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soveryweary (original poster member #32265) posted at 6:14 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Has anyone here been weaned off Effexor and suffered any side effects?
I was tapered off from 150mg to 75 for one week then down to 37.5 for a week and I finished that on Sunday. I also started Wellbutrin while weaning off the Effexor.
Monday I felt off, head foggy, couldn't shake it.
Yesterday I started having brain rushes. It's like the sound of blow drying but in your head and in bursts.'
This morning more of all the same.
I read online and geez, this drug is a nightmare to get off of!! Not going to call my doctor, I plan on touching it out. I read fish oil pills help with the brains rushes.
Has anyone experienced this and if so, how long did it last? I know everyone's body processes things differently. I'd just like to hear from someone I "know."
Divorced 1/3/14 after 31 years of marriage.
soveryweary (original poster member #32265) posted at 6:15 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Oops,, plan on toughing it out.
Divorced 1/3/14 after 31 years of marriage.
I think I can ( member #17756) posted at 6:41 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
I had to wean very very slowly off antidepressants. By the end I was taking crumbs--it took about 6 months to wean off them. Oh do I remember the "brain zaps" as I called them. Bleh.
I'm not the winner, I'm the prize.
metamorphisis ( member #12041) posted at 6:41 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Umm.. yes. And it was miserable and I know exactly how you are feeling. BLAH. I also for a few days had the lovely sensation of no auditory perception. So I could hear a car or a train or a child crying but could not tell how far away it was or what direction it was coming from. It made me jump out of my skin on a regular basis 
Vertigo was a high point too. Walking and feeling like I was stepping off a cliff. My depth perception was off. I had to increase the dose again and taper at a way slower pace.
I think it took 3 months or more.
Can I ask why you aren't calling your doctor? It's their job to help you do this safely. Best case it's only like this for a few days. Worst case ..it gets really awful.
I am not trying to scare you, but my experience was awful and I needed more time. Just don't be stubborn if you feel horrible. 
[This message edited by metamorphisis at 12:42 PM, May 29th (Wednesday)]
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tired girl ( member #28053) posted at 7:17 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Ya, those are called brain zaps.
This is why I took 9 months to wean of that medication. I had no problems that way. It is a really tough drug to get off of.
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luv_lost ( member #24621) posted at 9:04 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
I've been on and off Effexor for YEARS, and high doses too...never had any crazy side effects. I think the most I would get is having difficulty concentrating at times. I'm glad I don't have issues weaning off....I'm probably going back on it soon - damn
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I think I can ( member #17756) posted at 10:33 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Oh the vertigo!!! Dang I'd forgotten about that. I'd turn and my brain just kept turning.
I'm not the winner, I'm the prize.
jrc1963 ( member #26531) posted at 10:42 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Effexor IIRC is a SSRI... which would make it in the same class as Paxil...
If you google Paxil withdraw you will see a list of symptoms as long as your arm... I had EVERY one with the exception of hallucinations.
I weaned off like you did... but I got brain zap, flu like symptoms, IBS... OMG... It was a complete and total nightmare... which is why I, for one, will never recommend AD's here.
I was on Paxil for 10 years. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.
Me: BSO - 56 Him: FWSO - 79 DS - 23 D-Day - 12-11-09, R - he finally came homeYour life is an Occasion. Rise to it. - Mr. Magorium, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"
Lionne ( member #25560) posted at 1:26 AM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
I had horrible side effect as I weaned off it also...
Me-BS-71 in May HIM-SAFWH-74 I just wanted a normal life.Normal trauma would have been appreciated.
heartbroken_kk ( member #22722) posted at 2:59 AM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
I've been weaning off of zoloft (sertraline) - an SSRI. For me the biggest side effect is restless legs at night. So I take it in the evening. I'm still on Wellbutrin (not an SSRI). I like what it does for me and don't plan on getting off it any time soon. I've had a lot of weight gain and I'm not sure if the zoloft might be contributing.
kk
[This message edited by heartbroken_kk at 5:07 PM, June 2nd (Sunday)]
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purplejacket4 ( member #34262) posted at 5:31 AM on Thursday, May 30th, 2013
Effexor is an SNRI and works on two neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and serotonin. The symptoms you are describing are common when coming off the serotonin portion. Often I will give patients a few days of Prozac after weaning off another serotonin containing drug. The half life of Prozac is so long and it wears off so very slowly it's a soft landing for weaning. Ask your doctor about it.
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soveryweary (original poster member #32265) posted at 2:03 PM on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013
Thanks so much for the replies.
I will contact my Dr. tomorrow, it's been getting worse day by day.
I didn't initially contact Dr. because I wanted to be in control of this. I just cannot believe what this is doing to me.
Crawling out of my skin today. Can't stop crying and we have a wedding today in Canada so it's an ALL DAY thing and I am just not sure if I can bear it.
I feel for each and every one of you..
Divorced 1/3/14 after 31 years of marriage.
wincing_at_light ( member #14393) posted at 2:43 PM on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013
Yeah, getting off Effexor was almost worse than the symptoms it was trying to alleviate.
You can't beat the Axis if you get VD
silverhopes ( member #32753) posted at 8:16 PM on Monday, June 3rd, 2013
Yes. Weaning off it freaking sucked. They had me do it in under a month because I was expecting - Effexor withdrawal effects combined with morning sickness!
All the symptoms you mentioned... yes, they suck. Take as much time to rest as possible. Carefully find foods that don't make the nausea worse. Move slower. Listen to really soothing music. As painful as it sucks, it will pass. So take it one day at a time.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
itainteasy ( member #31094) posted at 8:26 PM on Monday, June 3rd, 2013
soveryweary, I hope you were able to get in touch with your doctor and that you're feeling physically better today.
Weaning off addictive substances is so hard. :(
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