I'm 23, and I've been on antidepressants like 5 years ago, and I can't remember what it was called but all it did was make me feel numb, and not myself, so of course I stopped, and my depression has just worsened, so my therapist just prescribed me effexor.. and I'm a little weary of taking it, I just want to know what I'm getting myself into and what to expect and y'know, not be scared.
Effexor XR - What should I expect from taking effexor?
Question posted by Krispin94 on 29 Aug 2017
Last updated on 4 February 2022 by Bewaredrugs
8 Answers
Bewaredrugs
4 Feb 2022
When I was 45 I sought help for depression , I have a history of mental Illness having been treated when in my teens , My GP Referred me to a specialist , I began treatment on Various SSRI's
Effexor being the most notable MY LIFE IS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE
Before SSRI:s I was living in my own house , A great achievement considering my limited education , factory work and truck driving,
At the start I felt the change in me. I had been living as a hermit , I started getting more social , Dating , This progressed for about 20 months , This is when I went MANIC .
Reckless behaviour , And a series of very bad life choices , I am now homeless , I have an Ex wife and a pre teen son whom I am trying to be there for him , But I can barely cope my self.
Zoomclub
1 Sep 2017
Hi - Try not to worry too much about it, but make sure you start on a LOW DOSAGE - Either 37.5mg or maybe 75mg, once a day - Usually at night.
I'm not trying to be Mr Know it all :), but I had a nasty experience with Effoxor XR, the 1st time I was prescribed it!
It was given to me by a GP - not a Psychiatrist, and I think he stuck me on 150 mg - Basically gave me horrific side effects, and had to be rushed back to the surgery, where the GP apologised, and reduced it to 37.5mg, and then titrated it up from that to about 300 mg.
Once your brain & body gets used to it the side effects should be pretty much OK - in my experience at least - I have been up to 375mg, but think that doses are now generally lower, as there was concerns about blood pressure at those levels.
I shall endeth my sermon with you probably already know that Effoxor also has a secondary indicator as a treatment for GAD - So if you get anxiety as well as the evil depression, then you could well get 2 major benefits from it. Definitely nothing to be scared or worried about - Just make sure you build up the dosage slowly is my rambling advice!
Plus I really hope that it will help you to escape the nightmare of depression and stay well too
Cheers
Jon
Zoomclub
1 Sep 2017
Sorry just saw the answers talking about the withdrawal effects which some people seem to have to deal with. Just wanted to let you know that I have stopped Effoxor 225mg, after being on it for a few years, and can honestly say that I did not experience any of the problems mentioned - Guess as my Consultant always tells me - "Everyone is different"
Just mention it to your Dr and let him give expert advice, if you want reassurance :)
crazygirl66
31 Aug 2017
I was on antidepressants for a few years. Effexor was one of them. Unfortunately antidepressants do not work for me, even with testing to see which ones should work. I was on Effexor for 1 1/2 years, I decided to stop but my doc had to put me onto Pristiq to wean off. It was hell for 3 months. Make sure you take it at the exact time everyday, if not you may get brain zaps, dizziness etc. I'm sure this med works for some people but I've tried too many. I now just go to therapy & do yoga when I can. Plus I'm on my 3rd birth control in hopes this one doesn't make my depression worse. Which is so common, I don't know if you're female, but if you are keep that in mind also. Best of luck!
Seanandemma
30 Aug 2017
Only bad thing about effexor is if forget to take every day and same time if I was in ur position I would not start taking them as the side effects and withdraw symptoms are very bad I would ask ur gp to suggest something else I am so sorry I ever started taking them
arabianhorselover
30 Aug 2017
Effexor seems to be a drug that can work very well, and but can also be hard to get off of.
WildcatVet
30 Aug 2017
I've taken Effexor for over 5 years and it changed my life. After only the most mild side effects (headache, nausea) for the first couple of days I've had only the best of benefits from this medication. Even when I had to stop all medications for another medical emergency I had no discontinuation symptoms.
I would highly recommend this drug! I'm a happy, functioning person now.
GramDenise
30 Aug 2017
My 30 year old son has been on Effexor for maybe 8 years. Before that it was Prozac. The Effexor doesn't help anymore so his Dr has tried different antidepressants and weaning him off the Effexor. After seeing what my son has gone through, please ask your Dr for something else. I know not everyone has horrible side effects but he sure did. He's had brain zaps (feels like explosions in your brain), pouring sweat, anger, even suicidal thoughts. It seems impossible to get off the Effexor. Seeing him struggle has been heartbreaking. After trying to switch and so many bad side effects he's given up on trying anything else. It's like he's now doomed to be depressed because he can't take the withdrawal.
Catsspendmoney55
30 Aug 2017
I took it for 9 years and did great. We weened me off several months ago, but I had to go back on... it's difficult to get off, and side effects (for me) going on, but once it was in my system, I did well... so currently I'm struggling with side effects going on... it sucks. But I'm taking people's advise and riding it out... good luck
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, depression, anxiety, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, antidepressant, antidepressants
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