Posted by Alexander1 on March 20, 2006, at 15:14:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! » Shel, posted by detroitpistons on March 20, 2006, at 9:24:58
Hi all! Yes, I believe Effexor works for the lightest forms and deepest forms of depression. I think there is no doubt about it's effectiveness. I have taken it for a year or so and for me, I am not liking it. I take two 37.5 mg pills. I started on Prozac for some anxiety, stress relief and mild depression. Cannot remember why my doc and I changed over to Effexor - probably thinking there was supposed to be few side effects. I am now trying to get down to one a day, then zero. If I need something again, it will not be Effexor, probably the Prozac, as it is easy to go through the discontinuation syndrome with it.
I have stopped Effexor on some occasions - like not renewing the prescription at the right time and being on a trip and so forth. This is not a good thing to have happen. The drug is really, really tough on the system when stopped suddenly. I have tried to just drop off slowly -to one pill a day, a 50% reduction, and that is also a mistake. It will help to go down 10% a week on this drug to get it out of your system. Which means something like what I am trying - two pills one day, one the next, back to two, and so forth for a week or so; then, work down to one a day, then miss a day, then miss two days, etc. In other words, use time as your way of cutting down - as, of course, they do not make smaller doses.
I have had dizzy feelings, chest pains (thought it was a heart issue), sick feelings, headaches, and muscle pain with the withdrawl epidodes.
I have read, and now believe, that Effexor is the absolute worse discontinuation syndrome antidpressant made. I wish that I had never taken it at all. Some people will change doctors after getting off the drug they are so angry (not really your doc's fault).
For my self, I think it is highly addictive and, perhaps, the makers designed it that way. Once on, they say it can be for life. Not a good thing for some. I do not mean here for those happy with it to be put off with what I am writing, I just wanted to give my experience and thoughts on the drug. I hope I do not need to go through life on this kind of drug but, if I do have to, I can live with that. However, I will not go another round with Effexor. There is good info and sites out on the Net to help with the withdrawl. If any one is interested and this site allows it, I could post links.
Dealing with depression is a tough way to live each day and it is really hard to talk with those that have never experienced the darkness that takes over, so I am glad I can connect here.
poster:Alexander1
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060315/msgs/622533.html