Effexor XR addiction?!
Question: Effexor XR addiction.?
I have been taking Effexor XR now for about 5 yrs and I soooo regret ever accepting the prescription and filling it for these pills. I am so doomed for life. I don't think that I am ever going to be off these meds. I take them for anxiety and depression. If I miss one day, I get bad headaches, shock like feeling in my head, can't concentrate, i get edgy, i cry for no reason etc...By day 2 without the meds everything is worse. As soon as I take the meds all the symptons go away! I also hate the fact that since I have been on Effexor my weight has went up and up and my sex drive is not as high! Anyone else.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Effexor is known for a "discontinuation syndrome" that is exactly as you describe. It is worse than coming off other antidepressants - I think it is partially related to Effexor's short half-life. I've been through it and it gradually goes away, but I could feel the weird brain shocks for several weeks afterward. The usual advice is to taper off of it very, very slowly, and consider taking Prozac during the process in order to ease the transition. I haven't tried the Prozac method. There is also a new version of Effexor called "Pristiq" that is supposed to have fewer side effects, and maybe an easier discontinuation, but it's really new so there isn't a lot of information about it yet. It's also supposed to be easier on the liver.
Some antidepressants are considered more weight-neutral and easier on the sex drive. Wellbutrin has that reputation. You might want to take a look at the website www.crazymeds.us for information on lots of different medications from people who have taken them. But, medications all work differently for different people, so it can take some trial and error. Best of luck to you!Health Question & Answer
Some antidepressants are considered more weight-neutral and easier on the sex drive. Wellbutrin has that reputation. You might want to take a look at the website www.crazymeds.us for information on lots of different medications from people who have taken them. But, medications all work differently for different people, so it can take some trial and error. Best of luck to you!Health Question & Answer
I know what you mean. I feel the same about the Ativan I've been taking for five years. But seriously, so what. Sometimes we need some help keeping ourselves in a coping mode. I used to worry about it, but finally realize I have a problem, and the doctor gave me a solution. Amen
Don't stop taking your meds, but if you really feel the need to be done with them, you must do it under a doctor's care!
Good LuckHealth Question & Answer
Don't stop taking your meds, but if you really feel the need to be done with them, you must do it under a doctor's care!
Good LuckHealth Question & Answer
you WILL be okay. had the same. try getting on lexepro it is an antidrepressant with joint anti panic/aniety attack qualities. dont go down hard (eg miss a day) slowly reduce but ensure you have it at regular intervls, even if you dont feel the need. i was on 16mg/day xnax down to 6-7mg now. that was a month. cruise. go slow. dont have a day without some mg of it to keep it in your system. good luck. it will be okayHealth Question & Answer
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Years ago I went through a depression period and the dr I went to prescribed Effexor XR for me. He told me there are "no side effects" and its "perfectly safe" and "won't cause weight gain" etc etc., basically acting like he was selling it, sort of. Anyways I pretended to go along with it but I had a bad feeling about it and was determined to not go on any meds. I had the prescription filled but never took one pill. I researched E XR and found out it had a long list of side effects, especially weight gain and lowered sex drive. It didn't mention anything about withdrawal symptoms like you mentioned though. That's scary. It's like an "addiction" or somehow the body becomes dependent on it. That can't be a good thing. If I were you I'd get help to get off them. If you need to, try a different type of medication. Don't go cold turkey though, get help from a doctor who understands.
In my case my depression was caused by life events, and I was able to work through it all with therapy, although it was hard. I wish you the best, and hope it all works out for you. Best of luck :)Health Question & Answer
In my case my depression was caused by life events, and I was able to work through it all with therapy, although it was hard. I wish you the best, and hope it all works out for you. Best of luck :)Health Question & Answer