Posted by anna6 on February 23, 2005, at 18:18:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Wick on February 23, 2005, at 1:13:24
Hi there! Just wanted to share my thoughts... stumbled on this sight by chance, and I felt compelled to give my Effexor XR story:
Been on it for 4 years now- started at 37.5mg- doctor raised my dose in increments up to 300mg. He wanted me on that dose from the start- said it would improve my focus... I was diagnosed ADD on top of having Depression and Anxiety.
After pooping out from two years on Prozac, and taking everything from Ritilin, Dexodrine, Concerta, Adderol, I will say EFFEXOR XR has been the BEST THING that happened for me!
I only take one medication now! I feel much more motivated and focused and stable than ever. I've lost 10 lbs over the 4 years- so it's helped me to stop over eating (Maybe because I am less anxious!)... I feel like it has been my best friend- hasn't pooped out on me... and it's been better than a cup of coffee in the morning to get me going.
The bad side (as every drug has)- if I forget to take it one day, I start getting in a rut. As soon as I take it again, I feel better almost an hour later. If I stop taking it (which I have on two occasions because I had boyfriends who didn't want thier girlfriend "taking anything"), I have felt all the discontinuation symptoms- shooting pain in my head, dizziness, over emotional, and general malaise. The bright side is that both times I had these withdrawal symptoms due to my abrupt discontinuation of my Effexor (and I knew I wasn't supposed to stop abruptly, but I did anyway!)- The side effects ALWAYS passed within a week to two weeks maximum! Then when I got rid of the boyfriends, I went back to the meds! Must say,... I like my life much better with Effexor XR in it! I feel so much more on top of my game. ANd I am not afraid of all the discontinuation that people talk about, because I've been there, and it passes. It's inconvenient, but not the end of the world. (Too bad so many people still put a stigma on taking care of your mental health).
Also, I feel sometimes constipated from the Effexor XR, and I have delayed ejaculation- which varies with time of the month, and skill of prospective boyfriend! These are the only side effects I've had and I've found them very tolerable.
Some people, I have no doubt, can have a different experience (and HAVE had very different experiences)
My advice: Don't waste more than 3 weeks (If the benefits don't outweigh the problems, than try something else- you shouldn't have transitional side effects more than 1 week with any medication) Some people are more sensitive to different drugs- and also I've heard that anti-depressants can have strange effects when a patient is misdiagnosed- when depression or anxiety is not the problem. Make sure your diagnosis makes sense. Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor! And that they listen to you!
Good Luck to everyone!
(Also- there is a website EffexorXR.com for anyone looking for more info!)
poster:anna6
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050222/msgs/462393.html