This post is more of a rant/commiseration about the horrible side effects of effexor discontinuation. I was on effexor for about three months (previously on zoloft for about 5 years). My husband and I have recently been talking about having children, so I decided to taper off of the effexor (225mg) about a month ago. While on effexor, I was having vertigo spells during the day and extreme night sweats during sleep, so getting off of it was an easy decision for me. Let me echo the many complaints about effexor -- I HATE effexor, it's side effects while on the medication, and the even worse side effects during withdrawal. I tried to slowly taper off of it by taking out beads from the effexor XR capsules. The side effects were on par with what I was expecting after reading other responses. My head was fuzzy from time to time, tiredness, same amount of vertigo spells, etc. I also went through the flu symptoms, which included body aches, stuffy head, malaise, etc. A week ago, I started to get nauseated and had no interest in food. I was going down about 50+ beads every few days. Since I stay at home, I decided to speed up the discontinuation process and play by ear.
Fast forward to now. I was down to 75mg two days ago, but, by this time, I was getting so fed up with the side effects, that I decided to just go cold turkey. I felt that the vertigo/flu symptoms were tolerable, but I could go only so long with having to "deal" with it. As a side note, I have also been doing high intensity workouts (crossfit, on a couple of days, off a couple of days) during this process, and I think it has helped tremendously. While I feel like a complete mess during the day, while at the gym, I feel almost 100%. The camaraderie of the members at my crossfit gym always lifts my mood, and the intensity of the workouts makes me completely forget the side effects completely. I think that having these "clear" moments throughout the week make the process of discontinuation tolerable. So, back to the original topic, yesterday was my first day of no effexor. The side effects worsened as the day continued. I was extremely tired, my body ached a little more than usual, I felt extreme hot and cold flashes, and I experience what I thought was the true meaning of "brain shivers". It was a true, severe form of vertigo in which my brain felt like it couldn't keep up with my eyes. I would equate it to having a jello brain just sloshing around inside my head. When I would turn my head, or look side to side too quickly (this could even be caused by reading), my eyes would see the new position, but my brain would overshoot the position, try to catch up to the position in a stuttering, stop-start motion, overshoot again, and finally rest on the correct position. Mind you, this would all happen in just a second or two. The only good thing was that I had some of my desire for food back, and the nausea was practically gone. Sleep was another issue. The dreams were incredibly vivid (and not in a fun way), and the night sweats were extreme. Otherwise, this second day so far is just full of vertigo and brain shivers. I am completely determined to never use this medication again and plan to do much more research on any future medications.
Good luck to everyone who is getting off of this horrible drug.
I was on Effexor for over two years. As my dosage increased - and then for the last year while I was on a consistent dosage - I experienced the worst symptoms from a drug I could ever imagine. I sweat. Profusely. With the slightest movement. It was so bad sometimes that I could not see properly due to the sweat dripping into my eyes. And completely disgusting - it ruined most of my clothing because after a while, there isn't a lot one can do to remove the pit stains! I was basically incapable of doing anything at all - even a simple, slow walk with my kids had me so uncomfortable it wasn't worth it. Being in such a state left me agitated and frustrated a lot of the time -- so I may as well have been suffering with the anxiety for which it was prescribed. I have gained over 20 pounds as a result. Sitting on the couch all of the time, unable to move and unable to do any of the activities that make me happy, well, let's just say a few chocolate bars and sodas were involved.
Needless to say, I think this drug is evil, like most of the people here. I had tried to quit, cold turkey once - that had VERY BAD consequence. So in the Fall, when I decided again to get myself off this drug, I began to wean myself off from it very slowly. I took two pills (don't have the dosage amounts handy) per day, so I started by cutting out one pill every second day. Then down to one pill per day. Then down to one pill every two days. Then one pill every three days. Then I would break the pill open and divide the little balls inside into two piles. I did this over about 3 months. I stopped completely around Christmastime. Right now I have vertigo, some nausea, and diarrhea. I've been in an extremely agitated and angry state. I'm an absolute horror to be near -- my husband gathered up the kids and left a few night ago. I ended up checking myself into a crisis unit for fear I was going to hurt myself.
Only problem is that I did not realize that at least some - if not all - of what I am experiencing may be related to the Effexor. I'm terribly frightened right now as my symptoms have been getting worse instead of better. I don't know how long this can potentially last. I'm so scared.
If you're just getting on Effexor, or you're on a low dosage still, GET OFF. This drug is evil. It may help with your symptoms, but it's not worth it. I'd take severe anxiety over this ANY day of the week. If you can, talk to your physician. Find an alternative. Please.
Hi everyone i've just stopped talking effexor 150mg im on day 4 of withdrawal and like most people im getting "brain zaps, vivid nightmares,urges to just throw things, crying for no reason , lack of appitite or appitite but no clue what to eat and a bizzare extremly high sex drive and other alarming effects that scare the hell out of me .. another issuse i am thinking of is that i'v been in it for about 6 years and i can't remember my personality BEFORE it ... What worries me is the ease in which dr's just hand these out without explaining long term problems / damage to your brain this is the third time i have attempted to stop this drug and even though im going though a hell that only other effexor users can understand ... i hope i can do it this time !!! and i wish other people all the luck in the world to to get though the side effects and stop taking this horrible drug
I decided to try going off of my Effexor because I was tired of the sexual side effects. Tired of not feeling anything and having difficulty enjoying my sex life while in my prime.I am also tired of going through withdrawal symptoms after missing just one dose. I decided to have a margarita one night and thought i shouldnt take my effexor and mix alcohol and meds. The next day I was sick from withdrawals after just 1 missed dose! I have tapered off for one week I did half the dosage. Now I am out and I am going cold turkey. I am having major withdrawal symptoms and looking for something to make things bearable until my body is back to normal. I saw the previous post on fish oils to help ease these symptoms so I am going to try it. Any other suggestions would be helpful as I still have to work and parent and take care of my responsibilities. I cant just lay in bed miserable from these side effects but it is complete misery!
Day 1: Fine
Day 2: Frequent loose stool, irritability, dizzy, brain feels like it is moving around in my head, nausea
How much, dosage, of omegas & magnesium did you take? How are you doing?
How are you doing at this point?
As I read this, it says 4 days ago, so how are you doing today on day 6 or 7? I've been trying to get off Effexor XR for several weeks. Nasty withdrawal symptoms.
it says 2 weeks ago? How are you at this point?
I just read your post of 4 years ago. Can you say how long it took for you to feel normal?
I am on day 5 without effexor after taking 2 years also. Was prescribed after breast cancer diagnosia with anxiety. Felt time to wean off. Not as easy as I expected. Didn't feel depressed when I started but sure do now. I refuse to go back on. These feelings have to stop sooner or later. Bad headaches, itching, bad mood, ringing ears, insomnia. Today I can't seem to stop crying. I'm driving my husband nuts and There is nothing I can do, but I will not take pills like he says I should.
i'm going to go buy omega products you suggested. I pray it helps. I feel so bad making everyone worry about me.
I started tapering off my Effexor little by little starting 1/12/2013, was doing pretty good no bad effects, was wondering what the heck the Dr had been talking about, till Wednesday afternoon, 1/23/2013. I started feeling nauseated, diarrhea so bad, also black was afraid I might be having internal bleeding. Gradually started feeling better after sleeping all day Thursday "dreams yucky" and most of Friday.
Now feeling kinda sort of OK, couldn't figure out after reading how bad most other people were doing? I think I figured it out, I have been taking 500 MG Niaspan ER for my cholesterol - Tuesday I had forgotten to take the Niaspan? Been taking it every evening since, and I completely stopped the Effexor, so far so good 1/30/2013
I know how you feel. I missed a dose two times in the last few months and couldn't believe what it did to my body. That's when I decided I had to get off completely. Waited till after Christmas so not to ruin the holidays and I'm glad I did. It is a nightmare. I started fish oil and vit B complex today. Seems to help a little already. Hope for the best. If I don;t regain control soon I'll probably be alone. Family can't take it and I;m not sure they really believe it is all from stopping this poison.
I am going through this also - know that you are not alone. I have been on Effexor - aka the devil, for 5 years. I have tried to come off in the past. This time i created detailed plan for myself, and i feel crappy, but i'm functional. It can be done, but it isnt easy, and to get through it with as minimal damage as possible, its best to have a plan
Part of my process this time is running a blog that details the truth about Effexor withdrawal, recovery methods i am using, and my own journey. I am hoping it can be of help to others. I have a list of remedies i am using in the blog. i hope it helps!
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