Sandalla
05-04-2004, 01:04 PM
:mad:
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
Sponsor
jtu91952
05-26-2004, 11:59 PM
:mad:
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
:wave: I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. I was on wellbutrin sr and i became homicidal during a stressful period. I am usually a non-violent person until I was given Wellbutrin to stop smoking. I took it for 90 days, stop smoking but became very aggressive. These meds all given out like candy and I will never take another pysch med again. I prefer to pray and talk to people b4 taking another one these pills. Good luck to you. ;)
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
:wave: I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. I was on wellbutrin sr and i became homicidal during a stressful period. I am usually a non-violent person until I was given Wellbutrin to stop smoking. I took it for 90 days, stop smoking but became very aggressive. These meds all given out like candy and I will never take another pysch med again. I prefer to pray and talk to people b4 taking another one these pills. Good luck to you. ;)
Marimac
05-27-2004, 09:16 PM
:mad:
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
I am sorry that you have had a bad time with the Effexor, and you are correct in saying that there are some people who should not take certain drugs. But, the truth is that no one ever knows how a drug is going to effect them until they take it. That includes Aspirin or antibiotics. Prozac was a drug prescribed to me that pushed my blood pressure into the unreadably high range and hospitalized me for a month. I don't take the drug, but I did not know it would do that to me until it was tried. On the otherhand, I have been on Effexor for several years at various doses depending on need, and it has worked extremely well for me. Please continue to remind people that they have to be aware of how their own body responds to symptoms of distress and act accordingly. Never allow anyone to tell you that what you feel is not important when it comes to your health.
My personal experience with Effexor (and to a lesser degree Zoloft and Celexa) has been nothing less that HORRIFIC!
I feel I have a moral obligation to speak up – something which, very sadly, both the drug companies and the Government bodies are failing to do!
Let me begin by saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. This drug has literally POISONED my brain and my body. (I can supply a list of all the awful side effects to anyone who wants them). THE WITHDRAWAL has been EXCRUCIATING, to the point where suicide has sometimes seemed the only way out.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE WARNED. Do not take this lightly.
I would encourage everyone to read up, do your own research, and make a very educated decision as to whether or not you want to play Russian Roulette with SSRIs. I have had to become my own doctor, and take back responsibility for my own life. Otherwise I would have had my dose increased, drugs added, exchanged, supplemented, and G-d knows what else! I shudder to think what may have become of me.
VERY IMPORTANT:[/B] [B]Apparently, they have discovered that 10% of the population is either missing a certain liver enzyme or has a deficiency of this enzyme. It appears that these are the people most prone to having to endure this nightmare. I believe it is not easy to get this tested, but it CAN be done. Why this test is not mandatory before exposing people to this sheer HELL, I do not know.
I started tapering from 300mg over 3 mths ago. I have been at 37.5mg for the last 2 mths and am still suffering! Just when I feel I may be stabilizing, I get side-swiped again and feel I’m back to square one. How, when or if I’m ever going to be able to take the next step down, literally PETRIFIES me. It is not out of the question that I may have to consider hospitalization to avoid harming myself or anyone else.
If I can save just ONE person from going through what I and many hundreds of thousands of others have gone through – then I will have done my job.
These drugs CAN, DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE MORE SUICIDES AND HOMICIDES.
I beg you to not under-estimate the severity, the sincerity and the passion in my message.
I am sorry that you have had a bad time with the Effexor, and you are correct in saying that there are some people who should not take certain drugs. But, the truth is that no one ever knows how a drug is going to effect them until they take it. That includes Aspirin or antibiotics. Prozac was a drug prescribed to me that pushed my blood pressure into the unreadably high range and hospitalized me for a month. I don't take the drug, but I did not know it would do that to me until it was tried. On the otherhand, I have been on Effexor for several years at various doses depending on need, and it has worked extremely well for me. Please continue to remind people that they have to be aware of how their own body responds to symptoms of distress and act accordingly. Never allow anyone to tell you that what you feel is not important when it comes to your health.
smackliet
06-15-2004, 08:59 PM
I am sorry. Effexor is awful for MOST people. I know several who have and are still suffering. I had 4 months of savere vertigo, nasia, diareah and thats just the physical stuff the mental and emotional we horrible too. But the worst was the vertigo. I wanted to die just so i didnt have to spin any more. It took 4 months for the vertigo to stop. it was the worst thing i could imagine.
glamdais
07-08-2004, 12:02 PM
Horrible response on Effexor for me too. I'm still trying to recover after 6 months. The physical effects (vertigo, nightmares, insomnia) are being controlled by valium. However, I'm still severely agitated, anxious, panicky and have periods of agoraphobia. I never had any of this or ever took a valium until I took the Effexor. This stuff is POISON!!!!!
Haw'nCarl
07-09-2004, 09:45 PM
Aloha All,
I totally agree that this stuff is poison, I am tired of playing the guinea pig game. I am currently still taking Neurontin, Oxycontin, and Vicodin, all of which give me mood and psych problems, not to mention what it does to my GI tract. My pain management doc has prescribed Effexor, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Paxil, and Remeron to me. I could not tolerate any of them. Effexor was by far the worst of the bunch, lots of nervousness, insomnia, panic attacks, anger, dizziness, hunger, the list goes on and on.
No synthetic help is out there for me I guess, I can’t wait to get off of the narcotics and Neurontin.
I totally agree that this stuff is poison, I am tired of playing the guinea pig game. I am currently still taking Neurontin, Oxycontin, and Vicodin, all of which give me mood and psych problems, not to mention what it does to my GI tract. My pain management doc has prescribed Effexor, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Paxil, and Remeron to me. I could not tolerate any of them. Effexor was by far the worst of the bunch, lots of nervousness, insomnia, panic attacks, anger, dizziness, hunger, the list goes on and on.
No synthetic help is out there for me I guess, I can’t wait to get off of the narcotics and Neurontin.
burg
07-09-2004, 09:54 PM
removed post, not applicable
Sickman
07-11-2004, 02:04 AM
I agree that most all Srri's have severe withdrawals but I also agree that every drug effects each of us different. The thing that I guess I want to say is that one should be aware of if it is withdrawal or condition. Many times when lowering a medication it is the condition that the drug has been keeping a bay and that is why other drugs seem to help. Are they helping withdrawal or condition. Only time will tell and if the withdrawal lasts for an overly extended time then it may be the true condition of the disorder, not the drug. No one wants to be one medications but for some it is the only way. I think sometimes people want off the medications so bad that they put themselves through months of suffering before they eventually end up on a different medication or the same. I am disabled and I feel my condition everyday all day long. I will not up my medication, I just right out the lows. I would hate to even imagine what my condition would be like without these medications. I know I could not stand it. I have been there with a medication change that took over a year to level out but condition still exists. Just want people to take a hard look at side effects, withdrawals and condition before they make a choice of going off a medication in haste. Only an opinion and I am so sorry that so many are suffering for whatever reason.
Sincerely,
Sickman :)
Sincerely,
Sickman :)
Portia26
07-11-2004, 03:43 AM
I started Effexor in 2001 for severe anxiety and OCD. It helped me so much within one month. No side effects, weight gain or anything, unlike Paxil which I had once tried briefly, and I gained a lot of weight. I was doing so well on it, that I decided to go off of it after 2 years. I very slowly tapered off... the only real side effect I noticed was the occasional "brain zap" and some irritability issues (not sure if this was even related). The only thing though, 4 months after being completely off Effexor, my OCD and anxiety came flooding back tenfold. So, I'm back on it. I find it hasn't been quite as effective as last time, but in hindsight, I think I glorified my first experience with Effexor and what I am experiencing now is about the same. All I know is, Effexor has taken me out of a very dark and scary place. I still deal with life's ups and downs, but just don't go back to that horrible place I once was - with the help of therapy as well, of course. I still feel a full range of emotions... I am no zombie! And side effects while on the drug? None. I consider myself really lucky. Just some words from someone who doesn't consider this stuff poison. I'm really sorry some of you have had such tough times though. Those of us who have had good experiences need to speak up more though, the voices on these boards are very imbalanced.
Fur-ball
07-12-2004, 04:31 PM
I was on a hefty does of Effexor for 2 years and can say the opposite. I felt fine when I stopped (which was a quick taper off) and I am fine to this day. Just because it was a horrible experience for you does not mean the rest of the world is going to be the same. Effexor was very good for me and I am glad that it was available when I needed it.
lucylane
05-16-2005, 08:01 AM
I totally agree with Portia26. Effexor is not "rat poison" and does work for a lot of people, me included. Badmouthing a drug may make you feel good for the moment and you think you are helping people, but don't forget you may sway or scare people to go off effexor even though it is helping them. Fortunately, I'm not swayed or scared to take effexor. It is a wonderful drug that has helped me have a life without depression. I suffered for years being depressed, no more.
daftthing
05-16-2005, 10:52 AM
I had a rough time on effexor, and an even worse time withdrawing. But like they say, it's different for everyone.
raqwest
05-16-2005, 03:58 PM
I just wanted to add that I have been on Effexor for almost a year now and it has been a life saver for me. I suffereed from severe health anxiety and social anxiety. I am only on 75mg so I hope when I decide to come off it I will not suffer too much! I have not had any horrible experience with it. The only side effects I have are very vivid dreams and hard time having orgasm. I am almost scard to come off it after reading things like this, but I guess I will have to see for myself.
40goingon85
05-16-2005, 09:50 PM
I too have been on Effexor for a couple of years and it worked great for a while but a few months ago it just was not doing for me what I needed and I began to feel sluggish and medicated when I upped the dose so I decided to go off it ......it was HELL.......I wanted to die for a month. I am off it now for 2 1/2 months and I still have no energy and just could care less if I even get out of the bed each day.
I am not putting all the blame on Effexor I just wanted to add my 2 cents about the trouble I had with withdrawls. I had gone off other meds and did not have nearly the problems I had with it.
If it is working for you great but if you get to the point where you have to come off it take it slow and be prepared for a bumpy road!
I am not putting all the blame on Effexor I just wanted to add my 2 cents about the trouble I had with withdrawls. I had gone off other meds and did not have nearly the problems I had with it.
If it is working for you great but if you get to the point where you have to come off it take it slow and be prepared for a bumpy road!
JustSmurfy
09-14-2005, 11:34 AM
I know this is an old post but I felt compelled to reply.
I have been on Effexor since January 2005 with nothing but good effects. It was worked wonders for me. Previously I took Paxil for 2 years and it also helped and I had no problems weaning off it and eventually stopping it
I have been on Effexor since January 2005 with nothing but good effects. It was worked wonders for me. Previously I took Paxil for 2 years and it also helped and I had no problems weaning off it and eventually stopping it
bleego
09-17-2005, 11:49 AM
I can't imagine being put on valium to replace the ssri. Valium has been a problem being very addictive for many many years. If you research it, you will find people were having problems with this medication 25-30 yrs ago. But again, there will always be those of us that are affected by one type of medication or the other. I hope all of you who are having these problems feel totally better very very soon.
NatashaW
09-17-2005, 01:57 PM
I had the same experience. The people who say effexor works for them are few and far between. I personally think most SSRI's are harmful. Don't get me wrong, a person who is schizophrenic or bi polar should be treated, but docs hand out SSRI's to anyone who says they are a little blue!! I also believe there are lots of people who chemically can not handle SSRI's. Effexor made me suicidal. Stay away from it, and ALWAYS get a second opinion and ASK QUESTIONS. Don't blindly believe everything that psychiastrists and doctors tell you.
MamaSarah
10-08-2005, 12:20 AM
I feel your pain, Sandalla.
Malakaya, I felt as if Effexor was greatly helping me for a very long time. My intuition began indicating to me it ws hurting me a year or so ago. This is when I began inquiring whether or not I should discontinue. Now that I have I see just exactly how much it Has been hurting me.
Sandalla, have you seen the post I just entered?
Hang on tight.
My heart breaks for us and those like us.
I cried for you.
-MamaSarah
Malakaya, I felt as if Effexor was greatly helping me for a very long time. My intuition began indicating to me it ws hurting me a year or so ago. This is when I began inquiring whether or not I should discontinue. Now that I have I see just exactly how much it Has been hurting me.
Sandalla, have you seen the post I just entered?
Hang on tight.
My heart breaks for us and those like us.
I cried for you.
-MamaSarah
Heimat
10-09-2005, 10:56 AM
Gosh----you guys really scare me. I am BP 2----started Effexor XL at 37.5 mg---2 months ago. If it's really that bad------should i ask my pdoc to wean me off?? The ONLY side effect i notice is that the Valium I always take (For years now)---does NOT seem to "kick in".....while i'm taking Effexor. ANYBODY who has taken it-----WITHOUT bad side effects???
nisam78
10-20-2005, 03:38 PM
hi,
I was curious about the part in your post about the liver enzyme. Can you tell me what you mean? What happens when you are missing this enzyme?
I was curious about the part in your post about the liver enzyme. Can you tell me what you mean? What happens when you are missing this enzyme?
MamaSarah
10-22-2005, 07:15 PM
hi,
I was curious about the part in your post about the liver enzyme. Can you tell me what you mean? What happens when you are missing this enzyme?
I do so much reading all over the internet.
I have so many pages bookmarked, but I don't always bookmark everything (and I don't always remember where I saw what I read).
I suggest you search some keywords.
I also suggest you search websites that are overseas (UK).
Also, search online medical libraries or online research libraries.
I'm sorry I couldn't simply answer your question, Nisam.
But I know the answer is out there. I've read it.
I'll look for it again.
-MamaSarah
I was curious about the part in your post about the liver enzyme. Can you tell me what you mean? What happens when you are missing this enzyme?
I do so much reading all over the internet.
I have so many pages bookmarked, but I don't always bookmark everything (and I don't always remember where I saw what I read).
I suggest you search some keywords.
I also suggest you search websites that are overseas (UK).
Also, search online medical libraries or online research libraries.
I'm sorry I couldn't simply answer your question, Nisam.
But I know the answer is out there. I've read it.
I'll look for it again.
-MamaSarah
mjewell
10-24-2005, 08:13 PM
Gosh----you guys really scare me. I am BP 2----started Effexor XL at 37.5 mg---2 months ago. If it's really that bad------should i ask my pdoc to wean me off?? The ONLY side effect i notice is that the Valium I always take (For years now)---does NOT seem to "kick in".....while i'm taking Effexor. ANYBODY who has taken it-----WITHOUT bad side effects???
Heimat - I don't know if you are still checking this thread or not, but I just wanted to reply and tell you I didn't have any negative side effects on Effexor. I didn't take it very long because it didn't seem to be helping my anxiety, but I didn't have any withdrawal problems or side effects on it.
These boards can scare you off certain meds thats for sure. I had to take a break for a while from the boards to be able to go on lexapro, and it has helped me tremendously. I couldn't hardly leave the house before I got on it and now I am living my life again. I read everyone's scary posts about how bad SSRIs were and I thought it would be the end of the world to take one, but I am so glad I did.
Good luck.
Heimat - I don't know if you are still checking this thread or not, but I just wanted to reply and tell you I didn't have any negative side effects on Effexor. I didn't take it very long because it didn't seem to be helping my anxiety, but I didn't have any withdrawal problems or side effects on it.
These boards can scare you off certain meds thats for sure. I had to take a break for a while from the boards to be able to go on lexapro, and it has helped me tremendously. I couldn't hardly leave the house before I got on it and now I am living my life again. I read everyone's scary posts about how bad SSRIs were and I thought it would be the end of the world to take one, but I am so glad I did.
Good luck.
Sassafrass627
11-05-2005, 03:45 AM
I started Effexor in 2001 for severe anxiety and OCD. It helped me so much within one month. No side effects, weight gain or anything, unlike Paxil which I had once tried briefly, and I gained a lot of weight. I was doing so well on it, that I decided to go off of it after 2 years. I very slowly tapered off... the only real side effect I noticed was the occasional "brain zap" and some irritability issues (not sure if this was even related). The only thing though, 4 months after being completely off Effexor, my OCD and anxiety came flooding back tenfold. So, I'm back on it. I find it hasn't been quite as effective as last time, but in hindsight, I think I glorified my first experience with Effexor and what I am experiencing now is about the same. All I know is, Effexor has taken me out of a very dark and scary place. I still deal with life's ups and downs, but just don't go back to that horrible place I once was - with the help of therapy as well, of course. I still feel a full range of emotions... I am no zombie! And side effects while on the drug? None. I consider myself really lucky. Just some words from someone who doesn't consider this stuff poison. I'm really sorry some of you have had such tough times though. Those of us who have had good experiences need to speak up more though, the voices on these boards are very imbalanced.
I absolutely agree. I had been through so many different medications trying to find something, anything, to help my depression. Finally I was prescribed Effexor. I take 300mg a day and I have to tell you, it has been my saving grace. For the first time in years, I could get out of bed and feel good about starting my day, feel good about myself and life in general. It truly saved me when nothing else did. The handful of times I stopped taking it (too lazy to go pick it up at the drug store, or needed to see MD for new prescription), my depression and anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks. As long as I take it as prescribed, I remain very even keeled. I have good days and bad days. To the OP: People respond differently to all medications. We all know this. I have no problems with telling people of your personal experiences, but it's irresponsible and dangerous to make statements such as yours. Where are the scientific facts that support your statement that Effexor and other SSRIs increase suicide and homicide rates in the people that take them? I'm sorry that you had such a horrible experience while on these meds., but that does not mean that every person that takes them will. Every drug carries some risk of withdrawal symptoms. Personally, I will never take Lamictal again. I wouldn't touch the stuff with a 10 foot pole. It made me suicidal. But I know people that take it and have had nothing but a wonderful response to it. No drug is perfect. No drug is going to affect every person the same way. Every persons level of success, side effects, bad reactions, etc. will vary. Likewise, some people will have no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever while others will have a horrendous time. I hope you are able to finish weaning yourself from Effexor without much further trouble. But I have to agree with Portia and say that for some of us, Effexor has been a wonderful drug. To those of you who have just started taking it and are frightened, just listen to your body. It will tell you whether or not to continue taking it.
I absolutely agree. I had been through so many different medications trying to find something, anything, to help my depression. Finally I was prescribed Effexor. I take 300mg a day and I have to tell you, it has been my saving grace. For the first time in years, I could get out of bed and feel good about starting my day, feel good about myself and life in general. It truly saved me when nothing else did. The handful of times I stopped taking it (too lazy to go pick it up at the drug store, or needed to see MD for new prescription), my depression and anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks. As long as I take it as prescribed, I remain very even keeled. I have good days and bad days. To the OP: People respond differently to all medications. We all know this. I have no problems with telling people of your personal experiences, but it's irresponsible and dangerous to make statements such as yours. Where are the scientific facts that support your statement that Effexor and other SSRIs increase suicide and homicide rates in the people that take them? I'm sorry that you had such a horrible experience while on these meds., but that does not mean that every person that takes them will. Every drug carries some risk of withdrawal symptoms. Personally, I will never take Lamictal again. I wouldn't touch the stuff with a 10 foot pole. It made me suicidal. But I know people that take it and have had nothing but a wonderful response to it. No drug is perfect. No drug is going to affect every person the same way. Every persons level of success, side effects, bad reactions, etc. will vary. Likewise, some people will have no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever while others will have a horrendous time. I hope you are able to finish weaning yourself from Effexor without much further trouble. But I have to agree with Portia and say that for some of us, Effexor has been a wonderful drug. To those of you who have just started taking it and are frightened, just listen to your body. It will tell you whether or not to continue taking it.
DueNApril09
11-05-2005, 06:48 AM
I have been Effexor Free from almost a month now! Sandalla, I realize how hard it is during the weaning process. Ups and down; thinking that hospitaliztion was the only option. Things WILL get better.
I had the laundry list of TERRIBLE withdrawals, BUT there is hope and the symptoms WILL go away. Please have faith and stick with it.
We (former Effexor users) need to ban together and warn the public about the effects of this terrible drug. The drug companies (and doctors) hand this stuff out like it's candy!
I had the laundry list of TERRIBLE withdrawals, BUT there is hope and the symptoms WILL go away. Please have faith and stick with it.
We (former Effexor users) need to ban together and warn the public about the effects of this terrible drug. The drug companies (and doctors) hand this stuff out like it's candy!
duttin
11-06-2005, 04:46 PM
This post is very interesting,I know its old but thought I'd reply.I was put on effexor for pain and it didn't agree with me.Before I was put on this med my Doc done a liver enzyme test for this reason.I have been put on several meds of this sort for pain and have discontinued all of them.For anxiety and other related disorders they have been benificial.I do disagree with this form of meds being handed out for pain without a liver enzyme test.Goodluck to those who sre going through the withdrawls,in time it will get better.
Toni
Toni
NHone
11-18-2005, 02:14 AM
When you look up effexor, you might need to know that it is an SSNRI...it is different than an SSRI. THe reactions could reasonably be different.
young momma
11-18-2005, 03:02 AM
I was on it for a little while. It helped me get through a really tough time. I was dealing with a friends death. If it wasn't for the effexor, I don't know what I would've done. I came off of it with no problems. The only side effect I had while I was on it was a constant headache. It dillates your eyes. Most people it doesn't bother and they don't even notice. I just happen to be the small percentage that it did. I took tylenol #3 while I was on it and I was perfectly fine.
Everyone is different! People have to see what works on them. It's trial and error.
Everyone is different! People have to see what works on them. It's trial and error.