Anyone On Efexor XR

[dibren102]

I have been given a new medication which I am due to start tonight, I am so afraid to take it because I have been looking at some web sites that say what terrible withdrawal people have trying to get of it.  Is anyone on this and how do you find it.  I know we all react differently its just that I havent seen a good word about it, I think I would rather hold off until I see psychologist and ask her advice.  Any thoughts?

[candi03]

I had a harder time getting use to the medicine then coming off of it. If you decide to take it just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to wean. It took me like a mth or two to completely wean and the side effects were okay not bad. But when I first took it, it made me very ill but I got use to it after 2wks.

[Tom3242]

i was on Effexor XR for about 1 year.  it was the worst experience of my life coming off of it.  Mood swings and something i like to call electro convulsive shocks.  i would get these twitches that felt like electricity was running up my body and it would make my head twitch.  that lasted for about 4-6 months after i stopped taking it.   i wouldn't recommend it to anyone.   all it did was numb my emotion.  i didn't care about anything.  love or hate.  i just got along.  not to mention gaining 40 lbs.  paxil is just a bad.  i took xanax for anxiety 6mgs but it doesn't do anything.  so i take klonopin now.  good luck with effexor xr you'll need it.  

tom3242

[JSGeare]

Looking back over your many posts, I see that you have been on a sort of merry-go-round with medications. And in many cases, you consult with us about efficacy, safety, side effects, etc. which suggests to me that you're NOT getting the info you need from the doctor or some medical professional. In this LATEST post, you "have been given" effexor XR but are considering consulting with a psychologist before taking it. Who gave you the Ef XR? A doctor, I hope. But if it was prescribed with no explnanation as to how it works and what to expect from it -so much so that you come to this forum and ask- then the doctor in my opinion is FAILING you. Why not cut to the chase? See a psychiatrist specializing in anxiety disorders who can prescribe AND explain.

What happened with the Elavil that Ryan suggested in mid Dec.? You reported that it seemed to helping. I see the Luvox made you sick, so that's out. What about the Endep? The Xanax?

By the way, you have not YET become a member -and I was really hoping you would do so. We don't have all the answers here, but the forum sure won't hurt you -so join up, OK?