How long is Effexor withdrawal supposed to last?

[7essa]

A little over two months ago I stopped taking Effexor after slowly weaning off of it.  I had horrible withdrawal symptoms: nausea, fatigue, and dizziness.  After two months I don't feel any better.  Needless to say, I'm really scared.  I can hardly function at my job and am very frustrated and angry.  This medication has ruined my life.  Waking up in the morning is the worst part of my day.  All I have to look forward to is dizziness, fatigue, and attempting  to function.

How long did you symptoms last?  Are they supposed to last this long?

[nightmares02]

Each day gets better, hang in there! Tomorrow is day 5 for me cold turkey  (150 for 10 years!) and my days are great, but my nights are hell. Nightmares are so bad, Im scared to sleep. If dizzyness, nasea and brain zaps were all I had to deal with, which I do (all day and night to some degree) I would be so grateful.

2 weeks I hear is the magic number and I will be passed the worst of it.

I pray its true.

Never give up. My energy level, libito impro

[sarahbear519]

I'm on Effexor XR 225mg, and I've tried to stop numerous times. My parents and psychiatrist don't want me to, though. I can stop for 1-2 days and be fine, but usually with the 3rd day, I have headaches and I'm constantly dizzy. Today is my 5th day without them, and my brain feels tingly randomly. My emotions are also all over the place. I've had other medicines give me withdrawals, but nothing like these. From what I've read on here, it's like that for most others. I don't have time to take 5 separate pills every morning (3 effexor and 2 of another medicine), especially if the result isn't worth it.
My mom has been on Effexor for many years, and it just hit me that even if she wanted to quit, she probably wouldn't be able to.

[birdie0907]

Yes you will. Hang in there, this too will pass.

[Neenie1956]

I've been off Effexor XR completely for ten days now, having VERY GRADUALLY tapered off per my dr's instructions.  Well, I've been to Hell and back this past week with irritability, unable to think straight, dizziness, diarrhea, nightmares, agitation, suicidal thoughts, a stone's throw away from quitting my job, leaving my husband, etc. etc.  I'm still having visits to Hell and don't think I'll ever see Heaven.

[birdie0907]

Call your pharmacist for expert advice if you can. I took my prescription with a 24 hour pharmacy. so I could get advice at any time because these types of drugs often bring on something that is unexpected. Most everyone here is just dealing with their own test data, whereas a pharmacist is a professional.

[massgirl262]

I am on day 5 of being off the Effexor 37.5 mg and OMG the mood swings are awful.  The anger is awful...I'm in a new relationship and he's trying to be so supportive yet how much bickering can one person take?  Also, I'll suddenly get dizzy for no apparent reason, and sharp pains in my stomach.
How long does this go on for?
massgirl262