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I realize these meds have side effects but just wondering if anyone has tried Effexor? I have been perscribed this medicine and quit after 3 days..I probably will start it again and suffer through the side effects in hopes I feel better.

Any thoughts on this particular medicine?

Thanks so much

DO NOT GO ON AND OFF EFFEXOR!!! This like all other medications are ver serious, mood altering drugs. At first, I felt that it was helping--then I started to notice strange side effects. If I would forget a dose, by noon that day I would be ill--very nauseous. I started to feel over medicated so I cut down the dosage--without consulting my doctor--NOT SMART. I felt terrible. I was truly experiencing a withdrawal from it. I became suicidal over night. I had never once contmeplated suicide until that moment. I contacted my dr. immed, who cut my dosage down gradually. It took me almost 3 months to come off of 150mg. I remember running out of it, by the 2nd day I (and anyone in my path) had mood swings that would lead to screaming rages over the most minute matters.

I am sure that this drug has helped others, but it was very scary for me. Please take it as directed by your doctor. My best to you.

Thanks for your reply

Yes I am very aware that these are powerful drugs. I was on Celexa for years then gradually weaned off it no problem. The panic/anxiety attacks have gotten very bad again and my doctor perscribed Effexor.

I was on it for three days and stopped as did not want to get to addicted. I have read horrible things about this drug compared to others and was wondering why? I have talked to my doctor and she says this drug is usually tolerated very well .?

I must add I had horrible side effects and it intensified the anxiety which is why I stopped it. Is there a med that is better for side effects and better tolerated?

Originally posted by harlow:
I must add I had horrible side effects and it intensified the anxiety which is why I stopped it. Is there a med that is better for side effects and better tolerated?

I was at first prescribe Effexor but asked for Lexapro instead because it is supposed to have the least amoutn of side effects and be easier to come off of and it works faster. I am glad I did, the Lex works great and I feel like myself, I had a week of some side effects, but they were bearable. If you took Celexa and responded well to that then you shouldnt have a problem with Lexapro. Lexapro is known to be the cleanest of all SSRI's.

My brother takes Effexor though, and is fine on it, so every one is different. What works for you may not work for others, just trial and error.

Thanks Noelle

Yes I think I may ask my doctor for Lexapro..I have heard it is better tolerated.

I am hesitant to go on anything as we are trying to conceive but I think it is better for me to be healthier mentally first.

If I am constantly in a state of stress ...I realize it is not healthy and most likely is causing me not to get pregnant.

Thanks all for your insight:)

My personal experience on effexor was not good. In hindsight I would have done my own research first. I would not have taken it. I made the mistake of listening to my Dr who mainly mentioned dry mouth. But this is a very powerful medication and stimulating and can blunt emotions, and cause anxiety and agitation and panic in some people. Actually in many people. Some may tolerate it better than others. I did not tolerate it well and the withdrawl needs to be closely monitored. Many Drs do not know about the meds they are prescribing and what they do or they do and don't let the patients know the side effects. It is important to do one's own research prior to taking it. They just prescribe them so they often are going to endorse them, but it is important that the patient does the research instead of just listening to the Dr. It is good you are asking questions prior to taking it. There is definetly a withdrawl syndrome that is frequent and not pleasant at all. I learned the hard way not to take what the Dr prescribes until I do my own research because they often don't tell the full story, many times they are not fully aware. There is much that is not told prior to prescribing some meds. I don't know why exactly. The patient often will know more than the Dr and how it effects the person because they are the one's taking it. I did not have a good experience on it and many others have not as well. Some people say they have had good experiences but I personally don't reccomend it. Before you make a decision I would really do my own research and not take what the Dr says as true because they are not the one's taking the meds generally they just prescribe them. I would personally not reccommend effexor to anyone I know. But you have to do what you feel is best for you. There is much on the internet about it and even if you call the pharmacist and ask for a print out of the possible side effects. The pharmacist know much more than the Drs. But there is much on the web about it and like I said I would read the print out prior to taking it. But you have to do what you think is best. The only thing I can say is that I would not listen to the Dr until I did my own research if I could go back in time. I wish you well, whatever decision you make.

John

I have been on Effexor for over 10 years. It did help my anxiety enough for me to get back to work and start living again. When I tried to get off of it, I had so many side effects that I had to go back on... even trying to get off of 37.5 mg. There are much better medications out there that work just as well (maybe better) and will not have the withdrawal effects.

Good luck!!

I haven't had any problems being on Effexor. I still have slight anxiety (generalized), but it doesn't effect my ability to live and whatnot.

Also, anyone can come on here and tell you not to take a pill because they had bad side effects or had a bad experience, but the truth is no one should tell you not to take something your doctor has told you to take. I have had bad side effects from some antidepressants as well, but I have also read of people who took the same exact medication and it did wonders for them. It all depends on your body.

The only side effect I have from taking the effexor is tiredness. I sleep a lot more than I used to, and get tired by the middle of the afternoon. I'm sure if I had more to do with my time and got out more, I wouldn't sleep as much though.

I don't want to sound negative but the Drs are not always right. Psychiatrists are humans and are very capable of making errors. They prescribe the medications so they are going to endorse them. The one I am referring to never told me of any of the possible side effects. I thought that was not responsible on his end and on my end I wish I would have made a more prudent decision and did my own research prior to taking Effexor. If you truly trust your Drs opinion that is very important. I would just always keep in mind that you are the consumer and you have a right make the best decision for your own well being that's why it is good to do your own research instead of taking a medication because many of these meds, while often trial and error are nothing to just take because of how they can effect the mind in one way or another, just because the Dr said it is safe does not mean it is. Many people tolerate some medications different than others but it is important to be informed ahead of time. Because what works for one may not work for another and vice versa. You are the consumer and certainly the decision, whatever you believe is best impacts you more than it does the Dr. Many Drs do not warn the patients of the side effects in advance. I don't know exactly why that's why it is very important to research the information for yourself.
I say this because I trusted a Dr blindly (which was a mistake on my end) when going on the medication instead of doing my own research on the drug. If I did my own research I would not have have taken it but I trusted my psychiatrist and that is what he does for a living is prescribe these meds. In my own experience I should have been wiser. I am just saying that Drs are not always right and the consumer is the one that ultimately has to make the decision because it is for your own well being. Many people say they have been helped by certain meds and many have gotten adverse reactions. But when one get the adverse reactions it is certainly not much fun and can really impact one's life. I wish you the best of luck and whatever decision you make I wish you well.

John