Has anyone been on Effexor?

[lightningandsnow]

I'm switching to it since Lexapro did weird shit to me - basically, made my anxiety worse instead of better (I felt like I was tweaking or something) and made me rather self-destructive.

I'm not asking for medical advice....just wondering what others' experiences on it were like.

[PeaceNikki]

1. Yes. And coming off of it was one of the WORST experiences of my life.

[taterguy]

2. Is that a ride at Disney World?

Been a while since I've been there

[Bertha Venation]

3. It worked for me, but my BP shot through the roof.

I was extremely disappointed. It worked better than anything I'd ever been on.

Good luck, lightning. Been thinking of you. :hug:

[betharina]

4. yes--it made me sweat like crazy--

missed a day and i felt like i was spinning. getting off of it was horrible. both took away any desire for sex.

[Lucy Goosey]

5. It's working pretty well for me.

I've been on it for a few years now. I was a bit jumpy and agitated for a couple of weeks, but nothing too horrible, and that side effect went away. The worst of it for me is that it's harder to sleep, so I have to take Trazodone at night to help with that.

I'm on the time-released version, and I don't have too much of a problem if I miss one day, presumably because there is still some in my system. If I miss two days, I start to feel a bit dizzy.

I've heard all the horror stories about getting off Effexor, but I don't have any plans to do that in the near future. My doctor says he has had reasonable success prescribing Prozac to people to get them off Effexor.

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. Yes, and NEVER try to come off it without your doctor's advice...

If he ever takes you off it...follow his instructions to the letter. Very bad withdrawal symptoms.

[SoxFan]

7. I've had good luck with it

It works on both serotonin and norepinephrine uptake, so it's something of a two-fer.

The big problem is the short half-life. Effexor clears your system much faster than most other antidepressants, so things can get funky if you miss a dose or two; dizzy spells, "brain shivers", and malaise. This ties in with the withdrawal problems people have mentioned.

Still, Effexor often gets the job done where other medications have come up short.

[datasuspect]

8. i always thought that would be a good name for a death metal band

with umlauts over the letter O of course.

to answer your question, no.

wish i could be of more help.

[BolivarianHero]

9. *hugs*

Hopefully you'll be better next time we have the chance to talk. I can't give you advice, because all I have is moderate (but positive) experience with a few benzos, and these are nothing like them.

[liberaltrucker]

10. I've taken it for 5 years

Works great for me. Doc had to try several meds
before he tried it. People respond differently
drugs. Good luck. :hug:

[Paper Roses]

11. Effexor..#1 on my allergic reaction list at the doctors, pharmacy and hospital.

When the Doc prescribed it for me, I had a horrible reaction. Took it in the late PM. When I got up in the morning, I felt very light-headed. Things moved rapidly from that point. I was on my way to sit in the kitchen when all of a sudden I saw an incredibly white light in my right eve. I fell into the chair and forward on the table.I could feel nothing in my legs or arms. I was conscious but felt that I had to get away from the white light that was now in both eyes. As my husband called the emergency room, I kept my head on the table but forced myself to talk. Had a overwhelming feeling of fright. No pain but complete loss of function in arms and legs. I could not move them.

This episode lasted about 15 minutes. When I went to the Doctor, they took me off Effexor. Never had that happen since. I took no other medication for any sort of counter action.

[fizzgig]

12. i had good luck with it for awhile

it worked well for me until it just stopped working. but, as others have said, you'll feel it if you miss a dose and follow your doctors orders if you stop taking it. i did it (stupidly) cold turkey. i had no idea how bad an idea that was. i survived it, but but my doc let me have it when i told her.

[mdmc]

13. Hope it works better for you my friend

peace and low stress

[hunter]

14. Effexor is inexplicably expensive in the USA.

Once a person is taking it switching to another antidepressant for any reason isn't a job for amateurs.

Sexual side effects are common. It helps a great deal to have a good sense of humor about sex; an attitude of silliness or playfulness is required because anyone who takes sex seriously is going to end up seriously frustrated at times.

Starting on Effexor can be an adventure, quitting it can be an adventure, and so can missing doses. It ALWAYS goes along, in carry on luggage, etc., etc.

It can interact weirdly and unpredictably with alcohol. The wisest course is to avoid alcohol.

It's a powerful drug with significant side effects. If it is working well most of the side effects are manageable, except when they are not, like with high blood pressure or glaucoma.

And wait, there's more!

Good luck to you, and welcome to the trial-and-error merry-go-round. It's fascinating how people with identical symptoms respond to these sorts of medications in different ways; how what works well for one person doesn't work at all for another.

[slay]

15. I did not like the side effects

couldn't get it up to have sex with my girl. also stomach and sleeping problem. i've found the benzos like valium and klonapin helped my anxiety/depression the best. xanax actually worked the best but addiction to that is quick and the med itself leaves your bloodstream quickly too which can lead to more rapid withdrawl or addiction. all these meds have to be tapered off under a doctor's supervision or it could actually be dangerous.

personally, i think marijuana is the best choice - is natural and non-addictive - to deal with anxiety/depression issues the best. some people it increases their anxiety but not for me.

i think effexor effects people differently though

*Disclaimer - nothing here is medical advice, just my experience. your mileage may vary.* good luck.

[elana i am]

16. i've been on it for 3 years

and it works well. it's the only thing that really does work for me.

it does have some side effects. i've had to limit my drinking to one drink occasionally. and you definitely feel dizzy and off kilter if you miss a dose.