I am currently taking 150mg of Effexor XR. If I skip a day or lord forbid 2 days, I have severe symptoms. These range from the body/brain shock sensation, sensitivity to noise, dizzy, mental confusion, speech slurring, changes in body temp and severe agitation. Also have GI issues with nausea, gas, etc.
I spoke with my doctor about this and she said she has NEVER heard of anyone having these symptoms. Obviously, after reading these testimonials, I know that other people are experiencing this too.
I am afraid of the long term damage this drug may be causing me and I would like to get off it but I am really afraid of going through these withdrawals symptoms.
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34 Answers Page 3
SW
sweetgal
6 Dec 2004
I have been taking effexor for about 6-8 months, my dr. perscribed this because I was always tired and had headaches very often. Now I wish I never would have started taking it. I have just recently quit cold turkey and to me the tiredness and headaches was worth not taking this. I don't want to be on medication for the rest of my life I want to be normal. I just pray that it gets better and the withdrawals go away soon. If anyone has any advice I am willing to take it. Why would my Dr, do this to me?
Votes: +1
MR
mrsanders_pooh
19 Nov 2004
Started taking Effexor XR 3 years ago--topping off at 150mg. Into my second year I went down to 75mg. The first 3 days I had agitation and dizziness, but finally leveled off--stayed at that for another 6 months. Went down to 37.5 for two weeks and then took myself off completely--- and oh my! I thought I bad panic attacks before! The panic attacks where off the scale!! My skin itched from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, diarrhea, severe chills, shaking, uncontrollable crying, and felt like I would knock somebody's block off!
Went back on to 37.5mg--still panic attacks and foggy feeling--then to 75mg and have leveled off again.
I've done some research and there are lots of longer term damages (liver, kidney, heart valves, etc.) from this POISON!!
I want off this stuff!! Found that the pill form verses the capsule XR form comes in more graduated doses--and the pill can be cut!! I have a friend that took herself off Paxil and she was able to get that in a liquid form--I'm going to see if Effexor does.
Pooh Bear
Votes: +4
GR
grumpy01
19 Nov 2004
I feel for you. I went from 150mg per day down to 75mg per day and finally to 37.5mg for a week. When I stopped the withdrawl symptoms started immediatly. I felt sick to my stomach, became snappy at my wife and co-workers, had a buzzing feeling in my forehead, felt unsteady on my feet, and finally when I looked left or right as far as I could I would get dizzy, and swear I could hear a swishing sound like something flew past me. What's up with that??? I'm on day three of withdrawl and all the symptoms are still there. How freaking long do I have to have this?:( I'm on 200mg Wellbutrin taken twice daily now but it's too early for it to take affect. I just want to lay in bed until the symptoms disappear.
Votes: +3
GL
glennn
16 Nov 2004
i'm on 150mg / day XR and have "accidentally" gone cold turkey a couple times (same with Paxil) - what a neurological nightmare. anyway, i found i still needed the good parts of Effexor and went back on. things are nice and smooth, mostly. i guess i'll just live with it. or switch to heroin to detox. good luck to you.
