Finally Stopping Effexor | 1 Year and 10 Months of Depression Treatment

Medication Dosage

Effexor discontinuation (37.5mg → 0mg) Discontinuation start!
Keep the dosage of the sleeping pill Dayvigo (10mg) + Nitrazepam (5mg) *for as-needed use

Number of Consultations and Counseling Sessions

Consultation (27th → 28th)
Counseling (23rd → 24th)

Start of Effexor Discontinuation

During my consultation with the doctor, it was finally decided to officially start discontinuing Effexor.

I realized that 1 year and 10 months have passed since I started taking Effexor, and it's a strange feeling that feels both long and short. I've made so many decisions to reach this moment, so I feel various emotions welling up.

Relentless Withdrawal Symptoms

A few hours after starting the discontinuation, withdrawal symptoms attacked me relentlessly.

That sensation of my autonomic nervous system starting to go haywire began to dominate my entire body. The electric shock-like sensations known as "brain zaps" occur constantly, and the intense tinnitus keeps getting stronger. My thoughts are scattered, making it difficult to concentrate on things, my senses are hypersensitive, my forehead feels heavy and dull, and I can't stop sweating. It was as if every neural circuit was connected in every direction, and conflicting versions of myself were continuing to expand across time and space.

The Impact on Daily Life is Severe

My performance in daily life has also dropped significantly. I had built an AI for this moment, so I'm able to work normally, but the impact on my short-term memory is noticeable; it takes time to recall the names of things, my thoughts don't come together, and I can't process tasks in parallel, so it's tough. I'm really glad I decided in advance and prepared by thinking, "In times like this, I'll use this AI in this way."

Harder Than Expected

I had withdrawal symptoms every time I reduced the dosage, so I was somewhat prepared for it. But the withdrawal symptoms from stopping completely are seriously tough. My sleep has been completely disrupted, the quality of my sleep is falling apart, I have terrible middle-of-the-night awakenings, and I can't sleep for long, which is the worst. Even taking Nitrazepam doesn't improve it at all, which is so unexpected that it makes it even harder.

Discovered Temporary Measures

The withdrawal symptoms are so severe that I'm just incredibly uncomfortable. My autonomic nervous system is so disrupted that I'm unstable in every direction, both from the outside and inside of my body.

In the midst of this, I noticed that after pushing my body to the limit with CrossFit, I was temporarily freed from my physical body and didn't feel any withdrawal symptoms at all. That felt good and comfortable, so I increased the number of CrossFit sessions. I'm happy to be freed from the brain zaps and tinnitus.

Also, when I had acupuncture, I was temporarily freed from the withdrawal symptoms. I'm increasing the frequency of that as well. My scattered thoughts are gradually converging.

From Here On, It's a Test of Physical Strength

From here on, it's a test of physical strength. I wonder how fast my brain and body will get used to a state without Effexor.

Previous story

Next story

Sharing my experience with depression treatment through videos

Would you like to think about mental health together?