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Thread: Antidepressant withdrawals

  1. #1
    zxcire
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    Default Antidepressant withdrawals

    So I did a search but didn't come up with much.

    I take Effexor XR and have recently been decreasing the dosage (yes, it's ok with my doctor). Well I did my last dosage decrease two weeks ago and am just now beginning to feel withdrawal symptoms: vertigo, dizziness, anorexia (loss of appetite not the ED), nausea and vivid bizarro dreams...

    I've taken many SSRIs and newer antidepressants in my years of mental health treatment...and experienced withdrawal symptoms from all of them. Cymbalta was by far the worst, with Lexapro being the easiest (in a very relative manner) to wean off of.

    I want to know if anyone here has stopped taking Effexor XR, if they had withdrawal symptoms, and if so please tell me how long it lasted. The time frame seems variable between the drugs, and I kinda want to know what I'm in for. I used to take meth to deal with the symptoms, but I've been clean for almost 5 years from that shit and obviously won't go there anymore. Dramamine is my best weapon so far...

    Help, anyone, please? If you have any input it is greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    God/dess jaizaine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    I havent taken that particular SSRI but I have been on many for years.

    Did you decrease the dosage really gradually?
    Are u sure u were ready to stop them?

    The reason I am asking this is because each time I have come off gradually, I have not experienced what u are describing. But that might just be because I was taking different medications.

    I think u should go see your doctor asap and see if what u r experiencing is normal and how long it might last.

    Sorry I cant be of more help than that. I have experienced horrible side effects from missing a dosage or stopping them all of a sudden so I definately sympathise, those symptoms are kinda worse than the initial illness sometimes.

  3. #3
    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    I take Effexor XR 150mg. I tried to take it down to 100mg and had a panic attack at the airport the next day, I became very confused and dizzy, I felt like I was lost and was going to die. I came off Paxil completely with the assistance of a doctor and a few benzos here and there, it wasn't fun either. I understand Paxil and Effexor are the worst SSRI's to come off of. I haven't tried Cymbalta or heard much about it since it hasn't been around long yet. It seems to me like the longer you take the med and the better it worked for you then the harder it is come off of it. I have heard people say that coming off Effexor is worse than coming off meth. I don't know. I plan on taking the Effexor for a while longer or at least until my life stabilizes more. If you would like to pm me and discuss it further you are welcome to do so.

  4. #4
    Banned gingerlee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    I was at the doctor on Monday, and there was a poster for Effexor on the back of the door. It described 'discontinuation' symptoms, because there were no 'withdrawal' issues. It pretty much described the problems with being dizzy, and getting confused easily, not being able to sleep, and a ton of other things.

    I agree with going to the doctor if it's not getting better.

  5. #5
    Veteran Member danijamesxxx's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    I was on 300 and went down to 150 suddenly. The only symptom I had was the sweats, withdrawal for everyone is different but I have heard withdrawal from Effexor xr is hell.... sorry to say, thats why I am scared to go off of it.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  6. #6
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    Ok, I didn't want to start an entire thread about this. But I went to my addictionologist today and he told me he doesnt' think I'm bipolar or depressive. He's going to wean me off of Seroquel too, at a comfortable pace. I'm very happy to know that I might be pharma free soon.

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  7. #7
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    Sophisticated people know one shouldn't stop an anti-d medication cold turkey. But it helps to experience "brain zaps" and dizzyness to remind yourself of this medical fact.

    (I'm on vacation and forgot to pack my albeit small daily doses. Four days in and I've started having all the classic withdrawl symptoms mentioned above. Upshot: Picking up a refilled Rx out here today.)

    Edit: Reread the OP. I am on 30mg of Cymbalta. Yup, even at this modest dose I definitely feel "off" after 4 days without it. Sucks. Word to the wise: Never go cold turkey!

  8. #8
    zxcire
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    Default Re: Antidepressant withdrawals

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    Sophisticated people know one shouldn't stop an anti-d medication cold turkey. But it helps to experience "brain zaps" and dizzyness to remind yourself of this medical fact.

    (I'm on vacation and forgot to pack my albeit small daily doses. Four days in and I've started having all the classic withdrawl symptoms mentioned above. Upshot: Picking up a refilled Rx out here today.)

    Edit: Reread the OP. I am on 30mg of Cymbalta. Yup, even at this modest dose I definitely feel "off" after 4 days without it. Sucks. Word to the wise: Never go cold turkey!
    I didn't go cold turkey, I'm tapering gradually. I still get all the symptoms of withdrawal, but they're less severe. I only stopped one med all at once... because I couldn't afford it anymore.

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