Effexor withdrawal?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Effexor withdrawal?
7
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 4:43pm
I'm having horrible "withdrawal" symptoms from going off of Effexor. My doctor switched me to Wellbutrin and my last pill of Effexor at 75mg was on Friday. By Sunday I was having shocks in my body all the way to my fingertips, dizzy spells, nausea and trouble focusing. It is like my brain is two steps behind. And the shocks are scary.

My doctor is out today and no one will help me at the office. Just was wondering if you all had any similar experiences and had any suggestions. I went through this when I switched off of Paxil. But this time I couldn't even make it through the day at work today.

HELP!

Avatar for luv5monkeys
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 6:14pm
I am just finishing Paxil withdrawals - Day 17. I never felt so much pain as that first week & it has left me weak. Were you not told to taper off Effexor over a couple months? Are you already taking the Wellbutrin?

I am so sorry for you. Maybe you should take half a Effexor for a week or two to ease the transition.

Linda

weaverll@yahoo.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 8:16pm

(((((Seya))))), what a dreadful experience.

AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2004
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 10:28pm
Hi SeYa......I am on Effexor and know the pain of even missing one does, so I can't even imagine what you are going through right now. I know the Effexor XR is capule form which can not be broken down. If I'm not mistaken the 75mg. is the smallest doseage (but don't hold me to that one.) From what I've heard, you have to go without the Effexor for about 2 weeks or so before starting the Welbutrin. Mixing is dangerous.

Your doctor and/or his office needs to step up with some support or alternatives to help you make this transition. You probably don't have the patients or the energy to deal with them right now, but I would suggest you lay it on them in anyway you can to make them understand what you are going through. Good Luck!! And becareful on the Welbutrin. It can have good results for some, but bad for others. I was on it for a short period of time and it made me feel like I was going to have a seizure. Not to add anymore to you during this time, but pay close attention to any side effects you may experience with it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Tue, 04-13-2004 - 10:34am
When I stopped Zoloft, even though I did it very gradually, I had similar symptoms to what you described. I know Effexor(SNRI?) is a different kind of antidepressant from Zoloft (SSRI), but from my own experience and from everything I've heard, it's pretty typical to feel weird for a week or two after stopping one of these drugs. The symptoms that troubled me most were dizziness and lightheadedness. It lasted about two weeks, then I was fine. It can be pretty scary when you are experiencing these weird physical reactions, but if you just give it time it does go away.

Strange that a drug you can hardly feel any effect from while taking it can have such a noticeable effect on your system when it is stopped.

Visitor (not verified)
anonymous user
Tue, 04-13-2004 - 2:56pm
Hi Seya. Im sorry to hear about your symtoms. I have not had those symptoms, perhaps because I never was on my meds long enough to have side effects when going off of them. However, I have heard of symptoms similar to yours by other ppl.

I suggest you go to a walk in clinic while your doctor is out. When your doctor comes back in, I would make an appt right away. Maybe it is just a matter of time before it goes away.

I really hope that you will be ok. Please let us know how you are doing. HUGS

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 04-13-2004 - 5:34pm
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I saw my doctor today and she said I was definitely having withdrawal symptoms and put me on an actual taper down schedule. Thank goodness! I already have a dose in me and feel a little better. Plus, she is going to make sure that the nursing staff makes better efforts in giving care when she is out of the office. That is a bit more reassuring to know that if I have problems again later on when I am going through this I will at least have support. Going off anti-depressants can be tough, and it is nice to have people like you all to support as well. So thanks! :-)

Seya

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Tue, 04-13-2004 - 5:43pm

((((((Seya)))))), I am happy to know that you have such a terrific doctor.

AcornLeaves