Hey, Im a 21 year old college student who has been taking Effexor XR for almost 3 years for mild depression and anxiety. While on effexor, my anxiety and depression diminished, but I was also experiencing some unwanted side effects. for one, if I ever missed a day, I would be completely disabled due to the horrible withdrawal symptoms. other problems like low libdo and confusion began to worry me. I went to my doctor and decided that it was time to discontinue the effexor treatment. Since then Ive been on an emotional rollercoaster with physical trama to add to the fun. Ive been taking the 37.5 mg of effexor daily in combination with Wellbutrin for the last 6-8 months. Over this time period Ive experienced extreme emotional sways: depression that is far worse then Ive ever experienced before, anxiety, crying spell ( which may have been the results of the previous) and thoughts of suicide. although I was initially on the medication for depression and anxiety, these thoughts and emotions are extreme and uncharacteristic of me. In addition, Ive had to face numerous physical symptoms. The following are the most common: shaking, nausea, headaches, low energy, over sleeping and feeling tired even when proper sleep was attained, confusion, night sweats, horrible nightmares, inability to make sharp movement of my head or eyes without feeling a strange twinge in my head-neck-shoulder region, inability to concentrate. These problems compounded with the emotional degradation have made it VERY difficult for me to get completely off of the drug and on with my life. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. thanks.
I began to notice changes within the first two weeks.
umm unlike ugagirl ive been taken it for 9yrs with amazing results, virtually no side effect, and if i miss a day it does'nt bother me at all. ive missed one pill every week at times lol. also i discontinued it for a yr about a 2 yrs ago cause i wanted to try to fight my anxiety on my own but it didnt work so i got back on it and will be happy to take it the rest of my life.. i must say when i did stop i also had NO withdraws at all.. good luck.. every pill effects every individual different so give it a month or so to see if its right for you.