I was on Effexor XL 150mg 2x a day for 33 years. I tapered myself off August of 2019. It was horrible. I still to this day I have side effects from the Effexor XL, brain zaps. Scary as hell. There are times I swear I can feel my blood flow through my veins. The erry feeling through my skin and body, are horrific, cringing of my spine, I get side tracked like a toddler - it's like my brain is a disorganized filing cabinet. It's frustrating on a daily basis, still today with withdrawal systems. When I was taking it, I had to take at same time every single day. Even when just 15 minutes of past time of due to take it, the withdrawal system's started. Dreams and thoughts were and still are a mystery and scares me.My thoughts when I'm in a store or where ever around people, are unexplainable and I have not and will not ever tell anyone what it is. It terrifies me, so no, I would never ever recommend this to anyone.
Long term effects of Effexor XL?
Question posted by Rae714 on 27 July 2022
Last updated on 27 July 2022 by WildcatVet
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Answers
Hi, Rae!
I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time with Effexor. I took it too for many, many years and never had any adverse reactions. Even when I had to stop cold turkey due to an unrelated medical condition I didn't even have any discontinuation symptoms.
I think this is true for most people but obviously not for everyone because every individual has a different experience with medications.
Again, I'm sorry that you're having these terrible problems and I hope you can get to feeling better.
Related topics
effexor, side effect, brain, brain zap
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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