DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.
Global Patient Feedback for Effexor XR (Venlafaxine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was on effexor xr but was gaining too much weight had dry mouth constantly and was so sensitive to sunlight,plus i started getting heart palpultation.Effexor xr did work great for my long term depression but the side effects were to dangerous for me
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-18 15:44:47
Question/Comment:
Hello! I have been taking effexor for almost a year. I have depression and also suffer with OCD.I have tried so many medications since I was 14yrs old and this has helped me so much!I'm just worried the lnoger I take it, I will become immune and it won't work anymore. Has anyone experienced this?
28 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-18 11:58:45
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Effexor for 3 years now. I started with 75mg (3mos.), then150mg (3mos.), then 300mg (6mos.). After that first year, the depression went down dramatically, so my doctor took me down to 150mg which still worked fine. After another year, I decided that I wanted to try to lower the dose again and went down to 75mg. I have been doing well with that dosage, and with continual work on other parts of my life, which have improved my depression, I am ready to try to reduce it again to 37.5mg and hopefully stop taking it alltogether this year. As you can see, over the 3 year period, even with reducing the dosage, I suffered no "immunity" to the drug. Good Luck!
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-20 19:15:23
Question/Comment:
I take Effexor XR at bedtime and within 20 minutes I am asleep and nothing can wake me for the first few hours of sleep. My husband even tried blowing a fog horn next to my ear to wake me and could not. Has anyone else experienced this?
Other then this, Effexor XR has done wonders for me.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-10 18:20:45
Member Answer/Reply:
I have never experienced this while taking this, and this is the first that I have heard of any one struggling with the sleep. I have heard of things like Seroquel that cause heavy sedation, but Effexor is new to me. Good luck.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-21 15:11:08
Member Answer/Reply:
I haven't heard of this either But, I took seroquel and that would knock me out fairly quick, I don't take it anymore.
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-27 20:35:18
Question/Comment:
I had taken Effexor for may years. I ran a moderate fever. I was diagnosed with CFIDS in 1993.
I didnt know if the fever was caused by the CFIDS or by the Effexor. I have slowly come off the effexor and replaced it with Pristique. My fever is now less frequent. Effexor helped greatly with my depression, yet the fever may have been life-threatening. I have had some help from the Pristique, and may need to wait more time to see it work as well as the Effexor.
58 year old female
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-06 15:06:05
Question/Comment:
Hi- I have been on Effexor then Effexor XR. Effexor was like a miracle for me. I tried many, many different anti-dpressants, non of which kept me from sucicidal ideation and attempts. I am bi-polar 2 which means I have more depression than mania. I also have clinical depression and a lot ot PTSD. Effexor is the only drug that helps me with the depression. I have trouble with dry mouht and heavy persperation. Because the sweating was so bad, I went on Cymbalta for about a year. That helped some but gradually found I was dealing with more depression so switched back. Strangely, the sweating is not nearly so bad. It may be that I finished menopause during that time. I really don't know. i do take other drugs to stabelize mood swings. I gained weight during all the many drugs I used so don't really know if Effexor has anything to do with it. I also lost over a 100 pounds while on Effexor with strict dieting and exercise so I know it can be done. Unfortunately, I have gained 50 punds back over the past 9 years. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and fibromylagia 2 years before I started taking Effexor. At that time I was told that I got no REM sleep.
I am 59 year old female.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-03 01:13:23
Question/Comment:
I have been on effexor for 3 months started gradually from low dose to now 150 mg.I am often dizzy and have fallen down unintentionally 3 times so far!! Big head aches but not much weight gain!! I do hear music in my head and see stuff fly by my face also!! Am i turning crazy!! Need some info people plz!! I'm 34 male!!
35 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-26 23:58:36
Member Answer/Reply:
I am a 34 year old female , and have been on Effexor Xr for 6 years. I too, started at 37.5 mg and went up to 150mgs. The 150 mgs was way too high for me. I was very dizzy on this dose and we gradually tapered down to 75mgs, where I have stayed for 5 years. Do you take any other medication with your effexor?? You are definitely not crazy....some of the side effects and trying to get you to where you feel good , and at what dosage can be quite crazy...Talk to your DR about tapering down and see if it makes a difference...Sorry, that is all I know from experience...Con
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-29 21:37:11
Member Answer/Reply:
I am 38 and have been on effexor for 2 years now at 75mg. I tried others that actually increased thoughts of suicide and such, but effexor works great with me. The only time i get dizzy and feel "weird" is when or if i forget to take it 2days straight. Other than that, i think it works great and i haven't gone through any of the side effects before.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-10 05:21:18
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on Effexor for several years and it sounds as though you are NOT good candidate for this drug and probably need to see your physician to let he/she know that you are having these side effects, as long as these started occuring after you began taking the Effexor, and change the mediciation. These can all be life threatening in different ways for you.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-10 13:23:31
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on the Effexor for about 6 months now. I started at 37.5 mg and went up to 75 mg. I also had strange things happens. I would hear noises in me head like bombs, sometimes it sounded like gunshots, and yes, sometimes music. I was diagnosed with MS about a year and a half so I talked to my Neurologist about it because I thought it may be a weird new symptom. She never heard of such a thing in any MS patient. Then I really thought I was going crazy. I knew what I was experiencing but nobody could understand what it was from. Now that you have mentioned the same thing, and I saw someone else post a similar reaction, maybe it is a strange side effect from the Effexor. I also have had no weight gain. I have had problems with losing weight. I also feel dizzy but don't think if it is from the Effexor because I have had this issue for a long time. Even if everyone else thinks you are crazy, I don't because I know what you are feeling.
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-24 12:39:48
Question/Comment:
I have been on effexor xr for 9 months. I am not entirely sure of the benefits emotionally, and have had trouble sleeping, weight loss, and intense muscle and joint pain. The pain has interfered with my running and swimming routines. I am thinking I could feel better is I could engage in my physical activities. Has anyone had the muscle and join pain I refer to? I see the effect is actually rare.
40 year old female
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-21 22:16:43
Member Answer/Reply:
I have experienced the muscle and joint pain also.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-24 08:52:17
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Effexor for about a year, with a gradually increasing dose. I have experienced weight GAIN and have noticed more muscle aches and pains. However, I attributed this due to increased LACK of exercise due to increased back and leg pain. I never thought about attributing this to Effexor as I never read this was a side effect. I have been monitoring my medication combinations more thoroughly and this web-site is very informative and helps a lot with comparison of these meds as I also take medicine for diabetes and high blood pressure. Sometimes I wonder if all these meds just make things worse. Hopefully things will level out. If I find taking a medication on my list conflicts with another med-I will ask a MEDICAL doctor or the pharmacist. Now adays, there are so many physician assistants out there prescribing medication to patients like me, and they are not really knowledgeable about the side effects or risk of medication reactions. It pays to keep yourself informed. I hope this helps.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-25 18:34:00
Member Answer/Reply:
Yes I to suffer from pain up and down my legs.Been to the doctor for xrays on both legs and lower lumbar area but no advice given yet to me for the reason why my legs hurt all the time.Been on Effexor-XR for sometime now do not know if this drug is the cause for my leg pain or not...53 male
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-28 02:24:14
Member Answer/Reply:
I, too, had joint pain but I never connected it to the Effexor XR until I stopped taking the medication. I have arthritis but the joint pain in my hip was worse than any arthritis pain I have experienced.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-28 17:08:43
Question/Comment:
I have been on Effexor for 15 years and Effexor XR since it was first introduced. Recently I went through a sleep study because of chronic fatigue. I was told that I got no REM sleep at all and that the Effexor may be to blame. I hate to try to go off the medication becase the withdrawl is so horrible. Anyone had any experience with a slow taper? I am not as worried about the mood disorder as the physical side effects that have been so bad I have not been successful in getting off the Effexor.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 15:11:50
Member Answer/Reply:
I was recently, winged off Effexor ER, I was taking 300mg a day. The med was replaced by Pristiq 100mg a day. I have been completely off the Effexor for about a week or so. I have the majority of the withdrawl side effects. I can tell you that it has not bee fun. However, I feel that I may not have had such a hard time if I didn't also have Fibromyalgia. I know if you, went to some other med to replace Effexor or not, that may be why the side effects are harder on you, if you didn't replace it with some other med.
I do wish you all the luck in the world. Cus, I pretty much know how you feel.
May God Be With You! Melody (mtart66@yahoo.com)
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-19 17:30:45
Member Answer/Reply:
I tried to taper off of the Effexor XR and the withdrawal symptoms were still awful. The dizziness and brain fog/zaps continued even when I gradually cut down the dose. I went to my doctor a few days ago and he said that, in his opinion, the best way to get off Effexor XR is to take 10 mg of Lexapro and stop taking Effexor XR. The Lexapro will help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms, and you can pretty easily taper off of Lexapro with no side effects. After 5-7 days on 10 mg of Lexapro, he told me to cut the pills in half and take 1/2 for a week. Then 1/2 for every other day, then stop.
I am still having some Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms, but they are fairly mild. The Lexapro is really helping to alleviate the headaches, fog, etc. Talk to your doctor about this approach, so far it is working out really well.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-21 00:02:47
Member Answer/Reply:
I was on it for 6 months. Then I felt that I was ready to go off of it and told my Dr. He told me how to gradually stop taking it. I didn't have any side effects while I was on it or after I stopped taking it.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-21 17:22:39
Member Answer/Reply:
I know what you mean about the withdrawls. I have been on effexor 150mg xr for about 10 years. There is no way that I can get off this med. I tried with my last 2 pregnancies, but couldn't do it. Withdrawal symptoms are too bad.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-30 15:42:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I am a 36 year old female and have been on Effexor XR for approx 6-7 years. I initially went on it after ending a 6 year relationship with my sons father. I was crying often and was told this would help me cope. I tried to taper off (with a physician's advice and schedule) and it seemed to work for a few weeks. I then started experiencing extreme irritability, headaches, fatigue, major mood swings, depression, anxiety...and the list goes on. I wish I had NEVER started taking it or at least done some major research on it first. It may have helped me emotionally for a while but looking at the side effects of trying to come off it, it would have been easier to just deal with what I was going through on my own or with counseling. I am scared to try and go off it again as I have two kids and a new relationship and the withdrawl symptoms are horrible. I don't want to put my family through that. Any suggestions?
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-02 11:36:47
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi there, I am 40 years old and how just gone off XR 75mg this is what I had been started on and I found that over the year that I've been on it I had dizzy spells, weight gain, memory loss and a deeper depression. I decided that the side effects are far worse than the depression it's self. I came off it fast but the sideeffects where so bad for me it's been over 2 weeks now and some of the physical side effects are still there, but I feel better now than what I have in a long time. I hope this helps you :-)
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-02 20:33:07
Member Answer/Reply:
Anyone had any experience with a slow taper?
I spoke with my family doctor about this personal taper. The design of the capsule enabled me to taper as follows. A capsule (150 MG.) has roughly 500 round pellets. Everyday, I hold the capsule upright inside a bowl-shaped container to collect every single pellet that accidently spills out, and I take out on purpose. Each pellet is the drug. I make sure that I account for each pellet. My principal concern is to prevent even one pellet to be injested inadvertently by a family member, other people and pets. By using a gentle twisting motion, I carefully remove the cap which has the name of drug/supplier. The bottom part of the capsule is full to its brim with pellets. I decant 50 pellets. I account for each pellet, and log their total number and this start date of the taper. I close the capsule carefully and firmly. I take this reduced dosage capsule as prescribed for the full dose by my doctor. I collect with a pair of tweezers and store each pellet in a child-proof spent prescription bottle. I clearly label it with the name of drug and date it, and store it in a safe place. Now I have a process to taper as my body allows me. I found a slow, and prolonged taper to be the best approach. In the interim, I continued to speak with my doctor on my progress and the outcome.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-10 09:56:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I've been on Effexor XR for many years. Once, I tried tapering off myself and almost 'died' from the shocks to my system. Then, with help from my doc, I tapered off VERY slowly-took months!! After some time, depression returned big time and I went back to Effexor XR, because it has worked the best for me. I'm tired, achy all the time.,,.,.but I'm not sure it's the Effexor. Also, I've gained a ton of weight. Also not sure it has anything to do with Effexor....I've also lost weight on the drug, with a lot of effort.
I also have multiple health problems which contribute to all my symptoms.
Hope this is helpful.
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-17 10:16:27
Question/Comment:
I am taking Effexor XR. I would like to know if effexor xr does cause weight gain? My family doctor wants me to lose weight but it is hard for me to do so. I have a treadmill & riding bicycle would probably help.
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-15 10:07:47
iGuard Answer/Reply:
About 5% of iGuard users have reported weight gain as a side effect of Venlafaxine. In clinical trials, weight gain was frequently reported.
Posted: 2008-11-17 10:09:19
Member Answer/Reply:
Through my doctor he had told me that it helps to lose weight. I told him because of all the other pills that I was gaining. He told me give it time that I will start losing some weight
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 08:59:58
Member Answer/Reply:
I am 24 years old and have been on effexor for 2-1/2 to 3 years. today is my 4th day of taking myself off of it. after gaining 30-35 lbs i have had enough....the worst is the belly fat. i look like i am pregnant. before taking effexor i was comftorable with my weight, i am 5'1" and weighed 125 lbs. now i am bout 160 lbs...i hate it...the withdrawls are okay so far the worst is the nausea and dizziness and shocks!! fingers crossed we including my family get through this...any suggestions on natural herbs or vitamins i can take to help with the side effects?
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-19 23:28:34
Member Answer/Reply:
Was on Effexor for 12 mo., gained 15 lbs.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-26 15:27:13
Member Answer/Reply:
I was glad to see this post as I have been on Effexor XR (300 mg daily) for over 10 years now and have struggled with weight gain which has been a significant concern to me. My physician keeps telling me Effexor XR does not cause weight gain
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-10 17:49:17
Question/Comment:
I have been on Effexor XL 150mg and Budeprion for four years. How does one know when to start coming off of these? Also, how can one figure out which drug is causing the different side effects? I have been told with my condition that I will most likely have to stay on some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of my life; which one would be the safest to stay with over a long period? I am a 54 year old female.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 04:02:05
Member Answer/Reply:
hello my name is debra and i was on efexor er and decided to get myself off with my doctors permision as i didnt want a tablet to rule my life the best way i can describe it is i was traped by these medications.as for coming of i was on the 150 mg then for two weeks went on to the 38. 5 apparantly diffent countries have diffent dosages anyway my third week of coming off am feeling so ill and i mean ill it feels like really bad posions are leaving my body so basically weened myself 2 a lower dose and am completly off its been 2 week yuk , what i experienced well really weird / flushing first few days severe vomiting and gideness and i kept having my head feel like it was being zaped but worser its not as frequent now but it still happens . also severed loss of appetite and fluid intake . also weird feelings in my body like pains in back / kidney are and out of balance my tummys in pain severe pain and i feel so tiered i slept 48 hours sraight all because of the tablets im taking valium as recomended as it helps u cope more i guess mentally and physically anyway . if u dont want to be on them discuss with doctor , ive been on other anti depressents and these are the worst for side effects as 2 coming off best thin g if u wanna come off . ween urself off heaps of fluid stay in bed and have a bucket and a fizzy mulitvitamin oh and i found sports drinks and jelly beans helped my lagging energy hope that hepls
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 17:18:10
Question/Comment:
I have been on Effexor for 8 years. It did worked miracles on me. Now I have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease. Other than possibly high cholesterol, there doesn't seem to be a reason for my problem. I read an article stating that Effexor is hard on your liver. Has anyone else experienced liver disease after taking Effexor for a prolonged period?
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-11 13:39:25
Member Answer/Reply:
Effexor in any form seems to have had no effect whatever on chronic depression. Have stopped taking it, with no ill effects at all.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 05:51:05
Member Answer/Reply:
I've taken effexor xr for over ten years and have not had any problems. Just had blood work and everything was ok. This medicine for me has been wonderful.
55 year old – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-17 18:57:06
Member Answer/Reply:
i have had hallucinations for last 6 months(i hear music playing all the time-expecially at nithtime) sorry about my spelling! I didnt want to tell my doctor because it worked so well for me espet that. i take 1 capsule a day-effexor 75 mg . i have taken it for a long time-(years)I recently i had to have knee sugery then went to a nursing home.while i was there i took hydrocordone for severe pain.i begin to have sweats,mostly at nights. i take bumex,celebrex,and plavix,a statin. could my doctor look into all my pills i take? this is not all of my medicines i take.
72 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-17 20:05:36
Member Answer/Reply:
Go see your family physician!! If you are on this many meds you need to know they are safe interacting with one another. Take your list of meds with you and go as soon as you possibly can!! I worked in a doctors office for years and am concerned for your health and safety.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-02 11:39:23
Question/Comment:
i agree i took myself off it because it made me gain over 50lbs and i was haveing a hard time sleeping and now i am up almost all night i cant sleep and i get bad headaches i am haveing a hard time looseing weight and my family says im worse without it but i dont wanna look like a 500lb pig either and i wanna be able to sleep and not deal with fear.
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-17 01:40:18
Member Answer/Reply:
My doc told me it was very dangerous to come off of this medication cold turkey. He said that a patient must be taken off gradually. Of course the dosage each individual is on plays a huge part in that. I know that on the few occasions that I have forgotten to take it I felt horrible until I could get home to take it. I don't think there is any substitute for discussing the side effects with your doc. If you don't like his/her answers seek a second opinion.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-26 22:52:47
Member Answer/Reply:
They told me it doesn't cause weight gain, but I don't believe it. I was also taking Welburtin, but I am no longer taking it and I feel much better. I do a lot of research regarding prescription drugs vs. natural. That is how I was able to stop taking the welbutrin. But I haven't lost any weight. I was already overweight and gained an additional 30 lbs. when I had my hysterectomy. Hang in there and you might want to try something natural to help you get through this.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-29 16:45:08
Member Answer/Reply:
I gained weight to, also when I forgot to take it I felt awful I mean really sick. Now what do I do? I'm afraid to stop taking it and at the same time I'm craving sweets all the time witch has resulted in weight gain..I do have to say one thing for the drug it has made me feel alot better. I guess you have to weigh the good and the bad and what is right for you.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-02 20:07:19
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on effexor 75 for over 12 years and I don't find any side effects but I wish I
could hve a few days w/0 constipation and don't know if that Effexor is the culbert or not
could you ans. that. thanks alot. Ellie in Tacoma
86 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-10 19:20:06
Member Answer/Reply:
I've had the same problem, but solved it by simply eating more bran/fiber.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-15 09:55:12
Member Answer/Reply:
I have also gained weight - 40 plus pounds and when I lose some, it always comes right back. I also have not slept through the night in years, thanks to Effexor. The other side effect that is horrible is the night sweats. I change my clothes 2-3 times a night sometimes. With all of that said, it has done a great job with my depression. After 6 years, I am switching to something new thanks to a new doctor.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 00:12:38
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi I have been taken effexor (37.5mg) for several years. I have been on antidepresent drugs fo over 40 years. I have been on over 18 different regiments during that time. I can honestly say if I have to take an antidepresent effexor is the drug of choice for me. Yes I had some side effects at first; 3 to 4 months and they reacure once in a while, but nothing like the others. Yhe last one I tried was Cybalta; (OH MY GOD) never again!!!!!!!!!! If I do have to continue using this type of med. I'l stick where I am
Hope this helps
Ed
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-25 20:31:05
Question/Comment:
I have taken Effexor XR off and on for about 4 years. IT WORKS. Sure there are side effects, but they seem to fade as you aclimate to the drug. For example, I experienced contipation and loss of sexual drive,both returned to normal.
As for stopping the drug, I always drop dose, from 150 to 75 to 37.5 to nothing. I go a couple of weeks at each level. Sometimes you experience the brain blips.
I believe this drug effects people differently, me, I love it. On the other hand Prozac makes me very sick, I tried it twice, same each time.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-05 18:29:51
Member Answer/Reply:
hi there just read your post there my husband is taking effexor for 15 months now and is just starting to come off it since monday the doctor told him to take 150mg and 75mg every alternative day but didnt say for how long reading through a few forums there seems to be alot of side effects coming off of them ,do u have any idea how long it takes to compleatly come off them thanks
49 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-22 15:01:44
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on Effexor XR 187 mg ( I know weird dose) for about 6 years, and decided it was time to take myself off. Just to see if I could do it on my own. It has to be done very slowly. I was taking 150 mg plus 37mg tablet, so With the help of my Doctor, every two weeks I dropped it down it down by only 37 mg. I am on my last week of the last 37mg. and then I am done.
I know it sounds strange, but this is a very had drug to get off of. Sleeping is really tough, haven't figured that out yet. I'm doing allot of water and juice to try and flush my system.
I went threw drug treatment 34 years ago, and I'll tell you it's allot like that, but it just makes me more determined to get off it and not go back on it. The best of luck to you.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-23 15:06:39
Member Answer/Reply:
I take a 150mg and a 75mg (225mg) I take them in the morning. I have no problem sleeping.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-06 11:39:48
Question/Comment:
i too have felt brain zaps and feel totally out of control if i dont have my medication. i cry irant i rave and generally fall apart i would love to get off this medication but after reading the blogs have deceided against it, i thought this medication was not meant to be addictive
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-02 02:17:24
Member Answer/Reply:
In my experience, also a user, who was taken off of it for a while--it isn't a matter of physical or psychological addition as much as a ramping down affect, which most of us probable felt the inverse of (a ramping up effect: slight lightheadedness/small headache) when first going on it. When I discontinued use after my first year on it, I did so by stepping down to every other day for 2 weeks then off. Felt a little heady for a couple of days after the drop off, but not bad. My physician has recommended I stay on it long term, which I concur for myself.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-09 20:12:59
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi there, I've only been on this med for 1 year but I have a bad reaction to it with weight gain, forgetfullness and alot of others too much to mention I've come off them and very happy now as the side effects where so bad. Not every body is the same but for me I"m happer. It has only been 2 weeks now but I stll have side effects.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-02 21:08:22
Question/Comment:
could you tell me of all the medicine i am on which would cause the worse constipation on earth? and i am gaining weight like crazy? some one please help?
Ps I hate every onr of them I fell like a zombie
Carolyn
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-28 18:21:30
Member Answer/Reply:
I have also had HORRIBLE constipation with Effexor XR. The constipation caused me to have a combination of hemorrhoids and fissures. I also have felt more angry and exhausted. I have been on plenty of anti-depressants and this one so far has had the worst side effects. I am switching to Cymbalta in hopes that the side effects aren't as severe.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-29 17:10:22
Member Answer/Reply:
Yes It can, Pain Meds can do it for sure I take 2000 mg a day Omega Fish oil gel caps keeps me regular and my colesterol down too! Laura
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-16 21:21:16
Question/Comment:
i want to get off the effexor. i told my dr this and he said 150 mg wasn't working so he gave me 75 mg's more. i don't cry, i feel terrible all the time. i feel i am missing out on my grandbabies, husband & girls. i am terrified of what i have read about withdrawals. can anyone help me?
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-27 05:22:10
Member Answer/Reply:
I'm not going to lie and tell you it's no problem to get off Effexor. It is HARD! I was on Effexor 150mg per day for 2 years, and I was having an acne problem. I thought it might be the Effexor, so I wanted to go off it. My doctor tapered me down over the course of one month. During that month I was dizzy all the time and just not feeling quite right. After I stopped completely, I got SO SICK! The first week I was very short tempered and yelling at everyone. The next week is when I got very sick. I spent at least a week in bed! My husband had to take time off work to care for the kids. I was throwing up, dizzy, bad headache. It was like the worst flu times 10. Then I started crying all the time and just couldn't stop. I was able to get out of bed after a while, but I was still feeling very very sick. I pretty much just layed around on the couch for a month feeling like I had the flu. I actually felt so bad I went to the ER during the 2nd week, I thought something was seriously wrong with me because I was so sick. They said it was just withdrawals & I should go back on the Effexor. I refused.
I think the really bad symptoms were about a month, then after that they slowly got better and better. It was about 2 months before I felt fairly normal. After six months, the horrible depression hit and I tried to commit suicide. I've always had bad depression problems, so this could be just because I was not on any medication for it, or it could have been a withdrawal symptom. I'm not sure which. I assume it is just because I have issues with bad depression and I wasn't on anything.
On top of that, my acne never got better, so it wasn't the Effexor after all! After 7 months being off it, I ended up right back on it again, and at DOUBLE the dose I had before! The 150mg I was taking before didn't do it for me to pull me out of the bad depression so they doubled it. It honestly was a very horrible experience.
I don't mean to scare anyone from going off this medication, it can be done, but it's no picnic. Just be sure it is what you really want to do, and not a whim or an experiement. I think you should taper down over a very long period of time. That will help, but you'll still be fairly sick once you're off completely. I'd plan on taking the 2nd week off work & making arrangements for children if you can.
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-28 12:41:20
Member Answer/Reply:
Those of us who suffer from depression should be so thankful for meds like Effexor XR. I don't know why we have to get so sick before we quit fighting the medication. I, too went off my Effexor several years ago because I was afraid it was causing digestive problems. I was ok for about a year, but then I got really sick and couldn't eat, had constant diarhea, etc. etc. Finally, my Dr. put me back on Effexor XR and when I got to 150 mg. per day, I started feeling much better. I am so thankful for the relief from depression, etc. Yes, it takes away your sexual desires, but I do it for my husband, and surprise, sometimes I enjoy it too.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-30 21:05:29
Member Answer/Reply:
I am a 36 year old female and have been on Effexor x almost 7 years. I totally can relate to your story. I too tried to go off it (slowly) and seemed okay for 2 months and the third month I started getting extremely irritable, severe mood swings, hard time with loud noises, brain blips, etc...and my poor kids, I am sure they thought I turned into some kind of monster. I don't want to put them or my boyfriend through this but I so badly want off of this drug. The side effects FAR outweigh my initial problem. Personally I feel going off of it CAUSES severe depression. I wish the best for you hopefully getting off of it one day!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-02 11:46:19
Question/Comment:
I've been on Effexor XR (150mg) for both depression and anxiety for more than two (2) years now and I can't say that I have had any side effects to mention. Although I probably wouldn't notice them if they occurred. I would like to know what "Brain Zaps" are? I've never heard that term before. Tell me more.
I take quite a few prescriptions in addition to Effexor XR.
HCTZ for high blood pressure; Methocarbamol for back muscle aches; Singulair for my COPD along with four (4) breathing treatments (nebulizer) w/Albuterol Sulfate & Ipratropium Bromide/day and Advair Discus 500/50 inhaler twice a day.
In addition I take Equate Mucus (Mucinex) relief three (3) times/day.
I've also survived three(3) cancer ops in the last two(2) years, bladder & kidney! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
57 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-25 00:50:38
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Effexor for over a year regularly now and I believe it has helped my anxiety some, though quite a few changes have occurred in my life, so it's hard to tell completely. ..The "brain zaps" I think you are talking about ,have happened to me when I have mistakenly (or even in the past see if I could do without), occurred w hen I stopped taking Effexor for a couple of days. It is a feeling of dizziness that feels almost like mild electrocution sensation in your head. It occurs to me when I sit up or stand up suddenly. I do not get giddy and fall, but it is just an annoying and somewhat scarry "buzzing" sensation and a "tight" feeling in the head. This is a common side effect of stopping this medication according to my doctor and usually abates for me within an hour or two of resuming medication. Also if I miss a dose, this may occur slightly. It is not a pleasant feeling at all for me but it is the only side effect I have had on this medicine. My dr. says if I ever stop taking this it will have to be a very slow withdrawal.
I have never had nor wanted to have to be dependent on this or any medication, but it does help for now. We will have to see what the future brings. I have found a lot of help regarding this medication and withdrawal effects in the library. Sorry, can't remember the titles now, but look it up in your library catalague.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-25 18:31:44
Member Answer/Reply:
I, too, have got those "brain zaps" before. When I was unemployed and could not afford my medication I stopped my Effexor suddenly. DON'T EVER DO THIS! I started working a construction job and was extremely scared of getting on ladders and scaffolds because of the dizziness I was experiencing from not taking the Effexor. I did not get sick, and was only off my medicine for about 1 1/2 weeks until I received a check. I promptly went and got my prescription refilled but it took about 1-2 weeks before I was feeling better.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-29 07:40:41
Member Answer/Reply:
It is so nice to know that other people in this world know what a "brain-zap" is and have experienced one. They are not nice. I too experience them if I forget to take my medication. It usually takes a couple of days and the first zap reminds me and I am fine in an hour or so of taking medication. I had the same experience detoxing from Zoloft (which was horrible). But, I do love the Effexor. It makes me feel like myself with only 75mg. I have no desire to quit taking it accept for the fact that my insurance isn't paying for it because they say I don't have a "mental" policy!!!
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-29 16:47:18
Question/Comment:
I am currently taking Celexa for my depression, and I've been taking it for about a year now. I have noticed lately that it's not working as well as it used to. Not only that, but me and my husband had sex for the 1st time in about 3 months. He is getting very ill with me. He thinks that I don't love him anymore because I don't ever want to have sex anymore. I'm never in the mood anymore. The last time we did I only did it for him. It doesn't even feel good anymore! I'm sure that it's the Celexa, but he just don't get it. I can't tell him all of this-I don't want to break his heart. I want to switch to something else but I don't know what could be better. When I don't have my Celexa, I yell at my kids all the time and everything gets on my nerves. I'm not happy at all! I don't want to be tired all the time either, because then he gets mad that I don't clean the house. Somebody please give me some ideas! I've already been on Prozac, too. It made me do things in my sleep. Like chores and taking a bath and shaving and stuff. I didn't remember going to bed. Because my brain was asleep and I wasn't!
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-11 12:07:34
Member Answer/Reply:
You need to speak to your doctor immediately. There are other drugs you can try or they can prescribe something to help your sex drive. I have the same problems on Effexor. Luckily, my husband is very understanding and there are some good products out there to help with lubrication. You might consider taking your husband with you to your doctor's appointment so that you doctor can explain to him some of the side effects and how to cope with them.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-24 04:42:11
Member Answer/Reply:
This could have been me writing your blog. I to expr. the same effects you discribed. I receatly tried celexa and Lexapo. I tried about everyone on the market. I decided a week ago to go back on Wellbutrin XR 100. I have found that it actually boots my sex drive. I am a 52 yr. old woman and have been married for 34 yrs. and my husband too was getting mad because I didn't want to have sex. He thought I had found someone else. I assured him that at the time I didn't know why I didn't want to have sex. I just didn't care anything about it. Wellbutrin isn't for everybody and you may not have the same expr. that I did, but you could ask the dr. for a trial pack and see if it works for you. Hope you get good results. Been there
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-25 10:17:36
Question/Comment:
Effexor XR made a huge difference for me. I've had years of counseling for anxiety which helped. By the time I was put on this medication, I had all the tools bt not the capability. Effexor XR made it possible for me to live my life again. I did not experience any of the side effects except slightly elevated blood pressure. Since my blood pressure was normally quite low, it now is still within the normal range.
I started on 35 mg, up to 75 mg and then up to 150 mg. I felt over medicated (lack of ability to cry... or feel much emotion) at 150 so I went back down to 75 mg. I've been there for three years now and I feel great! No excessive worry or obsession! No anxieties about going out and doing what "normal" people do everyday. No uncontrollable crying.
Effexor XR gave me my life back!
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-01 23:03:55
Question/Comment:
Between Effexor XR and Paxil....which would give me more sweating and hot flashes?
77 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-17 14:37:19
Member Answer/Reply:
Effexor will give more hot flashes. That is the only thing I ever disliked about the drug is the amount of sweating I did. For everything else though, it was a miracle. I just tried to look at it as sweating away the fat!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-17 13:02:29
Member Answer/Reply:
I take Effexor SR 150 twice daily and find that the night sweats occur five or six times monthly. I had taken Paxil prior to the Effexor but found that after taking it 5 years, it stopped working. In reading other comments, I take more than most and I guess I'm on it for life.
56 year
female
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-08 17:20:00
Question/Comment:
Hi to all that are taking anti-depressants. If you ask your doctor for free samples they might give them to you. I have a wonderful doctor that did that for the whole time I was on Effexor, or I could never afford to be on it. I went into a deep depression after I left my ex. Then my dr. introduced me to Effexor, I didn't think anything would work. Within a week i was back to riding my horse, still afraid of the beast I left. I am now off Effexor, I'm moving on. My dr. had me on 35mg then up to 75, then 150mg. Then when she weened me off, i just went to 75mg for awhile, then down to 35mg, and then I was off. I haven't had any problems. Sure I have a headache here or there, but I have always had them. I am glad I'm off. I hope I don't need them again, but if I do, I'll get free samples from my dr. So, please, check with your doctors if you can't afford them, don't go without. Just wanted to say hi to all.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-08 01:41:25
Member Answer/Reply:
Thanks for sharing your experience! All of the withdrawal stories scare the heck out of me! I'm glad your's went well! Good luck!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-28 23:02:56
Question/Comment:
I was on Effexor XR for about 2.5 years. When I would see the doctor that prescribed the drug, he would tell me that I looked very depressed and unhappy and he would increase the dose. The more he increased it, the worse I would feel. So finally I decided to wean myself off of Effexor XR. I did so successfully and now I'm without Effexor XR and feel more normal than ever. Has anyone else had this experience?
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-10 15:28:35
Member Answer/Reply:
I stopped taking Effexor XR due to the weight gain I experienced. I was given Prozac to help with withdrawal symtoms (which did not help very much). I am finally off of Effexor XR and I feel LESS anxious. I sleep better and my blood pressure is down.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-19 08:17:40
Member Answer/Reply:
I thought it was just me on the weight gain but I guess it has to be the effexor. In one breath, I want to get off it because i don't feel its making a differences anymore but then again I am scared because of the real bad side effects when I just miss taking it 1 day. I can't afford to be sick for a whole week, How long does the side effects last before you feel normal again
25 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-05 03:47:40
Member Answer/Reply:
Ok I am Female 23 not male that wrote the last rebly
25 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-05 03:48:49
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Dear iGuard User,
If there is any information in your profile that is not correct, please be sure to update your profile. You can do this by logging in to your iGuard profile and clicking on "View/Edit Profile" in the top bar.
Thank you,
Ginny
iGuard Support
Posted: 2008-09-05 10:43:18
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi all. I have been on Effexor for over 7 months now and I have a love/hate relationship with it. It completely stopped my anxiety, but now I am dizzy, I have nausea all the time, dry mouth, very anxious, weight gain (rediculous!), change in vision (had to get a whole new eye exam and presciption), trouble sleeping (nightmares). not to mention that if you miss 1 day, your whole body starts fighting against you. I get terribly ill, throwing up, disoriented, dizzy and much more. I want to get off of this med. but the side effects scare me to much. I feel lost!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-18 08:54:18
Member Answer/Reply:
You have to take less and gradually come off the Effexor. It is best to have a doctor help you come down by giving you smaller doses. If you don't need it, the smaller doses will be easy, if you do need it you can know. You are on a small dose now. It is not a habit forming drug. You can come off of it if you really want to.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-21 14:48:03
Member Answer/Reply:
I had a problem with Effexor leaving me awake alot, so I talked to my doctor and I take 75 mg every other day. This also helps the withdrawal symptoms not be so bad. (My withdrawal causes the tissue around my brain to spasm. Not painful or anything, just a little uncomfortable. It feels like my brain is spinning for a millisecond about every 5 minutes.) I was also prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep some too if my anxiety got really bad.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-24 04:40:25
Member Answer/Reply:
Female/58
The same thing happened to me. The side effects became so severe that I slowly decreased the Effexor TR and now am at 35mg. I feel almost normal. The diagnosis I received from my therapist while on it is extreme and I can not get him to see me differently, now.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-24 12:49:53
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been Effexor XR for approximately 18 mths and during this time my depression got worse became aggressive with increasing sucidal thoughts. I am coming off it slowly from 150mg per day to 37.5mg per day and already feel so much better. This drug has been detrimental to my well being. To date no side effects coming off but I am doing it under medical advice. I can only say this drug has not helped me in anyway in fact I have gone backwards in the last 18 months but now I am finally excited about my future I feel a sense of calm which I have not felt for a very long time.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-30 05:28:27
Question/Comment:
Effexor XR is a miracle drug. My doctors tried so many drugs that never worked and had horrible side effects. Once I found a doctor that was better at matching drugs to symptoms, he prescribed the Effexor. I did have a very unpleasant withdrawal experience from it once when I no longer had any insurance and had to relocate away from my regular doctor. As soon as I was able to get a new prescription of the Effexor XR and take a couple of doses, the withdrawal symptoms went away. When you read warnings about drugs like this having a "half-life," you had better believe them. I have been on Effexor for about six years now, and it has definitely kept me on a more even keel.
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-05 21:17:38
Member Answer/Reply:
I have to agree here...when I finally found Effexor, I was hitting the cess pool of life and was wanting out of it badly. My dr and I had been through so many anti-depressants over the past few years since 2001 trying to find one to match the chemical imbalance in my system. It has been a true nightmare for her and I. She watches the side effects very closely on my meds due to the fact that I have headache/migraine tendencies almost daily....thank gawd she would check those side effects at times too.
Paxil worked but I wasn't sleeping...Prozac worked for awhile and then it was like someone turned a switch in off and it just stopped. She took me to the max on it, but it didn't help. Finally she did switched me to the Effexor, but it was not soon enough...I did end up in the hospital on the 8th floor talking to a psychologist and he added Lexapro to my Effexor.
So, I am proud to say that between the Effexor and the Lexapro combo...I have also been on an even keel as well for the past 3 years now. I am not saying that I do not still have the stupid ideas now and then. I myself will always have those. BUT, at least I will just talk about them now instead of hiding them away deep inside like I have done in the past.
My thought on the fact that it may not work for some is the fact that they may need something to help it along like the way I take Lexapro. The way it was explained to me is that one works on the Sertonin levels as the other works on the others and they work as a team.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-18 16:22:04
Member Answer/Reply:
I second the "even keel" l
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-26 02:59:15
Question/Comment:
I have been off of Effexor for 2 years but still have memory problems with college courses that were not there before Effexor use. I also get hung over on 2 beers. Does anyone have any help>
26 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-05 16:01:57
Member Answer/Reply:
You need to consume antioxidants that break the blood-brain barrier. Alpha-lipoic acid is good...i believe it is found in red meat(may be wrong)...but you can take it in pill form. This will help to get that crap out of your system. Also, they say that some toxins can only escape your body by you sweating...so exercise and sweat.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-04 18:34:57
Member Answer/Reply:
You really should not be drinking while on these kinds of meds or any mds for that matter.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-10 18:27:35
Member Answer/Reply:
I found this to be one of the frustrating and difficult side effects to explain. I too would experience difficulty with memory recall. I found that I was not as quick as I used to be and that upset me. No one else noticed, but I struggled with the recall and would grope in my mind for the words that I would want to say. Even now, I find myself struggling to find the word to describe something, it could be a book on the table, or the car or everyday household items and I draw a blank. The other thing is that any alcohol would send me over too quickly. It sucked. Being young and social that glass of wine with my collegues would instantly cause me to heat up, flush, etc. I experienced the first hang over in my life ever while on Effexor XR. So I have had to severely limit my intake. I am not a regular drinker, but now I am down to wine spritzers instead of straight wine and no more than 2 glasses.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-21 15:26:30
Question/Comment:
I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AROUND 5 YEARS. IT SEEMED TO WORK FOR AWHILE BUT THEN I STARTED HAVING DEPRESSION AGAIN AND MY DOCTOR CLAIMED THE DOSE WAS TO HIGH (300MG) SO I AM ON 220 MG NOW. I AM ALSO ON XANAX AND LAMICTAL SO I DON'T KNOW IF EFFEXOR OR THE OTHER DRUGS IS WHATS WORKING. THE WORST THING ABOUT IT IS IF I MISS A DOSE. IT'S HORRIBLE!!! I GET SEVERE DIZZINESS WHICH IS ACTUALLY VERTIGO (NOT THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DIZZINESS). I START TO BECOME ANXIOUS ALSO. I HATE THAT I HAVE TO STAY ON THIS FOREVER BUT I AM SCARED OF THOSE NASTY SIDE EFFECTS THAT COME WITH WITHDRAWAL.
34 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-01 14:30:42
Member Answer/Reply:
I also have that Vertigo feeling when I forget to take mine too.....I have been wondering about it.Thank you for helping me with this.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-28 17:50:06
Member Answer/Reply:
it could possibly also be the Lamictal, i was on it and had to be taken off of it it made my manic side of my bipolar worse with racing thoughts and unable to concentrate and made my anxiety much worse, just a thought :)
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-10 21:18:33
Member Answer/Reply:
I'm also taking Lamictal for bi-polar..but I also was given Effexor only because I thought that would help me more than Lamictal..since I was on Effexor before.I do have social problems,this is why i was on Effexor before.I do have racing thoughts.hard to believe that I was told I was bi-polar...Now I don't know what to take..I had stop taking the Lamictal..and started taking Effexor...
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-19 21:36:29
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