Ok, I've been on effexor for 4+ years, 300 mg for 3 years of that. I know that it is more than the 225 recommended dose,but it's what I needed. I don't take it for depression, just anxiety.
While I am a much nicer person while taking it :) I have since gotten high blood pressure and problems with my eyesight. Don't know if they are necessarily from the effexor, but I decided to call it a day on this drug. Plus, i'm going to be having gastric bypass in a few months and there just isn't gonna be room for 4 pills at a time.
So, I have done the slow decrease, 300 to 225, 225 to 150 and so on. Last dose was Wed and today is Sunday.
YUK! Nausea, sensory disturbances and the dreaded "brain shivers". For those that are going "huh", think of turning your head and having the world catch up you in small jumps. Kinda like a rainbird sprinkler head that does that spurt thing, rotating slowly across the grass.
So, HOW LONG do these horrible feelings last.???
2007-03-25 11:21:05 · 6 answers · asked by barbara b 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Glad you asked. This med is terrible at coming off of. I felt like i had the flu and could not get off it. I found what was my solution: the doc put me on cymbalta and I had no trouble at all. The doc was even amazed at this and was going to use this for others. Believe me, I know what you mean. I have been trying different meds for 13 years, and they all seem to have bad withdrawels, but nothing like effexor. Now, if you want off all meds, they need to try to get you off very slowly, don't rush it; you'll be in worse shape. From what i know, effexor might be the worst to come off of, so take your time. But if you want, try the Cymbalta first, adjust to it, then have them take you off it. It will be much easier, as I haven't heard much about withdrawel symptoms with it. Good luck.
2007-03-25 11:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kyle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'd ask your doctor, he should be able to change your med to something more tolerable, Effexor for anxiety??? There are so many better tolerated medications that would have helped. I'd imagine that you will feel these effects for at least two weeks. Given the time you have been taking this medication you system is well saturated. I would actually expect the effects to last 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor should be exploring alternatives already because you are going to start experiencing the same symptoms you had before you started taking the drug. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR!!!!!!
2007-03-25 12:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barbara, I feel for you. I know people who have gone through this same kind of thing. You would think stepping the dose down would eliminate most withdrawal symtpoms, but that usually isn't the case. Have you talked to your doctor about prescribing a short-term anxiety med that can dull these symptoms? Xanax or Ativan should help with the symptoms until you get the drug out of your system. Good luck and best wishes for your upcoming surgery.
2007-03-25 11:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been told withdrawal from Effexor is very difficult. See www.crazymeds.org (possibly .net but not .com)
This site gives information gathered from users not just drug companies and researchers.
I hope you are playing it safe and are doing this under the guidance of your doctor.
2007-03-25 11:27:20 · answer #4 · answered by Karrose 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It took almost two weeks for me to finally feel like my old self after the weaning off.
2007-03-25 11:24:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call your pharmacist as he can help you with this.
2007-03-25 11:29:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋