Tammy like you mild depression, been on it for 7 or 8 years. Last year around Dec. 1 I stopped taking this drug after tapering off 3/4 of a tablet, then 1/2 tablet then 1/4 tablet each time I changed I did it for several weeks at a time. My doctor said you might as well not be taking anything i you are doing 1/4 of a tablet. So the first of Dec I stopped, by Christmas I was so depressed, I could hardly function. I tried to stay off after 3weeks I could not do it any more and I'm back on it again. I am also angry that I was not told the whole story about being put on antidepressant I hope you are doing okay now, I will try again. Blessings to you. Susan
I'm in the process of trying to go off of Effexor and just read your post. It was really helpful but I can't seem to find Travel
Calm. Can you tell me what the exact name is and who makes it? Thanks so much!
Your post was really helpful. Can you tell me how much of each supplement you took?
Besides losing insurance card and I'm 36...this is my story exactly! I'm in week 2 of withdrawl...finding extreme ups and downs in mood and very tired...dizziness not as bad as week 1.
Hi all
I hope you can give me advise? I've been on 150 mg for 8 years now. I quit cold turkey 5 days ago. I've got the usual symptoms of dizziness, brain shocks and loss of balance. I'm very emotional at times and the most weirdest dreams. I would like to know how safe this is too leave it cold turkey and what might be the worst that can happen.
I just started taking effexor for aniety and depression I am 26 years old and my first time on anything like this. I have been perscribed to 37.5mg and been only on it 4 days now, the first two days nothing then the next two were just horrible no sleeping head aches, sweating, nervous and feeling like death like I could not get up. It was so scary and then I decided to stop. I hate this medication I know I need something for my depression and anxiety but now I am so scared don't know what to do. I hate this pill...
I'm a 28 year old male. Been on Effexor for 6 years now. I have insane vivid dreams. Racing thoughts. Blurry vision. Light stains. Everything looks like tv snow. Like when you unplug a tv and all you see is static. My visions has that all the time. I also still get crippling panic and horrible mood swings. And the thing is I'm ON The drug and this is going on. I can't even begin to imagine the battle I have ahead of me. I get really severe detachment from reality as it is. I wish there was a place I could go to while they help me get off this drug. Could the Effexor actually be creating these symptoms in me? Cause I'm afraid of how bad it will be when I'm off. Really just want to live a normal life. I'm on sick leave from work and I'm honestly thinking about cutting it cold turkey. I'm just terrified of whats to come.
I took Effexor 37.5 for about 4 years, then switched to Zoloft without any side effects. I'm now taking 75 mg (and have for the last year), but am reducing to 37.5. This is my second week and am having insomnia, vivid, crazy dreams, cloudy head, and an overall blasé feeling. I am now trying the Omega 3 and B-6 vitamin 3 times a day. I have been taking Omega 3 and B Complex daily, which may be why I haven't had all the side effects for Effexor withdrawal. It is safe to take Omega 3 and B-6 3x daily. If I have good results, I'll let you know.
My daughter has been on effexor 75mg for about 4-5 months and came off by tapering over 3 weeks In the third week she was down to an 1/8 of a tablet. From what I have read this is probably tapering too quickly. I let her doctor know that she was having side effects such as fainting every night around the same time and a f several times in the morning as well He said he didn't think the medication was the cause. She does have low blood pressure but we resolved that with salt tablets and plenty of fluids. She is only sixteen and has been through a hard time and couldn't quite believe she was experiencing withdrawal symptoms from this drug. almost as soon as she started tapering she was blacking out at around the same time every evening. She says that just before she passes out she has what she terms a brain wave sensation Her vision also gets blurry and then she faints though she can still hear your voice. I don't know what to do. I have been researching and this site is quite helpful and hope this can help my daughter. Her doctor is quite good really and I guess he doesn't know everything but I do feel let down that he didn't seem to know enough about effexor as initially he said to ny daughter to come off it cold turkey, That was a big mistake as she had side effects straight away. It is really weird that she only has a few episodes in the morning and then she is fine till about 3.30-4 in the afternoon and they intensify in the evening to the point where she cant even lift her head without blacking out! Because she was still somewhat depressed he suggested taking an 1/8 tablet with 1/2 tablet of Zoloft. But after the horrors of this drug I am very reluctant to put her on more medication that will have bad withdrawal symptoms. I will try the fish oil and protein shake for sure
Thanks everyone for the information and hope that you all can recover and heal. You have all helped me top help my daughter
Hi all,
Recently was cut off from my Effexor 75mg tablets and can't get any more for a few weeks. Once I eventually get over this withdrawal, I will not get back on them. On day two without them, I have the brain zaps, exhaustion, frustration and feel like my brain has floated away from my body. I've had weekends away where I've forgotten my meds, so I know what is still ahead of me. I was able to take my meds last week every other day to taper of a little, but a week isn't much time. I'm interested in taking the Omega 3s and B-12 Vits, but not sure which dose/how much to take. As a college student, I'd like to take as few as possible to reduce the cost, but still want to be able to focus on my studies! Any tips?
-Taylor
if you can, get VYVANSE at least 40 mg. really works for depression. (shire doing trials now for fda additional use, but lots of research already out. ONLY DRUG TO HELP ME with depression. you might have to inform doc about it;s other uses.
Thanks for your post, I am weaning myself off at the moment from 150 mg to about 120 I plan on doing this very slowly. I lost my job because of it. My boss did not know I was on it just thought I was stupid I guess. It did help me a lot but my physiatrist wants me off to see how I am without it. I already take B-complex and fish oil. I think I am going to double up on the fish oil when I drop another few mg. Did you have problems with diarrhea? It seems I am having problems in that area also, hoping it is the Effexor and not anything else.
dr kris,
thank you for your advise........this is the first that i have come across that makes any sense at all. I have all of the above except CoQ10 and Omega 3 oil.........as soon as I shower I'm out to get some. Thank you again!