I was told the Wellbutrin was no good for me because almost every severe side effect was happening to me within the first week. :faint:

Now they want me to pick up the EFFXOR XR to try that.

Anyone have info and experience they can share?

Thanks,Dar.

Daria,

Remember, no one's experience is like anyone else's. That is your mantra!

I take Wellbutrin-it works well for me! I used to take Effexor-I did not like what happened to me if I forgot to get a refill or missed a dose. I experienced immediate "withdrawl" effects-specific to Effexor, not like those of heroin or other abused substances. It was horrible to go off of-I did a trial without anti-depressants. Even though we reduced the dosage slowly, the emotional ups and downs were extrememe, I had very tense muscles, and multiple panic attacks each day. When I went back on Antidepressants, I told my dr. that it just wasn't a good drug for me.

Ask you doctor why he/she is prescribing Effexor-it is not generic and is quite costly! Prozac and Zoloft are now available in generic formulations-they are much less expensive. There are many other SSRI's in addition to these. So you are not limited if one does not work, another one just might! Cymbalta works very well for some people, it had absolutely no effect for me. If you decide to take Effexor, never miss a dose or forget to refill it! Read the Patient info sheet thoroughly! Be knowledgable about your meds and decisions. Make the best decision for you based on your Dr's advice and your input!

RADD

Disclaimer:
Nothing in my post is intended as medical advice. Always discuss medication issues with your doctor. Never base your decision to take or not take a medication on the experiences of other people. If you have problems with your medications, call your doctor! You are unique and need the support and care of a medical practitioner.

I was on Effexor XR for two years and it worked really well for me. The only thing was it seemed to be doing something strange to my menstral cycle. I started getting breakthrough bleeding. I can't swear it was the Effexor XR, but when I weaned off of it, my cycle returned to normal.

I'm on a mix of Wellbutrin XL and Effexor XR now and it is mostly OK. The Wellbutrin has made my trichotillomania a bit worse, and I have to make more of an effort to go to bed at a reasonable hour.

I am definitly depressed, but my mental focus is still pretty bad, most of the day.

RAddmom is right. Everyone is different, so everyone has a different response to the meds.

The things that seems to be good for everyone to do are:
Eat right, reduce refined sugars, and simple carbs
Exercise at least 30 minutes each day
Sleep plenty and on a regular schedule
Take time to smell the flowers
Plan out your day and prepare for it the night before.
Meditate or pray for at least 15 minutes each day.

Of course, for many of us...If we could find the right meds, then we could do this stuff, and if we could do this stuff then eventually we might need our meds.

Best wishes to you on your journey.

Andecala

. . .Daria,

I was on Effexor, it helped me get through a major depression. I don't know about your doc, but mine prescribed it to me because it is a SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, rather than a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

Like RADDmom said, everyone is different, but Effexor worked wonders for me. It was a while ago that I took it, so I can't remember all details, but I'll do my best!

It took 4-6 weeks for the full effect of the med. I was lucky and didn't have any side effects. Due to my own med tolerance, I had to go off and on it several times, otherwise it's a very stable med.
It is difficult to get off of (withdrawal), but it wasn't horrible for me. I weaned off with doc supervision (which I think was the reason why it wasn't horrible).

Good luck to you, Daria!

Courtney

For some people Effexor really works well, but the withdrawal can be especially difficult because of it's short half life. So if you go on it, be sure if you ever decide to come off it to do it very carefully under a doctor's supervision.

I know Daniel Amen recommends Effexor in his book Healing ADD for what he caused Overfocused ADD (what I'd call ADD of OCD/hyperfocus issues).

Take care,
Scattered

wow.. I wish I knew all this before hand. I have started on the Effexor as of 5 days. I am on a starter pack. I havent had any bad side effects so far but I also havent had any severe panic attacks nor have I wanted to cry even more than once this past week.

I am worried now though due to hearing about the getting off being weary.

I just found out that I a may not have anymore insurance as of the end of this month.

wow.. I wish I knew all this before hand. I have started on the Effexor as of 5 days. I am on a starter pack. I havent had any bad side effects so far but I also havent had any severe panic attacks nor have I wanted to cry even more than once this past week.

I am worried now though due to hearing about the getting off being weary.

I just found out that I a may not have anymore insurance as of the end of this month.I had a friend in the same situation. It's lousy to have to come off due to insurance not what's best medically. She came off fairly easily and gradually. I've read that sometimes switching to Prozac which has a very long half life can ease the withdrawal. Discuss it with your doctor. Most doctors don't want you to run into problems just because of insurance issues. My friend's doctor helped her out with samples to help come of gradually.

Take good care,
Scattered

. . .Daria,

I was on Effexor, it helped me get through a major depression. I don't know about your doc, but mine prescribed it to me because it is a SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, rather than a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

Like RADDmom said, everyone is different, but Effexor worked wonders for me. It was a while ago that I took it, so I can't remember all details, but I'll do my best!

It took 4-6 weeks for the full effect of the med. I was lucky and didn't have any side effects. Due to my own med tolerance, I had to go off and on it several times, otherwise it's a very stable med.
It is difficult to get off of (withdrawal), but it wasn't horrible for me. I weaned off with doc supervision (which I think was the reason why it wasn't horrible).

Good luck to you, Daria!

CourtneyTHANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFO ALL.

OK But what I'd like to be told about more specifically is what do you mean "withdrawal" like pains? or what was your symptoms.

I was also given now a prescription for Adderall as well. I was told to start taking it in about ten days.

The withdrawal is odd, it's not pains, but more of an annoyance - for me anyway.
I would get "dizzy spells" - or some people have called them "zaps" I think.
The "zaps" occurred several times per day and lasted only a second or 2.
It's hard to describe them - I wish I could explain it better.

The gradual weaning helped a lot. I don't want to scare you about the withdrawal, but I think it's important to be aware of. The "zaps" also occurred it I forgot to take several consecutive doses of Effexor.

If I needed to take an anti-depressant again I would take Effexor in a heartbeat.

Best wishes, Daria!

I took Efexor XR for 4 years, and I can't come off it because the withdrawal effects are so bad. I have tried to cut down for about 6 months and it was hell. I'm now at a quarter of the dose I took just to keep the withdrawal effects at bay. I'm taking edronax now (Reboxitine) which I find is excellent. No side effects and I don't go crazy if I'm late taking a dose!

I'd never take Efexor again, if I can eventually come off it, that is. My withdrawal resulted in major depression (which I knew wasn't the depression returning), suicidal thoughts, wanting to self-harm, shaking, anxiety, dizziness, and many more (I can't remember now). The depression I got from Efexor withdrawal was way worse than any 'natural' depression I've suffered.

Everyone is different, but I'd try other meds before trying Efexor.

I have been on Effexor for 1 1/2 years now and am very pleased with it. I have had the "zaps" when I have forgotten to take it for a couple of days, but they went away as soon as I got back on track.

I, too, have heard that it is a difficult medication to stop and that it needs to be done carefullly and with a drs. assisstance, but the way I felt and was barely surviving couldn't be any worse, IMHO. My doc here says it is one of the best anti-depressants out there. I guess I will just face the issues of weaning off it when that time comes. Until then I am grateful to be able to live a relatively normal life.