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Thread: effexor

  1. #1
    Veteran Member mia_bella's Avatar
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    Sad effexor

    Hey everyone,

    I just want opinions.

    Has anyone here/is anyone here on effexor, what were your side effects like, and if you stopped taking it, how bad was the discontinuation syndrome?

    I studied it for a while back when I was doing pharmacology and I know a fair few people who have taken it, and I know people who have piled on the weight, other's who got a bit pudgy, but all say trying to stop taking it was impossible. Some took up to 2 years to completely wean themselves off it.

    I've hit a brick wall. My meds aren't working anymore, and we need to find something before my fantasies of jumping out the window at my office job becomes something I can't resist.

    But with everything that's messed up in my head, something that makes me gain weight and feel detached (what I've had with other meds) isn't going to improve my mood because the side effects themselves will make me more depressed. And if it doesn't suit me and I can't get off them, well that's just not ideal either.

    So has anyone had any experience with it? (I don't have wellbutrin options here either, it can only be approved for prescription here if proven to be used for a smoking cessation treatment).


    TIA xxxx
    www.myspace.com/infinitelymia

  2. #2
    Veteran Member Collegegirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I'm on effexor, I *think* its my 11th med since February 2008.... hard year.

    I def have a strong physical addiction to it. Sometimes I mistaken forgetting to take it and needing a cigarette. I also found I am smoking more since I been on it BUT I was taking wellbutrin before and that prob just made me smoke less.

    Celexa made me bland, zoloft had sexual side effects, I took prozac until I had a tollerence, Seriquel and Respiridol (sp?)made me sleepy/spaced/unable to function, gave my RLS and the respiridol made me lactate so badly I got mastitis. I really liked Remeron but I gained 15 lbs in 17 days... Yea pound a day? No thank you. (they actually told me I had the worst weight gain they had seen)

    I forget the other ones I took but they were just stupid antipsychotics and random meds to counteract side effects from other meds.

    Sigh.

  3. #3
    Veteran Member zippyelf's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I took Effexor briefly in high school but hated the horrible side effects when you forgot to take it for a day. I was a raging monster. My dad also took it and had the same problem.

    I took Prozac after that before stopping meds completely and was fairly happy with the results. I didn't have many side effects except for fatigue and the occasional headache, which are fairly common.

  4. #4
    Featured Member exotica268's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I used to take it when I was in high school. It didn't cause weight gain, and my parents swore that it helped my mood. It seemed to raise my body temperature alot. Also, if I missed taking it for a day, I had the WORST headache.

  5. #5
    Veteran Member mia_bella's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    Prozac's no longer an option for me - I've been on it for the last 2 years and it's not working anymore, so we're looking at harsher options.
    I do know because of the short half life the withdrawal symptoms kick in really quickly if you forget to take it, so I'm going to have to work hard to remember to take it at the same time...

    I'm incredibly worried about the side effects, I always seem to get the worse side effects from everything..
    www.myspace.com/infinitelymia

  6. #6
    Member callilove's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I've been taking Effexor for probably about a year now. I think it's really helped with my depression; and I haven't noticed any side effects. However, if I miss a dose I get really sick.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: effexor

    I took Effexor for about 2 weeks and the only thing I can compare it to is being VERY coke'd up. I felt like I was completly manic and high out of my mind. It was a terrible experience and probabally unsafe since I was soooo strung out.

    And that was when I was on a 'pediatric dose' which was TINY.

    Differnt people respond differently. Good luck.

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    Default Re: effexor

    I felt the coked up effect as well for about a week, but I was warned that I would feel that way...so I stuck it out. It's actually helped me, but I just recently went down from 150 to 75 milligrams after hearing horror stories of how hard it is to get off it. Also, (I know you're not supposed to drink while taking this but here's a warning anyway) you really need to watch out with the alcohol consumption. I can do a glass or two of wine but anymore than that and I'll be throwing up for over a day. Fun fun fun!

  9. #9
    Member stormfaery5's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I was on effexor for a few years. I was maxed out at 300mg. I didn't really notice any side effects but felt like at the highest dosage it still wasn't working (I used it for anxiety more so than depression). I weened my self off VERY slowly and still had very bad withdrawl. I think I must know what it feels like to come off heroin :p I had the shakes, nausea, was very irritable, and the worst of it was this horrible sensation, like this rushing feeling, almost like all my nerve endings would buzz for a moment. Very strange. Very horrible Prozac I tried and HATED. I slept like 12 hours a night and then had to take naps during the day. I didn't feel like doing anything.
    You know what did help though? When I was on effexor, they had me take that plus a small dosage of abilify. I guess the meds work together to create a different effect. That seemed to work wonders, although I kind of felt a little zombie-ish. Now I just take sedatives when I'm feeling anxious which fortunately is only like twice a week now.
    *sigh* good luck I know the feeling of trying to find something that works for you. But everyone responds to meds differently so you just gotta keep trying things til you find something that works.

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    Default Re: effexor

    I have been on this for about 5 years and it's the only thing that really works for me but I must say it tears up my stomach incredibly. If I miss one dose it shows and I have serotonin withdrawal syndrome ( look it up it's no joke)

    I do notice a big difference and most of my bad thoughts have diminished. When I was on 150mg I actually got so sick to my stomach that I threw up. I recommend visits to you physician at least every 3 months for maintenance and a therapist to do talk therapy with. Good luck hun depression really is difficult but you can do it stay strong.

  11. #11
    Veteran Member mia_bella's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    Thank you everyone so much for your replies.
    After many sessions with a psychiatrist and a gp who specialises in mental health they decided to try me on Luvox - similar to Prozac (seeing as I had such a good result on it while it worked) but kind of different.

    I don't feel as fantastic as I did on Prozac, but I think that's good, instead of just relying on the meds to make me feel better I'm actually trying to help myself as well, I'm starting to take part in life rather than just doing what I have to do to get by!

    It's really helping my OCD too - I'm down from 3 hours of having to check windows/locks/power points before leaving to half an hour.

    So hopefully I continue to have more success on this! Going through the side effects of taking new meds and the withdrawal of discontinuing is just so painful
    www.myspace.com/infinitelymia

  12. #12
    God/dess PleasureVictim's Avatar
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    Default Re: effexor

    I'm about to start this and I am very scared of all the withdrawal symptoms. How long did it take before you all felt any difference- good or bad?
    Women of color:
    Shake your ass and preserve your heritage.
    Bang those fucking drums.
    Do it for the present and future generations.
    Have fun and stick it to the man at the same time.
    (bad-dominicana)

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    Default Re: effexor

    It usually takes about 2 weeks to notice a change with any type of medication. Make sure you go in every 3 months to your doctor for an evaluation and a blood pressure test ( effexor is know to raise it) you will be fine sweetie just make sure you set an alarm to take it at the same time every day your body really does get accustomed to it and you could do damage if you don't take it properly.

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