justAna posted a comprehensive list of SSRI side/withdrawal effects that can be found on TheEffexorActivist.org. And it's freaking crazy. I've bolded the ones that I've experienced. (I've been pretty lucky, though.) Here we go:
1. Crying spells
2. Worsened mood
3. Low energy (fatigue, lethargy, malaise)
4. Trouble concentrating
5. Insomnia or trouble sleeping
6. Change in appetite
7. Suicidal thoughts
8. Suicide attempts
9. Anxious, nervous, tense
10. Panic attacks (racing heart, breathless)
11. Chest pain
12. Trembling, jittery,or shaking
13. Irritability
14. Agitation (restlessness, hyperactivity)
15. Impulsivity
16. Aggressiveness
17. Self-harm
18. Homicidal thoughts or urges
19. Confusion or cognitive difficulties
20. Memory problems or forgetfulness
21. Elevated mood (feeling high)
22. Mood swings
23. Manic-like reactions
24. Auditory hallucinations
25. Visual hallucinations
26. Feeling detached or unreal
27. Excessive or intense dreaming
28. Nightmares
29. Flu-like aches and pains
30. Fever
31. Sweats
32. Chills
33. Runny nose
34. Sore eyes
35. Nausea
36. Vomiting
37. Diarrhea
38. Abdominal pain or cramps
39. Stomach bloating
40. Disequilibrium
41. Spinning, swaying, lightheaded
42. Hung over or waterlogged feeling
43. Unsteady gait, poor coordination
44. Motion sickness
45. Headache
46. Tremor
47. Numbness, burning, or tingling
48. Electric zap-like sensations in the brain
49. Electric shock-like sensations in the body
50. Abnormal visual sensations
51. Ringing or other noises in the ears
52. Abnormal smells or tastes
53. Drooling or excessive saliva
54. Slurred speech
55. Blurred vision
56. Muscle cramps, stiffness, twitches
57. Feeling of restless legs
58. Uncontrollable twitching of mouth
I've also gotten rashes coming off of Effexor. I was also on Lamictal as well so I don't think it's common. Ana puts it best when she says:
Hoo boy, it sure doesn't.
I’ve spent 19 months tapering 225 mg Effexor.
It was hell.
I forgot to bold the symptoms. They are not very different from yours.
The sad is that after three months off I was feeling many symptoms that made living impossible.
I went back to 150 mg.
The problem is:
when I’ve reached 37,5 mg I felt more and more symptoms. I thought that reaching the end would be easier.
NO! For some people it’s the opposite.
I had to stay on 37,5 mg for more time.
I’m just saying it so that other people know about it.
Of course the psychiatrist told me I was… depressed.
I never have been diagnosed depressed and took the first antidepressant – Tofranil – because I’ve searched for help to withdraw Klonopin.
Side effects started being diagnosed as diseases by other psychiatrists.
I’ve spent 19 months tapering 225 mg Effexor.
It was hell.
I forgot to bold the symptoms. They are not very different from yours.
The sad is that after three months off I was feeling many symptoms that made living impossible.
I went back to 150 mg.
The problem is:
when I’ve reached 37,5 mg I felt more and more symptoms. I thought that reaching the end would be easier.
NO! For some people it’s the opposite.
I had to stay on 37,5 mg for more time.
I’m just saying it so that other people know about it.
Of course the psychiatrist told me I was… depressed.
I never have been diagnosed depressed and took the first antidepressant – Tofranil – because I’ve searched for help to withdraw Klonopin.
Side effects started being diagnosed as diseases by other psychiatrists.
Sorry!
I thought it didn’t appeared.
i am suffering from the same problem!!! actually i have been taking medication for depression but for the past three months i have been feeling all these symptoms. the main one among them is urealistic vision!! don’t know how!!!