The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: Changed to Effexor XR 75mg about 2 months ago from Celexa 20mg. Having some dizziness and tiredness, maybe not feeling quite myself, so experimentation with the dosage is probably in order. Otherwise no problems. Serious diarrhea side effect from Celexa stopped immediately upon changing treatment. But I am disturbed by some of the comments on this site about withdrawal from this medication. I have had no problem drinking in moderation while on this drug.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: After years of combat I now realise that I should of had this medicine after my first tour it makes me feel normal again I can finally relax with my kids without waiting for the big one to hit me !! If your a soldier that has seen any type of combat dont be afraid to take this it will help!!! God speed !
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I find the drug good, my doses go up and down depending on how I am feeling. I have put on weight at 225mg and I was told that you are not supposed to exceed 225mg. I will go back down to 150mg for the summer. I usually go up in the winter months.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: Effexor XR has saved my life twice. The side effect was major weight gain, but, sad as that was, it was worth it after trying several other drugs that did not work. The withdrawal is tough, but done easily if you just keep reducing your dose. The first time I went off of it was cause it was making me depressed again, even at the smallest does. But, 3 or 4 years later, when I once again sunk into a deep depression, it was the only thing that could get me out. I've been on 150 mg one year.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I've been using 75mg Effexor for 9 weeks now and it has changed my life. I wake up looking forward to the day and can remain focused throughout. I woke up on my 30th Birthday feeling very depressed and could not believe that's how I felt everyday before taking Effexor.
My libido is back to where it was a year ago and the only side effect I experience is an upset stomach during very intense work outs. I see a therapist and that too has helped. My wife says I'm now a different person.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I've been on Effexor XR for several years now. As far as helping to control my depression, it has been wonderful. However, I have had some severe side effects. I have gained 80 lbs since I started taking the medication. I have been diagnosed with benign vertigo. I have had countless specialists poke and prod me because no one can figure out why I get a sinus infection every month. I stopped getting menstrual cycles, and specialists can't figure out why. These are all possible side effects
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I started taking Effexor about 5 years ago and it is very effective in reducing depression. After about three years on 300mg I wanted to reduce the dose I was taking. I now take 75mg
a day, the medication is still effective. I am unable to wean off completely because of withdrawl symptoms.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I was put on a 175 dose right away by a very careless physician and had major side effects, such as insomnia, agitation, and appetite loss. Then I cut it completely, which was left me even more deppressed (deadly fatigue and crying bursts). When I re-started the medication, slowly increasing the dose, I found out how amazinf effexor was. You need a lot of support from family and therapy to find out why you are depressed, though, if you really want to get a better quality of life.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I have been on effexor xr for about 8 years now, I currently am taking 300 mg per day, I tried to commit suicide several times before going on effexor, I had been on so many different antidepressants I thought this was how my life was always going to be my children slowly watching me sleep and then eventually die. The doctor put me on effexor and it was the best thing ever.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I ended up in the hospital after drinking a few glasses of wine getting my stomach pumped and extremely out of it. I should have read the side effects of effexor first and I would've known that you should not drink alcohol while being on this medication.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I noticed when I took Effexor and Adderall together, I got extreme anxiety attacks or panic attacks where my heart would just start randomly racing.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: My girlfriend has been on Effexor XR for almost seven years now. We just found out two weeks ago she is pregnant. The doctor told her to lower doses from the 300mg she has been on to 150mg then three days later drop to 75mg then three days to 37.5 then your done. Doctor said that there might not even be any withdraws if it is done this way. I wouldn't wish these bad withdraws on anyone.
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Effexor (venlafaxine) for Depression: I've been on effexor for 5yrs. I keep telling my Dr. that I wanted to quit this drug, mainly because I don't want to be on any anti-depressants anymore. I'm supposed to take 225mg, but all this time I've only tbeen taking 150mg, all this time. So, now I've reduced my dosage to 75mg a day, and I'm starting to feel alot better. If I can get some 37.5mgs. I can ease myself off to the point where I can finally
be clear in my mind. The only side effect I've experienced is a little dizziness.
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