I am so glad I found this info on Effexor. I was prescribed Effexor 2 years ago by my oncologist and ob/gyn after a hysterectomy. I am a breast cancer survivor and because I could not take hormone therapy, they prescibed this medication to offset the menopause symptoms. Now, just so you know, I went through a year of being thrown into menopause at 31 due to chemotherapy and I never asked for anything to help cope with it. I am not depressed and felt like I didn't need this medication. Sure enough, I start taking it and I gained 10 lbs in one month. I also had severe joint pain in my ankles and wrists, noticable attention deficit, and TMJ. I told my doctors that I didn't like the medication and that not only had I gained weight and felt horrible, I felt like it made me ANGRY and short fused. My doctor gave me a new prescription of 37.5 mgs rather than 75mgs. I have been taking the 37.5 twice a day and finally I just decided I was sick of taking it. When I would miss a dose, I would start getting the impulses and ringing in my head, yawn uncontrollably, nausea, heart palpitations and an overall just sick feeling.
I was also taking daily Ambien CR since I could not sleep. I stopped taking the second Effexor at night as the Ambien knocked me out and I didn't notice any withdrawals while I slept. Once I was off the one at night, I quit taking the Ambien CR. I began taking Magnesium and another item the Dr. from the healthfood store recommended. It took about 4 nights but now I am sleeping very peacefully and have noticed more calm feelings during the day.
I then started taking only a half of the morning Effexor and that was 2 weeks ago. Today, I took nothing. Normally I would have been feeling the electical pulses and ringing earlier in the morning but I have surpressed them and am hoping they will stop later on today.
As of now, I am taking a multivitamin, magnesium, and the sleep herbs from the healthfood store. I also want to note that I lost 4 lbs even when I ate mexican food 4 times this past week!
So, let's get this c**p out of our bodies!
I was also taking daily Ambien CR since I could not sleep. I stopped taking the second Effexor at night as the Ambien knocked me out and I didn't notice any withdrawals while I slept. Once I was off the one at night, I quit taking the Ambien CR. I began taking Magnesium and another item the Dr. from the healthfood store recommended. It took about 4 nights but now I am sleeping very peacefully and have noticed more calm feelings during the day.
I then started taking only a half of the morning Effexor and that was 2 weeks ago. Today, I took nothing. Normally I would have been feeling the electical pulses and ringing earlier in the morning but I have surpressed them and am hoping they will stop later on today.
As of now, I am taking a multivitamin, magnesium, and the sleep herbs from the healthfood store. I also want to note that I lost 4 lbs even when I ate mexican food 4 times this past week!
So, let's get this c**p out of our bodies!
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I am so thankful to have found this website and forum. I have only been on effexor for about three months, but have gained about 12 pds. For the past 7 yrs I have been on celexa, which I loved. However it was not working as well and the dr. recommended me trying something new. After reading up on several different drugs, I suggested effexor. For the main reason, it was not suppose to make you gain weight but possibly lose weight. I am very in touch with my body and have always stayed right at 119 pds. So when I started gaining this weight, I cut back eating and started exercising. None of this helped, so my question to you girls is, "have any of you started losing the weight yet?" or has this done something to our metabolism?
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I went off EFFEXOR and on to Paxil. My wrists were so sore and ankles. My Doc didn't think it was from the EFFEXOR but I asked him to switch me to something else to see....sure enough. No more pain.
I am not sure the Paxil works as well on my mental health but could not live with the pain everyday, especially in my wrists...I do a lot of computer work at my job and my fingers were starting to lock up.
I am not sure the Paxil works as well on my mental health but could not live with the pain everyday, especially in my wrists...I do a lot of computer work at my job and my fingers were starting to lock up.
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:-( I have been on this drug effexor for 3 months and have gained 20 lbs its horrible will i have withdraws beein on this for 3 months if i stop?
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eehappy wrote:
KV wrote:
Been on Effexor XR since March. Started at the 75mg and then Doc bumped me up to 150 when I also like the rest of you started to gain wieght, felt bloated and disgusted with myself. I have always been thin and when I tried to drop the weight and nothing worked I went back to the doc and asked to be switched to something else. She suggested I keep a food diary (LOL)......I have always been able to keep myself thin and was insulted she felt I needed to keep a diary.
I am now on the lower dosage and I am experiencing very sore wrists, ankles fingers........? The pain in my wrists is so bad I can barely lift anything. Is this symptom familiar to anyone? Seems everytime I have expressed any concern regarding this med to my doctor that I have read on the internet he tells me to "stop reading the internet", as if to say that nothing anyone talks about on the internet is true. Well, if it isn't true why are so many people saying the same things? Why would they bother?
If anyone can relate to my joint pain or has a similar story to this symptom please let me know what was done. I am going to try and cut this med down and get off it but am not looking forward to feeling sad again. I do need something to for my mood....
KV
Thank you! I have had awful joint pain for the past month. I started Effexor 75 mg 4 months ago and in the last month have gained 7lbs and have had severe joint and neck pain. The pain in my ankle feels as if my Achilles tendon is going to rip. I'm going cold turkey today and will deal with the withdrawal effects!
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I have been on Effexor since March of 2007. It was for a situational depression. My sister whom I was so incredibly close to died of breast cancer after I cared for her for two years. In addition, her husband went over the edge and I had to take her two daughters to live with me. So, you would think that the Doctor would recognize the inherent stress in the situation and help me to cope with it. To date, I would walk in his office, he would ask me how things are going, he would make his little notes and give me another three month supply bye, bye see you later and heres a bill for your insurance company. The weight gain has been horrible, but the pain in ass of remembering to take the stuff and the other side effects like lethargy, sweating, and 0 short term memory have caused me nothing but misery. I have always prided myself on being a fast learner, at the last job I worked at I had to constantly stop, think about what I was doing and try to remember how to do it. These guys get paid a lot of money by Pharmaceutical companies to push their c**p and the extent of their interest seems to stop at the bank. I finally went to the library and started getting some books on how to get through the depression and I figured what the heck, they can't be any more useless than the psychiatrist that was prescribing that c**p to me. I have begun to understand a lot, am feeling better, and flushed that poison down the toilet where hopefully a lot of Psychiatrists drink it and go through their own withdrawl!
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Hello all!!!
Kfish::::: I have the same problem as you. I am coming off right now and I am also wondering about shedding the weight. I do believe that Effexor caused my weight gain, and my doctor told me because of the type of medication that it is it CAN cause weight gain. I explained that the severe weight gain (25 pounds) in 6 months, has caused even more depression that had me contemplating taking diet pills. She said that she was going to wean me off of Effexor XR 75 mg and start me on Wellbrutin XL, for the the depression and to help me quit smoking. I started off taking 150 mg of Wellbrutin XL and taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor XR. I did that process for 2 weeks and then I completely stopped taking Effexor XR and bumped up the Wellbrutin XL to 300 mg daily.
Today is Day 2 of stopping the Effexor XR and I feel TERRIBLE. The brain shivers, zinging, disorientation, and the overall feeling of BLAH.
I feel like I am unable to function and it sucks. Anyhow, I will continue to stick it out because I dont want to gain more weight plus taking the Effexor XR was causing other issues such as memory loss, dizziness, and more.
I wish you best! If you have any input, please let me know.
Kfish::::: I have the same problem as you. I am coming off right now and I am also wondering about shedding the weight. I do believe that Effexor caused my weight gain, and my doctor told me because of the type of medication that it is it CAN cause weight gain. I explained that the severe weight gain (25 pounds) in 6 months, has caused even more depression that had me contemplating taking diet pills. She said that she was going to wean me off of Effexor XR 75 mg and start me on Wellbrutin XL, for the the depression and to help me quit smoking. I started off taking 150 mg of Wellbrutin XL and taking 37.5 mg of the Effexor XR. I did that process for 2 weeks and then I completely stopped taking Effexor XR and bumped up the Wellbrutin XL to 300 mg daily.
Today is Day 2 of stopping the Effexor XR and I feel TERRIBLE. The brain shivers, zinging, disorientation, and the overall feeling of BLAH.
I feel like I am unable to function and it sucks. Anyhow, I will continue to stick it out because I dont want to gain more weight plus taking the Effexor XR was causing other issues such as memory loss, dizziness, and more.
I wish you best! If you have any input, please let me know.
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The Effexor is horrible for withdrawl and it takes a few days to get over it. The memory loss and short term difficulty in completing even simple things was unbelievable. The book I got at the libary is called:
The Truth about Depression by Dr. Charles Whitfield, M.D. He has a lot of interesting insights into what causes depression and why drug treatment alone doesn't solve it. When you see shows like Dr. Drew's celebrity re-hab and hear some of those peoples stories, it breaks your heart to hear what people who call themselves "parents" can and will do to their children. Dr. Whitfield states that a great deal of clinical depression can be traced back to the way we did grow up and I believe that. There are a lot of the walking wounded out there who try to make their way in this world without a clue as to how to go about it, they go to the doctor or the psychiatrist and beg for help and they get a ten minute visit and a prescription, but it didn't take ten minutes to reach that point, it took a lifetime and I just don't see how you can wipe out a lifetime of pain with a once a day tablet. If you don't fix the broken bone, even the oxcycontin will stop working after a while. At any rate, hang in there, try to find a GOOD therapist who can walk you through some of the things that have brought you to this point, and know that with GOD all things are possible.
I will keep you in my thoughts.
Kfish
The Truth about Depression by Dr. Charles Whitfield, M.D. He has a lot of interesting insights into what causes depression and why drug treatment alone doesn't solve it. When you see shows like Dr. Drew's celebrity re-hab and hear some of those peoples stories, it breaks your heart to hear what people who call themselves "parents" can and will do to their children. Dr. Whitfield states that a great deal of clinical depression can be traced back to the way we did grow up and I believe that. There are a lot of the walking wounded out there who try to make their way in this world without a clue as to how to go about it, they go to the doctor or the psychiatrist and beg for help and they get a ten minute visit and a prescription, but it didn't take ten minutes to reach that point, it took a lifetime and I just don't see how you can wipe out a lifetime of pain with a once a day tablet. If you don't fix the broken bone, even the oxcycontin will stop working after a while. At any rate, hang in there, try to find a GOOD therapist who can walk you through some of the things that have brought you to this point, and know that with GOD all things are possible.
I will keep you in my thoughts.
Kfish
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Hello KFish,
Thanks so much for the feedback. I will say that for myself personally, I have been struggling with depression since an early age. I think when I was younger, depression was not recognized as much as it is now and I was kind of brushed aside. Now as an adult, I have noticed that medication does provide ALOT of relief and without it, I would be committed. I say that with 100% honesty, because I truly have tried to seek counseling without medication and both times ended in turmoil.
After taking Effexor, I noticed that my anger was more manageable and I was not as upset and depressed as I was before I began taking it. Now, I have gained alot of weight and I am getting depressed because of that. I am still young (27 years old) with 2 girls, I work full time in downtown Baltimore, and I am active. I don't sit on my couch and do nothing. I am 5 ft 2 1/2'' and I usually weight 125-130 lbs. I now weight 155 and I am NOT happy. Jeans and clothing I bought a few months ago, no longer fit. I am already counting pennies now, and because I am gaining weight I have to spend more money that I really don't have just to have stuff to wear to work.
In addition, my oldest daughter whom is 7 years old is having behavioral issues (mood disorder) and symptoms of ADHD, which was diagnosed recently. As a parent who first handingly knows about depression and mood disorders, I know not to ignore it and brush it under the rug. I do wish to explore other methods other than medication. I do think that counseling will help so that is the option that I have gone with right now.
Basically, I have alot going on right now. I am trying to get off the terrible medication while trying to keep myself together for my children. It's tough!
Thanks so much for the feedback. I will say that for myself personally, I have been struggling with depression since an early age. I think when I was younger, depression was not recognized as much as it is now and I was kind of brushed aside. Now as an adult, I have noticed that medication does provide ALOT of relief and without it, I would be committed. I say that with 100% honesty, because I truly have tried to seek counseling without medication and both times ended in turmoil.
After taking Effexor, I noticed that my anger was more manageable and I was not as upset and depressed as I was before I began taking it. Now, I have gained alot of weight and I am getting depressed because of that. I am still young (27 years old) with 2 girls, I work full time in downtown Baltimore, and I am active. I don't sit on my couch and do nothing. I am 5 ft 2 1/2'' and I usually weight 125-130 lbs. I now weight 155 and I am NOT happy. Jeans and clothing I bought a few months ago, no longer fit. I am already counting pennies now, and because I am gaining weight I have to spend more money that I really don't have just to have stuff to wear to work.
In addition, my oldest daughter whom is 7 years old is having behavioral issues (mood disorder) and symptoms of ADHD, which was diagnosed recently. As a parent who first handingly knows about depression and mood disorders, I know not to ignore it and brush it under the rug. I do wish to explore other methods other than medication. I do think that counseling will help so that is the option that I have gone with right now.
Basically, I have alot going on right now. I am trying to get off the terrible medication while trying to keep myself together for my children. It's tough!
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Thai
Please don't think that I am being at all critical of your situation and I would never dream of telling anyone that they are wrong in trying to alleviate their situation. As for the weight gain, I gained a total of 50lbs on the various meds and at first I too felt disgusted, however, I started shopping at thrift stores for my clothes and got lots of really cute stuff really cheap. I can't tell you how many times people would want to know where I got my clothing and so eventually I realized that it wasn't so bad. Plus people had to deal with me and not my looks and that actually made it easier for me to be comfortable around them. I know that most people are horrified at the weight gain because so much of our image can be tied into the way we look but I am sure you are still a beautiful person inside and out and if people want to judge you on your appearance, you don't need that extra grief in your life. As to your daughters, I'm glad that you are on top of the situation and staying close to them. Since my sister died, it has been very difficult for her girls to have me as their mom. Even though I raised my sister when she was younger and we were a lot alike, no one likes to not have their mom to go to. You have many challenges to handle but I'm certain that if you continue to look for solutions, you will find them. Bless you
kfish
Please don't think that I am being at all critical of your situation and I would never dream of telling anyone that they are wrong in trying to alleviate their situation. As for the weight gain, I gained a total of 50lbs on the various meds and at first I too felt disgusted, however, I started shopping at thrift stores for my clothes and got lots of really cute stuff really cheap. I can't tell you how many times people would want to know where I got my clothing and so eventually I realized that it wasn't so bad. Plus people had to deal with me and not my looks and that actually made it easier for me to be comfortable around them. I know that most people are horrified at the weight gain because so much of our image can be tied into the way we look but I am sure you are still a beautiful person inside and out and if people want to judge you on your appearance, you don't need that extra grief in your life. As to your daughters, I'm glad that you are on top of the situation and staying close to them. Since my sister died, it has been very difficult for her girls to have me as their mom. Even though I raised my sister when she was younger and we were a lot alike, no one likes to not have their mom to go to. You have many challenges to handle but I'm certain that if you continue to look for solutions, you will find them. Bless you
kfish
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KFish,
I did not think that you were being critical at all. Thank you though for clarifying that issue. I will say that I am not happy with the weight gain, however I will not stop taking medication because of that. If I were to do that, I would lose the weight but I would be flipping out every second. Granted, yes I would love to get back to where I was a few months ago physically, however I do not want to go back to where I was emotionally and psychologically. I guess I will have to suck it up and just deal with it as best as I can.
As for clothing, I have shopped on Ebay and yard sales. I am quite the thrift shopper so I am open to all places. I am not too proud to where I will only wear things new. My mother was the yard sale/flea market shopper always looking for a bargain, and I picked that up from her. Thanks for the feedback!!!!
I hope that you enjoy your day!
I did not think that you were being critical at all. Thank you though for clarifying that issue. I will say that I am not happy with the weight gain, however I will not stop taking medication because of that. If I were to do that, I would lose the weight but I would be flipping out every second. Granted, yes I would love to get back to where I was a few months ago physically, however I do not want to go back to where I was emotionally and psychologically. I guess I will have to suck it up and just deal with it as best as I can.
As for clothing, I have shopped on Ebay and yard sales. I am quite the thrift shopper so I am open to all places. I am not too proud to where I will only wear things new. My mother was the yard sale/flea market shopper always looking for a bargain, and I picked that up from her. Thanks for the feedback!!!!
I hope that you enjoy your day!
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I was prescribed effexor for postpartum and it has been nothing but wonderful. I feel my spirit has returned after 2 years of being dormant. I have been extremely active and fit for many years so any weight gain is a very big deal to me (I border on eating disorder). Effexor has taken off an additional 10 lbs. that I probably should not lose. However, given the female that I am... i am happy with the loss.
antidepressants are so patient specific...and side effects also are so patient specific. I would not discourage effexor given the success that I have with it. If weight gain is a side effect for you, get your heart rate up...it may take a few months for your metabolism to adjust, but hopefully the pounds will come off. Your body will have no choice but to burn those extra calories if caloric intake is less than expenditure.
antidepressants are so patient specific...and side effects also are so patient specific. I would not discourage effexor given the success that I have with it. If weight gain is a side effect for you, get your heart rate up...it may take a few months for your metabolism to adjust, but hopefully the pounds will come off. Your body will have no choice but to burn those extra calories if caloric intake is less than expenditure.
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i am siting here watering up reading about all the people's side effects of going off the effexor. I was on it for about 8 months....75mg a day and then 37.5mg before going off it completly. I had problems if i skipped a pill by accident, but now that I'm off of it I'm scared to death i have done more harm than good. I have horrible "static" in my head and find it hard to focus on an object. I'm a stay at home mom of 2 little girls and feel like c**p b/c I'm NOT pumping my body full of a drug i was told would combat my anxiety. I just want to know how long i will feel like im being shocked in my brain...and i also want to know if my doctor was more harsh with making eat right and exercise more i could have handled my anxiety on my own and wouldn't be here in the first place..... %-)
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I've been on Effexor for 9 months and I've been steadily gaining weight despite running and other exercise. I got on it to reduce my anxiety and depression and I feel more depressed now that I'm gaining weight. My doc wants to wean me off of it, which scared me at first. After reading all of your posts I am going to tell her yes bc this drug doesn't seem like the best option. I agree with a previous poster that I can control this on my own with proper diet and exercise.
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I can't remember how long I have been taking effexor xr, but it's longer than 12 months. I have gained weight to the point where I don't recognise myself in the mirror. I forget things, I bump into things and I have bruises all the time.
I was in a very bad place when my doctor prescribed effexor and it did improve things for me so I suppose I have to be grateful for that. I have just spent 12 months in group therapy and am now a different person. I know why I had certain thoughts about myself and they were just echoes of things that were said to me when I was growing up. These thought patterns are no longer a part of me and I feel free. Except for the effexor, which seems to be giving more side effects than when I first started on it. The weight gain, bruising, forgetfulness and inability to achieve orgasm during sex are making life miserable.
I struggle to renew my supply of pills in time. It's not just a phone call for me but involves two visits to a neighbouring town to get them. The forgetfulness and inability to concentrate make it a nightmare each time I need to renew my supply.
I am ill at the moment with flu and have also run out of pills.
Having read the posts on here about coming off these pills over several weeks, I have decided to try the cold turkey approach. People still seem to suffer withdrawal symptoms even when they cut down gradually so I'm thinking why not try cold turkey. It's my third day without any effexor. I am getting the brain shivers, dizziness and irritability. Have to be careful with the irritability - if I can remember to challenge how I am feeling before I act on it I can actually stop myself from snapping at people and making bad judgements based on effexor withdrawal rather than circumstances.
I feel for everyone on this forum. You aren't alone, you haven't deserved to be hooked on this drug and I send you lots of love.
I was in a very bad place when my doctor prescribed effexor and it did improve things for me so I suppose I have to be grateful for that. I have just spent 12 months in group therapy and am now a different person. I know why I had certain thoughts about myself and they were just echoes of things that were said to me when I was growing up. These thought patterns are no longer a part of me and I feel free. Except for the effexor, which seems to be giving more side effects than when I first started on it. The weight gain, bruising, forgetfulness and inability to achieve orgasm during sex are making life miserable.
I struggle to renew my supply of pills in time. It's not just a phone call for me but involves two visits to a neighbouring town to get them. The forgetfulness and inability to concentrate make it a nightmare each time I need to renew my supply.
I am ill at the moment with flu and have also run out of pills.
Having read the posts on here about coming off these pills over several weeks, I have decided to try the cold turkey approach. People still seem to suffer withdrawal symptoms even when they cut down gradually so I'm thinking why not try cold turkey. It's my third day without any effexor. I am getting the brain shivers, dizziness and irritability. Have to be careful with the irritability - if I can remember to challenge how I am feeling before I act on it I can actually stop myself from snapping at people and making bad judgements based on effexor withdrawal rather than circumstances.
I feel for everyone on this forum. You aren't alone, you haven't deserved to be hooked on this drug and I send you lots of love.
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