Hi Casey,

 

Hopefully you are under the care of your doctor. No online resource can be a replacement for your doctor's advice and care. Hopefully you are working with your doctor to come off of Effexor. You can read about Effexor here in the drugs database. Effexor is a medication that is not safe to discontinue unless you are under the care of a physician. According to the drugs database:

 

"It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, headache, numbness, tingling, nightmares) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug. To prevent withdrawal when stopping extended/regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

 

The side effects are listed here.

 

There are also some discussions between members here who discontinued using Effexor. You can read about member number 4363's experiences and the answers here. Cpate had a tough time with withdrawal as well. You can read Cpate's experience and the comments here. Heidi47 also had a lengthy experience with Effexor. You can read her comments here.

 

I hope this helps. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!

Vicki M

Casey,

 

I have been on and off Effexor for a few years. I taper down in the spring and start again in the fall. I have tried other anti-depressants but the Effexor seems to work the best for my seasonal depression. I am lucky to have only had minor withdrawal symptoms - slight headache, some of the "brain shiver" that others have described, and feeling a bit more tired. I have found that more exercise helps, which I am usually increasing in the summer anyway. Definitely follow your provider's instructions and contact him or her if you feel like you are withdrawing too quickly. Be careful of reading too many "withdrawal is hell" posts on the internet. I am sure the posters are being accurate, but that may not be your experience, and it is probably not a representative sample. (People generally don't post to report that all is well). I also try to remember that some of the symptoms may be from the depression that I am treating in the first place. Side effects from the Effexor and the withdrawal from it are annoying at times, but for me, the depression is hell. I will take the side effects over the depression any day.

I think if is different for everyone.  I was taking 375 mg of effexor and am now on 150 mg...I reduced this overnight and I would not recommend doing his.  You may expect headaches, brain zaps and extreme fatigue.  However I was unable to focus on my job and needed to lower my meds (I had been off work due to depression at the higher dose.)  It is generally recommended to wean off very gradually..I saw an actual dosage decline rate on an Effexor website.  If you are feeling better though with the drug, be happy that it works.  Nobody wants a diabetic to cut back on the insulin as soon as they feel a bit better.  It could be that you feel better due to the drugs.  GOOD LUCK..LORNA

Yws,tapering off is purr hell.

The first piece of advice I will give you is to see your doctor. You will need his/her assistance. I had been taking Effexor for about 8 years and I did not want to be tied to it any longer.  My physician advised me to taper off very, very slowly. 

 

Initially, I was prescribed 225 mg.  Each time I tapered off, I took 37.5 mg less.

 

My plan looked something like this:

First taper: 150 mg + 37.5 mg

Second taper: 150 mg

Third taper: 75 mg + 37.5 mg

Fourth taper: 37.5 mg

Fifth taper: 37.5 mg every other day...

I took my last pill about a week ago.

 

Each taper period, lasted for 2 or more months. I took the drug at the same time each day.  During this time I also took (and am still taking), a high-quality source of Omega-3 fatty acid in very large doses and B-Complex.  I drink lots of water and eat a very balanced diet and try to get fresh air and a walk every day. After I took my last pill I began a detox tea, an herbal nervine in the evening to aid with sleep and relaxation, and last but not least Bach Flower Remedies . . . I am also seeing a Master Herbalist/Naturopath for guidance.

 

Even after all of this I am still experiencing withdrawal, although not as badly as some of the cases I've read here and on other websites. I am experiencing electric shock-like sensations, mood swings, brain fog, anxiety, nausea, balance problems, etc. However, it is bearable and the severity lessens considerably every day.  

 

According to what I've been reading it can take weeks or even a few months to be free of symptoms.  But it's all worth it.  Just to be free of this drug is worth it...

 

 

I forgot this in my previous post . . . the other withdrawal symptom I've had is forgetfulness. The other thing to note is to make sure that you tell those around you that you are going off of these things, i.e., your spouse, close friends, children if they're old enough.  The moral support I received was astounding.  And please, please, do not go off of these things cold-turkey.

 

Take good care.   

 

 

yes i did go off effexor and yes it is horrible...i ended up in er and they game me shots of benadryl.....also a prescription for ativan to try to keep me calm....a pmd that i went to told me that effexor affects the brain the same way cocain does,,,,i ended up in bed for four weeks,,,,,and by the way,,,even 37 mgs is hard to get off...now for the upside of this .....you can do it but wean yourself down as slowly as possible...seek drs not a psychiatrist help......im sorry that you will be going thru some withdrawl but after that is over you will definetely feel better...

I can't begin to explain the discomfort and agitation I have experienced since coming off the Effexor.  My MD started titrating down the dose from 225, then to 150, then 75, and finally 37.5mg.  This happened over the courses of two months.  Today, I'm still dizzy.  My stomach almost always hurts, I have chronic diarrhea and my head kills me.  I would feel this if I missed a dose of the Effexor, but you'd think after tapering and finally stopping some two weeks ago that I'd feel better.  Worse yet: my MD never warned me about these side effects prior to starting me, nor titrating me off the meds.  I'm truly sympathetic to you! 

I had been on Effexor for many years and had tried to stop cold turkey due to the side effects I was experiencing(mainly no sex drive). After many attempts to stop cold turkey and experiencing the horrible side effects, I decided to try to taper off by taking a capsule every other day. Man, what a mistake! The dizziness was unbearable. So I decided to do some research on the internet and discovered that Effexor depletes the body of a major antioxidant called glutathione. I did more extensive research on glutathione and discovered that it is in fact a major antioxidant produced in the body. So I decided to see if glutathione was available in supplement form and it was! So I ordered a bottle of 250 mg capsules and started taking them while stopping the Effexor. Guess what? The side effects were minimal at best!!! It's been two weeks and I have had very minimal dizziness and slight headaches. Best of all, my sex drive is starting to return. I would definitely suggest to anyone trying to get off Effexor to give this a try. We all know our own bodies. My guess is if you suggested this to your doctor, he would tell you to continue to taper off, but from what I understand, this is a very lengthy and painful process. Good Luck to all!

i have -- twice -- both times were miserable.  what dose are you on? I always try to plan to have the next couple of days after a decrease free (so if i decrease on Friday, I want to be off Saturday and Sunda to be able to lay low).  the thing is, when its working you feel fine and like you don't need to be on it; then you get halfway through weaning off and realize you don't feel so good anymore -- you realze how much the higher dose was helping.  good luck!

The withdrawal is incredible horrible and can land you in the hospital.  I have been on 150 mgs for about 5 years and sometimes forget to refill on time.  In just 24 hours I have diarrhea, electrical like shocks in my brain and vision, sleep 14 hrs a day, foggy mind and anxiety attacks.  I have no desire to go off of them as they work wonderful for me with no side effects.  Make sure you get an Mds advice and care during this process if you decide to stop taking them.  It may save your life.

My husband is now Effexor free.  After we discovered the terrible withdrawal symptoms were exactly that instead of his truly needing the drug, we found a website that explained how to successfully get off of the drug.  He was taking 75mg extended release capsules.  The doctor said it was okay to try to get off of that drug.  Of course he recommended every other day, anyone who takes Effexor knows that doesn't work at all.  We started by dumping out half of the bb's from inside the capsule for two days.  That went very well, so we dumped a few more.  We didn't actually count the number we were removing, but kept it at about the same level for two days at a time.  Each time we lowered the amount of bb's, we never noticed anything.  However we were finally able to reduce it to only 20 bb's.  We were not able to reduce it by even one without side effects.  We told the doctor of our success, but that we were at a stopping place.  He said that the dose was so low that there was no reason to worry about changing drugs.  He prescribed 25mg of Zoloft.  There were no withdrawl symptoms at all.  After being on the Zoloft for a few weeks, his mood stabilizer was increased and we dropped the Zoloft with no side effects at all.  He is now antidepressant free!  Best of all, he is Effexor free!!!

Unfortunately I think I may still be having withdrawls after almost two weeks of stopping effexor.  I'm sure it didn't help that I stopped cold turkey and was taking both 150 of effexor and 150 of wellbutrin.  I continuously feel nauseous, feeling dizzy, having nightmares regularly, exhausted but can't sleep, bowl changes, and this will sound weird but I hear sounds when I blink my eyes and it also feels like it takes a second for my brain to catch up with my eye movement.  I work in the medical field and know better than to stop taking these medications abruptly and have seen the consequences of doing so first hand but did it anyways.  I know it was dumb.  I have a family history of depression and actually just delt with a death (suicide) of a cousin I was very close to all because of depression.  I guess I was just angry with the disease and wanted to prove that I didn't need any of the meds (and I really did just forget to take them for 2 days and figured what the hell, I'll give em up).  Not a good idea.  I feel much better on them but don't plan to take them anymore.

I have been on 225 mgs of Effexor xr for 7 years and wanted to come off of it for the last year.  I have chronic headaches and don't see that it has been helping them any, but that is why I was originally put on it to begin with.  My Neurologist seemed tothink that it would be okay for me to just take 75 mgs one week and then be done with it, but even I am not that stupid.  BTW, I am not very impressed with the medical community's lack of knowledge when it comes to drugs and their effects anyway.  I would listen to a pharmacist over a doctor any day of the week.  Doctors shouldn't be the ones writing prescriptions anyway.  They should diagnose and pharmacists should write prescriptions.  Back to the story, I have been trying to taper off of the Effexor for over a month and I almost died night before last because of the side effects, even though I am coming off of it extremely slowly......I am still only taking 150 mgs.  I hear my eyes move in my head (it sounds like a light sabre), extreme dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, can't keep food down but at the same time have gained weight, metal taste in my mouth, horrible night terrors and night sweats, sleep paralysis where the entire left side of my body went cold and numb and my breathing and heart beat was so shallow that I almost died, my chest has gone cold.  I realize these are extreme, but they are not to be balked at.   I also have seizures, so if you are also epileptic like I am, you should definitely watch what you let doctors prescribe to you.  They could kill you and not even know what the hell they have just done because they have no clue about medication whatsoever!!!!!!!  They medical laboratories, however, are a different story...they know what all of the side effects are, however miniscule, because they have been testing them for years on people and rats and animals!!!  They just don't inform the doctors or patients!!!

Oh yeah...vertigo, loss of balance like being on a rough seas boat, puking...and this is 7 days after lowering from 37.5mg to a little under 30 mg. Man oh man.

 

I'm now going slower, but feel tearful (is it biochemical or just frustration?), exhausted, no motivation, light-headed.

 

I appreciate the on-line support and information I'm finding. Please please post your experiences and info, too. Right now I'm a bit obsessed, maybe, but checking in every few hours. I recommend the loooong strand that is on abchomeopathy, with info from Mikemo (not that I am into homeopathy - but there are some excellent ideas.)

 

I'm trying everything that I know of to help. My big decision is whether to "give in" and take some of the Prozac liquid my doctor gave me to help withdraw. It sounds like it may be the only way for me to get off the Effexor without being in hospital, but I am terrified that I'll just wind up with more side effects.

 

Please, I'm desperate for advice and experience before I'll be brave enough to take it!

Hang in there. AnneT

PLEASE READ. An actual SUCCESS story!!

 

If you taper like you are told, you will experience some serious vertigo, and maybe a little nausea. After about day 4-5 you will feel much better. I took this stuff for about a year at 150mg, then at 75. Did the 75mg for the last month, every other day and just quit. I had read SO much creepy stuff on the internet that I was scared to do it! Could not find any success stories. My doc told me something that I want to share. What you find on the internet about med issuses is usually worst case scenarios. No one is interested in hearing a normal story or posting one for that matter. This is why I feel inclined to share a NORMAL story. Not to say that others don't experience the worst symptoms, but not all will. More than anything, the vertigo and brain shivers is all I experienced. It was more like drinking the night before and not going to sleep. Just foggy and a little slow for a few days. Try it over a weekend and by the 3rd or 4th day you will be a lot closer to normal. I feel GREAT. No more of that zoned out feeling. All in all, the effexor worked great for me, just felt it was no longer necessary and I was ready to get back to ME!

Oh my God yes! It was horrific! I vomited everday, all day. Couldn't even keep water down. The tingles finally went away and I had started to withdrawal form Effexor XR over a month ago. I still can't eat, especially not meat. I have lost my ability to eat. I am quite scared. I have lost almost 20lbs in on month. I have contracted a cellulitis infection because I am so weak. I found this site looking for info on what could be wrong and why I cant eat. Dont take Effexor XR. It is too dangerous!!!

Best med for chronic depression.  Worst depression med to come off of--period.  It's really like detoxing.  I recommend what another person posted--tell the people around you what is going on b/c you will act differently and probably feel sick--no question.

Do it under the watch of your doc.  

I had a hysterectomy September 11, 2006, and my hormones were not right at all. I got put on Effexor (75 mg) by my OBGYN for my anxiety, to take the edge off. Biggest mistake of my life!!! As like most of you I was never told about the withdraw. I have been on it about a year maybe more and I do not have health insurance, my mother-in-law was getting me samples but since she will be retireing I know I cannot afford it so I decided I was going to quit taking it. WOW!!! I can't do that. I feel dizzy, unbalanced, emotional, out of my body, drunk, have insomnia, when I do go to sleep I want to stay asleep for a long while, my eyes are cloudy, etc. I have 2 jobs so it's not like I can just stay home and get off of these. I started this Monday. Tuesday I didn't take one and by today, Wednesday, I felt bad so I had to take a 35 mg. I think the drug company should be responsible for helping anyone get off of these things. I quit smoking January 31, 2007 and I tell you what this is alot worse than quitting smoking. I never thought I would quit smoking but I did so I know I can kick this also but it's going to take a little longer than I expected. Also for Cheryl: you talked about loosing a lot of weight I have been on alot of websites doing my homework and on one website www.join-the-fun.com/effexor-withdrawal.html it said one of the withdrawal's was anorexia so be careful. I guess I will try the Omega next.

I was put on Lexapro several years ago for severe PMDD symptoms and anxiety issues.  It seemed to work well for quite a while but stopped working after about two years.  I was then put on Cymbalta.  That seemed to work but my insurance didn't cover it.  My doctor then put me on Effexor.  My husband and I didn't feel like it worked at all.  My doctor had briefly mentioned something about possible withdrawal symptoms.  This summer I got online to figure out how to get off this drug since it wasn't doing anything to relieve my symptoms.  I was on 150 mg from November through the end of July. 

 

I have been Effexor-free for about 1 1/2 weeks now.  That is how long it has taken me to taper off this horrible drug.  I had some mild vertigo and naseau but nothing compared to what I have read.  I went from 150 mg to 75 mg almost immediately.  I was so freaked out about all the horrible withdrawal symptoms that I wanted off of it quickly.  After that it was a slow process.  My husband and I opened up the pills and counted granules daily.  Every four days, I would take about ten fewer granules.  The last two weeks, I took about eight granules daily.

 

Since being off the Effexor, I have a lot more energy.  I am a teacher and mother of two active young elementary-aged children so I need all the energy I can get.  I have also started taking some natural supplements from a health food store to help stabilize my moods.  When I forget to take them, I can tell a difference.

 

I will never take another antidepressant as long as I live.  I get angry every time I think that my doctors treated my hormonal imbalance with antidepressants.  Since getting off the Effexor, I have been somewhat angry and depressed.  My husband and I both feel these are side effects from the withdrawal.  I try to be aware of things that set me off but don't always realize it until after the fact.  I will be very happy when my body can regulate itself again.

 

From everything I have read about Effexor withdrawal, everyone reacts differently.  It is really important to listen to your body.  One day when I was still taking about twenty granules, I forgot to take my Effexor at night.  I purposely didn't take it the next night and couldn't stand myself the next day.  I also got very dizzy and almost passed out at school.  I can be very impatient.  Be patient with yourself and your body. 

 

Good luck and God bless,

Nichole

I've been on and off just about every anti-depressant available and withdrawal from Effexor is literally a living hell.  I am afraid I am stuck on Effexor forever.  I accidentally made the mistake of thinking I could refill my Effexor within 24-48 hours and now know to never make that mistake again being on Effexor.  If I miss a dose 75 + 37.5 I have severe night sweats, nightmares, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, shakes, headache, fatigue, labile, foggy, confused I could on and on.  It's difficult to put into word it feels like being extremely drunk and extremely hung over at the exact same time.        

I was on Effexor was years, one of the side effects is excessive sweating and when you're already prone to sweating that makes it really hard to live with.  Also, my libido could not be any lower and may cause me my relationship so my doctor decided it was time for a change and put me on Pristqu.  I've never heard of it, but he assured me I should not experience any "mental" changes while switching the meds. RIGHT!!! The "brain pings" are driving me crazy, my blood pressure is elevated, I'm afraid to go to sleep because of the very vivid nightmares I experience that stay with me once I wake up.  I feel like I'm being treated like a guinea pig......"here take this and see how it does..." Did the doc even read the info on the Pristqu before prescribing it to me?  And get this, it's only been six day since I changed meds!

I've had to taper off of Effexor 3 times (for getting pregnant and also for switching meds). The first time I went off it I tapered down really slowly (like over a couple months) but it was annoying, but not horrible. I would experience mild dizziness (like when I turned my head, it took an instant for my view to catch up, if that makes sense). I would also get headaches, but minor headaches. Nothing severe, just a bit irritating. Then the second time I went off Effexor it was to switch to Prozac and as I tapered down the Effexor I ramped up the Prozac simultaneously and that really cured the withdrawal symptoms. So maybe ask your doctor about switching first to Prozac, which is easier to come off. Now I'm switching from Effexor to Cymbalta and I'm experiencing all the same dizziness. The doctor didn't recommend taking them simultaneously, but I do think starting on the new med immediately after the last Effexor pill is helping the withdrawal symptoms, but the symptoms are still there. It has been about 4 days and has maybe gotten a little better each day. But mild dizziness and a mild headache is about all I experience of Effexor withdrawal and it is annoying but not that big of a deal. I must also mention that during this change from Effexor to Cymbalta I've been having crying fits for the dumbest reasons. Not sure if that is withdrawal or hormones or just depression, but I do think it has gotten worse while switching meds.  Hope that helps put more info out there.

I'm at the tail end of the weaning off period of Effexor.  I'm in a living hell, I can't believe how terrible I feel right now.  One of the reasons why I decided to get off this drug, is for this very reason of side-effects.  I had read the good, bad, and ugly reports from people who had decided for various reasons to stop taking this drug.  Unfortunately my story is not a good one.  The side effects are terrible-blurred vision, diareha, mood swings, nausea, time-shifts, electric brain shocks, chills, fever, headache, foggy/forgetful, dizziness, accute sensitivity to everything from light to the clothes I'm wearing right now. 

I'm feeling so dissapointed that doctors flippantly put people already in a state of deppresion on this type of medication; and that they aren't educated on how severe the side effects can be. 

This vicious circle is for some I'm sure an impossible battle.  Right now I feel a tension of trying to be strong, not only mentally but physically; but also more weak than I've ever felt-even with a deppressive break down. 

I can't believe as a society that we would support pharmaceutical companies that would take advantage of people in this way.  I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory-but I truly believe they build these side-effects into their drugs so people will HAVE to continue taking the drugs ergo. . .money in their pockets.

 

I will get off this drug, but I can honestly say it's one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Honestly, you have to know yourself.  For me, I am going through withdrawl right now and it isn't plesant, but as every day goes by I feel better and better.  Most of the stuff you have read about withdrawl is true, there are the 'shivers' and the hot/cold sweats, fever, chills, tremors, etc., but trust me, it is totally worth it.  I never knew who I really was until I got off of this medication.  I think much more clearly and am way more productive.  Make sure that you are under the care of a physician because instead of quitting cold turkey they can ween you off of it.  Its much better that way because the withdrawl isn't as severe.  Its also good to talk to people who have gone through it.  Just make a commitment and you can do whatever you want to do.  Good luck but please consult a physician because people online, myself included, are not the sole source of medical advice

I've been weaning myself down over the last 2 months from 150 to my last dose which was 2 days ago of 37.5.  I'm on Day 2 of my withdrawal and as usual my digestive system has turned into the express route for anything I eat.  I also have "woo woo head", also known as brain zingers. Fortunately it's the long weekend here in America so I'm gonna lie low and ride it out.  I hate Effexxor with a passion.  The thought of being so addicted to a drug frightens me.  I take 12.5mg of Seroquel at night to help me sleep and to keep my anxiety low.  Good luck with your withdrawal and take care of yourself.

I can't believe that I found this website! I take 150mg daily, but I take it because of problems that I have with my MS. I have had the stomach flu and decided myself (how dumb) that it would be okay to stop my Effexor until I was sure that I felt better.  I have cried the entire day for no reason.  I feel like I have low blood sugar and I am going to faint. I have worried all day that I am having a flair of my MS because I am numb in different places.  This really scares me.

J.,

 

How many days did you skip your Effexor dose? If it was just one or even two MAYBE you can pick up again at your 150mg dosage. If it was longer, your doctor may want you to start lower and taper back up.

 

PLEASE call your doctor's office about this. If your doctor is out for the holiday weekend, your pharmacist may be able to give you some advice.

 

Some of us react that way to our meds. I take Effexor XR and missed a day because of extending a trip. I felt horrible and cried too.

 

Please take care of yourself!

Teri

April,

 

Please keep in mind that there's a HUGE difference between addiction and the dependence that can develop when we take a medication we need. You are not addicted to Effexor. Your body has become used to it regulating your serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

 

You discontinued with the help of your doctor, right? Be good to yourself through this process, and don't be afraid to call your doctor if you need more assistance.

 

Teri

I have been on effexor for 2 years and have been tapering off for the last 6 months.  I was on 112.5mg and then to 75mg and now 37.5.  Each time I lower the dose I do experience the brain shorts (as I call them), insomnia and diarrhea. I also feel some dizziness and feel kind of like I'm drunk.  Not fun! The brain shorts are the worst as I have them constantly for around 4-6 days during each taper. I have gone slowly: 2 months for each taper.  I have stabilized after about a week of the symptoms. 

 

I will cut the tab in half for the next taper and stay on that for 2 months and then off of effexor completely.  It is a great med for depression, but going off isn't fun.  I hope to be effexor free early in the new year. 

 

I reccomend tapering very slowly.  I did not know what the withdrawal symptoms would be until I began to read about it after being on effexor for over a year.

 

It hasn't been horrible, I think you can do it.  Be sure to stay in touch with your MD while going off of it.  Mine has been a great encouragement to me.

Casey,

 

One more thing.  The tablets I am on are 37.5, not the capsules with bb's.  Easy to cut in half to taper slowly.  They are a generic form of effexor and work just as well.  It will make the withdrawal easier for you. 

 

Hang in there!

hi all,

 

i decided a few months ago that after trying with effexor for a year, it was not a medication that was working for me. my doctor recommend tapering down from my 150 mg dose to 75 mg, and then down to the lowest dose, with a view to being entirely off effexor within a month.

 

i had noted the brain shivers (more like jolts/stabs), nausea, upset stomach, extreme tiredness and dizziness that were experienced whenever i had missed a dose previously, but i had never associated that with 'withdrawal' and certainly neither my doctor nor therapist had mentioned any sort of withdrawal that can be suffered by ceasing usage of this medication.

 

within the first few days of tapering down i went through the whole gamut of symptoms that have been mentioned by others previously. my doctor said that these reactions were to be expected in some people and pretty much belittled my symptoms and told me they would go away soon.

 

in the meantime all i felt like doing was sleeping in order to get away from the brain jolts and nausea. when i decided to have a look in the net and see how others had fared i was shocked at all of the blogs and resources that come up under effexor withdrawal. it was also scary because many people had suffered for some time with the symptoms.

 

regardless, i kept on with it and found that when i was active (mentally and physically) i didn't notice the symptoms so much. of course, the hard part is getting going in the first place, especially when you feel so awful some days. the symptoms ultimately faded out after 2-3 weeks post complete cessation of usage. apart from a handful of really difficult days, i have to say that it has been an ok process. for anyone reading this who wants to get off effexor but is afraid of the symptoms, i would say that the majority of anecdotal evidence you get off the internet will always be negative or extreme, because as many have noted before, you will only go to the trouble of writing a post or searching out these sorts of sites if you have an extreme experience (usually a negative one)

 

it was difficult at times, but ultimately do-able. good luck and all the best to anyone who is struggling with the disease and/or the drug.

 

charlotte 

 

 

I'm currently in withdrawal from Effexor.  I must admit, coming down from 3 37.5 mg tablets to 2 37.5 mg to 1 37.5 mg wasn't bad.  I went from 3 to 2 and stayed on 2 for about 3 weeks, then proceeded to only take 1 for 3 weeks. 

 

Now, I'm off.  And let me tell you, do not do so without informing close friends/family (i.e. spouse) that you are doing so.  The first 3 days were fine, mild headaches and slight nausea.  Then, I went into manic/depressive overload.  The smallest thing set me off to be angry (screaming at the top of my lungs angry), then when I calmed down I'd get so extremely sad and bawl my eyes out, then finally I'd just be sheerly exhausted.  My head feels like I have an extremely bad wine hangover.  My head is pounding, my eyes feel like they're on fire, when i move my head, it takes a few seconds for my vision to catch up, and then I can hear my blood pounding in my eyes.  Ever feel like you've concentrated so badly that you get sick (like motion sickness)?  yup, got that. 

 

My doctor and I are trying different types of things to completely get me ok, such as breaking the capsole and putting one pill in 100 cc's of gatorade, then only taking 90 cc's for a few days and lowing from there.  The other option is to put me on Prosac and get me off Effexor, then taper off of the Prosac. 

 

Talk to your doctor when you come off.  There are a ton of options to go over.  Don't be stubborn and drop them cold turkey.  That is a bad bad bad idea.  Just remember, you aren't "addicted" to the drug, this is just withdrawal.  I highly recommend having someone with you while you go through it, however.

Hi,

After reading all of the horror stories of withdrawal from Effexor I decided after just being on it a few months to go ahead and stop taking it. It did help my anxiety but left me feeling emotionless and like I didn't care about anything. My dosage was 75 mg. a day. I cut it down to 37.5 mg this week and the only side effects that I am noticing is a ringing in my ears. My doctor wants me to take 37.5mg for two weeks, then 37.5mg every other day for two weeks, and finally 37.5 mg every third day for one week and then I can stop completely. I just wanted to offer a little encouragement because most of what you read is so extreme and scary. I have been exercising and drinking plenty of water. So far so good. I hope it continous to be this easy. Good luck to all who discontinue this medication!

I haven't found on the search engine about trazodone helping with effexor withdrawal, however, today I personally found that when I was having the withdrawal symptoms, I took a trazodone so that I could sleep. However, not only did the trazodone help with the insomnia, but it took away all the side effects! I felt on top of the world. Trazodone itself has been proven by many studies to be an effective trycyclic antidepressant (ssri). I don't know if this is a rare occasion, but it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor about switching to trazodone for 1. Also, a little mj helps....a lot.

I have been tapering off Effexor for the past few weeks. I went from 150 mg to 75 to 37.5. I've been a little dizzy and naseous at times. Other than that just frustrated that the docs were so eager to prescribe this drug to me without explaining the side effects (weight gain no matter how much exercise!) and how it would feel to go off of it. My first dr said that I'd probably be on it for the rest of my life. I'm hoping the weight will come off and my mood will be stable once I'm off of this drug for good.

Hi i have been on effexor i started at 75 mg my doctor uped it to 150 and now has added another 75.mlg itried cutting down myselt and had very bad shakes could not concentrate terrible nightmares and extreme anger at everyone the side affects are no fun so if you want to quit please talk to your doctor about quitting slowly to prevent these side effects.

I experienced extreme withdrawals.  Huge head aches, vomit, brain zaps (these are the worst).

 

You can share your experience with it on knoweffexor.com

 

 

A withdrawal success...

I just wanted to let everyone know that is going through this that people do get through it and it will get better.  I know when I was researching what to expect, I was feeling very desolate by the fact that no one was saying when it would end, etc.  So here is my story:

On effexfor 37.5 for 2 years for panic attacks.  Had another attack after 2 years and doc upped it to 75, which I continued for another 2 years.  Finally had enough - headaches everyday, extreme lethargia, weigh gain.  Told my doc I wanted off, so we switched back to 37.5 and I did that for about 2 months.  Then I asked for a lower dosage and he gave me a 25mg pill to split in half since it was not extended release.  I took that for about 3 weeks and then stopped all together.  The withdrawal hit and it sucked as bad as everyone said it did.  Eyes couldn't keep up with my head, vertigo, dizzyness, crying.  This was on day one and two.  Started taking Omega 3, B-12 and Gingko after reading some success and I do believe that helped tremendously.  On day three I was vomiting all day.  Day 4, slight dizzyness.  I am now at the second week and I have a mild headache everyday, but that is it. 

I am back to the gym everyday, feel great, no longer feel like I can't move in the mornings.  I am so, so happy to be free of this drug.  I will NEVER go back on it and I hope you all will stick through it.  YOU WILL GET BETTER.  I strongly recommend a slow taper, down to 25mg and the Omega 3, B-12 combo.

Good luck

I am still tapering off Effexor. I went from 37.5 at the end of my taper and had headaches/naseua/brain zaps when I was off of it, so the dr put me back on 25 a day. I don't feel any of the side effects but I'm still gaining weight. The dr suggested another anti-depressant and I said no. Is everyone on pills? Is that the only solution? They don't tell you all of the side effects and it's a pain getting off.

Thanks to everyone who posted.  I am off the Effexor but I initially thought I had food poisoning when I first went off it. When I actually found out that Effexor withdrawal was causing these side effects, I was relieved and determined to get off Effexor. I found that gravol, drinking lots of water and walking daily helped alot.  I also take vitamins, including a multivitamin that has Choline, B Complex, Fish Oils for the Omego 3, and Ginko.  I also drink a detox tea and eat healthy food.  

I am currently going through withdrawals from effexor, due to loss of insurance.  The symptoms are horrible, I am dizzy and cry all day, I feel like things are crawling on me and my legs and arms twitch. I decreasedy meds by half and then none and it wasn't slow enough.  My Psychiatrist says that there is nothing he can do to help me.

Hello -

 

I have been taking 300mg/day of Effexor (not XR) for over 6 years.  Approximately 3 years ago, I switched to the generic.  Over the past two months, I started decreasing my dosage incrementally.  About two weeks ago, I took my last dose.  My physician has advised me of the tough time I may have coming off this medication - and I have been following discussions online with similar prediction. 

 

I can confirm my withdrawal experience from Effexor has been, and continues to be fierce.  Mentally, I feel superb and better than I've felt in a very long time.  Physically, however, my body is having a tough time adapting.  I've read a lot of entries about "brain shivers" - I experience something similar, almost like my brain is about a half-second behind the rest of my body when I'm moving my head while in a visually stimulating environment such as driving, watching TV, reading, etc.  I've experimented by moving my head with my eyes open, and with my eyes closed.  I do not experience the "shivers" when my eyes are closed, however I do when they're open.  I can extrapolate a connection between visual stimulus and the movement of my head ... I can't explain it ... but it's there.  The only recent change in my life and environment is the removal of Effexor - so the experiences I'm having must have to do with coming off the medication. 

 

My body, in general, aches like I've been running a marathon.  It's similar to what I feel when noticing that I'm beginning to get the flu.  I often feel nauseous, and I've vomited several times - not from the usual stomach kinds of ailment, but rather from what I think might be a form of motion sickness.  If I weren't aware of the withdrawal symptoms before actually coming off Effexor, I could easily see slipping back into depression simply from these crazy physical symptoms.

 

As I mentioned, however, mentally I feel exceptional.  I have had no further symptoms of depression that I can point to at this juncture.  A near immediate and very positive affect of stopping Effexor, for me, has been the return to normal sexual function.  It's amazing to me what a "depressing" affect Effexor had on my sexual health.  Before, I was rarely in the mood for sex, and it often took a tremendous amount of effort to reach orgasm - and I'm a guy!!!  Although I'm now 40, I feel like I'm 18 again.  This, for me, is truly amazing, and I will be asking myself, in future, whether the side effects of any drug are worth the benefit. 

 

Considering the very negative side effects, and conversely the very positive side effects of removing the drug from my system, I can surmise that Effexor was not a good drug choice for me.  My experiences with the side effects run the extreme - very extreme.  There's not been a middle ground for me.  It's both good and bad that I had to stop taking Effexor to realize these things.

 

My advice to anoyone attempting to come off of Effexor - hang in there.  I am not a medical professional, but in my opinion, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get Effexor out of your system.  Keep close connection with your health professional and be sure to report renewed feelings of depression or loss of hope.  There are lots of anti-depression drugs available - ones that may work better for you than Effexor. 

After reading all of the new posts, I find it saddening that physicians still say that there are not many side effects of Effexor, or that there is nothing he/she can do. I've been off of Effexor XR for almost a week and the symptons have slowly disappeared. However, I still have brain shivers and am dizzy at times. My doctor keeps telline me not to read the Internet because of what is posted about the drug. Ha!

Hi Everyone,

 

I think my experience is fairly typical based on conversations with my doctor and other users of Effexor. The problem with boards like this is that people with significant problems are the most consistent contributors. The information becomes skewed and can unfairly frighten people. Read on...

 

I have been on and off Effexor XR twice at this point in my life. I tapered down each time by dropping daily doses in two week periods (75mg for 2 weeks, 37.5mg for 2 weeks, then off completely). Each time I had been using the medication at 150mg for a period of about 2 years.

 

The withdrawl side effects were consistent both times but occurred only after stopping completely: brain zaps, delayed vision/brain coordination issues, minor dizziness, teariness, a little insomnia. What was also consistent is that after about 5 days off the drug the withdrawl symptoms greatly diminished. For me the symptoms were completely gone after about 2 weeks each time. I found that moderate daily excercise seemed to really help alleviate symptoms. Also, telling a trusted friend or loved one what is going on with you can be very helpful (we all need a support system).

 

I took the drug to cope with depression that resulted from stress and some major life traumas. I have to say IT WAS GREAT and worked well for clearing my mind. I also actively participated in counseling to deal with the losses. The first time I stopped I wasn't really ready and should not have. The second time I knew I was ready to face life without Effexor.  I believe counseling should go hand in hand with any anti-depressant so that once you drop the drug you are ready to meet life's challenges without further medical intervention.

 

To sum it up: The withdrawl symptoms are real but are more of a nuisance that lasts a relatively short period of time.

going off effexor is the worst experience i have ever had.the withdrawl symptoms are horrible and include all of the following ( even if you are weaning off under a drs. care)

extreme agitation, restlessness, rage, anger, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ringing in the ears, brain fog, dizziness, feeling of passing out at times. sounds of whooshing through your ears and brain, electric shock like feelings in your brain and upper body muscles, inability to concentrate or make decisions. I took a month off from work in order to somewhat be able to function at home. I treated my family, especially my kids horrible due to inability to deal with everday life. also extremely painfull headaches

I got put on effexor for my depression Monday the 23 of Feb, 2009. I took it 3 days and I thought it was ok but hadn't really gotten into my system good enough to have side effects so I went searching Wednesday the 25th for side effects, my gosh at the side effects. I also read on about the withdraw side effects you would have if they pill didn't work for you and you had to come off of it. I can called my dr right then and told her that I could no longer take this pill due to the fact that if it didn't work for me I would have to be wenged off it and after reading the side effects from withdraws I don't want to have to go through that so I told her I wanted on another medication that would not do me this way. I thank god that I look up the information before it was to late to just come right off of.

 

I pray that you will all get off this nasty drug, take care

I have been off for 5 days now. I took 75 mg for aprox. 6 years. I currently don't have insurance but was able to get it through a patient assistance program through wyeth. I am trying to get off due to the rapid heartbeat I have had with it. (resting 100-110bpm)
I feel like I will be able to cope with life w/o it. I tapered to Aprox. 37.5 mg for a week and then just about 1/2 that for only a few more days.(I wish I would have done it more gradually now)
I have experienced extreme agitation, insomnia, body aches, head aches, crying/tearing up spells, forgetfulness-foggy mind, mood swings, nausea, abdominal pain, and ringing in ears. I got some L-Glutathione omega 3's to help but I just started them yesterday. I want to just be back to my normal self and be completely free of this drug but it has been terrible so far. I hope and pray that it will get better like others have said and when I have finally gotten completely off it, I hope I can continue to cope with life w/o the anti-depressants.

Right now, I can't stop crying.  I am having major withdrawal symptoms.  Everything listed on here and more.  Sunday was my last 37.5 mg pill.  About 2.5 weeks ago I told my Dr I couldn't stand being apathetic about everything anymore and I wanted to taper.  He gave me one week of 75 mg and one week of 37.5 mg.  I was on 150 mg before. When I went to 75 mg I felt no difference at first.  Then I realized I was snapping at the dog ALOT.  Instantly I would feel bad and be almost in tears. ( If I had kids it would have happened to them too I assume.)  Then I got used to that at the end of that week and started on the 37.5 mg for a week.  Same thing... at first I didn't notice a difference, then by about day 3 I felt "snappy" again.  Monday of this week I felt completely fine, until the late afternoon.  Tuesday I felt like crap.  Shaky.  Brain shakes- I feel like I am a walking creation of jello right now.  I also feel drunk most of the time.  Words are coming out of my mouth faster than I can comprehend.  I have to stop talking for a few seconds and compose myself and then continue.  Let me tell you, in a work environment where everyone looks to you for help and support when they can't do something, this is BAD.  I had yesterday off and couldn't get anything done at the house that I needed to.  I was so lethargic.  By about 2 pm I couldn't force myself to stay awake any longer and had to go to bed.  I thought the diahrea I had was from food I was eating.  It actually took me until today to figure out what was going on.  I thought my BP was really high, checked and it was LOWER than it has been the WHOLE time I was on Effexor.  I thought my blood sugar must be low or high.  It wasn't any higher than it is normally.  ( I am a diabetic, so I am kind of wondering if this could be making my withdrawal worse.)  I am trying to power down water, but having the hardest time doing it even though I am so incredibly thirsty.  My withdrawal is getting worse every day.  If it is not better by tomorrow I'm going to have to call my Dr and get something short term to help.  And PRAY that they will give me something.  I'm switching Dr's after this fiasco.

Kicking Effexor, yes, you can do it. This is my experience.

I want to post this in every forum I can find so it can help as many people as possible. I'll share my experience of kicking effexor, but, if someone is reading this right now and experiencing bad withdrawal, stop reading. Go out and buy Omega 3 fish oil. Get the kind that has Omega 3, 6 and 9 in it, chewable antacids and advil. Seriously, go now and get at least the Omega stuff and come back and read my post later. As soon as you pick up the Omega oil, take 4 caps immediately. This stuff really worked for me because I am on day 6 as I type this and I feel fantastic.

First, a little background. I started taking 250mg for about six months then reduced down to 150mg for approximately 8 years. I had been wanting to get off the stuff for a long time but just didn't want to deal with the withdrawal effects. Especially knowing how if feels when you skip just one dose.

Anyway, at first I went from 150 then 75. After two days of 75 and not feeling any adverse reaction I then cut that in half. I remember thinking, "this is gonna be a piece of cake! I don't see what everyone is talking about; I mean, what is so hard about...ZAP! ZZZAP ZAP ZAP...oh...my...god..." I think you get the picture.

So then I did the whole counting out the bbs thing. Total pain. I did 1 day of roughly 37mg and having all the brain zaps and stuff and thinking that this has just got to stop. Screw counting out bbs and tapering down any more, I want this crap out of my body asap. I am not suggesting anyone should go cold turkey or anything, I am just writing about my experience.

Now then, here's what worked for me. Obviously Omega oil played a HUGE part in kicking Effexor. I urge everyone to give it a shot. Special thanks to Leon and everybody else who has posted using Omega to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That's what it seems to do, ease the zaps/shivers from a 10 to a 5. I took huge amounts of the stuff for about 3 days and it really worked for me. I popped 4 caps every 2-3 hours during the day because that is about how long omega seemed to ease the zaps-shivers-Ill feelings for.

For the nausea I chewed up a ton of antacid tabs and that seemed to work. I also took a bunch of liquid filled advil caps for the general "yuckyness". Also, while lying down, a cold wash cloth on my forehead was SO relaxing. I would get hot flashes and cold sweats, fever like symptoms and putting a wash cloth on my head was a welcome relief.

Also, for me, there were two VERY important things that I kept in mind while going through this. Two things that I reminded myself of when I was really feeling like crap.

1. Every single thing that I was physically feeling and every single unpleasant emotion and thought that was going through my head during detox was all due to the withdrawal/detox process. Nothing more. My brain chemistry was all jacked up and detoxing so I tried not to dwell on anything.

2. I can get through this, I WILL feel better.

I can't stress those two points enough. It certainly isn't easy to keep your head together going through withdrawal, but, if it helps to post those things around your place to be reminded then do so.


Here's a breakdown of my withdrawal time line.

For me there was roughly a 48-60 hour period of time that was the absolute worst part. After reading other posts about withdrawal I planned mine out a little bit. Since I couldn't take time off work, I used the weekend to kick. I didn't start on a Saturday, I started on a Friday. I woke up Friday and took Omega, antacids and advil to work with me. This way, when the brain zaps/shivers started I was almost done with work and I could just go home and hunker down for the weekend.
By Friday night I was feeling it pretty bad. Come Saturday withdrawal was in full force. I was pounding Omega and just trying to do as little as possible. Like I said, the cold wash cloth on the head helped a ton. I don't know how but I feel asleep for a few hours then woke up to Sunday morning still feeling pretty awful.
One positive thing I need to mention about this is that with every passing day of kicking, I would wake up with a little less fog in my head. My senses felt a bit more sharp and clear. I still feel that way today on day 6. Makes me look back and think how out of it I had been for about 8 years. Maybe not out of it, perhaps, more like a dull feeling. Kinda blahish. I don't know, hard to explain.
Anyway, I noticed a decrease in the frequency and intensity of the zaps/shivers by late Sunday afternoon.  Still feeling like poop but for sure better than the past two days. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Monday, day 4. Thank the freaking stars this day came. I took 4 omega caps and 4 advil in the morning and that was it. I still popped some advil every now and then but not even close to what I had been taking. Zaps and Shivers where still there but nothing compared to what they had been. Believe me when I say this that having the kind of zaps/shivers, while still annoying as hell, they are tolerable by this point.


Each day keeps getting better and better. As I think over how I feel now as compared to the past 8 years it's like night and day. My thoughts don't feel so bogged down. I liken it to driving in a car, during the day, on a long highway with lots of fog. You can't drive very fast because you can only see so far ahead. You can make out shapes of buildings off to the side but you're not exactly sure what kind of building it is.

And lastly, since the start of detoxing off this horrific drug, a kept thinking of a scene from the Matrix. I'm not a big scifi guy or anything, but this scene just really fit perfectly. I have to admit that it actually brought a little comfort throughout this too. It's the scene where Neo gets dumped out of that pod thing all slimy and then gets put on the operating table with Morpheus looking over him. This is where Neo is first brought into the "real world". He asks Morpheus, "Why do my eyes hurt?" Morpheus says, "Because you've never used them before." I can dig it.

Whew, I think I'm done writing this post. Sorry it's so freaking long but I have had a lot to say about this experience. I want everyone out there to know that, yes, you can get through Effexor withdrawal. Stick with it and don't give up. I want write that I promise you will feel better after kicking, but, everybody is different. I know I feel tons better and look forward to moving forward with my life and not being a slave to Effexor.

Know what the best of kicking Effexor is? Waking up and reminding myself that I don't have to take that little pill anymore. The second best thing? Never having to worry if I forgot to take that little pill in the morning ever again. Third best thing? Flushing what pills I had left down the toilet. Freaking priceless.

Roxcar

Roxcar, i am about to try the Omega cure and I hope it works for me as I am quite desperate about my feelings of being dead inside after coming off Effexor.

Very very bad. Don't go on it. It is not worth it. BAD

I take benedryl before going to bed while tapering off and my side effects are bareable. Nausea is my biggest complaint. I am going on one week effexor free after taking it since 1999. I think it was also the generic brand not being as effective as the BRAND name made weaning easier. 

I have been trying to figure out what this strange sensation inside my head was. I realise it is a side effect of stopping my effexor. I ran out of my RX since I have to order it by mail. I thought I would be OK going off it until my refill arrived. The side effects started after I missed the second dose - which was the weird nightmares. After a couple of days I started experiencing this strange "puff" sensation inside my head- I thought maybe I had a sinus infection until I checked out the withdrawal symptoms. At this point I don't know if I should stick out the withdrawal ang get off the effexor or start taking it again to stop the side effects 

I too was on 75mg/day of Effexor. I wanted to stop taking and attempted to go cold turkey twice. The symptoms were so horrible that I had to resume medication. I would cry if someone so much as said "thank you", I had sweating spells (need to be naked in winter sweats), nausea, headache, restlessness, bad dreams, dizziness, etc...I read many online posts/comments when I was experiencing symptoms. I am now effexor free! I never thought that I would get here and it has taken me almost 2 months. The best advice that I can give to anyone coming off of Effexor is to wean yourself off slowly. I did the following: 75mg down to 50mg (tablet) for 1 week, then 37.5mg (tablet) for 2 weeks, then 25mg (split 50mg tablet) for 1 week, then 12.5mg (split 37.5 tablet) then I went to ZERO. I had a few rough days when I finally went to zero, my doctor perscribed me 3 days of Prozac (20mg). This helped with the side effects of effexor leaving my system once and for all. Finally, I am drug free. It can be done, but it takes time and you really need to be patient. Give yourself a week at each dose level. I felt icky everytime I lowered my dose, but not bad enough to miss work, and nothing compared with withdrawlls from cold turkey. Exercise really helps during the detox process. I work 5 days a week and I only missed one day during this whole process. It was my second day at zero. I reccomend taking a B-Complex vitamin during the whole ordeal to help fight fatigue. Best of luck to those detoxing from this terrible medication. Be Strong and spread the word about these side effects so that fewer people end up on this addicting substance.

 

There's no miracles here yet some tips for success.

 

1.- Taper off

2.- Before even start the tapering a month or so before, start preparing your body for what's going to come.

 

Following this 2, the withdrawal effects are minimal, next to none existent.

 

About me:

 

33 years old, female, just divorced.

Diagnosed with depression in 2001 - Took effexor for about a year

Leaving the effexor was the most horrible I ever endure.

Diagnosed with depression in 2008 - Took effexor for about 9 month

            Didn't notice withdrawal. (Learned my lesson: RESEARCH)

 

We all know, depression as a disease, depletes de body of many very important nutrients, medication we take to "get better" depletes the body even more. The things we do when we are sad (drink alcohol as one of the many examples) take care of whatever was left of our health.

 

Then we try to leave the antidepressant, with a body in awful conditions, expecting it to be just fine. I think leaving the effexor is the last strike our bodies are willing to take from us. Plain and simple, loud and clear, our brain says: ENOUGH!

 

So, prepare the body for the battle to come. Pump it with nutrients (vitamins and mineral, amino acids, etc) Specially everything that is food for the brain.

 

Note: I went from 112 to 75 in 7 days, then to 37 in another 7 days, and after a week on 37 mg, went straight to 0.

 

 

Here is my diet, which I started month before starting tapering off.

Numbers on the left are caplets, on the right is the concentration per caplet.

 

Breakfast (gotta eat something, so supplements will be absorbed)

 

• 1 5-htp 200 mg
• 1 Biotin 1000mcg
• 2 Lecithin 1200mg
• 1 Glutathione
• 1 Fish Oil 1200 mg
• 1 Flax seed oil 1300mg
• 1 coQ10 200mg
• 1 Super B complex

Lunch (same thing: gotta eat)

 

• 2 Magnesium 250mg
• 1 Multivitamins
• 2 Fish Oil 1200 mg
• 2 Flax seed oil 1300mg
• 1 B-Stress complex

1    Folic Acid                                            400mg

1    L-Lysine                                               500mg

 

Tea time

 

• 1 Selenium 200mg
• 1 Fiber (any benefiber, chitosan, whatever)
• 3 Fish Oil 1200 mg
• 3 Flax seed oil 1300mg
• 1 Potassium Gluconate 550mg
• 1 Super B complex

 

Dinner time

 

1    Fish Oil                                                1200mg

1    Flax seed oil                                         1300mg

2    Calcium carbonate

1    Fiber

1    Magnesium                                           250mg

1    Melatonin                                             5mg

1    Glutathione                                          

1    Protein shake (GNC PRO Complex) 1 scoop. (this formula contents the best combination of amino acids)

 

There's a reason for every supplement ej.: Magnesium will keep the headaches away, fiber the constipation, etc, etc. I leave the rest for you to research and understand why this does the trick and how you body works.

 

A chronicle depression is a constant imbalance in the brain that WONT go away with effexor or any other medication, gotta find the problem and solve it, not patch it.

Good luck for you all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am going through this right now.

 

I started at 75 but it wasnt working so in Dec. my doctor brought me to 150. Well at the same time,I lost my joband thought I was not able to sleep from the stress. So in March I went on Ambien. I slept walk the first 3 nights on that (which I never have before) but then that eventually stopped, and I was semi able to sleep. Well I didnt take it for 3 days and the night I did, I slept walked and apparently over dosed on it, took possible vicodin as well,maybe drank alcohol....almost burnt the house down when my parents rushed me to the ER. I have no recollection of anything that night.

 

Well even though it was an accidental overdose, I had to be cleared by the psych. When he came in, we eventually realized theEffexor was making me not able to sleep and I need off this. He was actually the one to cut me cold turkey. I questioned this and hes like, oh we will put you on prozac. You will be fine. My last dose of Eflexor was around 8am Sat am.

 

I wake up Sunday morning, just shaking in chills because my pjs and sheets are soaked from nightsweats. I barely was able to get myself outof bed, and was naseasuated like no other. I had to take pepto to keep anything down. And I also had what I now know are the brain zaps... I hate thoughs.

 

Monday am... same thing, completely soaked in sweat, and chills in the am. I hated life.

 

Today, (tuesday).. the same thing. And originally I was supposed to see my doctor on Friday but I had to see her today because of all this and luckily I got in.

 

When I told her what was going on, she was really pissed that the doctor cut me cold turkey. Shes like, this stuff is power your body is going through really bad withdraw. So shes putting me back on it..but starting at 75 for this week and then next week going to 37.5 and then the week after starting theProzac.

 

Obviously its going to be rough this week and next, sleepless nights, etc..and I told my friends/fam to be patient with me. As horrible as this sounds, I'm kind of happy I dont have a job right now, because there is no way I could work like this.

 

I never want to go on this stuff again (or Ambien).

 

I'm just glad I'm not alone with this.

Hello,

I wanted to share my story since Ive been reading these testimonials and they have truly helped.

 

I had Effexor prescribed to me by a psychiatrist who saw me at my worst state and hadnt worked with me before. I was diagnosed as having anxious depression. At that point I had been withdrawing from an addiction to Ambien, going through a break up, and my job was literally making me mad. So it was very very situational and at 24 I had never needed the assistance of a medication before.

 

The Effexor did work like a dream I have to admit. I felt very even, happy, and I slept well and even lost some weight at first. Well, fast forward to February and I had noticed my jeans/clothes had been getting tighter and tighter. I rarely weigh myself and have always been around 120 at 5'5 with a fast metabolism and active lifestyle. When I first saw the 135 lbs show up on the scale I thought maybe my metabolism had just significantly slowed down. I didnt think it was the effexor since I had originally lost weight but after reading others testimonials where people lost weight then gained it, I knew it was the Effexor! I immedialtely felt disgusting and wanted to get off the drug fast!

 

About a week and 1/2 ago (4/5 Sunday night) I started tapering off Effexor at 75 mgs down to roughly half. I removed beads every night and didnt feel that bad (just a little sleepy and short of breath). Last Friday was the first night I decided to not take it. I am on Day 5 of being cold turkey with Effexor. At first I felt like sh*t: brain shivers, lethargic, moody, irritable stomach (but no throwing up), very weak and dizzy. From Saturday until Monday (3 days) all I wanted to do was sleep and rest and the brain shivers were awful! However today (day 5) I finally feel better!! I have had a few episodes of light shivers, and although I feel tired I can definitely function.

 

I did all of this without consulting with a DR but it seemed to work out, (but I would recommend talking w a DOC). I think its all relative to how long you have been on the drug and how strong it is. For me, I was on it for 7 months or so at 75 mgs so I knew I would have a different withdrawal experience then others. Although I felt sh*tty it was manageable and worth it in the end to shorten my withdrawal period and start becoming Effexor free. I agree that the withdrawal is kind of like a flu and you should treat it like it is; sleep alot, sleep all day if you need to! It helped me I think recover faster.

 

Question remains: does anyone know how long it takes to get the weight off :(

 

 

After being on Effexor for 6 years, I decided back in December to see what life could be like without it again.  

 

I had initially been diagnosed with chronic depression back when i was in college, and being on Effexor really did give me the relief I needed when I was at my lowest, and it helped me manage my emotional life in those 6 years enough to make a lot of very positive changes...

 

However, I really noticed a dulling of my mental abilities/memory, especially in the last years I was taking effexor...and it left me with the feeling that I was using a drug to smooth over and repress a lot of difficult emotional things that ultimately I wanted to face up to and learn to deal with in a more natural/drug free way...

 

I talked to my doctor beforehand because I was very concerned both with the physical aspect of getting off the pills (I couldn't be even an hour late taking my dose every day without getting the brain shivers) and the potential to have depression return after 6 years of living a normal life.  He encouraged me to take things very slow and listen to my body/mind very closely.

 

He recommended I start by replacing my 75 mg xr pill with 2 37.5 mg pills per day, spaced 12 hours apart.  Once my body had adjusted to the 12 hours spacing (no brain shivers), I could then start moving back the second dose, an hour or two at a time, until the doses were 24 hours apart, at which point I'd be on 37.5/day. 

 

Then he told me to continue this process by splitting the 37.5 pill into two (break open the capsule, count out the little balls, divide by 2, etc) and repeat the process of spacing out the doses more and more...

 

I'm now down to the step of tapering from 9 mg a day to 4.5 and this is really the first part in the process where I'm starting to notice negative side effects emotionally and physically.  At first I was really thrilled at how easily the process was going; I felt myself getting more brain capacity back and was enjoying coming out of that slight emotional numbness that you feel with Effexor.  But now that I'm almost at the finish line, I feel like I need to slow down a bit because I'm beginning to get daily headaches, mental fatigue, and a kind of buzzed nervousness like what you get when you drink too much coffee or take cocaine/ecstacy, etc...

 

I'm paying a lot of attention to my diet, sleep, and excercise...I practice yoga about 4 times a week and I can't tell you how valuable that's been both for my body and spirit during this entire thing...

 

I think the one advice I would give someone doing this is not to do it alone...you have to let people close to you know what's going on as they'll likely notice some changes in your personality and mood...and the last thing you need to worry about is having to hide this process from the people that are closest to you...make sure you have a support network in place, and don't underestimate what you're doing.  Effexor is a mighty powerful drug and it's a huge transition for your body and mind learning to live without it!  So go easy on and be good to yourself--and take things slow...

 

Thanks for sharing all your stories and tips, everyone--wishing you all good luck and strength!!!!! 

 

 

This is amazing to find a forum that i can relate to so closely.  Truthfully I am skeptical of taking any kind of psychiatric meds from now on... i simply refuse.  i've been on effexor for five years now and was taking apparently what doctors called a maintenance dose of 75mg extended release.  My father is a cardiologist who put me on antidepressants five years ago and I feel that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.  Since taking effexor I've attempted suicide twice, once by overdosing and once by slitting my wrists.  Now I am actually under the supervision of a psychiatrist who instead of titrating me off my dose offered me one pill of prozac that was supposed to do the titrating for me since it is such a slow acting medication.  All i can say is that i am on day six now and am feeling awful... can't work, have total mushy brain, and vertigo plus some waves of nausea.  Hopefully these feelings will come to an end soon and I have no other option but to wait it out.  I WILL NOT TAKE ANOTHER PILL just to curb my withdrawal symptoms... I know that once this is over and my serotonin levels have regulated themselves this will all have been worth while.  Stay strong people!  This is just about as bad as it gets!... and it's not permanent, just chemical.  

I wasn't able to get to the pharmacy before it closed last night, and had to wait until this afternoon to pick up my RX of venlafaxine (generic for Effexor).  I worked for Wyeth while this drug was under development and during its subsequent launch in 1994.  It is a wonderful medication; works better than any other that I've tried over the past 40 years for chronic depression.

 

That's the upside.

 

The downside is that the withdrawal symptoms are absolutely monstrous.  Not a word that has been written in this forum exaggerates how horrible the withdrawal effects are.  It's all true.  The best way to describe it, for me, is this way:  imagine that you're coming down with stomach flu - upset stomach, diarrhea, feeling tired and basically "punky."  Then add a big dose of motion sickness, perhaps caused by reading a book as a passenger in a car.

 

Pretty bad, huh?

 

That's why, in the future, I will have a full week's warning in my Dayplanner (or Blackberry, if I ever purchase one):

 

"GET VENLAFAXINE RX REFILLED - NOW!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

I have been on effexor since July 2008.  I started at 37.5 and in November I upped it to 75.mg.  in March I went back dow nt oa 37.5 and felt no change, no withdrawal.  I was still emotionally stable.  Then in the start of May I went down to one pill every 2 days, I did this not even a week and went off cold turkey.  I have been off now for a week, and have felt no withdrawals.  I feel fine, emotionally the same as when I was on.  I read so many horrible things about it, I was terrified.  But there is hope, I didn't get any withdrawals, so there is on epositive story compared to all the rest.  I decided to go off because I was sick of all the weight I had put on within a year.  35 pounds.  Now i want to lose it!!!  Good luck, and don't be  scared, there is a chance you will be able to go off them like me.

has anyone experienced w/d symptoms 5 weeks after last dose of effexor xr...i had an awful time w/withdrawal symptoms but...i'm still dealing w/mild depression/anger/irritability/panic attacks/no patience, etc.......i was on this drug for anxiety...now, since going off of it i'm not fun to be around, i'm not myself still...i constantly have panic attacks and feel on the verge of crying all day. The dizziness/brain zaps are gone (the odd time i get dizzy) but...these other side effects are still here. I guess i just want to know when i can seperate the 'true side effects' from the 'true me'...i don't want to go back on meds for anxiety...i'm starting therapy so, i just want to make sure it's possible these effects are still from the drug and not that i have gone crazy!

I was prescribed Effexor in November 2008 due to "depression." It is now May 23, 2009 and I have been off the medication for about 8 days now. My doctor and I agreed to decrease this medication... I was on 150mg, down to 125 for one week, down to 75 for one week and then 37.5 mg for the last. The first week without the medication was HELL. I admit that I have read other websites and have not experienced all the withdrawal symptoms that others and feel grateful for this. During this period I was extremely irritable, nauseous, had sharp pains in my head (the front left side), diarrhea, insomnia, violent dreams, extreme dizziness (vertigo), suicidal thoughts and also extremely tired at times (weird that fatigue and insomnia could be listed as symptoms together). It is the 8th day and I want to give others hope, you will get through the withdrawals. Just keep to it and don't give up. Make sure you have loved ones around to help you through it and if you have any sensitive people in your life, this is not a time for them to be around. I hurt many people because of my extreme irritability... thank God that they "took my ****" and stayed with me through all this c**p. I will NEVER take this pill again (and I have been on other anti-depressants). I will continue to tell anyone I can about this drug. If I felt this after 6 months then how do others feel if they have taken it for years??? Oh and one more thing, the memory loss that I had when I began this medication was ridiculous! This drug should be banned....if anyone knows any class action law suits that are going on I would love to know about it. I reside in ON, Canada. Take care all and don't give up.

I have been on Effexor since about 1992 for chronic fatigue syndrome.  Apparently, it can help with some of the exhaustion, brain fog, etc.  I am having trouble getting my new insurance company to pay for Effexor XR, and so I am out of meds (2 days now).

I was on 150 mg for years and years.... I know going off it cold turkey is stupid, but does anyone have any advice in case I have to do it that way?  It is way too expensive for me to pay for out of pocket. I am on disability for the CFIDS, so I don't have work to worry about.  THANKS!!

I was initially put on paxil in January 2008 when I was diagnosed with depression but after I felt it was getting worse, my doctor at the time started me on effexor. I can honestly say it did help a lot but I decided in April 2009, I wanted off of it so I decided to taper off from 225mg myself since my next appointment with my psychiatrist wasn't until May. Things went along great and didn't notice anything, except my moods and my head were clearer. 

 

I went from 225mg to 150mg (for one month) and down to 75mg and then to 37.5 and now I have been off of them for 5 days. With the help of sites such as this with an open discussion from other effexor patients, I was able to make a semi-informed decision about how to taper off of it, BUT I DID STILL HAVE HELP FROM MY DOCTOR! He said, however, that I can try to go cold turkey once I've done a month of 37.5 but I would probably go back to it.

 

The only NEGATIVE side effects I am experiencing right now is nausea, diarrhea, fatigue WITH insomnia...not sure if I am getting "brain shivers" since I am not completely sure what it does but I am lying down a lot because I feel dizzy. Luckily, the recession has given me some time to recuperate and let me rest while I am on this withdrawal period. The most POSITIVE side effect is that my sex drive is getting back to normal. I'm able to have orgasms again without any delay but my erections are still hard to come by.

 

I'm currently doing HOT YOGA to help and although I do have to lie down while I'm in a class, I feel it is helping. Although my diet isn't the greatest right now because I'm always trying to sleep off the nausea, I try to do what I can. 

 

So my advice would probably to rest up whenever you feel the need to AND let others know that you are getting off of the meds, INCLUDING YOUR DOCTOR! I'm still waiting for the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and I know my body will take a while to adjust but doing things to actively "replace" the sh*t that the effexor was giving to your brain will probably help. 

 

AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ARE GIVING DIET TIPS!! Didn't even know that some other supplements could help! IT IS POSSIBLE!!

I've been on Effexor XR for about 6 years, it has been the best for me, but due to a separation, no job, no health care I'm having to go off of it. I'm down to half my dosage and am going nuts. Headaches, not sleeping, crying all the time, anger issues and a terrible itching rash. I cried bitterly for about 2 hours last night and then slept pretty much from midnight to 2:30 p.m. Now I'm back to being depressed and feeling suicidal. No govt. help either, everything costs money. I didn't even wanna go off the stuff, it kept me somewhat sane and in control of myself.

 

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I had severe withdrawal symptoms with Effexor XL. It took six months to get off of it till my Dr. sent me to a Psychiatric Doctor.

 

I was up to 225mg per day, the symptoms didn't appear as long as I got my 37mg per day. My side effects were sweating and dry mouth and the withdrawl was a hell of combinations. This medication was the only drug that really worked though. However during the good time of not feeling down I would "pick at the wall" because it felt odd not having those feelings of being down. Eventually I was able to knock the wall down and have those feelings again.

 

He came up with a right combo. I was on Effexor for 37.5 mg every other day and Prozac for two weeks followed by Prozac for two weeks, that got me off it. He said I was the worst that he had with withdrawl.

There have been a couple of times when I've been without my Effexor for a few days (forgot to pick up the refill, no money to pay for it, etc.) and have had terrible withdrawal symptoms.  The worst is the "zapping or whooshing" feeling in my head when I blink my eyes or move my head. And the sensitivity to sound.  Try reading a book called "The Anti-depressant Solution".  It's eye-opening!  I had no idea I would have withdrawal from and antidepressant!

There have been a couple of times when I've been without my Effexor for a few days (forgot to pick up the refill, no money to pay for it, etc.) and have had terrible withdrawal symptoms.  The worst is the "zapping or whooshing" feeling in my head when I blink my eyes or move my head. And the sensitivity to sound.  Try reading a book called "The Anti-depressant Solution".  It's eye-opening!  I had no idea I would have withdrawal from and antidepressant!

YES, Effexor withdrawl is HORRIBLE!!!

 

ABOVE ALL ELSE---before you do this---you need to find a "Buddy" who knows you like the back of their hand. I'm serious...it's like coming off Herion, LSD, or other "hard core drug"---and you will feel MISERABLE.

 

Some people call the effects "Brain Shivers"

 

 

First of all---(you should be discussing this with your Doctor). 

But, with that aside, you ABSOLUTELY MUST!!! "titrate down"

 

Waht this means is take a stair step approach to weaning off the drug. 

If you are on 150MG caps, break them in 1/2----spread them out during the day.

(do that for a week)

Take 75mg and so on. 

 

However, durhing this process...you WILL FEEL HORRIBLE....you need to get this mindset before you start this process (so that you are not suicidal). 

 

As you feel horrible---call on your Buddy---who can "talk you down off the cliff"---and help you make sense of your feeling bad. 

 

However, PLEASE don't stop any drug without talking to your Doctor!

I was on Effexor for about 1 year.  I recently went off of Effexor, with my doctor's  counsel. It's ugly, to be sure, and my withdrawal was mild compared to some folks.  It is now 2 weeks post-Effexor and I am still suffering from dizziness and nausea that remind me of motion sickness. If you move your head too fast, it takes a few seconds for your brain to catch up.  Other people refer to Brain Shivers, which is a more intense version of it.  My whole body, but especially my legs, are jumpy.  Just can't get comfortable.  I'm more weepy now than I ever was before I went on anti-depressants, my temper is shorter, but nothing that is out of control.  So, all in all, I've faired better than many.  And summer was a good time for me to try life without anti-depressants.  Good luck!  Just stay in touch with your doctor and your friends.

I wanted to get off Effexor XR because of the horrible "brain shivers" I would have if I was just an hour late taking it. I finally talked to my Dr. about going off of it and he acted like it was no big deal. I told him about the things I read on the internet and he said he never heard of such. Anyway, I was on 150mg so he decided to slowly decrease my dosage over a WEEK. The first few days weren't so bad but by the third day it was pure HELL. The "brain shivers" were unbareable and I was crying for no reason. I called the Dr.'s office in tears and told them I couldn't take it. I asked them to phone in Zoloft ( I had taken it previosly before). I left work, drove straight to the pharmacy and picked up the Zoloft (50mg) and took the pill as soon as I got in my car. I went home and cried myself to sleep. The next couple of days weren't the greatest but now I feel wonderful! No more brain shivers. I can miss a dose of Zoloft and have no effects whatsoever. I seriously think you should try this approach. Good Luck! I tell everyone I know about my experience with Effexor XR and I would NOT recommend anyone taking it.

This is the second, and last, time I've experienced withdrawel.  THis time I thought I'd done it right.  I decreased my dose by one-third for three months, and then by another third for a month.  Not good.  Diareha, aches and pains, lethargy, "swimming under water" head were worse than the first time.  Now, I've been off of the 137.5 mg dose for a month.  I'm still struggling with the physical sensations. 

 

My biggest concern for others is this.  THe drug does squash some negative/harmful psychological symptons.  Usually the same ones that caused a person to seek relief in the first place.  So, all the time the person is on the drug, no work was done to isolate, address and minimize the negative symptons, or to establish self-help, or treatment aimed at treating the root of the problem and its consequenses.  So, getting off effexor means you not only have the original situations to contend with, you know also have the very difficult set of physical symptons.  My advise is not to change anything, until you have established a new approach to your symptons and are healthy enough to folllow through.  Ellie

I am going through effexor withdrawal right now, so I am looking to see if anyone has gone thru what I am currently experiencing. It is awful, my ears are constantly buzzing, my head feels so weird I cant even explain it. I have a constant feeling of nausea. I am having hot flashes, I am constantly tired, my entire body is aching not to mention the crazy dreams I have been having. I called my doctor today to see if I should come in, I was told it was probably the withdrawal and that there is a virus going around with similar symptoms. I feel taking effexor was the biggest mistake of my life. I don't recall it helping much with my depression at all...I just slept all the time.....

 

I don't wish this feeling on anyone but it would make me feel better to know that I am not going thru this alone...

i have been crying all morning after waking to day 5 of withdrawal and finding i am worse each day. i was on eff for 8 years. this is my 3rd time trying to wean. cut from 300 to 75 over 1 1/2 years. so no doubt i did this very slowly. every symptom you read - i have, plus i am getting more discouraged each day - and feel ashamed that i could find myself here. Make sure if you do go off, you have a back up plan for all areas of your life. take a couple weeks off and tell everyone you are going away - except 1 or 2 friends you WILL need. hopefully today i will find some help

I am thrilled to have found this site.  I have been searching the net for information about Effexor XR withdrawals.  I have been taking Effexor XR since 2004.  Initially, I took 75mg, but quickly dropped to 37.5mg.  I stayed at 37.5mg for the past four years only b/c I feared withdrawal symptoms.  I have been trying to wean for a year.  I was instructed by my doc to follow the process of decreasing Effexor over a long period of time.  I followed his advice, but when it came to the last stage of the weaning process, I could no longer tolerate the feelings.  I became irritable, depressed, anxious, scared, nauseated, shaky, fatigued; among other things.  After an attempt at 3 days without Effexor XR, I couldn't take the feelings of fear and lack-of-control any longer.  So, I called my doc and shared my desperation.  He acknowledged that Effexor is notorious for it's horrible withdrawal.  He immediately prescribed Prozac 10mg/day.  He told me to stop taking Effexor and to take the prescribed Prozac each day for a week, and then every other day for a week, and then every third day for the remaining two weeks.  I am on my third day of taking Prozac 10mg.  I am experiencing mild withdrawal symptoms, but nothing like I did last week when I tried quitting Effexor w/o Prozac to help.  I am hoping to regain control of my life.  My sense of self has suffered greatly during this trying time.  I feel like a teenager going through an identity crisis.  Anyhow, if all goes as planned, I should be antidepressant free in 3 1/2 weeks!!  I have never shared on a website like this before, but feel it's important for people suffering from Effexor XR withdrawals to consult your doc and consider using Prozac as a bridge to a healthy, happy, Effexor-free you!!

i was on effexor for about 2 years. I tried several times to come off but failed with horrible side effects. I tried herbs, programs, vitamins etc. Then my doctor put me on pristiq, whhich didnt help at all. And the withdrawals didnt go away. So i decided to try lovan (prozac) 20mg, and i am getting back to normal (touch wood) the withdrawals have almost gone and im getting happier. And i am pretty sure prozac isnt as bad to get off. Pristiq is a metabolite of effexor so there isnt much difference, dont go on it. but if your really struggling try the lovan, just a small dose. Until the withdrawals ease off and you calm down.

I took Effexor XR 225 mg a day for about 4 years...you have to taper off very carefully...there are some meds like Cymbalta that you can transfer to in a pretty short period...but when I stopped cold turkey I was extemely sick...vomiting and severe headache...you can go into a seizure or coma and die from just stopping it suddenly.  Be careful and get medical advice before you do it.

Wow. I feel like I am reading my life right now through some of the postings. I am 2 and 1/2 weeks out from stopping the effexor 75mg day for about 1 year. It has been the WORST experience of my adult life. Mood swings-psycho screaming over dishes not being done and then bawling my eyes out and being exhausted. Tired to wired and everything in between. My mind is a muddled mess. I will add that I am an RN with my BSN and didn't start taking psych meds until just recently. My md never mentioned any of this.  Also, have weird "buzzing" sensation throughout body at times--researching it I think maybe the brain shivers? I think even at times that I am going to lose my mind that I will never be normal again. PLEASE research the meds b/f you take/go off. If I had known it was going to be this bad I would never have gotten on it. Too many other choices out there. Read the blogs for the real life side--don't just take the doc behind the desk option. Good luck.

My only question would be--DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG THIS LAST???

I, too, am going through hell with withdrawal from this medication. The main symptom I am having is the brain zappy feeling. I thought I was going nuts until I found so many people online having the same problem.

 

I have been on 150 mg for a couple of years, didn't feel like it was working anymore and my sex drive was extremely low. I adore my husband and I was making him suffer as much as I knew I was. So I asked to come off of it, switch to a new medicine. My doctor's office nurse practitioner told me to come off Effexor cold turkey and switch immediately to Wellbutrin. I have had the most horrible brain zap feelings for over a week now. The crappy part is that I'm at Disney with my family. I've been a bitch to my kids and cried for no reason. My husband doesn't know what to do for me, so he's doing everything (amazing man). Yesterday at Disney World I cried every 20 minutes or so, or at the very least had to grit my teeth really hard to keep from crying. I haven't had the other digestive tract issues that others have mentioned, but the brain zaps and fatigue and mood swings have been quite enough for me (and my poor family).

 

I called the doctor and he said it would "go away in a few days once the Wellbutrin was in my system." Apparently he's never tried this. I'm miserable and I'm miserable to be around.

 

I sure wish my doctor and his nurse practitioner knew more about Effexor and its withdrawal symptoms before they prescribed it to me a few years ago, and knew enough about it to advise me better while coming off of it. It's jacked up.

After a year and a half of being on Effexor, I Was weaned off a month ago and have felt no withdrawal. it's possible not to go through the withdrawal post-antidepressant. I say go for it.

I was on Effexor XR 75 for only about 3 months. I remember telling my doctor I'd get back to working out when the fatigue/sleepiness wore off. After 3 months I couldn't take it any more and stopped taking them. A day and a half later, I felt like hell. The brain shivers were horrible and the only time I felt decent was laying still with my eyes closed. I tried Dramamine and the like which helped very little. I realized I'd have to keep feeding the withdrawal symptoms, but I'm just trying to keep them barely at bay. I have been trying to taper off as quickly as possible and found that 1/3 of a capsule, which is approx 25 mg, seems to be the set point. I read elsewhere someone got to about 20 and couldn't get past it.

 

I do agree with someone who posted on another board (Google "Mr Wizard" and "effexor withdrawal and you may find his theory) that it isn't the head movement that's the problem, it's the visual stimuli, because I get the zaps when I move my eyes and keep my head still. Try it and see.

 

My understanding is that venlafaxine has a huge impact on vision...I'm going to spend more time researching that area next...

 

I'm on the process of getting off the effexor..I had a horrible, absolutely horrible experience where my Dr. (Psychiatrist) was certain that I had not reached the therapuetic dose of the medication, and we raised it from 150 to 225mg. That dose was unbelievablely excruciating for me, I don't even have words to describe what it was like. BEYOND Anxiety.

 

I've been back down at 150 for about 2 months now, and am in the process of weaning off the medication entirely.

 

The main side effect that I am dealing with is the brain shivers, which are extremely uncomfortable. I have read other people's experiences here at this site and the several that talked about the omega supplements caught my attention. I take flax seed, fish oil and a high quality multi-vitamin daily and what I thought was odd was that around lunch time the shivers and shocks would seem to get worse...now I'm wondering if I take fish oil throughout the day if that might help ease the symptom even further. 

 

I really appreciated one of the posts that used some cognitive skills to help them get through by reminding themselves that they will get through it, that this period of discomfort will pass. I have found that helpful too.

 

I am extremely angry that there isn't more warning about the withdrawl effects, because honestly if I had known, I probably would have made another choice for a medication to try first before starting on effexor. On another note, a new doctor has floated the idea that I might be what is known as 'soft spectrum bipolar', I'm not totally clear if this is the same as Bipolar NOS ...I'm just learning about this, but it's very hard to diagnose apparently because the symptoms don't look like what people think of when they think of bipolar. In my case it is kind of subtle and  manifests as a depression side and an irritibility side...some of this I guess isn't totally accepted by the establishment yet, but what I do know is that if there is a bipolar diagnosis certain classes of anti-depressants can actually 'push' you. In my case this manifested in some very dangerous ways.

 

We have conservatively added a mood stablizer, (completely different class of drug all together) starting at very low dose and very slowy increasing it. It hadn't seemed to change things as of yet, but in just the 4 days since I have been completely off effexor, even with the brain shivers and body shock sensations that I am experiencing, I feel clearer, more balanced, less compulsive, less self-destructive. I'm not super energetic, but so far I'm also not in a completely depressed state either.

 

Hang in there every one, listen to your body, ask a lot of questions and if you can't advocate for yourself, see if a family member or friend can help you be an advocate when talking to about medication. Follow even the subtlest mood changes, look for patterns, hang in there and know you are not alone in this. And thank you for sharing your experiences.

 

 

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The withdrawal side effects that you guys are experiencing is happening to me, and I have just started this medication. I am usually an even tempered person, but the day after I started taking effexor, I got to where I was having nightmares that I could not wake myself up from, and my wife could not get me to wake up out of. I have noticed that I have been irritable and extremely angry for no reason whatsoever. I am not sure what a brain frizzle is, could it be the feeling of an ice pick running from the top of my head down my spine when I get up off the couch or off the bed? I am not sure what to do. I have been suffering with these side effects for the last 6 weeks, which my doctor assures me that they will subside in due time, but she can not tell me when 'due time' is. And she does not want me to get off of the medications, because she is scared that the effects of being off the medication might actually be worse than while I am on the medication. And that is from a single 75 mg dose once daily. Could it be the combination of medication's that I am on? I am currently taking 100 mg Zoloft/day, 100 mg Atenolol/day, 3 mg xanax/day, 15 mg buspar/day, 150 mg Amitriptyline/day, and 40 mg Valium/day. I suffer from PTSD from 2 tours of duty, which is why I am on so much. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Yes, Effexor is really a bad drug! I went off cold turkey and had horrible affects, felt paralyzed, i was a wreck!  you have to wean yourself off. My doctor had me on 120mg. you have to step down just as you increased the dosage. If you wean yourself off, you should not have the serious problems that can occur. I wish you the best!

I tapered off from 300 mg. of Effexor when I lost my health insurance (secondary to losing my job).  I had the brain zaps like most everyone has described.  Off course I felt like crap, but that's normal for me.  What I'm curious about is whether anyone else has had what I considred to be a really POSITIVE side-effect that occurred during effexxor withdrawal: I had very vivid dreams and the sensation that I was flying.  This was scary at first because the sensations are so real, but after a while I got used to it.  I knew it was caused by the "withdrawal" of effexxor.  It never happened when I was taking a therapeutic dose, but several times, when I would run out, if I didn't get the prescription refilled for a couple of days, I would have these "dreams."  Got to the point where I actually looked forward to running out of my meds!  I've been off it now for almost two years, but I've not read about about anyone else experiencing this side-effect, so I just thought I'd put it out there. 

Thank you all so very much for sharing your experiences!  At least I know now that I am not crazy (although my husband may debate that - ha ha).  Really, it is very helpful to confirm what symptoms are attributable to the Exxexor withdrawl.

 

I am looking for some advice on whether or not to anticipate my brain functioning normally again... 

 

I have been tapering from 187.5 for a couple months and just made the last leap from 37.5 to 0 a week ago.  I felt great on Effexor but am planning to become pregnant.

 

I have dealt with the nausea, hot flashes, tremors BUT I feel as if I've just had a lobotomy which is, of course, quite impactful on the job front. Specifically, 'fogginess', inability to focus, forgetfullness, losing train of thought mid-sentence.  It is night and day from what I consider 'normal'.

 

Do cognitive skills ever return to 'normal'???  If so, how long does it take?  Balancing withdrawl and career is a problem I never anticipated. 

 

Thank you!

Hi all.  I may have a slightly different perspective on this subject.  Not sure if it will be useful to anyone but here goes.  First, a little background.  I am a 50 year old female going through menopause.  A little over a year ago I was contacted by a research group that was doing a clinical trial to study the effect of Effexor on menopausal symptoms.  At that time, I was having hot flashes that were driving me out of my mind.  So they couldn't get me signed up quick enough!  The trial lasted for 14 months.  For the first two months, I was gradually titrated up to a full daily dosage of 100mg/daily.  By the end of the first month, the flashes were all but gone.  I was thrilled!  I proceeded to have a "menopausal symptom" free year.  On  7/31/09, I was given my last two weeks of medication to titrate me off.  I took the last dose on Friday 8/14/09. 

 

My trouble did not start until the following Monday when I began to have what I now know are called brain "shivers".  For the next five days, I felt absolutely horrible with physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches.  Then there were the emotional symptoms - CRYING, depression, anxiety etc.  And I even had a few psychotic things going on - like for a split second, I considered throwing my yorkiepoo in the swimming pool because she was barking too loud.  Um Hum......

 

So, here's the good news.  At least for me, the withdrawal symptoms went away almost as quickly as they came on.  Today is 8/23/09 and I feel like my "old" self again - oh yes, including the hot flashes - they are back with a vengence! 

 

For those of you who are going through withdrawal, I truly empathize!  For those considering discontinuing your medication, follow the advice of many others on this site - DON'T go cold turkey.  Consult with your doctor to see if it is a wise thing to do and then see if you can be titrated very gradually.

 

One other thing to note, I happen to be a thin person.  The RN in charge of the clinical trial told me my withdrawal symptoms may have been worse but for a shorter period of time because I metabolized the medicine out of my system very quickly.  So it makes me wonder about any connection between a person's weight and severity of symptoms.  Might make a good study....

 

Take care all.

46 yo male and been on effexor for ten yrs and just came completely off.  Served its purpose when going through depression ten years ago.  Never understood why doc kept me on it so long.  Slowly gained weight especially last few years (way too much weight).  My professional drive and motivation, though not gone, was subdued as was my mental edge (not good for anyone but I'm a lawyer).  Started coming off it about sixty days ago.  At each stepdown I felt like i had the flu.  The flu-like symptoms was worse with each stepdown.  Had the fuzzy head going for a few days at each stepown as well.  As I came off it I found I didn't have much of a fuse but did let the family know what was going on.  Not good having a quick temper with kids and wife.  Generally felt like hell for a few days after each stepdown.  Energy level low then slowly comes back up before next stepdown.  Didn't have the bizarre dreams until I quit completely a few days ago.  Pretty ineffective at work for the first few days after each stepdown.  Was on 300 a few years ago then down to 150 for quite awhile.  Stepped down from 150 -> 75 -> 37.5 -> 0.  Good news:  Mental acuity and quick wit came rushing back as did ability to really enjoy an orgasm.  Bottom line:  Served its purpose years ago.  Should have been off it three to five years ago or even before that.  In the end you need to pay close attention to the use of this stuff.  Most family docs are not really aware of the downside of this med.  Educate yourself sooner rather than later like I did.  Now I need to get the weight off and kick my law practice up into high gear (all while being acutely aware of my mental state).  At first, as I was coming off this stuff, I was pissed at what insights/decision-making/critical thinking skills were impaired over the last few years (they were not at the level which I and others were accustomed to).  What you don't realize is how subtlely this and the weight gain happens.  I won't condemn this stuff but you need to educate yourself and others close to you about it before and during its use.  Good luck to all and God bless. 

How do I wean off Effexor to avoid withdrawal. I'm taking two tablets: 1 - 75mg and

1 - 150mg. I only have three weeks to do this.

Hi Casey, I hope you are off Effexor by now. I took it for 2 years and tried once to get off it but after the second day I was ready to either get shot, committed or at least to be put into a straight jacket.

 

For my second attempt I followed the advice of a friend and took 100mg Pregnenolone once a day in the morning. I'm on day 5 now and never felt better. No mood swings, suicide thoughts or bad dreams.

 

I catch myself singing all day...

The withdrawal from effexor is HORRIBLE!!!! I was off for 5 days because my prescription didnt come in the mail on time. First day all I did was cry. After that, I would cry and my stomach hurt so bad i thought I was gonna die. i would lay in bed and sob and hide my face under the pillow and covers. I was terrified of everything. I would hide in the closet and not come out sobbing uncontrollably. Only one of my daughters could get me to come out. I would cry when they would go home. Finallly talked myself into going outside. I live by school athletic field and there was a baseball game going on. I could hear the people laughing and I know now they were having a good time, but to me, they were laughing at me. i walked through my yard yelling at them, " what are you laughing at me for?" I wanted to go over and punch them all. i got stopped by one of my loved ones, thank God!

 

It was a nightmare! The physical pain was awful but the mental pain was worse. Please get a drs advice before you do this. I have never been the same since my bout with effexor. No matter what antidepressant they put me on, nothing helps me. Please tell all your loved ones and friends "do not take effexor" as I have told mine. Good luck to you and I pray you will not go thru what I did.

I'm sorry to hear about everyone having such a bad time with quitting Effexor.  :(

I'm a 38 year-old female, and I've suffered from chronic anxiety & depression since I was a teenager.  I've tried every antidepressant on the market, including the old-school meds (Imipramine).  Almost none of them have worked for me, except Effexor.  I've been on 150mg for the past six years, and I was thinking of quitting them.  After reading all of your horror stories, I'm not so sure about stopping.  I very seldom have more than a few days off at a time, and I get the brain shivers if I'm even late with a dose.  (I've yet to skip one altogether.)

Sending you all luck for beating the withdrawls. ♥♥♥

Yes! I was on Effexor for six years. The only reason I was on it for so long was because I didn't want to suffer the withdrawal. I would get so sick if I forgot to take it for even one day. I was on 150mg. Then my doctor titrated me down to 75mg and the 37.5mg. 37.5 is the smallest dose capsule they make. This progression wasn't bad at all. When I tried to stop taking the 37.5 though, I was nauseated, had the brain zaps, headachy, had vertigo, and generally felt like hell. Keep in mind that I am not one of "those" people who makes a big deal of things. I was embarassed that I couldn't get off the stuff without feeling sick. After researching effexor withdrawal, I found that the most successful people getting off effexor, did it very very slowly. I started opening the capsules and removing a few grains each day. I'd take out the grains and replace the top. There are about 120 grains in each 37.5mg capsule. The first day I took out five grains, then six grains, then seven, etc. I'd start each week with five grains less than the last day of the previous week and then bump down one grain a day during the week. I ended with my final capsule containing just five grains. I did have some brain zaps, a little nausea, headche, etc. but it was nothing compared to when I tried to go off the 37.5 cold turkey. These feelings lasted about a week after my last dose and got a little better each day. It's been just over a week now since my last dose and I'm fine. I'm so happy to be off that crap. I'm so happy to no longer be tied to it. No longer have to worry about forgetting to pack it when I go out of town. I have felt emotions more strongly for the first time in six years. This is a good thing. Even though I have felt anger and sadness more profoundly (in an appropriate way, not just randomly), I have also laughed harder and felt more joy. My emotions are no longer masked by a drug. Good luck to you!

I started taking Effexor approx 9 yrs ago starting at 75m.  Through the years the dosage was increased.  So for about 2 years I was taking 225 mg of effexor.

For the last few months, I have had no drive, passions, etc.  All I did was absolutely nothing.  I asked my doctor to change my prescription from Effexor to something else.  I was given a prescription for Prozac. 20mg.

3 weeks ago on a Monday I stopped cold turkey taking Effexor.  On Tuesday I started on Prozac.

I have been on a roller coaster since then.  In the first week I was afraid to fall asleep.  When I did my son would wake me up immediately.  As soon as I'd go to sleep I would have horrible nightmares.  He would wake me up and I'd go back to sleep and the nightmares would continue where I left off.  I could not close my eyes.  For 2 nights I stayed up afraid to go to sleep.  The night terrors were so vivid that I was afraid that I was going to have a heart attack.  That went on for about 3 to 4 nights.

They finally subsided. I had crying jags for about a week.  Have been depressed.  Have had angry spells. Most of the mental has passed thank God.  I have had anxiety attacks,  shakes, cold sweats,  I'm cold than I'm hot.  I am weak, my balance is off on occassion.  I am afraid to drive.  I've left the house only once to go to the doctor.  My son had to take me. I also have no appitite. I have had diarrhea the entire time and shows no signs of letting up.  I have taken Imodium, Pepto, and the doctor gave me paregoric all to no avail.  I have spent most of my time in the bathroom and am wearing diapers because there is no warning.  My doctor says that if it persists, some tests will have to be run.

I'm heading for my 4th week of withdrawal.  Can any tell me how long this will last?

 

I am so glad I discovered this website.  I am 70 yrs old, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001.  But my neurologist said my symptoms began in my 20's.  They were light and short, so I attributed them "What was that all about?" and ignored them.

 

I went on Prozac for weight loss in 1993 and, although their was no weight loss, I felt better mentally.  Stayed on Prozac.  In 2000, the MS came at me full force and I was diagnosed and put on disability a year later.  My primary doctor took me off Prozac and I went through a myriad of pain and mind altering drugs.  I was a total banana case with memory blackouts, drugged feeling,etc.  Changed doctors about 3 years ago and was taken off all the brain pills and given Effexor.  Everything seemed okay.  I wasn't really aware in any changes in my brain behavior, and figured my MS and age were causing the dementia symptoms.  Until I forgot to take my pills three nights in a row.  (I remember reminding myself to take them, and remembered taking them- although I hadn't when the fourh night I doubled checked and they were still in the weekly pill box

I am so glad I discovered this website.  I am 70 yrs old, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001.  But my neurologist said my symptoms began in my 20's.  They were light and short, so I attributed them "What was that all about?" and ignored them.

 

I went on Prozac for weight loss in 1993 and, although their was no weight loss, I felt better mentally.  Stayed on Prozac.  In 2000, the MS came at me full force and I was diagnosed and put on disability a year later.  My primary doctor took me off Prozac and I went through a myriad of pain and mind altering drugs.  I was a total banana case with memory blackouts, drugged feeling, etc.  Changed doctors about three years ago and was taken off all the brain pills and given Effexor.  Everything seemed okay.  I wasn't really aware in any changes in my brain behavior, and figured my MS and age were causing the dementia symptoms.  Until I forgot to take my pills three nights in a row.  (I remember reminding myself to take them, and remembered taking them.)  On the fourth night, I had been having headaches, strange noises in my head and just felt awful.  Although I was sure I had taken my pills, I doubled checked and they were still in the weekly pill box.  Within a few hours after taking them, I felt okay again. But I told my doctor I wanted off the Effexor because I thought it was dangerous.

 

He told me to finish my prescription and then start 20mg of Prozac (my old friend).  About three days into the Prozac and off Effexor - the hell and madness began.  I told my doctor about the loud swishing sounds that actually felt like they were jarring my  head or like the feeling might be after being hit in the head with a sledge hammer.  Plus all the symptoms of those listed before.  I was afraid of a brain tumor and I think the doctor did also because he ordered an MRI.  Which was tumor free. It took about two or three weeks before the worst of the withdrawals were gone and I soon felt a clearness or like coming out of a fog for the first time in years.  The withdrawal misery was worth every minute.

 

I don't think many doctors are aware of some of the side effects of these drugs.  They don't have time to research all of the new diseases and meds and have to rely on the information given to them by the drug sales reps (biased/incomplete) and patients.  I was happy to hear so many of you have done your own research.  I am going to call my doctor and give him this website.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY!!  I tried it all.  Switching.  Cold turkey.  Herbals.  The only thing that worked was time and tapering.  I went from 150s to 75s... then after two months on 75s I went to 37s.  After another 2 months, I went to only taking the 37s every other day.  Then after a month, I started taking them every third day.  Before I knew it, I wasn't even getting the "shocks" or withdrawal symptoms.  It's been two months now and I am completely off Effexor!!!  :)

Visiting in Florida and waiting for a refill of my meds.  The Effexor xr 150mg hasn't been in my system for 9 days//My withdrawl exp is unable to sleep and not as patient with family members/I can snap in an instant.  Laura C

Hi,  I just went on Cimbalta and started reading about withdrawal symptoms.  The

posts here have been really scary as well and ones for Cimbalta.  I went of

Effexor cold turkey and had no symptoms at all.  I had only been taking 25 mil

for a few years.

I am currently weaning off of Effexor. If you do want to go off of Effexor, make sure that a doctor monitors you. In the past two weeks of slowly weaning off of the medication, I have experienced fatigue, DIZZINESS, tingling sensations, light headedness, migraines, and insomnia. My best piece of advice: wean off of this medication if you have a couple week break of some sort. This way, the side effects will not interfere with work/school.

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Many doctors are NOT aware of the withdrawal problems with Effexor.  They mistakenly think that the withdrawal effects are the return of depression or anxiety when this is NOT the case.  It can take many months...as long as a year for your brain to regrow the serotonin receptors that are atrophied when on Effexor for long periods and you won't feel 100% normal until your brain has a chance to do this.   Your brain also has to ratchet up the production of Serotonin that it has not been doing because it has been relying on the drug to artificially hold serotonin levels up.  Again...this can take a number of months.   DO NOT GET TRICKED INTO STAYING ON THIS AWFUL DRUG.  IT IS ADDICTIVE...regardless of what the pharma company or your doctor says.  There are many class action suits being brought against Wyeth because of the undisclosed dependence and addiction problems with Effexor.  If you do have a serious case of depression you are better off with a longer half life drug like Prozac.  Effexor is being phased out as thousands of people have had horrible withdrawal experiences from it as well as 'light headed' and 'high' and 'disassociated' feelings while on it. 

 

Here is a very good article from the New York Times about one man's experience getting off of Effexor.  Worth the read everyone.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/magazine/06antidepressant-t.html?_r=2&ei=5087%0A&em=&en=cdeb03773a3deee0&ex=1178596800&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

 

 

Wow! Before I read all these posts I thought I was totally alone. I have been on effexor for 3 years now. Started on 150mg and went down to 75mg daily. On occasion I skip a dose on accident and the "electric shock" withdrawls effects are so strong. hat each person tends to describe this feeling a little different. At first it was an undescriable feeling. I felt like my head was moving slower then my brain. Made me so sick I was forced to take a dose to feel normal again. I would like to get off of effexor but I am afraid that the withdrawl is too strong for me. I fell trappped by effexor. Thanks to everyone for their personal stories. It has made me feel like i am not the only one experiencing this

This worked for me-hope it will for you!  I am a certified pharmacy technician and was on Effexor XR 75mg for 5 years.  Tried talking to the doctor and the pharmacists I work with about how to get off of it.  Since there was the usual info out there I had 2 previous unsuccessful attempts.  This was what worked:  First and most important thing I found was getting the doctor to switch me to the regular, immediate-release form of Effexor which comes in a tablet and is alot cheaper since it comes in generic.  Since it is not long acting, and needs to be taken twice a day I spent one week getting used to the twice a day.  Found if I took it after breakfast and dinner it spaced it out right and I could (mostly) remember to take it.  Any later at night seemed to make it harder to get to sleep.  Next I started decreasing my dose by 1/4 tablet at night.  This is what I mean:

 

1 tab am--1 tab pm 

1 tab am--3/4 tab pm

3/4 tab am--3/4 tab pm

3/4 tab pm--1/2 tab pm

1/2 tab pm--1/2 tab pm

1/2 tab am--1/4 tab pm

1/4 tab am--1/4 tab pm

1/4 tab am--1/8 tab pm

1/8 tab am--1/8 tab pm

1/8 tab am--no tab pm

Off it!!!!!!! 

Gave myself 6 months to do it but it went so well I did it in 1 month.  

 

Experienced NO nausea, or other symptoms other than a little of the strange brain dizziness that feels like your brain is catching up to your head whenever it moves too fast.  And that happened only when I got down to the 1/8 tablet! 

Good luck!

I finally felt ok on 150 Effexor 2x per day.  But my doc thought that was too much and also had some other concerns about me possibly being manic-depressive with the mania part suppressed (I've been diagnosed with major depression for many years so this is a new one on me.)  I told him I would really like to have that mania part just so I could try it out ;) but he said he's seen me in a "bubbly happy mood" before so somehow that means...?  I thought it was ok to be happy sometimes!  Anyway that problem is gone at least for now--after cutting my Effexor dose immediately in half per instructions I don't have to worry about any problems with happiness.  I'm writing this now with tears streaming down my face.  One of the hardest two-week periods I've ever had with no relief in sight.  No, I haven't killed myself yet, but I think about it.  Fortunately I think I am too depressed to actually do it.  But either this is going to get better, or I am going to post my doctor's number somewhere and have perfect strangers call him to tell him that this regimen is not working for me.  I've already told him but I guess I'm just not enough of an impartial witness.

 

Do docs often confuse a sense of humor with being happy?  I know I can be funny, but I also know I am in serious trouble now.  I can't fight this severe of a depression forever.  Even though I remember perfectly well that two weeks ago...I felt normal.  Just hadn't been told to cut my Effexor dose in half yet.  Those were the days!

If I forget to take my 75 mg of Effexor XR for just a day, I feel extremely dizzy (vertigo), irritable, impatient, and cry a lot. It's good to see all of the other answers because I realize I'm not alone.

I have been on antidepressants for years. Never mind what got me to this point. I am systematically trying to get off Effexor, Alprazolam, and Trazadone. I am down to 37.5 mg of effexor. One at a time. I know full well the shock feeling and all that stuff that I have read here. The problem is: We, knowing the side effects of withdrawal, are unwilling to take that step. Stepping down is not real easy, but it does work and I am doing it. This crap is worse than the old medicine when it comes to withdrawal. I could have gotten off of Valium easier than this. I will let you all know how I am doing. My next step is to stop my effexor, or take it every other day for a while. 

 

Keep the faith.