Hey!

 

I began taking Effexor XR, from 37.5mg all the way to 150mg, and finally, from 150mg to 0mg on September 2025.

 

Just 3 days of taper to 75mg, I had no idea of just how severe and dangerous the withdrawal process was.

 

I experienced withdrawal symptoms right away, brain zaps being the most prevalent and severe symptom, for around 2 months.

 

3 months later (January 2026) I get prescribed Wellbutrin, which caused an extreme reaction, nothing like I have ever experienced, not even close, I had to stop taking it after just 2 weeks.

 

Fast forward to now, and about a month after the Wellbutrin thing (Early March 2026) I am still experiencing these symptoms (minus the stimulant effect of the medication), there has been no recovery at all.

 

The symptoms I'm experiencing are:

1. Extreme agitation that causes shortness of breath, this agitation persists all the time, with varying levels of intensity
2. Inability to have naps
3. Elevated heart rate
4. Headaches
5. Waking up at odd hours, like 3 or 5 AM with brain zaps, sensory overload.
6. Insomnia
7. Anxiety
8. State of fight or flight
9. Severe crying spells
10. Obsessive, catastrophic and doom-like thoughts
11. Occasional mood swings

 

Certainly the worst days of my life.

 

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind.

 

 

The taper you've done, while not entirely clear to me, was very fast and this is highly likely to be what caused the significant withdrawal symptoms that you are experiencing.

 

I'm not sure how much reading or research you've done on this, but at a month after reacting adversely to a further drug it is still very early days and there is plenty of precedent for recovery in time, however it can be a lot more time than anyone would want.

 

Are you able to somewhat function in your daily life around these symptoms or is this not possible now?

 

I hope that you'll find this place to be a supportive community- you'll find many here who are in a similar situation to you and I hope that brings you some comfort.

Indeed, I was suggested to just go from 150mg to 75mg for three days, and then 0. 

 

I am able to function, it's just significantly harder to do so.

 

The hardest part is faking to family, friends and co-workers that I'm OK, even though I'm on the verge of crying most of the time.

 

Some of my friends and family do know what I'm going through, but can't understand the severity of my symptoms.

 

Certainly I'm glad that there's this community now that SA is read-only!

11 hours ago, canning794 said:

Indeed, I was suggested to just go from 150mg to 75mg for three days, and then 0. 

 

That's incredibly fast. It is effectively a cold turkey.

  

11 hours ago, canning794 said:

I am able to function, it's just significantly harder to do so.

 

Although it's very difficult, this is good considering what's happened.

 

For many, it does improve in time, all you can do is the best you can do carry on whilst this happens.

Hi @canning794

 

Welcome to the forum,

 

Im sorry to read about your VERY fast taper from Venlafaxine.

 

It is so common for doctors to try to treat WD with more drugs, and as you found out this doesn't work.

 

Healing can take a long time, is non linear and happens in waves and windows:

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

"Is it always going to be like this?"

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

What is happening in your brain?

 

Sleep problems are a common issue with these drugs:

 

Sleep in WD

Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

Melatonin for sleep

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

One option is to try reinstatement. Im not suggesting you should. I just wanted you to be aware of it.

It is best to reinstate as soon as possible. You are quite far out now, so that is the main thing to bare in mind.

 

Here is some more information which you might want to read: 

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

Staying put and not reinstating is a completely reasonable thing to do. In time the body heals and yours will too. 

 

Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome)

Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

"Is it always going to be like this?"

 

Have a look at these links which you might find useful to help you in recovery. 

 

Acceptance is key

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

"Change the channel" - dealing with cognitive symptoms

 

Speak soon,

 

Chippy