I have been on Effexor for 8 months. My doctor was the kind of doctor that would prescribe pills for just about everything. Mood Swings: take this, anxiety: take this, cant sleep: take this. Since starting Effexor I have gained (and Im not kidding) 60 pounds. My docotor told me it would help me "lose weight." You're kidding right? I dont even eat anything! Exercise doesnt work. I work out about 4 times a week for an hour with a personal trainer, and no results. Im at the end of my rope. I have been weaning off for the past 2 months: from 275 mg to 37.5 (gradually). I had bad withdrawls. Im in my first year of college and Im failing just about every class, because I cant/wont get out of bed in the morning.
While on Effexor I experienced bad mood swings, ranging from depressed to having an all out brawl over nothing. Not to mention total loss of sex drive.
To all of you out there trying to get help, dont let your doctor shove pills in your mouth before you explore what real people like us think.
While on Effexor I experienced bad mood swings, ranging from depressed to having an all out brawl over nothing. Not to mention total loss of sex drive.
To all of you out there trying to get help, dont let your doctor shove pills in your mouth before you explore what real people like us think.
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Me again, happily and entirely OFF evil effexor for over 3 weeks after 6 years. The weaning wasn't too terrible but I did have a couple of episodes with dizziness and vertigo each time I reduced the dose. I followed the above weaning schedule exactly as prescribed and in all there were only about 4 'bad' days that made me question the whole thing but I'm so happy I stuck it through and now feel pretty good. I've noticed my patience has descreased and I get irritated more easily that usual so I just have to be more aware of my moods and try not to fly off the handle.
On to the important topic of weight loss. I have lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks. That's huge! It's been years since I was in the 160's (169 counts as the 160's right?) and while I realize it's a long way from my previous weight of 135 it sure is encouraging to *finally* see the scale move in the right direction! I don't yet notice any difference but a co-worker today asked if I was losing weight and told me my face is looking thinner. Yay!
On to the important topic of weight loss. I have lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks. That's huge! It's been years since I was in the 160's (169 counts as the 160's right?) and while I realize it's a long way from my previous weight of 135 it sure is encouraging to *finally* see the scale move in the right direction! I don't yet notice any difference but a co-worker today asked if I was losing weight and told me my face is looking thinner. Yay!
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Have any of you that have gained weight had a thyroid function test done?
Pyschotic medications can slow your thyroid function...
It happened to me and now i am on thyroid medication and i am feeling much better and the weight has come down.
Pyschotic medications can slow your thyroid function...
It happened to me and now i am on thyroid medication and i am feeling much better and the weight has come down.
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I have been on effexor for 2 years and have gained 25 lbs. I only drink water and tea, and stick to a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, yams or sweet potatoes, some nuts ,eggs and cheese for protein since I am a vegetarian, yougurt. I also limit my sweets. I also work out 5 or 6 days a week for at least an hour each time, doing cardio and some days weight training. I usually lose a lb or 2 but gain it back by the end of the week. I have a hard time falling asleep, usually not getting to bed until 5 am. I barely have an appetite at all and have to force myself to eat a few small meals everyday. I am on weight watchers not to restrict my food intake, but to make sure I get enough! This is all since I started effexor.
I have had severe depression and anxiety for most of my life. The effexor helps me so much mentally, but my weight, that is now 205, it a major concern for me. My doctor and nutritionist both say I am doing great eating and exercising and admit that effexor will make it very hard to lose weight. But I am scarred to get off of it and become depressed and anxious.
For those of you who have gotten off effexor, or antidepressants all together, how did you cope with your anxiety/depression?
I have had severe depression and anxiety for most of my life. The effexor helps me so much mentally, but my weight, that is now 205, it a major concern for me. My doctor and nutritionist both say I am doing great eating and exercising and admit that effexor will make it very hard to lose weight. But I am scarred to get off of it and become depressed and anxious.
For those of you who have gotten off effexor, or antidepressants all together, how did you cope with your anxiety/depression?
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Oh, reading all of you , is giving me the strenght to keep going (day 6 of going cold turkey) turned 50 ,2 months ago, been on E for 1 year and half.
was prescribed E to help with Hot Flashes and being weepy....well with gaining 35lbs, no sex urges, walking around numb...I have made the choice to get off this horribel little pill. I know that it drug is helping many people with depression, but I should of never been given this drug. I am having the dizzys and brain slush, hot and cold flashes, but it will be worth to be myself again . Good luck to all of you.
was prescribed E to help with Hot Flashes and being weepy....well with gaining 35lbs, no sex urges, walking around numb...I have made the choice to get off this horribel little pill. I know that it drug is helping many people with depression, but I should of never been given this drug. I am having the dizzys and brain slush, hot and cold flashes, but it will be worth to be myself again . Good luck to all of you.
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If this helps anyone on Effexor, I have always been around 105- 112 pounds I started taking Effexor and I am now 136....I weighed that much when I gave birth to my first child........Anti-Depressants will make you crave carbs (at least that what my doctor told me) I am now in the process of going back on Wellbrutrin only because I have taken it before and have never had a weight gain with it........I noticed I did crave sweets and really never have before and it was like I had to have them......Good Luck to everyone I know how difficult and depressing it can be.
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Hello everyone,
I am happy to know that I am not alone with this whole "weight gain" due to effexor. I have been using this medication for a little over two years. About six months after using it, I started to gain weight. I gradually gained over 20 pounds in the past two years. I never knew what has caused my weight gain because I tend to eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis. It's not until I heard that effexor actually does cause weight gain. So I am happy to know that hopefully this weight gain is temporary. I have been trying to get off effexor for a while now because I know that I don't need it anymore. The only symptoms I have been experiencing were MAJOR dizziness and nightmares. The dizziness has been unbearable and I could not function throughout the day. So I kept using my regular dose instead of the decreased dose. I'm hoping that eventually I'll get off this effexor and one day be my regular weight again. Sorry I don't have any info. on if you really do lose the weight, but I would just like to thank you all for sharing your stories and info.
Take care.
Katie
I am happy to know that I am not alone with this whole "weight gain" due to effexor. I have been using this medication for a little over two years. About six months after using it, I started to gain weight. I gradually gained over 20 pounds in the past two years. I never knew what has caused my weight gain because I tend to eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis. It's not until I heard that effexor actually does cause weight gain. So I am happy to know that hopefully this weight gain is temporary. I have been trying to get off effexor for a while now because I know that I don't need it anymore. The only symptoms I have been experiencing were MAJOR dizziness and nightmares. The dizziness has been unbearable and I could not function throughout the day. So I kept using my regular dose instead of the decreased dose. I'm hoping that eventually I'll get off this effexor and one day be my regular weight again. Sorry I don't have any info. on if you really do lose the weight, but I would just like to thank you all for sharing your stories and info.
Take care.
Katie
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i have been on Effexor Xr for the 2nd time and I'm afraid because the first time I was on it I gained 10 lbs per month for 10 months. My psych said it was not the cause of weight gain but I had my family doctor monitor me every month and he said there was no way that I was consistently gaining that amount of weight monthly and it was definitely the effexor. I was up to 300 at that time. I was given the med for anger and depression and was not warned of the withdrawals. When I did not take it for 3 days I was the scariest person to be around and angry at everyone and everything, but eventually lost 20 pounds in the first month!
I have tried many other medications (cymbalta, celexa, wellbutrin, zoloft, prozac) with no success. As much as I dreaded it, I asked to be put back on the effexor but on a lower dosage. I am still fighting the weight, but am currently at 150 mg and have not gained any more, but have not lost any either. My doctor wants to increase it and I'm scared. She has also added Topimax which is supposed to cause weight loss but I haven't noticed any difference.
Listen to your doctor if you want to stop taking Effexor. You definitely have to wean off slowly to avoid all the terrible withdrawal symtoms!!!!
I have tried many other medications (cymbalta, celexa, wellbutrin, zoloft, prozac) with no success. As much as I dreaded it, I asked to be put back on the effexor but on a lower dosage. I am still fighting the weight, but am currently at 150 mg and have not gained any more, but have not lost any either. My doctor wants to increase it and I'm scared. She has also added Topimax which is supposed to cause weight loss but I haven't noticed any difference.
Listen to your doctor if you want to stop taking Effexor. You definitely have to wean off slowly to avoid all the terrible withdrawal symtoms!!!!
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I too have gained weight on effexor. I just realized it today that it was due to taking this drug. I have been on Effexor for the past year for believe it or not for my hot flashes. I am a breast cancer patient and my oncologist prescribed them to help lessen my hot flashes. I kept telling him about my weight gain and my exercise routine. I watch what I eat and work out 5 days a week for 1-2 hours and was still gaining weight. I had reconstructive surgery 4 weeks ago and could not exercise like I was and I gained 6lbs. I am starting today to wean myself off of this drug, so wish me luck. Hopefully soon I will begin to lose the 30lbs I gained. I will keep you posted.
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I have been on Effexor for over 2 years and have gained about 40lbs. I wasn't thin to begin with and now I feel like a whale. I was up to 228lbs, and after 6 weeks of concerted dieting I am down to 222lbs, and stuck there. I am currently weaning off of the Effexor from 300mg. I am down to 225mg and so far no withdrawal symptoms. I can't abide those. The brain zaps are terrible and make me literally bang my head against the wall. I hope that I can get the weight off once I am off the drug... I have been on antidepressants so long (10+ years) I am curious to see who I am without them...
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Well it's been just over two months off it and I'm fine fine fine and now 22 pounds lighter so far. No anxiety, no freakouts, normal is good.
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When i was 14 i was put on 150 mg of effexor. It was February. At that time i weighed 120 pounds at 5' 5'. At first i lost weight, but by the end of June I weighed 160. For me, that was a bit ridiculous, because i was young and would walk everywhere and wouldn't eat much. After that i went cold turkey because i didn't like the effects the medication was having on my body
Since then Ive started working out, gone vegetarian, and still walk everywhere and have gained 70 pounds in the course of about five years. My doctors say that I am getting enough exercise and apart from weighing a lot im perfectly healthy.
Up until now i couldn't figure out what was wrong with my body, but now that ive seen this page im going to look into a solution to my unfortunate problem
Since then Ive started working out, gone vegetarian, and still walk everywhere and have gained 70 pounds in the course of about five years. My doctors say that I am getting enough exercise and apart from weighing a lot im perfectly healthy.
Up until now i couldn't figure out what was wrong with my body, but now that ive seen this page im going to look into a solution to my unfortunate problem
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Thank you God of all creation, I am so glad that others are having the seem symptoms that I am having taking and trying to get off. Effexor XR save my life, I know if the Doctors at Kaiser Behavior Health (Dr Smart) had not seen what I was going thru I would be dead. No lie I wanted out of here I am for the first time able to give a name to my Highs and Lows, I Selena am Bipolar and being treated for it with the help of Effexor XR, However the side effects are weight gain from:135 to 160 \ 170 I get the munchys really bad and if I do not feed this thing I get angry, sweat, I'll have moodswing so bad I'll have to get a quick nap.
However, I have tryed getting off and the melted was too much for me the feeling like someone is trying to started my brain by zapping it, a fog seem to be in my head acting as my brain, and all I want to do is sleep.
I don't have any information on getting the extra weight off, just wanted to let all that is going thru know they are not along, I am too much of a sissy to try and get off the meds, ( they do keep the pain, darkness, highs and that free fall to the bottom away. I walk, eat food that is good for the body, drink water all the time, get 8-hour of sleep, and sat quitely for and hour a day and talk to God, no I don't like the weight so I do set up to keep the tummy undercontrol, I'am 50 year of age, and as long as someone see's good in my body weight and I feel great like I do I'll take the med's. However if someone do get one of the Doctor to tell them how to loose the weight please contact me
Thanks.
**edited by moderator**
However, I have tryed getting off and the melted was too much for me the feeling like someone is trying to started my brain by zapping it, a fog seem to be in my head acting as my brain, and all I want to do is sleep.
I don't have any information on getting the extra weight off, just wanted to let all that is going thru know they are not along, I am too much of a sissy to try and get off the meds, ( they do keep the pain, darkness, highs and that free fall to the bottom away. I walk, eat food that is good for the body, drink water all the time, get 8-hour of sleep, and sat quitely for and hour a day and talk to God, no I don't like the weight so I do set up to keep the tummy undercontrol, I'am 50 year of age, and as long as someone see's good in my body weight and I feel great like I do I'll take the med's. However if someone do get one of the Doctor to tell them how to loose the weight please contact me
Thanks.
**edited by moderator**
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I was on put on effexor one January after the prozax I had been taking for 6 years just stopped working.
Two months later, my shoulders felt like they were popping out of their sockets. When I started making centerpieces for my wedding, my hands hurt so much, I had to carry them when I walked (alternating hands). The pain would appear different places and migrate after a few days. Since I have severe depression, my doctor thought it was all in my head.
And then it went away. After a year, it came back - just as terrible. It was my mother who recognized what happened: I went off effexor when I got pregnant, and started again after my 3-month maternity leave.
I told my doctor I wanted to go off it. We battled for a month, since he didn't believe me.
Two weeks later the pain was gone. There is no question that it was a profound, debilitating side affect of the effexor.
Why isn't this on the list of side affects that my pharmacist gave me?
Two months later, my shoulders felt like they were popping out of their sockets. When I started making centerpieces for my wedding, my hands hurt so much, I had to carry them when I walked (alternating hands). The pain would appear different places and migrate after a few days. Since I have severe depression, my doctor thought it was all in my head.
And then it went away. After a year, it came back - just as terrible. It was my mother who recognized what happened: I went off effexor when I got pregnant, and started again after my 3-month maternity leave.
I told my doctor I wanted to go off it. We battled for a month, since he didn't believe me.
Two weeks later the pain was gone. There is no question that it was a profound, debilitating side affect of the effexor.
Why isn't this on the list of side affects that my pharmacist gave me?
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I took 150mg Effexor XR for over 3 years before deciding to come off. In the first 6 months of taking it I lost 5kg but after 12 months I started to steadily gain 30kgs.
Part of the the gain was from eating and lack of exercise due to how tired I was all the time but 30kgs, no way. There is no doubt in my mind this drug contributed to my weight gain. I was severely bloated all the time too and felt like a balloon. At one stage I went to Weight Watchers, followed it religiously and gained weight every week (3 weeks before I gave up).
I reduced to 75mg no probs but when I tried to reduce to 37.5 I got withdrawls straight away. I made a decision to go cold turkey which was hell (obviously).
That was at the end of Nov 2008 and I didn't see any change in weight until Feb 2009 despite watching what I ate and exercising (walking to and from work).
The bloating has finally disappeared and I have started losing weight (5kgs in a month).
Just wanted to let everyone know my experience so they don't get discouraged if they don't lose weight straight away.
Part of the the gain was from eating and lack of exercise due to how tired I was all the time but 30kgs, no way. There is no doubt in my mind this drug contributed to my weight gain. I was severely bloated all the time too and felt like a balloon. At one stage I went to Weight Watchers, followed it religiously and gained weight every week (3 weeks before I gave up).
I reduced to 75mg no probs but when I tried to reduce to 37.5 I got withdrawls straight away. I made a decision to go cold turkey which was hell (obviously).
That was at the end of Nov 2008 and I didn't see any change in weight until Feb 2009 despite watching what I ate and exercising (walking to and from work).
The bloating has finally disappeared and I have started losing weight (5kgs in a month).
Just wanted to let everyone know my experience so they don't get discouraged if they don't lose weight straight away.
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