Hi SOE,

I seem to be doing quite well since finally completely dropping Cipramil last Thursday, however, I am experiencing a lot of headache. My neck aches and my brain feels like it's inflamed or something. Nothing serious but it's annoying. Lots of head fog too.

Did you experience a lot of tension-type headaches etc after you dumped Efexor? How long did your head feel abnormal? I realise these are early days for me. It's only 6 days without any Cip flowing in my veins.

Thanks ... Scott

Hi Scott,

I think it's normal. Your brain and body has to adjust to being without the med. Have you tried the Benedryl? I think it might be helpful to you during this period. Get as much rest as you can right now and avoid caffeine and sugar as much as possible. You have to think about being extra gentle to your body.

I used to have a lot of headaches while on the meds, and I had them throughout my tapering process, but they did grow less and less and now it is rare for me to get a headache at all.

Let me know if you've tried the Benedryl.

SOE

Thanks SOE,

I've never tried Benedryl. Not sure if it's available in Australia or not – probably under a differnet name. I'll have a look for it.

Interesting what you said; my headaches have also been so much more frequent while on Cip. I hardly got any before. Glad you're pretty much free of them ... gives me hope!

Best ... Scott :cool:

Hi Scott,

Here is some more information I found that may help you find the Benadryl.

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (trade name Benadryl as produced by Johnson & Johnson, or Dimedrol outside the U.S. & Canada. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine. It may also be used for the treatment of extrapyramidal side effects of typical antipsychotics. It is a member of the ethanolamine class of antihistaminergic agents.

It helped me a lot when I was coming off the Effexor. It helped with the vertigo and flu-like symptoms, achiness, etc. I have read that other people have been helped by it as well. I think it's worth a try if you can find it.

Let me know how you are doing.

SOE

Thanks SOE,

I had a great day yesterday with very little headache issues and very upbeat mood. Today, however, the headache and flu-like symptoms are back. I'll have a look for the Benedryl after work – late night shopping day.

Best ... Scott :cool:

Hi SOE,

Well the you know what has really hit the fan this week. It's week 2 without Cipramil and I'm really struggling. Dizzy, anxious and low here and there throughout the day. It's really hard to take this. Did you have this sort of madness going on at around week 2? I feel derealised too today. Really nasty.

I'm hoping this is all part of the process and will stop soon once my brain adjusts to life without Cipramil - that is if I can stand this. I'm taking a low dose valium to take the edge off the dizziness but have to be careful with that stuff.

Thanks ... a very disorientated Scott :dizzy:

ps I work on a computer all day which is not helping!

Hi Scott,

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I do think it's normal. I don't know if you maybe tapered too fast or if you are just super sensitive to this stuff like me. (I also work at a computer all day -- not easy to focus when you don't feel well.)

Were you able to find the Benadryl (Dimedrol)? Because I really think it would help you through this period. Althought it's just an over the counter medication, it has helped many, many people through these withdrawals.

Another thing to look into is Compazine (Stemetil) -- but that needs a script. It's for nausea -- but one of it's side effects is that it can help with anxiety. One of the only positive side effects I have seen in a drug.

My anxiety went through the roof when I finished tapering off the meds. I didn't realize it was anxiety -- and wound up in the hospital because I couldn't breathe.

I know how challenging this is. Your body is going through a lot of changes and over time your brain receptors will start to heal themselves, but right now your body is trying to figure out what's normal.

Getting off antidepressants is not for the faint of heart, as you already know.

I'm here for you.

SOE

Thanks SOE ... really appreaciate it. Another reason that this is so tough is because I suffered a vestibular injury from a viral infection 4 years ago - the very reason I ended up on an SSRI to begin with. This means the dizziness can really go crazy quite easily.

I really have my work cut out for me. SSRI withdrawal plus a wound up inner ear with these new changes.

I really will hunt down that Benedryl today and give it a go.

Not for the faint of heart is the understatement of the year! :jester:

The good news is that my sleep is unaffected - perhaps because of the St John's Wort I'm using to ease through this nightmare.

No doubt we'll chat again soon.

Best to you ... Scott :cool:

Hi Scott,

Just checking in... how are you?


SOE

Hi SOE,

I've just had a really tough week. I feel fine but unfortunately the migraine dizziness I was treating has gone crazy again. So far the St John's Wort has given me lots of stabilty to handle the dizziness on the emotional front. In the meantime I will likely need to find another med aimed at the migraine part of this - a non SSRI.

But guess which SSRI is the best one on the market for migrainous vertigo? Effexor, you're favourite. I'll probably try something like nortriptyline before I go down that road again.

I was also wondering if this whole condition could be at a peak because I'm at 3 weeks without the SSRI. My brain chemistry might still be right out of whack. Were you still feeling pretty bad at around the week mark once you were toally free of Effexor?

Thanks for asking about me!

Best ... Scott :cool:

Hi Scott,

I wouldn't be surprised if your condition is worsening because you are now off of everything. I was attacked with major anxiety after I got off the Effexor.

When I got off of Paxil, I had severe vertigo and nausea that got worse before it got better. I was missing work because just looking side to side made me dizzy. Back then I didn't know anything about withdrawal or the effects of this stuff, and my doctor was no hep at all.

It took me a long time to feel better after I got off the meds. But since it took me so long to taper off, I do think I may be more sensitive than other people and I don't want to discourage you.

On a positive note, once you get through this initial part, I think you will continue to feel better over time.

I'm surprised that Effexor is a treatment for migraines... considering it gave me headaches...

Did you find the Benedryl -- or look into the Compazine?