i have been taking paxil for a while and Dr has now  prescribed effexor..any info on this as opposed to paxil?
610125
Effexor made my vision blurry.  I'd rather be depressed than not be able to see.
886773
i was on wellbutrin for a good 2-4 years & i started to get REALLY tired & completely lacked all motivation. i had memory problems & was really unable to function intelligently. finally, i changed medicines a few times & now i am on effexor xr. i also discovered i had anxiety, which was something doctors had never really paid any attention to in the past.\n\nwhatever you do, DO NOT STOP TAKING THE MEDICINE ON YOUR OWN!!!! really really really bad stuff can happen!!! i made that mistake & i started feeling all sorts of really bizarre things & couldn't sleep... i have also heard you can have weird visions. so, don't do it on your own!!!
991311
I can't tell you why you are immune to all anti-depressants, but you do develop a tolerance for them after awhile and need to change the dosage or the medication itself.  I used to use prozac and it worked great, then I tried it again a few years later and it didn't work for long, I tried something else for a year or so and then it stopped being effective and so on.  I have to change to different types of medications.  At one point after a year on one type, I felt suicidal for whatever reason.  Everything seemed to overwhelm me and I was put of effexor.  That has been working for about 18 months now.  Hopefully it will last for awhile longer.  Sorry about your problems, I hope you find something that will help.
901156
These are questions only your Dr. can answer properly, however, if I were in your shoes, I would do some research on the different meds available for what you're experiencing.\n\nThere are mainly 3 neurotransmitters involved in treating depression, where one of the three needs to be regulated about 80% of the time to fix you.  They are neuropinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.  Effexor is a multiple reuptake inhibitor, which effects the reuptake of two neurotransmitters, namely dopamine and neuropinephrine.  At this point, if it's not making you feel better after 10 months 1) You're not targeting the right neurotransmitter (you may need to switch to a serotonin reuptake inhibitor like lexepro) or 2) The reuptake in Effexor is not working for you, which is not uncommon and you may need to switch to another MRI like Cymbalta or Wellbutrin.  \n\nThe constant fatigue is a normal side effect for Effexor, however, you should get past it in 2 weeks to a month.  If it's come back 10 months into taking it, chances are it stopped working.  Again, this is common for reuptake inhibitors.\n\nFrom what I've researched, Effexor is the hardest antidpressant to get off of.  75mg is a very small dosage, where you can take up to 375mg/day.  It may be a good idea to quit now and try something else.  The discontinuation dosage is 35mg per week; so if you increase the dosage and it still doesn't work, it will take you longer to get off of it.  However, you may need a stronger dose, based on what you discussed, but that is for you and your Dr. to decide.\n\nThese are just all theories, based on some research I've done on antidepressants - I always research drugs before I take them, based on my diagnosis.  At this point,  you haven't described your diagnosis, aside from depression and anxiety.  In most cases a simple SSRI combined with a theraputic does of a benzodiazepine (Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin) usually do the trick.  If you have Unipolar/Bipolar, schitzoafective, BPD, it's a whole nother ball game.\n\nI hope this helps and good luck.
503683
Hi! Well first of all, you should talk to a doctor who can determine which drug is best for you. \n\nThat being said, I have OCD and I'am taking Paxil, which is also a SSRI (like Luvox). It has worked really well for me. However, different drugs work for different people. I am really careful about the medicines I take, and I visit my doctor regularly to check my meds and dosage. I do have strong withdrawl symptoms if I run out of my meds after 3 or 4 days.\n\nPersonally, hemeopathy didn't work for me. I ended up very frustrated about taking them for so long and not feeling better.\n\nIf you do have OCD, I hope you find treatment that's right for you and helps you feel better. It's hard but hang in there. Write again if you have any other questions.\n\nIf you don't have ODC, I hope this info helps.
1011075
I have a best friend on effexor and it has worked wonders. She has no need for any other meds. This one medicine effects two different chemicals so it is all that is needed. Hope this helps. Check out this site: http://www.effexorxr.com/
895778
Yep - I've got it too.\n\nI used to take Effexor, but it killed my libido and the withdrawal effects are super-awful (I now kind of understand drug addiction - vomiting, dizziness, the whole she-bang) I took a lot, though, 150mg so that didn't help.  The med helped the anxiety a ton, though. So much that I thought I was better and decided to wean myself (bad idea - don't do it - you will be sorry 3 months later and have to spend another 3 months getting something new into your system)\n\nI am now starting Prozac.  So far the only bad side effect is I can't take it before bed or I don't sleep well.  It is too soon to tell if it is working - so it isn't helping much yet.  Hopefully soon.  \n\nGood luck.  Go to a psychiatrist - they can prescribe meds and have much more background than a family physician so they will have experience with lots of meds.
758129
Isn't this the generic name for Paxil?  If so, I have been taking it for depression for quite some time, but do not have issues of binge eating/bulimia?  If this has been prescribed for you to help with the eating disorder, it may help you with that. I know it also helps with anxiety.\nHope this helps.
619655
No.  Paxil is an anti depressant, and prozac is a anti depressant/anti psychotic, so if you are taking prozac, then you dont need paxil.  but if you are taking paxil you can switch to prozac, but stop taking the paxil first.
434912
I've tried zoloft but I can't take that because I stay in bed all day and I naturally have a temper but have learned to control it. But when I take zoloft I stay grouchy and on the edge. I've also tried Wellbutrin-XL. And the Wellbutrin works for me. It doesn't make me sleep all day or grouchy. I'm always in a good mood and can deal with everyday life and problems. I'm not as stressed for no reason. I'm more sociable. One of my friends was taking paxil for years. And the last year he took the paxil it didn't help out any so his doctor switched him to Cymbalta. And I tell you what he's like a whole new person. Cymbalta is a antidepressant and pain killer combined. He says it works he's not depressed lately or grouchy he's more open minded to things again and it also got rid of his pain from being depressed. You might have to try 1 antidepressant or you might have to try 3 or 4 different kinds until you find the one that's rite for you.
931767
I have taken antidepressants off and on for 22 years.  I have taken tricyclics, SSRIs and what they refer to as atypicals (like Effexor).  I know hundreds of people who take them through my work and they are fine.  The antidepressants allow them to function more comfortably while hopefully they work on other ways of dealing with life and the causes of the depression or other disorder.\n\nBut...as to what we know long term...I asked my doctor the same thing and he said, and I agree, we do not know.  The trycyclics have been around a while, but they are not given much anymore.  The SSRI's have not been around a "life span" so in essense we are still finding out about them.  \n\nWe do know that for some people, they reach a point where they stop working and they much either up the dose, change to a different medicine or add a medicine to what they are taking now.\n\nSome people are NOT able to take them, that we do know. And, we do know that the reaction to them is very individualized...one person may do great, the next person may not get any relief at all. Going off them should be done with your doctor and any of them should be tapered off very, very slowly to prevent relapse.\n\nIn time I think there will be better medicines for us and we will also know more about those we take now.  Medicine is advancing almost as fast as technology.  But, really, I am glad you are doing okay now.
990823
I take paxil for anxiety and panic attacks. It has saved me and my marriage. I did all the compulsive things that your wife is doing. Obsessive / Compulsive disorder is another illness which many times goes hand in hand with depression and/or anxiety.\n\nTo answer your questions, Our relationship has improved drastically. I am back to myself and feel so much more relaxed and free to do things that I was afraid to do before. As for the sex life...I think the docs will tell you that this is a side effect that differs for everyone. I wondered about this myself and worried that it was going to affect me negatively. But it hasn't. It has actually improved. For me,I think because my anxiety is under control. If it is that great of a concern though,also seek professional help such as a psychiatrist. Seriously,they can help with mind over matter issues such as this. \nGood luck and I hope your wife is feeling better soon. Don't expect anything overnight. It gradually will improve in the upcoming 3-6 weeks.
590664
My husband takes Effexor XR. He is on 300 mg. We have seen a somewhat decreased sexual desire from him, but not much else. At first, he had problems havig an orgasm (it took a lot longer than usual) but that was when he was on 375 mg. \n\nEveryone is different though, and the effects depend on the dose.
661660
it's an anti depressant but can be used for more than depression...\n\nhttp://www.effexorxr.com/understanding.asp
1136723
HELLO..PAXILCR  CONTAINS THE ACTIVE SUBSTANCE CALLED "PAROXETINE" AND IS A SSRI ANTIDEPRESSANTS,PRESCRIBED MAINLY FOR MODERATE TO SEVERE DEPRESSION...ONE MINIMUM DOSAGE OF PAXIL DAILY SHOULD BE NOT LESS THAN 50MG...BEST OF LUCK!!
530287
There's prozac for depression which is what paxil is for. If no physical illness is found, you may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Treatment for GAD most often includes a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy.\n\nMedication: Medicines are available to treat GAD and may be especially helpful for people whose anxiety is interfering with daily functioning. The medications most often used to treat GAD are from a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These medications are sometimes referred to as "tranquilizers," because they leave you feeling calm and relaxed. They work by decreasing the physical symptoms of GAD, such as muscle tension and restlessness. Common benzodiazepines include Xanax, Librium, Valium and Ativan. Another medicine, BuSpar, also may be used to treat chronic anxiety. BuSpar works by affecting the activity of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Unlike the benzodiazepines, BuSpar does not cause sedation (sleepiness) or lead to dependency. Antidepressants, such as Paxil and Effexor, are also being used to treat GAD. Best of Luck to you & God Speed!
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