effexor side effects and withdrawals

[zeppelin3]

I have been on effexor for four months now, In that time ive gained 6 kgs, feel bloated and full all the time, and have NO sex drive at all.  I spoke to my doctor about this, and she assured me the weight gain has nothing to do with effexor, she made feel like it was all in my head. I decided to take myself off the medicine, i halved my dosage for a week, then stopped it all together, i have gone back on prozac which is what i was taking before effexor..I'm experiencing brain wobbles, fuzzy sounds in my ears,find it hard to sleep, and yesterday uncontrollable crying for no reason, feelings of utter rage, and suicidal thoughts. Im feeling a little brighter today (so far). How long do the side effect last?? And is weight gain a common side effect? My doctor swore black and blue that she had never come across a person who gained weight, and that it was more common to loose it on effexor. I'm a recovering bulimic so weight gain is a very scary thing for me, i wish it wasnt but it is..

[nexus788]

I while ago I was on prozac for a period of about 18 months. In that time I went from 62kgs to around 85 kgs. I didn't mind the weight gain so much because I'm 6" 2 so was well underweight before going on prozac.

I also lost the weight gradually after I went off it.

I've heard that some people lose weight on prozac, but some people who are skinny to begin with (like me) often gain weight with prozac.

I've been off it for ages but have recently gone on it again. I'm having a hard time adjusting back to it as well.

From what I remember, last time it took me about a month before the side effects went away. You could try mirtazapine (Avanza) it wont affect your sex drive. I tried it, but it made me way too drowsy.

[mandapanda928]

Well your dr. is wrong because medication affects everyone differently. I was on prozac to and just stopped taking it cold turkey i've been having crying outbursts and about the same as you. My doctor prescribed me effexor but i refuse to take it because he doesnt know what he's talking about, you know your own body, they dont. You know your mind and everything else , they don't. They can try to figure it out but there never going to really know. I have bpd So i refused effexor because i need to be put on risperdal. It helps with the feelings of wanting to cut and angry feelings. And i've tried 4 dif. anti depressants none have worked for me. I hope that you go with your heart and start taking something that is going to work for you. I've never tried risperdal but i'm willing to try it, because i feel it will work for me. He is a doctor but he's not a god. haha :D hope you find the right thing, and i hope you are doing better.

[dawnscoopy]

I gained over 30 lbs while on Effexor over the past 2 years. But I also considerable decreased my exercise over that time as well due to other health issues. I recently weened myself off of it and started weight watchers and have lost some of the weights. So hard to say what's contributed to the loss. My Dr. told me that Effexor may attribute to weight gain, and it DOES state this in the side effects printed from the manufacturer, so your Dr. is incorrect.
Do your homework and don't trust all the Doctors, find a good one, and also consider natural health options if you possibly can.
Good luck!
DF

[thirdeye33]

My brother has been on Effexor for several years and it has made him gain some weight and is hard for him to lose weight. I'm gonna private inbox you :)

K