Posted by oceanbreeze on June 30, 2001, at 10:46:16
In reply to Re:Side effects of Effexor XR, posted by jotho on June 30, 2001, at 10:30:49
You're not alone with the "brain swooshing" side effect from Effexor. I was also on it for 10 months when it quit working. I went back to the doc and he switched me to Wellbutrin. I didn't tapper off Effexor, just switched. I'm feeling better (happier) on Wellbutrin, but the brain swooshing is horrible....kind of like it takes your brain a few seconds to catch up with every move you make.
> I took a 75 mg. capsule of Effexor XR every am since December, 2000. Yes, it took away the depression, but did nothing to help the anhedonia (so basically, if I may, it stopped me from drowning, but left me treading in the cold ocean), I could no longer take the side-effects, which were: inability to sleep (two reasons...a jumping twitch that occured in my legs as i started to rest for sleep, and a racing mind) without 'Ambien', the "heebie-jeebies" every evening, in which every surface of my body alternately began itching, and a decline in memory. I decided to get off Effexor and took my time in doing it, cutting the dosage down every week by approx. 25%. About a week ago I was down to zero pills. However, the side affects are terrible...I still have trouble falling asleep, but the worst is a 'electrical "humming" that goes on in my head...hard to describe. It's like every time i move, and at the end of each breath, I get this feeling of a mild electrical shock courseing through my neck and inside my head.
> Has anyone else had this problem? And how long does it take to clear the system of this medication. Please don't tell me it has "hardwired my brain, and that these feelings will continue,...that would truly suck! Any help in this?.....john
poster:oceanbreeze
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68481.html