How do you cope with quitting effexor?

Question

I have been on Effexor XR 150 for about a year, my doctor wants to try me on something else... I did 150 for a week then went down to 75 for a week and now i have none and I added in Lexapro 10mg... The side-effects of quitting the effexor are messing me up... I'm dizzy, irritable, very sensitive, and feel a little loopy... I havent had it for 3 days and its just now starting to affect me... How long does this last? What can I do to deal with this emotional drop? I really don't want to spend $40 to go see my doctor and ask him these questions... any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

I was on effexor for 3 years and my dose was higher ..It will take about 5-7 days for the side effects to stop I know exactly how you feel but relief is around the corner and you seriously wont remember the next 2-4 days...like the things you have done it will all kind of be a blurr its kind of like your brain is going through withdrawls...try not to make any important decisions or drive if you can help it.....Hope I have been some help. I know you are frustrated.

Answer 2

Hey Katie,

I was on Effexor, but about 225mg. I stopped taking it w/o consulting my doctor - for days I was nauseous and my libido was messed. I gradually ratined the ones I had left so the withdrawal wouldn't be that harsh, but its still was because of the chemical nature of the drug. It breaks down really quickly, so even if you space it out further and further it doesn't help. You need to decrease the doage, which you can't do w/o a doctor. I took a huge risk by doing what I did. Some people commit suicide when they stop taking something cold turkey.

Honestly, those pills are just for money making and they trap you. I can't really answer your question, because there is no easy way to get rid of it. Be strong and you'll get off em. I would suggest not taking the Lexapro and reading some existentialist philosophy instead - try Thus Spoke Zharathustra, its a good book.

Answer 3

Effexor is dangerous to quit to some extent. It increases the risk of suicide for a few weeks after use ended. He probably should have taken you off of it more slowly.

From personal experience, the withdrawl effects should last about a week and then begin to dissipate over the next week to two weeks at most. So worst case scenario would be 3 weeks, but for me it was more like a week and a half.

Answer 4

He did not dose you down appropriatley. Most people that have taken effexor and change medications have to be taken off the effexor at a slower rate. Instead of going from 75 mg to none he should have put you on 37.5 mg.

Answer 5

I dont have an answer, but thanks for the info! My sister is on Effexor, and actually quit Lexapro before going on Effexor. Lexapro didnt have an effect on her, but now I can inform her if/when she needs to either quit or down her doses of Effexor, so thanks, and good luck with everything!

Answer 6

Just hang in there and give the Lexapro a few days to work. My therapist recommended exercise for dealing with anxiety symptoms. Maybe you can work in some gym time or some power walks to help keep your brain chemicals in line until your medication evens out. Hang in there!

Answer 7

I was on effexor and then tired to overdose on it, the worse experience of my life. I fixed my problem slowly and still doing so. It's hard but, you just may need someone to talk to. E-mail me

Answer 8

Just try to hang in there a few more days. I went through the exact same thing. It really sucks! All these meds for depression do. I wish they had a magic pill...