Posted by Richster on August 10, 2001, at 16:03:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been using Effexor on and off for at least 3 years for depression. I had tried many other meds including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin unsuccessfully. I have tapered myself off at least twice and probably went "cold turkey" at least once. Although I found the withdrawal effects striking (mild to moderate lightheadedness and/or dizziness, very mild headache), actually I considered them an annoyance and they subsided relatively quickly. By the posts on this board I can see that the side effects of use/withdrawal of this (and likely all) drug(s) varies greatly from patient to patient.
I took myself off of Effexor for nearly one year, hoping to be drug-free. However, I decided that my symptoms of depression outweighed any side effects of Effexor I had experienced. In fact, my side effects ON Effexor are almost zero. I should state that on initiating the med, I did experience some mild to moderate sexual dysfunction (including abnormal ejaculation which someone else had mentioned) but which subsided within I would say 2 weeks. I now have no problems with respect to sexual function. The only symptoms that I do experience are if I miss a dose, then after several hours I do begin to experience mild lightheadedness or dizziness. I have never had any sleep-related side effects. Interestingly, one side-effect of Effexor use that I have noticed is significant appetite suppression and/or weight LOSS. Fortunately for me this has not been an issue.
Effexor has really allowed me to cope with my depression and really lessens the "lows". I still absolutely feel like "myself" and have never ever felt like "a zombie" or "unable to feel normal emotions". Without question if I ever felt that way on any medication I would stop.
I decided to post my experiences in the hope of providing some balance in view of the (many!) fear-inducing reports I have read on this board and hopefully to reduce the fears of persons looking for solutions for their depression who may, like me, have tried other medications without success.
poster:Richster
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74510.html