for what you had to go through..I had a similar situation with the misfires after coming off of Lexapro. Unfortunately I switched to narcotic painkillers which is an entire story in itself
Stay strong brother, just wanted to say I’ve learned multiple tricks on my speedbag from your videos thanks
Man!! I’ve heard lexapro is just as bad. Evil stuff they put us on to try to fix broken hearts and tattered souls. I was on the pain killers for years and am so glad I shook that demon. Very happy the videos have helped you on the bag. Feel free to reach out to me about speed bag question or just need to talk about life. I’m always around. 903-738-1312. I really mean that. Looks like you’ve been through some rough stuff too!
Thank you, I needed to hear this...
You’re most welcome!! Sometimes we need to know someone else has made it past the nightmare. Let me know if you need to talk. Are you preparing to come off Effexor or already in the withdrawals?
Thanks Jeff….again..
hey, this video hit home for me. I am currently tapering off of effexor and I am all too familiar with those "zaps". You are so right about people not knowing what withdrawal is really like. Thirty seconds at a time...Thank you for raising awareness and giving me inspiration.
I am truly sorry for your father's loss. Keep strong and take care.👍
Thank you for watching and sharing you’re experience. This mind zaps are crazy intense!! You got this!!! I promise you can beat this drug, one day you’ll look back at it as it was just a bad dream. 30 seconds at a time, just like racing, focus on the next turn not the finish line.
How many mg were you on and how long were you taking it? I find it helpful to share that with others so people can know what to expect.
@@Speedbagthrasher I’ve been taking this for 2 years…225mg. I recently (2 weeks) started tapering off so I can switch to another antidepressant. It’s amazing (mainly in a bad way) how much this TINY pill can affect me. I’ve been fearful about coming off this drug due to the fact of taking one dose later than usual will really fuck you up. It is so hard to describe the withdrawal symptoms to anyone who hasn’t taken Effexor. I can only describe being able to feel all the cells in my body pulsating and thrashing around while my brain skips like a cd with scratches.
I am 5 months in now and straight up not having a good time at ALL! Thank you for this video brother...
5 months!! Very proud you have made it so far!! Do you mind telling me why they put you on this stuff and what was your process for coming off it?
And you’re most welcome. I hope it helps seeing someone who has made it past the worst of it and is still happy in life.
@@Speedbagthrasher They put me on this poison for opioid withdrawal anxiety 18 years ago. They have done nothing but made me sick as a dog and morbidly depressed all of this time. It was either try and stop them or just end it. So I tapered off them for 6 months (far too rapid it seems) stopped this February and its been a roller coaster ride ever since... Lost 25 pounds and walk 20000 steps a day. Still struggling, but I notice I am getting better (relatively) Man what an EVIL drug this is... I refuse to give up! (feels like I am lying telling you this. *lol* ) but as you said in the video, we need to lie to ourselves to get by.
@@Speedbagthrasher It sure does help to know you aren`t alone in literal hell. They put me on Effexor 18 years ago and I can`t remember why honestly. I tried to taper off it as slow as I could (6 months) by picking out balls out of the capsules. Quit 37.5mg February this year. It`s been a roller coaster ride ever since. But It is getting milder comparatively to the beginning, Still truly hard, though... But I will get through, somehow. It really does a number on your entire body. I am down 25 pounds and up to 20000 steps a day walking (some days I can`t sit still at all) Nights are worst at the moment waking up at 2 hour intervalls on cortisol FIRE... So haven`t had a decent night sleep for months. But I have to tell myself that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have to lie to myself as you said in the video ;) The horrible thing is all the mind tricks your own brain do to fool you into spiralling deeper into despair, but I am learning not to listen.
God bless you brother needed this video! Feeling motivated to get through this Paxil withdrawal
I’m so sorry you’re going through that. I’ve heard it can be rough as hell. How’re feeling right now? Sorry it took me so long to respond. Been in new job training all day.
Your experience was most close to mine. I survived on the love for my children bc my family was trashing me through it, and besides my child, and then new baby, I was alone, as a single mom mostly. My new boyfriend had no idea and I was not told anything by my doctor.
Ohhh Misty!! I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone and taking care of your children, I can’t even imagine. I couldn’t even hold down a regular job. I’m resizing as I’m preparing to stop my gabapentin meds tonight that I’m having PTSD symptoms. Never thought coming off a doctor prescribed medication would cause me to have PTSD. I wasn’t told anything by my doctor when he put me on it either. So great you were able to get away from that drug. How are you and your kids now? Terrible your family wasn’t there for you. I don’t think I could have made it without my wife by my side the whole time.
@@Speedbagthrasher Hey, just to tell you the short of my story, your 30 days was my 1.5 years. The dizziness started going away when the sun went down after about 9 months, so the dizziness lasted through my pregnancy that was already conceived and was about 1.5 years. As I was weaning off, I miscarried my first baby, alone with no doctor visit. My only child at that time had just turned 5 when I miscarried. Just Ias I was finishing counting grains to finish weaning myself off, I got pregnant again just a few months after the miscarriage. My parents were not hearing my words and trashed me as a bad parent. Then my new boyfriend at the time thought I was just turning lazy and was a gold digger. The whole thing just got worse from there. About 4 years ago my mental status finally started being able to heal. The depression has been horrible and I wanted to end my life so many times. Until recently, in the last couple of years. The love I have for my kids helped me through it and now I see God was there too and I've come to be able to forgive everyone and see a better way of living. But people are just now starting to hear me. I'm a total natural medicine believer now and see nature as our intended source. I'm 20 years behind schedule in life, but wanting to make up for it or make it good as best I can. It's a blessing to be able to heal with hearing your story as well. Yours is the closest to mine that I've found without it being a suicide. I'm so sorry you've gone through this as well. Maybe speaking to each other can help our PTSD from these pharmaceuticals. Thank you for being brave enough to post your story and experience.
I’m easy to get ahold of. 903-738-1312 is my number and thethrasherhouse@gmail.com is my email. I’m always here to talk. I see the text much faster than email lol.
@@mistyphashay that’s a lot to go through!! Hate that you had to do most of that alone. Most people have no idea what it’s like fighting your way back to a normal mindset after going through that. So very happy you survived it, unfortunately a lot of people like my dad didn’t make it.
You can do this!
I was on Venlafaxin 1.5 year, Had no issue during withdrawal, u need to decrease dose very carefully and gradually. It took 2-3 months for me to completely stop it. Yes, I had brain zaps for 2-3 days after but it was tolerable for sure.
Dam brother.... glad to see you finding your way. See you at ylthe gathering.
Thank you very much Scott!! It’s been a long time since the part of my life but I still have demons that I have to chase away. As we all do, thank you for listening!
I’m starting my detox and scared shitless. Why would they prescribe a drug like this to anyone?!?!??? I need to shake my rock and purpose in life. God bless
You’re going to beat this!! How many milligrams were you on, how did you taper down? How long have you been taking it?
I'm back again for an update. I went cold turkey on December 2 2023. 102 days and counting.
I'm more clear-headed but still suffer from really bad days where I just can't go anywhere. My anxiety just peaks something wicked.
The suicidal thoughts are still there, especially when I see my partner suffering because of this. Most days, I feel like a waste of space. However, I am getting better slowly. Stay strong friends no matter what. Seek help and don't hold back the tears. Let them flow. Holding back the tears is like removing the brake pads from your car. ❤ ✌️ 🙌
I’m glad to see you made it to 102 days. This stuff is crazy tough to shake. Each day gets a fraction better. I know right now it’s still tough, you got this!!
For the other people that are going to read this I have questions and suggestions.
How long has you been taking Effexor, how many mg were your doses, and had you tapered down at all before going cold turkey?
I have said this quite a few times and posted a video about this as well. I don’t ever recommend anyone going cold turkey off this drug. It is extremely dangerous and the affects can last a very long time. I truly feel a tapering schedule is much safer and much easier on the body. I went off Effexor cold turkey as well. Had I known about how to safely taper off it there is no way I would have willingly done so. I didn’t know about the method of splitting the capsules open and counting the bbs back then.
I have learned a lot more about why this drug in particular is so hard to come off. I’m going to attach a link in this comment that explains how the chemistry of this drug affects our brains in such a negative way when we come off it.
From the bottom of my heart I can sympathize with every emotion you’re fighting through right now. Some days it feels like you can’t make it another 30 seconds much less the rest of the day. You got this!! I truly hate the pharmaceutical companies for ever making such a horrible drug and all the doctors that are incentivized to prescribe it so willingly. I’ve heard it has been banned in Europe. That’s awesome!! It should be banned everywhere!! When it is they need to slowly taper everyone off it so the world doesn’t go into total chaos. Any more than it already is. Please check back in and let me know how you’re doing. 102 days is amazing!! Most people can’t make it 2 days coming off cold turkey.
Here is that video
th-cam.com/video/2GLpsW_-a4E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wZcGFePnJrJ6FOH1
I was on Effexor for roughly six years. I was on 300mg a day. I tried tapering off but failed. I decided to just be done with them, and the only way for me was to flush them and face the hell head on. I'm not in any way suggesting that anyone follow suit. I am not a Dr, and I did this against all medical advice.
The worst of the pain lasted around three weeks. I was put on suicide watch. I currently take cannabis for the really hard days.
Whatever method you should choose, believe me, there are better days ahead.
Prayers sent out to all who are struggling.
@@distortedreality3116 I was reading that Effexor is the hardest antidepressant to come off of. Crazy how they put us on a drug to help anxiety that when no Ming off it is 10 times worse than I was when they put me on it.
A lot of people can barely make it a few days coming off cold turkey. Did you watch that video I included in my last reply. Some great info in that one.
What method of tapering did you try? I have seen a lot of doctors do tapering that is way to aggressive. They don’t give the patient enough time to level off between reductions. If the decline is too steep they might as well go cold turkey like we did.
I have never recommended using another drug to help come off this but in that video I included I like how he talked about using Prozac to help come off it and only using Prozac for a very short period of time. Not keeping the patient on it for life like most people are once they get on Effexor. I too commonly see doctors prescribe Ativan or Xanax to help people get off this. Talk about insult to injury. That stuff is a horrible drug to put anyone on who suffers anxiety. It actually causes your anxiety to increase because your body grows tolerant to is so damn fast. Too many doctors are just throwing darts in the dark and handing out what gets them the best vacations.
I felt that you have been through some rough shyt ,and got through it - just something in the vibe you give off...thanks for sharing that buddy, I can relate. You definitely have a mutual friend ☝️,that much is obvious,lol. Much love Jeff Thrasher ☝️❤️👊
Thank you greatly my brother!!! I’m here anytime you ever need to talk! You have my number. I truly mean that. Much love and respect!!
Thank you 🙏🏻
Absolutely!! Let me know if I can help
Akathisia, akathisia, akathisia. Akathisia is that restlessness and agitation you feel. It’s not benign and is evidence of brain injury occurring. Pushing through withdrawal akathisia can cause an even bigger injury so do not let yourself stay uncomfortable for too long. Taper slowly. Count beads or file and weigh pills. Once you are hurt, akathisia can come back and usually does. Even after 20 years of no Effexor, so avoid medications after this if you experienced akathisia either acutely or while coming off. Mine erupted tardive months and months after stopping a benzo. The same thing can happen with an antidepressant.
I made a video recently that talks about the counting the beads to slowly taper off.
When I came off gabapentin too quickly I felt I immediately went back into Effexor detox again. I was extremely methodical about how I came off gabapentin.
I wish I new about the counting beads method when I came off them 20 years ago. It would have been much smoother. I’m sure that I damaged my brain during my withdrawal.
Thank you for sharing my friend.
Thank you so much for sharing bc I really going through the worst shit ever!!!
Hi Brenda, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through pure hell. Tell me your story. I would love to know why you went on this stuff to begin with, how many mg did you get up to and how did you taper off? Or did you cold turkey?
@@Speedbagthrasher I’ve been weaning myself off 150mg of Venlafaxine. I went to my doctor today and he wants to get me back to 150mg bc about 2 months ago I went down to 37.5 twice a day… 150. And he could see what I’m going through and wants me back up, and I’m confused… I’m a 73 yr old. I’ve been so many bad psych meds and wards for nothing bc ppl used my diagnosis, so called sorry I want to in it more. Not capable now
When i told my Doctor that Venlor was addictive he ridiculed me.The brain saps is intense!
The sad thing is these doctors are educated by the pharmaceutical sales rep. And doctors don’t like it when they aren’t the smartest person in the room. None of these doctors would prescribe this stuff if they had ever been through the withdrawals.
Are you doing ok?
I just tried quitting cold turkey last week. Did not go well at all.. i could push through the brain zaps but the absolute anger and rage I felt for everyone and everything was way too much. My phone screen is smashed to pieces, i destroyed things that were important to me, i hurt people close to me emotionally because of the things i said in anger, and I'd wake up in the middle of the night and catch myself talking and fighting in my sleep saying really violent things while kicking and punching.. I'm back on it for now until i can safely come off. Its impossible to hold down a job while going through effexor withdrawal
Call me!!! Seriously let’s talk!! I want you to know it’s ok and I am actually super happy you went back on them. There is a better way!! Reading this I realize how much trauma I still hold from enduring through what you just went through!! This stuff is no joke!! 903-738-1312 I can help make the next time you come off easier.
I have seizures and have been wanting off that shit for years. I would be terrified to try to go through withdrawals again knowing what my brain does when I have focal tonic seizures. I have always suspected Effexor/Venaflexane caused the seizures. Tried quitting it once and it’s the worst thing ever. You made a great inspirational video.
Thank you very much!! This drug is scary!! As more and more people comment about their experiences I am more blown away that it’s still being prescribed to people. Once it gets it’s talons sunk in it’s damn hard to get off it. I fully understand why you would be scared to go through withdrawals again. I don’t think I could have done it twice. Let me know if I can help in anyway. You definitely got me in your corner!
I am going thru this now and i feel just like you do at 11:00 when i blast my music and force myself to workout on nothing but caffeine and will power while feeling like i will collapse from the lightheadness and explode from the rage at the same time.
You can beat it!!! You have to think of every horrible feeling that you’re going through as a victory. Slowly the brain zaps will get less intense and little by little you’ll start coming out of the fog. I promise it will get better. You got this!!! Proud of you for fighting your way out!
@@Speedbagthrasher I actually never got brain zaps but got every other withdrawal symptom known to man. Did you feel like you had a mild case of the flu or a constant hang over type feeling thru the withdrawals? Did you notice the flu like symptoms would get worse after physical activity?
@@BigBadMF43 ohhh you’re lucky! Hard saying that with all the other side effects you go through but the brain zaps were horrific. Crazy thing is when I get really depleted even 20 years later I still have flashes of them. I definitely felt the flu symptoms. They lasted about a month to 6 weeks. They eventually started getting easier to deal with. The feeling of nausea and sea sickness was very intense at first.
@@Speedbagthrasher I have been dealing with this for years. i came off 300mg effexor and 3 other drugs taken together. how long did it take you to feel 100% or 99% recovered?
@@BigBadMF43 it took a year for the brain zaps and vertigo to go away. Smoking really strong weed helped with a lot of my nausea and anxiety. I came off Effexor in 2003 I stopped smoking weed in 2014. That was another nightmare in it’s self. I basically didn’t eat for a month. I still don’t sleep well, I can’t have THC because my job.
What other meds were you on? I was taking 350mg of Effexor and 100mg of Seroquel to sleep. I stayed on seroquel for months after I stopped Effexor just so I could sleep.
Just a big thank you for the video.
Thank you for taking the time to watch.
Are you doing ok? I imagine if you’re watching this video you might be going through the thick of it.
You just described it perfectly. It was pure hell for me. I've been on and off it. From 150 to 75 and then I tried cutting it off entirely, it was a bloody nightmare. Im back on 75 again but im planning to take it slow this time.. from 75 and then half of that.. This drug should be illegal.
I agree 1000%!! It’s amazing that weed is still not federally legal but all of these meds that will make you kill yourself are legal.
Are you meds the capsules with the pellets in them or solid pills?
@@Speedbagthrasher because politicians have been paid off by big Pharma, at the expense of regular citizens. its messed up as hell. i was on the solid pill initially, but now am on the capsule. have you gone off it entirely?
Most people talk about the withdrawals when coming off effexor/venlafaxine.
I had side effects while on that crap, some of which i still experience 4 years after coming of it. The withdrawals were friggin. ...i cant find words. Within a few months of being put on this poison i ended up in a psychiatric ward for 2 weeks. I had never been suicidal before.
I, like most, have permanent damage from that 'medication '
It blows my mind how doctors can get away with prescribing this poison. It’s killing people.
I'm coming off this now. luckily only got up to 75mg but your video encouraged to not go up to 150! I'm doing it real slow but im so dizzy its unreal, i cant look around at all and have major stiff neck. your raw honesty here in this video brought tears to my eyes man. respect to you. wishing you well x
The dizziness is so intense. When did that start for you? I didn’t get vertigo till I missed a dose or when I stopped all together. Is it making you dizzy all the time?
And thank you very much!! I hope you the best! If you need any help let me know.
@@Speedbagthrasher it came the first day of fully stopping. about 6 hours after missed dose and has stayed now for almost a week. moving my head really slowly to avoid it. valium is helping a bit. terrible drug!
i’ve been on 150 for 3yrs. Last month, started weekly ween off, from 115 to 75 to 37.5. just took my last 37.5 on saturday morning and having the worse feelings ever (brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, tingling). idek what to do anymore, it fucking sucks, been to the hospital three times in 2 months and it was for other issues (stomach and neurological). i’m glad i saw this video
Are you opposed to getting back on them and tapering down even more? I know it’s only been a few days but what you’re going through is just the beginning. You need to taper down to a lower dose before you stop. I was down to 25mg when I quit and it was horrible. I wish I would have known about counting the pellets inside the capsules. You need to get down to as low as absolutely possible before taking your last dose.
If you’re fully committed to not taking anymore I’m right here with you!! I know exactly what you’re going through. You can get past this I promise!! It’s a fucking nightmare but you can beat this. Please let me know if you need to talk.
Currently going through effexor withdrawal even though I am quitting effexor with medical supervision. Only on day 3 and it’s hard to not want to pop an effexor to get these feelings to go away. The constant dizziness and nausea allow is hard to handle.
What dose did you get down to before you stopped taking it? I know exactly how you feel. You have to think about every dizzy spell and nausea episode as a small victory. You have to tell yourself you’re winning!! 3 days of hell is completely worth it. You can beat this Keara, I’m serious, if you need to talk send me a text or call or email. I tell everyone this, I really mean it. You have support, even from a total stranger. 903-738-1312 or my email is Thethrasherhouse@gmail.com I’m always available. Just remember, it’s not one day at a time, it’s 30 seconds at a time. Great job on making it 3 days, 10 hours, 17 minutes, and 32 seconds off that mess. You’re winning!
right there with you, even doing it the proper way thru doctor supervision and dropping to the lowest dose.. now dealing with all that plus the brain zaps fatigue all that amazing stuff.. good luck!
@@blockay69 I’ve been off it for 20 years. I still have flashbacks of it. You can drop your dose lower by opening the capsules and counting the BBs. If there are 100 in each capsule drop down to 80 for a week, then 70 for a week, then 50…. I’ve know people now who went all the way down to 2 BBs a day then were able to quit without the nightmares you’re going through right now. Your doctor won’t tell you to do what I just did. You have to remember, doctors were the ones who put you on this stuff. Don’t don’t always know what’s best for their patients. I’ve learned this the hard way too many times now. If you watch my gabapentin withdrawal video I talk about how I was opening my capsules and weighing them. They are powder where Effexor is small pellets in the capsule. I wish like hell I knew about that method when I stopped.
I want to get off this sooo badly . I've tried a half dozen times over the years.😢😢😢it was a good thing I own a gun. I'm not giving up though. I really don't think it can be done while holding a job. Sometimes I couldn't move off the couch for anything. I was about to commit to a psychiatric ward when family came out to help. I'm so happy for you and your success.
@@adminncre4923 thank you very much. This drug has some crazy side effects. It’s horrible but you can beat it!! It’s a commitment when you finally make that final jump. What’s the lowest you’ve tapered down to? I wonder if the tinnitus mental or physical. I remember my ear drums would flutter really. Suck a weird feeling.
You are absolutely amazing going through that and helping people like me ❤
Thank you so very much!! It was a real battle.
Are you doing ok?
Honestly I just opened your amazing video you are a god send I had a massive breakdown I don't remember a dawn thing for a year put on venlafaxine quetiapine diazepam and you just hope I many a thought of ending things and coped through self harming but I am slowly eliminating one by one first quetiapine then diazepam now venlafaxine you give me hope and strength and so does your beautiful partner people forget the partner pain what an absolute heart of gold you have and you deserve to be happy thank you
Thanks so much 😢❤
Are you doing ok?
great video! thank you!
You’re most welcome!! Thank you greatly for taking the time to watch them. Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Are you doing ok?
I listen to this video everyday. I completely understand effexor withdrawal hell.... Even being on another antidepressant now. I'm still having withdrawal. Brain zaps, brain fog, exhaustion (extreme) is pure hell. I find inspiration in you man... I keep praying it gets better 🙏. This is honestly HELL. A living hell. Im about 4 months off effexor... It's relentless. Once im feeling better im getting off pharmaceuticals all together. This has been HORRIBLE. Is there any way to talk to you about this? Im feeling severe exhaustion... Im about to throw in the towel. I just want to give up. If you get this message im wondering did you feel exhausted during your withdrawal? This is killing me
It’s like living in the back of your mind while someone trashes you body and there’s nothing you can do about it. You got this!! I will get better, this is just temporary, one day you’re going to wake up and the zaps will be mostly all gone. I’ve been off 20 years and when I get really depleted they come back for a minute. But in a day to day, I’m good now. You will be too! You got this!
@@Speedbagthrasher were you tired during withdrawals? I'm exhausted... My eyes always feel like they could close 😢
@@alyssamiller9329 I was tired all the time. Looking back on it I felt like I was constantly running in my mind and was flat out exhausted. I recorded that video in the same light that reminded me of how I felt back then, it was dark for me.
@@Speedbagthrasher thank you so much for replying. This just feels relentless
@@alyssamiller9329 you’ll get past it. It’s very draining to go through but you’ll be very happy you did.
"One day at a time" feels like a thousand days. Effexor ruined my life. It's a SSNI, so if you have high levels of ephernephrin or norepinephrine like me (unknown at the time), it will make you manic, and literally change your personality. I was attempting to detox while dealing with family hell. Made some of the worse decisions of my life during detox. Didn't have the support and still don't. Life is just hell, and then you die.
This is why I stress living 30 seconds at a time. One day at a time is too far away to see.
I wish doctors did better evaluation before putting people on any of these meds. My doctor telling me I have a chemical imbalance, ok, take some blood and looks see what imbalances I’m suffering from. They throw darts in the dark.
How are feeling. I’m sorry, I didn’t see this when you posted it. This stuff is rough! You got this!!
I've been going on and off this drug for years, every time i quit i say to myself never again! i swear it off forever, then life happens and about a year or two goes by i spiral back down into the depths of hell and i go back on it.
There is no way I could get back on that stuff. My experience was so bad coming off it I could never go through that again. Plus while I was on it I was completely numb. This stuff might bring some normalcy to some people lives, I’m just not one of them. It wrecked me for a long time. 20 years later still have flashbacks of being on it.
Thanks Jeff
You’re most welcome. Are you doing ok?
Thank you for sharing going thru it. This is hell. I'm determined to get off I'm at 50 two years from 300mg.
What method have you been using to taper down?
It truly is hell!! You will beat it too!! I know you will!
I myself have been off this drug now for 17 days after trying to come off of it for 4 years, and I can definitely say the first 3 days were the absolute scariest, the best way I can describe antidepressants especially this one, is when you take this drug you take on an emotional debt to get through some ruff shit or to grow as a person, problem is the longer and or both the bigger the dose the bigger the debt and a lot of times when it’s time to come off that drug and pay that debt back it’s simply to much for people and they pay with their life instead,
Hats off to you sir for getting through what I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
That’s an excellent way of putting it. You’re absolutely right. Two years was a lot of debt for me to pay at 300mg.
I’m so glad your making it though the storm. It’s extremely scary at times. Are you feeling ok or still on rocky ground? How are you doing with feeling emotions again?
Thank you for sharing and for watching. I truly hope this video helps people know you can beat this drug.
@@Speedbagthrasher i actually do take it day by day but I’m also on the high functioning side of the spectrum so my brain might be wired in a different way, so far it’s just been a lot of what feels normal and just taking it day by day, I plan on talking to a therapist after work hauling ammonia to farms slows down, biggest thing I can say for people is try try again, and NEVER under any circumstances try detoxing alone. Cheers from the Canada 🇨🇦
@@jordanmackinnon3877 I say the very same thing, you should let lots of people know you’re going to detox off this stuff. It can get down right ugly.
I’ve only read of one other person that cut their Effexor open an counted the pellets. I recently did that with gabapentin so I could have a smooth detox. It worked well. It seems everyone I’ve talked to on here goes from 37.5 to 0 and it’s extremely difficult for them. If I had it to do over again I would be counting pellets to come off a much lower dose. The doctors don’t realize how hard it can be dropping from that dose. I can’t imagine any doctor out there prescribing Effexor to patients if they had ever gone through the detox themselves. Hello from Deep South Texas!
I'm begging my dr too get me off this now cuz I'm just rage on it but no legal weed so no rush untill I can get the f out of terrible texas this place is shit for withdrawal big x big x I got another diagnosis here from withdrawal f these Dr's.
I’m on day three right now. Seeing someone else going through what I’m feeling so early on in the process and the fact that they got through this is giving me hope. Hope I can get myself off this drug. Thank you.
You’re not alone in this!! You can definitely make it off this demon they have put inside your body. How many mg were you on and for how long? How many mg was your last dose?
I have been exactly where you are right now and I am 100% proof you can beat this!! You have to think of every horrible withdrawal feeling as a victory. You have to turn all of you horrible feelings inside to feelings of strength. Remember, you don’t beat this one day at a time, it’s 30 seconds at a time. Eventually you’ll make your way up to a minute, you got this!! Let me know if you need to talk. You’re a bad ass and you’re stronger than that pill!
@@Speedbagthrasher I was on 75mg only for around two years and a few months, I did no tapering because I quite frankly didn’t have the time to feel this way anymore, my last dose was 75mg, I was okay for the first day, but I’m now on day three and with little to no sleep and constant brain zaps am struggling, but I’m determined to beat this!
@@xo_barbs that’s a strong drop off. I know you’re very anxious to get off that drug. If I had it to do over again I would have tapered down to a much lower dose. The lowest dose I think they offer now is 37.5mg. When you get down to that then you open the capsules and count he BBs and say there are 100 in there you remove 10 bbs a day for a week, then 20 bbs the next week till you’re down to just a few.
I just saying from the nightmare I went through that’s 100% what I would do if I had to go through that again. It’s what I did when I came off gabapentin recently. It made a huge difference in how long I detox but also gabapentin is a walk in the park compared to Effexor. Effexor is a SRNI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor)
Please don’t let what I’m saying discourage you from your determination. Beating Effexor takes a battle plan. Does anyone know that you’re doing this? Family, friends, spouse, coworkers, kids?
Prepare yourself for a fight of your life. The first 30 days I came off that stuff was the most grueling and torturous days of my life. I feel being honest with people is best. It’s like getting a tattoo, you tell a friend “oh it’s not that bad, doesn’t hurt at all” and they think it’s the worst pain they’ve endured because you said it wouldn’t hurt. But tell you friend it’s the most painful thing they’ll go though and it doesn’t seem that bad. Well, I’m telling you now this is the worst thing you’re going to go through, and you can survive it. You just need to be ready for the fight. Again, let me know if you need to talk. Share my video with friends and family so they know what you’re going through is real. Most people have no clue what you’re experiencing.
@@Speedbagthrasher I have a few friends that know what I’m doing, no family, and all of my friends are online. They are checking in with me periodically to see how I am doing, I don’t feel so alone even though it is not in person. At the minute it’s like a constant pressure on the front of my forehead along with brain zaps and dizziness.
You’re correct, I was super anxious to come off them but I know this is the best thing for me. It’s almost like my brain is telling me I am exhausted and should sleep, yet I lie in bed until the sun has come out at 7am, and am only able to sleep then for a few hours. It’s like my brain knows I am exhausted but I am also too anxious to sleep, as I know these affects are going to get worse when I wake up the next day. But I’m determined to stick this out and battle through as I want a better quality of life. I’m actually going to send your video to the people who are checking up on me, because at the minute they’re asking the basics - how are you, have you eaten, are you drinking water. Rather than, how is your mental state? Have you had any intrusive thoughts?
I’m only 23, but I’m determined to get off this hellish drug that has made the last few years of my adult life miserable.
@@xo_barbs I was 23 when I was out on them, I turned 26 the month I came off them. You’re almost at day 4. There are some good teas that you can drink to help you sleep. When I was coming off Effexor I was taking Seroquel to help me sleep. I was taking that before I stopped the Effexor. I didn’t sleep much back then. After my fathers suicide I had horrible nightmares for years. They finally started to fade away. The Seroquel made me sleep for 8 hours. It’s actually a drug for schizophrenics, it makes normal people sleepy. Problem is when you take that stuff. You still dream like crazy but your body doesn’t go into a paralyzed state so you act out your dreams in bed while you’re asleep.
The dizziness is unreal, tue brain zaps are insane, it’s completely uncontrollable and the bad part is as you grow more tired they get worse. What kind of job do you have? Are you able to work right now? Why were you originally put on it? If you don’t mind me asking. If you don’t want to answer publicly you can message me by email me at thethrasherhouse@gmail.com DM me on Instagram @speedbagthrasher (I coach people on the speed bag, it’s actually extremely good for depression) or text me 903-738-1312.
I don’t know if I would have made it without the help of my wife. I was really messed up in a lot of ways back then. I was suicidal when they put me on that drug and they knew I was. Why put me on a drug that when you come off it makes you want to kill yourself.
How are your thoughts doing? I really mean that. It can be very scary being locked inside a prison in your own body. That’s how I felt. I had to keep telling myself over and over “you got this! You’re a bad mother fucker! You can beat anything”
You’re going to do the same thing. Positive reaffirmation is critical. And when you have the dark thoughts you need to talk to people about them. Stay away from alcohol!!! It’s the worst thing you can do while going through this.