Depression Blog.com

I took Effexor for a short period of time about 2 years ago. I was having problems with panic attacks and depression.
Within a very short period of time, I had quite severe problems.
I felt like I was in a vacuum - very detached. It was as though I wasn't really there. It was a very strange feeling, however, it became much worse and I became very paranoid on it as well. I ended up visiting the emergency department of my local hospital and they told me that I was having a very unusual reaction to this drug. I have been off it ever since.

I just came off Effexor after being on it more than a year. It did provide some relief every time the dosage was bumped up, but then I would back slide after a short period of time. I was on 300 mg when I started to come off of it and change meds.

One side effect I had throughout the time I was on it was a perpetual mild feeling of nausea (mild enough that I did not equate it to the med). However, not taking a dose regularly or with enough food would often lead to intense vomiting for days at a time. I thought it was a nasty flu bug that kept coming back. Over the course of the last year, I missed about a dozen days of work because of it. I thought it highly unusual that no one else in our household would get this flu but me, and my regular Dr was about to start a battery of tests to determine if it was gall bladder or something else.

But when I started tapering off the Effexor, it became obvious that it was a side effect of the med, and a withdrawl symptom I'd have to weather.

I share this because it was an atypical reaction that caused me a lot of grief, and stumped even my Psychiatrist. Dealing with something as intense as that was, while struggling with depression (particularly when they seemed so unrelated) was tough. Hope it helps!

I stopped Effexor because of uncontrollable weight gain - 20 pounds in 6 months. Doctor said Zoloft would not cause weight gain. What has been your feedback?

the dr put me on effexor i stayed sick could not eat so not he put me on lexapro i have not takin it yet because of all the side aff i was thinkin about paxil what do you think about paxil?

I GOT FAT! AFTER USING EFFEXOR FOR A FEW MONTHS, MY MOOD WAS GREAT, BUT AFTER A YEAR I HAD BALLOONED UP TO 175LBS. AND THIS IS ON A 5'4" FRAME. SURE, I WASN'T DEPRESSED DURING MY THERAPY AND DOSAGES, BUT WHEN I GOT ON THE SCALE, I KNEW THAT THE DRUG HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. NOW I'M JUST TAKING VITAMINS EVERYDAY, SURE I GET SAD, MAD, AND ANGRY SOMETIMES, BUT SHOULDN'T I? I'M ONLY HUMAN. BEWARE OF WEIGHT GAIN ON ANY DRUG FOR DEPRESSION OR OTHERWISE.

See my story and my opinions on Effexor at http://nicanfhilidh.typepad.com/afa/2004/03/effexor_and_wit.html

I have been on Effexor for a year and a half. What a life saver!!!
I have had some side affects like mild constipation and a little weight gain, that I can't afford..lol, but all in all...I'm way better off. I can get a headache if I miss a couple of doses. I have to take it in the evening since it makes me sleepy sometimes. Depends more on my time of the month though.
My mood swings were out of this world. I was irrational crying all the time or mad at the world. Other stuff was going on also to make it worse, but Effexor has helped me maintain a positive mental balance.

I have been on Effexor for about 6 years now. It has been just fine for me. The only side effect I had was headaches. Now I am on Effexor and Wellbuturin. It is so much better.

I was on effexor for over 5 yrs. I thought it was helping me cope w/my depression. However, a routine blood test revealed very serious live damage. My shrink refused at first to take me off the effexor but finally slowly changed me to celexa.My bloodwork improved until recently. Now it's bad again re my liver. I'm going to have to have liver biopsy. My GP said that it is not cancer or else the results would continue to get worse.
Has anybody else suffered liver damage because if effexor? It did state in CPS book that in rare cases, liver damage can occur.

I find it interesting that so many other people have experienced weight gain as a side effect, when Effexor is said not to cause it. I wouldn't trade the stability the med has brought to my life for the pounds I've gained, but I find it a little distressing that, even with eating more healthy and trying to exercise, I've been gaining, still. On a side note, I rather wish docs and the warning labels would be a little more strident about the rather drastic withdrawal symptoms one can experience if they inadvertantly miss a dose.

I have been taken Effexor for about 2 1/2 years. I did gain a little when I started the medication but I just had to work out a little more. I am glad that my doctor gave me Effexor. I am alot more happier and even though sometimes I still have "MY DAYS" I know I am a better person when I take Effexor. My only issue (As with any other antidepress. medicine) when I miss 2 days I don't feel like myself. I get dizzy, lightheaded, my bottom lip fills tingly, upset stomach, and my emotions are on a roller coster. I am screaming and crying one second and lovey dovey the next. All in all it helps the main problem of my depression.

I just started taking Effexor last week. I have been on Paxil for about 4 years and have gained 40 pounds!! That is depressing in itself. I'm really disappointed to read that Effexor causes weight gain as well. One reason my doctor switched me was because this was not suppose to cause weight gain. I noticed in the side effects it lists "anorexia". I was like "YES"!! (Just joking) But I could live without an appetite for a few months. This week I have been very, very tired just not feeling good. I'm very sensitive to a change in medication so I assume that is what it is from. I switched from Paxil to Paxl CR and experienced 3 days of depression.

There is something else in Effexor called norepinephedrine. What is that? I thought my doctor told me that Effexor would also give me energy is that what norepinephedrine is for? I can't find it on the internet.

I've had bad anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, or something to that effect going on a LOT in the last few days. I think that is better today. Is there no good news out there about the weight gain? Has anyone every changed medications and lost the weight?

[moderator response: some people gain weight from one and lose weight from another. it just depends. follow the link for more information about norepinephrine. It does talk associate heartbeat regulation with norepinephrine.]

Hi Randy:

I only got the headaches from Effexor for the first two weeks or so, then they went away. After that, I had no other problems with this drug. I have been on it for years now, and all seems well.

Thanks,
Bee

Effexor has been very effective for me. Its a very "up" anti-depressent and increased my energy level a great deal. It works best for me in conjunction with mirtazapine (California Rocket Fuel). See my comments on my own blog at http://ridland.ca

I've been on Effexor (150 mg) since 1997, 7 years. I have had NO side effects, sexual or physical issues. The introduction of Effexor XR has cetainly helped the shorts metablism. My family and I thank Wyeth-Ayerst Labs.

I have been on Efexor for a little less than a year. I didn't really have any anti-depessive effect on me -But it caused me to gain a whole lot of weight (about 20 kg. in about 6 month). When I had to realize than thing only got worth for me, taking efexor, because I had to start worying about my overweight, I stopped. Doing that I had some days with some serious abstinenses. I felt like a drug-addic trying to quit -No that I had crawing for more medicine. But I was shaking like a leaf, couldn't concentrate an for a whole day I was so dizzy, that I couldn't leave my apartment, because I felt like I would fainth, if I walked more than a couplle of steps at a time. Also I cried, one day, for 5-6 hour without being able to stop. I have to say that I did'nt feel depessive at the time, and I did'nt even feel sad at all when i cried -I just could'nt help it.
The shaking - and feelling dizzy- symptoms only felt like it was physicaly...
Honestly, I most say; to me it felt like a big relieve quitting Efexor -also compared to my previous experiences with antidepressives (Cipramil, zoloft).

I have NEVER been a depressed person.Something happened in my life almost 2 years ago that made me put my life on hold,and unfortunatly needed to go on to an anti-depressent.My doctor of 5 years suggested that I try Effexor,as she has had no complaints from any of her other patients.I was on the drug for just over 1 year.My max dose was 112mg a day.I found that when I was on the drug AND taking it properly(every 24 hours)I felt grrrreeeaaattt!! But...... once that 24th hour,25th hour,and so on came around I felt worse then when I wasn't on anything.Taking the dose of 75mg or higher,I HAD to take the pills with food or I would be vomiting for hours.I started whiening myself off of the drugs 2 months ago because my doctor told my not to quit cold turky.So like a good girl I went on 112mg a day for 2 weeks.Then I went on 75mg for 2 weeks.Then I went on 37.5mg for 2 weeks.I was finally on my last leg of the journey,37.5mg every other day for 2 weeks.I took my pill on the monday,not to have a pill untill wednesday.Well tuesday i felt like crap!!! I took my pill on wednesday,not to have one untill friday.Well I didnt make it that far.I stopped taking Effexor imediatly.There was NO WAY I was going to put that stuff inside my body again.For 9 days after I came off the drug, I could not think,I could not walk more than 10 steps without feeling like I was going to pass out.My mind felt like jello.I had uncontrolable crying fits,that would last for hours.Whats scary is that I have 2 very young children that I take care of every day,and my mind and body could not keep up with my life.There needs to be more warning to patients from medical companies,of side effects when trying to get off this drug.Yah... it's great when your on it!,but.... watch out when you try to get off of it.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO LOST THE WEIGHT GAINED FROM SSRIS? I'VE QUIT THE SSRIS AND THE WEIGHT GAIN IS SCARY...I HAVE TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT BECAUSE WEIGHT-GAIN-ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS FAR OUTWEIGH BEING CRANKY!!!

Have been on effexor 6 years gained 25kg 60lbs.
I hate it, Going to change meds dr thinking lexapro. Any ideas?

I had a horrible experience with Effexor and I wish to warn others. I developed high blood pressure and very severe migraine headaches that eventually lead to multiple trips to the ER. A neurologist put me on BP medication. The headaches were daily and non-stop. The only thing that kept me going was that I was a teacher and I couldn't miss work, but I could barely function due to the pain. I was eventually placed on oxygenby my family doctor to treat the migraines. I became very frustrated after months of feeling awful and I couldn't stand having to have the home oxygen therapy. I was a healthy person stuck inside an unhealthy body and I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired! I slowly took myself off the two medications and increased my Yoga and meditation practice. The headaches stopped when I stopped the medications and my blood presssure dropped back into the normal range!

i am 2 days effexor free and in a living hell

Effexor: I took effexor and after 2 years began to experience more anxiety after taking a dosage.

When I first began using effexor I was very happy with the result. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and it relieved my pain. But as time went on I realized I was more excitable and where I has always been frugal began spending money on clothing, etc. that I did not need. Plus, my pains began to recur.

It took a year to get off of Effexor and I still have a whirling sound in my head at times. It was an awful withdrawal process. (dizziness, ill feeling, nausea, unsteady gait).

During the withdrawal process, I became depressed, angry with people and withdrew. Before, I had been known as even tempered. I lost friends that I had had for years because of my erratic conversations.
I do not think a general practicing doctor should have been allowed to distribute this drug. It is definitely a drug that needs to be dispersed by a physician who understands the effects of cognitive altering medication.

i think it's really silly that people bitch so much about gaining weight on this drug or act happy when it talks about having anorexia as a side effect. i actually read one website where after listing anorexia as a side effect they had input "that's a problem for SOME people". i think that is pitiful. i have been on effexor for a little over a month, and i lost 15 pounds that i really did not need to lose. i literally could not eat, even if i wanted to, i was so sick to my stomach. i actually cherish the moments when i am hungry. no, anorexia is not a good thing for anyone, and if you got off of your ass and exercised and actually ate HEALTHY food you wouldn't have a problem with weight gain any time on any medicine, but that's just my opinion.

I have been having headaches ever since getting off effexor 3 months ago. I did not take it very long (2 weeks) and got off because I couldn't stand the sweating. Also, my dreams were very vivid and scary. So, I got off right away and the doc told me not to worry about discontinuation syndrome because I was not on it long enough. Wrong!!! I had severe withdrawals and won't list them because we have heard them all. The thing that worries me is the one symptom of withdrawal that won't go away is the headaches. Anyone have any suggestions??? I have been on wellbutrin now for almost one month and it is working but not taking away the headaches.

Thought I had ADD (inattentive) so dr took off effexor and went on adderol... i became hyper but lost 30 lbs in 2 months. Now, they think i did not have ADD... so took off.. gained back wt. Wt gain while on effexor for 6 years 100#. Not sure why? of course depression causes eating and eating is calming... so ?

for the headaches..maybe you should go back oneffexor in small doses and w/d.. i had no side effects coming down over one month from 225mg Did it from docs samples...

I've been having a lot of different kinds of pains in my both legs, seems like spasms and they get worse at night like the cramps you get when growing up, sometime pains in my knees front and back, sometimes my legs get so bad I cannot go up or down the stairs it hurts so much the upper part of legs. The pains are so bad I cannot do anything during the day stay off my legs, at night I cannot sleep it hurts so bad, can anyone help me, the doctore has done many ultra sounds, blood tests, xrays and so forth.

Effexor XR is horrible. Even if it helps at first, the long term side effects are not worth it. I was on and off effexor XR for 5 years and then took it for two years straight. Those were the worst two years of my life. My boyfriend went through those two years with me. He tells me about things I don't even remember doing. I gained 57 pounds in two years. If I wasn't sleeping, I was laying in bed because of the constant flu-like symptoms. Right before I went off the effexor xr, I thought I was going to die. I have never felt so ill.

Side effects were:

headaches
muscle aches and weakness(still achy)
no coordination
ringing in ears(still have this)
irritability
paranoia
high cholesterol
racing heart
anxiety
hypoglycemia
problems driving
horrible hot flashes
excessive urination
severe depression

I have been off the effexor for over two years and it has not been easy. The withdrawals were horrible. I am just starting to feel like I can work again. Excercise, homeopathy, accupressure, vitamins, fish oil and eating whole foods has helped. It is nice to have normal emotions and not feel numb or depressed all the time. I have ups and downs, but that is a normal part of life. I would suggest trying prozac or wellbutrin,( I had the least side effects on these) if you really need something.

I was directed to take Effexor by my doctor to combat diziness in which he thought was caused by anxiety. I was on Effexor for one year. During that year, I gained 25 pounds, I was depressed, starting drinking alcohol daily- sometimes purchasing 3 bottles during a weekend!
I wish I never began that medication as it had robbed me of a normal life activities- not to mention the 3 months extra I had to wait to gradually wean off the meds. PLEASE BE SELECTIVE AND EDUCATE YOURSELF IF YOUR DOCTOR DOES PRESCRIBE EFFEXOR- ESPECIALLY IF YOUR DEPRESSION IS NOT BIOLOGICAL ( BI-POLAR ). YOU CAN HEAL YOURSELF WITHOUT EFFEXOR. Regular exercise, B12 supplements and "talking" therapy is the answer.
But you won't hear that from many doctors.

I just started taking effexor last night for horrible menopasaul symptoms. Only after one dose of 37.5 mg I feel like a new person. The hot flashes have stopped, the bloating, the fatigue. I don't really know what to expect in the next few weeks or months. I had some familiar side effects that most everyone seems to experience, however, I have not felt this good in over 2 yrs. The low dosage seems to be helping now...I don't know what the future holds for me on this drug, but right now I think I will continue to put up with the side effects just so that I don't have to have those awfull hot flashes

Today is the first day that I'm finally experiencing the severe migraine coupled with intense need to vomit (nausea) that is apparently popular with the patients who have taken it. I've gotten off Effexor four days ago due to the lack of funds, and was holding off getting a new prescription (moving to a higher dose) until I get my university health plan. Now, I'm not so sure whether I should continue. Ever since I've stopped taking the medication, the headaches that I surely thought stopped have gone back with a vengeance. I feel like vomiting as well.

I have been going to a psychotherapist over a year now to talk and it has helped. However, the anxiety and paranoia and depression was still there. Thus, Effexor. I started taking the drug two weeks ago. LIke most of you folks, I felt great. Great in a different sense, though: I was detached from myself and felt like a totally different person. The first night I didn't sleep at all. The next day, I was ecstatic with a lot of energy to burn. My memory has dramatically improved, and I could talk properly as my mind was razor sharp. Fantastic! It was surreal, but fabulous. The night sweats, vivid dreams, the hot flashes I could stand. But now with the headaches and the nausea...I don't think so. what do you folks think?!? I need to be a better person before university starts, but how can I if the thing that is supposedly trying to make me feel better (and indeed, it did) is suddenly turning my life into a living nightmare. Do you think I should tell my therapist that I should quit next time I see him after taking the medication in such a short period of time?!? Are there any better alternatives?!? Help!!!

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE SAME BAD SIDE EFFECTS OF EFFEXOR. I WAS JUST TAKEN OFF IT BECAUSE OF THIS. THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO WRITE IN. I NOW KNOW I WASN'T ALONE!

I have been on antidepressants for 10 years,I tok then coz i had a work accident and hurt my back and neck the doc said this will help with the pain, well it did help at first,and it did this caz the doctor said it would but after 1year pain pain pain all over my body doc said you have fibro i will give you a bigger dose i took it well I was still in pain but i dident care, well after 5years i asked to go off the pills doc said half the dose so from 15omg i went to 75mg ok felt alittle sick but i still dident conect with the weight gain and pills.I went on diet after diet I put on 20 pounds

I am now down to 37.5 and i feel like crap but no matter i will continue i will lose the weight cos the less i weight the less pain i will be on i will make me my hobbie, we can all do it if you think you can well you can,WE ALL NEED TO HELP OURSELVES AND NOT LEAN ON OTHERS.WE ARE TOLD WE ARE A FAT WORLD SO WE ARE PUT ON PILLS THAT MAKE US FATTER AND SO IT GOES

I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR ABOUT 6 TO 7 MONTHS NOW. BEFORE THEN I WAS ON LEXAPRO AND ZOLOFT AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE EFFECTS EVERYONE HAS COMIMING OFF OF SOME OF THESE ANTIDEPRESSENTS. I WAS WONDERING I ANY ONE OUT THERE HSA EXPERIENCED ALOT OF HOT FLASHES ALL DAY LONG WHERE YOU ARE JUST SO UNCONFORTABLE AND HOT YOU CAN HARDLY STAND IT. tHIS SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY SIDE-EEFECT I AM HAVING ON THIS MEDICATION BUT IT IS A SERIOUS ONE, I AM SO HOT ALL OF THE TIME I FEEL LIKE I AM BOILING IN MY OWN BODY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE FEELING THIS TOO.

THER SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST PUTTING THIS POISON INTO OUR BODIES AND ALLOWING DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE SUCH THINGS. WE SHOULD BE INFORMED ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND WITHDRAWAL SYMTOMS WE WILL ENDURE FOR MONTHS, MAYBE EVEN YEARS TRYING TO COME OFF OF THIS MEDICATION. THIS MEDICINE IS AFFECTING THE FIRING IN YOUR BRAIN AND CHANNELING IF TO THINK AND ACT DIFFERENTLY. WHEN YOU TRY TO GET OFF OF IT YOU HAVE ELECTRIC SHOCKS IN THE BRAIN. THIS SHOULD TELL DOCTORS THAT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT WITH THIS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I WAS PUT ON THE MEDICATION I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY OF THIS DATA. BECAUSE IF THEY HAD SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH ME I WOULD OPTED NOT TO TAKE PART IN THIS LIVING HELL.

KRISTY POSTED OCTOBER 18, 2006

I Just started this med two days ago for migraines and I am feeling pain everywhere, is it the med? I am also worried about gaining weight is this not a good med for me?

If I missed a dose, after 36 hours I would be violently ill, throwing up and in pain.
When I tapered off the drug, I had ventricular tachycardia. My heart rate was over 280 beats a minute. This was a life threatening medical emergency that required an implanted defibrillator device. I don’t know if the v-tach was a coincidence or related to Effexor.

I started taking effexor almost a year ago. I was up to 225 mg and then taken down to 75 mg. I have gained 20 lbs which is depressing in itself so I decided to stop taking it on my own. So far the withdrawal symptoms seem to be dizziness.

I started taking effexor almost a year ago. I was up to 225 mg and then taken down to 75 mg. I have gained 20 lbs which is depressing in itself so I decided to stop taking it on my own. So far the withdrawal symptoms seem to be dizziness.

I've been on effexor for about 6 years on and off ( off only once).It's been the best thing for my depression. I've tried zoloft ,wellbutrin ,prozac,then finally back to effexor. NO problem with weight gain, but I am vigilant about exercise and diet. The worst side effect is mild headache sometimes, that's it. These drugs affect people quite differently. You have to find the one that works on your particular brain chemistry. THis can take a long time of trial and error. THe withdrawl is REALLY bad from effexor, no doubt, one has to do it in minute amounts. BUT, the freedom from depression is worth it for me. I hope to never go back to that state.

I stopped taking Effexor about 3 months ago. I quit because it gave me such bad pains in my legs at night that I had to take xanax to sleep. And my blood pressure was alarmingly high. I also gained weight, I have to admit that it's my fault though because I ate more and exercised less, so I can't really BLAME it on this drug. It did make me feel lazy though. I started taking myself off of it by cutting my dosage down to a pill every other day for two weeks, than every 3rd day for two weeks, and so on until I wasn't taking them anymore. I didn't experience any really bad side effects except that I felt very emotional and weepy for a while. I feel much better today, I have so much more energy, and I'm losing the weight. My blood pressure is normal now also. Try exercise, you won't believe how much better it will make you feel. If you don't exercise now, start out a little at a time, don't give up because you won't believe how wonderful you will feel after only a short period of time. Take vitamins, even a daily multi vitamin helps and taking a vitamin is just as easy as taking a effexor. And pray. It will bring you an inner peace and it's much cheaper than effexor. Good Luck.

I have been on effexor since july 2007. previously i was on lexapro. i find it hard to get excited about anything really. my boyfriend (since before the effexor) ended our relationship a week ago because he said i have changed and since i started on effexor and that i seem numb. i'm contemplating coming off them but i'm worried.