Help me please... I'm trying to get off the medication Effexor and whenever I try I get the worst headaches, dizziness, and what feels like brain shocks. I landed in the hospital one time because I didn't have the money to renew my prescription. I was off the drug for 4 days. I know we aren't suppose to stop cold turkey but this, I couldn't help. I literally felt like I was losing my mind. They had me on IV meds and I got some shots. (plus a lecture on never stopping again Ugh) Now I'm freaked out about stopping. Anyone have any experience with this? Good or bad, I'd appreciate it!
2006-07-09 02:26:16 · 9 answers · asked by sahm2boys 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I forgot to mention that I'm on 187.5g a day and went on in November 2004 for post partum depression.
2006-07-09 02:27:30 · update #1
I took effexor for a while, I believe it was 300 mg per day. Eventually I checked myself into a mental health clinic where I was evaluated and kept for about 10 days. Immeadiately it was decided that I should be put on mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic meds and I stopped taking the Effexor at once. After 2 days without it I was exxperiencing the same thing you described...it was a tremendous shutdown mentally, everything was foggy (mentally) anyways, that lasted for 4 or 5 days then resided...If i was you I'd just bite the bullet and stop, but first plan for at least 5 days of inactivity...maybe look into checking into a clinic near you for evaluation while you go through the withdrawal...it could cause depression and unusual behavior
2006-07-09 02:47:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only your doctor can help you get off your medication. Usaully they lower the doseage very slowly. So that you do not have the symptoms that you described. Going off any medication that you have been on for a long period of time usually calls for slow lowering of dosage. You need to be very careful Effexor is a strong anti-depressant. And you really will need help. Do not try and stop it cold turkey, it could make you very ill, and cause you serious problems.
2006-07-09 09:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by Kali_girl825 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was on Effexor too. You have to get off of it gradually like you got on it. Start reducing your dosage one week at a time. If you can`t reduce, then just skip a day for a while and get further apart . Other than that, the headaches will stop in a week or two. I went coldturkey and it IS painful !
2006-07-09 09:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the discontinuation effects of venlafaxine have not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials, a retrospective survey of new events occurring during taper or following discontinuation revealed the following six events that occurred at an incidence of at least 5%, and for which the incidence for venlafaxine was at least twice the placebo incidence: asthenia, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea and nervousness. Therefore, it is recommended that the dosage be tapered gradually and the patient monitored (See Dosage).
2006-07-09 09:31:05 · answer #4 · answered by Randi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to do it slowly and under the supervision of your MD. When I was getting off of it, I still had what I call the squishy head, but not as intense as cold turkey. The second time I got off of it (should have refused to have it started again) my MD started me on a different anti-depressant, so I think that helped. But it did take a couple of months. Tell your MD about your withdrawal symptoms.
2006-07-09 09:37:46 · answer #5 · answered by doglover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have a long talk with the doctor. You CANNOT stop this medication cold turkey.
Look, if you are dead set on quitting the med, the Dr will help you do that. You must wean yourself and have regular checks to see how each stage is going
2006-07-09 09:31:53 · answer #6 · answered by Dc3402 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try it on your own...
I take 300 of effexor and you don't want to do that !!!
Go to the doctor and TELL him you must get off of it. perhaps there is a cheaper drug the you could use, or perhaps he would give you the sample packs so you don't have to buy it.
What ever the decision is You are in charge not the Doctor. He/She is working for you !!! And if you want off of it then the Doctor should take you off
2006-07-09 10:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer.
Reduce the dose and then take every other day and then stop.
I was on for 2 years and it took 4 months to get my thinking right again.
2006-07-09 09:31:24 · answer #8 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
u absolutely cannot get off the med! i tried it once and thought that i was gng to die. ur doc if he decides that he wants to take u off, wil have to taper i off of it.
2006-07-09 10:16:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋