Low dose of effexor still mean brutal withdrawals?

[finny500]

Hi everyone!

I sympathize with everyone on here going through the hell of effexor! Like a lot of people on here, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started these meds. I was a vulnerable 20 years old suffering from panic attacks and would have gone on anything to make them stop and not once was it mentioned that these things can seriously ruin a persons quality of life once they decide to get off them. I think the best thing we can do is spread the word to people to not take these things or to seriously look into them before they do!

So here is my question. I've been on the effexor for a little over a year and only ever been on the 37.5 dosage (I know thats a low dose especially compared to everyone else on here). My doctor told me to take them every other day until they were gone. It's been a month and finally they are GONE (woohoo!!) However, its been a few hours since I woke up and I already have brain zaps and made a few trips to the toilet. This is only the first day and I'm wondering how bad they are going to get? Since I was low dosage I thought I might have lucked out and not of had such horrible withdrawals, but I'm starting to think other wise. I work this weekend (in two days), 12 hours shifts, and have a pretty dangerous job and would never want to put my shift partner at risk if I'm not going to be 100% mentally. Does anyone have any idea on what the withdrawals are like for a person with a dosage like myself?

Any feed back would be greatly appreciated! I'm desperate! lol

[remar]

That's great news! I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. Your boss sounds like a wonderful person. Keep us up to date on how you're doing.

[finny500]

Hi everyone! Thanks for you responses! I've considered calling my family doctor but so far (it's day three) and my withdrawals are manageable! I think I might just suffer it out. I stocked up on a big bottle of omega 3, vitamin b complex and I'm going to get some gravol today I think. Lucky for me everyone has been very supportive, I even told my boss just incase I was too sick to work and she said I could take time off if I needed to, luckily though I'm still able to work! I've been a little moody and easily agitated, and also have had some bad dreams but other then those and the brain zaps it hasn't been that bad!

[md67]

You will find more info on The Road Back website

[md67]

Hi, I  am first week without Effexor and lucky me I have no brain zaps. I heard that Omega 3 helps with brain zaps. For nausea and dizziness i am taking Gravol pills.You will find more info on http://www.***********.org/effexor.aspx

[remar]

I'm wondering if maybe you should have tapered a different way? Instead of every other day, maybe going a couple of days for awhile and then taking another day away, and so on. It's really hard to say how we should taper off these meds. I took Effexor myself and although it did help my depression and anxiety, it was the hardest med I've ever went off of. Give your Dr a call if possible, and let him know how you're feeling. There is always the possibility of going back on it and doing a different way of tapering.