i recently decided to come off of Effexor XR 150ml after taking it for 2 years. For the first month I did not Experience any anxiety however only now has it gone back somewhat to how it use to be prior to me taking this medication. I've decided to start taking it again. the doctors have advised me that I will need to start on 37.5 for 3 days and then increase to 75ml for another 3 days and them I can resume taking the 150ml.
I am currently on the 3rd day. Has anyone been through this and does anyone know how long it will take to kick in and start working?
Do you think it will take as long considering that I did take the medication before? Hope someone can help, this drug is truly amazing coming off of it I can only advocate this drug to giving me life.
Having to go back on Effexor XR ?
- Asked
- 22 Dec 2014 by patrizia-dior
- Updated
- 15 Jan 2015
- Topics
- effexor, effexor xr, anxiety
Responses (6)
Yes patrizia dior That is the hard thing about the ones like effexor i have been on and off many times in the last 15 years now i just don''t even think about it but it always comes back and bites me,,, One good thing many people do get small starting benifits nothing huge but enough to get you remembering this is how life can be... But you still have the same process of it building up your blood level again which being off its like starting again so it can be a full 4 to 8 weeks to reach the full blood level but it well and be so worth it.Chuck1957
Yes I did this. I stopped Effexor but depression returned within six months. I went back on it again. I had been taking it for five years.
I started at 75mg again increasing to 150mg which I had been on previously. It will take as long as it did the first time to feel any benefit, usually about 6 weeks, although you may feel some improvement before than, hopefully. Taking it before won't make any difference. It will be like taking in afresh.
I am in a similar situation as you. I started retaking Effexor XR after about 3 months off. My depression and anxiety returned when off. This is the second time. I don't think I will ever do that again. I was just feeling pretty good so thought I would try. I have been on 37.5 mg for 6 days and will be ramping up to 225 mg. I have seen a small benefit so far, which is encouraging. Seems to be a common theme everywhere I look for testimonials that it take 4-6 weeks. The last time I restarted, it took that long too. Still, it is encouraging to hear from others that there is hope when in this state of mind. Hang in there, it will get better with time. Please update on how you are doing.
I went through this too. When I stopped Effexor after 4 years the depression returned after 6 months, and I had to go back onto it. I found it really helped with depression and anxiety.
It is like starting again, as you say. First on the low doses, and then up to 150mg after a few weeks. It will take 6-8 weeks to really show any benefit, perhaps a bit less, but you are starting it again afresh. You will know from last time how long it took to make you feel better. It will be the same this time. It will make no difference that you took it before.

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