Has anyone stopped taking effexor and had withdrawal symtoms?

Has anyone stopped taking effexor and had withdrawal symtoms I have been on effexor for 5 years and I am feeling fine and its time to stopI have heard of horrible stories regarding withdrawal symtoms and would like to know if anyone has had any luck stopping the medication. And what and how they did it. Asked by redhead546 53 months ago Similar questions: stopped taking effexor withdrawal symtoms Health > Mental Health.

Similar questions: stopped taking effexor withdrawal symtoms.

Yes and they almost killed me I had abruptly stopped taking it because I lost my medical insurance and couldn't afford to pay almost $200 for a month supply. The first 2.5 days were fine, but by the third day I started having dizzy spells, heart palpitations, racing thoughts, suicidal thoughts, hot flashes, headaches etc. As the days went on I got worse and by day 6 I slashed my wrist. Had my sister not come over to check on me I would have died.

I was not suicidal prior to stopping the medication. The hospital put me back on the Effexor and my psychiatrist weened me off it over the following 3 month period. I've been off of it for a little over 2 years now.

Sources: personal experience .

My brother-in-law stopped taking effexor "cold turkey" a few months ago... and he experienced crying jags, explosive anger, endless angst over events that happened in his childhood, etc. He was way down in the dumps. We were all worried about him. Fortunately, he realized what was happening and the doctor changed his medication to Lexapro.

He is much better - he looks and feels like his old self now. Ask your doctor before doing anything. You have been taking this medication for five years and probably need to ease off of it gradually.

I was on it for 8 mos Truthfully I didn't like the way it made me feel while I was on it. My doctor told me I would need to come off of it slowly to avoid any harsh side effects. It took me a month to completely come off it.My doctor then gave me trazadone in addition to wellbutrin which worked much better.

Talk to you physician about weaning you off of the effexor. You may or may not require a different medication. Good luck,!

I found this on ABOUT. COM Top 6 Tips to Reduce Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms 1. A Single Dose of Prozac (Fluoxetine) According to Dr. Ivan Goldberg: "The administration of a single 20 mg capsule of fluoxetine usually does the job.

The withdrawal symptoms are relieved within hours and the patient goes through a slow fluoxetine withdrawal that is usually symptomless. If the individual had been on a high dose of paroxetine or venlafaxine, a second 20 mg of of fluoxetine may be needed." 2. Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) Benedryl (diphenhydramine) is an over the counter allergy medication that has been reported to help with discontinuation symptoms.

3. Taper Off Slowly Gradually decreasing your dosage over an extended period of time is preferable to quitting "cold turkey". 4.

Switch to an SSRI or Effexor (If Already Using an SSRI) From Dr. Ivan Goldberg: "There is no risk of such withdrawal symptoms when going between SSRIs or between an SSRI and venlafaxine. You can go from fluoxetine to just about anything, but an MAOI, and not worry because of that drugs long t-1/2. " 5.

Use Prozac as Your Antidepressant Because Prozac has a very long half-life, extreme withdrawal symptoms are unlikely with it. There is a built in "tapering off" by virtue of the fact that it leaves your body so slowly. 6.

Keep a Regular Schedule with Dosing Certain antidepressants, such as Effexor, may cause withdrawal symptoms even if you are slightly late with a scheduled dose. Keeping a regular schedule can help you avoid these symptoms. Sources: my life nonnax16's Recommendations Natural Prozac: Learning to Release Your Body's Own Anti-Depressants Amazon List Price: $14.95 Used from: $2.49 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 15 reviews) .

Here's how I did it. My doctor helped me to cut it down by weaning me off it. She cut the dosages slightly (from memory I think it was about 10mg at a time) about every 2 to 3 weeks or so, that way my system wasn't shocked into anything nasty.By the time I was down to none at all I had no withdrawal effects or symptoms at all.

I was worried because I'd had withdrawal symptoms on the odd days when I had forgotten to take it, but by taking me off it slowly, I had no bad reaction. Also by taking me off it slowly, she could monitor my mental health, and see how (and if) that was being effected (I was taking Effexor for depression). I do still take medication for depression, however, I haven't needed to go back on Effexor.

I stopped the Effexor about 14 months ago. I hope this has been helpful. Sources: Personal experience.

From what my doctor has said... ...when it's time for me to stop taking Effexor, the dosage will need to be lowered gradually, so that my body will be able to adapt to the lower level. For example, I might be decreased from 300 mg/day to 225 for a week or two, then to 150, then to 75, and maybe even to 37.5, before dropping it completely. I don't remember exactly how long each level is supposed to take.

Even if I got it right above, that might be a good schedule for me but not for someone else. So you'll want to check with your doctor to find out what's an appropriate schedule for you. Also, while you're weaning yourself off, you'll need to stay in contact with your doctor so he/she can ensure that things are progressing alright for you.

Sources: Personal experience .

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I am having a hard time since I've started taking it. Any suggestions?" "i have been on Effexor XR for 7 yrs. , stopped taking them and started again after 3 days, when will the withdrawals end.

I am having a hard time since I've started taking it. Any suggestions?

I have been on Effexor XR for 7 yrs. , stopped taking them and started again after 3 days, when will the withdrawals end.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.