Effexor

[starinhiseyes]

I have been on effexor for just over 2 1/2 years now, It has done amazing things for me, hehe, the only problem is when i forget to take it! I get very ill, my head spins, major headaches and i puke everywhere! My life has changed through it though, i have been on others before but they did little for me. I have whats called genetic clinical depression, it has run through my family blood line for years and years. I dont know if i will ever be able to go off meds, but you never know what God has instore for me. Wait a few more weeks for the full effects. God Bless you in all you do.

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

I was on effexor for a while and while it was working I asked to be switched about a year ago because I was having problems timing my time to take it so I wouldn't be restless at night.

Even though this mostly relates to me It might help.

The worst side effect of all anti depressants. when you no longer take them you are left right where you were when you started. there kinda like a life stop watch. For me at least. Maybe it is just a natural process god just wont let us cheat.

Just another useless piece of advice from someone who knows nothing.
F1ReFly

My counselor told me that anti-depressants are a band-aid to get you to normal while you work out whatever is making you depressed.

 

[F1ReFly]

My counselor told me that anti-depressants are a band-aid to get you to normal while you work out whatever is making you depressed.

Sounds like good advice. Maybe I should have took it longer? I was on it for two months and the problem was still staring me in the face when I had no more. I got really depressed.
This is not professional advice but has helped me allot. I used to be a body builder in my early twenties.Then when a major event happened in my life I fell into a major slump and gained 100 pounds of fat. After my divorce I could barley make myself eat for a month I lost 40 lbs in 30 days. A lot of friends were concerned and we came to a compromise I promised to eat but went back to the healthy lifestyle with weightlifting and diet. so far I have lost over 80 lbs and am starting to feel better in all facets of my life. don't take me wrong NOT EATING IS NOT HEALTHY. but the exercise has given me the energy to get out of bed in the morning and a good well balanced diet takes my mind off things preparing my meals.

F1ReFly

 

[Zippety13]

I've been on effexor almost 9 months now. I got side-effects when I started and every time my dose increased for a while but they were mostly from withdrawal. It's amazing how I can tell if I'm even an hour late on my next dose. The side effects for me haven't been horrible though, not like ones I've had in the past (from either Lexapro or trileptal, a mood stabilizer bec i was originally diagnosed as bipolar). And all in all I think they are working. I think I may need another dose increase though but we shall see... I'm in the process of switching pdocs because of changing my insurance. I'm on 225mg and I no longer feel suicidal and rarely have feelings of self-hatred. It's nice to not be insulting myself and shooting myself down all day. Anti-depressants can take a while to take effect and to find the right dose and I'd say take the time to find it. You'll be happy when you find the right dose and med. Be sure to be careful and have the advice of a doctor when you discontinue the drug too. For most anti-depressants, quitting cold turkey or too fast won't kill you but it can put you in a serious depression. I'd recommend learning how AD meds work just so you understand how important it is to quit slowly. Also, if you are on a mood stabilizer or any other med, be sure to talk to your doctor about getting off the drug if you are planning on doing so. I know with Trileptal that death can be caused by rapid withdrawal.

Though the withdrawal effects suck (I know because I've tried to quit once), I'd say it's worth it. Just make sure that when you do decide to quit, that it is the right time to do it--when you are confident in your relationship with Christ and surrounded by friends and family. I probably won't quit effexor unless my pdoc thinks he's found an even better drug for me or until I'm married and want to have children (can't have children or be pregnant on AD meds).

 

[GrannySmith]

i still feel pretty low. Sad and like I cant' stand being alive. Its only the 2nd week though. I feel like I just want to walk out on my job though. I work at a hotel at the front desk. This is not the job for me. I cant' stand talking on the phone. The phone rings all the time. I can't stand talking to people either. There's always someone I have to talk to. My husband is forcing me to work because he only makes so much money. This is the only job I've found

Hang in there, each time I have come out of depression, I'm a better person. For me, meds are absolutely necessary at times. Without them, I would have never sought council. You are a precious child of God and He loves you SO much. You are accepted, adopted, forgiven, chosen and blessed. (Eph.) Never forget who you are in Him. He really IS there with you even though you may not feel like He is. Bless you

 

[HEdiedforyou]

I was on effexor and I had to come off of it.I had a partial breakdown from it.

 

[penguin]

Hi I am just currently discovering this site so have only now seen your post. I am currently withdrawing from Effexor having been on it for 3 years. It has made my wel l and I no longer need to be using it. it is a med however which does take a while to withdraw from but it is certainly one that has suited me
Penguin

 

[ChasingADream]

I was on it at one point along with about a million other things. Realistically, I have been prescribed about 15 different types of anti-depressants etc. It all started when I was 17. I don't really have any good friends anymore. Everybody thinks I'm "all better" now but that's just because I hide it better now. I'm not on anything now because I find that I experience more panic attacks when I'm on meds. No matter which kind. I've also been on anti-psychotics, and different types of mood stablizers as well. Like some others have mentioned, I don't feel like I deserve to live. It just doesn't feel worth it sometimes (most of the time) and nobody I know would care anyway. I truely hope everyone else finds something that can help them though and I hope you all feel better soon.

 

[njcl]

EFFEXOR - been on them 4 years

SIDE EFFECTS - none for me but was in the news in the uk because it caused those with mild depression to become suicidal

COMING OFF THEM - read somebody said 4 weeks,which part of never never land was he from............it will take a minimium of 6 months to properly come off a anti depressent package if your a long term user of use them as a mixture with other anti depressants

 

[GrannySmith]

I was on it at one point along with about a million other things. Realistically, I have been prescribed about 15 different types of anti-depressants etc. It all started when I was 17. I don't really have any good friends anymore. Everybody thinks I'm "all better" now but that's just because I hide it better now. I'm not on anything now because I find that I experience more panic attacks when I'm on meds. No matter which kind. I've also been on anti-psychotics, and different types of mood stablizers as well. Like some others have mentioned, I don't feel like I deserve to live. It just doesn't feel worth it sometimes (most of the time) and nobody I know would care anyway. I truely hope everyone else finds something that can help them though and I hope you all feel better soon.

Honey, you are depressed! Please find someone, your pastor or a profesional counselor to help you sort things out. Actually, we all deserve to die, but because Jesus died in our place, it is His will for us to live and live life to its fullest. You say nobody you know cares, I care. I have recently come out of a major depression and know some of what you feel. There IS hope. This IS temporary. You WILL come through this. Let us help. - Praying for you - Granny

 

[TheMainException]

Effexor didn't do so good for me...I went to Prozac...just gotta keep going til you find the right one....they all have different effects for different people.