I tried about every antidepressant out there,after 5 yrs. They stop working. Panic attacks, very high anxiety and depression. Is effexor worth the risk??
Is effexor xr that scary to try??
Question posted by Gina y on 20 Aug 2015
Last updated on 5 March 2016
Added 20 Aug 2015:
And i have ocd. Im really scared to take something that sounds so scary!! I was in bed for a year and a half from my depression. Have only felt a little better in the last 7 months. Is this drug worth a try??
3 Answers
Xelleld
27 Jan 2016
If you're still looking for an answer, I'd have to say no. I've seen someone go through Effexor withdrawal. You may think, well, that's only a problem if you run out or have to come off of it. That's somewhat true, but why keep taking something that you know can do that to you? If it makes you feel like total garbage when you don't have it, you have to wonder what it's doing to you when you do have it. Get on a different med like Lexapro or maybe even Luvox. All SSRIs have some withdrawal effects because of the body's response to serotonin being somewhere it's not used to having any serotonin, but the withdrawal from most of them is nowhere near as painful as Effexor or Cymbalta withdrawal. I'm not a medical professional, but if I were you, I'd stay away from the aforementioned antidepressants from hell, as I like to call them.
jennifredparrack
5 March 2016
Xelledld,
I am weaning off of Effexor (now halfing the 37.5 xr capsules... ). Can you expand on what makes this so ugly? I am doing ok, but dread the day, not sure when, that I go off completely.
Does Effexor create serotonin my body does not naturally have? not understand the chemistry of it all. thanks for any clarification.
Carriger2
6 Oct 2015
It is worth the risk if you can handle the side effects. I've been on it for two years and honestly it saved my life. Now that my depression is under control. (not gone by any means) the side effects are to much. It has destroyed my sex life with my husband and made having an orgasam nearly impossible, but like I said it saved my life. The headaches are debilitating and drs just want to add more meds with different side effects so I'm researching coming off it all together. That in itself is terrifying. It's been the only med that has worked for me and the withdraws are horrific after only missing 2 days when I forget. It's a scary thought that literally makes me cry and panic to think about coming off but it's time to try something new. Did I mention in terrified?! Lol. Good luck and I hope you do more research on it before you take it, I wish I had... Praying for you!
doriehutera
20 Aug 2015
This drug isn't any scarier then allot of the other anti depressants out there. It's an awesome med if its the right one for you. Yes I would suggest you give it a try. There isn't a med out there that you can just stop taking without titration so don't be afraid to give it a shot. Good luck!!!
Gina y
21 Aug 2015
Ty very much for responding!! My anxiety has been very high for the last 2 weeks and since monday of last week ive slept about a total of 20 hrs!!! I do suffer from insomnia also, so i take 2 mgs. Of zanax at bedtime, that didnt even help which happens very rarely. I started my 1st dose of effexor xr last night, i actually slept for about 6 hrs. Im on 37.5 mgs a day, and after 5 days im supposed to dbl the dose. I took it at night because i was afraid of being tired during the day. I have a 12 and an 8 yr. Old and didnt want to feel sleepy all day. I dont knock on wood feel any differant this morning. If u dont mind me asking, do u take effexor and if so does it help you, and if so, how long should it take for it to start working?? Winter is coming and im afraid of the depression coming back!! Ive read, its supposed to help for anxiety also?? I am 43 yrs. Old, ive had depression since about the age of 13. I never had anxiety until 9 yrs. Ago.
I was pregnant with my youngest and had to ask my dr. What it was and he said anxiety which until then i never heard of anxiety before. My anxiety has gotten really bad the past 3 years, i dont understand y?? I dont have a stressful life. The past 2 weeks ive been having panic attacks daily, i know that is from family issues ( my mother). The zanax hasnt even been helping with that. I know all meds work differant for all people. Sorry for going on and on, but sometimes for me, it helps to hear others suggestions or oppinions that have similar issues or have tried the same meds. If you r on this medication or have tried it, did it or does it, work for you and how long (even though everyones body is differant) did it take for you to see a differance?? Ty
doriehutera
21 Aug 2015
Yes I'm on effexor xr as well. The thing is you can't help what you're going through. Your brain needs this extra boost to feel better and that's ok. Just like someone who has high blood pressure and needs a med to help with that. I started slow and I'm taking 150mg effexor and had terrible insomnia as well so I'm also taking topomax 50mg to help with that and it really is helping me sleep. Nothing worse then not getting enough sleep and then having to deal with kids and daily living tired. I'm also taking klonopin 0.25 afternoon and 0.25 evening. One more thing you really need to think about is putting yourself first right now. If you have people causing you stress you really need to try to explain to them that you don't need anything extra on your plate right now or remove them evade them as best you can. You need to think about you're health and not allow those negatives to interfere because that's not fair to you trying to adjust to meds. Good luck
Rain87
22 Sep 2015
Hi I am married to a man that is on Effexor and the entire family can see a notable difference, good and horrible. Yes this drug is amazing for blood pressure which we figured is from his anxiety. He is wired that way and seemed normal to us except for his blood pressure. Please beware that you should not drink on this, even one beer. His doctor said in moderation but wow. It is the worst thing to do, even if you have just one beer it makes you look like you are drunk! So if you choose to take this drug don't drink. My husband quit taking them for a while and the withdraws were frighting, he locked himself in a closest because of brain shivers and when he moved his head there was a time warp. He's back on them and we are bracing ourselves for a wild ride because he still drinks beer. He thinks he's ok but he is NOT! He is more aggressive, and thats not him. He's super high then super low. Paranoid and Crazy dreams that scar me.
This is all with the combo of beer and effexor. His drinking became/becomes out of control on this, Im not sure why. Just be wise and dont drink.
Hornsbyfan
16 Nov 2015
I'm new to this site, but feel as though I will fit right in. I'm on Effexor -- started with 75mg. and am now up to 225mg. a day. I also take 50 mg. of Trazodone at night for sleep (but Trazodone also seems to help with the depression and anxiety). About a week after going up to this dose, I realized, hey, THIS is what "normal" used to feel like!! I mean, yes, I still have some depression, occasional manic periods (although not as severe nor long-lasting as before), and anxiety is still a constant companion. BUT ... as Granny used to say, you pick your battles. I can put up with only getting 4-5 hours of sleep at night, frequent headaches, and increased appetite if it means that I can finally have a NORMAL feeling day.
On Effexor, there are still the normal (!) side effects common to psychotropics. In a week, I can now count on only having 1-2 " depression" days ( don't get dressed or even open the curtains), maybe 1-2 semi-manic days (I've learned NOT to go shopping on these days!), and, maybe, just maybe, 3-5 "normal-ish" days (which means I do things that normal people do -- get up, shower, brush my teeth, get dressed, eat, walk to the mailbox, cook dinner, watch tv with my husband, etc.). Which is a good start to getting on with my life. Before this, I had spent the past six years slowly becoming a recluse -- bordering on agoraphobic. The thought of going out to shop, even for essentials, used to require 1-2 Xanax in addition to whatever psychotropic cocktail I was currently taking. Simply answering the telephone was enough to put me into a panic. Even the television was too much of in intrusion of the 'outside world'. I would spend every day, all day, on the couch reading. But, thanks to Effexor and Trazodone, I'm slowly making my way back into polite company. I'm even starting to look into volunteering again at the Historic Site, or maybe even at the local elementary school. My doctors can't decide if I am suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, hang in there. EVERY psychotropic drug has side effects. It all depends on what you can and can't live with. And, remember, with these drugs, it will take a while for you to feel the full effects -- good or bad.
Related topics
effexor xr, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, antidepressant
Further information
- Effexor XR uses and safety info
- Effexor XR prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor XR (detailed)
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