Persistant side-effects long after discontinuation of antidepressant

[shochilla]

I was prescribed venlafaxine(efexor XL) for tiredness. I took this for 1 year. I experienced a range of unpleasant side-effects e.g. blunted of positive feelings, loss of libido, physical agitation, headaches etc. Withdrawal, which was very bad , subsided after 3 months, but the side-effects have continued unchanged, for 18months. Is there anything I can do? I have come to think that these horrible effects are permanent.

[bk0404]

It sounds as though I am not alone in dealing with withdrawal and lasting side effects of taking an anti-depressant.  I am having a hard time getting a Dr. to diagnose this problem.  I have been tested for everything in the book as far as vit.deficency, thyroid problems, b-12, etc.  all were normal.  I also was tested for MS with a cranial and upper neck MRI, the results were also normal showing no signs of the diease.  Chiropratic care does not help. These symptoms occurred two days after being released from the hospital after an episode of serotonin syndrome. My persistent symptoms for approximately 4 months have been:
numbness and tingling in arms and legs
pain in legs
cramping in calves
stiffness
irritability
anxiety attacks (which I never experienced before taking an anti-depressant)
How can I get this properly diagnosed and how long is it going to last?  This is horrible.  

[AJC]

Look up "Gwen Olsen" on youtube or google video.

[Maggie2007]

Hi there,
It no longer sounds like side-effects, but something else. I'm not sure who prescribed the effexor...psychiatrist or general physician (not the one that prescribed effexor...that dind't solve the problem, only masked symptoms it seems). I'd recommend going to a general physician. Demand a very thorough test....blood work and what not. Have you been checked for mono, thyroid problems, anemia? Who knows, maybe you have a sleep disorder and that is why you are so tired. I'm not sure if you sleep alone or not, but has anyone ever mentioned that you snore a lot? That you move a lot in your sleep? Are you overweight and have sleep apnea?
I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

[sal75]

hi there,

i completly agree with you the ssri's are hell.
because of them i lost my girlfriend, we were together for 4 years and a doctor in the US gave her a zoloft prescription after 20 minutes consultation, he had never stressed that Z is addictive and lots of side effects
Aggresive behaviour, alcohol problem, no sleep, no sex.
she was so sweet so nice and after almost a year an half of treatment i couldn't take anymore i had to call her family to help then i had no choice than leaving her for the moment cause i thought i could be the reason
did you or do you have the same experience?
let me know
good luck to all

[MedsNoMore]

I've recently been weaned off Effexor XR and it has not been too great. Below is a list of what I have been experiencing for almost 2 weeks:

Lack of balance
Spacey
Lack of concentration
Blurred Vision
Auditory Hallucinations
Jittery
Sweating
Nightmares and/or vivid dreams
Itching everywhere while resting or sleeping

I will not go back on and start over again. I'm done trying other brands, other types, old ones and new ones. Meds don't work for me and this is the only one that I have ever experienced such hell coming off of.  I have found other avenues to treat my despression: talk therapy & exercise.

QUESTION:  HOW LONG DO THE SYMPTOMS TYPICALLY LAST (ON AVERAGE?)

[JoeUK84]

Yes I know about all the continuation of side effects.

Its mostly due to the alteration of chemicals in the brain thats changed from the SSRI. ALso it could be due to a depression of it not working.

I have stopped and started many AD's and feared long term side effects but that infact causes problems and believing that causes physical symptoms too.

Its really hard to deal with but I suggest ecplaing to your doc.

[shochilla]

No this is not about an underlying psychological problem. As I said I was prescribed this for tiredness and the range of side effects, that I still exprience, began immediately with starting the drug, I had never had these symptoms before. Many people have had the same experience as me. see patient to patient forum on this sight. Also see PSSD(post SSRI sexual dysfunction), PANES(persistant adverse neurological effects following SSRI discontinuation.) It is important that physical problems not be mistaken for psychological ones. And that the effects of drugs be properly recognised.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

What were once side effects may now be something else,like an expression of an underlying depression that is not being treated. I would recommend a consulation with a therapist rather than looking for another medication.  You may be able to figure out what is bothering you without having to take anything.