Does anyone know how to reduce the horrible withdrawal symptoms of Effexor XR - brain zaps, severe stomach upset, horrible obsessive thoughts that I can't push out of my head? I plan to get back on it, but changing insurance companies and doctors is making this very difficult. I'm totally out of the drug and have been trying to use Wellbutrin to help, but it doesn't really seem to. I've also started taking 5-HTP, but I'm not sure it's doing much good. I just feel like dying. Anyone with experience or suggestions? Thanks a bunch.

It took me about 3 weeks for the withdrawals to quit, but I was put on Klonopin during that time & that helped a lot. Ask your doc about a script for Klonopin. I had the brain zaps too, they are quite scary, but they do eventually go away.

Does anyone know how to reduce the horrible withdrawal symptoms of Effexor XR - brain zaps, severe stomach upset, horrible obsessive thoughts that I can't push out of my head? I plan to get back on it, but changing insurance companies and doctors is making this very difficult. I'm totally out of the drug and have been trying to use Wellbutrin to help, but it doesn't really seem to. I've also started taking 5-HTP, but I'm not sure it's doing much good. I just feel like dying. Anyone with experience or suggestions? Thanks a bunch.

Dear bothered,
See if there is a City or County Behavior Health Services in your area and explain your situiation to them if there is. They sometimes can purchase the meds for you when you are in a critical time with your disorder. Just a suggestion.

Sincerely,

Sickman :)

I came off zoloft last summer and suffered withdrawal for 9 weeks. Re-started it and the withdrawal symptoms went away within 3 or 4 days, with some going away right away. Try to get back on it.

Yeah, I'm trying to get back on it, but it's such a struggle to get my current doc to prescribe until I see my new doc. (I've moved.) Then the process of trying to get a new doc is maddening! No one is taking new patients, and I called every psych office in my new insurance plan. I finally got an appt with one, but he can't see me 'til February. It's like they want you to kill yourself.

by the way, thanks for all the advice and support. it really makes a difference.

I don't know what your insurance is like but I would call a Dr's office and explain what your going through and tell them that the withdrawals are bad and that you need a prescription to hold you over until you can get an appointment and that it is on an emergency basis. In the alternative, if the withdrawal symptoms are that bad, try going to your local emergency room. There they will give you a temporary prescription to tide you over until you can see the Dr. (Just like Sickman said).