[Taipans]

I have been on 375mg of Effexxor XR for about 18 months straight. I'm on it for severe social anxiety and moderate depression. I have some side effects still associated with the medicine and I'm starting to consider quitting it all together. I have been on and off about 9 different types of Anti Depressants over the past 5 years. Before I started them I was energetic, alot more motivated and weighed about 50lbs less, wearing a size 38 versus a 42 in pants. I'm a different person today, less depressed overall but my social anxiety has not improved and I'm pretty much worthless when it comes to work and doing things around the house. Has anyone else experienced such a negative turn in their personality and physical health? And I pretty much am giving up on medication all together, it helps alot of people but I'm running out of things to try. At 375mg I see a long road to getting off it, 1 day missed dose and things start to unwind with brain shivers, then it goes on to throwing up, dizziness, extreme irritability and what I would like to refer to as the sound of churning machines in my head.

I would like to hear other peoples experiences with Effexxor.

Thanks,

Mark

When I first took EffexorXR, it was great. I quit having so many anxiety attacks and felt really good. Then I started losing weight. I lost 38 lbs. I only ate every two or three days and then just a bite or two....I tried to get my doc help me get off it and he refused. So my pharmacist helped me. My head felt like rocks were rolling around in it and at times I thought I could even hear things rubbing inside my skull. It took FOREVER to get off it and I was only on 75mg. But I'm only five feet tall........I had the brain zaps, the shivers, the headaches but no throwing up.....We opened those capsules and counted those little suckers in them...that's how cautious I was about tapering off.......It was the worst med experience of my entire life! I went back to the old tried and true prozac. I've gained toomuch weight but I'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and dead!! Let me know what you decide. Pat

[lenjan]

I've been on Effexor XR for over 5 years at varying doses, after my 2nd trip to the ha-ha house in the same year my dose got upped to 450 mg. It's the only reason I'm still alive, IMHO. I never had any side effects, didn't gain any weight, didn't get lethargic (in fact, it wires me, so I have to take it in the morning).

Prozac, on the other hand -- when pdoc decided 40 mg wasn't working and pushed it up to 60, I had audiovisual hallucinations. And it didn't do a thing for my mood.

So.....we're all different!

Candy

[krzyk101]

Hi Mark,

I also take 375mg of Effexor XR. I take 2 Red Capsules and a Peach Capsule every morning, along with the rest of my morning cocktail. I was on 37.5mg and gradual increase to 375mg. I dont think I blame this med for weight gain, only I am on so many meds dont know which ones to blame for what.

I noticed at the beginning, depression less only my panic and agoraphobia not helped by it that much. I think it does help some. They have talked of adding a ssri in addition to the Effexor XR only not done so yet. I know about being sick when miss a dose. I don't know if I will ever be able to stop taking it. Sorry did not have much advice other than I feel alot the same as you descriped. You are the first person I have contact with on the extremely high dose as myself. Peace-Chris

[jmo531]

I take Effexor Xr. I started in December on 37.5 and Im up to 150 mgs. My Doc thinks this is a good dose for me. I had some side effects in the beginning. I actually think it made my anxiety worse at times. I was taking it at night but it interfered with sleep so I started taking it the morning. It wired me as well. I have never forgotten to take the med so I'm a little freaked out by what I have read about that here. I did take it late one time and I did have a headache. Coincidence? After this post, I think not.
I have had a good experience with this med. All people react differently as you know this. If I were you I would wean off and attempt another med. Your anxiety should be significantly less on the dosage they have you on.
I wish you luck. Please keep us posted on this. If you decide to quit taking this med could you please let me know how it is coming off of it. I know one day I'll have to do that too and I'm a little scared.
Oh, I had weight loss in the begining. 18 lbs. I think I have gained that back now so. It evens out. LOL

i've never seen two people have the same effect from the same med.......that's what so great about the internet. when i was so sick from trying to get off EffexorXR, i found people on the 'net that detailed their usage, dosage and withdrawal symptoms....then i realized that i wasn't crazy and i wasn't going to die....cause i really thought i was going to die from the drug. i've also met people that it really works for.....and that makes me happy...i don't know anyone in "real time" that took EffexorXR and had withdrawal like i did.......THANK GOD for technology.......pat p.s. keep us updated on what you're doing.

[dayzee9]

(((((((HI!!!! )))))))))))))))

I have taking Effexor XR every morning for the past few years. As a general rule; I think it's o.k. because it's more or less an "upper" anti-depressant, it's suppose to get you up & motivated...... It's a SSRI...suppose to up your serotin uptake in your brain which is what makes it an "upper" anti-depressant.
Personally, I find it helps me "get going" in the morning, but it kinda gives me the "shakes", and I don't like that.

As far as the rest of the anti-depressants!
I got hooked up w/ a Psychiatrist in 1985 & was Dxed as having a severe
"Major Depressive Disorder" A disorder that means my brain has as a chemical imbalance in my brain that caused me to have extreme depressive episodes that usually ended w/ me in the ER and ICU from an OD.

My Doc was a VERY EXCELLENT doc; well-respected in the mnetal health community; he took my case to task & started w/ every single type of anti-depressant starting with A to Z.....as a last resort to keep me alive..I underwent 80+ ECT's

My POINT: I'm back on "A" Elavil (Amytriptylne) at 300 mgs at bedtime. Result: Hey, I'm still here!!!(my brains are a little toasted by I still have a high IQ) Your descriptions are all side effects of anti-depressants; the same things I don't like either IE: weight gain (I have an extreme eating disorder b/c of this); lack of motivation;
not much energy & ugh....constipation and DRY MOUTH (I hate the dry mouth!!!)

If you are not seeing a regular "therapist" (T); I suggest you do. They can help you get motivated again, suggestions to help you deal w/ the side effects of anti-depressants. This is merely a SUGGESTION from a fellow sufferer from depression; I am also a Psych nurse....however, I am NOT a REPLACEMENT for your psychiatrist, therapist and GP.........

Sorry, I babble a lot....but

(((((((your depression comrade DAYZEE))))))))))))))

[Taipans]

Hey everyone thanks so much for your comments! I think the thing that bothers me the most is the fact that for better or worse I'm a different person then I was before the medication. I can remember having so much energy, and motivation. This has affected my job performance and family life, and although my depression has leveled out it still isn’t completely gone. I have tried the following medications,

EFFEXOR XR 375mg
WellButrin XL 300mg
Paxil CR 50mg
Gabitril 12mg
Zyprexa 15mg
Lexapro 20mg
Trazodone 100mg
Remeron 45mg

Many of these have been used at the same time in different combinations. Nothing has helped at all with anxiety.

I have a Psychologist and Psychiatrist I see on a monthly basis. And have been dealing with all this since I was a child. I think it might be time to throw in the towel on treatments.

Dayzee, good lord! You take your posts to another level with all the icons! =P

Thanks for all your advice guys!

[jmo531]

((((((((TAIPANS))))))))

Please dont ever give up. There is hope.

[Taipans]

Just a quick note, my RL name is Mark, feel free to throw that around as much as needed... lol

[jmo531]

Thanks Mark!!!! Im not sure if I will remember that as I have absolutely no memory what so ever.

I still do not think that giving up on meds all togther is a good idea. What about intense therapy in regards to your anxiety. Fortunatly, meds help a great deal with my social anxiety. I still get very uncomfortable from time to time in certain situations. Resturants are one of the worst things for me. I push through my fear and do it anyway. I wish you lot of luck. Maybe speaking with another doctor will help. Its nice to get other opinions regarding our care.

Mark, I really hope that you don't give up. I was recently re-diagnosed after having spent years with a "clinical depression" diagnosis.....I went to a psychiatrist and she told me that I'm bi-polar..I thought I was and had asked docs for years about it.....She put me on her drug choice cocktail and I'm like a completely different person. The people here on the forum will vouch for that. I was so depressed that I was afraid I was going to committ suicide. Now I finally feel normal.......SO DON:T GIVE UP....xoxox pat

[ThisPuzzlesDeadInside]

ive been on effexor xr but it didnt work for me, it made me crabby and have headaches. Even on smaller doses of it if i missed a pill the same stuff happened. Well i automatically became suicidal. The medicine im on now is not that way. But effexor helped me to an extent.

[jbug]

I was on Effexor XR but had to quit because after my gastric bypass surgery my psych meds won't stay down. I went from Prozac, Effexor XR, Risperdal and Seroquel down to just Risperdal. I liked the way the Effexor made me feel I felt somewhat normal. I hope you are able to get on something that works for you.

Janniebug

[DarkWays]

Hi I'm new to this and would like to share my horrible expirence of Effexor. I had been perscribed Effexor a year ago in march and started out on 75mg, I think? Well I went up to 150 mg's I think is what is was was the highest I got, but It was very difficult for me to go to sleep. So on top of that they perscribed me a anti depressant called Remeron to help me sleep in the night time. One night I ran out of the remeron, and was convicnced that there was a 24 hour pharmacy open somewhere around town. It was about 3AM and I jumped into my car still wired and was on the look out for the pharmacy. I couldn't find one, so I checked every town north of me, and went up to 2 more downs which is a 15 mile radious of where I live driving around angry looking for one to help me sleep and get a refill or something. I was out of my mind by this time, it was probably around 4 or 4:30 in the monring, and i decided to stop at a gas station to get some coffee and ask if there were any pharmacy's open. It took me seriously 15 minutes to make myself coffee at a 711, and they called the cops. The cops arrived and I had no idea what I was doing or where I was. I was completely shocked at this point.

I talked to the cops and rambled on about my situation, but it took me a couple minutes to remember what the hell I was doing. They were convinced I was on illegal drugs and wouldn't let me go. Finally I let them talk to my parents and they said for me to come home and they had no idea what was going on. So I drove home and it took me about an hour and a half to find my way back home because I forgot where I lived. I had remembered that it was my brother's birthday, and took some sleeping pills and finally went to sleep at around 7 AM. I woke up shortly after that at 9:30 AM and had no idea where I was, or what had happened. It took me a couple days to recover and find out exactly what happened.

My advice to you, is to get off Effexor because when I told my doctor he said he hadn't heard of any side effects like i had. I was constipated and would only go once a week, and would have a bad memory problem. I haven't touched that awful awful drug since then, and was taken off of it immediately.

[dasiy6]

For me effexor has been a wonderful med. I have been on it for 5 1/2 years and currently take 600 mg. in the morning. I find that taking it in the morning is the best for me, but I know of others who take it in the evening or split the dose between the two. The only real side effects were the "restless legs" that I had early on and definitly the extra sweating, especially at night. I hope the effexor works for you, but not to worry.....there are many meds out there and one is bound to work for you. Good luck and take care.

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Mark, I've been on Effexor for awhile, can't recall exactly what month I've started it... I didn't expierence anything how you are expierencing.

If I had side effects while I first started my Effexor, I wouldn't have noticed as I was withdrawaling from the Remeron at the time.

If you have been on this drug for the past 18 months and are having that much trouble with it you should really consult with your doctor, and see what you two can come up with.

[bagpuss]

Hi
I took effexor for 3 years and had to come off it suddenly cos of pregnancy. The withdrawl was awful, it took about a week of cold sweats, blurred vision, headaches etc, but it was worth it. They say it aint addictive but who are they kidding.

[BlueFaith]

Hi Mark. I was taking Effexor at one time too... 375mg just like you. I had the same problems with it, and I think I felt more nervous than not. I also gained weight. I've been off of it for about a year now, but it certainly was a rough road. Hope you start to feel better soon... just please don't give up! There's a medicine out there for you, I'm sure.

[seeker1950]

Hi, Mark,
I am reading all these experiences with SSRI's, particularly yours, and am a bit dismayed. I was on Prozac for about 10 years, but when my doc screwed with reducing it in order to wean me off it, major anxiety and depression ensued. Upping the dosage didn't help after that, so he switched me to Paxil, 20 mg. daily, which worked great, till once again he suggested weaning me off it, and I stupidly agreed. I was so well, maybe he thought I was "too happy." Once again, I experienced the same depression, anxiety, and obsessive thinking, so now we have gone from 20, to 30, to now 40 mg. daily of the Paxil, but I am still experiencing the same symptoms.
It's so tiring, isn't it! I'm fighting it doing my own mental work, but I know, if the med is working, I wouldn't have to be working so damn hard!
Seeker

[Taipans]

UPDATE!

*Breaking news*

Ok so here I am a few months after I posted about running away from Effexxor. Well I moved about 2 hours from my old psychiatrists office. And last monday came to relise I was out of Effexxor XR all together. So as usual I went to get it refilled. NADA! My doc refused to refill it, said I needed to make an appointment before he would. So I said "ok, well im almost 2 hrs away from your office now and im looking for a new doc in my area. could you refill it one last time so I may get into a new doctor" They told me "NO the doctor wont authorize it until you come in for a visit"

Nice... here I am living off this stuff because my body is physically addicted to it and now I cant get it filled with out a 4 hour round trip drive, and an extra 40 copay.

So being pissed off I just said , nevermind then. And hung up. I promptly called a new doc and luckily got into see him last friday. Well my last dose of effexxor was tuesday, it was suppose to be filled friday but my insurance decided they needed a doctors authorization directly in order to fill it. Ya know cause the 200 other times they did wasnt good enough. Well by this time doctors office was closed. So no meds for me still. Ya I could beg to get a few pills from the pharmacy but they love to charge me double co-pay on the prescription once fully filled. I was too proud and angry to pay all this extra money so I sat it out.

Ok so lets see, 6 days cold turkey, went from 375mg to 0.... I'm sick like suspected, havnt slept in a few days, and all the other withdrawl symptoms you could imagine. I hate being a slave to this stuff, I think the fact that feeling sick or not is all up to another human being making a decision is too much for me. (The guy jacked me all the way up to 375mg without warning me about what it takes to walk away and now wont help me out)

So any idea on how long Im going to be sick? Im about to give in and take it but if all I gotta do is hang on a few more days and im out of the woods this might be my chance!

~Mark~

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Oi, why wouldn't your doctor give you a refill? Obviously he knows that the withdrawal can be terrible. I would be so pissed.

I just got my Effexor refilled, she forgot my 75mg tablets though, and just refilled my 37.5 tablets, but for me for some reason I always have way more in the bottle then the other one. weird etc?

I don't know how long you are going to be sick for, I've never had withdrawal from Effexor only Remeron... Hope you feel better soon Mark, I can't believe your pdoc did that.

[Taipans]

Thanks for the support, Ya I lost alot of faith in docs from this past experience.

Anyhow lets see, today is Effexxor Free Day number 8... currently im still getting nailed by dizzyness, upset stomach, brain shivvers, shakeyness, emotional rollercoaster and lack of sleep. Wife said I was crying all night in my sleep from nightmares. Im pretty exhausted, but each hour that goes by Im more glad Im trying to kick the medication. I cant believe how awful this is, and that NOT ONE of my past doctors ever discussed the risk of Effexxor and how hard it is to drop.

I hope I feel better by the weekend!

Mark

[Butterfly_Faerie]

That's awful Mark, is there anything that you can do? Talk to your doctor, pharmacist?

Withdrawals are the worse... been through it myslef that lasted about a week.

i AM so sorry that you're going through this. i had to "take" myself off Effexor and i thought i'd die. my doc wouldn't help me with it, so my pharmacist did. it was a nightmare. i'll be thinking of you.....xoxo pat