[thinker22]

Does anyone know what I should expect as I come off of Effexor over the next 5 days? I've cut the dosage in half for the first time today. I've been tired all day and my hands have been shakey, but that's been normal since I started Effexor about 19 days ago.

[Beholden]

First of all, are you doing it with your doctor's supervision? I went off that drug, and did if even slower than my doc said because Iwas worried about the side effects.

I had dizziness and headaches. but other than that, the bad side effects from the drug itself were worse for me. I was on a dose of 225mg. it took me about 6 weeks to ween off, because that is what I wanted to do. My doc said to half it for one week, then half it again, etc. I more like quartered it and so on.

are you starting something to replace it or just stopping? I was also on Effexor for a lot longer than just 19 days too. Even when I'd forget to take it in the morning, I'd feel different by the time I'd get home from work to take it then. It may have been my mind working over time, because I was 'afraid' of the withdrawal, but if you do it like your doctor says, you should be fine.

[Christina86]

*shudders* I cut it down 37.5mg and I honestly felt HORRID

Shakes, nausea, headache, no appetite, hard to sleep, cranky/mood changes ...

And I second Heygimm, you should do this with a doctors supervision if you're not already.

[thinker22]

Yes, I was having ideation and severely depressed due to Effexor, so my p-doc wanted me to come off of it and I'm doing it exactly as directed. 5 days on half the dose I was on before (75mg) and then nothing. It's being replaced with Lamictal as I'm recently diagnosed bipolar. So far I've had no noticeable side effects except for feeling a whole lot better! Thanks for your thoughts.

[Beholden]

So happy for you feeling a whole lot better! Way to go. Hope you keep improving.

[camel2009]

my Doctor took me off effexor for 2 wks. let just say i had the worst headaches for like a week then he put my back on it

[Julie74]

Thinker, it was rated the worst med to come off of. I've was just on 150mg for 4months and it's been 8 months since i've been off of it. and boy lemme tell you; it's been hell! The 5 months was unbearable now its better but i have high anxiety and anger spells for no reason. I dont know if it still withdrawal symptoms. Drink lots of water and workout. Goodluck.

[Vossie42]

I weaned off it very, very slowly to minimize the brain zaps and volatile moods as much as possible. Going from 37.5 mg to 0 was the worst part. I manage to get that over with in one week but only with the support of a couple of coworker who had experienced the same thing when they went off it. They got me out of the building when my moods got the worst, lol. The headaches during withdrawal were bad enough but the brain zaps were the worst. However, it was well worth getting off Effexor XR!!! It left me so sedated and in a constant brain fog that I could never clear regardless of how much coffee I drank or exercised. It served its purpose by keeping me alive but it was time to get off it!