Moving from Paxil to Effexor

Spencer709 · Post by **Spencer709** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:20 am

So...I have been on Paxil for 5 years and have finally moved to something I hope will be better, Effexor (37.5 mg right now). The Paxil has been from 20mg to 60mg over the past 5 years. So, I am now on day 4 without paxil and on Effexor and I think I am having some withdrawal. My dreams are very lucid, and frightening; and now I have a headache, and feel like I have a bad flu; very dizzy. Is this normal? How long before this goes away?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:05 am

Hi So sorry you are feeling like this. Effexor was my first AD and I was very ill...nausea, dizziness, tired, and remember just being horizontal for 6 weeks. I could only eat oranges and jello and the smell of any other foods made me worse with the nausea and gagging. Everyone is different and the pharmacist told me to expect feeling yukky anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks or more. I stayed on it for 2 years. Tried a couple more AD's then Paxil was my last. I just went off Paxil about 9 weeks ago now...close enough. I was on 40mg a day at that time. I'm currently not using any drugs and I did have withdrawal from the Paxil and still do the odd time but not often or severe. I wish you so much luck and just try to hang in and ride it out. If you get really bad and are concerned you should at least talk to your pharmacist about the symptoms. If you can just rest or sleep then do so...it helps.

Best Wishes for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:49 am

I have been on Effexor 75mg for over 10 years and in the beginning I had just what you described along with nightmares and weird body symtoms. They will go away but it took me about 3 weeks before I felt better. My problem now is that I think I need another type of med to help me with depression that seems to keep creeping up on me more and more. I couldn't do more than 75 mg ER, because it makes me too anxious. Hang in there Spencer, I hope it works well for you. By the way, I had breast cancer 11 years ago, and my doctor switched me from Zoloft at that time, because Effexor helps with hot flashes. Feel better soon, Bonnie