About Effexor and how to get off?

Question: Help me please. I'm trying to get off the medication Effexor and whenever I try I get the worst headaches, dizziness, and what feels like brain shocks. I landed in the hospital one time because I didn't have the money to renew my prescription. I was off the drug for 4 days. I know we aren't suppose to stop cold turkey but this, I couldn't help. I literally felt like I was losing my mind. They had me on IV meds and I got some shots. (plus a lecture on never stopping again Ugh) Now I'm freaked out about stopping. Anyone have any experience with this? Good or bad, I'd appreciate it!

Answers:
I took effexor for a while, I believe it was 300 mg per day. Eventually I checked myself into a mental health clinic where I was evaluated and kept for about 10 days. Immeadiately it was decided that I should be put on mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic meds and I stopped taking the Effexor at once. After 2 days without it I was exxperiencing the same thing you described.it was a tremendous shutdown mentally, everything was foggy (mentally) anyways, that lasted for 4 or 5 days then resided.If i was you I'd just bite the bullet and stop, but first plan for at least 5 days of inactivity.maybe look into checking into a clinic near you for evaluation while you go through the withdrawal.it could cause depression and unusual behavior

Other Answers:
While the discontinuation effects of venlafaxine have not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials, a retrospective survey of new events occurring during taper or following discontinuation revealed the following six events that occurred at an incidence of at least 5%, and for which the incidence for venlafaxine was at least twice the placebo incidence: asthenia, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea and nervousness. Therefore, it is recommended that the dosage be tapered gradually and the patient monitored (See Dosage).

Don't try it on your own.

I take 300 of effexor and you don't want to do that !

Go to the doctor and TELL him you must get off of it. perhaps there is a cheaper drug the you could use, or perhaps he would give you the sample packs so you don't have to buy it.

What ever the decision is You are in charge not the Doctor. He/She is working for you ! And if you want off of it then the Doctor should take you off

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