Effexor XR Withdrawal Effects

[Jennifer646]

Anyone taking this drug should realize that if it is not working or is causing undesired side effects that are unbearable to handle, be wary about stopping suddenly or a careless weaning off this drug.

I felt that my doctor did not forewarn me of the withdrawal effects once I stopped taking this medication. At the time I had no way of getting the medication (due to financial complications) to wean myself off of it slowly and I would suffer withdrawal effects like brain tremors, shakes, vertigo, vomiting, dizziness, irritability, confusion and unable to walk or stand. These would last for days and I felt like I wanted to just lie down and die, I hurt so much.

I honestly feel that many of these types of drugs should not be available or distributed. I have taken other anti-depressants and this drug caused more emotional and mental complications along with physical distress than any other similar type of drug. While on this medication I was more reckless, uncaring of anything around me and I ended up with a DUI when I have never drove drunk in my life nor had I committed any other crime. I couldn't maintain a job and lost my car due to lack of payments. I simply didn't care enough. I also hardly ever drank but with this drug I didn't know my limit. I wasn't myself at all, I felt I lost my identity. I knew this medication was not for me.

This drug I feel is comparable to Oxycontin (Oxycodone) and Morphine as far as side effects and withdrawals are concerned. I also find myself at times craving Effexor for its "numbing" effects. This has turned me off to any anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication and now I only go to therapy. I find that I function without it much better and I feel like myself again.

How can I ever take medication again without a concern for something like this to happen again or even worse?

[jeff6022]

  My story starts a year ago when my wife and i decided that i would try driving over the road for more income.About two weeks after i left for training her doctor took her off the three meds she was taking for hot flashes,anxiety and depression and put her on effixor.Within a few days she was calling me with acusations of hiding money and infadelity. Her mother called me within a few weeks and told me i needed to come home immediatly.I came home to a nightmare.She was manic and acting totally out of carrecter.She got fired from her job.She is an RN.Then met a guy at walmart,went drinking with him and had sex. She got a job at a prison and took up with a prison guard within a few weeks and now we are seperated.We had been married for 16 years and i dont know who this woman is.She loves the effixer and wont get off it.She says it sets her free.She had suspected bypolar disorder.This med is the devil.Couples beware...

[Jane1238]

how do you get off this stuff (Effexor )?  They just upped my dose from 150 to 225. First day today, I threw it up.

I have ovarian cancer, terrible acid reflux. I can eat only tiny amount and still I often throw up. I've gone from one Nexium to two per day. No help. I get very anxious and panicky and the only thing that seems to help is Ativan for that. My gyn oncologist is only interested in my cancer, whiich I understand, but I think the cancer, ascites etc is agravating to reflux terribly. Help Jane1238
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[remar]

i feel bad for you. i know what your going through. i weaned off of this med but still had terrible withdrawal that lasted for weeks. i do believe it's one of the hardest to get off of. i'm glad to hear the therapy is helping you and your feeling better. i would never take this med again. there are many antidepressants out there so if you ever need to take one again try not to be afraid, thery're not all like effexor. take care. Remar