Posted by Heather Higgens on May 27, 2002, at 12:18:04
I was on 150 mg/day Effexor xr for two years for depression. At first it seemed to work well for my depression for about 6 months.
I did not realize the side-effects at that time other than constipation however after one week of total completion of ending my doses it felt as though a layer of fog was lifted off of my brain and I could see what had been happening to me.
During the two years I had experienced: constipation - memory loss - fatigue - compultion (which I have never experienced with stock piling food and buy lots of unnecesary items) - gaining 45 lb. - lack of motivation to do most anything - parania (another thing that I had never experienced) - lack of motivation and profuse sweating -
I did not notice these things untill I was completely off Effexor. The withdrawel lasted 3 weeks and was complete "Hell". I experienced: fever - hysterical and uncontrollable crying and laughing - I did not want to get out of bed - diarhea - major dizzyness - could not comprehend simple conversation or remember things that people told me 5 minutes later. I have not taken Effexor for 4 1/2 weeks now and am still on the look-out for withdrawel side-effects. I am no longer taking anything because I feel that I need to find out who I am and whether I do need the help of med.s. I am currently seeing a therepist and that in itself has been a huge help.
If you are taking this med. and it works for you that is awesome however it did not work with my brain chemistry. I find it very important to research all avenues and biases of medications and just because a Dr. says it is good to take it may not be for you. Dr.'s are not God's - they do not know all.
poster:Heather Higgens
thread:107733
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/107733.html