My p-doc was wondering if I should change from prozac to effexor to reduce the anxiety I feel. I was wondering what experiences that others have on this. Does it cause weight gain?

[AGEISER]

I have been taking effexor xr for about 4 months now. I love it! I have not gained any weight, as a matter of fact I have lost weight because I feel so good. I have been on several different meds over the past 18 years and I like this one the best so far. <font color="purple"> </font>

[lenjan]

If you go back a few pages, there's a huge thread on Effexor from awhile back, but I don't mind repeating myself ;-) -- I've been on it for 5-6 years (have lost track) and love it. It's the only a-d that's worked for me. I haven't gained any weight on it either, though I've gained bunches on others.

Candy

[jbug]

I take both prozac and effexor xr. I think it helps sometimes.

Janniebug

[Butterfly_Faerie]

I am on Effexor XR and find it to be fantastic for GAD (anxiety) no weight gain... not for me anyways. Don't think that is a issue with this drug.

I hope you have much success with it, if you do happen to go on it.

[jmo531]

I currently take Effexor and have for about 4 months. I take 150 mgs and I have not gained weight on this med. In fact I lost weight. I was very concerned about taking this med in the begining but I have done great with it. My anxiety level is mostly low and I can actually feel again. Although, in the begining I had some really vivid dreams, but they went away.
Good Luck

[adieuolivaw]

EV: A word of caution here. It's a good idea to have a friend check on you, at least by phone, if you are starting to take a new medication.

A lot of people have had good experiences with Effexor. For me it's a very dangerous medication. Don't let that stop you from finding out if it's right for you, though. Just be careful.

Adieu

ok.. now you have me nervous. What were your bad experiences?

[dasiy6]

I have been on effexor xr for about 5 1/2 years. I currently take 600 mg. in the morning. It has been a wonderful drug for me with no side effects to speak of... no weight gain or sedation for me at least :P). Good luck

[darkeyes]

In the past I had been on both, not at the same time, unfortunately neither had much impact on my depression, I didn't notice any unusual weight gain, I did notice though, that prozac made me feel less fatigued than effexor,I also was on the extended release type.
I had also been prescribed (not all at the same time) zoloft,wellbutrin, and celexa, celexa out of all of those helped.
It does stink, that most AD's contribute to weight gain, eh?
Like just what a depressed person wants, is to gain weight
I can tell you when I was on mood stabilizer, depakote, I gained lots of weight, remeron also made me gain weight and feel like a zomby so the doc changed my meds. things are so much better now, Lamictal agrees with my system so finally one has been perfect for me, no weight gain and no fatigue, just the natural sleepiness not drug induced, yay!
Another good thing I am on half the dose I started with 2 years ago, another, yay!
Oops! Sorry I got to rambling on, I guess I am chatty today

Take care, I hope all works out for you


DE

[adieuolivaw]

EV: There are many reasons why I wouldn't care to share openly in this forum.

Larry isn't one of those reasons. I have a lot of respect for him, and I feel comfortable because he's here. I've never known him to treat anyone abusively or unkindly. I've never known him to distort what a person says, to gain some unfair advantage. I've never known him to try to demean a person to make himself or his argument look better. And he seems quite happy to let us exercise our right of expression and right to the treatment of our own choice. He doesn't seem in the least threatened by our widely differing opinions and experiences. I've never heard him insult anyone by insinuating that person wasn't telling the truth, either. Last, but not least, I most sincerely wish everyone here would follow his good example.

The advice I already gave you, EV, is all I'm willing to say.

TRIAL BY EXISTENCE:
Not everyone at this forum will allow both sides of the story to be told about a drug. In fact, it's a little like a WWF smackdown when the FDA types and the Pharmacology types descend on some poor, deluded poster who reports the truth he heard on last night's news --- clear as crystal --- only to get jumped in this forum by those who consider that truth to be unwelcome.

Lots of watchdogs here, just not necessarily those who have much clarity of vision about what the consumer's best interests might be. So if one wants to come to this forum at all, one has to understand and accept this type of bias. By acceptance I mean a healthy recognition that the bias does exist --- just as algae exists in standing pools of water --- which is not at all to agree that it is a desirable or appropriate state of affairs. It simply is what it is.

TRIAL BY JURY:
And now to decide a suitable fate for those who rocked the boat by coming to this place expecting fair treatment. (1) If you find them guilty of believing that all rational opinions and relevant information are welcome here, shame on them! (2) If you find them guilty of believing that some civilized rules of debate or logic or sportmanlike conduct apply here, shame on them! (3) If you find them guilty of failing to respect the use of the tools of demagoguery in this place, shame on them! (4) So fine them 10 cents each and tell them to watch their step from now on.

MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING:
No, the Pills-Are-Us folks are not exactly David Koresh or Charles Manson. However, there is a thread of similarity here. None of them would tolerate any deviation from the messianic party line. So let us examine the roles of those who cluster about this forum -- to see if we can discover their functions and see if we can see them through their own eyes.

Are the FDA and Pharmaceutical Companies and Pharmacologists indeed saviors of the mentally ill via better living through chemistry, as they self-style themselves?

Are the ACLU and the Consumer Advocates and the Families and the Ombudsmen and the Conservators and the Guardians ad Litem --- protectors of the mentally ill, similar to watchdogs that stand between us and potential predators?

And who on earth is this creature called Patient X, an adult, with an IQ of yours or mine, daring to make its own treatment decisions? Is Patient X truly the bungling, incompetent and not to be trusted drooling infant that its saviors claim it to be, needing protection and preventive pills, to save it from itself? Is Patient X actually in need of a growing crew of protectors such as those who claim to tenderly care for and look out for it, who see it as otherwise doomed to fall into the jaws of predators? Finally, how does Patient X see itself? Does anyone here beside Patient X see that as a relevant question?

I suggest that it is the ONLY relevant question. This is not a locked ward. This is not a guardianship situation. This is not a master and servant relationship. And this is not a parental function.

We have all lost sight of what matters to the patient. Dare I suggest what that may be? How about freedom? How about no more censorship (by vilification) of the patient's information and options? And how about a little respect for the patient's person and intellect too, if that wouldn't be too much trouble?

I sometimes wonder what on earth we imagine we can offer the people who come to this forum seeking information anyway, when we habitually deny each other fairness, civility, good will, and respect. So here's a "razzberry" to those of us who are treating each other so badly. Just my observation.

Adieu

[Butterfly_Faerie]

I've had nothing but wonderful results so far with Effexor, no bad side effects, no nothing actually... I'm quite impressed with it, but everyone is different.

what on earth are you talking about?

[darkeyes]

What is the problem?
I, as well as others here do not understand what all this hostility you are showing is about.
People are just discussing their meds. if you are having a problem, you may wish to discuss it with someone in admin.
Sorry to hear you are so displeased, but I still do not see the connection of your reply to what the original post was, I am totally confused. I do understand your one reply, in the past when I was put on new meds. I was told that too, to have my family members keep an eye on me as to if they saw any reactions that I may not have noticed if any should occur.
But what confuses me is the way you just "went off" on our member/s here. All EV was concerned or scared about was what sort of things she needs to take care with.

I personally do not see anything wrong with people that come here get to share their experiences with their meds, rather good or bad experiences, sharing such stuff may benefit someone new to a med.
Best Wishes,
DE

I am feeling alot more paniky and overwhelmed. This is day 4 of effexor. I sorta feel lightheaded too.

[Bella722]

I was on Effexor for a little over a year and my p-doc had to put me on it twice a day because I would get shaky and lightheaded if it wasnt in my system for even an hour. I gained about 20 pounds on it and it was REALLY hard to get off it. I had VERY bad withdrawal from it. But that was just my experience with it. Hope I helped a little. <font color="red"> </font>

[darkeyes]

Please report this to your prescribing doc, ASAP, this should be looked into.
Not all meds work for everyone the same way, so this may be your case. You may be prescribed a different med. but again, please call your doc., okay?
Let us know how things work out.
Please take care,

DE

[adieuolivaw]

DARKEYES: Yes, I can see you don't understand. It didn't happen to you. And it certainly didn't happen in the here and now. So for you it may be difficult to see how it could possibly be relevant to this thread.

Nevertheless, it is. Please remember that EV asked me to explain what Effexor did to me. I won't discuss that subject, because I have already been falsely accused once in this forum of trying to persuade vulnerable and suffering patients NOT to take the meds they allegedly need to relieve that suffering.

Adieu

PM follows.

[kittykat_kezzz_purrr_meow]

Hi, I am on Effexor XR &amp; although I have no side effects taking it, have really bad side effects when I don't. If I for reasons go without, I get so light headed. Honestly is awful. If I was to shake my head &amp; stop, on the inside it feels like my head is still shaking. Everything starts to sound echoey. If it's left for to long feel physically sick &amp; nauseous. Oh yeh didn't mention the weight gain.
I do have to take Epilum for a mood stabilizer, can't just take Effexor or any anti-depressant on it's own or will go on a high.
I used to live in denial world &amp; think I didn't need to take meds to stay well, but guess got sick of bouncing in &amp; out of hospital &amp; gave meds a try. Haven't been hospitilized for a few years now since being on them.

Kezzz.