I'm ready to TTC #2 and therefore I need to come off of Effexor. Last weekend I missed two days of it and I was a wreck. I couldn't stop shaking, I'd start bawling for no reason and then go cold, the inside of my body felt like I was getting electric shocks through it, I needed to throw up but resisted in order to keep the pill down, etc. It was hell and now I'm terrified of how I'm going to be able to come off of it. Has anyone been through this before? What were your withdrawal symptoms and how long did they last for?
Do not stop taking EFFEXOR XR without talking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want to slowly decrease your dose of EFFEXOR XR to help avoid these kinds of symptoms
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I was on Effexor XR 225 mg. for over 5 years. About 2 months ago, with the supervision/support of my Psychiatrist I began to slowly taper down & go off of Effexor since we are TTC #1.
It was hell. I had the worst withdrawal symptoms & was the worst when I had reached the final taper off of 37.5 mg. I had nausea, vomitting, headaches, dizziness, chills, sweats, nightmares, brain zaps, etc...All & all, the whole withdrawal experience lasted about 1 month. Now, I am starting to experience depression again & am contemplating going back on an anti-depressant that is less risky as well as taking the lowest dosage possible.
All I have to say is good luck & keep your doctor informed of anything & everything you experience. Also, taper down slowly. I tapered down 37.5 mg. every 3 weeks. It takes time but lessens the intensity of withdrawal.
Take Care.
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yep know those symtoms very well. It took me a very long time to ween off efexor and the "brain zaps" were the worst. After 8 years on and 1 off I started back on it 3 weeks ago. I know Im going to regret it when its time to stop, but right now its a means to end.
Wish you all the best
__________________ KELLIE
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Diagnosed 1996 Irregular AF - TTC IBS & Reflux Loads of damn hair Hello efexor my old friend......geez we meet again after two years apart!
I had dreaful withdrawals with Effexor. Tremors, darting eyes, strobe effects, crying, panic atacks, cold/hot sweats etc etc.
The trick is to take one every other day and then cut the pills strength in half and start taking them every other day at the end - this should be done over a 1-2 month period. You will never have a completely smooth withdrawal at the end, even when you cut them in half, but it will be a lot less traumatic than what I went through, or what you're going through just now.
Wow, I had no idea the withdrawal symptoms would last for so long. Thanks girls for your input, advice, and suggestions. I'm going to see my doctor soon and work out a plan with her.
Its up to you, please don't let these experiences put anyone off taking any medications. I have to add that I would still go on them if I had to, because they had the best effect of all the anti-depressants that were tried.
I also had really bad withdrawals from a painkiller called Tramadol, it worked a treat while I was on it (about 3-4 months) but the withdrawals were bad, I had diarrhoea, cramps, aches and pains etc, but I've had 2 different courses of them over the past 5 years and I would definitely take them again because the effects were very good.
Effexor is like any of the medications for depression, you need to be weaned off, and preferably under the supervision of a doctor.
I have been and still am on Effexor XR, has been 4 years now. Best medication ever for me, but the time may be coming where we need to seek another option, and I dread the withdrawel stage, but it is a choice we make.
Its up to you, please don't let these experiences put anyone off taking any medications. I have to add that I would still go on them if I had to, because they had the best effect of all the anti-depressants that were tried.
totally agree georgy
__________________ KELLIE
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Diagnosed 1996 Irregular AF - TTC IBS & Reflux Loads of damn hair Hello efexor my old friend......geez we meet again after two years apart!
I had tried going off Effexor on my own, and it was terrible. I later talked to my psychiatrist and she put me on a very low dose of Prozac, and we were able to taper off with no problems at all! This is definitely the way to go.
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Dx Major Depression, Sleep Apnea
Officially Dx PCOS 8/2006
Current meds: Lithium ER, Nardil, Yaz
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Coming off Effexor 
