If you are thinking of getting off Effexor XR - TAPER-, I want to share my progress in effexor discontinuation and situation as it progresses, ending the side effects of Effexor after withdrawal from drug, Effexor XR withdrawals; side effects while taking it also; R, Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms: Managing Irritability and Headaches During Weed Detox, How to Cope with Weed Cravings During Marijuana Withdrawal. How To Reduce Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms . "I am still withdrawing from Venlafaxine, it's been over a month cold turkey! This article was co-authored by Padam Bhatia, MD. All the symptoms you are having are the same ones I was having. Hello to all. Effexor withdrawal is as bad as opiate withdrawal in its own ways. Absolutely not. Now it's down to one or two times occasionally. This article has been viewed 114,316 times. I have been tapering off EXR for a little more than a month. No matter what you do, you should consult your doctor if you feel you should stop taking Effexor. I hope that this was helpful. Staying hydrated, replenishing electrolytes, lowering inflammation, managing your stress, and eating a balanced diet might reduce the achiness for some. over a year ago, faithfulserver108120 Movement is very labored and difficult. ", know this could do this to me! Is that normal? Good luck for you all! If a person were to stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, or reduce the dosage, withdrawal symptoms can occur, often within a matter of hours. My skin has even hurt! To learn how to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms, like suicidal thoughts, keep reading! Dr. Horowitz said he had severe withdrawal symptoms after tapering down after 15 years on antidepressants. They do recommend taking their supplements, but I could not afford to. Just talk to your psychiatrist or doctor about why and how you want to get off of the medication. I still get the "zaps" pretty much every day, but it's no where near as intense. Get plenty of sleep/rest. After three days, my mood was horrible and at one point, someone walked in front of my car in a drive-thru and glanced at me (just making sure that I saw him), but I truly wanted to rip the guy's face off and started yelling "What the **** are you looking at you @!*#%*#$". I also just began having leg cramps and swollen feet, could it be related? Expert Interview. To manage your symptoms, drink a lot of water to flush the toxins from your system. ", rather than waiting until I return home to continue them. He specializes in treating patients with a combination of traditional medicine and evidence-based holistic therapies. It's always important to talk to your doctor before withdrawing yourself from a substance or medication. I have to see my Dr again about the Cymbalta. But many of these symptoms are still here after 2 full weeks off Effexor. Most commonly, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount of mirtazapine you are taking until your brain can function efficiently without it. I would never have understood what they were, had I not suffered them myself. Unfortunately, it appears as though withdrawal symptoms are more likely with Effexor XR when compared to other antidepressant medication classes such as SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors). You may experience all of these symptoms or only a few. Sexual dysfunction and loss of libido sometimes go hand in hand with this. The second day was worse, I was very, very dizzy and became nauseous. My first day wasn't too bad; I had missed doses before and was familiar with the slight dizziness. Venlafaxine HCl (commonly known by the brand name Effexor) is an oral medication commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and social phobias. Make sure you are eating healthy, allowing plenty of time for sleep, and staying hydrated. The reality is a lot less dramatic in most cases. I did not have withdraws with the Wellbutrin. ... (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor), and they have made a … The most annoying is the vibrations in the head!! By tapering your dose (ideally under doctor supervision), and by taking steps to cope with your withdrawal symptoms, you can ease yourself off of the drug. Additionally, eat nutrient-dense foods, like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I cry often. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Education of doctors on the severity and nature of withdrawal also needs to be employed as clearly many, even psychiatrists, do not even believe that this exists and prefer often to put symptoms down to a "mystery virus" or patient neruroses.  I know you are not supposed to do this, but I just felt like I had to. How can this be happening to me?? They don't seem so bad when you realize that they are just signs of your brain beginning to wake up--your neurons beginning to make the connections that they used to! If you're dealing with effexor withdrawal, you may be suffering from a wide variety of symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and headaches. To be honest, it was a long time coming. This medication is used for depression and/or anxiety, not for relieving pain. If the symptoms are intolerable reinstate your previous dose until you stabilise & you could then try smaller reductions. When I asked my doc about it, she kinda chuckled and said that it must be from something else and then changed my prescription to effexor. I felt like a zombie, completely out of my own body. Once you reach 0: I have trouble focusing. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Go to urgent care if you don't have insurance and get safe advice from the doctor there. Padam Bhatia, MD. Double the dosage of vitamins (all of them). There is no way to know which ones are the active ingredient and which ones are not. Withdrawal from Effexor XR can cause hives. How long will Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms Last? The withdrawal symptoms are relieved within hours and the patient goes through a sluggish fluoxetine withdrawal that is typically symptomless. NeneQ1972 over a year ago. How hard is it to get off of psychiatric medication? medication. Does Effexor cause random hives that start and disappear quickly? While you might feel better or even need to discontinue the … By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. It is important to be monitored and to adjust your tapering strategy based on symptoms of withdrawal or the return of your depressive symptoms. What About Other Medications. I ended up in the ER, and the doctor told my husband that if I had waited any longer, I would have had a stroke. In extreme cases, patients experience sensory disturbances, hallucinations, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. I followed some suggestions and am finally feeling better after my 15th day. If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. This tells me that this drug should NOT be on the market. I would feel hungry but the feeling would disappear when I realized that it was not worth the feeling of vomiting it right back up...the thought then made me sick! New Reply Follow New Topic Followed by 1 people. over a year ago, I too have decided that I will no longer medicate myself with this "drug.". [2] X Expert Source Tiffany Douglass, MA Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist Expert Interview. Have been on 75mg six years and due to all the side effects of which many relate to me I am ready to get this drug out of my life. 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