effexor

echoica
echoica Posts: 339 Member
edited November 12 in Motivation and Support
Hiya anyone here on effexor? What do you think of it...the good and bad please! Thanks :)
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Replies

  • echoica
    echoica Posts: 339 Member
    Bump :flowerforyou:
  • echoica
    echoica Posts: 339 Member
    Bump again? No one?
  • jayne_mel
    jayne_mel Posts: 173 Member
    I was put on it while I was inthe hospital. I didn't notice any change on it. It was horrid to come off of though. Apparently it's the worst one because of it's half life.
  • Stoonloveskeith
    Stoonloveskeith Posts: 46 Member
    Had tried it but it just didn't make me feel normal, slept ALL the time and was so hard to get off of and I found it very expensive. I chose different options because of these things.
  • returntorural
    returntorural Posts: 339 Member
    I was on it for some time a few years ago. It didn't help much and the withdrawal symptoms are THE WORST. Could be different for everyone, though.
  • TriciaAllen7251
    TriciaAllen7251 Posts: 283 Member
    I am on it. Love it. I take 150 a day and it really helps. Don't think I could do it all without it.
  • Dulcislim
    Dulcislim Posts: 9
    It was helpful when I was put on it 10 years ago. I have tried multiple times to stop taking it and I can't deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

    I would not start taking Effexor unless several other meds that didn't work. I wish I had never started it.
  • radosti1
    radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
    I was on it for 10 months. Packed on the pounds (about 30 lbs), felt like my head was stuffed with cotton instead of brains. I kept forgetting words and stuff like that (which is bad because I do a lot of public speaking). When I finally decided to quit the stuff, it was a nightmare. Even with slow weaning, I was dizzy and had vertigo all the time for weeks. When I finally did get myself off of it, it was like waking up for the first time. Everything was clear, my head was on right, my body was my own! Losing that weight was tough. It has been 10 years since I've been on that stuff and I was never tempted to go back on it again.
  • Asces
    Asces Posts: 119 Member
    I was prescribed it about a month ago but still have not filled the prescription. I have seen so many horror stories about how this medication makes problems worse and how difficult it is to come off of. The "brain zaps" people describe really scare me.

    I need to do something for my anxiety that has gotten way out of control, but I am not sure this is the answer?

    I would love more info and hopefully some positive reviews.
  • Asces
    Asces Posts: 119 Member
    Bumping on up ....
  • elysianashes
    elysianashes Posts: 100
    I've been on Effexor for about 6 or 7 years I think? I have problems with blowing through seratonin too quickly and I get irritable and moody fast. When I'm not taking it, I spiral really easily. Something goes wrong, and I can't stop thinking about how awful it is, and next thing I know I'm sobbing uncontrollably or screaming at my husband. The Effexor has done away with those mood swings almost entirely.

    My psych originally put me on Lexapro, which made my libido plummet; then they put me on a combo of Wellbutrin and Xanax, which turned me into a zombie - similar to radosti's experience with Effexor. I would sit and stare at my computer at work until someone tapped my shoulder, and I remember having no moods whatsoever. I felt nothing. They finally put me on Effexor and I noticed a change immediately. I have since tried going off it several times since we wanted to find out if I was able to control my mood swings on my own, and each time was a disaster. Now I'm happy to take it every day, it makes me feel like a normal human being!

    It definitely has nasty withdrawal symptoms though - nausea, dizziness, irritability. If you have to go off it for any reason, do it EXTREMELY slowly - over the course of two weeks to a month even.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I was on effexor xr for 4 years for GAD. I have to admit that it did help me get my anxiety and panic attacks under control. BUT.......it has vicious withdrawal symptoms:noway: After several failed attempts in the past to get off this medication I'm finally trying again. Took my last pill this past Saturday. Although I'm having 'brain zaps and shivers' (google it, it's a very common withdrawal symptom)...I'm a bit dizzy and off balance and have had some nausea...I think I'm going to make it this time!!

    Bottom line....I would only take this medication if nothing else seems to be helping...the withdrawal is a *****!!
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I am glad I didnt know all the bad side effects before I started taking it.
    I took it for one year. It helped a lot. I had no negative side effects at all. After a year I felt I didnt need it any more and went off with no problems.
  • utvolsfan74
    utvolsfan74 Posts: 45 Member
    I was put on it while I was inthe hospital. I didn't notice any change on it. It was horrid to come off of though. Apparently it's the worst one because of it's half life.

    I agree. I wouldn't go on effexor if you can help it. I would find another one if you can!!!!
  • BlueIdyll
    BlueIdyll Posts: 9 Member
    I'm taking it right now, and I absolutely love what it's done for me. Less anxiety, I'm not embarrassed as easily, and my moods are much more stable. I'm also less nit-picky, and my roommates have noticed that I'm much more social. I can agree that the withdrawal is a *****. I once forgot to take it one day and I had really bad vertigo and dizziness. Took the pill and all was well again. I'm pretty sure you're supposed to go off of effexor only after consulting with a doctor so that they can aid you with the withdrawal, so if you do decide to try it but don't like it, ask your doc for help before you just decide to quit taking it.
  • weisegirl1119
    weisegirl1119 Posts: 122 Member
    I was put on it while I was inthe hospital. I didn't notice any change on it. It was horrid to come off of though. Apparently it's the worst one because of it's half life.

    I agree. I wouldn't go on effexor if you can help it. I would find another one if you can!!!!
    Can someone explain to me what you mean by the half life of a drug?
  • CNYKrista
    CNYKrista Posts: 61
    I recommend Lexapro. Been on it over 8 years now.
  • cino2684
    cino2684 Posts: 26
    I was on Effexor and gained quite a bit of weight. Stopped taking it and dropped 15lbs. It was the worst antidepressant for gaining weight for me.
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    Effexor was TERRIBLE when I was on it. Gained a little weight. I'd either be bouncing off the walls or wanting to sleep all day.
    I take welbutrin now. It's amazing... No complaints at all!
  • CNYKrista
    CNYKrista Posts: 61
    Lexapro is better also because their are only two dosages- 10mg or 20mg no playing around until they get it right. My mom is a Nurse Practitioner and has told me it has one of the highest effect rates. I feel normal and haven't had a panic attack in 8 years.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    Effexor saved my life. I tried other meds and they did not work as well. The withdrawal is awful, but for me it is worth it.
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    I was put on it while I was inthe hospital. I didn't notice any change on it. It was horrid to come off of though. Apparently it's the worst one because of it's half life.

    I have been on and off it for years. I gotta second what this person said about the half life-coming off of Effexor is the worst part. The medication itself was fine-it helped with my depression and anxiety. I did not have any side effects. But when I wanted to come off of it, I felt really sick, body aches, racing heartbeat, brain "zaps". Even trying to wean myself slowly didn't make the discontinuation effects stop. I finally got off of it by taking Prozac at the same time, which has a long half life, and then stopping the Effexor with the prozac in my system.

    BTW, to the poster who asked-half life refers to how long it takes for the medication to be metabolized and break down by one half. The longer the half life, the longer the dose stays in your system and gradually drops off. With Effexor, it has one of the shortest half lives, which is why discontinuation effects like mentioned above happen, usually within a day of missing a dose. Paxil is another one notorious for short half-life. Longer half-lives, like Prozac and I believe Lexapro, have less discontinuation effects.
  • nnapieralski
    nnapieralski Posts: 132 Member
    I'm bi-polar and have been on meds for 13 years now. I did Effexor a few times and didn't have too many problems with it. It totally killed my sex drive though, which is problem enough!!
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I used it for a while, but it just didn't control my symptoms. Had no trouble getting off it either. Just moved on to the next drug! (In this case Welbutrin, and that was miserable!) It's good for those that have the right set of symptoms, but it just did nothing for me at all.
  • thelassiemickyjames
    thelassiemickyjames Posts: 197
    What is it?
  • fj211
    fj211 Posts: 95
    I was on it for a year and a half after my son was born ( postpartum depression) . The folks stating that the withdrawal symptoms are bad are spot on. Even coming off of it under a doctor's care is awful--misery even.
    Those years are a fog to me now and I regret taking it.
  • Fit4_Life
    Fit4_Life Posts: 828 Member
    I was taking Effexor 7 years ago. Personally, I wouldn't recommend taking it. I literally had to wean myself off of it. Side effects were making me really dizzy and stomach aches. It didn't help me at all.
  • Fit4_Life
    Fit4_Life Posts: 828 Member
    What is it?

    anti-depressant pills.
  • wickedcricket
    wickedcricket Posts: 1,246 Member
    Effexor works for some ppl and not others. My dr tried effexor on me- it helped my depression but with one side effect I could not live with - I had NO moods. no ups, no downs I was just flat and that's not who I am. Paxil worked better for me- I still have moods, just not dramatic swings
  • egiakatt
    egiakatt Posts: 90 Member
    I took it for four years. If I was even an hour late taking it I had brain shocks and my vision was bad. Getting off of it was HORRIBLE. I was less depressed but the side effects were bad. If you can get something else I suggest that you do. I take Zoloft and it has helped me and no side effects. All of our brains are different and recieve drugs differently. I wish you the best.
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