Effexor XR withdrawal

[edad21]

I was on 150 mg of effexor xr for around two years. i tapered very slowly and had horrible headaches and brain zaps that were very very scary. While tapering my doctor put me on 20 mg of prozac and I think that helped somewhat. but three months later im still having occasional brain zaps Are these symptoms going to be permanent? im afraid that the effexor has done damage to my brain. i have alot of frequent headaches that r very bad that i have never had before

[tazmania799]

I was able to taper off Effexor XR in 4 weeks.  Under instructions from my psychiatrist, reduced the dosage by half every two weeks until off.  I was on 150mg at night so took 75 mg for two weeks, then 37 mg for two weeks and then done.  No side effects whatsoever.  I previously experience HORRIBLE side effects from sudden withdrawal of effexor.  I had palpitations, pounding heart, profuse sweating, and jerking motions of arms and legs (seizure-like).  So I was off it in a month and put on Celexa.  My Rx co-pay went from $48 per month to $4 at Wal-Mat.   I'm a happy camper.

[AZMeg]

I do not know if the brain zapping is a fixed way of living after going off of Effexor, but do know that experiencing them has been one of the scariest and most terrible things in my life, and going off of Effexor is the most debilitating thing my body has ever undergone. The physical side effects are awful and the mental equally horrible.

In the reading I have done online and in books I have noted that brain zaps may continue throughout several years. I am only on day 3 of being totally weaned from Effexor, and experiencing them so often cannot operate vehicle or use computer for more than few minutes at time. Totally awful withdrawal process.

[vanvechten]

I understand your situation so much so that I have decided I will take the lowest dose of Effexor for the rest of my life!  I have tried stopping it several times over the past 10 years. Doctors need to really understand withdrawal problems before prescribing this drug!  I wish you well.