Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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inhishands2k14 03/02/2015

I've been on Effexor about 6 years now. I am at the lowest dosage, 37.5 mg. Effexor really helped with my anxiety and depression and rarely experience episodes of depression. I am now planning to wean off of Effexor. If there was a lower dosage than 37.5mg I would be taking it. So my Dr's. plan is to help me get off of Effexor by substituting Prozac which he said I could take for a little while and should have no problem getting off of.

I do know that when I forget to take my daily Effexor, that I start getting the brain "Zaps". To avoid this during withdrawl from Effexor

If they had a lower one, I would take it. I want to get off of the Effexor completely so my Dr. said he would help me do that by substituting Prozac for the Effexor. He said this would eliminate the "Zaps" you get in your brain when coming off Effexor. I do not want to go through any lengthy withdrawl. So I'm going to try the Prozac and quit the Effexor and if withdrawl is minimal, get off all that stuff.

Question: Has any of you had to get off of Effexor? If so, how was the withdrawl? What kind of symptoms? And did you use another medication to help you during the withdrawl period? Brain zaps???
How long did it take.
Thank you.

gramybear 03/02/2015

I think that is a good plan that your doctor has. I took Prozac for years and once you have been on it for awhile, it stays in your system for almost 2 weeks so it's easy to get off of. I had no problem whatsoever after being on it for years. Let us know how you are doing, okay? Hugs GB

spacepony 03/02/2015

How wonderful to have a doctor that understands :-) I'd go with his/her plan. I used lyrica (an anticonvulsant) to withdraw. Just so know.... However that'd be another drug to discontinue.... Good luck, and congratulations on your recovery :-)

eshaw 03/03/2015

When I came off I went into severe depression & was suicidal because I didn't gradually come off. Make sure you follow the taper so this doesn't happen to you. Prozac will probably help minimize this however. Good luck!

inhishands2k14 03/03/2015

Thank you all for your comments. Nice to know that it can be done. I feel much better about moving forward. Best wishes to all!

ElenaNJ 03/03/2015

Hi. Another person here weaned off Effexor. I was in a high dosage. I had brain zaps too and some other withdrawal symptoms including, night sweats and nightmares, however I think it is bcz of the dosage.

My doctor also weaned me off of that by substiting with serequel and lexapro I blv, and w patience it went well.

Good luck

inhishands2k14 03/06/2015

Thanks Elena. Glad you got through it ok.

Lenoire 03/06/2015

I went off of Effexor after taking it for several years. I too was on a low dosage of 75 mg. Whenever I'd miss a day, I'd get what I call the whomphs, a dizzying, groggy, woozy, congested brain sensation. I tried to wean myself off by going down to 37.5 mg daily for two months, and I still got the whomphs, here and there, due to the lower dosage. I then tried going down to every other day, whomphing throughout. I didn't want to go on anymore antidepressants so I thought, how much worse can it get, and decided to go cold turkey.

Well it was hellish, and took me about two to three months, of whomphing, before it completely went away. Some days were unbearable, and some were tolerable, all considering. But by this time, I'd become accustomed to the whomphs and wasn't about to turn back. Eating healthy meals, drinking lots of water to flush it out, and a bit of exercise helped me manage it.

I wish you well, and I hope your doctor's recommendation works for you.

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