Effexor Withdrawal?

[JenBKR]

I'd ask your doctor about taking one pill (150 mg) every other day. Meds have something called a "half life." By taking 150 mg every other day, you could have wild cycles of high dose down to no dose in your system, and feel really rotten. Taking 150 mg every other day may not have the same effect as splitting the pills in half and taking half every day.

That's true - what I did was take 150 mg one day, then 75 the next for a little while, then down to 75 mg/day. It's a much easier transition.

[.sarah]

I was fainting while on Effexor. My doctor didn't think it was the medicine but my mom did so she tapered me off and as soon as I was done with it the fainting stopped.

I also have vertigo and brain zaps, but they aren't related to the medicine as far as I can tell. I've had them since I was little.

[moosmom]

I've been on Effexor (nasty stuff) and Wellbutrin. Effexor is NOT to be stopped cold turkey. The withdrawal is awful. Causes vertigo, nausea, vomiting, headaches. Wellbutrin (or as Catty1 put it "Hellbutrin) caused me to have suicidal thoughts. Like Catty1 said, everyone's system is different. Some people can take Wellbutrin with little or no side effects.

I'd tell your mom to get a second opinion on the meds. There HAS to be something she can take that will help her wean her Effexor meds.

I am currently on Paxil CR, 27.5 mgs/day and doing fine.

Good luck and keep us posted.