giving up effexor

[MiaR]

I have been on meds for about 4 years off and on and I have never gotten through withdrawl before starting a new medication. I am determined to give up Effexor because of side effects, however I am concerned because everytime I try I seem to notice symptoms the same day I quit the first dose. I have been taking the maximum dose for one year. I guess it is in my head but today is my first day of trying again. In the past I felt irritable and lost my temper so I thought well I guess I need the med but now I realize it must be withdrawl. I think if I can get though it I may never need meds again. I have to quit cold turkey because if it is in my home I will take it.
So I guess I would like to know how others have dealt with withdrawl in the past. I have to be over it by Sept 18th because I return to work. Thanks for suggestions. :confused:

[Aarcyn]

One of the best sources for information is your local pharmacist. I tried to google but truly, I am sooo not qualified to answer you question. Then I realized that I call the drug store where I have prescriptions filled and just ask questions.

That is my best advice. :hug:

[MooseasaurusRex]

I made the switch from Paxil to Effexor 3 years ago. I was taking both for a week or so as I was weened off the Paxil and introduced to Effexor.

Took it for a few months and switched back again because it made me a little jumpy. (The Effexor).

If I were to go off my AD, I definitely wouldn't do it 'cold turkey'.

But that's just me...

[Koala77]

Hello Mia and welcome to NeuroTalk. :welcome_sign:

My doctor ordered Efexor for me a few months ago, but before I took them I posted here for advice. Several people commented about withdrawals from Efexor, so I've added the link here for you to read through the advice I was given. http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread49110.html

I ended up not taking the medications at all, but I still have them here incase I change my mind.

[helpinghoping]

Other resources on withdrawal from effexor can be found by googling for "Effexor Withdrawal" or books by Peter Breggin. Breggin is pretty strongly anti-drug, but his information on how to taper off can be helpful regardless of whether you agree with his underlying beliefs.

We found a naturopathic doctor willing to help my wife taper off her medications when the psychiatrist would not cooperate with us. The doctor prescribed some supplements to take to help reduce the side effects of the withdrawal.

[mollymcn]

So I guess I would like to know how others have dealt with withdrawl in the past. I have to be over it by Sept 18th because I return to work. Thanks for suggestions. :confused:

Hope you made it off Effexor OK. If you were on the maximum dose, 1-3 months would be a reasonable expectation. Effexor re-wires the brain, and requires a very slooooooow withdrawal/ taper. It's notorious for awful withdrawal side effects.!

[mistiis]

Wonder how you are doing MiaR...I have gotten off Effexor and it is so hard. I had to switch to Celexa, to get off of Effexor, and then taper the Celexa. I was able to do that with some little side effects....

[lOOPY]

Hi!

I would suggest not to go "Cold Turkey" with witdrawl from Effexor. Its needs to be done very slowly to miminize the side effects of withdrawl. I tried withdrawing from Effexor and ended up in the hospital.

My doctor put me on Wellbutrin while weaning me off Effexor. Over a period of a month, I still had withdrawl symptoms, but not nearly as bad as the first time trying to get off of it.

Good luck and happy new Year:)

[phoenix7]

:Wave-Hello: and welcome MiaR,

I agree with others here - cold turkey is not a good way to give up any anti-d - they build up in your system and you can get withdrawl symptoms - if you discuss this with your dr there may be a way (as others suggested) to get off it by substituting another med and then getting off that may be easier. In this way you can get rid of your Efexor tabs (as you say if they are there you wil take them) and be taking somthing that will lessen the withdrawl symptoms.

take care P7:hug:

[dorrie]

I have got down from 112mg to 37.5mg...it has taken a long time. I have tried to get off the 37.5 but at this point I cannot tolerate the side effects! Definitely not something to go cold turkey off of!!!!

[DiMarie]

Gosh I remember getting off Effexor and it was at least 6 months and I still had that sideways feeling or off balance . I was on the tablests and actully for at least 3-4 months remembering to brek into quaters, take a quater every other day, the one once a week the the last of tthe 6 and 7th month I finally felt it was out of my system. :eek:
I take Lexpro and actually can miss a dose, forget to refill and have no noticiable effects, well nothing like Effexor. I did have to start at a half or quater of 10 mg tablet as when I started the full 10mg the first week, I had severe insomnia, no appitite at all.

I was so bad from the insomnia I almost stopped taking it, but noticed the first three doses how it had helped. So I reduced and slowly worked up to 20 mg a day. This is a long half life so it stays in the system for good coverage if you miss a dose or are late too.
di