Weaning off Effexor XR

[claud_au]

I've been a depressive for many years and have  been successfully controlling it with Effexor XR.  Recently due to other medical problems, my MO felt i should go off them. I thought it was as good a time as any to try and not replace them with other drugs. I weaned off as i was told over several weeks ( this was definetly not symptom free).  To cut a long story short, a week of no Effexor-XR has passed and my body is shaking, I become teary for no good reason, I snap at people, I am constantly nauseous and worst of all, I am very, very dizzy.  I don't like this one little bit.  My question is, how long will it take before these symptoms leave me??
Thanks in advance.

[claud_au]

I fully understand where yur coming from.  Maybe I'm not ready to go off them form this point of view, but when I first went on them my cholesterol levels where zero, now they are sky rocketing, my diet or lifestyle haven't changed at all.  The doc thinks it's the meds.  either way i have to try another med and I've tried them all, Effexor was definitely the one that worked for me.  I am however worried that I'll get the blues again, I guess I'll just have to find out what happens.. thanx .

[claud_au]

Thanx heaps for your advice.. I've been having a good look at the forum and got lots of info form yourself and others.  I've started taking Magnesium, B vitamins and fish oils.  Thanx again.

[4Maddie44]

Are you sure you really want to take yourself off Effexor?   Sounds like your depression is coming back.  I tell you one thing, if you do go back on, you will never want to withdraw again.  So, you now put up with all these symptoms, until they subside, or think if you really can do without Effexor.  

If you really want to come off, stick with it.  TYhe symptoms will gradually subside.  I managed to get myself off, and it was not easy.  After a year my depression came back with a vengeance and I am now back on 150mg Effexor XR daily.  I could not put myself through the withdrawal again.

Let us know how you get on.

[M4Y0U]

Note that this could also suggest a relapse which would indicate you are not ready to quit your medication.

M4

[M4Y0U]

And magnesium to help with the shaking too.

[M4Y0U]

First of all it is not quite clear what is causing all the symptoms but an important and proven factor from a neurobiological point of view is called an anticholinergic rebound. When you stop a antidepressant drug it is very likely to cause interruption of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (involved in memory and learning and other cognitive function as well widely used when a person is under stress, it's depletion cause a variety of symptoms).

To help with the withdrawals I highly suggest supplementing with choline & inositol along with fish oil and B vitamin complex.

M4

[4Maddie44]

There is a lot of information about Effexor withdrawal on this site.  I suggest you look it all up.  The withdrawal time varies.  Took me three weeks.  Others shorter, and others longer.  Not easy.

Look up all the information on Effexor withdrawal.  It is a bit question on this site.