I have been on Effexor XR for 3 yrs (along with Lamictal). I was on 350 mg for a long time, dropped to 300 about a year ago, and am now doing a reduction to 225.

Today is my first day and I feel like I got run over by a train. Jittery yet exhausted... not sure how much of the aches is becaise of this (I also have lupus), nasty headache...

I know my psychiatrist and psychologist are somewhat concerned about a manic episode, but I hurt so much I don't want to move.

How long can I expect this to last ? We don't plan another reduction any time soon, but I don't want to feel like this for weeks...

I sure could use some advice.

-Beth

Oh, Beth, I feel for you. I went off Effexor a couple of years ago 350mg, but only experienced one symptom. It felt like an electric shock to my brain every once in a while. It only lasted for a few days.

Might I suggest some tylenol or advil for the aches. I don't know if maybe some tylenol PM would help for the jitteriness or not, but it sure won't help with the exaustion.

I know I wish I were still on effexor because I have much less energy now than I used to, but without insurance I can't afford it.

You might call your pharmacist about this. They know so much more about medications than even the doctors do, since meds are their only business anyway. S/he may have some wonderful tips and/or tricks to get over the withdrawal period.

Thanks. I am using some other meds PRN to control the anxiety I am starting to feel and just hope I get feeling better.

I suspect the brain zaps are just a whole lot of fun when combined with the orthostatic hypotention I had from the Effexor to start with... I'm almost passing out with my brain zapping... YUCK.

I opted to do this over a weekend hoping it will be a little better by Monday so I can be able to think straight by then (I'm a paralegal)...

So it sounds like time is the answer with some symptomatic treatment in the meantime... I'm drinking water like a fish I'm so thirsty

Oh, yeah, water was my best friend.

So, you are getting brain zaps too? Oh, the joys of withdrawal!!

But, yes, time is the key.

You need to go off slowly and given the dose and length of time, I would suggest at least 3 to 4 weeks. Do not go off cold turkey!! I would go down by 50 to 100mg per week until dropping to the lower dose does not affect you in an adverse way. If you taper off in a month, I would consider that the minimum.