Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Rick asks

Q: Effexor Withdrawals! Switched to new Rx without transition.

My wife has been taking Effexor XR single dose (which she took at bed time) for several years, after trying a few other Rx first. She was then switched to Effexor 2xday dose earlier this year, but she did not like how it made her feel after the morning dose. At a recent Dr appt, she (we) requested for her to go back on the single day dose Effexor XR. Instead the Dr switched her to Wellbutrin cold without any transition period. She did miss one dose in between running out of old Rx and getting new Rx filled. Now she is having horrible withdrawals (after our trying to figure out what was happening and why she felt so bad). She has missed work most of the week so far, because she is so dizzy and nauseous (among other things).

Our initial thoughts are to get her back on Effexor XR, so she can get on with life.

Thoughts, advice, suggestions?

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Answers (1)

Merely Me, Health Guide

11/17/10 6:44pm

Hi Rick

I have to say...this is horrifying. Effexor is a medication which cannot be stopped cold turkey and there can be considerable withdrawal symptoms which last a long time and this is sometimes even experienced for people who gradually wean off of it. I would talk to this doctor about the withdrawals she is having and ask why wasn't it suggested to slowly wean from the Effexor? But you may want to investigate other doctors because this just seems inexcusable.

We have an entire page with links dedicated to the topic of Effexor withdrawals.

I would also suggest calling the pharmacist and asking for their opinion of what you can do right now.

Do call the doctor, though, and demand to know what can be done for these withdrawal symptoms and the steps needed to gradually step down from taking the effexor. I am so sorry your wife has had to go through this.

Let us know what happens. We will be thinking of you two.

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Q: Effexor Withdrawals! Switched to new Rx without transition.

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