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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms
by kiddo, Aug 24, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 47 year old female. Earlier this year, my Dr. and I decided that the effectiveness of Zoloft for my anxiety had waned after 3-4 years. He choose Effexor XR as a new med. After taking 150 mg of the Effexor XR for a little over 1 month, I decided it wasn't right for me. My libido became non-existent, I was gained weight, my digestive system seemed out-of-wack, and I'm not sure that it helped my anxiety. I'm not sure it was related to the Effexor XR, but I was bruising very easily, and I was obsessive about spending and "projects" during this time. I should also mention that I am on 30 mg of Adderall XR for ADD.
My Dr. decided to switch me to Wellbutrin XR which would also help me quit smoking. He had me drop down to 75 mg of the Effexor for a few days, then to 37.5 for another 2-3 days. The first day off the Effexor, I experienced increasing nausea, vertigo and a "slushy" head. The next two days, the symptoms increased. There was some confusion as to whether it was the Wellbutrin or the Effexor that was causing the symptoms. I had decided that I was the getting used to the Wellbutrin, and I just had to ride it out with the help of over-the-counter motion sickness meds. My Dr. never mentioned that Effexor is associated with withdrawal symptoms.
The effects of the Wellbutrin seemed to kick in almost immediately. My libido jumped way up, and just like that I quit smoking cold turkey. I couldn't stand the smell or taste of cigarettes all of the sudden. Now without the smoking, I also found that my morning coffee was nearly forgotten. (I'm sure that withdrawal from nicotine and caffeine added to my symptoms.)
Nearly two weeks after I stopped the Effexor, I started having extreme irritability & very negative thoughts, followed the next day by nausea and vertigo. Also, I had crying spells. I phoned my Dr. who said that crying wasn't a withdrawal symptom. Since my symptoms worsened the next day, he wanted me to try taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor to see what would happen. Within one hour, I was nearly symptom free. He said that I seemed to be especially sensitive to the drug. He then put me back on 37.5 mg for one week, and then approx. 18.75 mg for another two weeks. Well, the withdrawal symptoms started all over again. Couldn't have this happening at work. I decided to go back to the 37.5 mg. and taper off very slowly - either that or take time off work to get through the withdrawals. I have literally been counting the granuals (there are about 90 in a 37.5 mg capsule). On July 20, I started at 60 granuals, and decreased by 5 every few days to where now, on August 24, I have been taking 20 granuals a day for the past week. The entire time I have been nauseous. My Dr's phone msg. reply was that vertigo, not nausea, is a withdrawal symptom. Actually, I thought vertigo caused nausea. Over Labor Day weekend, I plan to stop the Effexor I hope that any symptoms will disappear over 3 days. Please help me.
My Dr. decided to switch me to Wellbutrin XR which would also help me quit smoking. He had me drop down to 75 mg of the Effexor for a few days, then to 37.5 for another 2-3 days. The first day off the Effexor, I experienced increasing nausea, vertigo and a "slushy" head. The next two days, the symptoms increased. There was some confusion as to whether it was the Wellbutrin or the Effexor that was causing the symptoms. I had decided that I was the getting used to the Wellbutrin, and I just had to ride it out with the help of over-the-counter motion sickness meds. My Dr. never mentioned that Effexor is associated with withdrawal symptoms.
The effects of the Wellbutrin seemed to kick in almost immediately. My libido jumped way up, and just like that I quit smoking cold turkey. I couldn't stand the smell or taste of cigarettes all of the sudden. Now without the smoking, I also found that my morning coffee was nearly forgotten. (I'm sure that withdrawal from nicotine and caffeine added to my symptoms.)
Nearly two weeks after I stopped the Effexor, I started having extreme irritability & very negative thoughts, followed the next day by nausea and vertigo. Also, I had crying spells. I phoned my Dr. who said that crying wasn't a withdrawal symptom. Since my symptoms worsened the next day, he wanted me to try taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor to see what would happen. Within one hour, I was nearly symptom free. He said that I seemed to be especially sensitive to the drug. He then put me back on 37.5 mg for one week, and then approx. 18.75 mg for another two weeks. Well, the withdrawal symptoms started all over again. Couldn't have this happening at work. I decided to go back to the 37.5 mg. and taper off very slowly - either that or take time off work to get through the withdrawals. I have literally been counting the granuals (there are about 90 in a 37.5 mg capsule). On July 20, I started at 60 granuals, and decreased by 5 every few days to where now, on August 24, I have been taking 20 granuals a day for the past week. The entire time I have been nauseous. My Dr's phone msg. reply was that vertigo, not nausea, is a withdrawal symptom. Actually, I thought vertigo caused nausea. Over Labor Day weekend, I plan to stop the Effexor I hope that any symptoms will disappear over 3 days. Please help me.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Aug 26, 2002 12:00AM
, Aug 26, 2002 12:00AM
I think you are doing the right thing by this extremely gradual tapering off. Everybody reacts differently, and you know your body better than anybody. I would predict that you will be through with this nightmare by the end of labor day weekend. Gooed luck. Stay with the Wellbutrin.
You know, everything I've read confirms what you and I know for a fact - that nausea IS a withdrawal symptom. I am feeling discouraged with my doctor. First he said that my crying episodes weren't a symptom, and then the nausea. He even insinuated that the withdrawal symptoms I've been experience probably seem more intense due to the fact that I suffer from anxiety. When I mention info. from the Internet, He says one has to consider the source.
Speaking of websites, found some helpful information on this website also - http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/venlafaxine.html.
Thanks!
I was taking 150 mg a day, so I cut back by 37.5 mg. After 1 week I cut down to 75 mg/day in two doses. Everything was ok for about ONE DAY, after which I got the ZAPPING thing so bad I could hardly get out of my chair. Before I started the withdrawal I was doing a daily yoga routine along with weight training and 30 minutes of Nordic Track; this all had to stop. In fact, it got so bad that just MOVING MY EYES was enough to ZAP me. The sensation was like the back of my head, neck, shoulders, and arms were jabbed full of needles that had electricity hooked up to them.
Finally, I gave up and started taking my regular dose; all symptoms disappeared within 24 hours.
Other comments... I didn't get the nausea some of you suffered. Also, the main reason I wanted to quit Effexor was that I didn't believe it was helping me that much. (I have been through the meds like a friggin' guinea pig... Paxil, clonazepam, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Celexa, Nortriptaline, Effexor, Imiparmine, lorazepam, and clomipramine.) Anyway, I went to another MD for an opinion and he said that 150 mg was not a clinically effective dose. He said that if I was his patient, he'd up me to 300 mg/day.
I have since done that and it has REALLY helped me a lot.
DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS. <<
Also, if you are taking Effexor, you might want to ask your MD if you are at the proper dose.
Good luck to all, and God bless you... I hope you can find some peace from your depression.
Regards,
H-hoggie
My husband was killed in an accident at work and because of tremendous anxiety problems my doctor put me on effexor. I have taken different types of anti-depressants one other time in my life when my father was suffering with cancer and I was maxed out. I have never, ever, ever experienced the withdrawl complications that I have gone through with this medicine. I took it for approximately 3 years and decided I wanted to experince life naturally. Face the music alone. I was taking 75mil. and reduced really, really slowly over a period of about one and 1/2 months. 3 weeks on lower levels. Everyone that has taken effexor knows the feeling you get after the second day of not taking it. Horrible nausea. Very dizzy. Well. When I went off the effexor completely I vomited so violently , dry heaves, sweating, you name it. It is horrible. I was in bed with a waste paper basket. So dehydrated but not even an ice cube would stay down. I went to the doctor after the 2nd day, so weak I could hardly stand. He gave me something to stop the nausea. For 2 months I didn't even consider a cup of coffee in the morning and believe me nothing was more important to me than my coffee. I am just now starting to enjoy the taste after, oh I don't know for sure 3 or four months ? of being off the drug. I did experience the strange buzzing in my head when I had forgotten to take the effexore for over a day but didn't feel that when I quit. I am really very concerned now though. About 2 weeks ago, I was sitting in my house and I heard a noise that sounded like a radio was on or some electrical humming noise and I searched my house for something that I may have left on. It is really quite loud. I couldn't find anything. I gave up and just turned on the stero so I didn't have to listen to that aggraviating sound. Later I went outside and oh my god....It was outside too. I have since realized that the noise is a buzzing in my head. Much more intense than what I had experinced when I was late taking the medication.. I have told my doctor so that other patients considering this drug will choose another. I am really afraid this horrible noise will be with me forever.