I've been having anxiety issues all week and yesterday I started feeling light headed. I was concerned I might be developing heart problems because my heart wouldn't stop racing. This morning I couldn't stand it any longer and asked my DH to take me to doctor. He checked me out to make sure there are no heart problems and determined my heart is healthy. He suggested changing my meds to see if we can get the anxiety under control.

I have been taking 75 mg Effexor XR since April. I have .5 mg Xanax to take as needed. The doctor is putting me on 1 mg Xanax XR daily for a few days and Zoloft daily instead of the Effexor. I am going to decrease my daily dose of Effexor to 37.5 mg for the next two weeks and then take the Effexor every other day until withdrawal symptoms are gone and/or the Zoloft starts working.

I've read about the withdrawals of Effexor so I imagine I'll have a tough few days (or more). Is there anything else I should be aware of from the PTSD point of view?

Also, can someone explain to me what brain zaps are?

Thanks!
Sweet P

I imagine you will be telling US what brain zaps are here shortly! Sorry...just a poor attempt at humor.

When I had them it felt like my brain was kind of pumping like a heart inside my skull and each time it did there was a weird kind of electrical, tingly feeling coming through from the center of my brain. It seems I could hear this pumping going on too...I told my husband it was like I could hear the chemicals in my brain moving around or something. It kind of made me feel dizzy and lightheaded and after awhile when I turned my head it took awhile for the stuff my eyes were seeing to catch up to my head..like it had to 'reload' each image or something. NOT pleasant!

I hope you don't have to experience them for long. (((((hugs)))))

You will likely feel a whole lot worse than you do now. There is a thread by Rachel somewhere on here about her withdrawal from Effexor. Wasn't easy for her.

Brain Zaps...Hard to describe other than it feels like electrical zaps going through your brain. Not pleasant. I had them, when I came off Cymbalta.

I'm not sure how long you plan on tapering down before you switch to a new drug, but it is going to be real rough during that time frame...

I am starting Zoloft the same time I start tapering off the Effexor.

Tonight I will start with the lower dose of Effexor, the Zoloft and the Xanax XR.

SweetpinNH,

For me, the "zaps" were more like pulses and I also got them in my fingertips. It's a very very strange feeling to put into words. I suspect though, that since you are starting on the zoloft right away, that you may not have to deal with the withdrawal side effects too badly.

Good luck!

I was thinking the same thing.

you'll know the zaps when they start. feels like someone shut off the connection from the brain to the body. It's really annoying.

I suggest asking about 37.5 mg effexor for a while. I went from 150mg to 75 then to 37.5 for a month but still had withdrawals. Now I'm taking 37.5 every other day. I have gotten physically ill for withdrawing form this drug. It really sucks.

I would recommend the 37.5s and MAKE SURE YOU DON'T RUN OUT. I keep running out of the effexor that was prescribed thinking I am done with the tappering off. the withdrawels don't start untill a day or two later. some how this always falls on a weekend and I feel like crap until the pharmacy opens monday.

I've been on the new med mix for two nights now. Sleeping is great. I'm actually sleeping a full 8 hours without waking up.

How long will it take for the Effexor withdrawals to start? My last full dose (75 mgs) of Effexor was Thursday night. Friday was a great day. Yesterday was headache city. Just a nagging one that wouldn't go away all day. I'm still trying to assess how I'm feeling.

Thanks!