effexor xr withdrawl(withdrawal)

MY DAUGHTER WAS ON EFFEXOR XR FOR AT LEAST EIGHT MONTHS. DOCTOR SWITHCED HER TO JUST EFFEXOR. IS THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM SWITHCING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER. SHE IS HAVING SEVER HEADACHS. pLEASE REPLY SOON THANK YOU JAYCEE.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

As long as the dose is the same, there should be no difference.

[Roo]

Be warned when your daughter has to come off Effexor or your dr. deems she is ready to discontinue treatment.  She will go through withdrawal/addictive symptoms.  This is well-known to people who have tried quitting antidepressants but not well-known to dr.s who prescribe them.  Just be prepared and don't be surprised.  Your dr.then may suggest another antidepressant to "wean" her off of Effexor or that the cause of the initial use of the antidepressant is coming back.  Don't be fooled by this.  You probably think well this is a doctor they should know best, they should know about this.  I've talked to 3 doctors, not many assuredly but they were woefully ignorant of the many side effects/withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants.  There are quite a few class-action lawsuits taking place against the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture Paxil, Effexor to name a few.  I'm not a doomsayer but just want to warn you and inform others who are not aware.

[Keegan]

When i got off effexor my doctor said, "oh yea, that will only take you the weekend to get off that".  Yeah, right.  It took like 4 days and i felt awful.  I felt like i was going to throw up.  I wish getting off that was much better.

[CJS]

I have read some of the other comments about Effexor XR. I am also on this medicine for depression and anxiety. I hadn't refilled my prescription one weekend, and really paid for it. I was so dizzy I couldn't stand, let alone move my head. I couldn't tell the floor from ceiling! I couldn't walk or eat because the room was spinning so much. But as soon as I refilled my medince, I felt fine. It was like I was going through some kind of withdrawl (withdrawal). Other than that, Effexor has worked the best for me compared to other anti-depressents.

[Kacky]

started effxor xr today, 37.5 this morning, i had such a dizzy spell at work i was terrifed, turned into a panic attack, first and last day of effexor for me.

[lilalei]

Ihave been looking for a class action against Effexor for over a year. I took it with much misgivings because I was not depressed and was afraid it might be addictive. The Dr. assuredme it was not and that I would only take it for six months to "build up my confidence". My questions abaut the side effects[constipation  and severe persperation were ridiculously passed over  as the suummer heat and possible change of diet. Little did Iknow what horror was to come with the  withdrawal after 7 mos. of taking 75mg daily. Ithas been over ayear now and I still get the brain zaps, my digestive system has never gone back to normal and I still get dizzy. I'm convinced that this has been permanent brain damage; this after only taking it for 7mos.  Iwould really like some feedback, Iknow I'm not the only one  and something should be done about the ease in which this drug is prescribed. Why hasn't there been a lawsuit?

[daw52]

I have been on Effxor xr 150mg for a little over a year. I beleive it helped me tremendously. I decided that I did not need it any more because I have changed the situation I was in that caused my depression. I asked my Dr. about getting off and he said as long as I felt I did not need it I should. He prescribed 75mg for one week followed by 37.5 mg for another week.
I finished the pills a couple of days ago. I'm now going thru the withdrawal. Yes I do not feel as good as when I was taking them, but I'm willing to give it some more time. Dizzyness is a problem for sure, because I wear glasses I think it is worse. I will post more as the days go by.

[juliew]

I have been off 150 mg of Effexor for about 4 weeks now...I thought this is what I needed since I felt so much better.  I guess I was wrong because the beginning side effects were nothing compared to what I go through now...You see at first it was just the dizziness, tingles, and tired.  Now it nausa, vomiting, painful breathing, Constant Migraines.  This has been going on for almost two weeks now.  I hurt so bad most of the time any more I just can't stand it.  I hope it gets better soon. I too was wondering why there have been no class action lawsuits on the drug?  No one should have to go through this kind of pain just because they want to get better.....