Posted by sleepy lizard on October 26, 2002, at 23:47:07
In reply to efexxor side effects and sucess, posted by Troncin on October 26, 2002, at 0:27:41
I took Effexor XR for three months. It worked well, after about a month, for depression. After that I began to have more and more anxiety. I also added Wellbutrin during that time which made things worse. Eventually I quit both, only to have many shocking sensations, fluctuating mood changes, and depression during a month of withdrawal. I was up to 225 mg and tapered to 75 mg before quiting. I'm still having slight shock sensations and some balance problems. The worst effect while on Effexor was anorgasmia and loss of libido, and eventually erectile dysfunction. I had been on other ADs prior to that which also had the same effects (Paxil and Celexa). Paxil worked the best for me for (3 mos.) depression/anxiety, but had bad withdrawal effects with Paxil also, similar to Effexor, including nightmares and sleeplessness but no shocks. You can't entirely get around withdrawal effects with drugs that increase seretonin since the brain has to adapt after quiting. Effexor can be great for many people though, one of the best, just watch out for the withdrawals.
poster:sleepy lizard
thread:125268
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125380.html