Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms

[kiddo]

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.

[Boise Idaho]

Thank goodness I found your site!  It has been almost a week since I have been off Effexor 300mg XR - My doctor prescribe Wellbutrin - I was suppose to take Wellbutrin and Effexor for about a week and then drop the Effexox.  I have never felt so bad! Tuesday, I stayed home because I thought I had the flu.  I get migraines and thought I was getting a lot of them.  I am a teacher and I went to school today.  1st Period I was confused, not clear with my instructions to the students - very frustrating for them  I have no patience - which is so unusual.  I ended up very grouchy.  I apologized to the class at the end of the period.  2nd period I started to cry & knew I needed a sub.  The office arranged for a sub.  I went out to my car and cried.  I called my doctor's office and they made room for me.  I went and she explained these symptoms were from Effexor withdrawal.  She wants me take the rest of the week off.  I am in no shape to leave lesson plans which makes me feel even worse.  I called the person on call tonight and explained to her what happened.  She said to open up a capsule (150 mg) and divide the pill in half -put half in the capsule and take it.  I did and feel a tiny bit better.  I do not want to go back on Effexor!!!  I wish I could go to a hospital - get the stuff out of my body while they manage how sick I feel - return to teaching feeling like I used to!  Help!
I am so "sick" of taking pills!  Comments?????  I am glad I am not alone!  It is 3 in the morning and I don't want to go to sleep because of the dreams - they are not horrible, but I feel I don't sleep because they are so vivid and strange.
Thanks - more later . . .

[airoline]

i urge you all to check out this site..theeffexoractivist.org

[airoline]

I will add this to the above comment. I am 54 years old, have gained aprox. 18lbs & have been on Effx xr. 150 mg for about 10 months.
hang in.

[airoline]

I am only just begining my withdrawals as of today. I have missed doses several times and ended up with such severe symptoms of head and body aches & crashes, that I immediately took a pill and said I will do this another time. I have now begun to have so much anxiety and depression and abnormal behaviors ie: gambling away our life savings without a thought to consequences..This has nothing to do with a bad marriage at all, more like It was someone else doing these "things". When I awoke this morning and realized how much I had lost again lastnight, I started looking for some answers as
to why I have been feeling so bad and so strange. I found this site after much searching and it has helped me realize something is more wrong than just getting older as this was originally prescribed for my menopausal night sweats. I hope we all stay supporting one another and will speak of my withdrawal experiences in a few days. Good luck to all.

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DOES ANYONE IN HERE HAVE ANY SECRETS OR EXPERIENCE ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT THESE EFFEXOR XR WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS?? I'M DESPERATE!

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I'm on day 2 from trying to slowly withdrawal off this drug for the second time. I feel so very sick. I need advice for these side effects. I'm about to open a capsule and take a few little white balls to feel better, just like you Connie wanting to take some to feel better. This is so gnarly, I feel like I'm trying to W/D off of heroin or something...feels like something pinching on my brain everywhere, I'm extremely dizzy, nauseated, if I turn my head too fast, It feels like a strobe light, my heart offbeats at times, I'm itchy...now I want to cry, This is complete misery!! Last time after day 5 of trying to withdrawal I couldn't handle the symptoms any more and started to take my 75mg. dose again. This time I really want to completely withdrawal so I am determined but as every day goes by the symptoms get stronger and I feel sicker. Nothing is helping.