has anyone made it thru ???

[messedupmark]

has anyone made it thru the effexor xr withdrawals with success, if so please give detalis on how you did it, i will be starting to taper off of it soon, i really would like to stay off of this drug once im completely off of it,----i know everyone is different but theres got to be some info  on how to do this------

[ettebette]

This is to help those coming off of Effexor XR.  I have been on antidepressants for 20 years, and have weaned off of antidepressants before.  However, I have never been totally off of taking an antidepressant.  It was decided by me (and my headache practitioner) to stop taking Effexor XR, as it might be exascerbating my 24/7 excruciating migraines/eye pain.  Getting off of Effexor XR has been the worst HELL I have ever been through -- much worse than any depression.  The only thing that has helped has been the addition of a low dose of Prozac, due to its longer half-life.  I will NEVER go back to taking an antidepressant regimen.  That is not to say that antidepressants are ALL bad, and that they can't be useful.  They can.  However, in my case, I am more Dysthymic (low grade depression), and I have more of an anxiety issue (generalized anxiety disorder) than anything else.  If you're coming off of an antidepressant (particularly Paxil or Effexor XR -- which are the WORST as far as withdrawal symptoms), it might be a good idea to ask your medical practitioner about helping you with your withdrawal using Prozac for a short time.  Best of luck to all of you who are dealing with life's challenges.  There IS light at the end of the tunel.

[Radioonfire]

I got off effexor xr last year
i was on 75mg for a year and then i ran out of my prescription and couldn't get a refill without going to see my doctor which i couldn't do because i was out of the state.  the withdrawal lasted for about two weeks and i was glad to be off of the horrible drug once and for all.  

[boogieman]

Hello. As previously stated, you should do this gradually under a doctors care. I ran out not long ago for 4 days, 150mg to none. I thought I was losing my mind. Shakes, incapacitating anxiety, even hallucinations, it was terrible. Just take it slowly. Take care, GM

[heyjude1]

I can give you my experiece withdrawing from Effexor.  The first time I quit Effexor XR , I did not taper, the doctor switched me to Prozac the next day.  I did pretty good,..no real side effects.  The second time I went off Effexor w/o being under a doctor's care, I just quit cold turkey...do not try this, it was a really bad experience and I would never do this again.  You did not mention how many Mgs. of Effexor you are taking.  Personally, when I decide to get off Effexor again (this is the 3rd time I have taken Effexor), I will be under a doctors supervision. Withdrawal can be brutal if not tapered correctly and it takes several weeks of tapering.  I would think you will still have some side effects but done over a long period of time they may not be too bad.  Good luck to you.