Hi Tim

You are jumping off very fast however, not everyone quiting Effexor will experience withdrawal. 78% of Effexor users will experience withdrawal. Effexor withdrawal usually starts soon after missing a dose. So hopefully you are among the lucky and will have no problem.

Do watch for any weird or violent thoughts. This is very rare but can get people in to real trouble.

ANTIDEPRESSANT WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.

1. Crying spells
2. Worsened mood
3. Low energy (fatigue, lethargy, malaise)
4. Trouble concentrating
5. Insomnia or trouble sleeping
6. Change in appetite
7. Suicidal thoughts
8. Suicide attempts
9. Anxious, nervous, tense
10. Panic attacks (racing heart, breathless)
11. Chest pain
12. Trembling, jittery,or shaking
13. Irritability
14. Agitation (restlessness, hyperactivity)
15. Impulsivity
16. Aggressiveness
17. Self-harm
18. Homicidal thoughts or urges
19. Confusion or cognitive difficulties
20. Memory problems or forgetfulness
21. Elevated mood (feeling high)
22. Mood swings
23. Manic-like reactions
24. Auditory hallucinations
25. Visual hallucinations
26. Feeling detached or unreal
27. Excessive or intense dreaming
28. Nightmares
29. Flu-like aches and pains
30. Fever
31. Sweats
32. Chills
33. Runny nose
34. Sore eyes
35. Nausea
36. Vomiting
37. Diarrhea
38. Abdominal pain or cramps
39. Stomach bloating
40. Disequilibrium
41. Spinning, swaying, lightheaded
42. Hung over or waterlogged feeling
43. Unsteady gait, poor coordination
44. Motion sickness
45. Headache
46. Tremor
47. Numbness, burning, or tingling
48. Electric zap-like sensations in the brain
49. Electric shock-like sensations in the body
50. Abnormal visual sensations
51. Ringing or other noises in the ears
52. Abnormal smells or tastes
53. Drooling or excessive saliva
54. Slurred speech
55. Blurred vision
56. Muscle cramps, stiffness, twitches
57. Feeling of restless legs
58. Uncontrollable twitching of mouth

Good luck Leslee

Hi all,

To say I have not been myself these past 6 years while on Effexor is an understatement. While I began taking this drug for a simple issue it has become a not so simple issue trying to get off this horrible drug.

Today is the 4th day of my 3rd attempt to rid myself of Effexor.

Today I feel MUCH better than the 4th day of my other two attempts.

After watching the Dr. Oz show - a segment on natural sex stimulants - I became aware of RHODIOLA ROSEA which Dr. Oz explained was not only a sexual aid but an effective nerve tonic and brain stimulant. I spent two days researching it and promptly purchased the cheapest STANDARDIZED version I could find - an expired bottle of capsules for 50% off.

So for $9 I have 60 capsules of 250mgs of Rhodiola Rosea. I took 1 capsule before food in the early AM, 1 capsule without food mid-afternoon, and 1 capsule without food early evening. I did this for 2 days and realized I had only faint withdrawl symptoms - very faint brain shivers, no nausea but I was very tired.

At the same time I began RR I also began taking 2000mg Vit C because I don't plan on taking that H1N1 shot....of course that's another thread altogether!!!

Today - my 4th day without Effexor - I began my day with 2 capsules (500mg) before food and 1 capsule mid afternoon. This evening I will take 1 capsule without food. This dosage for me is doing the job just fine.

While I am not symptom free --- I am nearly symptom free. Since this is my 3rd attempt to quit Effexor I know what the harsh reality of Effexor withdrawl is. I have had the big nasty brain shivers and feeling like I would vomit if I thought about it for any length of time --- the withdrawl symptoms were just as horrible as others have stated.

Please try this herb!! Please try RHODIOLA ROSEA. It must be the ROSEA as only this species contains the "magic bullet" that is getting me out of the pit that is Effexor.

You may want to add the Vitamin C also as I don't know if that is adding to my success.

I will continue to take this herb for it's long term benefits. Please Please Please research RHODIOLA ROSEA and you may find it is the answer to your prayers like it is to mine.

Warmest wished for a bright Effexor Free future!
Teri in San Jose, CA

It is a crap shoot Tim some folks say they get off fine. Some have issues for years due to lack of research we do not know why there is a difference. Personally I was minimally functional until the third to fouth wk off effexor then I really hit the stay in bed zone. Mind you I was already quite bad before quitting effexor serial infection vomitting ect after I quit I actually felt better for a few wks then it hit the list is almost endless and I tire of writing it. I believe the illness while on effexor was due to reaching tolerance/or a toxic build up as I had been on it for seven years something in in my body revolted and no longer fuctioned. If I had it to do over again I would skip the pill completely but I dont' I am almost 2 years off and still not back to my old self not sure that I ever will be. I have to say I am greatly improved but somehow after all this time I also see what I have lost due to being drugged and that hurts. A lot of people taper and this seems to help them I know nothing personally about this as I went cold turkey. I sure hope you don't have to go thru what I have. I suggest you take a long look at the side effects on the drug producers website read them all you will have to look up the words as they are not ment to be understood by us. or you could check the old website effexoractivist.org and tell people what you learn to hopefully save some from this fate.