Stopping Effexor Is a Nightmare

I, too, had a terrible experience coming off Paxil. My situation was similar in that I also forgot to pack my medication prior to a trip. I was so put off by the experience that I asked to be switched back to Zoloft, but only if I could do it without the crazy withdrawal I had experienced.

My doctor assured me that by replacing Paxil with Zoloft (which I had used in the past), I would not experience the withdrawal. Fortunately, he was right. I now take Zoloft at a moderate dose and will never use Paxil again.

I hope that others are as fortunate as I in their attempt to safely wean themselves from Paxil.

I would like to speak with this person or any others you know if possible. I have had a terrible time getting off of it. And the electrical shocks in the brain, I thought I was just going crazy. I am so glad to hear others going thru the same experiences that I am. (not that anyone should go thru this) I have been off for a few months and it hasnt gotten much better. Does anyone know if it will go away?

I also discontinued using Effexor about 2 1/2 years ago. My doctor was not happy about my doing this so was not helpful in the method I needed to use. I tapered off over a period of a couple months and then eventually just quit. It was not a fun experience to say the least. I felt that I was in a downward spiral with no bottom in sight. I had a lot of support from my family and friends and my chiropractor. I have been free of all SSRI's since and feel great. It frustrates me that our good physicians are so bent to have us take these drugs and then do not educate us on the withdrawal symptoms. I did not know what these drugs were doing to me until I tried to get off them. It would take an act of God to put me back on anything like that again. Good luck to any who withdraw from these drugs. Stick with it, be persistent. It can be done. Sue

I worry that someone reading about these problems might resist taking these drugs. I know I resisted SSRIs at first because I was afraid of messing with my brain chemistry. I had to try several different SSRIs before I found one that worked without bothersome side effects, but the medication gave me my life back. I have a friend with lifelong depression who had tried SSRIs and given up on them quickly. I encouraged her to keep trying until she found one that worked for her...and she did. She tells me one of her biggest fears in life now is that she would have to go off the meds for some reason. This withdrawal side effect sounds nasty (I was on Effexor briefly, but it made me tired so I switched to another drug after a couple months...with no withdrawal problems), but it may be worth the risk if you are experiencing some of the debilitating symptoms of depression.

I originally was on Celexa but after 5 years, it didn't seem to work anymore so my doctor switched me to Effexor. It worked for my depression but also caused me 3 trips to the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack. The hospital thought so too. I had every heart test possible both invasive and non-evasive. My wife spoke to my doctor stating she thought the Effexor was causing the heart issues. My doctor disagreed. After 6 months of misery, 3 hospital stays, and numerous procedures, we were still convinced that Effexor was causing my problems and I stopped taking it cold turkey. After 3 days of withdrawals, my heart issues stopped. I went 4 months without an antidepresant until my doctor gave in and prescribed Cymbalta. Thank God my wife is a faithful reader of your column - you all saved my life !

A couple of years ago I had to go off of Effexor because it made my blood pressure sky high. At first the doctor put me on a 3 to 4 week tapering schedule, and when I went completely off I was so miserable that I went back on the 37.5 mg dosage. I took that for a month and then stopped taking it altogether.

I was sick for about 4 months, and several months after the worst of the withdrawal I started having stomach problems again. The doctors ran tests and could find nothing that would be causing the pain I was having. So, I believe it was some delayed effect of having gone off the Effexor. I will NEVER take this medication again and I would STRONGLY suggest people not take this medicine unless nothing else works.

I have just stopped taking 75 mgs of Effexor daily and the motion sickness is awful. I get queasy and dizzy anytime I walk around. I am worried, because I have no idea how long the withdrawal from this medicine will last. If I had know what it would feel like to be on it, I would have never taken it.

I too am on Effexor and have had horrible withdrawal when I tried to stop. On one occasion I stopped the medication for 4 days and swore I was dying. I had electrical impulses all over my body, aches and was in a head fog. I just threw the bottle away a few days ago and am trying to not think about what is about to happen. I have been on them for about 5 months and they have caused me to have horrible memory problems. I want off them mainly because of that.

I am currently on Effexor RX and have been on and off of them while having children. For me the withdrawal the first time going off after about 6 months on them was not bad. A few days of tingling sensations in my hands, feeling a little out of balance or like I was in a bubble... but I was working out and training for a marathon so the symptoms literally only lasted a few days. I'm currently taking Effexor, and they make me feel great. I am more afraid of what my life would be without them than the scare of life going off of them.

My husband has been trying to taper off of effexor for almost 2 years now with no luck; whenever he gets to the lowest dose he suffers the very painful electrical shocks discussed above and has to be movd back up. He is currently in Iraq on his 3rd tour and back to a max dose because of this. Will he ever be free of this evil drug?

I ran out of Effexor last week and took 4 days to refill it. What a nightmare. I thought I had the flu with terrible stomache pains and nausea. I was extremely irritable and even irrational. I went back on and within the same day felt better. Am I hooked for life? It really does help with my depression more than anything else, but don't like the thought of being a life-long user.

Hello All--thanks for sharing I have been trying to go off Effexor for about the last 3-4 months--I get to a point that my emotions seem to be overwhelming and I am feeling out of control and then I start back on the med--but after reading comments from people I am going to continue to get off effexor--I thought it was just me. Thanks.

Zoloft did same intermittent electric shock feelings to me when I ran out several yrs. ago. I switched to several different SSRI (LexaPro, Paxil, Cymbalta) in the interim, but later returned to Zoloft (generic: seratiline) at 1/2 the dose I was on previously. Dr. told me that some folks need to stay on it forever, which I would say I agree with for now.

In 2003 I took Effexor. In November 07 I began taking it again after tapering off Welbutrin. I also take another medication that is very strong. I started out just as every medication does, at the lowest level. I eventually began taking 150mg. On Thursday I decided that I in fact did not like the way the medication was making me feel in many different forms of my life emotionally, etc. I have taken several other mood stablizers throughout life.

Anyhow, I could have tapered off the medication as I have smaller capsules available, however I believed cold turkey was the best bet for me. I began feeling the very same electric shock throughout my body. The 'powerful' medication I take is a neurological mood stablizer so I started thinking it may just be that, then I remembered coming off effexor before... Now I know Effexor cold turkey --- may not have been such a great idea; however, mood medications do get out of your system in a matter of a week to two.

If your body is still having the effects, I would strongly recommend visiting a physician. Long term effects can stay with you depending on your body. Effexor is a strong medication... I know if I am feeling misserable here in a couple days (today is my fourth day), I will be contacting my doctor. And she will not be happy with me for the cold turkey. But one thing we all have to keep in mind, we do know what does make us happy... or we should.

Good luck to everyone.

I haveen on almost all of the SSRIs and Effexor has been the most effective for me. I asked my shrink if I should take this in the morning or at bedtime, and he said morning because it was a bit of an upper. I take it when I get up and 2 hours later I can hardly keep my eyes open. Was I given some bad advice?

I was taking Effexor for three + years at 225 mg /per day for "off label" migraine prevention. It took 3 years for my migraines to become less frequent. (I was also on Topomax, but it didn't help me, and caused suicidal thoughts.) I didn't like the lack of energy I had plus I felt way too apathetic on Effexor.

A year ago my neurologist started the weaning off process with me. I finally got down to 37.5 mg every other day after weaning down for one year.When I ran out of the 37.5 mg pills the other day I had terrible vertigo and shock sensations and nausea within the 2nd day of not taking any.

Now I'm back to taking 37.5 mg every other day. I wonder how long I have to take this dose. I will try this dose every 3 days. Should I break open the capsules and take a tiny bit until I'm off? This is ridiculous!

Once when I had to come off cold turkey from the 225 mg dose (in order to have a myleogram)I was in very bad shape with extremely low blood pressure. An ER doc prescribed Valium to help me with the vertigo. This did help. I wonder if this would help me wean off now? Are there any herbs I could take to stave off the vertigo...St. John's Wort?

I was prescribed effexor for hot flashes. It did not work so I decided to stop taking it. This is not the first time for that....the side effects are so horrible that it always caused me to just start taking it again. Today I am on day 4 and wondering if it will ever stop. The zapping, fogginess, or depression.

I was really never depressed until now. This medication is the worst and it is funny how many different reasons it is prescribed.(almost scary) If anyone knows when it will stop pleasse let me know... I really would love to look forward to that day. I really would not like to go back on it!

Two years ago I was put on Effexor for hot flashes only. It did help. After about l l/2 years, I decided to see if I could do without it. Went on line and found all these people with horrific problems weaning. So decided to wean myself. No doubt I started too quickly.

I ended up in hospital with severe cramps, bouts of nausea etc. and they finally told me I had a bacterial form of colitis!! They gave me 2 very strong antibiotics and it went away within a few days.

Then about 1 year later, I suddenly developed the same horrible pains again. I have been tested for pretty well everything and they can't find anything wrong. I am convinced this all stems back to going off the Effexor. I am still trying to find out what it is that I have.

So far, I've been off effexor for three days. I feel nauseaus and I'm craving weird food (like jalapenos). I feel pretty dizzy, but I did not consult with my doctor because I would have to wait a month for an appointment.

I just didn't feel like I needed the medication anymore, but now I feel sick. I'm wondering if working out would help. Either way, if I would have known the side effects I wouldn't have went on it. I've only been on it for three months and I feel like without it I can't function right.

I am currently de-toxing from 125 mg of Effexor. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that so many other people have had similar problems kicking the drug.
I have been feeling all of the symptoms you have all described and it has only been three days! I was wondering if anyone knows of any natural remedies to help with the vertigo and the `shocks`´. Any advice would really help!

I'm glad i ran across this and heard some of the things being described because I couldn't put it into words. I ran out of effexor (150mg daily for over five years) and couldn't get in to see my doctor because of severe gout. That was three weeks ago and this is misery and after going through this I wasn't sure I wanted to go back on effexor but after reading what has been happening to people I know I'm not going to take it. Hopefully I can get through this with as little pain mentally and physically.

I have been on Effexor XR (150 mg/day) for almost three years. Over this period, I've had some serious and unprecedented health problems. Most notably: severe stomach cramps that sent me to the emergency room on four different occasions, resulting in EKG's, blood/urine/stool analyses, ultrasounds, an endoscopy, treadmill tests, and all sorts of other tests that found NOTHING. Also, I've had bouts of lightheadedness, fainting, tightness in the chest, clamminess, elevated blood pressure, etc. etc. etc.

After browsing through the postings on this page, I've become convinced that the Effexor has played a major role in these problems. I am now weaning myself off the stuff, and even though I'm tapering off of Effexor very slowly, MAN are the withdrawal symptoms HORRIBLE!! (I've had just about every withdrawal symptom described on these pages -- electric shocks, feeling like I'm in a bubble, nausea, ringing in the ears, vertigo, weird food cravings, etc.) It's been over a month now of steadily decreasing dosages, and about half of those days I seriously felt like dying might be a welcome relief.

Anyway, I'm down to somewhere around 20 mg/day (opening up capsules and pouring some out), and I do feel better but not great. I am hopeful that, as I titrate down further and further, I will feel better and better. I'm not necessarily CONFIDENT of this, but hopeful.

Given how badly I felt being ON this stuff (it did help my anxiety and depression, admittedly, but not enough to justify the pain), and how badly I feel getting off of it, I think it's safe to say that (a) I will never take it again, and (b) this is some serious stuff.

I empathize with, and wish the best of luck to, those of you having similar problems. I don't have much advice to offer. I have noticed that moderate exercise DOES, sometimes, reduce the symptoms. Unfortunately, it also sometimes brings me almost to the point of passing out.

I greatly appreciate your postings. They have helped me a lot.

I'm now on my 5th day off, and I still feel like I'm drunk all the time, and I don't even drink. I have taken Effexor 150mg for 1 1/2 years and I decided I didn't need to take any more, so I went down to the 75mg to see if I could take myself off slowly. After taking the 75mg every other day for about 2 weeks, I felt like I could just stop taking all together. At first my side effects where crying, tingling in my face mostly around my mouth, dizziness almost like vertigo. I'm just wondering how long do the side effect last. I don't want to go back on the medicine so I will be sticking it out no matter how long it takes. I think I will try the exercising to see if that works....

Thanks for listening.

Wow, this is amazing. I've been on Effexor XR 75mg for 3 weeks. My doctor took me off Zoloft that I was on for 5 mo. He put me on that along with hormone therapy for menopause. I never asked for an anti-depressant, I just wanted the hot flashes and hair loss to stop! He said part of my problem was depression.

After 5 months on both Zoloft and Prempro my hair loss and hot flashes began again, so that is when my doctor switched me to Effexor. I wish I had read these postings before that. I started gaining a lot of weight and felt foggy in the morning, so decided that I would try to get off both.

I'm going to try some natural hormone replacement (from another doctor that I'm seeing tomorrow) and 2 days ago decided to try to go off the Effexor.

I was up half the night with horrible nightmares and sort of electric shocks going through my brain. This morning I can hardly walk because I'm so dizzy. My fingers are tingly and my memory loss is crazy. I'm going to take a half dose of Effexor now after reading this and call me doctor. I'll try not to scream at him for doing this to me....

I started weaning off Effexor 150 last October. My doctor told me to cut the dosage to 75 mg, but my withdrawal symptoms were so bad (brain zaps, dizziness, etc.) that I took the method into my own hands. Every day I take the capsule apart and count the beads so that I withdraw VERY gradually. In 150s, there are 400 beads per capsule. It is now May, and I am down to 160 beads daily. I save the extras, so now I have enough to stop paying for more perscriptions. I never reduce the dosage by more that 10 beads, so that is why it is taking so long. I don't care, because the symptoms are HORRIBLE and this process makes it much easier. I want off this drug, and I think this process will be close to a year by the time I am done. I wish I had read sites like this one before going on this drug.

Well, like others have stated, I am glad to hear that I am not the only on with these crazy symptoms. I started using 75mg of Effexor two years ago after having my first child. I hate the Brain Zaps, or how I describe it is little neurons firing in my head. I hate it because it makes driving a car scary. Any sudden movements (like looking to make a swift turn), makes me very dizzy. I have been late several times filling my prescription throughout my use of effexor and experienced these brain zaps and headaches. It drives me nuts.

Now, I have decided to quit cold turkey. I have been off the drug 5 days and have been experiencing stomach cramps, nausea, indegestion, gas, bloat, emotional dives, and brain zaps. I have never experienced problems with my stomach before (while being late to fill a prescription). I was beginning to think I was pregnant until I read these posts. (I am not late, nowhere near it, I take B.C.s regularly). I don't care, I am sticking it out. I am going to get off Effexor. I will say the Effexor did help me out a lot. I think it works wonderfully as long as you are taking it. The side effects of stopping it are what is the turn off!

I have been taking effexor for about six monthes now, and I found out that I am pregnant and must quit taking it. These are the worst side effects I could imagine. if anyone knows when they stop, please let me know.

Have been on Effexor 37.5 for 1 year. I have tried to increase dosage to 75mg but could not--bad tremors, sleepless nights, & anxiety. Lately having extreme bouts of unbearable anxiety, interfereing with life in a bad way. I had to leave work one day. Doctor told me to stop the Effexor. So it's been 3 days without. He has put me on Apo-Lorazepam which is temporary. Where do I go from here to help with this awful anxiety I am experiencing? When it happens, I feel like I am going crazy. Any suggestions?

I have been taking Effexor for two years. I am currently take 150 mg of Effexor XR once a day. I was perscribed Effexor by my psychiatrist for depression.

Initial side effects included loss of libido, delayed orgasms, and other sexual side effects. When I would forget to take Effexor, I noticed flu-like symptoms, irritability, and a mental fuzziness.

In the past year, I have noted additional side effects and withdrawal symptoms, which I thought were unique to me and unrelated to Effexor, but now seem consistent with the reports of other users.

Side effects include: vivid, emotionally unsettling, dreams; night sweats, progressively worsening sexual dysfunction, excessive yawning, intense apathy and lethargy, intense sleepiness. The sleepiness is deeply frustrating, for I might sleep for twelve hours, wake up with no sense of being refreshed, and then immediately wish to go to bed again.

You might be asking--why am I still taking this drug? There are three reasons. First, the side effects mount slowly. Second, as the side effects increased, I thought they were my fault, e.g. I was being lazy, or I was allowing my mental and physical discipline to slip. Until I very recently turned to the web and found other Effexor users reporting the same side effects, I thought I was unique. The third reason has to do with the withdrawal symptoms, which make it impossible for me to function at work.

Withdrawal symptoms include: crying spells, social anxiety, destructive mood swings, problems with memory and focus.

My depression was brought on by my spouse's decision to end our marriage--something I did not want to see happen. I believe my depression was a natural reaction to a very stressful time in my life. Had I to do it over again, I would have treated my depression with talk therapy rather than with medication.

I have found Effexor to be more destructive to my well-being than the depression it was inteded to treat. While I am sure Effexor is an appropriate choice for some people, it was not for me. I consider the side effects to be incredibly harmful. Additionally, the intense withdrawal symptoms--Effexor is physically addictive to a distressing degree--make it very difficult to get off the drug.

I am a college professor, and this summer I will not be teaching or doing research. My plan is to slowly reduce my use of Effexor and carefully monitor my mental health. By August, I hope to be Effexor free--and that will be one of the happiest days of my life.

I am just like all the rest of you. I was put on Effexor from Lexapro to treat my postpartum depression. Although they both helped, they never completely got rid of my emotional distress. In fact I think being on the meds created other symptoms.

After 6 months on the med and jumping my dosage around because we moved, I wanted to go off the drug. I didn't have a new physician, new insurance hadn't kicked in and found I could get it over the internet. When I first tried to wean myself down, I felt great. After about 4 weeks on the low dose (37.5mg) I spiraled into several days of horrible sadness and crying. So I went back up.

It has bothered me to NO END that I was STUCK on this med. I decided recently since my script is running out that I am going cold turkey - hell or not. I mean - I am still a mess on it so why bother.

I am on day 4 and bearing through it all. I see my Dr today to talk about it. I also have a job interview to go back to work. Oh yeah - like the next few weeks will be fun.

I hate the stuff and really blame the manufacturer for this nightmare - ruining people's lives. Very sad!!

I am a breast cancer survivor. I had the breast cancer in 1993. Took Tamoxifen for five years, followed by 3 years of Letrozole (Clinical Trials). I suffered really bad hot flashes.

Also, I had a TAH & BSO in 1987. I was on Bellergal from 1994 to 2003. I went to see my oncologist for a F/U visit. My oncologist was out, so I had to see another oncologist. She had just read some literature about Effexor being very effective for relieving hot flashes, and she talked me into signing up for this clinical trial. I was to taper off the Bellergal for 1 week and then start low-dose Effexor (it was not a blind study).

I was off the Bellergal, and three days on the Effexor when my life changed. I was awakened at 3 AM with chest discomfort, nausea, dizziness and the urge to have a BM. While in the bathroom, I had a seizure like-episode on the bathroom floor. When I got up my legs felt cold and wobbly, my hands were tingling and I had a small headache in the right temple area.

My husband took me to he ER. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks. The heart monitor showed that with the slightest exertion, my heart rate went up to the 130s-40s. My ears were ringing, I was seeing white floaters in my right eye. They ran every conceivable test and could find nothing. In the meantime I was continuing to have these episodes of dizziness, sensation that I would fall over when I turned my head to the right, excessive belching, heartburn, stools either gray or bright lime green, chest discomfort, headache, heart palpitations, sinus tachycardia, chills, shocklike sensation in my head, crying spells, anxiety, left hand turning blue, floaters in my right eye, ringing in my ears.

A cardiologist did a stress test and a tilt table test, they also did a cardiac cath. He concluded that I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, dysautonomia, frequent PACs and palpitations. They said you also have Reynaud's. That was in 2003. Prior to that I was HEALTHY: no allergies (Now I have multiple allergies), no heart problems, no GI problems, nothing. Now I continue to have palpitations, sinus tachycardia, excessive belching, right sided headaches, ringing in my ears, anxiety, multiple allergies, brain fog, shock-like sensations in my head, left shoulder and right thigh. I am attributing all of this to going off Bellergal, starting Effexor and going off Effexor. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I have found that many doctors do not listen to their patients, and if they do listen, they're too quick to conclude that it all is in the patient's head when they can't find any conclusive answers from all of the tests that they have in their arsenals. They prescribe many of these drugs without knowing themselves what the possible consequences could be. I pray for the day when most doctors will consider that their patient's experiences can provide valuable information. Thank you.

I was on Effexor XR for six years. At a very bad time in my life I was on a very high mg. For that reason, the thought of ever going off this medication never entered my mind. However, recently I took a long look at my mental as well as my physical health. Since going on effexor, I had gained 60 pounds, was extremely tired to the point of exhaustion and sleeping was my favorite way to pass the time. Forget about a sex life because that was not going to happen. Food had pretty much lost any taste to me, which explains the weight gain. I went from being a woman that was very concerned about my looks to not caring as long as my plus-size clothes still fit. Exercise was a thing of the past. For someone that had always had some type of exercise regimen going on, I simply had gotten too exhausted to try and really did not care.

As the additional medications began to collect in my kitchen cabinet (high blood pressure, diabetes, low thyroid, high cholestrol and hormone replacement), I began to question if this was the way it was going to be for the rest of my life. Well, I did not like the way things were looking, and I went in to see my doctor. I asked him his opinion of the safest way to stop the effexor.

After only two weeks of lowering mgs. I have been off for one week today. Wait... don't applaud yet. The past four days have been horrendous. The BRAIN ZAPS, NAUSEA, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS and FLU-LIKE SYMPTONS are wearing very thin on my body and nerves. And the DREAMS, my gosh the dreams. Some I would not even discuss with my husband of 36 years.

Looking on the bright side, I was able to write this in about an hour, which should have taken what, three minutes. Anyway, the reason I was compelled to post this was to let everyone know that there is a rainbow out there and I really feel like my pot of gold will come by flushing my mind and body of Effexor. WATCH OUT HORMONE REPLACEMENT, YOU'RE NEXT.

I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for, if you can believe it, 20 years! And that, in addition to Wellbutrin 150mg. My depression recently began again, and I asked my psychiatrist to change my medication (he was not the one who originally prescribed), and he told me he needed to "wean" me off the Effexor since it was the most addicting.

I took a week of 75mg, then a week of 37.5mg. I remain on the Wellbutrin and he added Luvox as well. He cautioned me that I would suffer withdrawals, and he was right. The very first week sans the Effexor, I have been a wreck! Crying jags, depression, apathy, and severe muscle cramps in my thighs! I called him yesterday during one of my crying spells and he assured me that in about a week or week and a half the withdrawal symtoms would subside. I certainly hope so. I can't take much more of this!!

I stopped taking Effexor after weaning off for 2 weeks, and what a nightmare. I am an emotional wreck. The brain shocks are the worst, and I call it white noise that goes along with it. My appetite is off the charts, and I am always tired, I just can't get it together. I will never take Effexor again. I will deal with my issues with counseling.

I was put on Lorazepam for anxiety. I took .5mm almost daily, for anxiety attacks. After 2 and 1/2 months I decided to quit taking it, and I developed sleep tremors and insomnia. It has been 6 weeks, and I have barely slept. As soon as I lay down and start to relax my body tremors internally / like electrical shocks all through my body. I was basically not falling asleep until right before it was time to wake up. Even with the short 1 hour of sleep I was aware of the tremoring while I was sleeping. It was horrible!!!!

I heard about the sleepy time herbal tea with valerian root, drank a cup 2 hours before bed, and fell asleep. I have been doing this at night, and it helps me to sleep. I still feel the tremors when I wake up. I have had every test you can imagine, cat scans, MRI's blood test, etc. Doctors ruled out any medical problems. I was also put on citalopram, but it caused more anxiety in me, so I did not continue.

They want to try another drug, but I am scared to death to take this very strong, mind-altering medication. I have never had anything make me feel so out of control in my life. I wish my doctor would have shared the reality of side effects with me. My experience with anti-anxiety medications have been an absolute nightmare.

I have just completed reading all the posts related to Effexor, and I have to admit that without this drug my life would be unmanagable. I too experienced the shocks and vertigo but this was BEFORE I was placed on anti-anxiety medication.

For many, many years (15), I was on Lorazepam (tranquilizer) for stress related palpitations that put me at the ER. While taking on a new career the stress of the new job started to manifest itself in me by experiencing vertigo while driving my car. Man, that was one of the scariest moments of my life, driving in the fast lane on a 4 lane highway, squeezing the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, all along feeling like I was losing control. I finally made it home, barely. I told my wife about it and she could tell I was concerned. The next morning I tried to drive into work, I only got about 2 miles and I had to turn around because of spinning and shock-like sensations.

I went to my ENT doctor and explained my predicament; he ordered tests (balance testing for inner ear malfunction). Nothing wrong. He then sent me on to a Neurologist who again oredred an mri that came back negative. Remember now, I couldn't drive to work, or anywhere for that matter, so I worked at home until I had a diagnosis (had a super employer).

When I went to follow-up with my Neurologist, he wanted me to try anti-anxiety medication. I was extremely reluctant and I asked him if the stuff would make me feel crazy? He looked at me and said "You are crazy, this will make you feel normal". He said I could continue with the Lorazepam while taking this drug (Paxil). He said it should take 2 to 3 weeks before I see the change take place, in the meantime you might feel tired. Lo and behold, he was right! I did get tired, but by the end of the second week the electric shocks went away, and I actually drove myself to the doctor's to thank him for bringing me back to life. I also was able to stop taking the Lorazepam.

It's been many years since then. I found Paxil to be too numbing and tried a variety of meds and finally landed on Effexor XR 150 per day. I started at 75, but a couple of years later I had to bump it up to the 150. There's beem a couple of times that I forgot my script at home while traveling, and it was pure hell, the shocks and vertigo set in, but remember I had these BEFORE taking this drug. So I'm not so sure that these are side effects of withdrawals or part of the anxiety that I have been able to treat. I had been diagnosed with depression manifesting istelf in anxiety by my Neurologist.

Overall, it's been very helpful for me, and I couldn't think of not having it in my system. I'll be on this for the rest of my life, no doubt, but it's better than being debilitated to the point of insanity.

Good luck to all of you and I wish you the very best in your quest to feel better.

I took Effexor XR for a couple of years for major depression. It really helped (I had tried a lot of natural, alternative approaches as well as therapy). However, my cholesterol went up to 380. So in 2004 I decided to stop. After reading about withdrawal problems online and consulting with the psychiatric nurse who prescribed Effexor, I started tapering off very slowly. When I got vertigo and dizziness, I would slow down the process even more. It took about 4-5 months. All of the side effects went away eventually (and I have a sensitive body). So stay optimistic, everyone!

Also, I am wondering if a far infrared sauna would help. I bought one from High Tech Health recently (recommended by Dr. Sherry Rogers) to detox from heavy metals and other toxins. Perhaps it would help with Effexor withdrawal symptoms? It is expensive, unfortunately.

Phew, what a relief that I am not going mad. Finding this site has restored my self belief. I have been on Effexor for about 12 months now with an initial dosage of 150mg. I was prescribed these for severe depression along with therapy. Unfortunately the side effects of the dose (headaches, excessive yawning, sleeplessness) caused the doc to lower the dose to 75mg. This however didn't relieve any of the symptoms. It did slightly relieve my depression and for this reason I continued with it. Now I'm just fed up of feeling so awful all the time that I've decided to go cold turkey.

It's now 2.30am and 4 days into my cold turkey and the side effects are horrible. My head hurts, the dizziness is unbearable (especially during working hours), my sleeping patterns are destroyed, I feel sick one minute then craving for food the next, stomach cramps, bloatedness and the crying fits and bouts of severe depression just spring from nowhere. But this is something I'm willing to endure in the hope that when I'm rid of these things and the side effects have subsided I can find a more suitable path to rise out of my depressive state. I just have no idea how long they will take to subside. I wish everyone luck with weaning off this drug and thank you all for not making me feel that I am alone.

I am down to 9 mg due to pregnancy, and am having horrible dizziness and vertigo. I too can't believe the medical industry does not recognize that these symptoms are real and destructive, despite the fact that the internet is full of people experiencing them.

I have tried to talk to doctors, who equipped only with the results of a short term clinical trial, dismiss my concerns. I am sick of it, and have joined a petition aimed at the FDA to make doctors provide more information to the recipients of the drug. I would never have gone on this drug if I had the correct information about what would happen. At least its a place to start.

I went four days without taking my Effexor XR 150mg prescription. I woke up this morning and thought I was dying, and drove straight to the pharmacy (irrationally). I have no idea how I made it their safely considering the fact that I was having a total out of body experience with HORRIBLE brain shocks. Not to mention my head had been throbbing horribly. I was shaking uncontrollably, and completely psychotic. (I told my mother if I had a gun I would have used it to get me there faster.)
I can't even describe the way I felt to give anyone a better explanation.

I recently stopped taking my effexor cold turkey. After being on it for 3 years with my peek dose at 250/mg i had slowly weened myself down to 75/mg. I was on the outside looking in is the best way to describe it.

I had impulses that would never be considered me. I had a craving to drink and be self destructive... I wanted to walk away from my family with a totally care free attitude... it was a nightmare... now that i have stopped i am on day 6 of withdrawl... all the same symptoms pretty much as posted...

the mood swings and brain zaps being the worst... i had stomach cramps so bad i thought i had kidney stones again.... i don't recommend it to anyone, and am also in a situation where my doc didn't share the "bad" info with me. i wish all the best to those coming off and hopefully this time next week i will still be able to say i am effexor free and still somewhat sane!

I suffered from a major depressive disorder and Effexor was the only drug which was effective for me. I have been on Effexor XR 150 for several years and quite frankly, I believe it saved my life. I am beginning the process of weaning off the drug. I fully expect the experience to be awful.

I have begun experiencing some of the withdrawal effects others have described. However, I am exercising as much as I can and that does seem to be helping somewhat.

Was I told about the withdrawal symptoms when I first went on the drug? I cannot say with any certainty, as I was so depressed my cognitive ability was impaired. Would I have taken the drug had I known of its effects? Absolutely-in my personal circumstances it was the appropriate and only choice.

I must say however that I am extremely concerned to hear that strong anti depressent medication is being prescribed for hot flashes and mild to moderate depression. In those circumstances, the risk of this drug does not warrant the potential benefit.

Hi,
I have been taking Effexor for almost ten years. Originally taking 300 mg. per day, now at 225 mg. I was also taking 300 mg. Wellbutrin daily. After my job was eliminated 4 years ago I was forced to pay out of pocket. I tried to get insurance and no insurance would touch me because if the meds.

I bought them from Canada which was slightly cheaper but I had to buy a 3 month supply at a time; very expensive. I rang up thousands in dollars which I put on my credit card. I became buried in debt and had great anxiety was I was running low.

In May, 2008 I filed personal bankruptcy due to a business failure. I lost everything including my house. I now live in a small RV in Florida. I am off the Wellbutrin and will be going off the Effexor over the next 30 days. I have no more resources to get meds; I am just trying to stay alive and take care of myself and my 13 year old dog. I made the decision to get off the meds merry-go-round.

I am going through hell now and I know it will get worse. I just can't do this any more. I read others blogs and believe Effexor is bad medicine; tough to get off. I do believe it has clouded my decision making over the years. For everyone who reads this I only ask for your prayers during this time.

Hi Everyone,

I took effexor as an anti anxiety medication for most of my senior year of college. In June of 2007 I decided to get off of the medication and had horrible side effects! But I got through these and am still off the medication, but I have developed something worse.

After getting off of the medication I began to have heart problems constantly! It is extremely painful and it almost feels like my heart triple beats really hard and fast, and then the beats goes back to normal. It has been over a year since I kicked the effexor addiction, and although my heart issues have decreased in frequency it still happens a couple times a month.

So I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems like this after getting off effexor, or have I just developed heart problems at age 22 out of the blue?

I started on Effexor in 2006 when I thought I couldn't control my anxiety. One month after I started the meds, I started gaining weight like crazy. Tried getting it off with excerise but to no avail. I stopped my meds in May 2007 because I kept falling asleep and it happened before a final exam I had (this exam started at 3pm). I also found there were times I had difficulty walking.

It's hard getting the pounds off after this med. I still have 10 pounds left to take off. this med also made me lose some hair, caused weight gain, high cholesterol. I can no longer drink more than a glass of wine without feeling drunk. this med has made me so paranoid about taking other drugs that I check every side effect before taking it.

I started effexor 3 months ago. I have tried paxil, with success and the w/d was awful. Zoloft killed my appetite.

Since going on effexor I have lost 12 pounds, unlike others I can go along time without eating large meals. I try to snack so I don't drop more weight. I was a size 2/4 before, and now I am a size 1.

Today I forgot to take my dose today, I am taking 3 does of 36.5mg a day - two in the morning and one in the evening. my last dose was around 11pm last night. I have a headache and light nausea, feel kind of wonky.

When I normally take my meds on the right interval, I feel great, productive, and I can sleep relatively normal. Vivid dreams!!!!! I am an empathic medium, and it has opened some channels that I think were "out of balance" before effexor. I can channel much better now, and my dreams have been more vivid and reflective of my personal issues. I do tend to have active nightmares more often and have to practice lucid dreaming when I am able to.

I know that I will be on this for quite a while, and dread the day I have to go off of it. I just kicked xanax, I used it as a sleep aid for too long while adjusting to effexor. I am finally able to sleep pretty normally, except if I don't put myself to bed I won't go to sleep at a decent hour and be torn up for work the next day.

Its like speed, in a weird way. If there was another anti-depressant with no sexual side effects, I would surely take that one, but the list is short. Paxil/Zoloft absolutly killed my sex drive and a former relationship. My sex drive is still kicking (and when I took welbutrin it was over-active) and my relationship has improved since starting effexor.

I went into this knowing that I would be on it for a while, and I will have to store up some vacation time at work to help with the w/d when that time comes. After all the attempts at kicking my recurring major depression/panic disorder, effexor is the only one to help this much, especially with the social anxiety stuff.

Still, I hate that we need these pills to be "normal". Whatever happened to working through our issues organically? Why do we always reach for a pill to answer our problems? Why are we teased with this chemical happiness, knowing full well that when we stop feeding the system we will revert to our normal state of "crazy"????

It is such a relief to see that these symptoms are so common. I quit taking Effexor after about maybe a year. I quit cold turkey because I just finished college and am not covered under my parents insurance until grad school starts. Initially when I went off of them I felt nauseous and was extremely moody.

The sick feeling went away in about two days, however I strongly identify with the 'brain shivers' as I have seen them refereed to. My brain is slow to catch up when I turn my head, my hearing is messed up: almost like my hearing is suddenly every sensitive and it curbs out loud sounds except it can happen when I just am listening to a conversation.

The roller coaster emotions are absolutely not an exaggeration. One minute I am fine and the next I am in tears. This week absolutely EVERYTHING makes me cry! A sad moment in a TV show (which is not normal for me) or if I become frustrated those feelings of frustration are followed momentarily by sobbing. I have also experienced something I did not see mentioned: itching! I have no allergies and suddenly everything makes my legs itch, my arms itch, my head.

I think this has subsided for the most part, but just after I stopped taking the medication that was MISERABLE! I have had sleeping problems for a long time: while taking my effexor regularly I would still take Lunesta when needed. Right now it is almost impossible for me to go to sleep when I first lay down. Last night I got in bed at 11, took half a lunesta, was unable to sleep, and again past 1:00 I took the other half of my pill, and finally just past 2:00 I fell asleep. My sleep patterns are destroyed. I wake completely exhausted. All I want to do is rest: I call this side effect lethargy X10.

I briefly mentioned the crying spells earlier, they are everyday almost. Typically at night. I don't think I have social anxiety, but I definitely have lost the drive to go out and do anything with my friends. I do live with my family now but outside activities with them, I suddenly have zero desire to socialize. (keep in mind I am an attractive 22 year old). NOT NORMAL!

My doctor prescribed this drug to me as my first treatment, I was silly enough to trust him and never looked into the side effects. I wish not only that I had chosen a different doctor, but that I had NEVER come into contact with Effexor at all.

Im 17 and I was put on effexor for severe depression. I gained 30 lbs while on it, and lost any motivation to exercise or do work. I decided to go cold turkey a few weeks ago because my mom and psychiatrist didn't want me to stop but I needed to take control of my life again.

I'm so glad I found this site and I know that I'm not simply going crazy. I've had many of the withdrawal symptoms including feel drunk, dizzy, weird cravings, mood swings and more. However, at the same time I'm happier than I have been for a long time, and I can't wait until it's out of my system forever. I hate my doctor for putting me on this drug, and I wouldn't recommend it. It did help control the signs of depression, but the toll on the rest of my life was not worth it.

I have been on the max dose of Effexor for the past 5 years (diagnosed clinical depression) While I am better than before, I want off because I want to try something else and I am afraid of Effexor now. The thought of the withdrawal symptoms almost make me panic. Even if I miss one day I start to feel nauseous and irritable, racing thoughts. Why is this drug still on the market?

I have been off Effexor for about 1 month and have gone through a lot of the same symptoms as everyone else. I needed to go off of it because the cost was killing me and so I weaned down and was put on the generic for solexa much cheaper 12.00 for a 90 day supply. The only thing I still have are the brain zaps which tonight I found out that if you take Ultimate Omega 3 in high dosages will virtually eliminate them. I am going to try this and just wanted to pass the info on to you all as well! Lets keep our fingers crossed :)
Malick

Well my fiance is taking Effexor. She's been on it for 4 years now.

I asked her to stop taking this stuff as I believe its causing her other problems; weight gain, confusion, no vision short or long.

She lives day to day not remembering things we talked about weeks or even days before and how we were going to handle it.

I did push her only because I knew her before she started taking the pills and now with the pills her character was basically the same, but because of the pills she had no long term thoughts, goals, dreams...I hate to say it, a walking zombie. She just lived day to day.

She agreed to see her doctor about it.

As she started reducing the amount of Effexor, she became more alive, more conscious and yes, more opinionated. I wasn't able to get away with stuff I was before. She was alive. That made me more happy then you can believe as our relationship was prospering. She laughed more and talked about issues and plans...

What was great was the doctor was changing her dosage gradually over a 3 to 4 month process with her consent.

At the start of every reductions/change, she experienced some or all the symptoms of withdrawal, but because she started waking up and seeing the world as it was, the new fondness for life outweighed the symptoms. And Yes, she had to keep herself busy. The busier she was, the less she thought or had time to think of the symptoms.

And by the 3rd or 4rth month,it was like nothing had happen and she was more alive then ever.

I was so happy even though it meant I had to be more on my toes.

Then when she hit 37.5 mg, after only a month, the doctor decided to make her quit cold turkey. I was so very surprised and after very sad.

It was like the doctor wanted her to fail or he just didn't know what to do.

However, shortly after going cold turkey, she changed and the symptoms described in this forum started showing up. They were worse when she just sat there and did nothing. It's like she had to keep her brain going or her brain would take over and the symptoms would get worse.

Eventually, she begged the doctor to put her back on the pills and the reasoning he gave her was that a lot of people have to take these pills all their life and you should not be ashamed.

I just did not understand why the doctor did not try smaller doses to get her off.

MY girl explained to me the doctor advise there was no smaller dose available. (BS!)

Why would they not make smaller doses so people can slowly withdraw from it?

In Canada, we have coverage through our health insurance so doctors prescribe way to much pills. The only thing I can think of in my pain and anger is these doctors are getting kick backs or something....

I've read drug addicts have less side effects than on this drug

Now that she went through HELL trying to get off 37.5, she's back to 75 MG and she does not want to even try. She is content on taking these little pills all her life

However, I am happy her dosage is lower, I think she was at 225 MG. But I am very disappointed the doctor advised her that she will need to keep taking this stuff all her life.

The reason she originally started taking medication is long gone and she has dealt with it.

Its just she suffered so much the last time, I don't have the heart to ask her to try again but I hate the though of her putting these pills in her all the time.

You never really know what the real long term problem might be or by the time you find out, it's to late....

Anyone trying to quit or reduce doses should try 4 to 6 month intervals, my girl was shaky every time she switched but by the 4th month, the effect were gone and she felt a lot better

this stuff is poison. My doc put me on effexor as part of treatment for fibromyalgia.

A year or so later, she dropped me from 75mg to 37.5., planning to stop completely. Taper-down schedule took 3wks.

Although I felt tons better initially, in 6wks I was crying constantly and holed up in my house (that was after I lost my job).

I can actually track diminishing job performance, which started then worsened after stopping effexor. I am back on it now, and cannot risk another episode like that one. Too dangerous.

Besides the cold turkey approach, is there any way to safely quit?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: TAPERING OFF GRADUALLY IS THE RECOMMENDATION. ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU NEED TO GO EVEN SLOWER.

Hi everyone,
I am 27 and went on effexor 75mg for depression. After 7 months of getting hot flashes day and night, weird electric zaps in my brain, not being able to concentrate and constant weight gain, I decided to go off it. It was a nightmare. I felt like I was going out of my mind. I had those horrible brain zaps three weeks after I quit. I wouldn't recommend going off cold turkey, but it was a decision I made and really don't regret getting off this horrid stuff. I gained 35 lbs while taking the drug and another 10 lbs after stopping it (I am 5'5 and used to be a muscular 150 lbs.) Now no matter now much I exercise and restrict my diet, I still can't lose the weight and I've been off effexor for the last 5 months. It is so frustrating!

Thank you, thank you. I have been sooo sick, nauseous, dizzy, brain zaps (thanks - I didn't know how to explain them); the white noise is terrible. I basically thought I was going crazy. Now, after reading all the side effects and effects of trying to get off this awful drug, I know why my hands are tingly, my depression is worse, and all the other symptoms.

Could this be the reason that my EEG showed my 't''s spiking down instead of up?? No one at the hospital knew what was wrong. How long will I be feeling so awful? I told my doctor that I want to go back on Citalopram - is that a good idea?? Please help.

I take effexor and have done so for a couple of years now. I was on Paxil initially but couldn't handle the side effects. I've done well on Effexor but now am having brain zaps that I don't know why they started. I have a doctor appt tomorrow and will definitely talk to my Doc about this.

After 17 years of using anti-depressants, I am currently on my fourth day of no medication. It has taken four years to withdraw from 225mg of Effexor daily to 37.5mg which I stopped on Friday. I feel awful but am hopeful that every awful hour will be followed by one that shows slight improvement. I am determined to find out if my depression is still in existence and whether medication is necessary. The only way to really find out is to stop everything and wait. All side effects expressed are present yet I am hanging on to the hope that this will get better. Won't it?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IF YOU CAN HANG IN THERE, IT WILL GET BETTER.

I am only on day 2 of ridding my body of Effexor. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. The withdrawal is almost unbearable and I'm scared how long it may last. I decided I needed to come off the stuff because of the horrible side effects, decreased (none) sex drive, emotional outbursts, and the most concerning for me, the 25lbs. I've gained since starting the drug 6 months ago.

I wish I would have been given some warning of all this, before I started taking this DRUG! I will stick to weaning myself, no matter how long withdrawal will be. I sent my husband to get my some St. Johns Wart tea, reading that this might help relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: TAMMY, PLEASE DON'T TAKE ST. JOHN'S WORT WHILE YOU ARE STILL TAKING EFFEXOR. THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF A SEROTONIN SYNDROME REACTION, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS.

I started out taking 75mg of effexor about 3 months ago due to PMDD. It was prescribed to me by my OB/Gyn. I am going thru a bitter divorce after being married for 8 yrs., have lost my business and am raising a child on my own with no family around and all of my friends are always busy. I went back for a check up 1 month after being prescribed effexor, and felt that the 75 mg just wasn't helping.

He in turn bumped me to 150 mg. Boy do I wish I would have read the comments on this page first. I am on high blood pressure medicine along with thyroid medicine and Nexium. (I'm 32). I am the kind of person that forgets to get pres. refilled so this month it happened again. I went without effexor for 2 days.

I felt nausea, stomach cramps, severe sweating, bad nightmares, I can't sleep, and SEVERE dizziness! I had no idea why. I again feel this way today and realized maybe it is my medicine. So by reading the comments now I know why I am feeling like I have a Virus, it's the effexor!! If I would have known that this medicine would have this affect on me, I would never have started taking it. Thanks for listening, I have to lay down now b/c I have to drive (dangerous), to pick up my daughter from school!?!

I have been on Effexor XR for the past 7 years. I decided to wean myself off it, since it wasn't mixing with another drug I started taking. Thee 3rd day I was completely off the effexor, my head started spinning and I felt as if I was on a tilt-a-whirl nonstop! After the second day of this, I ended up in the ER getting CT spans and MRI's of the brain. They finally decided all this was from the effexor withdrawal. They gave me ONE 37.5 mg again and all the spinning stop within an hour! This medication is NOT easy to get off. I will never try again.

I too have had extreme problems with effexor. I began the medication due to mild depression and anxiety. I don't think effexor should have been prescribed to me at all. After 8 mo of taking it, my sex drive totally disappeared, I was an emotional zombie, and I had gained over 30lbs.

I'm young and have never had a weight problem till after beginning this medication. I began to taper off of Effexor about 2 months ago and I experienced the feeling of electric shock impulses in my brain, vertigo, migraines, mental fogginess, loss of concentration and loss of visual focus.

I'm almost at 1 month of absolutely no Effexor and I still have the dizziness, migraines, and vision problems. I hope no one has to suffer like this; You'll feel like you're losing it or afraid that the symptoms will never go away. But I am so happy I am off medication; I feel alive again and I have energy, and a libido! And most of all I am managing my mild depression without medication.

People, please be aware of how strong this medication is and insist on alternatives with your doctor unless you know your condition is severe and in need of lifelong medication.

I was just wondering if there is a substitute for effexor xr because I don't have insurance and the price is about $250.00 for my script per month. I take 150 mgs per day and I thought about stopping, but after reading these stories it's scary. So if something is cheaper and works the same I would appreciate some advice.

I have been on 150 mg of Effexor for about 10 years now. I am planning on weaning of this medication over the next several months.

I too, like so many others, have had situations where I have run out or forgotten it and the side effects are horrible. Severly light-headed,dizzy, upset stomach, crying, etc... I've known for quite some time that I want "out from under" this drug but it is scary because I know what happens. I don't know how people are able to work or take care of their family when having these withdrawls.

Depression runs in my family and I know that I will have issues dealing with the sadness but really want to try all natural ways to help with depression. I have recently read in several different articles that people that suffer from depression should get 30 min of exercise everyday. Right now I do not exercise at all.

Bannanas are extremely good for depressed people and high protein foods. Good quality vitamins, deep breathing, yoga, etc..So, as of this posting I am still on the Effexor but am planning on starting the weaning process soon.

Once I can get past the withdrawls it's got to be better than the point I am at presently. Right now I'm barely lucky if I can get out of bed. It doesn't matter how much sleep I get it's never enough. I'm always yawning and exhausted. I can't concdentrate very well, my memory is horrible. I'm overweight, only have sex with my husband 3 or 4 times a month.

If anyone has any other advice on all natural ways of dealing with depression I would love to know. Also, my advice to anyone not taking Effexor yet - DONT!! If you are taking a small amount - DO NOT INCREASE IT! Try to find out what your body is lacking to cause these feelings of depression and study all natural ways to deal with it.

P.S. Danny - I would get off the Effexor, I have no insurance either, it's expensive and not worth it. It will not be easy but finding natural ways to deal with your problems have got to be better. I say we go for it!!! Wish me luck - keep in touch

I had to stop taking Effexor 4 days ago because we lost our Health Insurance and I could not afford the cost of the medication. I can't stop crying and I feel dizzy all the time. My husband is not being sympathetic at all and tells me to quit crying. I am sending him this page and I hope it helps him understand what I am going through. I am typing this at work with tears streaming down my face and I can't stop them. HELP!

Then you have people like me: 69 now, fit and healthy who never had a moment's problem over 8 years going on and off Effexor, forgetting to take it, halving the dose to save money, and so on. I'm on Pristiq right now, from my doctor's hope that I might develop a tad more energy--but I never had much all my life before starting Effexor. And I don't see much difference now.

I STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR ABOUT 20 YRS AGO AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP. THE SIDE EFFECTS WERE SOOOOOO BAD WHEN I TRIED TO GET OFF SO I JUST GOT USED TO THE FACT I WOULD BE A LIFE LONG USER AND TO THIS DAY CAN'T GO A DAY WITHOUT, WITHOUT THE BRAIN FREEZE FEELING. AND NOW THEY WANT TO STOP MAKING THE BRAND NAME EFFEXOR AND THATS ALL I KNOW NOW I DON;T KNOW WHAT IM GOING TO DO. HAVE NEVER TRIED THE GENERIC AND AM SOOOO SCARED TO TRY.

I have been taking efexor 75 for 3 yrs now after breast cancer and a mastectomy. As I live in Greece nothing was explained and I never understood the 'electric shock' feelings and nausea after missing a dose. I have vivid dreams, but do not worry as much as I used to and will go back to bed, something I never did before. I do feel a bit out of control but not sure if that outweighs the 'relaxed' feeling I have. The withdrawal symptoms worry me as missing one dose really makes me feel ill.

You are all so funny (or not) about the Effexor. I have been off this medication for about one week and I am scared to go to sleep. The dreams are unbelievable. Entertaining yes, but every time I close my eyes? Let's get real! How many monsters can there be in one dream? Then, there is the weird electrical shots in the brain that I oh so treasure (not really).

I have went from insurance to COBRA so have about a week where it is showing I have no insurance hence no Effexor to refill for one week. When it gets activated, after going through all this stuff, I do not know if I want to go back on.

Good luck everyone but remember, or in my case, I really need to take some type of antidepressent because I remember all the crying spells I did before I took antidepressants. So it is important to take something if it is not Effexor. I do not want to go back to my life being like a soap opera again either.

I'm just now trying to go off Effexor after taking it successfully for 10+ years. I've had really good luck with the medication. I'm just not sure I need it anymore. I don't feel depressed these days. I've been taking 150mg, and my doctor decreased it 4 days ago to 75mg. I've been sleepy, groggy, and more irritable than usual, but today seems better.

I don't like the woozy-head feeling, but all-in-all, I wouldn't hesitate to take this drug again. It really has helped me a lot.

I went off Effexor after taking it for 5 years for migraines. I decided to go off the medication to see if the headaches were gone. I weaned off the medication slowly. Within a week I had horrible vertigo which lasted a month. Horrible headaches, nausea, vomiting, bad sleep patterns,weird blasts through the head with sounds like someone was shaking maracas.

It has been 3 months now and no relief in sight. Very short fuse - react to everything! I actually asked the pharmacist if this was normal for going off Effexor and he said he had never heard of this. Looks like all the rest of us here have!!!! I was so much better off ON this med, but now that I see what it can do to you, it scares me to go back on!

I have been taking EFFEXOR since May 2009. I have a recurrence of Breast cancer and one of my cancer treatments is inducing menopause as I cannot be producing estrogen. The hot flashes are horrible! My oncologist suggested I take Effexor for my hot flashes. It sure helps the hot flashes but I seem to be gaining weight each time I step on the scale and have joint pain.

I have now stopped cold turkey taking the Effexor as I cannot deal with the weight gain and I want to see if my joint pain subsides. It has been 5 days and my withdrawal symptoms have been mild. The dizziness is finally passing, but the joint pain is still there. I just want to know has anyone else had the terrible weight gain and joint pain??

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WEIGHT GAIN HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A FREQUENT SIDE EFFECT OF EFFEXOR.

I have been on 75mg Effexor XR for 2 yrs now. While I was thrilled w/ it initially (I was having anxiety, depression, excessive worrying), I've come to really dislike the drug for a variety of reasons, and mostly b/c I knew I'd have such trouble tapering from it. While on the drug, I have excessive night sweats, usually during REM sleep, and frequent insomnia. With the tapering, I've cut my dose to 37.5mg and have been taking this dose for about 5 days, I have the usual brain zaps (yup, impossible to explain to anyone!) and I've started having pressure in my ears. I don't know how to explain this, but my brain feels "funny", with or without the zaps. I don't have nausea, but have no real interest in food.

I know everyone's withdrawal symptoms vary, but you are not alone! It is truly a hellish experience. I may have more anxiety w/o Effexor, but the severity of the withdrawal seems to create a type of dependence, because so many people do not want to experience the ill effects of stopping the drug.

I feel that most drs do NOT have enough information on the withdrawal symptoms.

After 5 years of effexor and more than 50 lbs I have finally decided to go cold turkey. My plus size clothing was getting to be too many pluses and I just knew this medication had something to do with it even though my doctor said to just watch what I eat and get some exercise.

How could I exercise when all I could do was veg out? I have been off effexor for 4 days now and have had many periods of going back so I could feel good. After reading all of the comments there is no way I would go back on that horrid stuff. I wouldn't wish this drug on my worst enemy.

Why don't the doctors tell you how hard this drug is to get off of before you start taking them? There should be more counseling required. I will check back with you all in a few days and let you know how things are going.

I'm only on day two of withdrawal but have experienced the same things you described. It's really more of a fuzzy feeling in my head than the "vertigo" described by others. If all medicines affect people differently, the withdrawal symptoms will be different, too. I've gained 50 lbs since being on Effexor 75mg for less than two years. I have not changed anything about my diet or exercise. I also feel as though Effexor messes with my memory. Not to downplay its effectiveness, it has done wonders for my anxiety and my depression. This drug is much harder to get off than other anti-depressants, though.

I was on Effexor XR 37.5 for two months. It was supposed to help me with my menopause symptoms. I have gained a bunch of weight (20 pounds!) and I felt like sleeping all of the time. I just couldn't take it anymore so I stopped 3 days ago. I had no idea how awful stopping like this would be! I'm having the dizzy spells, nausea and these brain zaps (absolutely no one has been able to understand these when I describe them!)- I thought it was just me! I'm very glad I've found this forum. I just had to get off this drug, but I really had no clue how difficult it would be.

I just started Effexor XR 37.5, and it's making my stomach hurt. Years ago, I took Paxil and when I went off it, I had the exact symptoms you describe -- electrical jolts up and down my body, primarily in my eyes.

Paxil also made me sleepwalk, which is why I went off it. Maybe I should just stick to SAMe.

My Doctor prescribed me with 300mgs of effexor...I was very depressed. It made me feel amazing, and got me through very difficult times.

After 1.5 yrs I wanted to change to 150 as is I felt it wasn't making me feel that great anymore plus the side effects were mounting up - major withdrawals - nightmares, night sweats, vertigo, brain zaps, mood swings, sexual dysfunction and the worst of all has been major memory loss... Also limited concentration, have not finished reading one book whilst on this med.

Cut down to 75 for about 4 months then 3 days ago ran out of meds and couldn't afford the doc and new script - I'm day 3 going through the motions, just trying to tread lightly and keep telling myself it's not me it's the meds.

It seems like most of the people that comment do so on about 3 days and there doesn't seem to be anyone after that so here hoping I don't throw too many wobblies ;p I think this drug like all drugs has it's side effects but if you need em you need em!

Wow, effexor is horrible to go off of. I was on effexor 75 mg once a day. reduced to 37.5mg for one week and then switched to wellbutrin. Well on day two of wellbutrin, (day 3 with out effexor) hell broke lose. Dizziness, major brain zaps every 4 mins. it feels like you are losing your mind.

My doctor and the pharmacist just looked at me like I'm an idiot. Yesterday was day 5 with out effexor, day 4 of wellbutrin. Feel like a complete addict. Wild eyes, dizzy, zaps, anxiety. called my Dr AGAIN and she said stop the wellbutrin and take the effexor 37.5 for 7 days again. we will see how it goes. took the 37.5 mg and four hours later, brain zaps are getting less intense. I will post more.

Yes, I just landed in the ER yesterday due to heart arythimas and tachycardia. Bp was high ( never had an issue before and then suddenly it was too low; dystolic of 49 and heart rate in 120's. Will never take effexor again and think it should be pulled off the market! Good luck and may God bless.

Effexor has ruined my life. I have horrible dreams, crying spells, constant brain zaps, blood pressure changes, rapid heart rate, profuse sweating ( was cold natured before starting this med 2 yrs ago ), weight gain, fatigue and I could go on forever but I know people who take this horrible med and have gone off it like me already know what a horror it is.

If I had known about all this before (pharmacy details don't tell it all because as a nurse I do read the printed information on all meds I take) I would have never taken the first capsule for my depression related to fybromyalgia. By the way it never helped with the pain. I can't blame my doctor as she is wonderful and would never prescribe something that she felt was unsafe.

Just yesterday I landed in an ER with tachycardia and atrial fib. BP was high and then went too low..go figure. The ER doc was not professional and never even came in to check on me until I had been in a sick bay for 3 hrs and 45 min's! He never asked my family history (all my mother's family including her have died at early ages due to heart disease; brother had 3 heart attacks before age 50 and a sister had a stroke at age 40).

I was so scared. I will turn in their 24 hr heart monitor today and wait until it's read 3 days from now according to the person that connected it. The doctor asked me if I was on some crazy diet... I've gained weight!! He walked out and I honestly saw him make the "crazy sign," circling around his ear and looking at me while he was in the nurses' station.

Yes this may be in our heads but it's also killing us mentally and physically. I pray for each of us to survive this horrible journey and ask God's blessings on each of you. By the way, today is day 15 of being off and I hope I can return to work next week..This has ruined my life.

I have been on Effexor for about 3 years now and anytime I miss more than 2 nights, I get all the withdrawal symptoms. I get really nauseous, light headed, irritable, hot, dizzy.. it's horrible! I don't know if I will ever be able to get off this medicine.

OMG, I can't believe I have stumbled on this page. I finally have proof that what I am experiencing IS real. My story starts only 3 months ago, I was taking Lexapro for mild depression , my hot flashes were getting bad so my MD switched me to Effexor 150 mg...about a week and a half after I started on the drug, I had a sudden hearing loss in my L ear, joined with severe tinnitus.

I went through doses of prednisone, two injections of steroids through my ear drum (ouch) and an MRI that showed nothing wrong, the ENT's pretty much said I'm out of luck and I probably won't get my hearing back and they don't' know how it started, probably viral...not satisfied with that I started my own research, I found a list of ototoxic drugs and Effexor was on one of them!

I never put two and two together and saw the coincidence that my hearing loss soon happened after I switched to Effxor, I tried to go off cold turkey and whoa, the "brain zaps" were unreal, I never heard of anything like it and my MD pretty much looked at me like I was crazy, I went back on the drug, the brain zaps went away.. so I tried to go off slower, my MD suggested 4 weeks, but I did it in 1 1/2.

I did not want to be on this drug if it was the cause of my hearing loss. I am doing better, the zaps are still there but lessened. I am starting to see a chiropractor and acupunturist, taking St Johns Wart for my depression. I am hoping once this drug gets out of my system (Chiropractor thinks 4 weeks) things will improve more, I cant believe that the drug companies and doctors don't warn people about these severe side effects.

Thank goodness for the internet, I never felt so strongly that we need to be an advocate for our own health. And research and question everything. Has anyone else ever experience a hearing loss or tinnitus with Effexor? I'd be interested. Good luck to everyone!

ANYONE ELSE HAVE DELAYED ITCHING WEEKS AFTER QUITTING??? I took Effexor a couple of years. Ok on it (except for totally numb below the waist) as is with most anti-depressants. I tapered off over a bout a 3 month period. Found out quickly and hard way, you do not cold turkey this RX! I got to the point where I would take a half tab of lowest dose every 3-5 days until I didn't have a symptom of withdrawal anymore.

I thought I was ok after about 3 weeks, maybe even a month or more, of no meds and no symptoms. But now, I HAVE ITCHING AND CREEPY CRAWLIES ALL OVER MY BODY. Sometimes just like a hair tickling me, and sometimes more urgent, like a prick or bite. No bugs, got that checked. IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY. It won't go away. Anyone else experience this? Not sure if delayed side affect or something else is going on.

I have been taking effexor for about two years. I am 26 years old and I felt that I was stable enough in my life to get off of it. I also decided to get off effexor because I was sleeping fourteen or more hours and was fatigued all the time. I felt that I was never happy nor sad, I was just going through the days. I stopped effexor, but not before starting paxil, which I currently stopped about a week ago. So now I am off everything.

This week I feel horrible. I feel currents or motions of movement going through my body. This is the best way I can describe it. I feel like I am going to vomit every couple of hours. I am really worried and I don't know how long these symptoms are going to last? Am I going to have this feeling forever?

I really wish I never got on this medication. Doctors just throw you any kind of pills without really diagnosing the problem. If I had known how hard it was to get off of this drug, I would have never began it. Hopefully my symptoms get better each day. I dont know how much I can take of this.

Hang in there, I have been told that it takes a drug like this about 30 days to get out of you system. Its been about a month for me and I get the 'brain zaps" only about once or twice a day..So I'm confident things will be back to "normal" soon.

thanks so very much! This is my third week. I am so ready to feel "normal" again. I have been just very emotional, the current or flow.. that feeling is going away a little each day. I still feel nauseous though and have no appetite. I can't wait to feel normal again. I am really glad I am not alone. It makes me feel a lot better to know this.

This is a wonderful thread...I'm very glad to find it!

Quoting:
"Thank goodness for the internet, I never felt so strongly that we need to be an advocate for our own health. And research and question everything."

Well said!

I've been planning to go off Effexor. I don't know what else to do any more, except maybe electric-shock therapy. I've decided that before I do that, I'll get the Effexor out of my system and see what I'm like then. I've been on 300mg for 5 years and it's not working any more. I'm feeling the apathy and lethargy...the 'zombification'. I've gained about 40 lbs (and I'm only 5'3"!). And I keep thinking about suicide...
It's not a good thing.

I'm glad to find this site. At least now I know that the 'why bother?' feelings are Effexor...NOT me! Makes me want to stop the Effexor even more. So thanks to all of you for posting your stories. Much appreciated, eh!

All the best to everyone. Be well...