4 Months Off Effexor | 2 Years and 1 Month of Depression Treatment

Medication Dosage

Effexor (0mg)
Sleeping pills: Dayvigo (10mg) + Lunesta (3mg → 2mg)

Number of Consultations/Counseling Sessions

Consultation (30th → 31st)
Counseling (26th) *No counseling due to scheduling conflicts

Withdrawal Symptoms Have Stabilized

Withdrawal symptoms have finally stabilized overall. The discomfort has decreased, and I am beginning to grasp the same positive feeling I had when I successfully reduced my medication—the sense that 'my body will gradually get used to this and things will get easier'—even now that I am off the medication entirely.

I think whether or not you can hold onto this feeling makes a huge difference.

Also, since my sleep was stable last month, I consulted with my doctor and reduced my Lunesta to 2mg. This is also a big change.

I might be starting to get the feeling that I can see the end of this treatment.

Remaining Withdrawal Symptoms

• Tinnitus: No change from last month

• Brain zaps (sensation of electricity running through the head): Decreasing

• Thoughts flooding in: Decreasing

• Heaviness in the forehead and neck: Decreasing

• Autonomic nervous system imbalance: Decreasing

Except for the tinnitus, withdrawal symptoms have decreased compared to last month. Daily life has become much easier to manage.

As for the tinnitus, I can hear it the moment I wake up in the morning, and it is still quite loud. It bothers me when I try to sleep, but I feel like it doesn't bother me as much during the day otherwise.

My autonomic nervous system is still imbalanced, but I might not be feeling the discomfort as much as before.

The Close Relationship Between Sleep and Brain Function

Whether I can concentrate on something or whether my brain is functioning has clearly become heavily dependent on the quality of my sleep.

• Days I slept well: "I could focus," "My brain is working"

• Days I didn't sleep well: "My brain isn't working"

Being able to feel these changes so clearly is proof that my body and brain are recovering.

Impact of Lunesta dose reduction and sleep adjustment

Immediately after starting the dose reduction, as expected, I experienced more mid-sleep awakenings and had difficulty getting deep sleep. However, this time I was able to get consolidated sleep in about a week. The speed at which my body and brain are getting used to the dose reduction is increasing. It feels good.

Also, I had the following symptoms, which I believe are due to the dose reduction or withdrawal symptoms from stopping Effexor.

• Many days I wake up with a headache

• Disruption in body temperature regulation (waking up due to fever in the middle of the night)

• Intense hunger (went out to buy sweets in the middle of the night several times)

The method of switching to Nitrazepam to temporarily secure sleep on the day after I couldn't sleep well for two or more days with the combination of Dayvigo and Lunesta has started to work well. During the past three months since I started stopping Effexor, this adjustment method didn't work well, which was surprising and tough, but I'm happy that I've finally started to be able to balance it well. I might be feeling a sense of relief because the number of adjustment methods has increased.

Improvement in sexual dysfunction

Although there are fluctuations depending on the day, sexual dysfunction might be improving to some extent. The libido that I had stopped feeling entirely is also starting to be felt in moments little by little. I think this is proof that various functions of my body are recovering smoothly.

CrossFit and strength training are ongoing

I'm exhausted and feel like throwing up every time, but that feeling of being temporarily freed from withdrawal symptoms after exercise is irresistible.

I can't do most of the exercises and still can't handle much weight, but seeing progress little by little might be the motivation for continuing.

Lessons from antibiotic treatment and health management

The wound I got last month became infected and wouldn't heal, so I visited an orthopedic surgeon and found out that the condition was worse than expected. I ended up having to take antibiotics and receive IV treatment for about three weeks.

I realized once again the importance of physical condition management and health management. I have to be careful about injuries.

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