Effexor XR withdrawal after 3 weeks?

[sunny1018]

I've been on Effexor XR for 3 weeks.  One week at 37.5 , 2 weeks at 75 mg.  I did take 112.5 for 1 day but went back to 75.  My doc told me to increase to 112.5 when I told him it wasn't helping my anxiety and was making me shaky.  Not sure why an increase would help, but he's the doctor.  The increase made it all worse.  These tremors are too much.  He seems to think they will go away with time but I don't want to wait too much longer.  The reason I'm on it is because my Lexapro pooped out after 10 yrs.  I'm currently still on 2.5 mg of that.  I want to try Zoloft but he pretty much said no to another SSRI since Lexapro quit on me.  My question is, should I expect withdrawals after such a short period of time?

[sunny1018]

This is a psychiatrist.  I would love to find a new one but they are in short supply around here.  He says this is the way to go.  Even if the Effexor doesn't work he still doesn't want to try Zoloft, he suggested a tricyclic.  My GP is willing to try Zoloft.  I'm just scared nothing is going to work now.

[Paxiled]

First, get a psychiatrist.  At least get a new doctor.  There is no reason Zoloft won't work because Lexapro stopped working -- the only ssri I know of having this effect is Paxil, because it is just too strong for anyone but the desperate.  (Not that it works better -- it's just stronger on the brain).  The Effexor is bothering you most likely because it's also targeting norepinephrine, basically adrenalin, so it's not usually used for primary anxiety.  I'd get a new doc and try the Zoloft, but don't quit the Effexor abruptly -- taper off slowly.