Anyone on Effexor?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Anyone on Effexor?
5
Fri, 09-30-2005 - 2:34pm

I just got back from seeing Psychiatrist and he prescribed a low dosage of Effexor. I was wondering if anyone here took it and what your experiences have been with it (including any side effects.)


Thanks,


Laura


Edited to add: Okay, I've done some research online about Effexor and now I'm afraid to get the prescription filled! The side effects sound horrible, not to mention the difficulty in coming off the drug. Help! I don't know what to do. I really don't want to take this now. I'm supposed to go back to Psychiatrist next week. What am I supposed to say to him if I don't get it filled? Should I call him on Monday and say that after giving it a lot of thought I've decided I don't want to be on this drug?


BLEH. This is not how I wanted to start my weekend.




Edited 9/30/2005 3:33 pm ET ET by asc2001
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Avatar for jukie33
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 09-30-2005 - 2:51pm

I was on Effexor XR for over 3 years. I am currently withdrawing from it and going on Prozac. Effexor is a good med. It helped my depression and anxiety too. BUt it made me have no sexual desire and made me feel nothing. I had no emotions. They call it blunting I think. It doesn't happen to everyone. But I was increasingly on more and more Effexor until I was on 300 mg.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-30-2005 - 3:08pm

Thank you so much, Julie, for your candor. I've been doing some research since I got back from the appointment, and I'm a little upset that he didn't mention sexual side effects. That is a very big deal side effect for me. I've experienced it with both Paxil and Celexa and went off both medications because I'm unwilling to put up with a drug-induced decreased libido. And what makes me mad is that I specifically asked about side effects, and he said nothing about a decreased sex drive KNOWING my history of that being one of the side effects that I tend to experience.


He prescribed the same dose you're on--37.5 mg. I'll give it a chance, but I absolutely will tell him no deal if my sex drive disappears. To me, that is a deal breaker. I'm not happy about having to take a second medication (I already take Wellbutrin), but obviously it's not working completely and I need something else.


Thank you again for telling me about your experience. I'll go check out your link.


Laura

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 09-30-2005 - 8:27pm

Hi, Laura! I took effexor XR for 3 years & a very high dose. It nearly eliminated my panic attacks & helped my depression as well. I was sleepy, had some mouth dryness(the first couple of weeks)

 

 


 



Avatar for jenni_bear79
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 10-01-2005 - 10:26pm

Although I am new here, I wanted to add my thoughts. I've been on Effexor XR for close to a year now. I've had great results with it. I've not experienced the decrease in libido that I did on Paxil. That was not good when I was a newlywed, let me tell ya!!!


The only major side effect I have is some occasional dry mouth, and yawning. Yes, yawning! It's listed in the possible side effects, strange.


I have only positive things to say about Effexor XR.

Jennifer
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-18-2004
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 12:59am

I currently just got off of effexor. I was on it for 3 months, Starting with the 37.5 mg and working up to 150 mg. I think this is the worst drug I myself have ever taken. It worked fine for the first month, and then It caused my panic attacks to increase to the point I was having them everyday. I had no sexual desire what so ever while I was taking it. Also when going off of it, even when stepping down as instructed I was constantly dizzy for over a week. I would see what other options are out there.

Destiny