Venlafaxine/Effexor XR

Venlafaxine is a helluva a drug. Are all SNRIs as physically addicting? im on a high dosage--300mgs--and if i forget to take it I am literally incapacitated. Like a zombie I can't get up. The DREAMS are insane. I've always had vivid dreams but this is other world crazy. also, wtf is with the brain zaps. been on for at least 7 years, and I don't see myself ever being able to taper off. Similar/ different experiences?? I still get depressed, it's much less powerful though i think.

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with the venlafaxine. Are you considering a different med?

The withdrawals are terrible when coming off Effexor. I've heard of some people counting out the individual beads in their capsule and reducing it by a few at a time. The drug has a very short half-life which is why the brain zaps and such happen so quick if you've missed a dose.

I was also on a very high dose (450mg, which I've since learned is rare) but had to come off it cold turkey because I had no money. That time period is mostly blacked out. It did get better though, and eventually all the residual effects went away.

If you want to stop taking the Effexor try talking to your doctor about other options first. You'll want to cover your bases to make sure you don't fall into a severe depression. If you & your doctor decide to wean off the Effexor, your pharmacist will have a good idea of how to taper down the dose so that it's the least painful to you.

I don't think anything I've taken is quite as addictive but I've only been of age for a year or so, so my experience with drugs was limited to what I was allowed to have.

I haven't had the weird brain shock since my dose is steady, but it was one of the most annoying things ever.

I have a problem with taking my pills the same time every day, and the rare days when I forget are sort of brutal. My dose isn't as high as yours so my withdrawals aren't as bad, but I end up feeling physically sick and can't sleep at all. When I finally got sleep last time, I thought I was dead when I woke up.

I can't speak for dreams. I've had some pretty wicked dreams that may be considered night terrors, but I can't remember if it was before or after I started the meds. It's all a blur to me these days.




One thing you didn't mention and maybe it's because you have a higher dose. Even though it is the XR, I ALWAYS end up depressed late at night, almost like it wore off or something.

oh the hell of that drug...however, SNRIs are the only thing that make me whole. i was first of effexor then quit, because everything was so sunshine and rainbows i thought i could. WRONG. that was my blackout month. when i went back to get on again pristiq had just come out. it's like effexor's cousin without all of the crazy side effects: zaps, vivid dreams and night sweats. i heart it...it's just $$$$.