Side Effects of Getting off Effexor XR

[Berly]

I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for 12 months.  Two weeks ago I went to my doctor and discussed the possibilty of becoming pregnant in the near future, and if I should get off the medicine first.  He said I need to get off the medicine first, and now for two weeks I've been on 37.5 mg which the Dr. said to do for a month, and after a month go back to decide whether then to get completely off it, or if I should take one every other day.  For the last week, however, I've been having awful muscle cramps and spasms in my legs that are painful, and preventing me from sleeping through the nite. My legs jump at nite and its hard to relax them.  I am using a heating pad and I now take a Tylenol PM at night to help with pain and to help me sleep.  Is this a withdrawal symptom from Effexor?  Thank you.

[Gnar Gnar]

I thought I could handle this weaning process without incident, but I was very wrong.  I am on the verge of tears much of the time, feel nauseous, have diarrhea and dizzy spells.....and generally just feel horrible.  What an awful drug!  If I had known about the difficulty in getting off Effexor, I would NEVER have started taking it.  I only needed it for an acute, situational bout of depression but was told it would help with menopausal symptoms as well.....Well, I can tell you that hot flashes are NOTHING compared to the dreadful side effects I am exeriencing as I get off this drug!  Oh well.
I'm glad I found this blog and very glad to know that I'm not alone in this....and very, VERY glad to know that I will eventually feel OK again!    

[Nikki_25]

I have been on Effexor 150mg for about a year and a half now.  I went to my OB/GYN because my husband and I want to try and get pregnant.  The doc told me I need to come off the meds because it wasn't safe for a baby.  Today I started taking 75mg and will do so for 2 weeks and then drop down to 37.5mg for another two weeks.  So far today I've been okay.  I had a mild headache earlier but it could have been from anything.  If I was going to start feeling side effects when would I.  I honestly feel like I am too stubborn to feel side effects.  I like to do the opposite of most so by reading all these forums and the nasty side effects I hope I don't get them.  Any thoughts?

[logicalchoice]

You should check out these pages on EFFEXOR

http://drugs.healthdiaries.com/effexor-side-effects.html

http://www.petitiononline.com:80/mod_perl/signed.cgi?effexor&1

[niki32]

I too, am weaning off Effexor XR. From 75 mg to 37.5 mg and I am 14 weeks pregnant. My obgyn doesn't seemed concerned that I was taking Effexor and even said I should breastefeed. But right now I am really dizzy: how long will this last?

[jsmiley]

I am getting off Effexor XR 75 mg and I am taking one every other day right now and I've started feeling dizzy, too and a little disoriented. I would also like to know if this is normal. I'm thinking it is since Jali has the same symptom.

[jali]

I am also in the process of getting off Effexor 75mg I have been very nervous and dizzy. I will like to know if this is normal.