[/quote]

Sorry I didn't see this till today, but that tapering is far too fast unless there is an urgent medical reason for doing so. Is there?

When I stopped Efexor I was told to drop by 37.5mg every 2 to 4 weeks and that was from a dose of 225mg. And for the last 37.5mg take it for 2 weeks and then take 37.5 mg every alternate day for a further 2 weeks. So it took me 8 weeks to quit Efexor.

Eileen
[/quote]

Did this go ok? I ask as I have just started taking Effexor, first dose yesterday (37.5mg)

I am still unsure about carrying on, need my mind putting at ease. I've had no reaction to it though so that's good, slept fine.

Hi, I go by iheartme here at DF, and I have been on Effexor XR since May of this year. I am currently taking 150mg and finding that I need to increase my dosage to 225mg. I have been finding myself in a little bit of a funk and my anxiety is surfacing more than usual. Overall, Effexor has been a positive experience in terms of it managing my anxiety & depression with little side effects other than constipation, and that is helped with prune juice! I am really glad to have found this site. There is a lot of great information and individual stories that have been so helpful my short time here!

Hi there! I have been on 150mg/day of Effexor XR since 2003 when I was hospitalized for attempted suicide. I also take Lamictal 200mg/day. Recently I have noticed that my memory and my ability to concentrate has greatly decreased. Prior to being on any medication at all (2001), I never had the "best" memory but now, I have difficulty completing tasks at work that 7 years ago I would have had. I forget things I was going to say right in the middle of a conversation, I forget things I was told only a week prior, I have to re-read things 3 and 4 times to understand what I read, etc. About a year ago I started seeing a new Psych b/c I moved and she thought I might have ADD and had me try Adderall. The Adderdall just made be feel hyper and shaky so I stopped taking it. 3 months ago I started to attribute the memory loss and lack of concentration to my Lamictal and asked my new Psych what he thought. He said he had never heard of the Lamitcal doing this but told me to drop down to 100mg/day to see what happened since we were going to try to get me off meds all together. Just so happens the same week I was told a job that I had been promised for 10 months in my department was not going to be filled after all - not the best week to mess with meds so I waited. In the interim I started reading online about memory loss and Effexor XR. LOTS of complaints and comments. I decided this past weekend I would talk to him about tapering off the Effexor XR. However, now that I've read the mass of comments about the horrible side effects of withdrawal I am not only very scared, but depressed thinking I may not be able to get rid of the Effexor anytime soon. I am now applying for other positions since I don't feel I can happily stay working for someone who basically screwed me over for 10 months by lying to my face. I actually have a phone interview tomorrow for a potential position that is very appealing but will require a good memory and ability to concentrate. It's very frustrating to deal with this. As I said before, my memory has never been stellar but over the last 7 years it has really gotten bad. It's embarrassing, affects my self-esteem greatly and keeps me from doing better things with my life (finishing my Master's degree, getting a more productive, satisfying job). My life is a complete 180 from the day I attempted suicide so I don't feel that trying to get off my meds is a disaster waiting to happen. In fact, the side effects of the meds I'm on is what is making me sad. And if I find I am right back where I started back in 2003 without the meds, then I will just accept that and go back on them. But I'd like to try life without them and I just think I need someone to say that even if I have to deal with some nasty withdrawal symptoms - there is hope and it will get better. So if there is anyone out there who can give me some hope, I would appreciate it. (I am getting ready to go to my Psych right now, so I'll see what he says and post back.)

Thanks!

Hi folks - I havent post on the Depression forums for along time - but I find myself needing you lot.
Before xmas I started to see a psych again, as all my serious and life limiting illnesses were getting me really down.
Well I used to take Dosulepin (aka Prothiaden) until this week.
I saw the psych fri and he changed me to Venlafexine 37.5mg twice daily (actually want me on the MR version but I cant take capsules and in UK on MR in capsules).

I got the pills this morning, after weaning my dosulepin down over the weekend I took the first pill this am.
About 45mins later I started to feel very very unwell, symptons I got were:
severe waves of nausea
lower stomach pain
shakiness
cold sweats

Now I am worried if it was a reaction to the pills BUT I also have problems with bowel adhesions following nasty bowel surgery a few yrs back, that can cause almost the same reaction.
I did wakeup during the night with the adhesion pain but it had passed completely by the time I took the tablet.

Could this be a reaction to the Effexor ??

I am too scared to take another dose right now.

This post has been edited by Cloudedbrains: Feb 4 2009, 06:02 PM

i started Effexor (started 37.5mg...up to 75mg) about 6 weeks ago. i take it for anxiety/panic disorder and depression. i also use Wellbutrin 300 mg/day to combat my depression and SAD and Lunesta for insomnia. (i began taking meds for my disorders about 3 years ago when experienced a nervous breakdown. i started with zoloft 100 mg a day, went off and tried lexapro, went off lexapro and back on zoloft and paired it with Wellbutrin. 8 months ago i was able to maintain my disorders with just Wellbutrin, but had to go on to Effexor)

i've been experiencing the uncomfortable side effects of effexor. when i began i had nausea, stomach pain, shakiness, feeling really hyper, feeling really tired, blurred vision, brain "sparks." i lost about 7 lbs so far. i can't stand the lack of concentration and memory loss. i seriously zone out for minutes at work and it's been taking me a lot of effort to get back on track and concentrate. i felt "blah" and could stare at a wall for hours and be fine with it.

in the last week i began sweating like crazy. my hands, feet and under arms sweat during the day and at night i get cold sweats and wake up with my clothes and sheets damp. it's really frustrating. is there any way to combat the sweating?! lately, it's been really hard to wake up in the morning and
i still get really hyper and can't stay still and an hour or two later crash. I'm trying hard to concentrate at work and i hope these symptoms will subside over time, but like all the meds i've tried, they don't go away. i'll have to see how long i can put up with them.

oh! and i'm getting my apetite back and i hope i don't start gaining weight (why i stopped the zoloft and lexapro -- gained 20 lbs on the lexapro, 15lbs on the zoloft and could not lose it)

my doctor suggested i lower my dosage to 37.5 mg and try to see how I feel.

i'm really looking to find advice, thoughts, etc. on these side effects. right now the sweating is what is really bothering me.

This post has been edited by emilygreat: Feb 17 2009, 10:47 PM

Hi! I joined this forum hoping to get some help. I have taken several medications such as zoloft, lexapro, effexor and now I am taking pristiq. I am feeling miserable and can not sleep! I have not slept in days and I even take buspar and xanax. I doubled my dose of xanax just to see if I could get some sleep...and even with the xanax, I still can not sleep! I am hoping this is just a temporary side effect, but it does not seem to be going away. I tried to change my dose from am to pm, and when I had to wait it out I got severe headaches, and nausea. Now I am nervous if I do decide to keep trying with this medication, if I decide to get off how terrible is it going to be? Is it worth it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Hello,
Don’t really know where to start! Presented myself to the doctors last July with feelings of tiredness and lethargy and was prescribed Fluoxetine which seemed to help for a time up until November when my general energy and demeanour declined quite quickly, where upon I had to take sick leave from work, and still remain. Had a period of quite dark thoughts and bouts of insomnia mixed with bouts of sleeping for 12-16 hours in a 24 hour period? Doctor referred me to the mental health team were upon I was prescribed Mirtazapine. Terrible reactions to this course of medication, I also took myself off all medication (not a good idea) went back and have now been on Venlafaxine 150mg for about 3 months.
Just so tired and dark thoughts have crept back in again. My wife has been fantastic ever so supportive but I know I’m hurting her and our 10 month old daughter, by expressing these thoughts. I just feel like my brain is screaming! (Odd analogy I know) and I just want a rest from these thoughts, to switch off, to go into hospital or in bad times dark thoughts surface.
Maybe talking and listening to people here will help

to DF Tommase,

You will find lots of people here that feel the same as you do. It is good you are willing to go to the hospital if need be. Feel free to post any concerns or questions you may have on the boards and some-one will be able to relate.

Hello all :)

I came here mainly because I used to be on Effexor. It was a long time ago, but I don't remember it making me feel any better and in fact it made me feel physically ill when i was taking it.

Effexor is the only anti-depressant drug that i've ever been on and I was hoping I could find out a little more about it. I'm 19 now and i believe I was 12 or 13 when i was on the medication. If in fact Effexor just isn't the drug for me, how do I know what is? How do I find the right anti-depressant, something that makes me feel better without turning me into a zombie or making me feel sick?

Thanks for any input.

xomby

Hi xomby,

I never heard of somebody at the age of 12-13 being on effexor. It may work this time. Every med effects everyone differently. The best way to know what will work the best for you is to go and see a Physc doctor. Tell him exactly everything you feel and all your emotions then he can DX you and start you on the best meds he thinks will work best for your problems. Most of the meds for mental illness take about 8 weeks to work to their full potential. It is pretty much hit and miss to find the right meds so keep in contact with your doc and let him know how you are making out.

Hello Beanchop-

I just registered today, so forgive me if i breach any etiquette rules!

But i was reading about Effexor which i've taken for several years now and feel ok (no anxiety but no life either)-it was never bad in the side effects are, but I am taking 300 mg which i thought was the most you could take. What is it like taking 450? And how did you determine you needed that amount?

Thank you!

sleepyme

to DF sleepyme

I think maybe you should talk to your doc. If you have been taking effexor for years it may not be working anymore and you may need a change. We seem to get used to meds after a while. I have just started taking it again. I had been on it for about 5-6 years and it pooped out on me, so I was changed over for a while, then I didn't take anything for a bit and am back on it again at a much lesser dose and it seems to be working.

I am also new to this forum. I've been depressed on and off since I was a kid. A couple of months ago I started counselling and about a month ago I was put on citalopram, mostly due to anxiety, but also depression. I spent a month with the usual side effects, and felt as it I was swimming through a fog. About a week ago, I was switched to Effexor. I have felt worse. Much worse. So, after five days I decided not to take it anymore. Just called my Doctor to ask for another prescription for citalopram, because the fog was just starting to clear, and I felt alright on it. I also have no desire to be on effexor for the rest of my life, or face what sounds like hellish withdrawal. Interesting to hear how a lot of people have bad relationships with their doctors. I had an amazing doc a few years back, but ever since then I have seen a bunch of uninterested, smug, lazy docs who don't take me seriously. The newest one who prescribed me both meds didn't tell me a THING about either of the ADs she was putting me on. And then scoffed at me when I told her what I had HAD to find out via the internet, seeing as she told me nothing. Anyway. Does anyone know about Effexor withdrawal after only a few days? I feel pretty shocking. Like I've been hit by a truck. Can't get hold of the Doctor for a new script of citalopram. Do I need to wait a few days between meds? I'm guessing I do. I would really like to get this sorted. I was just starting to make progress, and now I feel I'm back at the beginning again. At least my counsellor is good, although I only have a few more sessions with her...

Oh yeah... Hello everyone. Sorry. New to this. Bad social skills.

to DF babanas I hope you find all the support you need here and your questions are answered.

My name is Joan, I've been depressed eversince I was 32, and I am 56 now, my Dr and I have tried many medications. I was taking Prozac for many years, about the last 20 years., and it has stopped working. So I' ve been taking Pristiq with a small amout of Abilify, this was great until the Prozac left my system and now I'm feeling like I'm losing it again. I'll have another Dr appt this week I hope. I'd like to take Pristiq and Prozac together, but I need to discuss it with him.
This looks like a wonderful forum and I'm glad i found it.

HI Joan, welcome to DF!

You've been suffering for a long time with depression so I hope you find the site useful in alleviating some of your stress. Sorry that the Prozac stopped working for you but hopefully you can find a combination that suits you.

Let us know how you get on with your doctor.

PRT xx

Hello everyone, Old Hippie here.
I grew up in the 60's and 70's so hence the nic old hippie.
Back then, love, drugs, booze and living on the edge was just a norm. And I played it out to the fullest.
One would think as a person gets older and wiser, that they would also grow out of their fantasy world that once protected them from reality.
I did not. For some reason unknown to me, reality was a scary place, and I felt uncomfortable and scared there. So I HAD to constantly altered my state to feel at ease.
With a family now, my drug of choice became booze. And that became my reality. And my problem.
At 51 years old I went into treatment for alcohol abuse. Made it all the way through' but I still had a bad feeling the good feeling wasn't going to last. In fact it didn't.
I decided to get medical help, or advice, and made the appointment with doc.
We talked about childhood, about early adulthood , about familyhood and about mehood. I had a lot of excuses until it came to me.
What I was really feeling on the inside.
I was diagnosed with sever depression and anxiety, and the doc said it sounds like I've been living, and trying to cope with it all my life. That was depressing to here that!
I was prescribed Prozac first, that was 5 years ago. 20mg. Not long after not working he up it to 40mg.
2 years later still not working he suggested Effexor 75. Not! Up it to 150mg. I've been there until of late. I stared getting the zaps, and the tiredness was getting worse. So we had another talk. I'm now on Pristiq 50mg.
I know it may be a Effexor gimmic, because their patent is running out, but lets give it a try, maybe they indeed did improve it.
Glad to be part of the community and look forward to meeting ya-all.

Old Hippie

Hi and Welcome Old Hippie

I would just like to say that I commend you for giving up the alcohol.
I hope the Pristiq will be helpful for you.
Please make yourself feel at home.

Trace

Hello Everyone,

Thought I'd say hi and introduce myself. Funny how reading forums seems OK, but posting on them like this seems, funny somewhow!

I'm 28, and have just returned from my GP with some venlafaxine.

I had depression about 10 years ago, and took venlafaxine then, and from what I remember that was a good year for me (when i was on the meds) I seemed to socialise and stick college out and hold down a job.

When I went to the Doctor's they would have preferred to try Citalopram first, but I said I wanted to stick with what I knew worked last time and what I trusted. My best friend took Seroxat and completely changed. She divorced her husband, and hasn't spoken to me for 3 years and we used to be like sisters. My mother in law also took some kind of prozac and divrced her husband and left her children, the youngest was only just 8, and it broke all thier hearts. My husband is the best thing i have in my life and I was terriefied I would want to divorce him suddenly if took a differnt kind of medication, so i insisted that i stick with venlafaxine. And generously the doc agreed.

Now that I've got home, I'm terrified to take it. It's so silly, even though i've taken them before and i know what to expect going on thema nd coming off them,. i'm just terrified. i guess i know how anxious i felt that first day i went on them, and i'm afraid. i feel so low and incredibly anxious at the moment anyway.

Now that ive been to the doctors i feel like a failure. the depression i had years ago, i had put it behind me and now i feel ... i dunno ... bad about everything. Sorry i'm really rubbish at talking and explaining things. Last time i went on these i also received counselling and we would sit in silence for the whole session becuase i just couldn't talk! It was most uncomfortable.

Sometimes I feel like I dont know where to begin, i am so low and anxious, and other times i think there's nothing wrong and it's all in my head. i dont know whether to take the meds, i keep reading horror stories on the net and on here about venlafaxine, it making you feel numb, or low or up and coming off them, and it wrecking your teeth and damaging your heart. ah! i just dont know what to do i'm so scared.

Hi Britgirl, welcome to DF! :welcomeani

Well done for going to your doc to get some help, that can be the hardest part sometimes. It's funny the effects that the meds can have on you so sticking with what you know is probably wise. They always try to give out citalopram first in the UK, I think it must be the cheapest. For future reference it's ok though as far as altering your personality.
You're not rubbish at explaining things, I understand totally. Doesn't sound like your previous counsellor was much good though. There are better ones out there if you want to try again.
Can't tell you what to do sweetie. All I will say is that you've done it before and if things worked out ok then, then there's no reason why they shouldn't now. Good luck xx

Thank you for your kind words. After much inner tumult I have decided to start tomorrow as it's past midday and I didn't want tomorrows dose to be taken with 24hrs of todays if you know what i mean. Plus I think I need to just calm down after going to Docs this morning! And my husband will be back tomorrow evening so i'll have something to look forward to all day rather than facing a night of anxiety alone.

I'm really glad I have found this forum to come and chat on. Unfortunately I only have my husband to talk to about this, so it's great to find this forum and feel as though there are people listening.

It's good to hear that citalopram is ok to take. I miss my friend terribly. I have spent 3 years trying to get over her, but it hurts just as much as when she 'left'. I've sent her the odd email to keep in touch and wish her well, but the person I knew has just vanished, and it's as though an imposter replies.

I'm back at the Doc's in 2 weeks just to see how this medication is going and i would imagine to obtain a repeat precription, so i will enquire then about talking therapies. i think i would benefit from that as i dont really have anyone to talk to.

thanks again for your kind words.

Hello everyone!

I am 35/M, jamie is an alias, call me jamie,
I live in Hampshire/UK

I have had depression history since age 22, and a few periods of phycosis requiring a hospital stay.
my initial illness was brought on following stress over college work and a bout of epstien barr virus leading to extreem lethargy, anxiety and eventually a very persistant clinical level of depressive illness.
I had 2 significant periods of psycosis at about 26 and 29 very aprox, and at this time I had moved to prozac after trying a few other AD's. Also I was prescribed the antipsycotic drug sulpiride. Up to 400mg at this time.

Well my illness was very persistant eventually things improved and I moved to taking Effexor M/R some 5+ years ago, this drug seemed to help although I remember there always being side effects of some sort, as with the prozac.

2005 saw me attend university a second time engaging in an engineering degree and lots of social life so it marked great progress for me, oh... I came out as gay that was quite a big occurance too!
I should add that I have since 19 enjoyed alcohol consumption as part of social life, in the early days my drinking was more excessive, and up untill the last 2 years I have engaged in some drug taking, nothing that im proud of but these things all play a part I believe.

Well its a bit of a life story,

My present worry is that I feel that I cannot get the therapy i think would help, my consultant mainly offers to increase the venlafaxine, I'm on 2 times 75mg and the most I have ever taken is 3 times 75mg. I get problems with agression and react easily to minor annoyances. I feel that I want to get off venlafaxine but have limited options. And I feel very frustrated at not getting the support I need.

yesterday I bought these books,

Beating ANGER, mike fisher.. and PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS, key issues and service user perspectives, Jim Read

..hope they will give me some clues as to how I can make a change

The drug often causes side - effects, I feel my short term memory is now terrible, and I feel it has changed my personality too, I'm more agressive than ever and I often have rapid bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. My illness is more up and down.

I hope its all of benefit this long intro,
feel free to ask me more questions..

jamie x

Hi,

I have a history of depression and was once on an SSRI. They made me pretty happy but removed my edge. Frankly, I didn't care about much of anything. I started smoking again after 14 years of being a non-smoker, gained weight after maintaining a healthy weight all of my life, quit working out after having worked out 5 days a week for years. I was put on the SSRI for GI issues but it became pretty clear that it had the added benefit of improving my mental and emotional well being. Also, even though I very gradually stopped taking them, coming off them was hard on me and my husband. I felt physically bad and was quite manic. Once I was off them, however, I was able to work out regularly again, lost the weight, and went back to eating a pretty healthy diet.

I am again feeling lost and hopeless, all without good reason. I am considering taking an SNRI (Pristiq). My neurologist gave me a two month supply to be used off label for migraine prevention. I want to have energy again. I want to keep problems in perspective. I want to feel like I am not on the precipice of an abyss.

It is my lack of energy and interest that concern me most. My job takes a lot from me (I am an exec for a medium size international company and regularly put in 60+ hours a week). I also have some health issues (an autoimmune disease, GI problems, sleep apnea, and chronic insomnia). I force myself to get up and go to work and perform (Hey, it's show time!) but once I am home, I have no interest in anything. I spent yesterday in bed. I got up, got dressed and just couldn't go through the motions of pretending I am okay.

My husband thinks this latest episode is related to my smoking cessation. I am on Chantix which really does help with nicotine withdrawal - I have no desire to smoke. Yet, the lack of energy and interest in life predates the Chantix. I want to start taking the Prestiq but also don't want some of the side effects I experienced with Lexapro.

So those of you who are are Prestiq, what has it been like for you?

Thanks,
Lalena

Hi and Welcome Lalena

You sound like a fighter and survivor. Wow you work hard. I am too, I also suffer from an auto immune disease and work full time.
You need to give yourself some "me" time as well, otherwise everything that you do will run you down.
There are many members that have taken Chantix to stop smoking and it has caused them severe problems.

Trace

Pristiq seems to be working well for me so far. I am on my 21st day of 50mg. The anxiety and depression are not completely gone, but are much improved. I am better able to concentrate on work, as well as other lifestyle improvements aimed at recovering from anxiety and depression (exercise, sleep, better eating habits and nutrition, therapy, etc.).

If you decide to start taking the med, you will need to be patient for several weeks while your body gets used to it, and it approaches full effectiveness. This may include putting up with some bothersome side effects in the early going. Mine included an initial worsening of anxiety and depression, and the occasional night sweat episode. These have passed.

Chantix, on the other hand, was an umitigated disaster for me. It helped me quit smoking, but it (or the nicotine withdrawl...it's difficult to tell) also dropped my mood considerably. I had to quit taking it, and subsequently started smoking again as well.

Chantix affects the level of dopamine in your brain, to compensate for the fact that you are no longer smoking. Therefore, it may interact positively or negatively with other psych meds. For me, the reaction seemed to be negative.

I am not a medical expert, so what's the upshot of all this? Just wanted to share my own personal experience, in the hopes that it may be helpful/comforting to you. Of course, your concerns are always best discussed with a trained medical professional.

Be well!

Thanks for responding Trace,

Since you also have an auto immune disease, you undoubtedly know how it can zap your energy. I also appreciate your comment about "me" time. I have always been a high achiever - as are my two sisters - this speaks volumes about our crazy childhood (another story, another time). I quilted for a while a few years ago and enjoyed it and loved its artistic component. Assuming I can pull out of this "energy sink", I am going to make a Dutch Doll quilt this winter. I have one my grandmother made (completely by hand - she didn't have a machine) and have always loved it.

As far as the Chantix, I am off it as of today. I saw my internist yesterday (its a good sign for me to reach out for help - I often won't do that) and she actually suggested I go back to smoking (temporarily, of course). Our plan is for me to stay on the Prestiq for now and then try Wellbutrin.

Lalena

Hi Lalena

Yes, I know how an auto immune disease can take all your energy. Its awful, I keep going, but I don't think I actually know what it means to not feel exhausted anymore.
It sounds like you have a good plan. Making a quilt sounds awesome and I hope the new meds help a lot for you.

Trace

hi,

I´m on Venlafaxine since a week now. I only take 75mg so far (increase to 150mg next week), but I already feel very aweful. I have horrible side effects. The first 2 days I felt shaky, dizzy, my vision was blurry, I coudnt hear with my left ear, I didnt sleep and 2 times my legs just stopped working.
It´s a bit better now, but still not gone and I know its not gonna be better next week.

I hope it´s at least worth it :( I´m really close to freak out because my head is racing and my body is shaking since 5 days now.

anyway, wanted to say hi :)

Hi and Welcome to the Effexor Room Illusion.

I hope that the side effects completely go away for you, after a time. Its worth giving it a while to see the benefits.

Trace

Thanks Trace :)

I do want to keep on going with it. At least for some weeks and see if the side effects go away.

Before I began taking this drug, I had read about all of the horror stories from people trying to end treatment, and I thought it couldn't happen to me since none of the other anti-depressants ever caused much fuss. Boy was I wrong. By the third day of having stopped cold turkey, my entire body was having electrical shocks. They were very painful and scary. My head was throbbing and vision had become blurry. I took a 150 mg capsule, and 2 hours later I was perfectly fine.

It's about 2 weeks later since I first tried quitting, and I'm still on it. I added Wellbutrin (another crappy drug), and for the next 4 days I will take 150, then 75 for three days, and then my doc will switch me to Zoloft and Wellbutrin.

I suffer from anxiety disorder and depression. Of all the medications I've taken for my anxiety, Effexor worked the best. I have not had a single attack since starting Effexor. And while that's great, my depression remains the same. But the side effects, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and sexual dysfunction, have outweighed any benefit. I've been taking this drug for 4 months, and nausea is there each day.

Another thing that makes me depressed is the fact that I've gained weight while on this. I went from 125 to 137 in 4 months.

So yeah, that's my take on Effexor.