Effexor XR and Weight Gain/Anemia

[TheresaDT]

I have been on Effexor for about 2 1/2 yrs.  The first time I had great success with my depression and the weight loss was great!   That being said...I'm not sure if the Effexor contributed to the weight loss or if it was due to the depression from my husband leaving.  I went from a size 14 down to an 8!  Then after about 1 1/2 yrs, I decided that I didn't want to be on medication anymore. I felt much better and have never liked taking medication.  Unfortunately, I didn't know about the horrible side effects. I quit cold turkey. DONT EVER DO THIS!  I gave in after about a month and a half and went to my doctor.  She put me back on Effexor (increased my dosage from 75mg to 150 mg) and prescribed phentermine.  I did that for a few months and some weight came off, but I just didn't really care.  I stopped the phentermine but continued with the effexor.  In the last year or so  I have gone from a size 8 back up to a size 12/14!!!  (Mostly in my stomach,  rear and upper thighs.)  What is the most effective way to come off of the Effexor?

I have also recently been diagnosed as being anemic.  I have very low iron.  I am supposed to be taking iron suppliments, but can't stand taking them.  I realized my symptoms started around the same time my Effexor dose was doubled and wondered if one has anything to do with the other.  Has anyone else had this problem?

[nursegirl6572]

You're correct in that Effexor can be one of the tougher meds to come off of.  That is why the very BEST way to do it is under the guidance of a doctor who understands the ins and outs of Effexor and other meds.  The BEST way to taper is sloooow and deliberate.  The slower, the better.  Do NOT try to do this yourself.  You found out the hard way going down by only one pill how rough it can be.

It still may not be totally discomfort free, but you can minimize the effects by doing it the right way.  And by slow, I'm talking 6, 9 months, a year or more.  In my experience, both as a nurse, and from posting here since 2008, people that do that can actually get off the Effexor with little to no issues.  It CAN be done, it's just that most people (even doctors) don't realize that it's necessary to be super conservative.

Hope it goes well for you, let us know!

[Canada2012]

When I first got depression, effexor saved my life.  I went from almost suicidal to awesome.  I have been on it for 5 years.  My hair has been shedding like crazy and I am anemic.  No matter how many Iron tablets I take, and I take a high dose, Ferramax Supplements are the best, no constipation or stomach problems.  

Now I realized that my hair shedding and iron problems must be due to Effexor.  I never had these problems before effexor.  I also started to have High Blood pressure.  I was only 35 then.  I am now 40.  

I tryed to reduce the does from 3 tabs to 2 and it was horrible,  I had stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, nausea dizzyness.  So now that I realized the this crazy hair shedding is a side effect of effexor, I am going to get off of it.  Going to take 1 1/2 tabs and then lower and lower, slowly though.  Getting of this stuff is horrible.  

[Sdblondeinaz]

I have been on Effexor for 3 years and I also quit cold turkey a while back it's an awful Side effect. Like an Out of this world Feeling? Or you head is light-headed and pounding or something? I thought It was just me, then I come on here last night and I am thinking that effexor must be addictive? Or Something that's in it makes you come down from withdrawls, Anyways My Dr. is Currently trying to take me off of it. My dossage was 150MG...And now he has me on 75Mg but I could still feel the difference in my head when I started taking the new pills, like I was coming out of withdrawls from not having the same dosage, The only way to get off of this is to be Weaned off. And I suggest if you take vitamins, Take a multivitamin and instead of 1 take 2 and Drink WATER, WATER , WATER!!