Has anyone SUCCESSFULLY weaned off Effexor?

[sugadogg]

My big question is has anyone weaned off Effexor successfully yet??  I'm going through the exact same problems as everyone else.  It's horrible.  I need hope - has anyone truly weaned off and feel normal again?

[sugadogg]

Ok, I definitely do NOT have brain zaps, and I'm glad!  I just feel spacey, achey, teeth ache.  

[thomj513]

Best way I can describe my "brain zaps" are:  when I close my eyes and move my eyeballs from side to side, I get a whoosing sensation in my head like the sound made by an electric arch from a Tesla machine that teachers would use in science class (do they still offer science class?) to demonstrate electricty.  Some people have said they experience pain but I don't so I'm guessing my brain zaps are very mild.  PG.

[remar]

The brain zaps I mentioned are like when you move your head too fast you feel this electric shock feeling in your head.
How long were you taking Effexor and what was your dose?
The nausea is the most common symptom when having withdrawals. Drinking some hot tea and having some crackers might help a little. Some people say Benadryal helps but I did'nt try it when I was quitting Effexor. Check with your Dr first since your taking Wellbutrin.
You've got a week under your belt so that's really good. Hang in there, it does get better. Remar

[sugadogg]

When you guys speak of brain zaps, I'm not sure what you mean.  I have moments of dullness, where for a moment I feel out of it.  Then I feel sick after it.  I think I'm on day 5 or 6 straight of no pill, but I was down to a quarter of a pill that I was taking every two days.  On occassion my teeth feel numb.  I have also had about two months of pooping a lot.  It's a real drag.

[thomj513]

I've been off of it for two months.  Was up to a high dosage of 112.5mgs/day; 1 x 75mg and 1 x 37.5mg pills.  Not as high as 300mgs that I've heard of other folks being on but still potent.  I decided to quite the drug for a variety of reasons so I went dow to 75mgs/day for 2 weeks, then 37.5mgs/day for 2 weeks the one 37.5mg pills evey other day for 2 weeks then nothing.  Biggest problem for me was the brain zaps; not painfull but just annoying.  Other minor things bothered me but nothing as bad as the zaps.  Today I'm off of all prescrip meds.  I use Tylenol for aches and pains as needed since I have osteo arthritis.  I'm doing OK and that's the best it gets.  Don't know and really don't care if it does get any better.  But I'm here today among the living.  PG.

[DavidJones111]

I quit taking Effexor cold turkey. Insurance ran out, couldn't afford any it anymore.  That was several years ago, in 2004.  Took awhile ( about 3 weeks for the worst ) for the withdrawals to subside, but they did.  I'm extremely sensitive to medications and the withdrawals, so was like a riding Mr. Toads Wild Ride at Disneyland.  

One tip that helped me was getting a stack of comdy movies, and having a comedy marathon.  Didn't really feel like it, but, provided something to focus on, and with portions of the movies that did draw some chuckles, helped quite a bit.  

So...hang in there, you'll get through it, my friend.  

[remar]

Wellbutrin and Effexor are both antidepressants but very different. That's why your still having withdrawal symptoms even though your taking Wellbutrin.
The symptoms your having are very common when coming off of Effexor. I went through the same thing. How long has it been since you took your last pill?
It's really hard to say how long the withdrawal will last because we're all so different. Some people go through it for a short time and others it takes longer. This will go away. The brain zaps quit with me first but the nausea stayed for awhile. Have the brain zaps quit for you yet? Hang in there, okay. We're here to support you. M4you always gives great advice. He was trying to explain to you why your having these withdrawal symptoms.Sometimes it helps to know why your going through what your going through.  Remar

[sugadogg]

I'm continuing with my Welbutrin that I was also on.  My symptoms are best described as having a hangover and the flu at the same time.  Achey, tired, dizzy, spacey, nausea, headaches, etc.  

[remar]

Yes, I successfully weaned off Effexor. I have to say it was the hardest med I've ever came off of but I did it.
What symptoms are you having? Are you starting a new antidepressant? Hang in there. It can take awhile but you'll do it.   Remar

[M4Y0U]

I successfully weaned off Cymbalta cold tukey. (it's as hard as Effexor to come off..)

M4

[sugadogg]

Huh?  So have you successfully weaned or not?

[M4Y0U]

First of all it is not quite clear what is causing all the symptoms but an important and proven factor from a neurobiological point of view is called an anticholinergic rebound. When you stop a antidepressant drug it is very likely to cause interruption of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (involved in memory and learning and other cognitive function as well widely used when a person is under stress, it's depletion cause a variety of symptoms).

To help with the withdrawals I highly suggest supplementing with choline & inositol along with fish oil, magnesium and B vitamin complex.

M4