Reducing Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms

Hello Everyone,

I had been on Effexor for 6 years and have been in a place where I no longer needed an antidepressant. I have lowered my dosage from 150 mg then a month later to 112.5 and down 37.5 every month after that. The first 5 days each time were tough. Xanax has been really helpful making it possible to adjust. Yesterday, however, I went down to 0 pills. I was ok yesterday but today I feel horrible. I am totally having the withdraws symptoms, my face is numb, my insides feel like they are shaking and so on. I just took a little Xanax but so far it isn't helping.

I have read about other people taking granuals of Effexor to adjust more slowly, but aren't you not supposed to open the capsules??

I've been off this drug for ~2 months. I can't believe how hard it was!! I was taking it for about 2.5 years
300mg to start
225mg for 2 weeks
150mg for 2 weeks
75mg for 2 weeks
37.5 for 2
37.5 every 2nd day for ~3 weeks
then just started spreading it out more
then poured the rest of the evil down the drain!!!

2 years ago, I started having high blood pressure ~160/100. Well guess what.........now my blood pressure has returned to normal 130/80!! :-D
Anyone else noticed this?

IM SOOOOO scared now. I want to get off Effexor (150mg for 2 and half years) and now that I read these posts I'm scared!! The thing I hate most is vertigo, I don't want it to happen to me if I withdraw because I have been suffering from vertigo since i was 16 (im now 25) and I don't want that to come back because it was HELL. Effexor has also helped me when I was really down and when I kept getting panic attacks but now I feel as if it's not working anymore because I sometimes feel panicky (especially when I get in the car, I cant drive anymore, and even if I'm the passenger, I feel SICK)... Anyway, so I have decided that I am ready to get off of it.. but readings about the withdrawal symptoms has scared me, I don't know what to do. And I just started a new semester in University, I wonder if I can get through it or I have to get a semester off to deal with this. I am so confused. I too have always been a thin 105 lbs all my life, until I started effexor and gained lover 50 lbs, I am now 160 lbs. I am wondering if I can get off this weight when I quit Effexor. Anyways, I want some miracle story to cheer me up!!
I have also read some of this 'The Road Back' stuff and am wondering if it really works.

PS. my doctor tells me not to read too much the posts on the internet, because as a matter of fact, only people who experience bad feelings will research and write about it... Truth is, those who went off of Effexor successfully won't write at all most of the time.. So, we shouldn't get scared in a way, no?

I really hope and pray that everyone of you will get rid of this one day and without any difficulties!! I just am happy that I realized I must be off of it.. I guess that's a first step!

Love.

IM SOOOOO scared now. I want to get off Effexor (150mg for 2 and half years) and now that I read these posts I'm scared!! The thing I hate most is vertigo, I don't want it to happen to me if I withdraw because I have been suffering from vertigo since i was 16 (because of my panic disorder) (im now 25) and I don't want that to come back because it was HELL. Effexor has also helped me when I was really down and when I kept getting panic attacks but now I feel as if it's not working anymore because I sometimes feel panicky (especially when I get in the car, I cant drive anymore, and even if I'm the passenger, I feel SICK)... Anyway, so I have decided that I am ready to get off of it.. but reading about the withdrawal symptoms has scared me, I don't know what to do. And I just started a new semester in University, I wonder if I can get through it or I have to get a semester off to deal with this. I am so confused. I too have always been a thin 105 lbs all my life, until I started effexor and gained over 50 lbs, I am now 160 lbs. I am wondering if I can lose this weight when I quit Effexor. Anyways, I want some miracle story to cheer me up!!
I have also read some of this 'The Road Back' stuff and am wondering if it really works.

PS. my doctor tells me not to read too much about this through the posts on the internet, because as a matter of fact, she says only people who experience bad feelings will research and write about it... Truth is, those who went off of Effexor successfully won't write at all most of the time.. So, we shouldn't get scared in a way, no?

I really hope and pray that everyone of you will get rid of this one day and without any difficulties!! I just am happy that I realized I must be off of it.. I guess that's a first step!

Love.

I am on day 5 of dtox from Hell. I am a pretty strong person and have been thourgh alot in my life, my career brings me into contact with crisis everyday....but I have never ever felt anything so terrible as what I am going through. I am so terrified that I will suffer like this for ever. I started Effexor 5 months ago, was not warned about the withdrawl symptoms. I am dizzy, rain and body shivers, crying, terrified and feeling very alone! I tried to wean off - went from 75 - 35.5 with lside effects for a few days...but now it was time to go to 0 and I wish I had of just stopped cold turkey off the bat. I am taking a B complex, a multi vitiamin, and omega 3....
I have been searching for someone to tell me how long I am going to feel like this.... I am a single parent and due to the wihdrawls am unable to function or go to work....I need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel ...please!

I will keep updating every few days - I have noticed that people don't tend to do that so it is very hard to find that light at the end of the tunnel...for those people who have provided success stories, thank you!

I just want to say thank you to everyone who posted positive experiences with weaning off Effexor. It gives me hope that I will have a positive experience too. I started out with Zoloft for post partum depression and 3 weeks in I started having panic attacks. I couldn't stand the weaning process for that so I started on Effexor. I have to say that it did help me a lot, but I just feel like it's time to start weaning. I just don't feel like myself. I feel so exhausted and like I am in a constant fog and it's near impossible to lose weight! I have a 14 month old daughter and I want to feel alive again!!

I am on dtox day 2 - also from hell. What I have heard from others who are going off Effexor is that within a week to 10 days, the worst is over... that seems forever away tho, doesn't it? Congrats on your day 5. Pleased to have found someone to commiserate with - so many posts are from long ago and it's just nice to find some one to say..... brain zaps, body jolts, vertigo.... that's a bit of an understatement then, isn't it? When I get one of those jolts - I can hear the surge in my ears. Ergh.

Hi Enoghalready2, Day 6 today (Wednesday)...and I have to say Monday and Tuesday were the worst I have ever felt in my life. I went to the helath food store on Monday where I picked up the omega 3, B complex and a multi vitamin, by Tuesday I was in tears and began to wonder if I had fried my brain on this stuff - if I was ever going to feel better. I went to the pharmacy and picked up Gravol - it has the same active ingredient as Benadrl (Dimenhydrinate)....While there I spoke with the pharmacist (of whom I have been a client for years due to my kids having asthma meds and I have thyroid dysfunction)...I asked him what to do and he clearly could not relate to what I was saying and clearly had no solution...I began to cry (whole heartedly cry)...this is not me at all. In any case I came home took the gravol and le me tell you it is a miracle...omg! I was definately ready for my second dose at 5:00pm last night...I took it and fell asleep for a few hours - when I woke up I was afaid to move because for the 1st time in a while I felt like ME! I woke up this morning also feeling like myslef, am getting pretty mild brain zaps but they no longer extend to the nerve endings in my fingers and legs, the whoosh sound in my ears has also pretty much stopped....I am going to take another dose of gravol.....but I can definately see the end of the tunnel and I am heading to it full barrel. btw...the pharmacist told me to take another dose of Effexor to ease the withdrawl yesterday...I did NOT do that....imagine if I had....I may have thought it was the effexor that had made me feel better - when really it is the c**p is finally getting out of my system, I am eating healthy and taking vitamins, the gravol is definately a miracle. Hang Tight fellow Effxor victims......you will get through this. I will continue to come on this site for a few weeks and talk with you guys : ) p.s. I took a very hot bath with epson salts and peroxide last night (a suggestion from one of the posts on here)...amazing, relaxing felt really nice...just be sure to drink lots of wather and don't stay in too long...simular to a hot tub.
cheers everyone....remember every day is one day closer to being healthy feeling again and congradulate yourself for getting through the past few days...you will come out the other side

I was on Effexor 75 for over 8 years and finally am free of taking the drug. I am a 2 x survivor of Breast Cancer and was given the drug for hypervigilence and to ward off side effects from the tamoxifen drug I had to take for 5 years. My MD first had me take the full 75 one day then alternate with 37.5 every other day for 3 weeks. Then put me on 37.5 everyday for 3 weeks followed by 37.5 every other day for about 12 days (until I ran out of pills). I am now completely off however did go thru some mild symptoms of spaciness, I still have crying spells that I cannot control, and do feel angry alot of the time. I sometimes feel that I cannot control the mood swings but at least I'm aware that they are happening and know the difference. I just feel sorry for my husband who has to put up with the highs and lows. I'm hoping that this is temporary and am wondering how long these will last. If you do taper gradually off this I don't think the side effects are as strong as a lot of people have posted. I kept a positive attitude thru-out the process because I really wanted off the drug. Keep you hopes up, it does get better.

Hi GoingThurH*ll and Enoughalready2, I was just wondering how you are doing? I hope well! I really appreciated all the posts on this subject because it lets us all know how crazy these drugs are! Last Monday I started weaning; I had been on 150mg and I went to 75mg and now yesterday I went down to 37.5. I have to say that I haven't had anything bad side effects, but even if I had I wouldn't turn back! I am starting to feel my emotions slowly come back and strangely I am not so obsessive about things! Again, congrats on quitting this c**p and good luck to you all!

Hello Fellow Effexor Survivors,

Over the past year, I have weaned from 150 mg down to 2 mg. Below 37.5, I had such severe lack of coordination, vertigo and vomiting, that I went on a low dose (10 mg) of liquid Prozac.

I've gained weight, but am regaining some energy.

I also have one-sided low-frequency (deep sounds) hearing loss and tinnitus (buzzing). Anyone else develop deafness while on, or withdrawing from, Effexor?

I had an MRI to rule out other nasty stuff that might cause such hearing loss, and hope to get the result today.

AnneT

P.S. Anyone find that weight loss was easier once they got off Effexor?

#1 - There are no words to express how glad I am that I am off this poison. The medical professionals need to be educated on the effects and withdrawls...I trust my doctor and feel she always has my best interest at heart...but there is no way she knew anything about what we have been talking about here.
#2 - A quick bit about me...I am a 41 year old sole support parent who works in a field that brings me hand to hand with crisis everyday...I have seen alot and been through alot as well - Hear me well: NOTHING has been as tough as getting off this c**p. Stick with it IT DOES GET BETTER...ride out the waves - you are worth it. Think about it...if this is what it does to you when you withdrawl - imagine what it does to you when it is in your system %-)
#3 - You are worth it! get healthy and be happy
#4 ** I weaned as told to** I believe weaning slower is the key. I have a co-worker friend who was also on Effexor - she was on 150 mg - reduceed to 75 for 3 weeks, then to 37.5mg for 3 weekw, then one every other day for three weeks then one every third day for three weeks then she was off completely...she said she had no withdrawls smptoms at all....

I am now on day 13...
I was taking 75mg since August 2008
January 3, I reduced to 1/2 dose 37.5.
January 9 was my last dose
Jan 10 - felt dizzy, shaky and a bit 'tipsy' had some mild brain shivers and lots of sweats
Jan 11 - increased brain shivers, very dizzy, light headed, nasuea
Jan 12 *Worst day for Me* This was by far the worst of the worst - brain shivers were continuous, they went right to the nerve endings in my fingers and toes like an electrical shock, extreme nausea, panic, nervousness...my kids could not be in the same room as me because if they talked or moved a finger the entre room went into spins as if I was on the amuzement park ride the 'zipper'....freaking awful awful day - very bad dreams, moment so hearing loss, uncontrolable anger.
*1/2 through this day I started to take Omega 3, liquid B complex and a multi-vitamin to help. My diet consisted of only healty food, lots of water, fruit and soup.
Jan 13 - another very bad day - same symptoms as listed for Jan12 - and added a weird sound in my ears simular to the sound that the 6 million dollar man made in the series when he ran. I was very teary this day...very teary...I went to the phamacy this date and the phamacist told me to go back on the medication...even as awful as I felt (absolute by far the worst in my life) there was no way I was going to do that. I started taking gravol in the afternoon which helped and hot baths with epsom salts and peroxide. (the bath felt wonderful) I took the gravol every 4 hours
Jan 14 - much better day - still not well enough to go to work, the brain shivers were a little less and more tollerable, the sweats had slowed down, still had ringing in my ears and shock waves through my body to my fngers and toes.
Jan 15 - still the same - started to taper the gravol a bit (mindful that I didn't want to become addicted to it...agh)
Jan 16 - the brain shivers were there still but much more tollerable. I noticed a pattern in the symptoms - I would get a chill, then a hot flash then the brain shivers would start - no body shocks this day.
Jan 17 - another very teary day...very dizzy - even to move my eyes * new withdrawl symptom....tounge felt swollen and would tingle when I got the brain shivers - I went to bed at 11pm and slept until the 18th at 6pm (took gravol every 4 hours.
Jan 18 - finally got out of bed at 6pm - feeling fantastic....almost symptom free.
Jan 19 - went back to work - again felt fantastic...a few dizzy spells , light brain shivers and very mild body shocks, tingly tounge. I felt so good that I think I over did it this date...because Jan 20 was a bit of a set back...
Jan 20 - increased dizzy, brian shivers and very tired...hot flashes...
Jan 21 - less dizzy, feels almost like a head cold, a bit teary
Jan 22 - tired, feels like a head cold -
**please note: after Jan 13 things got better, I noticed a pattern and kept track ...every day got better, the symptoms were less intense.
Be kind o yourself, nap when you need to, be patient...it does get better

It is fantastic to be able to feel your feelings, I hadn't realized that I was so numb...I am much happier, crying actruly feels good, and wow the sex is amazing 8-|

Take care everyone...I will keep you advised - I am able to function...things are good, feels like a head cold at this point...I am expecting another 4 - 6 weeks of this but it is totally tollerable.

Keep your head up, pray alot, and know that you are going to get better and feel wonderful soon...

Hi, I haven taken effexor for 6 or 7 years. I quit pretty much cold turkey 13 weeks ago, man have I been to the pits of h*ll. Everything that you can think of I have experienced it, all the symptoms. Effexor has stripped me of the ability to feel joy. I use to be so loving, enjoyed nature, animals, and yes the human race. I am starting to learn of the feelings of joy again, but it has been slow. It was almost like I was a zombie for all those years and now I have woken up and really have to deal with emotions again. I didn't cry for 6 years I lost all emotion. I was exhausted all the time while on the drug but am finally starting to get some energy back. I would never encourage anyone to take this drug, it has nearly cost me my life. I started taking it because I was depressed after a divorce. Now I can look back and actually see divorce being a piece of cake compared to Effexor. Could anyone PLEASE tell me when the ringing ears stop? It is driving me crazy and I thinking my hearing is starting to decline as well.

Good Luck Everyone trying to quit. Believe it or not I do believe I am getting better. %-)

I have been on effexor for about 2.5 years and was recently weaned off of it. This is day 5 and I feel like I am going crazy. I'm so grateful to know I'm not alone. But it doesn't seem like anything I do works.