[BiscuitTin]

Hi all . . .

Just saw my new psychiatrist today and now it looks like I'm going to be on Effexor in a few days . . . just wondering what your experiences are with this pill, what are the common side effects, is it better than Zoloft, are SNRI's better than SSRI's, etc.

Just looking for all your opinions and feedback on this drug.

Thanks.

[Slothrop]

It worked so-so for me. Everybody's different, though.

Some people experience a lot of unpleasant effects going off this drug. But it wasn't bad when I stopped it.

I experienced some short-term sexual dysfunction when I started it, as I did with SSRIs. Not a big deal. No really unpleasant side effects that I recall.

[Christina86]

I'm on Effexor right now.

Side effects are HORRID. I started on 37.5mg and honestly wished I could die... nausea, headache, achiness, tiredness and the whole thing... now I WAS at 187.5mg just over a week ago. Coming down 37.5mg ... well, I find out NOW that this is a highly habit forming (addictive) antidepressant. Basically it's miserable to get onto, and miserable to come off of. But it works well, and I haven't gained any weight. All of my side effects went away - unless I miss a dosage, when I REALLY regret it.

My psychiatrist will only prescribe up to 300mg of this drug - it's got a different level of mg than most other antidepressants.

[iamtwilight]

effexor is working really well for me!

i've been on it for a month now, started at 75 mg and yes, the side effects were horrible. like christina said, headaches and nausea, i also felt really weak and tired (took it in the evening) but in the afternoon i felt better. used to spend the mornings watching DVDs, couldn't even sit on the computer also lost weight a bit because of the nausea.

about a week ago the dose was upped to 150 mg and haven't experienced any side effects.

for me, the side effects subsided in about a week. some experience anxiety, in that case you could ask your doctor for anti-anxiety meds for a little while, until it passes.

hope you do well with this med - some people say it's a wonder drug, and a while ago some magazine (or something? don't remember) said it was the most effective antidepressant.

twilite

[splitimage]

I'm on it and it works pretty well for me. I've been on it for years and still have some problems with nausea and dizziness about 4 hours after I take it. When I started on it, or increased a dose I'd get migraines and just suddenly break out into horrible sweats, but the side effects went away after a couple of weeks. But seriously don't forget to take this med. I can miss one day, but any more than that and I'm so sick I wish I was dead.

--splitimage

[anna342]

Like the others have said, it does give side effects to start with.

I got very hot, dizzy, naseaus and felt a bit rough for a while, but then after discussing this with my psych they put me on the slow release version (i think this starts at 150mg) and most of the side effects went.

If you miss a dose even for one day it makes you feel horrible. I did it a couple of times, once I couldnt walk properly because I was too dizzy, and it made me sleep pretty much all day and night.

I have now come of it, which I'm starting to regret a bit, I've realised that it helped with ocd thoughts and depression, and although it didn't get rid of it by far, it certainly kept me off the edge.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by anna342

I have now come of it, which I'm starting to regret a bit, I've realised that it helped with ocd thoughts and depression, and although it didn't get rid of it by far, it certainly kept me off the edge.

I know I'm temporarily hijacking - but this comment makes SO MUCH SENSE. I was wondering why I was spending more time ruminating/worrying/obsessing over stuff to the point where I couldn't sleep - I just had my dosage lowered a week ago. That would probably be it. I thought I might just be more stressed, but couldn't find a cause.

There you go BiscuitTin - it also works for ruminating/obsessing thoughts and anxiety too!

Just seriously don't forget to take it. Try, very hard. Not to be scary, but my crashing the day after I forget to take my pill for over 24 hours - I'm basically a neurotic mess.

[n2euphoria]

Effexor/Effexor XR was my longest lasting med besides my current meds (Remeron and Topamax, both which I’ve been on for nearly 8 months now); I was on Effexor for exactly 6 months. I never had any noticed side effects from it, and I never experienced immediate withdrawal symptoms after a day of missing a dose. I had severe depression at the time I was on it, so unfortunately however, it never worked for me, despite that I was on its maximum dose at 300 mg (150 mg x 2/twice daily). I hope it works for you though! So also, I had a difficult time weaning my way off it, because also, I would advise you as well that, as previously stated, and as you probably already heard elsewhere, Effexor is one of those meds with a high rate of withdrawal occurrence which can be unpleasant, so also if and when you happen to stop Effexor, I hope you don't encounter its infamous withdrawals! Coming off of Effexor after being on it for 6 months, especially coming off the maximum dose of 300 mg, I did experience those “brain zap” withdrawal symptoms that are kind of difficult to explain; they were sudden, quick jolt-like sensations that went through my head and they were rather startling as they were unexpected and unpleasant and they produced a moment of vertigo and the ground beneath me would seem to whirl and I would seem to slightly lose my balance. Accompanying the "brain zaps", I got those electric shock feelings as well that shot throughout my arms and hands.

[Joanofarc]

Hi,

I was on Efexor some years ago and found it was pretty good, but not good to drink too much with as this can make you feel very nauseas.

[googley]

I have been on Effexor for eight years. I have found it really helpful except for when I miss a dose. I have had to increase the dose as time went on. I did not have trouble with any side effects from going on it. Though since I didn't know being hot was a side effect maybe that is why I am always hotter than everyone else around me. Just make sure like any other, take it slow and give it time.

[BiscuitTin]

Does it help with anxiety? I have social phobia.

[mlpHolmes]

Yes Biscuit effexor does treat generalized, social anxiety disorders.

I take Effexor (300mg. 3x's/day), Fortunately I never experienced any side effects. It is doing a great job! Been on it over 3 yrs.


Holmes

i've been on effexor xr (xr = extended release) for a number of years and it is the only antidepressant that has ever worked for me and i've tried most of them. unfortunately, i can only tolerate a very small dose 37.5 mg twice a day as anything more than that sort of zones me out. i may feel better at a higher dose but i cant get a thing done as i'm sort of just a blob. on the dose i'm on i'm fine though and i have no side effects at all. i'm really thankful for this med. i just wish i could take more of it.

i do know some people have insomnia on the regular effexor (the one that isn't extended release) so if you have problems with that then do discuss that with your pdoc. they'll probably tell you to take it in the am or put you on the extended release. i hope it helps!

[tarabug922]

i gained 80 pounds in one year on this drug, that's without changing my eating behavior or exercise patterns, all due to effexor, I'm desperately trying to get off of it right now.

[Dancer13]

I have been on it for 3 months, and am trying to get off. I feel like it was one of the precursors to my marital affair. It seemed to make me very apathetic and euphoric at times. I seemed to rationalize things I shouldn't have. Has anyone experienced this?

[BiscuitTin]

I went on it a couple of weeks ago . . .75mg Efexor XR .

Does it make you aggressive?

[Amazonmom]

That response makes me think the Effexor pushed you into a manic episode. Of course only your doc could tell you that, But it looks sort of like one.

Originally Posted by Dancer13

I have been on it for 3 months, and am trying to get off. I feel like it was one of the precursors to my marital affair. It seemed to make me very apathetic and euphoric at times. I seemed to rationalize things I shouldn't have. Has anyone experienced this?

[camel2009]

i just started it what type of side effect does it have

[anna342]

If you read the rest of the post, people have spoken about the side effects.

[scooterb]

Originally Posted by BiscuitTin

Hi all . . .

Just saw my new psychiatrist today and now it looks like I'm going to be on Effexor in a few days . . . just wondering what your experiences are with this pill, what are the common side effects, is it better than Zoloft, are SNRI's better than SSRI's, etc.

Just looking for all your opinions and feedback on this drug.

Thanks.

I have been taking Effexor XR for about 4 years. I take 225 mg. in the morning. The only side effect I experienced was an increase in anxiety and insomnia. I was taking it in combination with Ativan, but became concerned about the addictive properties and new studies that show benzodiazepines prevent the brain from learning new information and effect memory. I now take Buspar and am adding vitamins and supplements (Sam-e, Kava Kava, GABA, 5-htp) that are supposed to decrease depression and anxiety. I have tried many other anti-depressants over the years and didn't have any luck with them. I don't expect a pill to be a magic cure, though. I also exercise, attend support groups, watch my diet, and keep my days structured and full of activities.
I hope this is helpful information.

scooterb (Lisa)