[Pupinski]

I came off Effexor XR 2.5 weeks ago.

I got all the nausea and stuff - through the worst of it - although still a little insomnia and funny appetite patterns.

But the thing that is driving me crazy is why do I feel so good?

I have been on the drugs for 4 years - with a 9 month diversion to another med.

But coming off this I have got such a zest for life - it's like my old self has come back. I feel fired up by life and work. Is this a temporary 'mania' that is likely to pass?? I realize that I have to do some work to keep my spirits up, but I want to know if this is a normal reaction, and if it is temporary.

At the same time I have developed very strong feelings of wanting to bail from a 2 year relationship - I feel withdrawn and an overwhelming desire to be on my own - not sure whether it is a side effect......... this wanting to withdraw is only from my romantic relationship and is not something that extends to other friends or family>>>>>>

Please help me get some understanding around this.

Thanks

J

[Coreyhalliwell]

I went through some really weird ******** when i went off of Effexor like 3 months ago(i slowly waned off from 150-0 over like 6 months). At first i felt anxious and uneasy, then i went into this state of bliss and optimism. I think the optimism for me was about Feeling sex again and Having the "He's on medication" stigma gone. Eventually though, (within a month) i felt like ********. I didnt get onto another medication and all my eating disorder and OCD stuff came back and i spiraled downward.

*However, personally, not being on meds allowed me to see what was the meds and what was me and to make REAL fundamental changes in my life that will help me and my self esteem.

[alkisses]

man effexors a *************************, they dont tell ya about what it can really do to you.

effexor

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ive been on effexor since june of 2004.... 37.5 and upped it over the years...im at 150 mgs now, and thats only been a year on 150 but its enough for me.
at first, after a few weeks, it worked and then after that it stopped. i tried to get off it, hell my body wakes up the next morning with withdrawls from the medication, thats how bad my body is used to it.... i hate the pill, it doesnt do anything for me, i wanna switch, im in the process with the help of 2 physicians to get off it and onto somethign else, it doesnt work for me, and im mad that i was kept on it for so long, because the side effects, just after 1 month of 37.5 mgs a day left me for 3 days in a near psychotic state..... i cant imagine now, theres obviously a way to decrease it under a doctors care, but i wouldnt recommend anyone effexor, it was good for a little while and i mean a few weeks and after that, gone..... just a stupid pill i had to take so i wouldnt feel hungover like i drank 24 beers the night before.
if this scares anyone, im only being honest, i hate that pill. i cant wait till im off it for good.