I have treid 3 times unsuccessfully to come off effexor, under Dr. S care and get to the point of weird noises in my head and ears,(like soft swoshing, very weird)
Side effect - has anyone experienced weird noises in the head when trying to come of Effexor?
Question posted by CARMAN911 on 20 June 2010
Last updated on 15 January 2024 by me_us_we
44 Answers Page 2
In case others are following this thread as I am, I realized I should update my experience with changing to Pristiq.
I ended up taking a small dose of Effexor XR with Pristiq as my body was getting used to the change. They say there isn't a need for a taper to Pristiq but I don't believe that's the case; at least not for everyone. Although it's basically the same medication, Pristiq is a partially metabolised version so the theory is that it's more "pure", you need less and there are less side effects. But my body seemed to metabolize Pristiq much more quickly than Effexor XR.
Even after tapering to Pristiq and staying on it for 6 months to see if things would improve, I changed back to Effexor XR. Pristiq didn't seem to work as well or last as long in my body. The whoosh/clicking side effect occurred everyday, even if I was taking my medication on schedule. The effectiveness of the dose would run out several hours too early, possibly because of the difference in the metabolic stage of Pristiq.
There was no problem switching back from Pristiq to Effexor XR. It was immediately more effective and almost eliminated the whooshing if I stayed on schedule.
I'm still very concerned about this side effect. It's hard to know what to do. Effexor has made a big difference in my ability to function on a daily basis compared to a couple of other medications. But is there another medication I could be taking instead that doesn't do this to my brain? If I take the time to wean off this medication will the whooshing stop or has damage been done? And if I find that other antidepressants don't work for me, will I even want to start it again?
Finally!
Was on venlafaxine for over 10 years. 150mg. Decided I didn't need it anymore. After 1 unsuccessful attempt... Way too fast... Managed with my wonderful doctor to get off it. She gave me different dosages of tablets and said DIY. Took a year to get off them. Broke them up and very slowly reduced dose. Took a little bit more during the day if I felt withdrawal symptoms. Have now been off over a month. One thing I've been left with is a constant whooshing in my ears. I only notice it now if it's quiet but it's been really bothering me that I couldn't find this listed as a withdrawal symptom. It was a lot worse at first. If I moved my eyes I could hear it! Such a wierd sensation. Can live with it now but would love to know how long it is likely to continue.
May I suggest The Effexor withdrawal support group on Facebook. This drug is very difficult to discontinue. The “discontinuation syndrome” can be dangerous. I know doctors recommend a fast taper but I and many who have been on the drug strongly discourage it. I have been on Effexor in total for 15 years. It worked initially but you tend to loose your sense of self.(My experience) I wish I would have discovered the withdrawal support group years ago. What you are experiencing is just one of many side effects when you discontinue.
I was weaning off of Effexor after being on it for 15 years! I had tried twice before following dr guidelines. No way! They do it too drastically. After doing my own research I did this: was on 75mg XR. Went to 37.5 tablets 2x day. Same mg but had to get used to not having extended release. Did this for a couple months. Then deleted a fourth from each tablet. Did that for a couple months. Then deleted another fourth so then taking half tablet 2x day. So now it was half total dosage. I was doing this again for a couple months with the intention of going to a fourth for couple months before stopping. Well I messed up and didnt have a refill and ended up going the weekend 3 days without so I thought ok I think I can do this! Day 3 and 4 were the worst but ai feel like it's getting better. Wooshing yes and CRICKETS and something like vertigo!!! But it's tolerable. I've been working and functioning fine. Very emotional today though.
I definitely think the key is to go very slow. Cut only a very small %age and stay there for a long while each time you decrease. In hindsight and all that Ive recently learned I cannot believe docs left me on this for so many years! I'm so happy that I'm finally doing this! I have faith that these symptoms will subside!
I have been following this thread for almost a year waiting fir someone to post a success story for weaning. I have been on 37.5 for over 3 years have tried weaning off that low dose 3 times but can't stand the noises in my head -swooshing or crickets as I call it. Trying it again very, very slowly. I want to add that my hearing has been affected as well- my ears feel like they are congested all the time and after multiple ENT visits and tests all they can say is that I am losing hearing. I feel this is all related to Effexor and so dream of the day I can come off it completely. Please share your success stories!!
Yes! If I am late taking the drug, I "hear" a strange shhh sound inside my head. I feel dizzy as well. The sound occurs every time I move my head or blink and goes away within minutes of my taking the drug. Effexor got me through a very tough time, but I believe it's doing more harm than good now.
I looked up swishing in ears when eyes are moved as a withdrawal symptom of cymbalta. I’m weaning off it, I’m on day 4 of nothing. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow. It’s only been about two weeks but I’ve only been on it for 3 months. If your dr suggests cymbalta, don’t do it. I took Paxil for two years and weaned off that with no problems . But it made me gain weight. Cymbalta causes gastrointestinal problems, headaches, vertigo, anxiety , Wright gain, and that was from getting used to it. I can’t imagine coming off that after years. I’ve heard it’s horrendous. Good luck but the swishing in the ears w/ eye movement seems to be a “ normal “ withdrawal symptom.
Google "Effexor withdrawal (or any other psychotropic drug you may be taking) mental health daily" for full information on discontinuation symptoms, etc.
I don't know what Effexor is but I know that Cymbalta does the same thing when I miss a dose. I hear noises in my head and it sounds like a salt shaker or rocks in my head. I called my doctor this morning she said next time I come in can wean down. That's not for two more months I'm doing it now through my primary dr. This is not the first time that when I miss a dose my head feels like a salt shaker. You're not alone my friend
I registered just to answer this question. Yes, I've been taking Effexor XR for a few years and every time I'm late with a dose or miss one I get a wooshing noise in my head if I move my eyes from side to side. The longer I go without taking it or if I've really messed up my dose schedule, it gets worse. The wooshing sound still occurs but the eye movement starts to feel like my brain is jumping with each woosh click. I feel it through my head, ears back of neck and down my arms. I also start to get a bad headache around my eyes and nausea.
These are referred to as "brain zaps" but they are different than some people describe them.
If you are going off Effexor, you need to taper off, very slowly. Effexor is one of the worst for discontinuation side effects.
I'm currently switching from Effexor XR to Pristiq and was told by my doctor that I could just switch without tapering because they are essentially the same medication, however, I'm having terrible eye movement wooshing, headache and nausea right now, three days later. I need to find out what to do. Do I taper and then switch despite the fact that my doctor and other people on the net say there shouldn't be an adverse reaction? I guess everyone has different chemistry and are affected differently. Which is why we experience the wooshing sound and most other people don't seem to.
I have been on Venlafaxine for 2 years now at 300mg. Whenever I miss a dose I get a strange swooshing sound in my head. I forgot to order my repeat prescription last week and I haven’t had any since Thursday. The doctor can’t see me until Tuesday and my prescription won’t be ready until Tuesday either. I have severe insomnia and the swooshing is out of control. I have also have shivers and feel like I have cold spots on my skin. My muscles are aching and my mind just won’t quieten.
I’m not sure how long I can put up with all these side effects they are almost paralysing.
It's been almost 13 years since I discontinued Effexor XR and every once in a while I still get the whooshing noise... It's horrible it's almost like the sound of driving with the back window down. It physically hurts.
Yes, I have in starting Effexor and when stepping doses down also. Only for a limited time however – it is very – very - important to titrate down in 34.5 mg doses from your psychiatrist or at least from your internist. No one should ever full around with the Effexor. It is a very strong anti-depressant that treats several emotional disturbances. Even if it takes a couple of months to get off of Effexor, DO NOT rush going off of this drug because it is NOJoke.
A few years ago, I managed to get off of Effexor. The only way to do it is to get it in pill form. I cut back by 1/4 pill a day and then went a week that way. I continued this same pattern until entirely off of them *1/4 tablet less and do not reduce from there for one more week.) It worked because I weaned myself so very, very slowly. Yes, I got sort of a ringing in my ears/or vague sounds I could not identify. It took many weeks and is worth the effort, but you must never go fast. I do not believe doctors' methods of getting off of it are delicate enough. My shrink gave me directions that were too severe. I got this idea off a website like this one. God bless the people who taught me how.
Be strong. You can do this.
OMGOSH! I have been searching and searching for an answer... for others with similar issues. Could it be the common link here IS effexor??
I have had these purely maddening light saber type sounds in my ears/head for several months now. My ears constantly ring... but the saber sounds are making me crazy. Moving my eyes triggers the saber sounds sometimes, but sometimes there's no trigger. In the past few months, I have had a terrible time with vertigo and nausea... and have horrible stomach issues to the point where I thought about going to the doc.
I decided to stop taking effexor several months ago after being on it for several years. Could effexor withdrawals be the reason for my symptoms??? I have been so depressed due to feeling like T TOTAL CRAP!!! Not depressed like you feel when you need crazy pills, but depressed from feeling horrible.
OH MY GOSH... now what???
While coming off of effexor, I had brain zaps, whooshing sounds in my head. Or should I say, while taking effexor I started experiencing these sensations. When I came off of it, I continued to have these sensations for quite a while. It felt like my brain whooshed over from one side of my head to the other when I turned over in bed, followed by a dizzying feeling, as well as nausea. Tinnitus was terribly unbearably loud. It was so loud in my ears, that I would have to leave the TV on while I tried to go to sleep to try to drown out the high pitched noise in my ears. And it often sounded like a thousand crickets chirping on a summer's night. It would take hours to fall asleep some nights because of the loud sounds in my ears and my head. So I can definitely relate to what you are describing!
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Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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