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.

[Bonnie E.]

I tried to describe what I experienced after stopped 37.5 Effexor-XR 2 nights ago, brainshock is the word I'm looking for. Thank you.

My doctor told me that the withdrawal symptoms should not be nausea or stomach upset, but rather they should be related to emotional side effects like angry, sad or crying.  What does he know??  I'm glad i'm not alone in this and the reaction from you out there are truly real.  Effector makes me agitated and restless, this is the reason I want to get off and try something new.

I'll try to get off 37.5 gradually, but it is such a pain because i feel so sick without the drug.  Yes, I agree the drug company should put big notes about withdraw symptoms in the instructions.  Also the company should find a solution to the problem.

Another suggestion for Nausea is drinking gingle-ale or ginger water, that should help a bit.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for your help.
Bonnie

[Lostsoul665]

If you can stop taking it do so.  Think your doctor believes the clinical studies - show him / her a print out of this forum and ask "Why?". Why is this not being looked in to more carefully, why does it appear to becausing or irritating nerve damage, and who was paid off to keep the VERY BAD side effects hidden.  Where is Oprah when you need her...lol...

[megmckee]

i've been taking this only a few months... i've had soooo many side effects apparently and brushed them off because my doctor told me none of these things were related... i don't know what to think...

[Holding On]

I began to realize recently that the majority of the health problems I've been experiencing are all likely related to my taking 150 mg of Effexor XR daily. I was on the dosage for a few years, but was able to be weaned off of it successfully (no noticable withdrawal symptoms) in late 2004. (My doctor had me take 75 mg for three weeks, followed by 37.5 for another three weeks.)  After starting a new job and additional new life stressors, I reluctantly went back on the medicine in late 2005. I was married in early. Common to both times I've been on the drug is the obliteration of my sex drive, along with digestive problems that my doctor was quick to call IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and hand me a prescription to try - that I never did. All that, in addition to increased headaches, and other symptoms that I found noted as "possible"side effects of Effexor XR, plus the fact that a number of the stressors I was trying to cope with are no longer, I decided I'd like to try and go off the medicine again.

I called my doctor's office last Monday. The doc was on vacation, but a nurse called back and told me to take one pill every other day through Sunday and then take one pill every third day. DON'T TRY THIS. My right eye began twitching the first day I did without the medication. I've been fighting nausea and spells of dizziness on and off for the past week and a half, not to mention crazy crying spells. I actually left work early last Thursday, because I couldn't handle the queasiness and fight off the tears. Today, the nausea got so bad, I stopped by a Doctor's Care (urgent care/after hours) to see if something was wrong with me. Everything checked out normal and the nurse practitioner told me she was almost positive I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the Effexor. As soon as I told her I was trying to go off the medication, she commented that Effexor has the worst withdrawal symptoms of all the anti-depressants. I was appalled to find this out and was angry that the nurse at my doctor's office had offered such terrible guidance. I'm trying to keep in mind that perhaps not everyone may experience withdrawal symptoms like I have, but I still can't help think doctor's should be more responsible .

Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences here. You have helped calm my fears that I am crazy and that something else is wrong with me other than withdrawal symptoms. After going the last two days without any Effexor, I'm going to start taking 75 mg a day for the next few weeks and see how that works.

Best wishes and may God bless each of you as you face this battle.

[Lostsoul665]

I did forget to tell you about the horrific nightmares (the reason I woke up and found myself eating cake). I also cannot tell if I have the flu or if it is another withdrawal problem.  

[Sunshine94]

Haven't taken an effexor in 7 weeks, but am still having HORRIBLE sweats and chills....my only symptoms. They're so bad that some days I can't leave the house, other days I might feel better for several hours. Has anyone had this type of continued style of withdrawal? I'm not reading much about the heavy sweats and chills.......Thanks!