Forum Discussion
A Cautionary Tale re Effexor
Hi Ladies,
I'm wondering if anyone else out there has had problems getting off Effexor?
My chemo brought on menopause, and I was having a terrible time with hot flushes, so my onc put me onto effexor 75mg a day. It definitely helped with the flushes.
Anyway I finished the last of my chemo/radiation and decided I wanted to get off the effexor, and to be 'drug free' for at least a while. My onc told me to just stop taking it.
My advice to anyone else on this drug is DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING IT!!!!!
I was ok for the first day, starting feeling 'off' on the second day (thought i may have been getting the flu) and by the third day was a mess! Severe headache, nausea, stabbing pains in my head, dizziness, unable to talk properly - I got such a fright I thought something terrible was wrong with me.
I contacted my onc's office, and was told to start taking the effexor again immediately, and to start weaning myself off it by taking a tablet every other day. Anyway after talking to my gp she felt even that was coming off it too quickly, and I am now taking a full tablet one day and then a half tablet every other day.
So if the only reason you are thinking of taking effexor is to help with hot flushes, think very carefully, it is a mongrel drug to get off! If I had of realised at the time, I would have tried more natural therapies and some other alternatives before starting this drug.
For anyone already taking it, I dont want to frighten you, remember everyone is different and perhaps you wont have as many problems coming off it.
Jenny
5 Replies
Wow, four to six months, at least I know that what is happening to me is normal for this drug! thanks Susan.x
- Hi there I was once on Effexor XR & it took me probably 4-6 months to wean of them bit by bit & even after stopping altogether I still experienced the electric shock waves through my body but it did eventually stop thank god! I too tried just stopping them... Big mistake! Love & Light, Susan.
Yes taking it REALLY slowly, will have a little celebration when I'm finally off it for good! Jenny
Been there, done that - just a different drug that I was using (as a last resort) for pain. When I decided to be "drug free" (still on Arimidex) I went through hell. I took the last pill on Christmas Eve - not sure how I got through but I am so pleased that I am off it. Stay with it and slowly ever slowly you will be FREE. I was never advised how strong this medicine was and it would be an issue to get off it. I suppose all we can do is whatever is needed at the time. Hand in there XLeonie
Been there, done that - just a different drug that I was using (as a last resort) for pain. When I decided to be "drug free" (still on Arimidex) I went through hell. I took the last pill on Christmas Eve - not sure how I got through but I am so pleased that I am off it. Stay with it and slowly ever slowly you will be FREE. I was never advised how strong this medicine was and it would be an issue to get off it. I suppose all we can do is whatever is needed at the time. Hand in there XLeonie
