[*Alex]

Hi, I want to ask about ssri's, I've read in previous posts that some people here suffer from "zaps" when tapering off them. I get the zaps too, especially when I turn my head. (you know what I mean.....hopefully) Anyway I have reached the full dosage of my my ssri ( Effexor 225mg ) and I now get the zaps if I miss just one dose, has this happened to anyone else? My doc says its ok.

I guess when the time comes to get off the meds its gonna be a very slow taper. Any veiws, comments....opinions even???

Thanks in advance

Alex

 

[dreamcatcher]

i havent come off meds yet....but i have heard that even missing one dose can give slight withdraw effects.....my gp said that when the time comes the dosage is lowered gradually to reduce ill effects

 

[g-funk]

If I miss a dose of my Effexor (175mg a day) - I go into immediate withdrawal - ie sweating and nightmares. But if I keep on missing it, it goes after a couple of days. Any withdrawal symtpoms appear to be the same as the 'going onto the drug' symptoms for me. No zaps in the head but definite jerkiness and kicking boyfriend in the shins amidst deep sleep.

 

[university girl]

Hey there Alex!

I got big time zaps when i was going off of paxil (got back on it), when i turned my head sideways. It's the shitss. :wink: Oh, and G-Funk, I just had a sleep study done and found I do some weird shit in my sleep too! This includes body jerks and leg kicking while in deep sleep. Specialist said it's likely from the SSRI.

your zapped out leg-kicking friend,
Uni-G

 

[g-funk]

Alex, maybe the zaps are at the higher dose? Perhaps when you get down to a lesser dose it will disappear...Since my last post I have stuck to the 75 dose a day just to see what happens at that half dose and the sweating has pretty much gone. The only other things I have noticed are less of a need to eat constantly though still having vivid dreams, all of a recurring nature. Also, I have noticed, since going on effexor, despite the lack of libido symptom, I have dreamt pretty much every night about, er, sex. Embarrassing but true. Can't complain...

I wasn't deliberately trying to come off the drug, but thought that if I could function at a lower dose, one that allowed me to only need 7 hours sleep a night as opposed to 12, then it would be better for me. 75mg is a 'homeopathic' dose according to one gp I saw. Not sure what to do at this point, I know full well that I am not cured and have a long way to go. Ive been on effexor for nearly 3 months and the gp said I should stay on it til at least April. Lately I have been in really good spirits, better than before my dp, I was a little down yesterday but today ok. Has anybody got any advice on where to go from here? Am I weaning off prematurely?

 

[g-funk]

Ok, actually missing a dose is no walk in the park. I keep forgetting to take my dose in the morning and then taking it when I remember at about 5pm. Mentally ok and dont get dp etc but I am sick and get pain in my stomach, about an hour after I take it. I also have more vivid dreams than I normally do, to the extent where I am totally aware I am dreaming, controlling what I dream about, then decide to wake up but just can't. VERY freaky...

Sweats have stopped and have just begun to remember how damn cold this country is in November...

Accessed a website to read up on Effexor, as I was unsure as to whether it was the effexor making me sick, as boyf has just had gastroenteritis, but its apparently very common, as are vivd dreams, when you take a dose after too long a wait. I HATE feeling sick, but as I write this it is slowly going away so it is worth it - nothing that doesnt make Effexor worthwhile..

Something which is quite interesting, I noticed whilst on this website I mentioned, whilst none of it has changed since I first read it a few months ago, the words I read had a different meaning to me. I remember the website being all doom and gloom, people saying that Effexor was terrible etc and that it wasn't worth it. This time round, I realised how screwed my perspective was a few months ago. It was like I sought the worst possible scenario and totally ignored the positives. Whilst people say it can be difficult to tolerate as a drug, ultimately it has done wonders for them. How could I have got such a different point of view before?!

Really, does anybody have any advice on how long you need to take SSRI's for? I know everyone's different, but I'm talking from a chemical point of view - how long before it is actually therapeutic. I still feel mentally quite well, it's just physically I'm a bit battered at the mo...

Also, good news for any girls on this drug - my bra size has practically doubled...maybe I have discovered a cheaper, more painfree alternative to breast enlargement?! :lol:

 

[dakotajo]

How can your doctor say that your "zaps" are ok. He certainly doesnt have the knowledge to make this statement. The withdrawal zaps are not even understood along with the drugs mechanism. Some people think they are mini seizures.

 

[*Alex]

Hey everyone

Thanks for replying, G - Funk i only feel really sick if i miss 3-4 doses the zaps are unbearable and i get physically sick (only did that once) I still think its weird to get them after missing just one dose. By the way I think you're b/f might let all those kicks in the shins slide........your breasts growing is by far the best ssri side effect i've ever heard of. I think I've been ripped off, no sex dreams for me and nothing has grown bigger either!!!

Uni-g my zapped out leg-kicking friend, I wouldn't worry about the leg kicking thing your ex probably deserved it

Joe, How can my doc say the zaps are ok? Well she just can, and I have no one else to go by....except for the people on this site. Not looking forward to coming off meds.