Posted by alec on August 11, 2001, at 12:14:20
In reply to Fear Factor?, posted by Richster on August 10, 2001, at 16:03:44
> I have been using Effexor on and off for at least 3 years for depression. I had tried many other meds including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin unsuccessfully. I have tapered myself off at least twice and probably went "cold turkey" at least once. Although I found the withdrawal effects striking (mild to moderate lightheadedness and/or dizziness, very mild headache), actually I considered them an annoyance and they subsided relatively quickly. By the posts on this board I can see that the side effects of use/withdrawal of this (and likely all) drug(s) varies greatly from patient to patient.
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> I took myself off of Effexor for nearly one year, hoping to be drug-free. However, I decided that my symptoms of depression outweighed any side effects of Effexor I had experienced. In fact, my side effects ON Effexor are almost zero. I should state that on initiating the med, I did experience some mild to moderate sexual dysfunction (including abnormal ejaculation which someone else had mentioned) but which subsided within I would say 2 weeks. I now have no problems with respect to sexual function. The only symptoms that I do experience are if I miss a dose, then after several hours I do begin to experience mild lightheadedness or dizziness. I have never had any sleep-related side effects. Interestingly, one side-effect of Effexor use that I have noticed is significant appetite suppression and/or weight LOSS. Fortunately for me this has not been an issue.
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> Effexor has really allowed me to cope with my depression and really lessens the "lows". I still absolutely feel like "myself" and have never ever felt like "a zombie" or "unable to feel normal emotions". Without question if I ever felt that way on any medication I would stop.
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> I decided to post my experiences in the hope of providing some balance in view of the (many!) fear-inducing reports I have read on this board and hopefully to reduce the fears of persons looking for solutions for their depression who may, like me, have tried other medications without success.
Thanks for that post! I have types 2,3,& 5 adult ADD. I have been on effexor XR 10 days now. Day1 37.5 mg, day2, 75mg , day3, 112.5mg, and since then 150mg per day. Within 8 hours my anxiety and depressive tendancies were gone! It was amazing. I have never had the ability to experience life without the ever present anxiety, anxiousness, and depression (not all at the same time)that influenced my every thought and action. My side effects so far are the following. Dry mouth, supressed apetite,sweating easier than usual,and sexual disfunction as described by all you other guys. Also I had been sleepy during the day but at night I have never slept better.I felt somewhat numb and cloudy and had a long visit with my doctor two days ago. He is a specialist in Behavioral Disorders and the first thing I told him was "Please don't let me go back to the way I was".We spoke at length about my first week on this stuff, side effects etc. My doctor wants me to stay with 150mg effexor XR every morning and asked me to start taking Wellbutrin SR 100mg. once in the morning and once late in the day if I think I need it. He told me that it should relieve me of that cloudy-foggy feeling and should help the sexual disfunction.This is my third day with the Wellbutrin and it seemed to start working the first day.Yesterday I was a little disoriented when driving and don't know why but maybe the new medication had a little to do with it.I really am feeling a lot clearer today and I think I am getting back my get up and go.There are certain aspects of my behavior that I think will have to be RE-Learned,For example,My motivation or drive to get things done,(including exercise)was always initiated by what I think was an abnormal anxioness or worry that I have to get this thing done (hope this makes sense).I seem to have lost my drive to get things done because those feelings that drove me have all but disapeared. I feel different than I have ever felt in my life, I feel good pretty much all the time and think I may be able to be like some people I have admired for their ability to take life "With a grain of salt" and not let the "small stuff get to them" I think I will have to find a more "normal" motivation to get things done like maybe "I like doing it ", now there is a novel idea! any way I need to fill all of you on what is going on with me and my course of treatment. I for one am very grateful to my doctor and the drug companies that make this stuff. I am sorry about the people that have had all those nasty side effects and want to run out and get a lawyer but it works for me, hope it lasts....any questions,comments ?.....Alec
poster:alec
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74619.html