It's only been day 2 (insurance cancelled) of withdrawal & so far I've been feeling as though when I'm walking to whatever destination, my body arrives but my brain delays its arrival. I feel extremely anxious, nauseous, short-tempered, dizzy, sensitive & confused. I like how I felt while taking Effexor but these withdrawals are unbearable... how much longer can I expect to have them?
How long do Effexor withdrawal symptoms last?
Question posted by ambudai on 9 Feb 2014
Last updated on 5 March 2023
167 Answers Page 10
I've only been on effexor for like 2.5 months. I have ptsd (o.i.f/o.e.f) with anxiety and insomnia issues. I'm coming off of it cold turkey. It's Saturday night and I haven't taken it since Wednesday morning. Today is probably the worse day. Nausea and dizziness has been a mf. But Im Fighting this. Wish me luck.
How many milligrams were you taking I have been on it for 3 months I was at 150 now 75 for 4 weeks and tomorrow 37.5. How are you doing. I'm scared I have serotonin syndrome cause I am nervous , agitated and a low fever 99.2 heart rate stays at 100-120 when I'm upset but 100 when I'm sitting!
After being fatigue for three years and gaining 30 pounds I am finally trying to come off of effexor. This drug should only be prescribed to severe depressed people. I was prescribed effexor because I was feeling down. My doctor assured me it wouldn't make me gain weight. I am slowly reducing my dose but having horrible withdrawals. Sensitivity to light, nausea, headaches, panic attacks, crying spells, blurred vision is just a few withdrawal symptoms. I am going into my 4th month and still feeling horrible. I really think this drug is toxic.
I was on Effexor for 15 years. A few months ago I decided to discontinue taking them due to a fear of being stuck somewhere without them and having to go through the withdrawals. I tapered my dose over 3 weeks. After totally stopping the med, it took me 10 days to feel semi-"normal", 4 of which I had to stay in my home with no lights and little noise. I missed two days of work (a Monday and a Friday). I felt all the withdrawal symptoms I've read about. What kept me going was knowing it would end.
Now I realize that while on Effexor, I was numb. No crying, when I should have been crying, no anger when anger was warranted, not necessarily happy nor sad. Just numb.
I'm still a little imbalanced with my new found feelings. Each day I see progress toward a balance though. I'm happy to "feel" life again, with all its ups and downs.
Stick with it. See it through. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
What was your reason for starting Effexor? I had a hystrecomy and when the hormomne pills were not helping with hot flashes and up and down moods. (I had fly off the handle at the least little thing and literally felt like I could choke someone down with my bare hands.) I saw a piece on The Today Show where antidepressants like Effexor could take the place of horomones (not the actually hormones, but the mental part that's take away from hormones) So I decided to give it a try. I started out with the 37.5 and over a 2 or 3 yr period I moved on up to 150. It was amazing when it came to evening out my reactions to certain situations... that before would have sent me over the edge. However, there have been times that I have thought I should have had "feelings" or different reactions instead of feeling numb. I just want normal... Whatever that is. I do not want to be dependent on this drug the rest of my life. Im 42 so I hope I have many years let.
The effects I THINK I have from the drug is tinnitus, dizzines at time, aching body/joints, weight gain, and fatigue. I try to keep extra pills in my purse just in case I forget to pack them for an overnight trip. I know if I didnt have it my trip will be ruined because I will feel awful by noon of the following day. (I take mine at night) I'm so thankful for the site and all of you who post. I hope to start weaning myself off of Effexor early fall. I do not want to ruin my summer. God Bless you all~Tracie
This is a terrible drug. I have been on it for 8 years and have side effects like earaches, feeling numb, electrical zaps when trying to go off. On and on it goes. I am so fed up that today I vow to quit. I am currently going through withdrawal from trazodone, another tough drug to get off.
Thanks for the encouragement! I have been on Efexor 15 years and am tapering off mega slowly (over months). I feel very anxious about everything in life right now and at the same time really flat - not really finding enjoyment in anything, but am keen to know myself and life without Efexor.
tlapris, I was reading your comment and wondering how are you feeling nowhadays. A person above mentioned still having symptoms after 13 years, which I personally find hard to believe. What about you, do you feel any symptoms?
I really appreciate your comment. I am about 6 days off of Effexor after approximately 14 years.
Reading your statement that after 10 days you felt semi-normal just brought me much relief.
I have been on Effexor 75mg since 2003. It was given to me when I was going through radiation for breast cancer. The doctor said it would help alleviate my hot flashes. It did to an extent, but as you experienced, I didn't cry, kept my temper even, more of an "I don't care attitude" and forget any sex life. I was 47 at the time and I felt like my body was dead to any excitement, which of course led to divorce. I have decided that I want to live and feel what life I have left at 57 and stopped taking my Effexor on Thanksgiving 2015. It is now 12/28/15 and I feel like I'm going to die! I ended up in ER because I thought I was having a heart attack, vomiting to the point of dehydration and headaches worse than any migraine I've ever had!
From what I have read, I am determined to hang in there but please, would someone tell me when I can stop walking into walls if I move to fast, having extreme hot facial episodes and headaches!
I would never advise anyone to go on this medication under the age of 70 if that! At least my body is coming alive again, so there is hope!
I am quitting Effexor, pretty much for the same reason you mentioned. I am tapering off for over a month, and thought I could take a day car trip, I started getting sick and I was 4 hours away from home. Alone, no meds on me. I actually considered going to an ER. I felt good when I was taking it, although, I have had my ears checked, I noticed several people complaining of tinnitus, which I experience- it drives me crazy. The weight gain I just attributed to menopause.
What are "brain zaps?" I feel spacey and just "wierd." Kind of out of my body, hard to
explain.
I went on effexor for symptoms of perimenopause. My doctor said she frequently prescribes this medication for women who are having hormonal fluctuations due to menopause.
I am sorry for your experiences. I have been off Effexor for 13 years and I still have withdrawals. True, they more infrequent than the beginning but they are still in my life. Yes, I came off it under a doctor's guidance and it took two months but that did NOT lessen any of the symptoms. Just today an ER doctor told me there is no such thing as withdrawal from Effexor. Big lie.
What withdrawals do you still experience? The brain zaps? I've been totally off the medication for 12 days ( weaned off over 6 weeks prior to that)... and some vertigo and brain zaps still get me, especially when I have caffine.
Thirteen YEARS is a long time for withdrawal from this drug. Yes, I have brain zaps every few weeks and my hearing is being affected. I've come to not believe in the medical profession. When folks talk about a doctor's "practice," I think that's all they do is continually "practice." Maybe the "practice" will cause them to improve but I have my doubts.
They're "practicing" making money off big pharmacy. All most doctors today do is push the latest pill for your symptoms instead of getting to the root of the problem 'cause isn't it easier to prescribe a pill for the millions than heal the thousands?
Seriously? And I was planning on coming off that drug ( Effexor XR 150mg) after about 13 years of use! So what is these 'zaps' you mentioned?
The brain zaps are like quick dizzy spells. They feel like someone is pushing on your forehead and you vision gets fuzzy for about a second. They are most common when you stand up quickly or turn your head . It's disorienting and can make you feel car sick, vertigo sensation. Dramamine helps with the nausea. Also standing up slowly or turning your head slowly helps lessen the effect.
13 years? Please tell me that years is a typo. I just came off of Effexor XR and I feel like I'm dying! This is absolutely horrible!! I cannot function at all. I'm emotional, have a bad headache, dizzy, upset stomach, hot and cold sweats, tired, can't think straight, etc., etc., etc!!! I wish I never went on it and I will never go on another antidepressant ever again! Even though I probably need one because of health issues I'm dealing with and my crazy life.
Not all antidepressants are this horrible. The SNRIs like duloxetine and Effexor are the worst but also considered to be among the most effective. Also the ones with shorter half lives like paroxetine can be very difficult to stop. As I have mentioned before I am clean from Effexor for years now but I think my brain chemistry will never be the same. My ability to think clearly is still compromised. The physical symptoms for the most part are gone. It did save my life but now I am left to deal with the long term after effects. Still better for me to be present than the alternative.
I have been on 300 mg for about 8 years. I had severe PTSD anxiety attacks and very severe depression. I was thankful to find something that gave me peace, and I didn't feel numb; I felt all my normal emotions. I developed many serious skin rashes that the dermatologist couldn't explain. I gained 20 pounds. My blood pressure went from very low to risky high. Several doctors saw that I was prescribed Topamax for migraine prevention along with Imitrex for when migraines broke through along with the Effexor at 300mg, which is high. I have just read that neither of those meds should be taken with Effexor, due to the possibility of "serotonin syndrome," which is potentially deadly. I went from 300 to 150 for a few weeks then down to 75. When I went down to 37.5 the head ache and zaps along with extreme anxiety and depression came up like a bear. after 3 days I realized I needed to go back up to 75. I am still not normal on day 4 of 75. It has been a week of Hell.
I plan to stabilize at 75 and then try taking out 2 beads per week. I am wondering if what I have read here is true: Do we really have to hit that wall of Hell in order to get completely off? In that case, perhaps it is worth just taking a week or 2 of vacation and getting it over and finished? How many of you have lost weight? I eat very, very healthy, but have gained. I agree this seems to be a very toxic drug.
I definitely bottomed out when I stopped completely as yes I did take 3 weeks off of work during that time. I could have used another week and even then my mentation was compromised. The physical symptoms resolved first and the mental ones took longer and never have returned completely to baseline.
I agree with many of you about the horrible side affect of getting off this drug. I feel it should be banned. If doctors took this drug and then tried to go off it I'm sure they would never prescribe it. I went to change.org and started a petition entitled ban venlafaxine/Effexor. If you feel like I do that this drug should be banned then go to change .org find my petition and sign it. Thank
you and good luck to you all. I was on venlafaxine 75 mg for 3 years and just recently got off it. I took Wellbutrin for a couple weeks which wasn't great but it helped me to wean off the venlafaxine. I missed a couple days of work should have taken off more. Anyway I'm completely off of all drugs and doing pretty well. It was a horrible process worse than childbirth by far!
It's not easy but hang in there
Yes this is such a flippen lie! My Doctor put me on it to help me "ween" off of CLONAZEPAM. Funny though because I'm still on both!!! I need help!
If your dependence on Clonazepam is so bad that you are taking it daily you really do need to be on a different medication. Effexor worked for me when no other anti-anxiety medications worked... but it came with a price because when I was ready to come off of Effexor it was really difficult. But... if you decide to stay on Effexor I can tell you that it doesn't work right away enough for you to get off of Clonazepam... I had to supplement the Effexor with Clonazepam for about 2 months until it was working at full strength. Over time you will find you need Clonazepam less and less until you only need it when you are having a unusually high stress day ( about once a month). There was a time in my life though where taking the Effexor really did help me cope and it worked better than any other type of medication I was ever on... but patience is the key. But I will tell you that avoiding Caffeine is really important , especially when you are having high anxiety... also give yourself quiet time to do deep slow breathing and it will help you feel better.
I have been on effexor for at least 10 ish years. Have a new Dr. and she is taking me off of it. Just went from 225 to 150 and I am on day 2. So far I have some disorientation, nausea, fatigue and the chills. Hoping I don't have a nightmare situation like some folks. I have too much to do!!! I wasn't aware of the bad side of effexor. I have hypothyroidism and high blood pressure, so this is definitely not the med for me. Both my Dr. and I are hoping to not have to replace it with anything. I am bipolar and also have PTSD. Wish me luck! I am trying to be mindful of what is going on in my body and be easy on myself.
I have only missed 2 pills of effexor xr 150 and I am a wreck. Irritability, and can't stop crying. I've been taking this stuff for over 10 years. The side effects seem to be never ending. Ringing in ears, foggy brain, total lack of sex drive. There has to be a better way.
My doctor withdrew me from 150mg of Effexor xr with Prozac. It took about 2 weeks to get the Prozac. In my system. Then stopped Effexor and didn't have the bad side effects. I did become more depressed but that's to be expected. I also stopped taking Abilify 10 mg.
My doctor withdrew me from 150mg of Effexor xr with Prozac. It took about 2 weeks to get the Prozac. In my system. Then stopped Effexor and didn't have the bad side effects. I did become more depressed but that's to be expected. I also stopped taking Abilify 10 mg.
I had been on effexor for several years when I suddenly started to suffer badly from hives, nausea, lethargy, loose bowels etc. My doctor assured me that the hives had nothing to do with the drug and prescribed a marvelous concoction of steroids, anti histamines, and antibiotics, none of which helped and only served to make me feel weaker. At this point I was at my wits end. But after having done my own research i decided that I had had enough of being held to ransom by a drug and the constant fear of running out or losing my pills. I found some research suggesting that antibiotics etc affect the internal flora within the gut which in turn affect the natural seratonin levels in the brain. Armed with this information I saw a herbalist who took one look at me and stated what had been staring me in the face... my body was trying to expell anything toxic and I was fighting back by introducing chemicals.
Anyway to cut a long story short I stopped all the medication including the Venlafaxine and started have pre and pro biotics together with healthy food. Heres how it went...
day 1, little bit wizzy between the ears but not too bad
day 2, loose bowels, emotional, insomnia,brain skids but hives fading a little
day 3 nausea, loose bowels insomnia, desperation, brain skids and could hear eyelids opening and shutting... hives still fading
day 4 slept for hours but caved in in the afternoon and in desperation took an effexor but within seconds promptly vomited it back again. ( my body seems to know more than my drug addled brain ) hives almost gone
day 5 felt like death , vomiting, brain skids, sleepy but no hives
day six Oh my god a brand new day, have energy, conversation, and life. Still have moments of tears etc and a very minor flare up of hives but at least I feel human again.
I know the depression will return but it will be my depression and I will ride it out, anything has to be better than slow poison. Maybe the biotics will help there does seem to be a lot of research suggesting a link between gut flora and depression. Either way I will never take another anti depressant because the hell off coming off is just too much to go through again. I feel like the theme from Rocky.
So my advice is ... pre and pro biotics but not a cheap one, this is not the time to cut corners. Do not waste your time coming off effexor while at work because you need time to rest as much as possible. If you have children to look after try to get some help or at least get organised because you will not feel like cooking or doing the ironing and will be irritable. Healthy food... look upon it as ammunition for the fight. And please do not give in as I did on day four, luckily I vomited the pill back up or I would be back to square one.
Its just one week and then sweet freedom. And if the misery comes back this time I will be ready and as healthy as I can be to fight it. and at least it will be real misery and not a drug induced poisonous life raft. After all that I have gained respect for my body, it may not be perfect but it seems that my gut knows more than my brain and went into defence mode. I feel very lucky.
Good luck, it has been horrendous but truly worth it.
I appreciate all of your advice. I have been on Effexor 300mg for 10 years, not for depression but for chronic migraines. It is no longer working so I fluctuate between Effexor and steroids. Two months ago I reached the point of "I've HAD it! I no longer want to live like this! Despite trying to decrease the amount twice through my doctor. The results were disastrous - severe headaches, extreme fatigue, and nausea?
This time I am doing it my own way. I started acupuncture 6 weeks ago. Still on 300mg, all of my migraine symptoms disappeared within two weeks. Fatigue went away. I had energy and was happy for the first time in years!
I decreased my dosage by a mere 37.5mg six days ago. Yesterday the headache and fatigue returned. BUT the severity is not that of a migraine. I am hoping this is temporary. I refuse to even take an aspirin. My body is used to a drug every time the symptoms flare up and. That has to stop!
I see my acupuncturist tomorrow - I go once a week. We had mentioned possible herbal assistance so I will bring
that up. Thank you for sharing your success.
Thank you Charlie! I have been on Venlafaxine 150mg for several years also. I've wanted to quit taking it for over a year because I get dizzy at the end of the day. My gynecologist put me on it to help with mood swings and sleeplessness while going through menopause. She just changed the subject when I tried to discuss it with her so I finally got another doctor to write me a script for 75mg and he wanted to see me in 4 months but I took it for a week and got another script for 37.5mg. I took the 37.5 mg for a week but I can't take the side effects I'm having so today is Thanksgiving and Tues I took my last pill.
I have to work on Monday, that will be the 5th day off of Venlafaxine! I feel horrible, I'm so dizzy, nauseated, chills, confusion, massive headache, irritability and hopeless! I can hardly type this message because I can't focus! I'm determined to quit this drug forever and if I had known what I would be going through I never would have started taking it. I'm going to read your letter every time I think I can't do it! Thank you and say a prayer for me please!
I think some of these posts are recent. I too am going off effexor. I have cut my dose down to 37, and on Thanksgiving I went completely off the drug. I am just tired of the weight gain, lethargy and food/alcohol cravings. It is like taking effexor completely cuts off my self control. I'm fatter than I ever thought possible for me. ONly 2 days off the drug, and I want to eat healthy again... and do not want to drink myself into numbness. It is a crazy drug. I just hope I can do this. Please share any observations or information you might have about this drug.
I think some of these posts are recent. I too am going off effexor. I have cut my dose down to 37, and on Thanksgiving I went completely off the drug. I am just tired of the weight gain, lethargy and food/alcohol cravings. It is like taking effexor completely cuts off my self control. I'm fatter than I ever thought possible for me. ONly 2 days off the drug, and I want to eat healthy again... and do not want to drink myself into numbness. It is a crazy drug. I just hope I can do this. Please share any observations or information you might have about this drug.
Hi everyone, just a quick update, am still off Efexor and am into the 11th month thank God, I have had my moments but the gains outweigh them. For one thing orgasms are now a real possibilty and my thoughts and conversation seem clearer. One point to notice is that my caring doctor who was prescribing my Efexor on repeat prescription for years does not even seemed to have noticed that I no longer pick up the scripts !. For those out there who are struggling please hang on in there. Everything passes in time. It will be worth it.
I've been on 300mg for 6 yrs. I tapered down about a year ago almost accidentally. I would often forget to take my meds but then just went with it and stayed at the lower dose of 150mg. Now I can't forget... if I make it past 24hrs my brain reminds me. All the good stuff (zaps, vertigo, I get exhausted and can literally sleep for days if I don't have it). I've been through some drug withdrawals but nothing compared to this. Now I'm pregnant! Very happy and excited! I'm terrified of how this will effect my child! My Ob/Gyn is adament I stay on the Effexor. I'm scared the withdrawals will be too much to handle being pregnant. I'm barely stable at the 150 dose so I'm not sure about tapering down either but it's my only option. I still have 6 months before my child is born... I'm open to suggestions and prayers!
Katiedee88 I urge you to get a second opinion asap!! There are other things you can be on that won't harm your baby but although I'm not a physician I am pretty positive that your baby will experience withdrawal symptoms just like you do! I thought for the last couple of years that I was losing my mind and in a sense I was but never equated it with Effexor/Venlafaxine! The truth is I have lost my short term memory and hope and pray that I get it back! I quit taking that drug on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving this year... I think that was last week... I had to go back to work on Monday and truly don't know how I got through this week.
I'm still nauseated, dizzy, sensitive, can't seem to put sentences together right HOWEVER the intensity is not as severe as it was for the first 6 days! I'm a dental hygienist and my job requires concentration and communication! I administer anesthesia and have to educate my patients with a wide range of solutions to help with their oral health! Going through the horrible, severe mental and physical consequences of taking this drug I want to throw up when I hear that someone is currently taking it. I don't think your body can go through the withdrawal of stopping this drug while your pregnant but please please get another, different drug that you can take while pregnant
This has helped me so much. I was on Effexor for years at 75 mgs and I found that my withdrawal lasted for about a month. Keep in mind I drank heavily while on Effexor which pretty much counteracts the meds. I did quit drinking completely before I tapered off Effexor. The symptoms that lasted the longest were the Vertigo-like feeling I had for that month. I felt like I was leaning over and spinning around a bunch of times, then tried to go about my day. Also my moods were so manic. I was energized, happy and motivated for an hour and then a switch would flip and I was irritable and down for a few hours. I yoyo-ed with those moods and still do. I was afraid I might go crazy (what ever that looks like or means) I understand with my depression and anxiety that this will be my battle forever. A silver lining is that it does get better and you are 100% right that eating right, supplements and exercise are key to a mental well being as well as physical.
I'm not trying to minimize a mans depression, but I can say it was difficult for me as a woman, to pin point if I was truly depressed off the meds or if PMS was making me manic. So us lucky women have that to take into consideration while getting off of this drug. Either way Effexor seemed like a blessing but turned out to be probably the worst thing I could do to my body. I have so much respect for those of us that try to help ourselves by taking care of our mental state. However one chooses to do that is up to them, but prescription drugs aren't a cure-all.
I took 37.5 mg of Effexor XR for 8 days. I am on day 4 of not taking it, and I am shocked at how bad the withdrawal symptoms are. It didn't really start until the end of day 2 and into day 3. My head feels cloudy, my right ear feels full and makes me a little dizzy(vertigo like). I am not happy that it is so easy to prescribe this medicine without telling you how hard it is to come off of this drug. I have also had strep while coming off ao I haven't felt well and I'm on an antibiotic too. I have missed 4 days of work now between all of this. I wish I had never ever taken one pill.
Thank you so much for putting into words what I couldn't. I was wondering what I was going to go thru. Doctor just put me to .75
I would love to hear how your doing and if you have found a good replacement.
I'm glad I'm not alone in this! I have been on 75mg for about 9 months to control night sweats and hot flashes caused by chemo & menopause. About 2 months ago, I started acupuncture & pro-biotics (Plexus) to control these symptoms. I want to be off effexor because I do not like some of the side effects (mostly the sexual ones) and, in general, I do not like to rely on chemicals long-term.
I stopped taking effexor 3 days ago. I am dizzy, sometimes to the point of being nauseous, as well as experiencing brain zaps, loose bowels, sudden urges to cry (I was not depressed at all before starting effexor), and difficulty concentrating. I have been trying to work this week but haven't been able to stay on task long enough to comprehend complex projects. But, if I can make it through the weekend, I think I'll be ok!
I was temped to get a prescription for 37.5 to taper down my dose. But, I know I will still have to experience the withdrawal symptoms at some point. Since I'm already 3 days in, I might as well ride this out.
I had a really bad gut flora inbalance that took a year to identify as the cause if nervousness, anxiety, & depression. After taking a really good quality pre & probiotic my doctor had me stop taking the probiotic and switch to eating one cultured Bubbies dill pickle with a half of a green/ granny smith apple on an empty stomach daily. After 5 days, I felt better than I had in two years. As crazy as it sounds the pickle apple combo is restoring my gut flora better than anything else I have tried. I also recommend a low sugar, low carb diet since bad bacteria and candida/yeast thrive on sugars and carbs. Publix has the pickles in the cooler section. It has to be the dill. The pickles in the 32 oz jar are larger than the 16 oz jar and can be cut in half. Good luck and God bless you.
I had a really bad gut flora inbalance that took a year to identify as the cause if nervousness, anxiety, & depression. After taking a really good quality pre & probiotic my doctor had me stop taking the probiotic and switch to eating one cultured Bubbies dill pickle with a half of a green/ granny smith apple on an empty stomach daily. After 5 days, I felt better than I had in two years. As crazy as it sounds the pickle apple combo is restoring my gut flora better than anything else I have tried. I also recommend a low sugar, low carb diet since bad bacteria and candida/yeast thrive on sugars and carbs. Publix has the pickles in the cooler section. It has to be the dill. The pickles in the 32 oz jar are larger than the 16 oz jar and can be cut in half. Good luck and God bless you.
I just saw a comment from 2016 with almost the same symptoms as me. I was given this drug post chemo for menopause sweats & depressive symptoms. I've been depressed before in life and never needed medication.
I've been on 37.5 mg for about a year now. I've experienced the dizziness, ear fullness, vertigo, & migraines like never before. 7 of them in the last 6 weeks. The sweats are also worse now.
I have the doctors next week. I desperately want to get off this s**t. From everything I've read it just doesn't look good. I tried going off myself, like just made me so sick.
Next week going to the acupuncturist for the first time for the migraines. This whole situation sucks. I have been migraine free for over 4 years, and I feel as though this crap is doing it to me. Which can not be good for my brain! Happy to have found this site and able to read & share.
Hi Charlie, I just realised that your comment was back in 2014. I'd love to chat with you even if via email. I'm wanting to come off 450mg of Venlafaxine and my psyc is suggesting a gradual reduction.
Good day happy new SONday, peace, joy and increased wisdom...
charlie0007, you may never know what a blessings this reading have been for me. I was discussing with my 14yr. old son, my desire to come off all mediations. Presently I'm being weaned off Effexor, and the process has been a living HELL for me, to say the least... which didn't start right away. I've been on Effexor since 2014, I'm 52yrs.young, my present dose is 125mg. I've been taken down to 5days instead of 7days since Feb10,2016.
My question for you, how long were you on Effexor, what was your dose and how immediate were your 100% normalcy. BTW, charlie0007 I'm totally into the HOLISTIC way of life. Aside from the meds EVERYthing is natural...
Thank you so much in advace. Shalom
Good day happy new SONday, peace, joy and increased wisdom...
charlie0007, you may never know what a blessings this reading have been for me. I was discussing with my 14yr. old son, my desire to come off all mediations. Presently I'm being weaned off Effexor, and the process has been a living HELL for me, to say the least... which didn't start right away. I've been on Effexor since 2014, I'm 52yrs.young, my present dose is 125mg. I've been taken down to 5days instead of 7days since Feb10,2016.
My question for you, how long were you on Effexor, what was your dose and how immediate were your 100% normalcy. BTW, charlie0007 I'm totally into the HOLISTIC way of life. Aside from the meds EVERYthing is natural...
Thank you so much in advace. Shalom
About 2 months to taper off the medicine and then about 4 to 6 weeks after that before you don't feel dizzy at all. It's a long process that should be done at the time of the year where you usually have the least amount of anxiety... like late spring into summer.
I was having those horrible brain zaps and I took Dramamine (the less drowsy kind) as well as 2 fish oil (odorless and burpless) twice a day and a vitamin C tab once a day and my symptoms are non existent.
On day 4 without Effexor. I was on 150mg a day (2 75mg caps a day) and have weaned from 150 to 75 to 37.5 then for 3 days removed some of the beads from the 37.5 cap into smaller doses while taking Prozac 20mg. The brain zaps were about to drive me insane, but someone mentioned taking the Dramamine and I have to say it has helped tremendously.
I am so glad people are still posting.
I read this forum a couple years ago and swore I would kick Effexor, but no luck so far. I gave up. I kept running back to it because I just simply couldn't handle the withdrawals any more.
I am determined now to finally stop taking Effexor and regain my sanity!
Not to say that I'm not nervous but I'm sure with all the useful information in this forum I can concur it.
I read a post where somebody said they regained their motivation and energy. Hell ya bring it on! :)
I have been on venlafaxine for about 4 yrs 75mg. To come off it, my Dr started me on 37.5 2 wks ago. After 30 days I will come off.
My only side affects are constant head, neck & shoulder aches. Is anyone else having these affects?
Yep neck aches, headaches , dizziness and vertigo. Try some dramamine for the vertigo and some ibuprofin for the neck aches/headaches. It helps. Drink lots of water.
I've only been on 75mg venlafaxine 1 1/2 mths but already I'm ready to get off it. I missed a dose yesterday and and had wicked vomiting which I assumed was the food I had eaten... maybe it was maybe it wasn't. The drug gives me a dull headache, neck aches, lethargia and basically no feeling at all, just dull. Spring is finally here and I feel no joy with it. Time to get off all anti-depressants and get my life back. I was put on this drug to deal with depression, but the depression is better than this!
I have been on Effexor for 16 days and I am reading all these horrible things! I have lost 10 pounds since taking this it takes my cravings totally away, the doctor put me on 37.5. SHOULD I GET OFF NOW! I am afraid to keep taking them, she gave me 1 month supply. Need your advice???
I can completely agree with all your symptoms. I am also on day 2 withdrawals and feel I'm going to jump out of my body I feel so uncomfortable. I am going off efexor for good because it hasn't helped much the past 2 yrs being on it and I want to go natural now. This is tough I hope you have family support or a friend to help u. I wish u the best and keep me updated
I have never reached out on the internet... but this is hell!! Day 3, off of generic Effexor. Yesterday I couldn't get off the sofa. So much nausea & dizziness.. I've been on the drug for 10 years. I weaned down to 37.5. Taking a ton of vitamins and fish oil. Trying to eat better as well. Dizziness better today because I put one of those "motion sick" patches behind my ear. I don't know what this side effect is called. I will look somewhere, but then my eyes move back & forth?! To all of you out there that are getting off this or who have. A big internet hug to you all! This is horrible!
Cut back slower!! It's not worth all of that agony and you'll more than likely have symptoms for a longer period of time. if you wean slower, the symptoms will be less harsh and you'll recover more quickly.
I had been on Effexor ER for 5 years and over the course of the last 16 months gradually reduced my dosage from 225mg a day down to 10mg a day. After drastically changing my eating habits (1600 cals a day, no packaged foods, no gluten (but carbs) and lean proteins, fruits and veggies for 2 weeks, I decided to drop the Effexor from 5mg to 0.
Two weeks now and I'm in a constant battle with head zaps but thankfully they are receding, but very slowly. Diligent to be mindful to reduce the effects of my anger/anxiety/brain lag which I'm attempting to pair them with lifelong personal challenges.
I do believe when this is said and done I will be the wiser and stronger, I just hope not too much damage will have been done during the interim.
I have been on Effexor for years and just want to get off it. I am on 225mg and will cut to 150mg tomorrow, 75mg the next day then just go off it. I'm asking the doctor for a week off work tomorrow to do it. I will be starting valdoxan the day I cut to 75mg. I just want to get it over with but the symptoms I'm reading about freak me out a bit. If I am a couple of hours late taking a dose I start to get body/brain zaps so I hope it won't get the more severe symptoms. But it just want to get off it due to side effects. Hoping the valdoxan may help me get off it. Has anyone done something similar and been okay? The doctors always write you out a regime of cutting down over a few weeks but I don't want the symptoms for that length of time because I don't want this to affect me at work.
I don't recommend doing it that fast. I tapered slowly over a few year and the most I was ever on was 75mg. It may be easier using the Valdoxan, but I haven't heard any feedback from anyone who has used that as a bridge. I pray for all the best for you. Please update. Also, if you are on Facebook, there's a closed group called "Effexor". There are some great people, support and info in that group and it's very active. You'll get responses quickly.
I seriously need help. My last dose of Venlafaxine was February 3, 2015. It is March 11 and I am still suffering. I am exhausted, weepy, cry over anything and everything. I still have brain zaps, headaches that are severe. How long is this awful stuff going to last??? Help!!!
What were the symptoms that originally prompted you to take Venlafaxine and were those issues chronic? What dose were you originally on? Describe your weaning process. What dose were you on when you came completely off? If I know details, I may be able to help.
My withdrawal lasted about one month. Brain zaps lasted for months afterwards although decreased in frequency. See your doctor to get evaluated if things don't improve soon. Mine told me to restart the med but I persisted and won but it was not easy. Hope things turn around quickly and your suffering stops. Hang in there.
I was prescribed Pristiq four years ago to help with menopausal hotflashes and chronic pain associated with a bladder disorder, Interstitial Cystitis. Went to a psychiatrist who upped the med generic to a whopping 300 milligrams! So I have been taking venlafaxine for probably two years. I have been so sick since I went off it. :(. Can't work.
You need to cut back very, very slowly. The most I was ever on was 75mg. It took me a couple of years to get down to around 3 mg. Every time you cut it back you need to do it a very little at a time and stay on that amount until you're completely stable for at least a month, before you make the next cut back.
How are you? Get tons of vitamins, fish oil, eat walnuts etc. Day 3 for me. This is really hard but we can do it!!
I am going through the same withdrawal symptoms and they are getting worse.I am getting ready to start a 7 day program that is recommended in a book I purchased through Amazon. I highly recommend buying this book named "DRUG MUGGERS" by SUZY COHEN. RPh.. She has been a licensed pharmacist for more than 22 years and is America's Most Trusted Pharmacist.
Chapter 28 is "The Total Body Tune Up". It's a 7 day program meant first to sweep your cells clean of all the chemical gunk that has been stuck in there, then to replenish healthy vital nutrients to those same cells so that you feel well again.
Suzy's book can be bought on Amazon for as little as $6.66 in the used books. This book is a God send and is full of wonderful easy to understand and useful information for various health issues.
I hope you will give this a try and I wish you the best.
God Bless!
Sue, why are you recommending something you haven't tried yet?
I agree with Judi, don't recommend something you have no experience in. That's like saying "Hey, you should go cliff diving! I've never been but I heard it's great!" Why would you say do that?
If you cannot get the medication thru insurance and, like most people, cannot afford hundreds of dollars a month to pay for it, you should apply thru Pfizer Connect to Care/Helpful Answers, to get their Patient Assistance Program. Your doctor write the RX with 3 refills and signs the form you fill out. You send it to Pfizer and they send you 3 months worth of meds. When you have about 3 wks of meds left, call your dr and ask them to call pfizers refill line. Free and not too difficult.
I too am weaning off effexor. I started in august 2014 on effexor 37.5 mg after taking zoloft for many years. I really did not want another anti depressant, I wanted off of zoloft. I do have anxiety attacks and some panic attacks. I was put on 37.5mg effexor generic. I was told to come back in 4 weeks as it tends to elevate the blood pressure. In sept. my blood pressure was up a little but I went on 75mg of xr. I took it for one month. Then when I had a colonoscopy, I did not take any that day cause I figured I didnt need it cause they were putting me out anyway, The next day I was very dizzy. It was at that point I wanted off this drug. First it was my choice to go on the hcl and only once a day. At my dr, appt it was decided I would go from 75 mg to 37.5 for one month and then to cut the 37.5mg in half for one month and then take a quarter of the 37.5. So right now I am taking about 9mg maybe a little less. I started that 2 days ago.
I want completely off this drug. Actually the less I take the better I feel. However I am afraid to stop. I read a book called "the road back" and it is about getting off these drugs. It did recommend omega 3, vit b complex, and b-12. The omega 3 is coated so you dont burp up the fish oil. I feel great, but am afraid of the next step. thanks for listening. I dont know why doctors dont tell you what happens when you go off. Effexor is not just a serotonin inhibitor like zoloft. My grandson who is a grad student in biological science at Purdue knows more about these drugs than a doctor or pharmacist.
First I am so glad I found this forum.. been taking 150 effexor for about 13 years. About a month ago I started taking 112 mg. Last night I took my first of 75 mg. Was wondering how long for each dose before weaning to the next level? Also I was curious as to how every counts the beads do you just swallow the beads? put them back in a capsule. I am def going to try the omega 3 and vit b complex cant hurt.
I really want to stop taking this horrible mind altering drug but have been so afraid but I am ready to try now.
I am completely off, weaned of down to barely taking 1/8 of 37,5 mg. I dont know what side effects I was supposed to have except vertigo that are not things that could happen anyway. I am 72 and feel better than I have in years, mentally and physically. I am getting back on weight watchers tomorrow to get rid of what I have put on. Hang in there everyone. I am taking my excess script to pharmacy tomorrow to get rid of it. I also know the less you think about this issue, the better off you will be. Don't dwell on what might happen, Pray.
I was on 300 mg Effexor plus Lamictal and a very low dose of Lexapro (2.5 mg). I hated the Effexor because it caused excessive sedation almost since the time I started taking it about 2 years ago. Withdrawal from Effexor can be awful. I once ran out and after two days, I was having severe symptoms similar to what other people have mentioned- dizziness, nausea, brain delay, etc. I was completely non-functional. This past October, I started an official "weaning- off" period. Thankfully, I do see a psychiatrist and he has been weaning me off very slowly and carefully. We bumped it down VERY slowly, but this past week when I finally finished the last 37.5 mg dose (after being on 37.5 mg for a whole month), I started to have moderate to severe nausea and dizziness. I was getting to where I couldn't go to work (called in sick for the first time in 5 years).
I talked to my psychiatrist, and he had me start taking two doses each day of the Lexapro 2.5 mg (one in the morning, and one in the evening). This has actually reduced my symptoms about 90%. I was already taking 2400 mg daily of fish oil, but it was the 12-hour dosing of the Lexapro that really gave me relief. I had also started having some of the worst depression I had ever felt, and the 12-hour dosing of the Lexapro stopped that too, pretty much immediately. It has only been a few days, so we'll see where it goes from here.
So which is worse: taking 37.5 dose of Effexor the rest of your life or taking Lexapro twice a day forever?
Good question. Actually, the Effexor was giving me drowsiness that had me taking daily naps, in addition to other so I will opt for the Lexapro. And I am pretty sure the twice daily dosing is temporary. Also, I would rather take the low dose of Lexapro than have serious depression.
Thank you for writing, I am also on Effexor and Lamictal and I am titrating off currently. They are trying the Prozac bridge thing and we decided to have me go down by 25 mg each time instead of 50. This has helped a bit but I'm still miserable. Were you going off the Lamictal also? and would you tell me more about this fish oil plan?
Related topics
effexor, withdrawal, insurance, brain, symptom
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.