Effexor Withdrawal

[Bluedogs]

I have taken Effexor XR for about 5 years, which followed a course of Paxil. The Paxil was preceded by a course of Zoloft.  The anti-depressants were given to me because I have a physical disability with chronic pain, and anxiety that began at the same time as the pain.  Anxiety was the worst, but as my life tanked from inability to do many things, the depression grew.  Zoloft did not help much; I gained 60 lbs. on Paxil.  When switching from Paxil to Effexor, I lost about 20 of the 60lbs. Effexor was given to me at 75 mg per day; then to 150 mg. of Effexor per day in a.m. A new doctor changed me to Effexor XR 300 mg. per day, taken 150 mg. twice a day.  Though i lost about 20 lbs. after stopping the Paxil, the weight started going back on until i was back at 60 lbs. over normal.  After some time, I felt that I was doing well mentally, and I discontinued one of my Effexor pills per day. That was about 1 year ago. About two and 1/2 weeks ago, after attempting to lose weight unsuccessfully for months, I dropped to 75 mg. per day for about 3 days and then stopped taking Effexor completely.  [I realize the stupidity of doing this without a doctor's supervision. However the Dr. that prescribes my meds is a pain management doctor who pays very little attention to my overall medications and is more concerned with making sure I do not exceed pain med prescription.]

Also, several days ago i checked in with my G.P. and told her what I had been doing.  She seemed to think that I was fine.

Though I initially felt some mild side effects from withdrawal (slightly lightheaded at times and occasional headache) the main problem that I seem to have is anger.  I feel fine most of the time, but I am very quick to tear up over very mildly sad/cute or whatever situation. And I seem to get very cranky at the drop of a hat.  I notice that one second I am fine and the next I am really mad about something fairly trivial.  

Big question:  is this anger a side effect of stopping the Effexor? it seems almost like a hormonal surge, but i'm 58 years old, so that seems unlikely. How long will it take before this stops? How long before my body adjusts to it's previous state and metabolizes the way it used to?  Or will it?  I really need to be myself in 2 weeks as i am getting married.  There may not be a wedding if i cannot control my anger.  Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.

[Das_Daddy]

Hi,
I have been on Effexor for 3 years now and I have tried stopping on 2 occasions. First time I tapered on doctors advice and had side effects, mainly brain zaps, confusion, sweating etc. These are not nice! I also suffered unplesent bowl movements and lack of energy. these symptoms persisted during my tepering period and by the time I was due to stop I was a mess. I ended up just going back on them to sort out my life.

The second time was cold tukey and this is highly unadvisable and was not done under medical supervision. I suffered unbelievable mood swings, shout and swear at loved ones, feel emmense anger for no real reason, cry at the drop of a hat, suffer anxiety attacks, shake, shiver & sweat at any time of the day or night, to be hones the list goes on and on I went back on the drug after about 10-14 days and it was a further week or more before I was back to 'normal' (what ever that is)

I feel trapped to this drug and after recently having our first child I am adement to get off this for my family. I am sorry if this is not the news you wanted to hear but I suppose the best advice I can give is to taper off really slowly and just take one day at a time. Speak to your loved ones and let them know what your going through, understanding can help a great deal. Also they wont be too shocked when you totally lose the plot over the smallest thing.

Good luck.

[Fuzzz]

I agree that getting off Effexor is rough!  I had the brain zaps and lack of energy.  

I got married before I was ever on antidepressants, but I was coping with depression and anxiety.  I was extremely short-tempered during that time.  

What controls my anxiety, hyperventilation and difficulty coping is a 10-mg amitriptyline.  Nortriptyline might be an even better choice, but I'm not familiar with how low the doses are.  These meds are great for pain relief and are cheap.  They are constipating and at higher doses cause sleepiness and definitely weight gain.  Right now I need to gain weight anyway, and I'm waiting a new antidepressant to be approved.  It's called Valdoxan.  It's supposed to be approved this year, but hasn't been yet.  It's being used in Europe already, and not supposed to cause weight gain or sexual side effects or daytime sleepiness.  I hope it will be as good as it sounds.  Then again, the next big thing is always hyped pretty heavily, so we must take that into account.