Effexor Withdrawl

Nurses General Nursing

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I've stopped taking Effexor (with my doctor's knowledge) and am going through terrible withdrawl symptoms. I am experiencing dizziness, severe nausea, fatigue, nervousness, trouble sleeping just to name a few. I've tapered down from 150 mg to 75mg to 37.5 to eventually nothing. Today is DAY 7 of being Effexor-free. ***I had a slight panic attack last night that lasted for 5 minutes or so but I was so nervous and uneasy the entire night***. Probably because I am so terrified that my anxiety will come back!!! My question or I should say my main concern is "WILL THESE SYMPTOMS GO AWAY?" ALSO, was my so-called panic attack last night an actual panic attack or could it have been more of the "withdrawl" stuff? My anxiety attacks usually make me have naseau, hot flashes, nervousness ? (Just plain old fear) I am so afraid that the anxiety will return.....I've never suffered from anxiety and depression until last year when I experienced a breakdown after loosing both my parents within 3 months of one another. I've never been on any type of medication for depression/anxiety before Effexor. *****Can anyone who has come off of Effexor give me some advice or positive feedback. I would really appreciate it so I know I am not going crazy. I need something to make me stay positive**** Thank you.:rolleyes:

My doctor told me that if I ever want to come off Effexor XR it is best to have xanax available so I could take it when needed during the weaning process. She said it will help with the anxiety, while weaning. I'm still on Effexor, only 75 mg and plan to stay on it for awhile longer. I like not having panic attacks and I love feeling normal. Plus, I'm not looking forward to the weaning process. UGH!

Your post interst me very much because you state you love feeling normal, I am glad to hear that, My question I guess is isn't that a lot of times the reason others quit taking anti-psychotic and or anti-depressants? My wife did not want to stay one her because she felt like it was wrong to have to take a pill to feel normal. I sort argued with her because she also has migraines and asked how is it different you take pills to prevent migraines which is to help you feel normal, but she just did not like the feeling of taking pills to be normal. Our daughter will eventually need to be on something as well and should probably be on somthing now because she is constantly depresseed but she refuses to take pills that make her feel normal, She was effexor when she was 12 a small dose like 25mg, while she was on them we saw a great improvement and she seemed happier and then one day she just started to refuse to take them saying she did not need a pill to make her normal. I am very perplexed, My wife is currently on Wellbutrin and likes it better than she has anything previous and feels better and so far does not feel the threat of normal or whatever?

Sorry I guess I sort got off topic

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Kathy,

I took effexor for about a year after having a miscarriage. It took me nearly a year to wean off it, because the withdrawal symptoms were so bad.I'd end up taking a dose to be able to work or drive. I had severe dizziness, and blurred vision. It drove me crazy. I finally took a week off work, and stayed around the house until it was out of my system. I was soooooo irritable, I could hardly stand myself. I wouldn't recommend that drug to anyone! I hope you have an easier time of it. Just try not to give in and take a dose to relieve symptoms. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

"She was effexor when she was 12 a small dose like 25mg, while she was on them we saw a great improvement and she seemed happier and then one day she just started to refuse to take them saying she did not need a pill to make her normal."

PLEASE be very careful with SSRI's in children!!! My son has been on Paxil cr for a year and in the past two months is having horrible personality changes, violent tendencies and suicidal. This drugs in children are a nightmare!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg daily for almost two years. My son has been on it for a little over a year.

It makes me sleepy so I take mine at bedtime. His makes him awake, so he takes it when he first gets up. Neither of us have had anything other than minor side effects the first two to three weeks (dry mouth, nausea). Both of us have at times missed several doses due to circumstances beyond our control - out of town unexpectedly, illness, etc. Neither of us have any signs other than a return of depressive symptoms. Both of us also noticed the effects of the med working within just a day or two, rather than the two to six weeks quoted by the dr. :confused:

My point in all this is it affects different people differently, as with many drugs. If you have s/sx you need to call the dr and see what he can do for you. :nurse: :specs:

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Thanks for so much of your input. This site is so helpful. I feel at time that no one understands what I am going through.

I am on day 8 of being Effexor Free- I am still quite nervous most of the time and naseaus. IS THIS THE ANXIETY COMING BACK OR THE SIDE EFFECTS OF WITHDRAWL?

I am currently in therapy trying to see what is causing this anxiety in the first place. I'm hanging in there....:imbar

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Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

I have been taking 75 mg of Effexor for approx 14 months now. Any of the times I have tried to wean myself off of it have been terrible. I feel good when I take them but if I don't... YUCK!! I feel dizzy and nauseated. I think I will wait till nursing school is over than try again.

Good luck to all who try going "cold turkey"

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