[ChangingMyMind]

I've pretty much run the gamut of ADs and have nothing that I can actually take. With all that I have tried I have had serious side effects and had to stop, including one I used to take for 11 years.

Here is my list of NO-gos: Celexa, Lexapro, Pristiq (most promising but made me lazier than I already was), Viibryd, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta and Prozac.

Most of them work for my mood but I get intolerable side effects. I get itching/rash on most of them including Wellbutrin which seemed really good for my mood.

So here I am with little options but clearly in need of something and soon! Sooo my pdoc thinks Effexor may be good because Pristiq was ok for me we just can't cut it to reduce the dose (I'm very sensitive to meds - even low dose Prozac 4mg caused itching and a sun burn like feeling all over my body).

My question is what are your experiences on Effexor, I hear it works for many people but it also has horrible withdrawal. Are there any posts I can refer to that anybody knows of? I tried a search but the search function doesn't seem to work well... it pulls up any and everything under the sun so it doesn't really help me narrow.

I appreciate any help!!

[Travelinglady]

Hi! I haven't taken Effexor, but a relative of mine takes it regularly. Because of medical conditions, she has had to go off and on it. She says the withdrawals are bad, but she managed.

My understanding is that Effexor and Pristiq are closely chemically related, so if you did okay with Pristiq, then I agree with your doc that you are likely to do well with Effexor.

If you want to check to see about other posts on it here, then you can post in Clyde's Corner. Here is the link: http://forums.psychcentral.com/clydes-corner/.

I certainly hope Effexor will work for you, if you do take it.

[regretful]

I took Effexor for about 8 weeks - when I started, I began on a high dose (150 mg). I didn't have too many side-effects, but as the time with it went on, anxiety started setting in with it, and that led to insomnia. I stopped taking it cold turkey. The first couple of days without it were a bit 'strange', but overall, there was not any serious withdrawal...Good luck with it.

[splitimage]

I've taken Effexor for over a decade and had really good results with it. It blasted me out of a really deep and dark depression. I had minimal side effects except some nausea and dizziness when I first started it, or whenever we increased the dose, but those side effects generally went away after a couple of weeks.

I have heard horrror stories about coming off it, but I also know people who have come off of it successfully with minimal discomfort. I think the key is to have a Dr. who is actually experienced in withdrawal management. My addictions Dr. is forever weaning people of psych meds but she does it at a much slower pace than most pdocs, and it's usually over a period of months.

splitimage

[NowhereUSA]

i never had any side effects with effexor or withdrawal issues (but it also didn't work on my mood, so there's that to consider). i had a hell of a time coming off pristiq tho. ugh. i will never again touch that med with a ten foot pole.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

i never had any side effects with effexor or withdrawal issues (but it also didn't work on my mood, so there's that to consider). i had a hell of a time coming off pristiq tho. ugh. i will never again touch that med with a ten foot pole.

I think that a med famous for bad withdrawal and does not give any withdrawal when coming off has never worked in the first place . That is only my personal feeling , nothing is that simple in the world of antidepressants . It may simply have not crossed the blood brain barrier for some strange reason , or even you own body rejected it has a form of survival. BUT believe me, a med that don't give side effects or withdrawal is a dead duck before you start.

[jpny]

Don't do it! It's not worth even trying! Not to to just put it out there but this drug shouldn't be used as an antidepressant or for people who suffer from depression.
I was on it and had to deal with side effects, withdrawal and that was a year ago...I'm still not myself. It's not worth the sacrifice you're going to have to make in the end just to even see if Effexor will work!

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by jpny

Don't do it! It's not worth even trying! Not to to just put it out there but this drug shouldn't be used as an antidepressant or for people who suffer from depression.
I was on it and had to deal with side effects, withdrawal and that was a year ago...I'm still not myself. It's not worth the sacrifice you're going to have to make in the end just to even see if Effexor will work!

I have friends on Effexor only 1 at 75mg and 2nd 150mg doses they have been on it 10 years , they have gone up and down with the dosage but settled on those 2 doses. NO weight gain , sex life passable 1 didn't have 1 before the med so I don't think that bothers him. ( WITHDRAWAL ) there wont be a withdrawal they both still do ok so why withdraw , there not about to turn there life upside down just to see if they can manage without it . Has I say its there 1 and only med so they are quite happy to spend there life on it. People still have ups and downs when on any med so don't rush or stop them if having a bad week it just normal

[Altered Moment]

Pristiq is the active metabolite of Effexor. I was convinced they were no different but after much reading and research I do believe pristiq is a cleaner version of Effexor. Meaning Effexor is more likely to cause side effects than pristiq.

If I were you I would try the Fetzima first. If I remember right you never tried it. I think your genetic test would have put it in the green.

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[Altered Moment]

I dunno I took Effexor on and off for years. Also pristiq for a year after Effexor had totally pooped. I have never had much trouble with them as far as side effects and withdrawal.

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[jpny]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I dunno I took Effexor on and off for years. Also pristiq for a year after Effexor had totally pooped. I have never had much trouble with them as far as side effects and withdrawal.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are incredibly lucky!!!!!!!!

I'd be more concerned about the itching and sunburn like rash you've developed with other antidepressants and make sure that Effexor (and any other antidepressant you may consider) doesn't contain any of the same chemicals ...

With that being said the high dosage of Effexor I was on did little to alleviate my depression and the withdrawal from it was horrid ... Wellbutrin XL worked well for me, but they had to eventually take me off that due to long term side effects as well.

Again focus more on the recurring rash ... Some allergies to certain medication ingredients can intensify over time and even prove deadly in some instances!

Best of luck to you!

[ChangingMyMind]

Thanks everybody for your responses! I have decided not to try it because my doctor said I'm more likely to have more side effects on it than I did with Pristiq. I plan to see a new pdoc and see what (s)he thinks. I think my next best option is Lamictal. I've been scared to take it because it has scarier side effects than ADs but I am running out of options.

My biggest problem right now is severe GI issues. Not sure what is up yet but severely constipated which could have made taking Cymbalta an issue. Perhaps I can get this resolved and then get back on Cymbalta since it he's been an AD I had less side effects on before.

Thanks again for all the responses!

[Bird Feeder]

I take 600mg of effexor and have for 14 yrs. i dropped a 150 capsule for a couple months and did fine, although i went back up for the anxiety features. It has been a good med for me. Good luck!

[Pierro]

changingmymind,
As you can imagine everyone has different versions of how effexor effected them because everyone is different. My experience is a good one. I have liked being on effexor. It has helped me so much not only for depression but for severe anxiety as well. The only reason I am off it now is because I had physical problems on it and plus I cant afford it. I didnt have too many problems going off it, I tapered down ocer the last 3 months as I was on 225 mgs. I felt best at the higher dose. Dont let anyone tell you not to go on it. That is something that you have to decide for yourself. \best wishes

[Grieving Sister]

Was on Effexor twice worked great for my depression . Unfortunately had to stop taking it because it sent my blood pressure up to 170. I think my stress level helped that too. Good luck it hope you find a med that works soon.
Withdrawal wasn't that bad.

[kiwi33]

I have been on Effexor (Venlafaxine, 150 mg/day) for about five years - it has helped in bringing my severe Major Depressive Disorder into remission.

However quitting it cold turkey is often a really bad plan - the side-effects are usually not good.

If you decide to discontinue, I think that you should taper off slowly, with close supervision from the members of your mental health care team.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

I've pretty much run the gamut of ADs and have nothing that I can actually take. With all that I have tried I have had serious side effects and had to stop, including one I used to take for 11 years.

Here is my list of NO-gos: Celexa, Lexapro, Pristiq (most promising but made me lazier than I already was), Viibryd, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta and Prozac.

Most of them work for my mood but I get intolerable side effects. I get itching/rash on most of them including Wellbutrin which seemed really good for my mood.

So here I am with little options but clearly in need of something and soon! Sooo my pdoc thinks Effexor may be good because Pristiq was ok for me we just can't cut it to reduce the dose (I'm very sensitive to meds - even low dose Prozac 4mg caused itching and a sun burn like feeling all over my body).

My question is what are your experiences on Effexor, I hear it works for many people but it also has horrible withdrawal. Are there any posts I can refer to that anybody knows of? I tried a search but the search function doesn't seem to work well... it pulls up any and everything under the sun so it doesn't really help me narrow.

I appreciate any help!!

Effexor, gives most gi problems. If you like the SNRI's I recommend Fetzima or even Cymbalta over Effexor. Since both don't hurt your stomach and typically from clinical reports are more effective in treating depression. Also, Cymbalta helps with nerve pain, and oh I just recalled Effexor can cause weight gain where Fetzima and Cymbalta are weight neutral. You might like Nefazodone if you battle with anixiety as well. It's a great AD for OCD, depression, PTSD, and is weight neutral as well. Good luck!

[dfwsteph]

Effexor (venlafaxine) has been the med that I could tell really worked for me. I take a lot of others too including "mood stabilizers" (anti-seizure) and Cymbalta, but I think of Effexor as what has helped me the most. I do take a big dose...625mg.

I'm supposedly Bipolar II, but I'm way on the depressed end and the depression can get bad. I've seen a lot of bad opinions about Effexor, but for me it's kept me alive. It also has not "pooped out" like all the anti-depressants I've been through.

I think it depends on our chemical makeup...everyone is different. Hope you find what works for you.

....stephanie