How to find a neurologist/expert in Effexor withdrawal

[SusyB0901]

How do I find a neurologist who is educated in Effexor withdrawal?  I have a mild seizure disorder, my Mother was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, and I am "addicted" to Effexor, which I have taken for 10 years and cannot seem to break free from.  Put that all together and I feel as though my worsening memory issues spell our DEMENTIA in big, bold letters.  Can anyone make any suggestions?  Thanks...

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Venlafaxine works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain from the fluid in the space around nerve. This is associated with a withdrawal syndrome and since your doctor is trying to wean you off it after 10 long years of therapy. The most common symptoms of effexor withdrawal are dizziness, electric shock like feelings, brain fog, and shock like symptoms in head, shoulders and arms. The side effects associated with it are insomnia, weight gain, night mares, extra pyramidal symptoms like dystonias, etc. you need to deal with this drug with the help of your neurologist. Hope this helps. Take care.

[Dr Prasad, MBBS]

Hi,
Effexor as I know is Venlafaxine, which is an anti depressant of SNRI origin. It is best that you speak with a psychiatrist for the same than a Neurologist. It has to be prescribed by a RMP and the prescription should be strictly followed as it as a lot of adverse effects.

[kathump]

I have been taking effexor for at least 10 years. My doctor started weaning me off it because I was really having memory problems and it wasn't helping for the depression anymore. I am also prescribed 2mg of xanax. The first 2 weeks I started weaning off the effexor (lower dose and new anti depressant), was great. The fogginess in my head went away and I felt like I was part of the living again. But now I am completely off effexor and I am a nervous wreck. I have lost my job and I cry a lot. I am still taking the new anti depressant (bupropin) and bumping it up with abilify. Right now I don't know what to do...I get these weird feeling in my head...I walk around the house trying to remember what I am doing. I can't sleep, I can't concentrate...it is really hard to explain. But since I was terminated from my job, I can't afford to go to the doctor until I get added to my husbands insurance. I know I am worrying him to death...he is afraid to leave my side, but I don't want to be around anyone. I don't think I am suicidal, but when I get these weird feelings in my head, I don't really know what is going on. If anyone has had any experiences similiar to this, please let me know. When I last saw my doctor a week ago, it was a good week, so he released me. I was on 225 mg a day.