EFFEXOR XR HELP!!!

[SHADOWWODAHS]

I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about one year.  After running out of my script, I decided to stop taking it cold turkey. I am also taking Clonazepam 0.5mg as needed for anxiety and my doctor said increasing the dosage to 1mg as needed would help with the withdrawal symtoms. However, it has been 5 days off the Effexor XR and I am still having horrible withdrawal. Does anyone know how long the withdrawal effects will last so I can live a normal and happy life again!  I can't seem to sleep, eat, or move without brain zaps. I feel crappy all the time and very anxious. My libido and my life is all, for lack of a better word, shifukomanic. <--- (made up).  If anyone knows how long it takes or has been through this, please, please help!

[karebearlady]

Hi! I know what you are talking about. I have taken Effexor since 2007 and I deffinatly will talk to my psych. about takeing something else. I have been dealing with the brain zapps for about a week in ahalf almost two weeks now, and my councelor told me that I should be almost out of the withdrawal process. I have taken 75 mg in morning and 150 mg at bedtime. I am feeling pretty good to day. Just hold on you will make it. It will be worth you getting through this. I was told not to go cold turkey but I had no choice. I am here if you need.

[scorpio71]

my DR told me it would take about one month to get back to normal... but also i was on it just about over a month... you have been on it for a year, im not sure how long those effects will last.

[scorpio71]

I got off effexor cold turkey as well.... I am having nightmares every night, and up around the same time and have the hardest time going back to sleep.... while i was on it for few months, it did relax me, but i just couldn't get rid off the dry mouth situation, it became very anoying after a while.