Posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by annj on February 27, 2001, at 15:37:01
Hi, I have been taking Effexor XR on and off for about 8 years, and have experienced side effects before when I discontinued it. I am trying to get off this medication for good now, and I NEVER WANT TO TAKE IT AGAIN! I thought going off any anti-depressant made you feel this way. Obviously I didn't have a clue! I now know that Effexor is the anti-Christ of ant-depressants! When I started taking it several years ago, it was recommended to me by my therapist. I was seeing her for depression. It seemed to help back then. I have gone off it before, and always eventually felt like I needed it again, because I would get depressed again. I had my dosage increased to 75mg from 37mg about 3 months ago, and within a month or two felt more depressed w/ no energy or drive to do anything! My husband was getting frustrated w/ me. I decided to try Wellbutrin, because I have heard so many good things about it. So far so good w/ that, but I am now in the process of weaning off of Effexor too, and I am so dizzy, and nauseous, and again my husband is getting frustrated w/ me. I know he doesn't understand, and I think he thinks I'm making this up. It seems I always have some "issue" lately. I HATE feeling this way, and it is not me at all! I am normally very outgoing. Not that I was ever a fireball of energy, but this is ridiculous. I am so scared after reading posts on the internet, that this is going to haunt me forever, or at least a while. I also gained weight while taking this medication, and again had no clue this was a possible side effect. For at least 2 years now, I have been SO FORGETFULL, I also didn't know this was a side effect. I wish I had never taken this medication. My current MD told me to take 37.5mg for a week, then take it every other day for a week, then every 3rd for a week, and then every 4th day for a week. You get the picture. I am now on every 4th day, and this is HELL. annj (previous post) describes most of my symptoms to a T. I don't want to take another pill, because I am so scared of prolonging this agony. I am due to take one today, and have been putting it off. HELP!
poster:Jenna611
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080617/msgs/835940.html