Effexor

[intheprocess]

My psychiatrist put me on Effexor. Has anyone experienced any side effects, and if so, what were they?

 

[Sammyiam]

It made me vomit for ages but it's ok now.

 

[joeylittle]

I felt like I was foggy and headachey for about a week, adjusting. Then it was fine. It worked well for me for quite a while; I'm still on it, but I'm not sure it's working anymore. It's notoriously difficult to get off of; there's a thing called discontinuation syndrome, and people refer to it as being a very, very painful experience with 'brain-zaps', and it can last 6 months to a year.

Did your doctor explain that part to you? I know mine was very good about making sure I understood what I was getting myself in for, should I ever wish to come off of it.

 

[intheprocess]

My doctor didn't say much. He said it helps with OCD thinking (I have distorted eating disorder- whatever that is).

 

[Sammyiam]

@joeylittle , when I went onto it I was put on Effexor and seroquel. It was the first meds I had ever been on and no one told me anything about How hard it was to get off. They just said it would help. :(

 

[Stickler]

It made me ragey, this on the baby dose...severe anger, agitation, but no lessening of depressive symptoms.
Abilify did something similar, as did Ritalin, so I'm thinking that I react badly to more norepinephrine in my brain? Not what happens to most people.
My guy is on a huge dose of Effexor, it works for him.

 

[joeylittle]

They just said it would help.

I'm sorry no-one shared that info with you. The good thing about Effexor is that it's older, so there is a lot of info about how it behaves, how people react to it. It's very effective for many people, and it's good for long-term use. But yeah, it's not easy to stop.

 

[intheprocess]

Thanks, everyone. I will wait and see what happens. I have not vomited but have not much of an appetite. I will be glad if it works, barring any side effects. I would DREAD having to go off of it and having those terrible side effects!

 

[Jowhar1981]

Effexor was useful for me but wore off over time and I had to continue to increase the dosage. Also, if you forgot to take it for even 24 hours the side effects of withdrawal kick in and for me they have been brutal.

 

[7Cs]

I would not recommend it. Ditto on the awful "brain zaps. Not to mention they also would happen to me if I missed a dose or two. I took it a long time ago. Must have been before people reported that side effect because the doctor had no idea what I was talking about when I told him. If I remember correctly I wasn't on it long, there must have been other side effects I couldn't tolerate as well.

 

[Deleted member 33023]

Hi I'm new here and just started Gabapentin (300 mg a day) and Effexor (37.5 mg a day). I've been on it for five days now. My eyes feel weird like I can't focus, excessive sweaty hands which makes it difficult to drive and making me crazy washing my hands all day. I have been told it takes a month for the drugs to kick in but I distinctly recall the doctor prescribing these two medications for "immediate relief in a couple of days" which has happened in my mind but physical symptoms are still there. Not as bad but there. I know it has been helping as I do not feel suicidal which is the worst but does anyone else have excessive perspiration with this medication? Thanks every in advance for your kind attention.

 

[joeylittle]

Effexor (37.5 mg a day).

That's sub-clinical, I think. Is your doctor planning on moving you up to 75mg/day after 7 days?
Some of what you mention is a Gabapentin side-effect, although rare. Side effects should last about the length of a flu - those physical issues should resolve in a couple of days.