Effexor

I have been on Effexor XR for almost 4 years. I take an extremely high dose, 450mg daily, but have found it to be my sanity. After months of fertility treatment and three tries with IVF, I got pregnant and had twins. The post partum depression was horrendous to say the least! I thought I was literally going crazy. I have continued to take the meds due to fear of the unknown once weaned. Like the old saying goes, "why fix something that's not broke". There are some drawbacks/side affects, but they are the lesser of the evils. I now enjoy my life, who I am, my beautiful boys that will turn five in only three days, my wonderful husband and my magnificient two older children (20 and 18). I am truly blessed and very thankful for a physician that was willing to listen without judgement and to stick by me to get me back to who I am. Jacksonville, FL

I have been on Effexor for about 4 yrs. now. At first I thought it was best thing since bread. First time I didn't feel suicidal. But after being raised to 300 mg., I noticed whenever I took OTC pain meds, I started getting these brain shocks. They're horrible!! I tried getting off and she shocks were unbearable! Bad thing is is that I get headaches everyday now and that's why I was taking any of the OTC pain meds that did not work at all. I read somewhere online that taking the OTC meds and being on a high dose of Effexor will create these brain shocks. My doc is now gradually taking me off of it. I have major depression and anxiety and it scares me that I'll attempt suicide again. But, I can't stand these brain shocks any longer! My GP put me on Firoicet w/codeine, but it doesn't get rid of all the pain. But, it's the best I can get. I've taken hydrocodone from a friend and it got rid of the pain and the zaps! But no doc will give them to me. My psych wants to change my antidepressant to some other class of meds. I was on Zoloft before, which is in the same class, and tried to stop cold turkey and got those brain shocks so bad that I thought I would lose my mind. I believe the longer you are on this class of antidepressant, the worse the side effects get. I would not recommend it to my worst enemy!! Note: I have found that Kratom (a medical herb) that you can order online gets rid of the brain shocks. But, don't abuse it as you may become dependant on it. But, it has been a life saver for me.

I am 32, have been on Effexor xr for almost 2 years, and I am trying to wean. I am experiencing extremely bad dizziness, and vertigo. I also have that shocking sensation in my head and ears. I am so sick on my stomache all I can do is lay down. It is the worst feeling ever. My dreams are so bizzare and when I wake up I feel sore all over and sweaty. I will NEVER take Effexor xr ever again. How long will it take to get completely out of my system and will there be any long term damage from being on this drug and from coming off of it? answers anyone? -North Carolina

I was placed on Effexor by mistake from my new and now "ex doctor". I had been previously on Wellbutrion for the past 2 years. I took the Effexor for 2 1/2 weeks and on the first week, I thought I was doing good, no great! Then I started to have short term memory loss, blurred vision, stomach ache,dizziness, confusion,lost of appetite, unable to sleep, but what really scared me was the realization that at 2 1/2 weeks into it, I no longer had any emotions. I have recently lost my husband and suddenly the pain is gone??? Well, there was no feelings of joy either and to top it all, I was become very angry, enraged to say the least. I quit the Effexor cold turkey and on the 4rth day, I ended up in the ER, completely out of control and suicidal. It has been almost a month now and I am back on Wellbutrion and feeling like a person again. I would caution anyone about taking this poison so called "Effexor". I not only had all of the side effects listed above, but it also made me THINK that dying was an alternative. Good God!! Give me the depression and pain anytime at least I FELT something.

I have been taking Effexor XR for 7 months and have experienced dizziness, short memory loss ( which is negatively affecting my job) blurry vision to the point I can't see for long periods of time...this is not good seeing that I work for an optical center. The itching and bruising started after 2 months. I get a spot that itches real bad and the next day I have a herrendous very dark bruse. I was also taking 1 ecotrin daily heart health because I'm fifty and have a family history of heart disease. My doctor thought it was the aspirin so I stopped taking ecotrin but I still get itching and some brusing. Itching mostly on my scalp. Interesting that I never had that before. Weakness in muscles??? I think everything is heavy now. My girls tell me constantly that I'm much weaker than I used to be, but I still THINK i'm strong and end up hurting myself because my muscles give out. Oh and the weight gain has been herrendous too....34 lbs in less than 3 months. I'm only 5'2" and started at 135 and sky rocketed to 169. I found taking the new Alli diet aid has help me to lose 15 lbs but I'm still in danger of being way overweight (155) for my well being. I was gaining literally 2 lbs every week. My ankles swelled to a lovely size of my calves ( you know the look...cankles) so my doctor put me on a water pill, I have sat here for 2 minutes trying to think of the right word and can only come up with diriveted, directive, oh now I have diuretic. Does anyone have that trouble of thinking of the right words to use??? It's very annoying. It keeps me awake but to a point I feel like I'm not here sometimes, but then again it makes it easier to tune out some people. So the doctor put me on trazadone to help sleep at night and for the pain from fibromyalgia. Oh I forgot to mention that after being on my perfect little concoction for Fibro for 1-1/2 years I quit cold turkey....not recommended at all...these were my meds at that time.. (elavil <amitriptiline> for sleep, wellbutrin SL to level serotonin, relafen for joints and sometimes flexeril for musle pain, but I survived after a month of stomach aches, pain and disorientation. I forgot to refill my script for 3 days and only experienced the stomach ache and very nauseated. That went away within 2 hours after taking an Effexor. I can't imagine going off of this drug after reading all of these comments. I want to but now I'm real scared. Oh well I guess the pros and cons will have to work themselves out. Wish me luck. Good news is my hot flashes have decreased immensely which I had been having for 3 years ( early menopause, total hysterectomy) so I'm glad for that relief.. I feel so bad for all of us taking this med, without the major side effects it would be alright. Like most of you said...they should list this stuff in BIG LETTERS and really enforce Doctors to warn about what happens when you try to stop taking Effexor.

I was taking Effexor XR 37.5ml for 3 1/2 years and intended to wean myself off but it didnt happen that way...long story short, I stopped cold turkey two weeks ago. I have not expeirenced any of the symptoms listed under withdrawals but find I am slightly irritated over certain minor things but that doesnt last long. Effexor was wonderful and gave me a whole new life when I first started taking it. It is sad that American citizens are always ready to sue someone's ass off.....no one shoves medication down our throats. We, as the patient, are responsible to make our own decisions regarding what we put into our bodies.

I to was put on Effexor for hot flashes. I have been on the medication for several years. It has helped some. I have also experienced less anxiety. I have missed a dosage here and there and within approximately 24 to 36 hours I feel very strange - some vertigo and feeling very disorenited - not able to formulate thoughts - I was not told about these side effects. I am ready to get off the medication and knowing what happens to me without it in just a day or two makes this path very scary - If you have not started it - DON'T EVER!

Took myself off effexor--can hardly walk. am more clear-headed than the whole time I was on it. Count me in on class action. never ceased depression--just learned to act.

My pain doctor prescribed this for me without telling me what it was. I don't suffer from major depression and never have. When I asked him what it was, he said, "Just take it!" Since I'd just had major back surgery AND was about to start chemotherapy, I didn't have the energy to research this medication. While I'm sure it works well for people who are clinically depressed, the side effects that someone who is not can have while on this medication are pretty scary (and not only that, but some of the symptoms put my job in jeopardy). Fortunately I'm off it now. Lesson learned: KNOW what you're taking before you put any medication in your mouth!

I've been on it for about 8 months...strictly for hot flashes. I am now trying to get off of it and I am miserable. dizzy, hot flashes, can barely walk without crashing into walls. Very disoriented. Afraid to drive. difficult to work. I strongly recommend NOT STARTING THIS horrible drug. No hot flashes were ever this bad. ls, Texas

I have been on Effexor XR for about two years. I am now trying to ween off of it and it is the worst experience of my life! The pain, insomnia, and headaches are terrible! I would have never agreed to start taking it in the first place had I known it would be this bad. I had no warning of these side effects from my Dr. I would love a class action suit on this one!

I had been on effexor xr for 6years. I have been coming off of it for 3 weeks. Nausea vert1go headacke trouble with speech. also I am depressed. I have started on Prozac . What needs to be done is to have the side effect out there so you can see what to look forward to if you come off the med.

Can this medication cause itching and bruising to occure

Is this a narcotic drug

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