Effexor XR??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:14 am

Hi Stephanie:

I also was just put on effexor two weeks ago after a real low point. I tried 4 SSRIs and none worked at all. Effexor has been great thus far. I dont know about the gaining weight, I suppose it depends on who you are. I generally have a low appeitie and have found a decreased appetite the last two weeks on it. My anxiety is much better as well. Please keep in touch!

Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:15 pm

Thanks!

I haven't really had any increase in appetite, but I have been kind of tired lately. I don't know if it's just my usual tiredness or the meds.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:27 am

Hi. I was on Effexor for about 2 years. I was taking 150mg. It worked really well for my anxiety and depression. Actually it worked a little too well. I got to the point where I just didn't worry about anything. Even things like taking the time to pay my bills. I don't know maybe my dose was too high. I did have some side effects when I first started. I was sick to my stomach and I was very tired. When I started taking it before bed I really wasn't tired during the day. I did have one major side effect. In the two years I was taking it I gained over 40 pounds. When I first stared gaining the weight I asked my therapist about it. He said effexor can cause weight gain but it should be easy to lose. My family doctor said it doesn't cause weight gain. I tried everything under the sun to lose some of the weight and couldn't drop a pound. It got to the point I was feeling depressed again because of all the extra weight I was carrying around. I came off of the medicine. You can't stop it cold turkey. It is definatly something you have to come off of slowly. It's been almost 2 years and I've droped over 30 pounds. I liked not having the anxiety and depression symptoms but the side effects just weren't worth it. I am affraid now to try any other medications. I'm really hoping this program will work so I don't have to worry about taking meds.

CarolynEd.Dir. · Post by **CarolynEd.Dir.** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:47 am

I'm on effexor XR for almost a year. Haven't lost any anxiety or depression yet and the Dr. has had me up and down on the dosage. If I go to 150MG and higher, my brain stops letting me have natural urges to go to the bathroom.... At 112MG where I am now, I am OK, but the pill seems to let me stay at work the full 8 hours or more. Which is good I guess. I nap alot, and sleep all day long on Sat's, and Sundays I also sleep alot but not as much as Sat. I also have developed some shakes, not bad but my handwriting shows it. Anyone else have any of what I described?
Hankster

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:16 pm

Thanks Stef and hank for the responses.

I hope I can manage what I eat and keep active so I don't put on anymore excess weight. I think I should be able to control that.

And I haven't really had any side effects except for a little afternoon fatigue. But a little nap doesn't hurt anyone

keepontruckin' · Post by **keepontruckin'** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:59 am

Hi, I have been on Effexor for a couple of years and have not had the problem of gaining weight. It does help a little bit with the anxiety for me, but not alot. I still have panic attacks. But I guess it is different for everyone. T

evon313 · Post by **evon313** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:08 am

I have been on this for a couple weeks now and I am always super exhausted. Really sucky, tough to get through the day. Naps help but as a very active person I am feeling exhausted at the end of each day. I dont know if they are related.. anyone else seem more than normally exhausted on it?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:26 am

I was put on effexor but i had a reaction to it, so now I am taking Paxil 5mg. It just makes me yawn a lot. I also use Xanax to help me calm down

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:37 am

I am sensitive to medications. When I took the lowest dose of Effexor I lost thirty pounds, grinded my teeth and my pupils were dialated but yes the anxiety was gone.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:36 pm

I have been taking Effexor XR 150 mg for about 3 years, along with Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. About 3 months ago the doctor started increasing the dosage of Effexor XR. Now I am up to 225 mg a day. I thought I would be a zombie but I'm not. Since starting the Program I haven't had a panic attack. I have gotten the initial symptoms but have been able to control it so it goes away.

I was previously on Paxil and gained 30 lbs. which I have lost about 25 lb of since being on Effexor and Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is great for quitting smoking so I have done that easily.

I think with any of the medications we have to be careful we don't eat a lot of candy, chips and pop. I have cut most of it out, but it's hard to do.

Hope this helps.....Jackie