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WEANING OFF EFFEXOR XR 150MG DID ANYONE ELSE GET EXTREMELY TIRED DURING?

I ALMOST FELT SEDATED IT IS DAY 5 OR 6 GOING OFF THE EFFEXOR XR I DID IT COLD TURKEY THOUGH.  I CALLED MY DOC TODAY, I AM STARTED A GRADUAL TAPPERING OFF THOUGH MY HEAD KEEPS DOING THAT ZAPPING THING THOUGH.
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Avatar universal
I was on effexor for years and finally started to wean off of it. i got down to 75 mg and went off completely 3 days ago and it has been a nightmare. i had to call my sister and ask her to bring me a few 75mg to get me through the weekend. I'm nauseous, head zaps are crazy, my head feels so foggy i cant even drive nor eat. i started to cry reading some of these entries because i felt alone as if i was the only one going through these horrible withdrawal symptoms, and now i see others are feeling the same things that i am. Does anyone know how long it will take for this to kick back in so i can feel normal again?????????
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Avatar universal
This is the 2nd time Ive attempted to get off effexor which I have been on for 20 yrs.!!  the first time I took almost a year, with no other med to help and suffered all the things commented on in this blog.
Now I took daily doses of 10 mg prozac with 150 mg effexor for a month. i; ve now reduced effexor to 112.25mg with the prozac.  I intend to continue that for at least a month unless I have symptoms.  In which case I will continue until the symptoms are gone.  Then reduce the effexor to 75 for a month, unless symptoms occur.  I don't know what I'll do when I get down to 37.5.  Perhaps go the every other day route.  I am determined to get 'clean' of it all and find out who I am.  
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Avatar universal
I am a nurse who is currently trying to titrate off of Effexor.  I am very concerned about you trying to go off of this med cold turkey from 150mg without the support of an MD.  I would strongly suggest that you make an emergency appt with your doctor or go to the ER.  With your suicide attempt history, you may need to try a different avenue.  My best to you.
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Avatar universal
Never thought if Effexor XR as an evil drug like so many. I've been weaning off my 150mg a day prescription. I'm now down to the last of it @ 37.5 mg a day and this has been the most difficult time. Feeling agitation, occasional depression, "watery brain" feeling,etc.  I'd been on 150mg/day for about 10 years and haven't read anyone being on it more than 4 years or so max? This is not an easy task and people need to understand us who are trying to better ourselves but don't want to rely on drugs. It's not easy!
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Avatar universal
My doctor is weaning me off Effexor XR 300 mg.  This was a 5 week process.  I didn't really notice any symptoms until last week, my first week off of it totally.  I cried uncontrollably and felt as if I was having hot flashes occasionnaly.  Wellbutrin XL didn't work for me and Cymbalta gave me horrible nightmares.  But I couldn't tell if the Effexor was making a difference anymore,thus the weaning off.  

But I'm diabetic and now my blood sugar is running really high, even though my diet is OK.  During last week, my brother-in-law also passed away and I drove to 15 hrs to support my sister througout all this, then drove 15 hours back home 8 days later (day before yesterday)  So I don't know if the high blood sugar is from coming off the Effexor, or all the  physical and emotional stress of the last week, or all of it.  And my doctor can't see me until next week

Has anyone else gone through anything like this with the hgh blood sugar and/or hot flashes after coming off this RX?
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Avatar universal
I am a nurse. I started taking Effexor XR
150mg daily. I have GAD(general anxiety disorder  disorder. I've been through a divorce & lost my home & my car. I have 2 teenagers. I started out on Wellbutrin XL. After 2 years I couldn't tell it was helping me at all. So Dr. prescribed Effexor. I loved it but I prefer to not have to take a medication everyday. I have tried to quit it. Even after 36 hoursi can feel dizziness, diarrhea, a swooshing sound when I move my eyes from side to side. I have absolutely no motivation. The only side effect that I luckily didnt experience was it increased my sex drive. I want to wheen myself off but so far it has been unsuccessful.  I don't like taking Xanax or Valium either. If anyone has any ideas, please help me.
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Avatar universal
Hi Ganz, finally... You're the first post I've seen for chemo-induced menopause, I'm guessing?, and being prescribed Effexor for the hot flashes?
I have been on Effexor for 8 months and have been trying to wean off for a couple months now. I did not realize night sweats were withdrawal symptoms and thought I was weaning off too fast. The doc insists that I do the  37.5 every other day, but when I miss one day, I feel like I have chronic car sickness and dizziness for 48 hrs. What a roller coaster for my body, and that just isn't working for me. I am trying to take out a couple granules from the capsules every day, and I'm doing alright so far. What a crazy medicine. I just hate it. And now I know what the chronic insomnia and lack of libido is from. Ug. So ready to be done!!
By the way, Ganz, prayers and positive energy for healing from the breast cancer.
J
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was taking 225 mgs of Effexor XR for Hot Flashes due to Breast Cancer. I wish I had never taken it. If I missed one dose of it, I was extremely sick. It has cause me to gain weight, also. I started weaning off of it. I reduced by 75 mgs every two week and lowest dose being 37.5. I had headaches, dizzy& brain zaps, which I could handle. But when it came to stopping after 37.5 Mgs, it was like get the flu within 12 hrs from stopping the last dose. I was so sick, I had to take another dose of 37.5 mgs. I read on E-How to have your doctor give you a prescription for Effexor Immeditate release because there is a varity of MGS. My doctor thought that was a great Idea. I took 25 mgs and was fine. I felt great. So I am now reducing the 25 mgs. I would highly recommend this method. I am having NO withdrawal symptoms. I hope this help everyone and Good Luck. I will never take this horrible medication again.
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Avatar universal
I to have had my dosage adjusted from 150mg to 75mg. Yesterday was my first day, and I felt uneasy. I was weepy, having brain zaps and very tired, I feel like I haven't been to sleep yet!
Your story sounds very inspiring, I just hope it goes as smoothly for me as well, all these feeling of uncertainty, is very upsetting.
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Avatar universal
Crikey!
Five years and this forum is still going! Shows what a wonderful drug we're on, or trying to get off. Here in Australia it seems venlafaxine is the latest fad with trick-cyclists, and while it may have a few successes, as we see here, the drug is just too dirty for human consumption. I have not had caffeine jitters for years, but coming off Effexor (TM) is so much like those speedy times of my youth, before I became a seasoned espresso drinker, when too many Nescafes would set my heart a-racing. Anyhow, over time coming off this horrid drug has simply got worse, and I hate to think what's in store for what is said to be the worst stage, the last 75mg.

What can a bloke say...Crikey!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
After being on Effexor for 10 years after my father died. I so wish I tried ANY other drug. I recently went on Zyban to quit smoking and I experienced extreme troubles breathing which I found out was an allergy reaction to Zyban so I went off the Zyban after 4 days. My pharmacy was closed for a long weekend so I went off the Zyban and Effexor cold turkey. Pharmacist highly recomended I immediately see my doctor to wean off. My doc gave me the perscriptions to wean off very slowly. I was so exhausted and agitated from the weaning that I recently went cold turkey again. I was so excited. I have loads of energy, emotional balance instead of being so unemotinal and can feel my libido returning. EXCEPT its day 4 and I have nightmares every night. Theres no way I can go back to work on the 3 or 4 hours of sleep I do get. Its like Im half asleep and I can hear people in my house or I think Im talking to my son and hes in his room asleep.I dream that other members of my extended family are living right outside my door and they argue and walk around like its the middle of the day and its 230 am now and Im typing this because Im desperatre. The buzzing in my head and dizziness that comes and goes I can handle, this I cannot. Last night I had nightmares about my house being full to the capacity with so much stuff I could not get out of my room and tried to scream but nothing came out. It was so realistic I kept reflecting on it all during my busy day today praying it never happens again. But here I am. Any suggestions? I also have fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome, just moved to a new little town and really anxious to move forward.
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Avatar universal
Today is day 3. I was on 300mg (2 150mg tabs daily) Last Wed I called for a refill, no luck with it before the weekend. Last 150mg pill was last Sat morn.

Cold turkey since.

Sat wasnt bad, eve ok had a hard time sleeping.

Sun night was bad with the brain whizzes, feeling out of sorta & little stomach upset.

Mon day was ok, some anger for no reason, late afternoon munchies for Mexican & that night was horrible.. brain whizzes, nausea & vomiting, sweats chills bad bad night. Up all night, able to eat a light meal before bed in the am..not much nausau & no vomiting.

Tues slept till the afternoon, wokeup alright. Able to eat very little vomiting. Night, feel out of sorts, some nausea, headache & brain whizzes.

Hope day 4 is better as it seems the worst may be over???? Marijuana has helped alot, smoking & using a mj cream to the temples..Not saying its a miracle, it helps more at times & seems less at others.. Day 7
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1489641 tn?1288272322
I want to start by adding my 2 cents to "Whodunnit" Bull crap people are blowing these side effects out of the water!! They ARE as bad as what these people are saying! Effexor ruined the last 6 months of my life. I forgot everything!!!!! I was in the car driving and my mind just went blank like I forgot how to drive or something. I get cold sweats, horrible brain electric like feeling zaps, my sentences are so unstructured, I'm exhausted, my legs hurt, my heart pounds, I can't sleep, I can't eat which makes it hard to take Effexor EVERYDAY because I had to take it on a full stomach. Kinda hard to get a full stomach on Effexor. I cann't even type all that happeded, it was pure hell. The shaking was awful too. Did not effect my sex drive tho. SNRI's seem to not effect that, SSRI's however, killed my sex drive.HERE's the catcher!! I'm not even weaning yet!! I have all these side effects PRIOR to weaning. I take my pills late and this is what happens. I'm only on 75mg and today is my first day weaning. I have the pressed pill, not capsule. I will shave a bit off the pill gradually, I'll post as i continue to wean off this awful drug.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am on my 2nd night coming off (cold turkey) from150mg of Effexor XR which I have been on for 2 years. I was told by doctors I would never come off the drug, must admit I thought they were fantastic until recently, having suffered from hives, redness from my chest upwards and itchy skin etc for the last 8 months or more and putting it down to going through menopause then having a blood test last week and finding out my hormones were fine and being up most of the night 1 night last week feeling like i could rip my skin to bits with the itching I HAD ENOUGH.  Like said 2nd night and OMG the nightmares are like nothing I have ever experienced plus having to get in the shower at 2:30am as I felt like i was getting out of a bath not my bed being in a pool of sweat.  I am a personal assistant with a typing speed of 95wpm and fantastic grammer, that has gone out of the window at present god knows how long it has taken me to type this and its as though my fingers and eyes are moving and the words are coming out in slow motion. I am lucky I have a very supportive husband and family but can anyone tell me if the worst will be over in 5, 6, 7....etc days so I at least have some idea.
I am sure like some of you I tried to contact my doctor at the hos to ask for there help, I was a severe suicide attempt 5 days in ICU 2 years ago hence being on the Effexor and being told it was for life but the response I got was now I do not live in the caption area anymore I have to go to my GP get a referral to another hospital, I am sure some of you know what I am getting to.  By the time I could have done all this and waited, what 2,3 or more months before seeing someone and them having to know my case 1st I could of ended up back in the hospital and gone crazy with no skin in a worst position, so I have to do this cold turkey even though I tried to do the right thing by calling the doctor first and being turned away even when I told them my intentions.  Sorry if I do not make much sense but my god it is so hard typing this at the moment.
I would love to hear from anyone experiencing the same at present.
Thank you
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Avatar universal
OH MY........
My dose of effexor is huge! I am on 300mg at night.
anyone else on this dose?
I want off this medication. its not helping my depression at all. I have been on it now for 5 years.
I am back at the point where all i want to do is sleep and forget the world, although i have severe problems sleeping.. any advice?

Rochelle
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Avatar universal
my name is daniel, i am 17 years old, and currently completing my year 12 and i have been prescribed Effexor XR 150mg by a doctor and i have been hit with extreme side effects, for eg. but not limited to; nausia, irritablity, unability to concentrate, suicidal thoughts and feelings. needless to say my work has slipped drastically and now instead of graduating with my year 12 class i am going to graduate mid year 2010, that is if i get at all better. i want to get off this stuff but when i told the doctor about my side effects at the start of the treatment he simply said your getting the side effects because its not the right dosage then went on to prescribe the 150mg dose as opposed to the 75 that i started on. i have been on this now for a period of four to five weeks including the 75mg dose and i haven't been feeling at all better. the depression i had before i started this medication was nothing compared to the depression i have gotten 4 weeks after. also i feel as if im starting to develop anxiety. my shrink has told me just hold out with the treatment and all will be better within another 2-3 weeks and the side effects should subside.... What do i do?? has anyone else experienced what im going through? (i mean concerning the doctors, not so much the side effects)
Helpful - 0
1128018 tn?1259903404
DO NOT OPEN THE CAPSULES! This will negate the effect of the drug!!! It will be almost like going cold turkey. I am currently taking 37.5 mg every 15 days...I am going through horrible side effects of weaning as I write this (which is why I can't sleep and found this forum). Heart beat issues, head zaps, anxiety, sweating, irritation, digestion probs, body shocks ETC ETC!!! It's hell, people. Sheer hell. But I think I will beat this. Just please, don't open the capsules. Your time will be a waste. I did, and had to start over. PS: if you take a couple benadryls before trying to go to bed, it helps...I am going to take a few tonight. LOts of love to you all.
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Avatar universal
I began taking Effexor about 7 years ago to help me with irritability.  And it worked very well for me, providing me with the time needed to develop more robust coping strategies.

I have learned to practice mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) through Jon Kabat-Zinn's program.  I have been able to manage my reactions and to live a more balanced and accepting life.  

This past month I have weaned myself off Effexor.  There have been some adverse reactions (swings in emotions, "zaps" when I move my eyes - anyone know fro sure what those are?, tiredness and lack of motivation.  I'm confident that I'll weather these things and that new coping skills will help me to lead a happier and more contented life.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Taking Effexor XR is miserable.  Getting off of it is worse.  It took me two months to rid myself of withdrawal symptoms, but it's worth it.

Stick with it.  It'll be over soon (and fire your doctor, anyone who prescribes that stuff shouldn't even be allowed to practice medicine)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow, when I wrote that last post I was taking 37.5, and then none the next day.  It was the worst I have ever felt.  I got flu like symptoms and the worst brain zaps I have ever had.  I felt like fireworks were going off in my head when I closed my eyes.  I guess I spoke too soon.  I am taking vitamins b6 and b12, and also 5-htp which have really quelled the zaps.  I can't believe how bad it was from 35.7 to 0.  Next time I will think before I post.  
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562400 tn?1216241166
Effexor XR is too expensive! I heard Prozac helps with the withdrawal symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was on 225mg of Effexor XR for 6 months and recently switched to Wellbutrin.  I got off the Effexor in about 5 days, just taking 75 mg less every day, 75 for 2 days and 37.5 for one.  I also take Abilify 5mg.  I had very minimal withdrawl, with slight brain zaps every now and then, similar to when I got off Lexapro.  But I did not experience any of the horror stories Ive been reading about.  Maybe its the other meds that helped.  Good luck to all!    
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Avatar universal
I was on Effexor for years and decided to wean off. I was up to 150mg. My doc had me go down to 75mg for a month, then down to 37.5 for a month. Tomorrow is my first day without any Effexor at all. I'll let y'all know how I do. So far, the weaning process has been working without any obvious side effects... knock on wood ;*D

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Avatar universal
i think you are probably having tiredness from the effexor, their were times when i could barely walk when i was taking this drug. my blood pressure went up, my cholesterol went up and i was so very tired. once i quit taking it those problems went away. i would'nt be surprised if it caused the diabetes. alot of people on this site hate effexor. maybe you should think about getting off of it. remar
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