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Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms
I am a 47 year old female. Earlier this year, my Dr. and I decided that the effectiveness of Zoloft for my anxiety had waned after 3-4 years. He choose Effexor XR as a new med. After taking 150 mg of the Effexor XR for a little over 1 month, I decided it wasn't right for me. My libido became non-existent, I was gained weight, my digestive system seemed out-of-wack, and I'm not sure that it helped my anxiety. I'm not sure it was related to the Effexor XR, but I was bruising very easily, and I was obsessive about spending and "projects" during this time. I should also mention that I am on 30 mg of Adderall XR for ADD.
My Dr. decided to switch me to Wellbutrin XR which would also help me quit smoking. He had me drop down to 75 mg of the Effexor for a few days, then to 37.5 for another 2-3 days. The first day off the Effexor, I experienced increasing nausea, vertigo and a "slushy" head. The next two days, the symptoms increased. There was some confusion as to whether it was the Wellbutrin or the Effexor that was causing the symptoms. I had decided that I was the getting used to the Wellbutrin, and I just had to ride it out with the help of over-the-counter motion sickness meds. My Dr. never mentioned that Effexor is associated with withdrawal symptoms.
The effects of the Wellbutrin seemed to kick in almost immediately. My libido jumped way up, and just like that I quit smoking cold turkey. I couldn't stand the smell or taste of cigarettes all of the sudden. Now without the smoking, I also found that my morning coffee was nearly forgotten. (I'm sure that withdrawal from nicotine and caffeine added to my symptoms.)
Nearly two weeks after I stopped the Effexor, I started having extreme irritability & very negative thoughts, followed the next day by nausea and vertigo. Also, I had crying spells. I phoned my Dr. who said that crying wasn't a withdrawal symptom. Since my symptoms worsened the next day, he wanted me to try taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor to see what would happen. Within one hour, I was nearly symptom free. He said that I seemed to be especially sensitive to the drug. He then put me back on 37.5 mg for one week, and then approx. 18.75 mg for another two weeks. Well, the withdrawal symptoms started all over again. Couldn't have this happening at work. I decided to go back to the 37.5 mg. and taper off very slowly - either that or take time off work to get through the withdrawals. I have literally been counting the granuals (there are about 90 in a 37.5 mg capsule). On July 20, I started at 60 granuals, and decreased by 5 every few days to where now, on August 24, I have been taking 20 granuals a day for the past week. The entire time I have been nauseous. My Dr's phone msg. reply was that vertigo, not nausea, is a withdrawal symptom. Actually, I thought vertigo caused nausea. Over Labor Day weekend, I plan to stop the Effexor I hope that any symptoms will disappear over 3 days. Please help me.
My Dr. decided to switch me to Wellbutrin XR which would also help me quit smoking. He had me drop down to 75 mg of the Effexor for a few days, then to 37.5 for another 2-3 days. The first day off the Effexor, I experienced increasing nausea, vertigo and a "slushy" head. The next two days, the symptoms increased. There was some confusion as to whether it was the Wellbutrin or the Effexor that was causing the symptoms. I had decided that I was the getting used to the Wellbutrin, and I just had to ride it out with the help of over-the-counter motion sickness meds. My Dr. never mentioned that Effexor is associated with withdrawal symptoms.
The effects of the Wellbutrin seemed to kick in almost immediately. My libido jumped way up, and just like that I quit smoking cold turkey. I couldn't stand the smell or taste of cigarettes all of the sudden. Now without the smoking, I also found that my morning coffee was nearly forgotten. (I'm sure that withdrawal from nicotine and caffeine added to my symptoms.)
Nearly two weeks after I stopped the Effexor, I started having extreme irritability & very negative thoughts, followed the next day by nausea and vertigo. Also, I had crying spells. I phoned my Dr. who said that crying wasn't a withdrawal symptom. Since my symptoms worsened the next day, he wanted me to try taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor to see what would happen. Within one hour, I was nearly symptom free. He said that I seemed to be especially sensitive to the drug. He then put me back on 37.5 mg for one week, and then approx. 18.75 mg for another two weeks. Well, the withdrawal symptoms started all over again. Couldn't have this happening at work. I decided to go back to the 37.5 mg. and taper off very slowly - either that or take time off work to get through the withdrawals. I have literally been counting the granuals (there are about 90 in a 37.5 mg capsule). On July 20, I started at 60 granuals, and decreased by 5 every few days to where now, on August 24, I have been taking 20 granuals a day for the past week. The entire time I have been nauseous. My Dr's phone msg. reply was that vertigo, not nausea, is a withdrawal symptom. Actually, I thought vertigo caused nausea. Over Labor Day weekend, I plan to stop the Effexor I hope that any symptoms will disappear over 3 days. Please help me.
I forgot what I was going to say in my last post....
ISide effects:
I have no sex drive at all,( I used to be a very sexual woman, now I feel like a freak) if we do have sex, no matter how long it lasts, I am feeling nothing at all...so I pretend, which makes me feel so bad because it is like a lie to my husband.
I have put on 50 pounds even tho I eat 1 meal a day!
I CANNOT sleep, doc gave me sleeping pills, still no sleep!
I go days with no sleep, then my body gives out and I drop for 16 or more hours!
I had to quit my job because I suppose I was overtired, I got so I couldn't stand anyone or anything.
Customers do not deserve that, they used to come to where I work just to see me, and after I would come back from vacation, I got so many hugs!
My blood pressure top number will not go down no matter what they give me, another side effect of effexor!
Linda
ISide effects:
I have no sex drive at all,( I used to be a very sexual woman, now I feel like a freak) if we do have sex, no matter how long it lasts, I am feeling nothing at all...so I pretend, which makes me feel so bad because it is like a lie to my husband.
I have put on 50 pounds even tho I eat 1 meal a day!
I CANNOT sleep, doc gave me sleeping pills, still no sleep!
I go days with no sleep, then my body gives out and I drop for 16 or more hours!
I had to quit my job because I suppose I was overtired, I got so I couldn't stand anyone or anything.
Customers do not deserve that, they used to come to where I work just to see me, and after I would come back from vacation, I got so many hugs!
My blood pressure top number will not go down no matter what they give me, another side effect of effexor!
Linda
I have been on 150mg Effexor for about 4 years. I noticed that I have also been bruising easily, and my cuts heal very very slowly. I don't know if this is from the Effexor but I have been having the brain shocks and nausea since starting to reduce my dosage. I have cut down to 75mg with some of the common problems, but I am not looking forward to the effects that others describe when going down below 37.5mg. I will be fine for a while then I have a couple of days where I am just mad as a hornet and God help anyone who crosses me. On those days I need to just stay put and avoid people. I own a small business and even gave a customer a piece of my mind and felt horrible about it later. I know my doctor does not understand the power of this medication and hopefully with enough people sharing their nightmares about coming off Effexor it won't be prescribed quite as freely. Oh, the joint pain is definitely hitting me now as it has done others as I have read in these stories. My sex drive has completely dried up. Even Viagra does not help. Honestly, I'd rather deal with depression than with the effects of this medication. Good luck to all of us who are attempting to quit.
Oh, BTW, I forgot to mention, yes, this med does cause itching and the feeling that something is biting you or pricking you skin. It is even worse for a couple of weeks when you are coming off the Effexor.
08/21/07
First, I’m glad to know it is not just me. I threw my effexor in the trash a week ago because I felt it was the cause of many weird problems I had / have.
I started taking effexor approximately six months ago. At first it was okay (certainly better than I felt). Then things started getting weird.
1. I was playing with a puppy approximately five months ago who proceeded to bite me in play. The bites never healed. They just started to heal in the last few days.
2. My right eye would shut when I got tired. I would have to hold it open to use it.
3. I gained thirty pounds (something my doctor told me would not happen).
4. I started to live on Excedrin migraine tablets to curve (not cure) the headache.
5. The pressure in my eyes became too much to handle.
6. I kept losing track of what I was doing (makes paying your bills and general life interesting).
7. Everywhere I have nerve damage (from a wreck I was in) became irritated.
Now that I have thrown them out I still have problems:
1. I woke up to eating cake last night at three in the morning (am I doing this more than I know? Was I doing it on the pill without knowing it?).
2. I have cold and hot sweats at the same time.
3. I’m either annoyingly happy or really angry.
4. I intermittently start crying for absolutely no reason at all.
5. My left arm hurts almost all the time.
6. I’m having extreme suicidal and / or homicidal thoughts. (I know me very will so I know the thoughts are coming from the withdrawals and not to take action on them).
7. I’m starting to agree with Tom Cruise (about mental health help).
I feel like I traded one bad thing for another (and back again), but now I can not throw out the problem because I’m not taking anything. I am annoyed with my doctor because he knows, since my wreck, that I have intermittent high (very high) blood pressure and high cholesterol (hereditary) which is why I wanted something that would not make me gain weight.
How long is this going to last????
First, I’m glad to know it is not just me. I threw my effexor in the trash a week ago because I felt it was the cause of many weird problems I had / have.
I started taking effexor approximately six months ago. At first it was okay (certainly better than I felt). Then things started getting weird.
1. I was playing with a puppy approximately five months ago who proceeded to bite me in play. The bites never healed. They just started to heal in the last few days.
2. My right eye would shut when I got tired. I would have to hold it open to use it.
3. I gained thirty pounds (something my doctor told me would not happen).
4. I started to live on Excedrin migraine tablets to curve (not cure) the headache.
5. The pressure in my eyes became too much to handle.
6. I kept losing track of what I was doing (makes paying your bills and general life interesting).
7. Everywhere I have nerve damage (from a wreck I was in) became irritated.
Now that I have thrown them out I still have problems:
1. I woke up to eating cake last night at three in the morning (am I doing this more than I know? Was I doing it on the pill without knowing it?).
2. I have cold and hot sweats at the same time.
3. I’m either annoyingly happy or really angry.
4. I intermittently start crying for absolutely no reason at all.
5. My left arm hurts almost all the time.
6. I’m having extreme suicidal and / or homicidal thoughts. (I know me very will so I know the thoughts are coming from the withdrawals and not to take action on them).
7. I’m starting to agree with Tom Cruise (about mental health help).
I feel like I traded one bad thing for another (and back again), but now I can not throw out the problem because I’m not taking anything. I am annoyed with my doctor because he knows, since my wreck, that I have intermittent high (very high) blood pressure and high cholesterol (hereditary) which is why I wanted something that would not make me gain weight.
How long is this going to last????
Don't stop it cold turkey, whatever you do! The brain zaps feel like lightning racing through your brain and then your whole body. These are the worst side effects...others are irritability and vertigo (that I have experienced).
Even stepping down slowly has given me severe brain shocks (or zaps). They are so bad that I lose my balance, and experience them with every move that I make. They really hurt. I called Wyeth today to find out what I can do to help this symptom. I didn't get a straight answer...only "withdrawal symptoms" and "sensory disturbances." I want to know what is REALLY going on. I only got bandaid answers. I was also told that this is rare. From what I have seen online, it is not.
Does any one know exactly what is causing this feeling? Is it neurons misfiring or something else? I want the biological answer so I can find a way to make this stepping down process NOT interfere with my ability to function.
If you have experience these sensory perceptions, please call Wyeth and have them take a report. This needs to be added specifically as a symptom to the prescribing information. If I had known it would be so bad, I would have asked for something else. (I experienced NO side effects from stopping Zoloft, Xanax, and Cymbalta.)
Best wishes.
Even stepping down slowly has given me severe brain shocks (or zaps). They are so bad that I lose my balance, and experience them with every move that I make. They really hurt. I called Wyeth today to find out what I can do to help this symptom. I didn't get a straight answer...only "withdrawal symptoms" and "sensory disturbances." I want to know what is REALLY going on. I only got bandaid answers. I was also told that this is rare. From what I have seen online, it is not.
Does any one know exactly what is causing this feeling? Is it neurons misfiring or something else? I want the biological answer so I can find a way to make this stepping down process NOT interfere with my ability to function.
If you have experience these sensory perceptions, please call Wyeth and have them take a report. This needs to be added specifically as a symptom to the prescribing information. If I had known it would be so bad, I would have asked for something else. (I experienced NO side effects from stopping Zoloft, Xanax, and Cymbalta.)
Best wishes.
Been on Effexor for over a year now, after having been on Zoloft for the past 3 years.
I asked for more counseling because i feel 1 hour of counseling every 2 weeks does not help me a great deal. My doc said yes, good idea but...he
recently added a new medication to my current ones. This is Seroquel, 50 to 75mg per day. Dr. says this will help optimize the Effexor. What the heck is going on?????...How many more meds will be added???? Yes, i take these meds for depression...but i was not getting worse.
Quit 187.5mg of Effexor...COLD TURKEY...5 days ago.
Day 1 to 3...brain shocks and mildy depressed...but not so bad.
Day 4 and 5. Arrrrg!!!...Yesterday felt so sad...i usually don't cry...but i cried like a baby all evening. Brain shocks every few seconds and worse if i move my eyeballs. Stomach cramps. Dizzy. Feeling as if my brain is clouded. Return of panic attacks...but just slightly. Really weird nightmares, waking up constantly from these vivid bad dreams with pulse racing...i've never experienced these before.
Today, Day 5, was even afraid of getting out of bed...this is so scary!
(As you can see, i eventually willed myself out of bed and i will keep on going on will power to get through this!)
Thank God i found this site. Knowing i'im not alone helps a great deal.
I've got to get through this detox. I'm a 40yr old mother of 3 boys from 3yrs of age to 16yrs. Also raising them on my own. I'm going back to work in january and i really hope these frightening symptoms will be gone by then cause i just can't imagine being productive feeling the way i do today!
I've been reading about people who tapered thier doses of Effexor and it seems to help them a little.
I would of considered tapering the medication myself but the reason i went Cold Turkey is the high price of Effexor. Each capsule costs me 3$... here in Canada. My small budget just can't afford this anymore, even if i have a medical insurance plan. I have to dish out the cost before they pay me back and unfortunalely, at that price, i have to cut back on basic food for my kids and i....and thats out of the question!!!
For those who do not know about this kind of withdrawl...let me tell you this. I've been through broken bones, back surgery, pneumonias, gave birth 4 times...all painfull short term or long term...but this Effexor withdrawl is really something!!!
I guess all i can do is pray i get through these debilitating symptoms and never again feel this crappy....Ugh!
I'll be back and keep you posted on my progression. And thanks for this site!
I asked for more counseling because i feel 1 hour of counseling every 2 weeks does not help me a great deal. My doc said yes, good idea but...he
recently added a new medication to my current ones. This is Seroquel, 50 to 75mg per day. Dr. says this will help optimize the Effexor. What the heck is going on?????...How many more meds will be added???? Yes, i take these meds for depression...but i was not getting worse.
Quit 187.5mg of Effexor...COLD TURKEY...5 days ago.
Day 1 to 3...brain shocks and mildy depressed...but not so bad.
Day 4 and 5. Arrrrg!!!...Yesterday felt so sad...i usually don't cry...but i cried like a baby all evening. Brain shocks every few seconds and worse if i move my eyeballs. Stomach cramps. Dizzy. Feeling as if my brain is clouded. Return of panic attacks...but just slightly. Really weird nightmares, waking up constantly from these vivid bad dreams with pulse racing...i've never experienced these before.
Today, Day 5, was even afraid of getting out of bed...this is so scary!
(As you can see, i eventually willed myself out of bed and i will keep on going on will power to get through this!)
Thank God i found this site. Knowing i'im not alone helps a great deal.
I've got to get through this detox. I'm a 40yr old mother of 3 boys from 3yrs of age to 16yrs. Also raising them on my own. I'm going back to work in january and i really hope these frightening symptoms will be gone by then cause i just can't imagine being productive feeling the way i do today!
I've been reading about people who tapered thier doses of Effexor and it seems to help them a little.
I would of considered tapering the medication myself but the reason i went Cold Turkey is the high price of Effexor. Each capsule costs me 3$... here in Canada. My small budget just can't afford this anymore, even if i have a medical insurance plan. I have to dish out the cost before they pay me back and unfortunalely, at that price, i have to cut back on basic food for my kids and i....and thats out of the question!!!
For those who do not know about this kind of withdrawl...let me tell you this. I've been through broken bones, back surgery, pneumonias, gave birth 4 times...all painfull short term or long term...but this Effexor withdrawl is really something!!!
I guess all i can do is pray i get through these debilitating symptoms and never again feel this crappy....Ugh!
I'll be back and keep you posted on my progression. And thanks for this site!
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