Side Effects of Getting off Effexor XR

[Berly]

I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for 12 months.  Two weeks ago I went to my doctor and discussed the possibilty of becoming pregnant in the near future, and if I should get off the medicine first.  He said I need to get off the medicine first, and now for two weeks I've been on 37.5 mg which the Dr. said to do for a month, and after a month go back to decide whether then to get completely off it, or if I should take one every other day.  For the last week, however, I've been having awful muscle cramps and spasms in my legs that are painful, and preventing me from sleeping through the nite. My legs jump at nite and its hard to relax them.  I am using a heating pad and I now take a Tylenol PM at night to help with pain and to help me sleep.  Is this a withdrawal symptom from Effexor?  Thank you.

[ashuuhhley]

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant, and i am still taking effexor xr but i am on the lowest dose, 37.5 mg. I am really concerned about staying on it, and how to get myself off. My obgyn doctor had told me it was safe, but i don't feel as though she listens to anything i say. Everything I have been reading on the internet about this medicine is starting to concern me. Is it safe to stay on it? Or should i stop taking it? and how do you get yourself off of it once your on the lowest dose? Because it does have horrible side effects, and i don't want this to effect my baby.

[ort]

I am also in the process of getting off Effexor XR. I have been having almost the same side effects as Berly.  However, it is not so much a cramp, but rather an inability to keep my legs still.  I also am dealing with insomnia.  In fact, I am writing this because I can't relax enough to go to sleep.  Is there anything I can do to relieve these symptons so that I can get some rest?  Thank you.....roger

[red_3_29]

I too am coming off effexor and agree the withdrawals are horrible.  I have discovered that if I take extra Bcomplex 100(natural, not synthetic stuff), natural multivitamins with lutein and lycopene and Omega 3 fish oil, it helps a lot.  Also, I take a natural sleep pill with valeran, melatonin, chamomile,skullcap, and hops; it helps.  These were recommended by a nutritionist and seem to REALLY help. I try to skip as many days as possible before finally having to take an effexor capsule. I started at three days, then finally went to four after about 3 weeks, and now I'm at 5, but am having trouble today and will probably take one tonight. It seems to be a slow process, but I honestly can see improvement.  I joined a class action law suit about this, too. for a med to be non-addicting, this certainly seems to me to be pretty addicting.

[red_3_29]

Yes, you can hold down a professional job, but you have to wean yourself very, very slowly. Try skipping one day, then after a few weeks, try skipping two days, etc.  SLOW!!!  I have been weaning myself from effexor for 1 1/2 months and am up to five days without the med. I push it as far out as I can, then when I really need to take an effexor, I do. I also am taking (at the suggestion of a nutritionist) extra b complex 100, multivitamin with lutein and lycopene, omega 3 fish oil, valerlan, melatonin, chamomile, hops, and skullcap. ALL NATURAL, not synthetic. They definitely help me.
The withdrawal symptoms are horrible, but going slowly, you can do it. My worst has been the pain in my eyes and the swishing sounds and electrical-like impulses in my head. I gained 30 pounds on this drug and I hate it.  I have joined a class action law suit. Good luck to each of you.

[red_3_29]

I too am coming off effexor and agree the withdrawals are HORRIBLE.  I have discovered that if I take extra Bcomplex 100(natural, not synthetic stuff), natural multivitamins with lutein and lycopene and Omega 3 fish oil, it helps a lot.  Also, I take a natural sleep pill with valeran, melatonin, chamomile,skullcap, and hops; it helps.  These were recommended by a nutritionist and seem to REALLY help. I try to skip as many days as possible before finally having to take an effexor capsule. I started at three days, then finally went to four after about 3 weeks, and now I'm at 5, but am having trouble today and will probably take one tonight. It seems to be a slow process, but I honestly can see improvement.  I joined a class action law suit about this, too. for a med to be non-addicting, this certainly seems to me to be pretty addicting.Yes, you can hold down a professional job, but you have to wean yourself VERY slowly. Start with skipping one day;  do that for a couple of weeks, then skip two days, etc.  I go as long as a can without taking one, then take one.  The need gets farther and farther apart.

[Shock]

Hi, I understand that Effexor is horrid to get off.
But if you want to get off Effexor what advise do you have?
Can anyone advise how to make this withdrawel period easier?
Is it possible to hold down a professional job whiles coming off the drug?
Excuse my ignornace, but I am not all too familiar with ways to make coming off Effexor easier - or is the best advise to stay on it, as the side effects are so terrible?