I am working with someone who had a terrible experience on and off of Effexor. When he was on it..he wasn't so depressed..but sleepy all of the time, and was prone to sweating profously. Now, he has tapered off of it slowly..and he is experiencing unusual symptoms. He says his vision and hearing seem out of wack (equillibrium problems), and that he is irritable. Has anyone else experienced these? How to lesson withdrawl symptoms without having to take another caplet?
2006-09-04 06:34:13 · 7 answers · asked by Toolooroo 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
OMG.. This stuff is H*LL in a bottle. I had the exact symptoms for over thirty days. You HAVE to wean yourself off. I did not know that. I felt dizzy, like I was in a pickle jar, ringing of ears. The symptoms will worsen over time, until you hit about day 30. At least that is what happened for me. I roughed it out, and stayed in my bedroom for 30 days so I did not punish anyone else. Also, when you do finally get to sleep, the DREAMSS are aweful!! I don't advice anyone to quit this med cold turkey. Seek med attention because this can make you crazy doing at alone, and can be fatal(suicidal tendancy).
Doc will know how much to wean your friend off with at a time. Please, have him get help. This med is not meant to go off of cold turkey.
It is really H*LL in a bottle, and I feel for your friend.
2006-09-04 06:44:50 · answer #1 · answered by barbaradjt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was on Effexor XR for about a year and when ever I would miss even 1 pill I was feeling the effects like sweating and I was jittery and I was getting the chills, feeling like I was sick. I just made sure to continue to take the medication so that I would not feel sick. After the year of being medicated I felt great so I asked my docter if it was ok to stop the medication. She weaned me off of it by lowering the dosage every 2 weeks. Even though my last pill was a low dosage I still got the side effects from not taking the pill but since I took my self off of the medication slowly the side effects only lasted about 5 days MAXIMUM after discontinuting the pills. I feel awesome now and I do not regret taking the medication for that whole year, it really helped! Ask your docter for a variety of different dosages(they will usually give you sample packs because the dosages are lower) and slowly get your body used to not having the medication. TRUST ME IT WORKS!!
GOOD LUCK!
2006-09-04 08:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by dabster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way I was able to get off of effexor without all kinds of crazy effects was to taper off slowly while I tapered onto Celexa. Celexa is a LOT easier to come off of than Effexor. I've heard nightmares from almost everyone I know on Effexor. Now, if someone isn't ready to come off of an SSRI, but is having problems with Effexor, it's just best to taper off and onto something else, but stay on the other drug. Good luck!
2006-09-04 07:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by TrainerMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are describing is normal withdrawal from Effexor. The only thing your friend can do is just deal with it. I chose to stop taking the medication completely and deal with the worse withdrawal effects for a shorter time. Tapering off slowly will reduce the intensity of withdrawal, but it takes a long time. Unfortunately there is not much he can do about the withdrawal.
2006-09-04 06:37:30 · answer #4 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I was on Effexor for 2 years and abrubtly stopped taking it and experienced heavy withdrawal symptoms. Since he has taperd off slowly, his symptoms should be a lot less severe. I also had vision problems, dizziness, brain spasms (like electric shocks on my brain), depression, hearing problems, and others. I don't mean to scare you but I would seek medical attention if his symptoms worsen. I know what he's going through and I'm sorry for his pain. He's lucky to have someone like you looking out for his best interest. If you would like to know more you can email me at ladifish12@yahoo.com. Please take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
-k
2006-09-04 06:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by peaceseeker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was on Effexor for about 6 months I believe, I hate it. The first 2 to 3 weeks I was so sick to my stomach that I could hardly eat anything. I slept alot, I was way worse on this drug, then without it. AS for the withdrawl's.....I really didnt have any..not to my knowledge. Then again, my so called doctor, started me out on an outrageous dosage, Causing me to get sick... I just stopped taking it. COme to find out, I was Bi-POlar, so all Effexor was doing was causing me to cycle and go into manic episodes. I would not suggest this drug to anyone.
2006-09-04 07:10:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Effexor has nasty withdrawal symptoms. I felt like my skin was crawling inside me, sweating a lot, and unable to sleep. People have all different kinds of symptoms from it. He will probably continue to have these symptoms for a few days after being completely off it. Sorry!
2006-09-04 06:43:41 · answer #7 · answered by Lana M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋