Welcome to Connect, @lolita9 - starting and stopping a medication always bears a chance of causing problems. I tried several antidepressants, around 6, some did nothing after the 6 week trial period, one made me voraciously hungry, and another made me suicidal. I recently stopped Cymbalta because I didn't think it was having any effect on my pain. It didn't have any effect on either pain OR mood when I started taking it, and in retrospect, I should have followed my own intuition and understanding of my body and brain, and refused to continue taking it a couple of years ago. But, I did spend considerable time tapering off. I discovered that the withdrawal symptom in my case was depression. As if I wasn't already depressed enough! But, after 3 weeks of clearing it out of my system, that increase of depression dropped off, and I'm pretty much back to my regular level of depression. It helped me get through the past weeks knowing that the drop in mood was likely a withdrawal symptom.

How is the tapering process? Are you still taking some every day or have you moved on to every other day? Have you asked your doctor about something you could take to help you with the withdrawal symptoms? What helped me with my recent change was my weekly therapy session.

When I tried Effexor, and found it wasn't working, my doctor led me through the transition to Wellbutrin. I remember how hard it was for me. Having the right medication can make life way better. I understand the seeming emptiness of words, but I hope you find some strength in the words of encouragement that are being sent your way from your co-conspirators here.

Jim

Hi Jim, @jimhd

Thanks for sharing the plan you have used. It sounds very balanced!

Teresa

Hi @jimhd reading these has helped felling less alone and good that others understand the real symptoms of withdrawal.
I was on 150 mg a day when I found it not helping me anymore. I was in psycho therapy for 15 years... And was doing well, until my situation got physical n mental harmful. So I asked for something to make me think clearly. I felt I could handle going off the effexor but he took me off too suddenly. Doing 75 every other day. So I tried 75 mg a day for a week. Then I was to go every other day. That brings me to yesterday. One day without n and the symptoms came back fearce.
So doctor said to alternate 75 and 37.5 every other day.
I'll have to see how that goes. But honestly I'm terrified not to take it. I have my job and a grandchild to look after. I can't afford to be laid up in bed. Thank you for listening.

@lolita9 - I'm glad to hear your doctor is working with you on tapering. Don't worry about what she thinks about you. You know yourself best. Take your time. There's no hurry, unless it means a delay in starting a new replacement med. Most of my doctors have given me latitude in deciding exactly how slowly I will taper. They haven't pressured me. Of course, they give guidelines, and usually I can follow them. But we may all be created equal, but not identical. Now, aren't you glad you're not identical to me? If not, take it from me, you should be.

It won't be very long until you'll be able to look back on this, glad you're not still in the middle of it. What do you see as a good outcome? My memory is lousy, but it seems to be telling me that you're going to move to Wellbutrin. Are you starting to taper on the next one yet? I trust that it will serve you well.

Jim

Hi, @lolita9 -- just wanted to check in with you and see how your taper off of Effexor is going?

Hi @lisalucier and @jimhd , I had alot going on with my Mom having emergency surgery at 91, so I have not been able to reply. She's recovering nicely :).
I did continue to taper off at 37.5 mg for a week until I was back home to talk with my Doctor. After my pleading for my dosage to be reduced further, he put me on 25 mg twice a day for two weeks. I'm in my second week. Then I'm suppose to go to 25 mg a day for a week them stop (if I can). With another follow up appointment on 12/14.
I have not had any of the brain zaps in the last week however, my nightmares do continue, and I'm sleepy all the time. He did say he may refer me to a psychiatrist to help with the tapering off should I continue to have serious side effects. I said I'll do whatever it takes. The brain zaps, nauseau, vomitting, vertigo was just horrible and I told him I had never had side effects like that. He also recommended I may go on Prozac or Zoloft, which I've taken in the past, to help with the depression if it continues.
Honestly, I feel better knowing that soon I'll be off the Effexor XR. The fear is real. To those that wish to get off, do not give up!
Blessings to everyone.

@lisalucier and @jimhd I also want to add that I've started talking Omega 3 & multivitamin that I've heard helps. I also take 200 mg of L-Theanine. Its something I've used for years to quiet my mind to help me sleep. It also relieves the anxiety without any side affects. Just thought I'd share that too.

@lolita9 - I'm glad to hear that you're taking things slowly. If you're considering trying Prozac, or whatever, it could help a lot with the side effects of getting off Effexor if you'd overlap tapering off the Effexor and tapering on to the antidepressant you plan to try. It helped me avoid the side effects, and I read someone else in this discussion suggest doing the overlapping.

Whatever you do, I hope you find the best treatment.

Jim

Just an update... I've been on the 25mg a day and have found that the depression is setting back in. It always affects me more during holidays and celebrations of any kind bring on anxiety. I just had to force myself to breathe literally every minute, and at times go and hide. I'd look in the mirror and saw I looked normal. No symptoms visible, so back to life I went. One day at a time. Can't wait to Monday to call my doctor about putting me on Prozac or something. My heart pounds every afternoon. I do take the multi vitamins Omega 3... But the l-theanine really helps with the anxiety n depression. It helps me within 20_30 minutes, I feel normal.
My last dose of 25 mg is this Wednesday, I'm really dreading and looking forward to Thursday, my first day without effexor... I hope none of the brain zaps come back. Or dizziness etc. Looking forward to not having to take this awful medicine

Thanks, @lolita9, for updating us. Please do keep us posted on how it goes when you are no longer taking the Effexor. Hoping for you it will go smoothly and that your depressive symptoms will subside.