[apples_]

I lowered my dose of Effexor from 150 to 75mg a few days ago and although I haven't felt the brain zaps my chest has been hurting. It feels like my heart is beating out of my chest it hurts. Kinda feels like my chest is quivering every 10 seconds. Anyone else get this withdrawal effect? Sometimes I can't get to sleep because it bothers me so much and I'm scared I'm going to have to call the ambulance.

[Skeezyks]

Hello apples: The Skeezyks cannot respond directly to your concern. However, I will say that I have been on Effexor twice with disturbing consequences. I simply can't take it. Going from 150 mg. to 75 all at once seems like a big decrease all at once to me. But, then, I'm not a mental health professional. Hopefully you are undertaking this reduction with the help of your prescribing physician. My suggestion would be to check back with that person if you're continuing to have problems.

[qwerty68]

I had that a little bit when tapering. My doctor attributed it to anxiety spiking but didn't make me feel better about it. The effects do go away.

Effexor comes in pills that are multiples of 37.5mg. You could bump up to 112.5mg for a bit and then taper down to 75.

[Paracelsus]

Your most likely experiencing anxiety. It should get better over time. If you want you can request a benzodiazapine to help while you get off the effexor. Or you could get an EKG from your primary care doctor and make sure something serious isn't going on. Also, You could taper the effexor much slower and that might help. Good luck. Looks like effexor isn't very effect-ive. the catchy name makes it sound like a great drug. i wonder how much the pharmaceutical company made off selling it to people.