Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms

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.
62 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
ede
hi...
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.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I stopped taking the Zoloft prior to starting the Effexor. During the month that I was on the Effexor, I didn't seem to have any type of withdrawal symptoms from the Zoloft.

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!
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
It takes a very understanding person to support someone through this process and you seem to fall in that category.  During withdrawal, your thoughts and emotions can be extremely overwhelming and can cause emotional outbursts or irrational thinking.  Not knowing your girlfriend’s personality type, it may be difficult to say why she’s unable to talk about her symptoms.  She may be afraid to tell you what’s going on in her head due to the nature of her thoughts.  Also, she could be afraid of losing you if she does talk about it.  

Take it one step at a time.  Try asking her about a specific symptom first instead of asking about her overall emotional state.  Perhaps you can ask her about the ‘brain zaps’ (the feeling of electrical pulses crashing into your brain and down through each appendage).  This seems to be a common side effect (I know because I had it a little over 2 months).  If you get her to talk about 1 symptom, that’s a good start.  By taking that first step to break the silence, she may realize the benefit of getting these issues off her chest.  This may also pave the way for her to talk more about her emotions.  Just remember, getting to understand her pain can’t happen in 1 day.  It will take time and plenty of patience.  Give it a shot.  It doesn’t hurt to show that you care.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I accidently missed two doses of Effexor (not sure the dose but low) and got so terribly sick with flu like symptoms so I didn't take any all week because I thought I had the flu and couldn't keep anything down anyway. I finally put two and two together and realize now what I have been experiencing the last 7 days.  I've gone cold turkey this long I'm not going to take any to alleviate the hell I feel.  I almost feel a little better today (day 7) so I'm going to stick it out.  This drug should be illegal.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
  I was experiencing severe side effects from Effexor XR after being on 150 mg for 8 months so I weaned myself off the same way I went on ...gradually. It's been almost 2 weeks with no drug at all and I'm affraid I will lose my family and friends before I ever see the end of the withdrawals! I have been experiencing all the symptoms you people have described but the anger and crying are the hardest for me to accept. I have reduced my 12 year old son to tears more than once this week with my tirades. I have thought of leaving my husband because there are times when I feel I hate him. We have always had a deeply loving relationship and I know it's the withdrawal causing my emotions to misfire. How much can I expect my family to endure at my expense when they can't possibly understand where this is coming from? I'm so greatful I found this site and people who can understand and perhaps offer the support we all need to get through this. Wishing you all strength and courage.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I tapered off my Effexor very slowly and have now been off of it totally for 5 days, I have never felt this horrible.  I do remember feeling this way if I missed a dose by only a few hours but it would last only a day and then I would be fine.  Now here I am on day 5 and I feel just as bad, if not worse, than on day 1, the whooshing feeling in my head and ears as if I am constantly underwater is driving my nuts but to add to my misery is the nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, weakness, sleepiness, bloating/weight gain, the feeling of hundreds or thousands of ants running all over me, and the  feeling of being totally disconnected.

How can this DRUG be on the market?  If your condition doesn't do you in then the withdrawal symptoms will for darn sure.

How can I find relief from these symptoms other than sleep my way through it?

How long will this last?  

I hope someone has the answer because I sure as heck can't find it.  I'm just about ready to throw in the towel and go back to taking a small dose just to be able to feel normal.

Desperate and seeking advice

Connie
Helpful - 1

You are reading content posted in the Depression/Mental Health Forum

Popular Resources
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Simple, drug-free tips to banish the blues.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
For many, mental health care is prohibitively expensive. Dr. Rebecca Resnik provides a guide on how to find free or reduced-fee treatment in your area