How long do Effexor withdrawal symptoms last?

I just read the thread of responses to this question. I have been experiencing similar withdrawal symptoms to a lot of the ones described here. The symptoms in my case are cyclical in that a period of worsening symptoms is followed by a period of improvement as the symptoms gradually diminish over a few such cycles.

IMPORTANT! I stumbled upon a solution to withdrawal symptoms, especially the brain lag, dizzy feeling... Flonase, the antihistamine inhaler.
I had used it once after forgetting my dose of Effexor, and noticed there was no withdrawal weirdness happening. My daughter recently came off the Effexor suddenly, when changing meds, she had acute withdrawal symptoms, she used the Flonase nasal mist, and it worked! No dizzy or brain lag.
I don't know the science behind it, but it should be looked at as a possible treatment for the awful withdrawal symptoms.

I started weaning 9 weeks ago. Completely off for 2 weeks. Experienced all the same symptoms mentioned here. I continue to use Gravol to ease nausea. It decreases the dizziness but not completely. Dizziness is ridiculously difficult, close to fainting, sometimes interfering with my eyesight. I'm extremely upset about the weight gain and water retention! I've gained approximately 30 pounds and very uncomfortable. Exercise is not helping at all. I am praying it will diminish over time. My emotions are definitely back full force but prefer that to being a zombie with no motivation. I feel as though I'm waking up and cherish my emotions now. It's a heel if a fight but I vow to win. No matter how much depression or anxiety, I will never take Effexor or anything like it again. There are better ways to deal than to be a slave to this drug!

After 5yrs on meds, with the last 3yrs including Effexor XR amongst others, I finally realised it was the drugs that were making me feel depressed and mentally/emotionally numb. This realisation came too late to save my career, marriage or sanity (all of which I lost in the last 3 years) but better late than never I guess

I had been taking Effexor ER(75mg) for 3 months, it cause me to have very high blood pressure, excessive sweating, and extreme anxiety. My doc told me to slowly taper off so I did... well we are on day 7 of none and I feel as if I am being shocked everything that I move, I feel confused, I am very tired, dizzy and lastly having terrible balance issues. I just want to know when this feeling will end I have 4 childrwn to take care of and I can barely clean my house I have been sitting on the couch not moving for three days and I still feel horrible. If any of you have found something to help with the withdrawal symptoms I would greatly appreciate advice! I hope that this will go away soon.

I've been reading the posts here and thank goodness for these types of things so that we can find out we are not alone in what can be a lonely process.
I have been on many antidepressants of all types and stripes over many years and it just reaches a point where I get tired of being on meds. I began weaning myself off of effexor but probably didn't do it slowly enough and this past week has been brutal but am optimistic that I will get back to normal soon. The brain 'zaps' are horrible and the night sweats have been terrible. Work has been a challenge with having very little patience. I took today off because I was feeling nauseated on the way in and turned around and tried to sleep most of the day. Really hoping all these awful withdrawal symptoms dissipate very soon. I will try the turmeric that someone suggested. Would rather find something naturally sourced if at all possible. It was so embarrassing when my eye doctor was fitting me for contacts and made a comment about the size of my pupils..

Finally someone gets it. I thought i was feeling crazy!!! I am 20 years old. I take effexor for severe depression and anxiety.
I started taking this 3 months ago. I take a high dosage. And my doctor did not tell me about the withdrawals until just last week. The tremors or shocks that run through my body they are so extreme. I dont know what to do. I read alot of the comments. I am scared of this medicine and already want to get off. I dont feel good at all taking it. But how??? The withdrawal for one day is too strong. And it scares me. What do i do? On top of that how do i work woth the withdrawals i cant just up and quit. Or tell my work place about this.

It takes a while to get rid of the shocks you feel sometimes and as you stated the delays. I thought that I was never going to be able to get off of it but I weened myself off of them very slowly and even after I was done, I would occasionally feel the shocks. I would just try and calm myself down and basically "think good thoughts'. I also started going to the gym and noticed a huge difference. If that doesn't work, I have heard that medical grade marijuana works for take the edge off as well. Just remember it is possible.

I have been off effexor 150 mg for 5 weeks. The withdrawal symptoms were a living hell. Day 5 was the worst. Developed brain zaps week 2 off it. Exercise (walking) helped. Week 5, night sweats, brain zaps and extreme irritability returned. I am at the start of week 6. No night sweats and irritability seems better. Brain zaps are still here

It's been almost 6 months since my last comment on this post. Withdrawals are still here. Brain zapping especially in the mornings. Confusion. Not constant like in the beginning but it is still an every day occurrence. I thought 6 months ago there was a light at the end of the tunnel because of the improvement but it seemed to come to a halt and this is where it is leaving me. Hard to believe that only taking Effexor for a couple of months can have such adverse effects when stopping it. When it alters your serotonin levels is that permanent? I have had DRs say it is temporary or try to say the zapping is caused by something else. My Dr prescribed me low dosage busbar... not sure exactly what it is for but it doesn't do anything. Effexor is a horrible drug... the side effects while on it was unbearable, the constant over heating, sweating, nausea, headaches... withdrawals are worse. I'm still hopeful that I will be normal again one day.

I too have been without health insurance for a week for the first time in 28 years. I'm completely out of Venlafaxine 75mg. for the fourth day. My doctor was giving it to me for menopause (hot flashes), not I'm sweating like you know. Thank you everyone for the posts it has helped me know what is going on with me. I have been dizzy, nauseous, short-tempered, and yes a little confused. I did go see my doctor today and we decided not to put me back on it because of my blood pressure. I didn't see a post to tell me how long this would last? My doctor didn't know she told me if it get to bad to call her.

All of these comments are extremely helpful--thank you all for posting them. I too have been weaning myself off of Effexor and have been experiencing all of the same symptoms save one... heart palpitations. Has anyone else besides me been getting heart palpitations?

Hi. I saw your comment and can totally relate. I have been on Effexor for the past few years and had somehow got to a dose of 150mg per day. I don't believe that was necessary at all. Anyway I decided to come off it when I realized Effexor was the reason for my excessive weight gain and constant fatigue. I weaned down over a month, starting mid December. I had some withdrawals during that process but absolute worst since stopping completely about 5 weeks ago. Im still experiencing withdrawals and every day I feel some combination of nausea/vomiting, hot and cold sweats and depression / low mood. I am so damn sick of being sick. How much longer will it take? I want to hear from those who have come off and no longer have withdrawals. Oh and how long til you were able to get your metabolism back to normal and drop weight? Im working out hard and eating healthy hoping to drop the 20kg that Effexor stacked on! Thanks