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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.
wow.... ive been taking Effexor XR at 150 mgs for about a year now, and i havent taken one since last thursday.... today is monday and the mere thought of these withdrawal effects continuing makes me ill. ive been crying the entire time ive been reading your stories im so scared. its only been 4 days.... but can anyone tell me how much longer this is going to last????
ive done nothing but lay in bed and eat for the past 4 days! i quit my job this weekend bcus i wouldnt handle the nausea, dizziness, sweats, crying spells and vertigo. im freaking out right now!! i feel out of control. ive tried stopping cold turkey with these pills before but i always cave and reorder them so i can go back to just living my normal life. i feel they no longer serve any purpose in my life except avoiding the inevitable withdrawal symptoms!!!!!
im terrified and need advice.... should i go down to 75mg??? should i switch to Zoloft so that i wont have withdrawal syptoms??? my doctor suggested switching to generic to accomidate the price issue (such an expensive pill!!!!), and go down to 75mg of it to help whine me off. after reading this im even more confused and nervous though.
im seriously desperate for any advice that anyone has concerning this....
please email me at ***@**** if you have any suggestions. i feel like these symptoms are taking over my life but i cant afford to take a $3 pill everyday just to be able to function normally. it doesnt even help with my depression.
some one help please.
ive done nothing but lay in bed and eat for the past 4 days! i quit my job this weekend bcus i wouldnt handle the nausea, dizziness, sweats, crying spells and vertigo. im freaking out right now!! i feel out of control. ive tried stopping cold turkey with these pills before but i always cave and reorder them so i can go back to just living my normal life. i feel they no longer serve any purpose in my life except avoiding the inevitable withdrawal symptoms!!!!!
im terrified and need advice.... should i go down to 75mg??? should i switch to Zoloft so that i wont have withdrawal syptoms??? my doctor suggested switching to generic to accomidate the price issue (such an expensive pill!!!!), and go down to 75mg of it to help whine me off. after reading this im even more confused and nervous though.
im seriously desperate for any advice that anyone has concerning this....
please email me at ***@**** if you have any suggestions. i feel like these symptoms are taking over my life but i cant afford to take a $3 pill everyday just to be able to function normally. it doesnt even help with my depression.
some one help please.
Hi
I'm a newbie to this forum & I don't take effexor, but my girlfriend does. She has recently reduced her dose to 37.5 (about 4 weeks ago) and it's been a rough ride. My reason for being here is that she just ended our relationship & says it's the stress of being together coupled with her mom's illness. What I want to know is can anyone recommend a support group for supporters of loved ones & family who are having withdrawl/difficulties with the side effects of effexor? I do understand that she's not feeling well at all, both mentally & physically, so I'm not turning my back completely. My issue isn't to discuss our relationship, but I recognize that she is experiencing many of the symptoms that you folks are courageous enough to share with everybody. Reading your entries helps me better understand what's going on, even though I could never imagine what she's going through. Please help.
Thank you,
Gizzy514
I'm a newbie to this forum & I don't take effexor, but my girlfriend does. She has recently reduced her dose to 37.5 (about 4 weeks ago) and it's been a rough ride. My reason for being here is that she just ended our relationship & says it's the stress of being together coupled with her mom's illness. What I want to know is can anyone recommend a support group for supporters of loved ones & family who are having withdrawl/difficulties with the side effects of effexor? I do understand that she's not feeling well at all, both mentally & physically, so I'm not turning my back completely. My issue isn't to discuss our relationship, but I recognize that she is experiencing many of the symptoms that you folks are courageous enough to share with everybody. Reading your entries helps me better understand what's going on, even though I could never imagine what she's going through. Please help.
Thank you,
Gizzy514
I was put on 75mg of effexor xr 1-1/2 yrs ago..I weaned down to 37.5mg since I thought if wasnt such a great idea to be on any of that stuff....When i tried to go off I kept getting brain zaps..The cancer doctor told me to wean down to one a day for two weeks then one every other day for two weeks..anyway...I am off completely for about three weeks now..The brain zaps are definetly getting lesser but still there but I noticed my heart rate has climbed at least 20 beats..I have to monitor my blood pressure...My primary doctor and the pharmacist both think it is from the effexor...so for now that is my only complaint...no nausea or other symptoms that i know of....guess i am lucky
If anyone has any idea to help these withdrawls, please email me at:
***@****
thanks!
***@****
thanks!
NO ILLEGAL DRUG COULD HAVE THE WITHDRAWLS OF EFFEXOR! HOW CAN THEY LEGALIZE DRUGS YOU CAN GET HOOKED ON????
I HAVE NO MONEY FOR THE PILLS (300-400 a month) as I lost my job and health insurance' HERE COMES THE DEPRESSION, CRYING, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS! I am so scared what will happen next!
I have been on Effexor for maybe 8 years. They put me on it when I was taking care of my mother whom had cancer. At that time I started having terrible panic attacks. The doc put me on Effexor xr.
At one time when I was still on effexor xr,( 200 mg. I think) I started being really depressed and had suicidal thoughts. The doc upped my dose to 300 mg.
This is the worst drug I have ever been on as far as withdrawl goes. I've been on all kinds of depression pills, never a withdrawl that bothered me. Now a different doc at the same clinic told me to drop to 200 mg. for a week. Did that. Today I have no pills and I feel like just crying all day! DO NOT LET THEM PUT YOU ON EFFEXOR! It worked great for my panic attacks, but the withdrawls are as bad or worse than panic attacks!
My son had the withdrawls too, only he had them worse... the brain shocks they talk about among other effects! TOLD HIM NOT TO TAKE THEM BUT HE TRUSTED HIS DOC!
When I first started on effexor xr 8 years ago they were $150.00 a month,( I had insurance ) now they are up to $415.00, quite the racket! get them hooked raise the price... (since they can't get off them) they try... but they will go back on as they have such terrible side effects! LEGAL DRUG LAWS! Sorry to ramble... just take care, docs do not even know about drugs they subscribe as they haven't taken them! Was going to tell you more facts but my eyes are getting all weird and I can't remember what I was going to say...
Can anybody help me with these withdrawls? I can't take them!
Thanks, Linda
I HAVE NO MONEY FOR THE PILLS (300-400 a month) as I lost my job and health insurance' HERE COMES THE DEPRESSION, CRYING, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS! I am so scared what will happen next!
I have been on Effexor for maybe 8 years. They put me on it when I was taking care of my mother whom had cancer. At that time I started having terrible panic attacks. The doc put me on Effexor xr.
At one time when I was still on effexor xr,( 200 mg. I think) I started being really depressed and had suicidal thoughts. The doc upped my dose to 300 mg.
This is the worst drug I have ever been on as far as withdrawl goes. I've been on all kinds of depression pills, never a withdrawl that bothered me. Now a different doc at the same clinic told me to drop to 200 mg. for a week. Did that. Today I have no pills and I feel like just crying all day! DO NOT LET THEM PUT YOU ON EFFEXOR! It worked great for my panic attacks, but the withdrawls are as bad or worse than panic attacks!
My son had the withdrawls too, only he had them worse... the brain shocks they talk about among other effects! TOLD HIM NOT TO TAKE THEM BUT HE TRUSTED HIS DOC!
When I first started on effexor xr 8 years ago they were $150.00 a month,( I had insurance ) now they are up to $415.00, quite the racket! get them hooked raise the price... (since they can't get off them) they try... but they will go back on as they have such terrible side effects! LEGAL DRUG LAWS! Sorry to ramble... just take care, docs do not even know about drugs they subscribe as they haven't taken them! Was going to tell you more facts but my eyes are getting all weird and I can't remember what I was going to say...
Can anybody help me with these withdrawls? I can't take them!
Thanks, Linda
Hi - just wanted to share that I have been on Effexor XR (75mg) for a few years now, and so long as I stay on them, I am fine - no side effects at all. But if I miss even one day, I feel like a Heroin addict in the first week of withdrawal (not that I have ever taken Heroin, but I've seen it dramatised on TV). By the second day, I feel as if my emotions have been turned inside out, so that they are all exposed on the surface, raw and bleeding, and someone is constantly rubbing salt into the wounds in my head and all over my body. That is what the brain zaps and emotional trauma feels like, anyway. I am terrified of coming off them because I have never made it beyond the 2nd day of stopping before, and if it gets worse than that, then I would need to be hospitalised during the process! Has anyone who posted on here or reading this successfully stopped them, without switching to another one? For how many days did the symptoms last?
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