I’ve been off for seven months. I have windows and waves that are total hell. My body convulses with somatic anxiety. I have intense body pain in my neck and my back. I don’t know if those are old Pain pathways or not. I started taking clonidine upon the doctors recommendation, but it doesn’t seem to touch the pain and despair. Know what to do.

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

Just so you are aware, I've moved your topic to the introductions and ongoing recoveries section, so that people can find it, talk to you and help you.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

Please use the format outline here Preferred signature/drug history format.

If you could add doses and when you started and stopped your drugs, that would be helpful.

I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

Body pains are a fairly common withdrawal symptom, I've spoken to others in the past who had them strongly in their neck.

Having windows is a good sign that your body is working on recovery. Could you describe these windows? Have you noticed a pattern with the windows and waves?

I see that your signature states that you have a marked sensitivity to medications since stopping effexor- what other medications have you been taking and reacted sensitively too?

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

Hi @JAN and welcome to the forum.

I am very sorry to hear you are having a rough time having stopped Effexor 7 months ago. This is very common when we stop a drug too quickly.

As Luke has requested can you give us some more information about doses and reductions and your taper etc.....

Chippy