Getting off this drug is so awful, I had to take a leave from my job. I live on Ritalin, Xanax, klonopin, buspar and gabapentin.
I had a time of very high stress and anxiety but never depression that I started itching all over and getting hives and itchy bumps.
After reading these posts before taking my first dose I have to say I am terrified to even think of giving it a chance. For the next 14 years my poor brain would be drugged over and over and over again – all of it attempting to treat a withdrawal reaction from the original medication.
And I also have to be on a mood stabilizer as well. I can’t remenber crap people are telling me. How long do you think it will take to wean myself off of 225 mg of Effexor? It affects my job now and …well, I’ll let you all know what the neurologist says.I went on Effexor 100 mg almost 17 years after being dx with MS. No meds for the MS during that time and the neurologist says my MRI shows no change since the initial one in 2000 when dx.
My psychiatrist weaned off off over a few months, but soon after termination, I started to have severe panic and anxiety that lasted from morning until night.
It’s been over 4 years now and buspar and benzos manage the panic and anxiety but I’m not the same person.
I have noticed short term memory loss in the last couple years. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. I went back to another Dr. and insisted on going back on effexor and have been increasing the dose. When you get to be my age, nothing seems to be the same.I’ve been on Effexor for 17 years. Put me up to 225. nothing worked.
I am staying on it because in my case I am getting back to being myself.Well I am just relieved to read that others have suffered like I have with regards to the feelings of dehumanization.I have been taking Effexor for 15+ years now.
I feel like Jesus is the only one who can save us now. I took that 1 pill and feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life.
I’m down to 1/2 tablet daily.
I want to get off all these type of medications, but I need to conquer the depression and anxiety, as it is impossible to live a normal life otherwise, without the help of medicine. The reason behind the initial prescription was to stabilize my moods. Anothe side affect of being over medicated.
I can barely get full sentences out without forgetting words, common ones it seems at times.
I have only been off completely for 2 months, so maybe things will improve. The physical withdrawals were gone but the mental withdrawals crying and dumb shit lasted for months. // Leaf Group Lifestyle Also, There is a study that shows Lion’s mane improves mild cognitive impairment (tablet form). I decided to give Cipralex a go but unfortunately gained 25 lbs in under 2 months so I knew it wasn’t going to work either.
I supplement with sublingual B12 upon waking up, I take a quality multivitamin after breakfast, and magnesium glycinate at bedtime (helps to relax muscles and sleep with no gastro issues like some of the other forms of magnesium). A year ago I read that Effexor could cause seizures.
My blood pressure has also been elevated lately.
She said that was a good idea because she thinks Effexor is a dangerous drug.
I can watch a movie and one month later I will have no recollection of having watched that movie. I tried my best to argue that this was against all the advice I had been given and read but to no avail.My life has been completely destroyed by withdrawal from Effexor after 15 years use. Good luck to everyone- I realize how difficult it is to live with depression and anxiety!I’m glad I found this site. Aching joints, memory loss, fatigue no interest in anything.
The cause of this syndrome is an excess of serotonin in the body brought on by the use of drugs that raise serotonin levels, including Effexor, according to the University of Maryland Medical Encyclopedia RxList.com reports about 6 percent of patients taking Effexor experience weight loss Kathy Jutila has been writing health-related articles since 1979.
Rather that than killing myself!I am soooo Grateful I happened on this site! This article describes exactly what has happened to my brain. I do take Wellbutrin and mayb that is helping me.. but I cant beleive I’m off this med after 10 years of taking it.. So after taking Effexor for 10+ years I have successfully managed to destroy anything around me with feelings.
it’s almost impossible to get motivated to do anything other than stuff I have to do. I also lack the desire.