Effexor XR Long Term Effects - After stopping the drug

I have been a mess since taking effxor, i believe i have permanent brain damage. My life is ruined, and my babies need me ... i also believe this will be the death of me, so many issues now

It’s a lot of hard work to do it without problems but possible. Open the contents of the capsule and pour it through a sprout lid (screen). Some balls stay in the lid and some go through. Separate the 2 groups into 3 piles. Use empty capsules (you can get them from a health food store) and put one pile of small balls in 1 capsule along with one pile of large balls. That’s 1/3 of a dose but y can divide them up 2/3 or any way you want spending a couple of weeks on each new smaller dose.

I would support a law suit against Effexor any day. It's been over a year since i tapered off and the discontinuation truly makes me feel like it has ruined my brain. Awful anxiety, I can't focus on anything, memory issues, fatigue, depression, brain fog...the list goes on and on. I am 27 and I took it for 4 years, I really hope this isn't permanent and I really hope someone does sue.

Hi, I have been on and off of Effexor xr for 16 years. Mostly on. There is an amazing website with a lot of advice and supplements to help you wean off of this drug. ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** posting of web addresses is not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use. Also asking your doctor for a prescription of 25mg non-time released Effexor to step down gradually. I've been off of it for 2 months now and feel great! msinly you will need A LOT of fish oil/omega3 supplements to combat the awful brain zaps. There should be a link to a free download of the book on The Road Back website. It is very insightful on the negative effects of the drug and the help you need to successfully get off of it. Good luck to you! You can do it!!

This has been really interesting reading. I have been severely UNmotivated for years. Have been on Effexor XR 150mg for 20 years now. Started with post partum depression after my 2nd child - my sister used Effexor and it was working for her so they prescribed it for me. Depression is such a f*@ked up thing. As I contemplate why I am not DOING anything or FEELING anything I wonder do I need to up my dose or augment - Like most I started at 37.5 mg, went to 75, 150, 225, back to 150, augmented with Abilify, Trazadone and I can function, but the lack of motivation is just making me nuts. I've also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but I don't know that I believe that diagnosis - I have brain fog and ask is it fibro, menopause or depression? I know a healthier lifestyle would help - exercise, eating whole foods etc. but believe it or not TODAY was the first day that I had the idea of "hmmm...I wonder if it's my Effexor?" When I think about the person I was before PPD and Effexor - it's a huge difference, but I was also early 30s and hadn't gone through my husband coming out of the closet, being a single mom of 2 kids under 3, raising them on my own, caring for elderly parents, going through kids with ADD and depression leading to attempted suicide - you know - LIFE. So how do I know if I need to up the dose or get off the stuff and how do I start? I think I'll be having a talk with my doc and my chiropractor. I know the Chiropractor would love nothing more than getting me off all prescription drugs and putting me on natural stuff and my doc is pretty awesome too...there has to be a way to be at least some semblance of the vibrant chica I once was...

Developed rheumatoid arthritis after discontinuing effexor... coincidence??

I have read quite a few of the posts here and I have to say that I am experiencing some terrible symptoms on Effexor and so am reducing with the aim to stopping Effexor altogether. I have researched it a lot on the net and I have what I think is called Seratonin Syndrome which could be the same for others here. I have been on Effexor for 12 years or so and was taking 75mg for most of that time but then was put up to 150mg when feeling stressed about situations but immediately knew that I couldn't take that amount. I reduced my intake back to 75mg gradually, and despite doing this, one day I started having problems whereby the drug suddenly started causing me to be dizzy, sweaty, feel drugged, insomnia, have swelling to my lower legs and arms, flushes, joint aches, vertigo, nausea and have a foggy brain. I then decided to take only 37.5mg with a view to coming off the drug which I have been doing for three weeks. Recently I had a terrible experience where I thought I was having a heart attack with my chest feeling full and surging with terrible palpitations and arms numb. I have never had high blood pressure and all tests said all was well. The most advice I can give while still going through this is to reduce the drug slowly to avoid huge withdrawal symptoms and take vitamins etc and know it won't last forever. Don't let the drug beat you. I'm not going to let it beat me.

You are not alone. I have tried to go off Effexor with my Dr. help. I became very paranoid and weepy so back on Effexor.. I decided when marijuana becomes legal in Canada in a few months I'm getting off the drug and onto cannabis I suffer from post traumatic stress and pot is the only thing that keeps. me calm

I am having the exact same symptoms. I've been off of the 150 mg effexor for 2 months and i feel like I'm dying.

I’ve been on Effexor about 6 years. Mostly for my anger & anxiety. I tried going off cold turkey & never ever felt that bad before. It was horrible. I cried all the time, felt sick, dizzy & just plain miserable. I’m now trying to stop again since I couldn’t handle it before. Dr gave me meds for vertigo & an antihistamine for night. I’ve only been 3 days but so far ok. How long before your withdrawals was over?

My update. I wrote the above message in November of 2016. It is 3 years since I started wean myself of Effexor. It is about 2 years and 5 month I am not taking Effexor. I am not doing well. I quit my part time job due to inability to function ( morning brain fog, body stiffness, debilitating fatigue, some cognitive impairment and anxiety). I am very depressed and anxious on top of it. After one year of stopping Effexor I got worse with skin picking and currently going through therapy. I destroyed my face. Recently tried N - acetylcysteibe ( NAC) in hope to help skin picking and depression but unfortunately it caused bad insomnia and I had to stop it. NAC has lots of research and multiple positive reviews but I reacted badly to it. As I mentioned in my message from 11-26-2016 I tried multiple measures to help with the symptoms except I am resisting more medications. I ordered CBD oil and have a high hope that this remedy will restore my health. Please pray for me. I will keep you updated. P.S. I know that my health and many years of my life are ruined by this medication but I am hopeful and keep searching and trying. I also keep praying. I would not know what I would do without God’s presence and help.

That is exactly how I got off of it after being on 250 mg of this monster for at least 5 years. Still on prozac though and wondering if anyone has experienced whole body shocks? I started having these during withdrawal time and it is still going on 3 years later

I have had to go cold turkey too because tapering off was so miserable i would give in and go back. Then i decided to just do it. You are right. Take vitamins particularly b12 and even 1 shot a month. Tried to not have any major activities and took aleeve for headaches. I have only been doing for 2 weeks but much of the sweats have stopped. Got a cooling pillow to help with sleep. Practicing discipline on my mind so as not to just blow up. Beginning to feel much better snd have also noted today my emotions are being felt by me. Dri k lots of water. I really believe i will make it and kick it. Regret i was never warned. Dr said it was not harmful so dont worry if you take it the rest of your life. Shame shame.

WOW! THIS IS SCARY! i was only on this about 2-3 months. i felt nothing so i stopped taking it. i went against my doctor and quit cold turkey to start another. to my disbelieve i have had bad withdrawals for a few day and had 1 extremely bad night where i woke up freezing and uncontrollably shivering. i was also uncontrollably crying for no reson which is nothing like me, i dont cry. i have had the brain zaps wich kinda feels like the effects of acid- kinda cool. i could not believe these feeling after this short time. however after a week i feel unuslly good. almost like its too good to be true. im afraid the axiety will come back but i feel normal. after reading these post and my minor withdrawls compared with yall, i will not take another prescription med like this. hopefully by getting off now i discovered the cure by taking it shortly and stoppping. good luck to everyone.

I feel much the same way as you. Now that I'm off Effexor XR I can start healing any issues that arise.