effexor...I don't wanna

I've taken Effexor XR for lengthy periods over the last ten years. It's been a very good drug for me.

The side effects I experience happen when I (a.) skipped doses; or (b.) tried to taper on my own. While on a business trip, my Rxs were stolen from my hotel room, and mail order pharmacy my insurance required us to use said it was too soon to refill the prescription. After three days without meds, which included horrific nightmares, "brain zap" and peripheral nerve shocks, and emotional cycling, I got my doc to call in a Walgreens scrip for a week and paid it out of pocket full-price. It was worth every penny to get my sanity back.

I went through the old-style tricyclics and several SSRIs before taking Effexor. It's the one that works best for me. I've since learned it's because serotonin isn't the main chemical deficit in my case, rather I need norepiepherine; so Effexor, being an SNRI, fills the bill.

Also, I do not gain weight on Effexor, while I did on all the others. My appetite is lessened for a couple of weeks after starting it, but is back to normal soon. I experience a little sleepinees and some bouncing for a couple of days when I change dosages, but that's about it.

In summary, what I've learned:
1. If you need norepinephrine instead of serotonin, it's a good choice. (And if SSRIs will do the trick, it's probably not a good choice.)
2. Don't skip a day, and taper in very small increments.
3. Don't take your entire bottle with you on a trip in case your meds are stolen--- take just enough for the trip + an 'emergency stash' or a pill or two kept in a different place.

I am on effexor right now and my doctor just wrote me a script for Prozac because of an enlarged heart and irregular heartbeat probably caused by the effexor (although I have to follow up with a cardio next week). I am so scared of coming off of it. There have been a few times I didn't take my meds right when I typically did and the stomach pains and headaches were horrible. It works well, but the side effects are nasty, I'd go another way if you can.

I am on Effexor XR 150mg, Lamictal 250 mg and Geodon 80mg. The Effexor has been the only anti-depressant that has worked for me. I am now able to make it through the days and actually work, before I could not even get out of bed.

As far as side-effects, if I don't take it with a little bit of food and am not hydrated, I get really dizzy sitting then standing, turning, etc. And no sex drive whatsoever.

The side-effects that I feel the most are when I am late in taking it. And if I miss a day, forget it. I am a mess. I get so unbelievably shaking I can't even hold stuff in my hands. When I am late, I get really jittery and my skin crawls.

Long and short, before I started on the higher dosage, I attempted suicide. Now, I am working full-time and maintain my house. Life isn't peachy-keen, but with therapy I am working towards that. My advice would be to have a set time that you take it everyday with a little food. Hope this helps. Keep us posted!