You can take antidepressants forever, if they work. Some people's bodies always need that med, and they may not be suffering bad effects like the stories on this thread. Lots of the side effects do not last so I hope that will be your experience. I had yawning while on Celexa for months, but it went away.
I was lucky and did not have any real bad effects from my med but quit after 7 months because I had recovered. My doc said she doesn't even take anyone off meds for at least 6 months, and not until they are feeling good. I was on top of the world, with that depression mask peeled away.
If you are planning to go off, do not quit cold turkey. Lots of people do that, but end up suffering needless withdrawal pain, as there is nothing addictive in your depression med to force you into a cold turkey procedure. Your med is not something that you have to fear, as catmagnet says, and just one day resolve to fight. The reality is quitting is easy, so stick to your doc's advice and make it as painless as possible.
If you have a second depression episode, you are facing a high % probability that you will be facing chronic depression. This is a medical fact, not my idea and was described to me as kind of like a dent to your personality that doesn't go away.
So if you go off the med, monitor yourself to make sure you are not heading into another depression. Hop back onto the med if that is the case and see your doc.
I never ever had celulite till i took effexor. I had it around my torso. It's gone now. I took it about 2 years ago for less than a year. I couldn't think past moron. It had me being a good, complacent robot.
I am concerned about all these side effects that people are mentioning. I just started taking effexor (37.5 mg) a little over a month ago, and I have noticed some changes as well. I came on here looking for info about menstrual cycles while taking the drug because mine is about 10 or so days late. I'm not on birth control, not sexually active, and I don't really count the days in my cycle, so maybe I shouldn't be concerned yet?
I didn't know that you could be on antidepressants for such a long time. I thought most people take them for about a year and then try to wean off them until they need them again.
Like Sandy551 said, I have also noticed my short term memory and intelligence has gone downhill! Since it's only been a month, I'm a little concerned about that, especially since I'm in university. I'm starting to think I'd rather be smart and depressed. oiyyy
I am with you in that I wish I had never taken Effexor XR. I believe it should be removed from the market!!! Before taking the mediacation I ask about weight gain and othe side effects. I was told of NO side effects. Two years later, I weigh 30 pounds more, bruise very easily, can't have orgasms ( I ask about this one after only two months on the medication), but was told it wasn't a side effect, have terrible headaches, eye sight is very blurred, and many others. But I don't have high blood pressure (and I have a family history of that). And my menstrual cycle last 2-4 days, so I guess I was lucky with that. I am starting week 2 today without any effexor in my body. The side effects of withdrawals started 3-4 weeks ago while weening off, but they became unbearable one week ago when I was completely off. I just wish I had a date that I would feel better so i could see the end of the tunnel. I have a great support system from friends, because most of them are on antidepressants and say they have tried numerous times to come off and can not get through the withdraw side effects. They give me lots of praise for trying so hard. Best of luck Aliwann
Hi-
I've been on Effexor for 8 years. Am currently weaning as I posted in an earlier post.
During the time on the drug, I have never had high blood pressure or heavy periods. I feel that the drug has done some damage to my short term memory and intelligence, but the things you mentioned weren't affected.
Sandy51
Hi,
I was on effexor for three years and it raised my blood pressure to
the point I had to go on bp medication. Eventually I came off and
my bp went back down. I am now on prozac and doing great. I
hope you feel better soon,
best wishes,
starr28
I took effexor 150 mg for about 2 months. It made my blood pressure so high I had to quit taking it. My dr wanted me to wean off also, but i was so scared of the stuff, i just quit cold turkey. The w/d's were a bear for about a week, brain zaps, disorientation, but it all went away and i'm ok now. Hope this help you.