Effexor and Weight Loss/Gain

[Jenlynne]

Has anyone taken Effexor and, if so, did you experience any weight related side-effects.  

I am worried about gaining weight and will not take this medicine until I find out.   I'm just scared because SSRIs cause gain.  Even though this is not an SSRI, it could cause weight gain.

[honestflt1]

I lived in Wa and I know how you feel with the weather.  I just started taking venlafaxine hcl er and have gained 12 lbs in 4 weeks. I am not eating any different than I was 8 months before I started and had lost 22 lbs. I just left a message for my dr on her recorder because it is Sat and I want off of it.  I was on Prozac for years and NEVER had one side effect not one. Dr put me on this cause she said I had been on Prozac to long for it to be effective.  Worse thing I could have done. I have blurred vision, headaches, and feel very weird in my brain and body, get dizzy and even feel faint when I stand up.  I still ten to still cry once in a while even on this.  I'm sorry I had been trying to loose weight before this and was doing great.  Slow and healthy the right way.  I've felt a little out of breath everyonce in awhile and have heart palpatations.  I just felt like I was heavier so got new scales and saw I had gained the 12 lbs and said hell no the side effects and gaining weight NO WAY.  I was on 150 and had really bad stomach cramps on that amount and was always having problems with my bowls. So she put me on 75 and told me to take the 75 for 5 or 6 days then try to go back on the 150 for a few days then back on the 75 to see if that helps. Well guess what it has not made a difference at all except the stomach cramps and the bowl problems are better on the 75.
Good luck with you and everyone else using this stuff.  I am going off as soon as I see her Monday. Hope I do not have bad side effects for goin off of it.  I already about a year ago thought of sucide.
honestflt

[katenikolov]

I've just read all of these comments and gone "oh my God..It's not just me'! Thank God.  I've always had a fanatastic shape and have gone up 3 sizes since this damn drug.  Problem is, I need something to calm the anxieties. There's got to be something else out there for women that doesn't make us feel even worse about ourselves.  

[knkanderson]

I wish I had read this months ago.  Since being prescribed Effexor I put on 10 pounds per month.  M y weight went from 145 up to 215 in 7 months!  I could have birthed twins during that time!  Plus during the time I have been on Effexor & xanax I have attempted suicide 3 times.3 times SINCE the prescriptions!  about 4 times before!  obviously something is not right.  I am going to wean off everything even though I have suffered from depression/anxiety 20 some years and have a strong genetic history - including suicide - in my family.  I just don't know what else to do.  going Holistic I think...

[HollyGarden]

I had been on Effexor for many years and have weaned myself off  the meds  Results were as mentioned above. Profound !!!!side effects. !!!!!!!!
It has been at least one and a half months since I took my last 37.5mg and recently  I woke up and could hardly move.!!
I had fear of Parkinson as it  is Familial
I goggled  concerns and located this site and was encouraged to see that I was not alone.
I started  magnesium Citrate  2 pm and 2 am
I also take Omega 3 and B complex &  C
Your body is in shock mode more ways than you can imagine Therefore be kind to yourself. Lots of rest, decrease alcohol consumption and take a series of Vitamins for depletion.
Note When stressed out  B & C's are deplete stat.
It is a long journey to wean So  go slow for best results.
You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wanttobeskinny27]

I was 219 when I started Effexor and gained 60 or so pounds now I am a disgraceful wopping 280 pounds

[fatgirl68]

I was just wondering how you take your doses? I am on venlafaxine 37.5 twice daily, but I take both at night. Do you think that could be the reason for the weight gain? I have gained 50lbs in almost a year. After reading all the posts I'm afraid to get off of it.  Thanks for any help.