I would like to hear your experience with Effexor

[[jr...]]

My doctor gave me an Rx for Effexor-ER, 37.5 mg, last week.  I filled the Rx, but have not started taking it yet.  I have had some bad reactions to SNRI's in the past, so I am really hesitating about this.  My doctor knows about the problems, but this is a very low dose so she doesn't think it will cause a problem.  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.  Thanks,  Jenn

[[An...]]

I don't have a good experience to tell, but everyone is different.  I was given it for 4 weeks in December it ramped me up so bad in the beginning I started to take even more Ativan.  By week 4 I had really bad head fog and pressure I cold turkeyed the 37.5 mg. DO NOT ever do that....I had the worse withdrawals crying, anxiety, scratching at my skin, rolling around in bed like a crazy woman.  My husband could not believe I was his wife....but he was very supportive.  The doc gave me 1 dose of Prozac to get rid of the wd because the Prozac has a longer half life and it worked.

 

Not to scare you as this is only my experience.  I do know that it is supposed to work well, but is one of the harder ones to come off of.  It is tough, I am now on the lowest dose of Zoloft and have the same side effects, but I am too scared to come off. 

 

 

[[jr...]]

Hi Annie-Thank you for your response.  I have been worried about having that type of reaction.  I have had terrible reactions to Wellbutrin and Cymbalta, and Effexor is in the same class of meds.  I really appreciate your response.  Jenn

[[Bi...]]

I was on Effexor in '02. It was 75mg bid. I took it for a while, and was told to drop it cold - turkey. I did and I had some pretty bizarre withdrawal symptoms such as d/r and d/p, anxiety, depression, zaps, vertigo, and so on. While on it, I felt sick. I wish I had some positive feedback for you about this medication, but I don't from my experience.

 

Billy~

[[jr...]]

Thank you, Billy,

 

Did you find your anxiety went up, and did it cause insomnia?  I also had problems with severe nausea and vomiting on Wellbutrin and Cymbalta, and I am concerned about the Effexor causing that also.

 

Jenn

[[ha...]]

I had it about 10 years ago - dosage was upped and upped. Was having a bad reaction to it, but the doctor thought it was because of depression. I could not go off it cold turkey. Had awful withdrawal symptoms for a long time. But DON'T use me as a good example - I have had very bad experiences with antidepressants generally.

[[Bi...]]

Thank you, Billy,

 

Did you find your anxiety went up, and did it cause insomnia?  I also had problems with severe nausea and vomiting on Wellbutrin and Cymbalta, and I am concerned about the Effexor causing that also.

 

Jenn

 

I did have nausea on the Effexor. I had anxiety, too. It really didn't help me too much. It may help you. I know everyone is so different.

 

 

[[...]]

My doctor gave me an Rx for Effexor-ER, 37.5 mg, last week.  I filled the Rx, but have not started taking it yet.  I have had some bad reactions to SNRI's in the past, so I am really hesitating about this.  My doctor knows about the problems, but this is a very low dose so she doesn't think it will cause a problem.  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.  Thanks,  Jenn

Dont take it if I were you its one of the worst I think especially to get off from. I did a high amount in 3 months felt much better not depressed at all now. an a/d is supposed to be kept in place and come off last the more meds you take the more w/d's you have. Benzo's is enough... Tess

[[jr...]]

Hi Hanna-Thank you so much for your reply.  I really do appreciate it.  I have also had bad experiences with almost every a/d, and I am afraid to take the Effexor.  I have had the Rx for over a week now, but I don't think I'll take it.  I just can't handle anything else right now, especially more anxiety, if that is EVEN possible!

 

Thank you, Tess-I am about 8 months off of Klonopin now (a c/t, which was hell), and I am worried about the Effexor causing more anxiety.  I am finally at the point where I am sleeping well, and I amconc erned with it causing insomnia.  I so appreciate your reply.

 

Jenn

[[ha...]]

In terms of antidepressants. I am on desipremine and amytriptyline: 1 mg each.  The usual starting dose is about 40 mg. We took my blood levels and the amount in my system is what most people have. I have talked to a couple of psychiatrists who say some women require WAY less than the recommended minimum dosage.  It can be an issue.

 

jrvmc:  Know the feeling about being able to handle things - it really is a balancing act, isn't it.

[[jr...]]

Dear Hanna,

 

Yes, it really is a balancing act.  I know how sensitive I am to a/d's and other meds, but it is really hard to convince my psychiatrist.  Last summer she did start me on Celexa, 5 mg, and very, very slowly worked me up to 40 mg.  However, once I reached 40 mg, which is considered the maintenance dosage, I started having problems, the worst of which was having my jaw tense up all the time, to the point where it became painful.  She's a young doctor, and I don't think she has incurred a patient like me before.  I like her a lot because she does listen to me, but I think she has difficulty believing me about the problems I have with meds.  In January I started reducing the Celexa dosage and the jaw problems have resolved.  I just wish I was NORMAL and could tolerate these drugs.  I used to think there was something very wrong with me and that everyone else had no problem with a/d's.  Since I just Benzobuddies I discovered I am not alone!  I see my doc back in about 3 weeks, and I'll discuss all of this with her.  I really appreciate your input.

 

Hugs,

 

Jenn

[[NY...]]

Hi Jenn,

 

Why did your doctor prescribe the Effexor?

 

NYClady

[[...]]

Hi horrible drug to come off. I was on a high dose though...bad w/d's.....Tess

[[jr...]]

Dear NYClady,

 

My doctor prescribed it because I am just having so many problems with apathy.  I just don't feel like doing anything, and nothing bothers me at all.  I just feel so down all the time.  I have pretty much decided not to take the Effexor, at least not until I see my doc again, in about 3 weeks.

 

How are you doing?

 

Love,

 

Jenn

[[An...]]

[quote author=jrvmc link=topic=50113.msg677781#msg677781 date=1331488900

 

My doctor prescribed it because I am just having so many problems with apathy.  I just don't feel like doing anything, and nothing bothers me at all.  I just feel so down all the time.  I have pretty much decided not to take the Effexor, at least not until I see my doc again, in about 3 weeks.

 

 

Hi Jenn

 

I just saw your thread.  I coincidentally posted similar yesterday.  I was put on Effexor beginning of my w/ds 11 months ago to help with depression in w/ds I think.  I am trying to come off it, have reduced 150mg to 75mg - had a few days of depression and weepiness - then one brilliant day where felt normal, now a couple of days of extreme fatigue and feeling rubbish.  I shall stick to 75mg for a few weeks or so then taper slowly. 

 

I had been on this drug a long time ago for a depressive incident, I could have come off it within the year but chose to stay on it for 8 years because although it made me feel brain-dead and unresponsive, was worried how I would deal with stress without it. As it happened, I decided to come off it and got off the 150mg over a couple of weeks with absolutely no w/ds.  I remember feeling so clear-headed and so much better without it.

 

I think because of my benzo withdrawals am more sensitive to any other drugs now so as I said, will taper slowly.  Saying that, I cannot honestly believe the w/ds from Effexor can be worse than benzo w/ds.  I think they are more GI, depression, headache related and pass fairly quickly - I may be wrong.

 

I honestly think if you do not need to start it then don't.  However, it can be a godsend when it is needed especially for depression.

 

Angel

 

 

[[jr...]]

[quote author=jrvmc link=topic=50113.msg677781#msg677781 date=1331488900

 

My doctor prescribed it because I am just having so many problems with apathy.  I just don't feel like doing anything, and nothing bothers me at all.  I just feel so down all the time.  I have pretty much decided not to take the Effexor, at least not until I see my doc again, in about 3 weeks.

 

 

Hi Jenn

 

I just saw your thread.  I coincidentally posted similar yesterday.  I was put on Effexor beginning of my w/ds 11 months ago to help with depression in w/ds I think.  I am trying to come off it, have reduced 150mg to 75mg - had a few days of depression and weepiness - then one brilliant day where felt normal, now a couple of days of extreme fatigue and feeling rubbish.  I shall stick to 75mg for a few weeks or so then taper slowly. 

 

I had been on this drug a long time ago for a depressive incident, I could have come off it within the year but chose to stay on it for 8 years because although it made me feel brain-dead and unresponsive, was worried how I would deal with stress without it. As it happened, I decided to come off it and got off the 150mg over a couple of weeks with absolutely no w/ds.  I remember feeling so clear-headed and so much better without it.

 

I think because of my benzo withdrawals am more sensitive to any other drugs now so as I said, will taper slowly.  Saying that, I cannot honestly believe the w/ds from Effexor can be worse than benzo w/ds.  I think they are more GI, depression, headache related and pass fairly quickly - I may be wrong.

 

I honestly think if you do not need to start it then don't.  However, it can be a godsend when it is needed especially for depression.

 

Angel

 

Thank you, Angel.  Did you find Effexor helped with apathy, or just mainly depression.  I don't think my depression is bad enough to warrant it at this point, but the apathy is driving me nuts!    Jenn

[[An...]]

[quote author=jrvmc link=topic=50113.msg677781#msg677781 date=1331488900

 

My doctor prescribed it because I am just having so many problems with apathy.  I just don't feel like doing anything, and nothing bothers me at all.  I just feel so down all the time.  I have pretty much decided not to take the Effexor, at least not until I see my doc again, in about 3 weeks.

 

 

Hi Jenn

 

I just saw your thread.  I coincidentally posted similar yesterday.  I was put on Effexor beginning of my w/ds 11 months ago to help with depression in w/ds I think.  I am trying to come off it, have reduced 150mg to 75mg - had a few days of depression and weepiness - then one brilliant day where felt normal, now a couple of days of extreme fatigue and feeling rubbish.  I shall stick to 75mg for a few weeks or so then taper slowly. 

 

I had been on this drug a long time ago for a depressive incident, I could have come off it within the year but chose to stay on it for 8 years because although it made me feel brain-dead and unresponsive, was worried how I would deal with stress without it. As it happened, I decided to come off it and got off the 150mg over a couple of weeks with absolutely no w/ds.  I remember feeling so clear-headed and so much better without it.

 

I think because of my benzo withdrawals am more sensitive to any other drugs now so as I said, will taper slowly.  Saying that, I cannot honestly believe the w/ds from Effexor can be worse than benzo w/ds.  I think they are more GI, depression, headache related and pass fairly quickly - I may be wrong.

 

I honestly think if you do not need to start it then don't.  However, it can be a godsend when it is needed especially for depression.

 

Angel

 

Thank you, Angel.  Did you find Effexor helped with apathy, or just mainly depression.  I don't think my depression is bad enough to warrant it at this point, but the apathy is driving me nuts!    Jenn

 

From my experience, I certainly was not apathetic before I took Effexor on both occasions but whilst I was on Effexor I became very apathetic!  Is it supposed to help with apathy then?

 

Angel

[[jr...]]

I guess my doctor thinks it helps with apathy because that is my biggest complaint at this point, although anxiety is still a major issue.

[[to...]]

I had a bit of stomach discomfort at firs tthat that passes for most after the first couple of weeks.  All SSRIs will have side effects.  The Effexor took away ALL my anxiety and I had no physical aches and pains.  However I felt like a zombie and not like myself which I hated.

 

Going off was a real challenge too, I had terrible zzzzzzzaps and dizziness and vertigo for about 2 months.

 

It is such a dilema with all these drugs, the question is always how depressed/anxiety riden am I?  Is the trade off (side effects) going to outweigh how I feel without them?

[[to...]]

[quote author=jrvmc link=topic=50113.msg677781#msg677781 date=1331488900

 

My doctor prescribed it because I am just having so many problems with apathy.  I just don't feel like doing anything, and nothing bothers me at all.  I just feel so down all the time.  I have pretty much decided not to take the Effexor, at least not until I see my doc again, in about 3 weeks.

 

 

Hi Jenn

 

I just saw your thread.  I coincidentally posted similar yesterday.  I was put on Effexor beginning of my w/ds 11 months ago to help with depression in w/ds I think.  I am trying to come off it, have reduced 150mg to 75mg - had a few days of depression and weepiness - then one brilliant day where felt normal, now a couple of days of extreme fatigue and feeling rubbish.  I shall stick to 75mg for a few weeks or so then taper slowly. 

 

I had been on this drug a long time ago for a depressive incident, I could have come off it within the year but chose to stay on it for 8 years because although it made me feel brain-dead and unresponsive, was worried how I would deal with stress without it. As it happened, I decided to come off it and got off the 150mg over a couple of weeks with absolutely no w/ds.  I remember feeling so clear-headed and so much better without it.

 

I think because of my benzo withdrawals am more sensitive to any other drugs now so as I said, will taper slowly.  Saying that, I cannot honestly believe the w/ds from Effexor can be worse than benzo w/ds.  I think they are more GI, depression, headache related and pass fairly quickly - I may be wrong.

 

I honestly think if you do not need to start it then don't.  However, it can be a godsend when it is needed especially for depression.

 

Angel

 

Agree Effexor was a B*tch to get off but not as bad as a benzo.

[[An...]]

I had a bit of stomach discomfort at firs tthat that passes for most after the first couple of weeks.  All SSRIs will have side effects.  The Effexor took away ALL my anxiety and I had no physical aches and pains.  However I felt like a zombie and not like myself which I hated.

 

Going off was a real challenge too, I had terrible zzzzzzzaps and dizziness and vertigo for about 2 months.

 

It is such a dilema with all these drugs, the question is always how depressed/anxiety riden am I?  Is the trade off (side effects) going to outweigh how I feel without them?

 

Tonnii

 

Do you remember feeling better and back to yourself when you came off the Effexor?

 

Angel

[[re...]]

I have never been on it but have heard from an addiction doc that it is the hardest of all the antidepressants to kick. One of our members here was on it for years and she suffered greatly when she got off, eventually going on other meds and then taking her own life. I dont mean to scare you but I am really concerned that people educate themselves on ANY psycho-active drug. Wish I had 20 years ago!

 

 

[[An...]]

Well you have scared me!

[[to...]]

You will soon after.  I was on Ativan during the Effexor and after.  But I know form past experience that you do become yourself again.

[[An...]]

Thanks Tonnii ! xx