Have been on Effexor or similar medication for 20 yrs. Condition was getting worst, doctor increased medication, finally i have decided to get off the Effexor, doctor had no comment, offered no help. Have been off the Effexor for over 1 month, and suffering various side effects. Would like to find out how long the withdrawal symptoms will last (approx.) and what part of the body will it effect besides the nervous system? Would really appreciate some information, having a pretty hard time of it and nobody to turn to.
Thanks, Vicki
How long does withdrawal symptoms from Effexor last?
Question posted by marathon on 12 Oct 2006
Last updated on 6 March 2022
This question has also been asked and answered here: Effexor withdrawal symptoms?
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33 Answers Page 3
527help
3 Aug 2009
Hi marathon.
I wish you well on this journey.
I am doing research myself on how long the withdrawal effects will last and I get different timelines, depending on how long you have been on them and dosage amount.
how are things going? are you feeling any better yet?
I'm going through it myself. on day 5 wish me luck!
Kiwi from down under
18 Sep 2016
Trusting all is well - some 5 weeks post your activity log. Best wishes - Bridget
Feeling bless 49
25 Nov 2017
I’m praying for you im on week 3. I was taking 350mg . I still feel I’m having flu symptoms and night sweats, dizziness and itchy eyes are hurting. This is hell please help me. I will never take no more of these drugs. St. John wort is working for my anixty. But never again
boo15tay04
15 June 2009
First of all you should NEVER just stop taking any antidepressant all a once.The withdrawls are horrible. You should consult your doctor about decreasing the dose gradually over a period of time. I gained almost 20lbs on Efexor. If you feel that Efexor is not working for you ask your Dr. to try you on something else. I was on Efexor for over a year and it made me worse so i asked my Dr to put me on Lexapro and it has done wonders for me. I started the Lexapro a month ago and started taking it that same day and haven't taken Efexor since that day.I haven't had any withdrawl's or side effects so far. Good Luck!!!
Porscha28
10 Nov 2016
My dr told me to stop taking this and start on Wellbutrin. I'm now going through withdrawals. I just want to know how long this is going to go on for. It will affect me going to work. Can anyone help me
Fussyhead
31 Aug 2017
I was taken off my effexor after 5/6 years and given Wellbutrin as my new medication. Once the effexor was weaned down to the smallest does the Wellbutrin made me itch... like tear my hands, feet and face off itch. So I stopped it. It's been two weeks but my head is super fuzzy. I can't really concrentrate well or think clearly. I'm REALLY hoping this subsides soon. The itching is gone.
Stella Mae
11 June 2018
Oh my gosh - I am so glad someone else said this med made you itch. My doctor told me that this med would do no such thing and accused me of getting chiggers.
We have horrible allergiesin my family and I am no exception. The most commonly used med may cause me issues and they are always a delayed reaction.
My doctor put me on this crap because I had pain my my lower back and right shoulder that we could not eliminate through manipulation nor massage. He said I was carrying my stress and anxiety in those spots. I tried to tell him I was not depressed nor did I have anxiety. He felt differently. He felt since my husband had been diagnosed with prostate cancer several months ago, I had some depression.
I am being weaned off, but it is horrible. Still itching like crazy. My head feels all fuzzy. Headache every day. Trouble sleeping. Cramping calves... Why do doctors put people in stuff like this! It seems like all they want to do is poison us. I wonder if there are any natural herbs that can help with the side affects or detox the body to eliminate them?
mpvt
13 Oct 2006
If you weaned down and took the time to lower your serum level then I would say a month.If you stopped quickly and didn't let your body change with the changes you made then sometimes it can take up to a year and worse sometimes you never feel better.Keep your doctor informed on how your doing.Good luck to you... Dave:)
Way2funny
17 Oct 2017
A month??? No way! It too me maybe 6 months or more. This is a VERY difficult drug to wean off of. I hate it when docs use to say, oh it will take a month or more, clearly they didn't have a bloody clue!
mnaussie
16 Feb 2018
So what are some of the side effects? I am not sure that I remeber the person I was prior to the motorcycle accident (landed on butt) 15 years ago. Was a kick ass, high level, take no prisoners and successful IT professional. I have made so many poor decisions over such a long period of time since then the only thing I can pin it on is the depression med. I have always been a happy person. I have been acting and feeling like a victim so I quit the Adderall, Advair and Effexor two months ago as I got fed up paying for them all. For the first time in years I feel clear headed, organized, reading people more effectively and focused as a T7 paraplegic. Frankly, feeling pretty good about decision.
Anyone have a similar experience or warning signs? I am going into new primary care next week to start fresh closer to my new home in AZ.
worlia
6 May 2018
I have been on Effexor 75mg capsules for 10 yrs, I tried tapering by taking 37.5mg alternating with 75mg every other day, still had terrible "brain zaps", then I counter the pelets inside the capsule and starting taking out 5 pelets every 2 weeks (there is approximately 75-80 pelets inside a 75mg capsule). I weaned myself off this drug in 8 months without any side effects, finally free of effexor.
Please try this method, it is time consuming but worth it.
Related topics
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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