Has anyone ever been on Effexor XR for depression?
146738
I was on Effexor XR for 2 1/2 years.  2 1/2 years too long!\n\nAlthough the medication did what it needed to, I became dependant on the medication.  I got really really bad vertigo from it and the withdrawls I got from it was HORRIBLE!\n\nI suggest if you really need an anti deppressant, go on it.  But only for a short term basis.  You need to get counseling to get to the core of any issues you may be having.\n\nI believe in deppession.  But I also believe that there are reasons why are body and mind goes thru this horrible disease (or whatever it is called)\n\nI started counseling and I finally overcame many many issues I have been battling with for many many years.\nI had a very controlling childhood, I was in a mental and verbal abusive ex marriage and I was dealing with alot of insecurties, trust issues and low low self esteem.\n\nI finally got counseling and it helped me with my life and I have learned to love me and overcome the beast!\n\nGood luck!
1058064
This sounds just like me.  I developed horrible depression on Ortho Tri Cyclen.  Then I switched to a low dose pill (Mircette) and it helped a lot.  I definitely think you should switch.  I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen for a year and the depression didn't go away until I switched.  Besides, if you are hurting yourself then you definitely need to do something about it right now.
412325
My best friend and boyfriend's antidepressants had one of those rare side effects on him and he ended up killing himself by sticking a knife to his throat.\n\nI found him on his kitchen floor in a pool of blood and that is pretty much the worst thing that I can think of to happen to anybody. \n\nI would never wish the sight on my worst enemy... and the only reason I can even talk about it now is because I want people to be aware that anti-depressants need to be taken responsibly! Check warning labels, read the side effects, make sure you look out for signs.
973758
I have been taking Effexor for many years and I tried coming off all at once and that was a trip.  What I did was cut back one a week for about a month, the one every other day, then one every two day, so on, so forth.  Your Dr. can tell you how to do it, but different things for different people.
218537
I was on Effexor for quite a while and didn't experience any weight gain. \n\nBelieve me, I know it's really hard to, but if there is any way to get yourself to, a little exercise can help - even if it's just a walk. \n\nWishing you lots of luck. Get well soon!
585434
I was put on Citalopram (Cipramil) as the first medication for my depression. I was on it for about a year and then I think my system just got used to it. Unfortunatley I was then put on Efexor, which caused some very bad side effects.\n\nI have now tried every anti-depressant available to me (I'm 24) and for me, Seroxat works.\n\nIf you really want to give up, here is what I recommend - I tried to do this and it reduced the electric shock sensations in my head and sickness of withdrawal.\nAsk your docotr to prescribe you a low dose of Prozac instead of the Cipramil. Prozac is quite non-aggressive to come off of, so after your system has got used to the Prozac, you can then come off it.\n\nWorked for me...til I had to go back on meds, but hopefully you can do it. Good luck!!
875152
Is it possible that you are bi-polar?\n\nI was on and off antidepressants many time over the years.  They never really seemed to work for me, though eventually my depressions lifted.  \n\nDuring my most recent (and most severe) depression, after two years of trying various antidepressants I went into a phase where my mind started working faster and faster.  I eventually realized what was going on and told my doctor that I suspected That I might be manic-depressive and that we were treating the wrong illness.
862371
I HATED being on cymbalta. I was on it for depression/anxiety. It made me a bad person. I was mad all the time. I wanted to cry but I couldn't. I couldn't sleep at night, I just stayed tired all the time but couldn't sleep. I felt like it made me crazy. I quit taking it after 6 months because I couldn't deal with how it made me feel.
970585
St. Johns is not a good idea to take.. It's been a long time but I used to take that and had bad side effects. (dizzy, sick, headaches)  I've been on Prozac and gain weight with that... I've also been on Effexor XR.  If the DR ever prescribes you Effexor XR do not take it! It was the worst feeling I have ever had when trying to get off of it!!!  I have been on others and after the Effexor incident I will not take prescriptions anymore... I did a lot of research on what would be safe and I found a herbal pill called 5-HTP, it works I've noticed I've been calmer, happier, I can sleep at night, and I don't have panic attacks anymore.  You can find it online... I buy it from an online company Swanson... I've been using them for years for vitamins and such. They are trustworthy.  I've also seen it in CVS.
890586
My shrink said 300 mg of effexor xr is higher than the fda recommends but it is safe.  I have been on that dose for 8 months and the biggest side effect is decreased sex drive.  However, i also take paxil 60mg and clonopin 5mg.  This cocktail is what keeps me in this world most of the time.  Just trust your dr and follow what he says.\n\npeace&hope
1103782
The depression might be making you more tired than usual. However, it might be a side effect of the medication. Many times..medication has to be adjusted in dosage or changed all together if the side effects aren't tolerable for the patient. Please speak to your prescribing doctor about this.\n\nI had a client taking Effexor, and she often complained that she would have frequent sweating.
891761
well, i feel like mine will never stop. i was on meds for years, then i was taken off of them, and now i feel as crazy and depressed as ever. it's a chemical imbalance in the brain, and that might not always be fixable. emotional depression is fixable, and chemical can be, but sometimes it's not. just the draw of the hand i guess.
582149
Never heard of this one! Will have to ask my Dr about it this week. Med review time! :-)\n\nIm on Prozac, Tegritol & Seroquel
550393
I also have been on a number of antidepressants.  If you have never been on them before, your Dr. might start you out on Prozac or Zoloft.  or if you suffer from social anxiety you might be put on Paxil.\nIt all depends on your DR, what type of symptoms you are having, your age  etc...\nCost depends on your  insurance company's prescription benefits.  I have to pay 20% for my meds.  I find that in my case, that mail order is cheapest (you get 3 months worth of pills at once) My Effexor XR-150mg 3 pills a day=450mg- costs me $130 for a 3 month supply.  But you probably need to try to see how the antidepressants work for you , before you buy 3 months worth.\nRemember, it can take 4-6 weeks +/- to see benefits from the antidepressants.  So be patient and seek out a counselor or therapist to talk with.  They can help you work on your 'problems'.\nGood Luck
1033147
Cognitive therapy is what helped me, also. I've taken two different kinds of antidepressants (Celexa and Effexor XR), and although they helped lift my mood, they still didn't treat the root cause of my symptoms, which was my negative thoughts. I began using the cognitive therapy methods described in the book "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns, and I was able to put my negative thoughts in a more realistic light and eventually cure myself of clinical depression altogether.
112719
i also took effexor. my experience was a positive one. i found that the toughts that usually made me sad were now just processed as a regular thought i did find it to be difficult to cry but who can complain right? anyway i would recommend taking this drug it helped me very much and i took it for two years through an abusive relationship. but i found that it did help numb a majority of the pain. but in your case i beleive it will help you function normally without bursting into tears at every thought. \ni'm sorry for you loss good luck this should work!
34603
I was on Lamictal for a couple of months, however it was for epilepsy, not depression.  There is some correlation between epilepsy and depression, and often the same medication can treat both.  However, I specifically asked my neurologist if Lamictal helped with depression and he said it could in a high enough dosage but it is never prescribed to treat depression alone.\n\nAs far as what I experienced while on it, it was very unpleasant.  I ended up in the hospital twice due to symptoms that I blammed on the drug.  However, it's important to know that I am a hypochondriac and any drug I take I invariably develop side effects.  In reality, though, Lamictal has a low rate of side effects, rash being the most common.  I understand the drug to be pretty safe, and even acceptable to use during pregnancy.\n\nIf your only problem is depression I would explore other options.  Talk to your doctor about Prozac (which has worked very well for me) or other anti-depressants such as Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil, Well-Butrin, etc.\n\nHope I may have helped.