Effexor XR question

[Jimmy10]

I was on lexapro for 2 months, for general anxiety and depression then started takin effexor for sexual side effect reasons..The effexor did not cure any of my sexual side effects. My doctor then advised me to stop taking the effexor for a week to see if the sexual side effects got any better which they did. I am now on day 5 of no effexor and i keep having these zaps or sensations running through my body. When will these stop? any help will be great. I am pretty scared about how long these could last.

[Paxiled]

If you don't need medication, don't mess with it.  As you've seen, medication is a last, not a first, resort.  But that's not for me or anyone else to decide but you.  As for severity, I was just referring to you only having brain zaps.  Some people get a whole carnival of withdrawal symptoms.  As for how long it will last, nobody can tell you that.  If it lasts too long or gets too hard to take, the protocol is to go back on the last dose at which you felt fine and taper down more slowly.  See how it goes, but you're in control.

[Jimmy10]

thanks very much paxiled...but do u think they aernt as severe as other peoples because i have only been on them a week? and if im feeling a lot better with my anxiety and depression off this medicine, should i continue to stay off of it?

[Paxiled]

It's totally individual.  You're going through withdrawal, extremely common with Effexor.  If that's all you're suffering, you're doing well, and should be fine.  Try taking fish oil supplements, they've been known to help with the brain zaps.  Nordic Naturals makes a good one.