effexor

I know there have been posts about this before, but I just have to vent my frustration, and if anyone has any advice, please share. I have been taking 300-400 mg of Effexor daily for several months. It isn't really doing much for me, not enough to put up with the side effects or waste the money, so I decided to stop taking it.

I know you're supposed to taper off these things, but I feel like an "old pro" at this since I've been on and off so many things. I've never had a major problem with quitting any of my meds cold turkey, maybe some slight withdrawal side effects, but nothing intolerable.

Day One was ok - slight headache, very slight electrical buzzing sensations in brain, still able to handle this.

Day Two was a total nightmare - severe electrical shock sensations in my brain every time I moved my eyes, along with extreme nausea, paranoia, feeling paralyzed, and auditory hallucinations. It scared the crap out of me, so I started taking it again. Now I am terrified to even taper off...I mean, I cannot even describe how horrible it was!

(((((((((((((Jully))))))))))))))))
I went cold turkey of my effexor a few months ago and it was awful, I definately don't recommend it. The only advice I have is to see a doctor if you want to quit taking effexor so they can give you directions for tapering off. Good luck.

my med doc made me promise not to go off it without his help... i guess it's a harder one to taper off of... lyn

Ouch - Effexor has what are rumoured to be the worst discontinuation symptoms of all the anti-d's, especially if you've been taking it at a high dose like you are.

Definitely talk to your Dr. about going down 37.5 mg at a time - it'll take longer but be worth it.

Good luck.

--splitimage

I take 600 mg of Effexor xr........ I too have heard that the discontinuation process is awful and the help of a doc is a necessity.

I have discontinued meds on my own with minimal problems. But after everything I have heard and read, I don't think I would try it with the effexor.

Contact your doc and see what he recommends. I have read the a little prozac has helped the discontinuation process in some patients.

As you can see by my dose, your dose of 300-400 mg effexor is in the mid-high range for people with severe depression. 450 seems to be the magic number for some pts.

What side effects did you find most annoying? Mine would have to be the sweating.....especially with the thought of heading into summer Actually, that is my only real side effect, although I have been on it for 8 yrs so I am sure that helps.

Good luck and call your doc

Yeah I've heard that Prozac can help with people the discontinuation process. I think it's because it has a longer half life. Effexor and Paxil seem to be the most notorious ADs for discontinuation/withdrawal.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will make an appointment to see my doctor and find out if he is willing to go higher on the dosage to see if it helps, or start tapering off of it. I don't want to be a slave to this medicine unless I can see a benefit!

I never had any problems with tapering off my zoloft, but the thing was i followed docs orders.