How To Reduce Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms

Effexor was exactly what I needed to stabilize my depression and anxiety.  The only reason I had to stop taking it was my blood pressure dropped to between 86/48 and 94/59 - although low blood pressure it is not listed as a side effect.  I took 75 of Effexor for 6 weeks and then 150 for 6 weeks.  I felt great but the dizziness from the low blood pressure was really bugging me.

I was prepared for the nightmare of withdrawal symptoms but only experienced mild night sweats and a raise in my anxiety level (which is a no-brainer since that was a problem before taking Effexor).  Maybe I was on it for such a short time that withdrawal was easier for me. I took 150 every other day for a week then 75 for a few days, then 75 every other day for a week.  Then none.  I am sorry so many of you are suffering so badly.

It’s possible that one of my other medications acted as a buffer for the Effexor withdrawal.  I take 450 of Wellbutrin, 200 Lamictal, 50 Seroquel, and a few other non-psychotropic drugs like Inderal, Singulair, Klonopin, Vivelle dot (hrt), DHEA.  I also use an anti-stress drink that my psychiatrist recommended - Peter Gillham's Natural Calm.  It's a powder you mix with juice.  It has helped my anxiety a bit but, most importantly, it alleviated the constipation that is listed as a side effect on half of my meds.  It would be nice to get rid of the dry mouth. I never sleep through the night because my mouth is so dry I need water at least once, sometimes twice. 

The doctor didn't want to take me off of Wellbutrin.  He just wanted to add something that affected serotonin (which Wellbutrin doesn't).  For women over 50 - the efficacy of Wellbutrin was reduced after my hysterectomy and resultant “instant-menopause.”  I struggled getting the right dose of HRT for 2 years (and now wear a patch) but the depression never lifted all the way.  The Effexor brought me back to my pre-menopause self.  I am sorry I can't continue it and hope the Cymbalta will do the trick.

While on Effexor for only 3 months, I did gain about 10 lbs.  I craved sweets, felt like I was pregnant and couldn't get enough food, and (so weird) I couldn't stand the taste of coffee or my lemon flavored fitness drink, two things I used to drink every day. I have been completely off of the Effexor for 5 days and the dizziness is completely gone, my blood pressure is back to normal (110/70), coffee tastes good and I'm enjoying the fitness drink again. 

I have been on anti-depressants for 20 years.  Without them I quickly get suicidal.  Depression is something I have lived with my entire life.  I am bipolar, have OCD, IBS, migraine headaches, and social anxiety disorder.  In the early years of treatment, I tried to take myself off of my anti-depressant when I felt better - Big Mistake.  We all hate taking mind-altering medication.  We all want to be 'normal' and not take anything - like our friends. Diabetics take insulin every day for their lifetimes.  We are no different, but there is still a ridiculous social stigma associated with anti-depressants. The pancreas fails and you get diabetes.  Your dopamine, nor epinephrine, and serotonin suffer an imbalance and you have depression.  They are both physical failures of the body.  Period.

Your psychiatrist should be your partner in medication management.  If you aren't a good fit with that person - get someone else!   My psychiatrist only monitors my meds - no psychotherapy.*  He's an M.D. and a specialist in neuropharmacology. These drugs are too dangerous to take a self-medicating attitude.  You can cause yourself seizures, heart failure, stroke, and so on, if you are not careful.  ALL psychotropic drugs should be started and stopped SLOWLY.  Effexor or not, you are asking for trouble when you go cold turkey.  These are not antibiotic capsules.

 *I see a LCSW for talk therapy.

I have been on Effexor XR for 14 years. I have had my share of this drug and then some. A solid dose of 150mg for many years up to 225mg for many years as well. I of course share deeply the horrible side effects and withdrawl symptoms of this drug. In a lot of ways it saved my life, and now I feel like it has outstayed it's welcome. I have a very physical job as a carpenter, window and door installer. Can you imagine missing your pills, going to work, but not knowing you missed your pills until 11 rolls around, and the brain shivers start, and the nausea, dizzyness, muscle aches, headaches - but because you still have to live your life, you go ahead with your work for the day and install your 7 windows, or two doors...sometimes in -30 or +40 degrees...just looking forward to the second hour after you get home from work, the pills kick in and you can get on with your life. I am so tired of this drug, but am scared to switch, but I also know I can get through it if I have to...and I think it is time. I would gladly be a part of class action suit, I could almost be the poster child. Once when I was 25 I stopped taking my medicine because I could not afford it (I am also an alcoholic and was then spending all my money on booze - luckily sober for 2 years this October) and by day two I was walking into walls, vomiting, cold sweats, eating everything in site, shaking horribly, crying...I'm sure the drug company made a pretty penny off of me...125$ a bottle when I didn't have insurance...For 5 years I paid full price. The idea that Effexor withdrawl is comparable to heroine withdrawl sounds about right. And when the generic brands were released, to me it was like noticing the differences in fine wine. They behaved differently. They were almost not the same drug I was on for all those years. I cannot wait to walk in to my doctors office and start something different...or at least the process of. I am the father of a four year old girl, a 1 month old boy, master of a 3 year old yellow lab, and husband to an awesome wife, and now I just want to forget about Effexor XR. If I had the money, I would launch my own campaign against the drug. I have researched the drug for 14 years, and have read countless message blogs about horrendous stories, my only hope that one day there would be clear and safe way for people to come down off this drug, and people to live with the drug safely and symptom free, side effect free...perhaps with a sister drug or an easier fix. My withdrawl symptoms are changing a little which to me deep down does not seem good in any way. I just want to be a great father, symptom free, a great husband, syptom free, an active and energetic man, symptom free. Launching my own company in the spring, I have to feel good. I have to function well. This drug for me, needs to go. I won't let this drug have it's way with me any longer, and I'm going to find a suitable, effective replacement with my doctors help.

7/17/2011 - Oh my gosh. Tried to go from 36 twice a day to 36 once a day. I was up all night last night with all the symtoms mentioned in the above thread. My head hurts so bad, all my bones and joints hurt horribly and I can't recall ever having vomiting and diahrea this bad. My wife and I thought it may have been food poisoning, a 24 hour stomach bug etc. I started the decrease at the beginning of the week and did not feel the adverse affects until Saturday. I upped my dose back to the level I am seed to taking and have left a message for my doctor. If I had any idea that this would happen I would never had started this medication. This is horrible. :( Dave

I promised myself if this worked as well as it has seemed to, that I would post in an effort to help others.  I was on 37.5mg per day of Effexor XR, and decided it was time to get off of it.  I had occasionally missed a pill, and would have the dizziness, brain zaps, etc.  After speaking with my Doctor, I switched to the Effexor immediate release (half of 37.5mg for 2xs per day).  Since the immediate release pills are 37.5mg each, I began by taking half of the pill twice a day.  I noticed no effect from this.  Within a day or so, I then went to half of a pill once a day.  What helped me was just taking the morning half, and then taking Benadryl in the evening, rather than another Effexor.  The Benadryl really does help with the dizziness, and helps you to sleep.  So I would sleep through the worst part of the withdrawal, then take the Effexor in the morning.  A few days later, I began taking 1/4 of a pill just in the morning, with the Benadryl in the evening.  After a few days of that, I stopped the Effexor completely today.  I have had some dizziness, and to counteract that, took the Benadryl (I took the day off, just for today).  The Benadryl is very helpful.  However, I think the MOST helpful thing was switching from the XR to the Immediate Release tablets (immediate release is tablets, extended release is capsules).  As I said, I did not have ANY side effects with this switch.  What I did notice, however, is that other than the dizziness, and occasionally overheating, I don't have any of the other symptoms I had when I accidentally missed an XR pill (most notably, the shocking feeling).  It has definitely been a much less difficult process than I expected, and I attribute much of that to withdrawing from the immediate release pills, rather than XR.

very glad that I found this thread

Thank god for this thread! I don't feel so alone anymore!

I have never felt the need to post on a thread but after the fantastic advice from everyone else, I had to share what I went through in the hopes that it makes someone else feel a little better!

I went cold turkey off 37.5mg Effexor on Saturday (after being on them for a year and a half and tapering down from 125mg).  The first day wasn't so bad but days 2, 3 and 4 were horrendous! I had every single symptom that you are all having.

You name it I had it:
vertigo
adrenalin shocks
dizzyness
nausea
restlessness
the shakes
ringing in my ears
headache
no sleep
heart palpitations
vivid dreams
nightmares
a general 'yuck weird' feeling.... and
massive mood swings (sooooo angry with the world!)

BUT, after thinking that I couldn't get through these days or that I would have to suffer for weeks possibly months, I tried the remedies that were suggested on here from some of you:  I went out and bought max strength omega-3 fish oil, a milti-vitamin, muscle relaxants, phenergan, and my little miracle.... travelcalm.  I bought all of these on my worst day (day 4) and I'm now on day 6 and I feel 1000% better already.

The travelcalm was the best thing thats helped me so far.  Within an hour of taking 2 tablets on day 4, I could feel a difference.  My vertigo, dizzyness, adrenalin shocks and nausea went away!! I took two tablets, twice a day (4 tabs) for 2 days and now I'm back to two tabs per day.  My symptoms have improved so much and I feel like I can actually function and get through the day.

I make sure that I have the omega-3 fish oil (which i take twice a day with the travelcalm) and multivitim daily.  I also found that the muscle relaxant was great for the adrenalin shocks, shaking and restlessness (especially before going to bed). 

My symptoms haven't completely gone away - in the mornings when I wake up I feel a little light headed, adrenalin 'shocky' and have a bit of vertigo and also when I overexert myself (like walking up a hill) but the severity is nothing like it was and when I get these symptoms I take a travelcalm and the symptoms ease off.  
 
My pharmacist was very helpful (sorry to those I read that ran into problems with thier pharmacist).  He told me that it can take around 3 months for your brain to re-wire itself after coming off brain altering meds.  He told me you have to think of it like any habit - it usually takes 3 months for a habit to form and thats what we are trying to do by coming off the meds.  Your body just has to get used to it. 

I wish everyone the best of luck coming off this horrible drug. I hope that you can find a way to get through the hard days. I can tell you right now - NEVER AGAIN!

Hello,  

Hi

I came across this site as doing some home research for partner who has after a 3 years on a/d's decided to come off Effexor. The tips are great and we will know what to expect side effects-wise so that is reassuring.

However can I please ask, some of you have been on a/d's for quite some time and want to discontinue but has taking the medication for all those years alleviated your depression (or other disorder)??

I was always led to believe a/d's change the chemical composition of the brain and after some time it's possible that some of the depression was more so short term and would decrease after a few years on a/d's

Is this the case??  I'm sure there is no straight forward fix for depression etc (sorry I have never experienced it so cannot compare) but I'm wondering if my partner is going to be back to square one? His was related to a massive stressful event in his life a few years ago - that issue has now been resolved so he feels like the trigger for the depressive event is gone and the med's have helped him clarify his thinking and stop the dark thoughts so I'm wondering now if the few years on Effexor has basically done the job and now we can go back to normal?

I would appreciate some information please. Many thanks and good luck to those of you on the better pathway now :)

 

 

 

 

I went through a terrible divorce and have been on Effexor XR 75mg for 5 years now.  I would love to taper off but haven't been able to afford the cost of my prescripitons because I have no health insurance anymore. I am realing most of the time and don't know what I am going to do.

I am not sure if this will get posted?  I have been tapering off effexor 150 for the past several weeks, 4 days of nothing at all.  I have all the usual discontinuation side effects people have listed BUT in the last 2 weeks, I have gained 10 pounds - 5 of them in the last 4 days and I am getting scared.  I am extremely bloated tonight.  I am getting worried it is omething else but this seems too coincidental.  Has anyone else experienced this?   

my husband died recently and i went crazy,went to the dr.and he put me on effexor,only 37.5,but it was so expensive i knew i couldnt stay on it.it was a tremendous help,i quit the crying,worrying to some degree.then decided to stop it,i gradually took out some of the beads,did have withdrawal,but i took a muscle relaxer or whatever i could (a shot of tequila,haha) and i finally got off of it,then took prozac,which i felt didnt do as good of a job.started sqwalling and still depressed,then dated a guy who paid for another month of effexor,this time,it didnt work as well,so now once again am weaning off of it.have went from 35 beads,to about 17,for a couple of days ,now down to about 11,im trying to do this quickly.but havent had any brain shivers this time,which i had the first time.so for two days i'll cut down alittle more than after a couple more days cut down some more.till im off,but i do take an anti anxiety drug which i think has really helped,dont want to go back to prozac,and wont,im not crying as much,in fact today actually felt like a good day.i do feel some nausea,but not enough to complain about.just want off this stuff,whether i cry or not,i have alot of issues to deal with as i was left with nothing,my husband did not prepare for his death.and i couldnt make him,i inherited nothing,due to his mother and have been treated like an animal,had to pay for his funeral with a credit card igot the day after he died,god only knows if i can continue to pay it.but i still want off this stuff and am succeeding at doing it this time.it only took me a few weeks the first time to get off and now im doing it the same way.dont know if this will help but its been easier the second time getting off of it,no brain shivers as of yet.i have also not cared about my house and been able to accomplish nothing,but today was differnent and i actually started cleaning some,i havent cared if i lived or died,when he died i felt like my whole world died (and he wasnt the easiest person in the world)he left a horrible mess for me to deal with.i have had some headaches with this,not cared abot washing my hair or going anywhere.but im almost off the stuff,hurray!!! good luck to you,i would do anything to get off this stuff.having a drink didnt kill me,taking an anti anxiety pill didnt kill me,it helped with the side effects.ive done what was best for me.and it seems to be working,the only thing i think its good for is a serious trauma for a short period of time,which it did help me get under control,till i could do it on my own.

I tapered off for two weeks and I'm on day 4 of completely off. Still very dizzy and getting the brain zaps. It sounds like when a bug goes into a bug zapper. I've missed work two days now. My husband gave me a B12 shot today to help me get some energy. I'm hanging on the hope of all those I have read on line that have gotten through this and gotten their life back.

I can't really remember how long I've been of Effexor for but i'd say it's been at least a year, I was on Zoloft before and never had the problems I am having with this drug. I went to my doctor 2 months ago and told him I wanted to come off of it as it wasn't really working. He never told me the withdrawal effects when he switched my prescription nor when we discussed coming off of it. He had me taper down the dosage from 300mg over an 8 week period. however I do not find that that helped at all, i feel all the same symptoms I have in the past from just missing a dosage. personally I don't think anyone should take this drug with all the withdrawal effects, but at the very least doctors should have to tell you about them, so your at least prepared and not blind sided by them.
I am having almost all the effects I've read about from the tremors, severe uncontrollable moods, anxiety, nightmares, vision problems, dizziness, nauseousness to the brain zaps. I've only read of about 3 symptoms that I'm not having. I feel worse now then I ever did from my depression.
It's no wonder some people do not ever want to come off their medication.
all the post have been very helpful though in letting me know I'm not the only one going through this which helps so much, I am going to try some of the "remedies" and hope they help.
Does anyone have any idea as to how long this state of Hell is going to last? it's only been 3 days but I don't know how much more I can honestly take.

I am wanting to get off of Effexor and go to "natural" antidepressants that do not have the side effects like Effexor.  I've been taking Effexor XR 150mg for 8 years now.  I tried to get off of it about 3 years ago and it was horrible! I was totally off of it for about 2 months and had to get back on it because I was simply miserable.

Now, I want to try it once again because the Effexor is no longer working for me the way it used to.  This time I have researched all about herbal antidepressants because I know I will need something.  I order "Amoryn" which contains 18mg Hyperforin, 25mg 5-HTP, 90mg Rodiala Rosea, 20mg B6, 30mcg B12, 300mcg Folate, 70mcg Selenium, 400IU Vitamin D3, 15mg Zinc, and 10mg Vitamin C.  I'm hoping to replace my 150mg of Effexor XR with the Amoryn. 

I'm not sure if I can quit the Effexor 150mg cold turkey and just switch over to the Amoryn or if I need to wean.  I'm a little nervous about taking both together...not sure if I can do that or not.  I REALLY don't want to go through the withdrawal symptoms of getting off the Effexor again!!!!

Any ideas???

Hello. I would like to tell you my experience. For five years I have been on a constant 2 times 150mg of efexor, with a top up of a 75mg at varying desperate times in my "normal" to me} day. (Also, with an addition of 3 times 25mg of Seroquel throughout the day/night)   I think I am actually worse on them {or much the same}

Prior to this I was on aropax for 8 years. I have tried to go cold turkey. Still alive. MMW