Reducing Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms

I, too, had to go through the Effexor withdrawal process. After taking the medication for about a year, I decided I no longer wanted to be on it. It was originally prescribed for me by my doctor for anxiety and mild depression symptoms. I found that the pills definitely reduced my anxiety levels and increased my happiness levels, but I also found that it was interfering with my job. I felt drowsy often; I was sleeping way too much yet never felt refreshed; I had trouble waking up in the mornings; and since I didn't feel very much anxiety any more and since the pills allowed me to feel more 'content' with everything, I feel like I lost a lot of my motivation. The anxiety that used to keep me up at night, worrying how I was going to get a project done at work, was gone. So I didn't sweat deadlines as much or my workload and I always felt like I could put it off and get to it later and that everything would be okay. After a few months of this leading to sub-par job performance (showing up late, always feeling too tired to get a lot done, not feeling the urgency of deadlines, etc.) I decided it was best that I come off the drug and go back to being my old self.

I tried to quit cold turkey during the busiest time of year at my office and it was a disaster. I felt like I was having a continuous hot flash; my mouth was dry no matter how much water I drank; I was dizzy; I couldn't focus; I felt like my head was spinning; and all I wanted to do was sleep and hope that the withdrawal effects would go away. Unfortunately, I was not strong enough to fight through the effects and I didn't know there was a better way to do it, so I just went right back to the pills after about a 4 days.

After taking them for another 6 months and having a real wake-up call in my career (being passed up for a promtion), I decided again that it was time to get off the pills. This time I did research and talked to people and learned that the best way to do it was to ween off gradually and reduce my daily intake. Unfortunately I found that whenever I had access to the pills, I'd never ween myself off gradually. I'd just keep taking them instead. So I realized that my only choice was to get rid of the pills I had and go cold turkey again.

This time I consulted this message thread and used benadryl and used fish oil pills and drank extra water and took dramamine. While it wasn't easy and I still had minor versions of the same side effects (dizziness, hot flashes, feeling dehydrated), I felt much more in control and did not feel withdrawal effects after approximately 1 week.

I recommend anyone that has to go through this to ween off gradually and use the home remedies mentioned above (fish oil, lots of water, dramamine, & benadryl). It will be well worth it.

So after 4 years of being on effexor, lamictal, and lithium, I have finally dropped down to just 75mg of Effexor. I took my last 37.5 dose almost 48 hours ago and am feeling MISERABLE.

I'm dizzy, my right hand is tingling, i have NO motivation, and i had to open at work today (4am). I am so glad you guys are here and have done this before. I'm starting my third year of graphic design school on Tuesday and I don't want these pills hanging over my head anymore.

The worst is the vertigo.

If anyone wants to email me with tips or anything I would really appreciate it. This is so hard. _[removed]_

Thanks you guys.

hi all

This is my first post. I've registered and found this website to help my girlfriend to wean off effexor. She's been going through a miserable time with this drug and yesterday she took the big step to come down from 37.5mg to Zero. (cold turkey) she's feeling dizzy, sick, headaches, crying, etc..

I'm posting to see if anyone can offer any advice. I have read the forum and apparently it can take approximately 5 days until some of the symptoms are gone?

Is this the best way about it or should she take half a 37.5mg tablet instead?

I decided to try stopping effexor since I missed two doses over the weekend. So far I have felt just tired and had wierd dreams, but nothing too disturbing to make me want to start again. I was originally taking it for anxiety but that was mainly due to a stressful job situation which has improved so thought I'd try stopping it to see how that goes. Today I started having to go to the bathroom quite a bit, but again, if that won't last forever, I am ok with that. I have started trying to work out more recently to battle the weight gain that I have experienced which I would guess effexor is partly to blame for. Has anyone felt that running or biking or other exercise has helped? I am supposed to go to a class at the gym at lunch today but don't feel very much like going. But if it will make me feel better and not worse it would be worth it. Thanks.

I have been taking 150mg for a year of Effexor. Three weeks ago I went to 75mg with little effect. Then down to half and now zero. I have been completely off for 4 days. I had and am having all the symptoms but they are fading especially now that I know they have to do with the medicine. Initally I though I had the flu or a cold but that is not the case.

I have to say the reducing was not bad for me. The worst was when my body could not have any fix at all. So as I'm sure the weaning off helps it is when you don't give it to your body you really feel it. I haven't been taking anything to help but I will get some fish oil and Omega 3 this evening after work.

I hope the posts continue because it really helps me. From this post it appears that the symptoms will be much better with one week or so of getting completely off it it. I will post and let you know.

I was taking Celexa 20mg for about 3 yrs. I would skip this med for up to 2 weeks and THEN get the "brain zaps" meaning I would feel like my head would jerk then the "zap" would run to my finger tips.

I was Navy at this time. I since got out, got into the workman's comp industry dealing with meds and found Effexor. I asked my Dr. to put me on it for depression/panic attacks. I started on the lowest dose, for 2 weeks. I ramped up to the 75 and they actually wanted me on 150 but I have not gone there. So, the Dr. is being a pud and has had me come back in EVERY month for a refill. My wallet can't do that (single mom of 3) so I've been taking one 75mg tab every OTHER day to get me through. The we had Tropical Storm Fay hit us hard. Hard enough to close my Dr's office Thurs. and Fri. (and the weekend) and I was out of pills. I felt like a druggie calling my pharm for a (fix) of one pill until my Dr. could fax over a script. Anyway, I want OFF Effexor and am now looking for a way to do that, while staying at work and being mommy! I want to get off this horrible med so I can just go herbal. My side effects from withdrawl are the "brain zaps" mostly and then this morning (day 3 off Effexor XR 75) I feel like I have the flu. I was able to get through work, but I have to spend 50 bucks tomorrow to get my RX from the pham. I have NEVER in 32 yrs. been a drug user until now. I count my pennies to get my Effexor fix. I'm so mad. My Dr. almost acts like he's paid extra from the Effexor manufacturer because he warns I should NOT ween off it and in NO help in answering my questions on how to safely and medically get off it. I will have to figure it out myself.

Any help in how I can ween off 75mg Effexor?

i am glad to find this site i have been on effexor xl 150mg for about six years i found they did help me but now want to get off them i have been cutting down for the last year slowly take 1 skip 1 til i got it down to 1 every 3 days have now stopped taking them all together for 5 days the mental zaps and dizziness is still there but this morning i feel after reading this site that this is normal which has given me more dertermination to continue to keep off them my own emotions are coming back and feel a bubble of hope i can do this fingers crossed9

Day 4 after last taper.

Taper was fast because I was out of pills and out of money. Went from 300 mg to 150 to 75 to 37.5 to two days wet finger in a week-10days.

It is awful today. Can't get out of bed at times. Headache, nausea, vertigo, zaps real bad. Feels like dying. Not depressed, but cry for no reason.

Just took 3 Omega 3 fish oil. Gonna get some benedryl and dramamine. Praying a lot.

Pray for me too.

Thanks
Andrea

Day 5 has been worse than day four. Throwing up, zaps really bad, constant dizziness and nausea. My head feels like a vaccuum then an overfilled balloon.

When does it get better? Today the fish oil, benedryl and dramamine aren't even helping.

Hey SoberGirlie,
How are you doing now? If it's still nasty maybe you should take some Effexor. When I get those intolerable vertigo pukies I gobble and crunch those little granules until they go away, then go back up to my previous dose for a few days. I am tapering, but always in terror of the withdrawal.
AnneT

Andrea, do you want me to mail you some extra Effexor? Can you get to a clinic or hospital where they might have some free samples to give you? The Wyeth drug reps should be willing to share some with your doctor. Or better yet, get samples of a longer-acting antidepressant that might help your withdrawal AND be easier to get off. If none of that works, get Benadryl or Gravol etc from some friends.
AnneT aka LKatt

Oh boy. Ok. So thankfully I found this website and this forum and you wonderful people who have helped me explain to my fiance what it feels like to be off this c**p. The brain zaps, the vertigo all of it. This is absolutely miserable. I'm also 7 weeks pregnant and between being cranky because of it as well as being angry as hell that I can't focus my eyes in one place! I haven't had but a couple episodes of morning sickness but with this withdrawal episoode (which I hope won't be long) I've done nothing but throw up and lay in bed for almost 48 hours. My last dose was this past Thursday and I feel like my whole world is caving in. I read here about Benadryl-exactly what would that help? Also the fish oils-as long as it won't bother my pregnancy I will definitely look into it. Any other help is welcome!

Hi Bershiznit,

What dose were you on when you stopped the Effexor? How long had you been on it? Can your doctor get you in to see you soon, and maybe send you to a psychiatrist who specializes in pregnancy and mood disorders?

It might be best to taper off the Effexor while starting Prozac. Stress and depression aren't good for the baby. Prozac is the most-studied antidepressant in pregnancy. Because of its very long half life, you (and baby) will be unlikely to have withdrawal symptoms. At the very least, it should decrease the Effexor withdrawals.

The Benadryl works because it is broken down by the same enzyme that breaks down Effexor, so probably makes the Effexor last a little longer in your system.

The fish oil, as long as it is a good, clean source (low risk of mercury) should be safe and beneficial for both of you.

Anti-nausea wrist bands, walks, lots of fluids, spoil yourself...

LKatt

After reading these testimonials about effexor withdrawal, I am hoping all of you are feeling better. I am on day 7 of cold turkey. I feel "mentally" better than I have in the three years since I started taking the 75mg Effexor XR. I am not quite sure what the brain zaps are, I don't think I have been having those but I thought I was going completely manic today. Took awhile of just sitting quietly with myself to get it together. It is a funny and wonderful coincidence that I decided to take some fish oil for the past week in just a general effort to be healthier. Reading now that it has helped so many people with the side effects of withdrawal made me jump up and take a little more. Also have been taking some skelaxin (a muscle relaxer prescribed by my doc for a back injury last week)at night which might have been helping me too. I thank all of you wonderful people who write in these blogs. You are angels who have helped me decide to keep trying to cold turkey this stuff. I shall remember you in my prayers.

I got off Effexor after 4 years (150 mg/day) by removing half of the granules in my capsules for a week; then, I removed 3/4 of the granules for a week; then, I went cold turkey at that point. The first two days were my worst. I got dizzy, tired and nauseated, as well as had a headache and was very emotional. I treated my symptoms with Advil for the headache, drank Diet Coke all day to treat the tiredness; and, I took Pepto Bismol for the nausea. On day three I felt fine. I've been off of it for about a week now. I still get a bit emotional, but I am so glad I got off of it. I was so frustrated from being so hot all the time. I used to have to fan myself-- even in the winter. I looked like I was going through menopause with hot flashes, but now I actually feel good temperature-wise. Good luck to you all--Just take it a day at a time. I had to tell myself each day that I was a day closer to being over the withdrawal symptoms so I wouldn't back down and start taking it again. I'm so glad I did. Go off of it it slowly; treat your symptoms the best you can; and, be patient. It will get better. I promise.