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Reviews
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sat July 1, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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works as both a anti anxiety/ anti depressant
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Cons:
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sexual side effects and light headedness
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works well if you can tolerate the side effects. If you're bi-polar take it with a mood stabilizer.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sun July 2, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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None
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Cons:
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Feel worse then when started taking medication
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This medication is scientically proven to be bad for your body and is over prescribed by many doctors.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Fri August 11, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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It helped alot with my anxiety and depression with minimal or zero side effects
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Cons:
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Getting used to the medications side effect wise wasn't fun.
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Buying this perscription can sometimes be expensive for me, when you don't work etc, but i'm on a drug plan that helps to pay for it, I pay in quarters hense the wide rang in price.
Overall this drug so far has been the best one i've been on for my depression and anxiety. I've been dealing with meds for 10+ yrs so to finally find something that seems to be working all of the time is a great feeling.
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emma_jayne
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2006
Location: uk
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Review Date: Thu August 17, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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once it starts working it works well and done the job
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Cons:
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i personally experianced extreme side effects on effexor and when coming of them slowly as directed by my doctor i would pysically shake and had extreme withdrawal symtoms.
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When effexor had taking effect after 2-3 weeks it was a life saver and it did work really well for me, however I personally found effexor hard to cope with when starting them (getting used the side effects)and weening my self of the (coping with the withdrawles. However effexor effects people differently and might not have the same effect on other people.
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SongBirdandDaisy
Grand Poohbah
Registered: January 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1810
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Review Date: Fri September 1, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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I had more good days than bad days on Effexor than anyother anti-depressant
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Cons:
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side effects included terrible itching, uncontrolled sugar cravings, extreme anxiety, irritability
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It did work for depression, but the mood was unstable, going up and down constantly. The side-effects, especially weight gain was intolerable. The anxiety and irritability was affecting everything in my life. Sleeping was also very difficult and I had to readjust when to take in the evening.
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lenjan
Grand Magnate
Managing Editor, PC
Registered: April 2004
Location: Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 4567
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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last lineof defense for treatment-resistant depression
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Cons:
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THE BRAIN ZAPS!!!
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Effexor literally has saved my life. Which is not to say I haven't gotten severely depressed on it, but I credit it with being the reason I'm still walking around on the planet.
I only experienced the brain zaps -- kind of like a lightning storm in your head, very unsettling and uncomfortable -- when being cold-turkeyed off it for physical illness reasons. I don't get them as a normal part of taking the med (which I got put back on at a reduced dose).
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tiger78
New Member
Registered: September 2006
Location: South - USA
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Sat September 9, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.75| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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works within about 5 to 7 days and side effects do subside
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Cons:
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side effects are tough to handle at first - you can not work and begin this med
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I started taking this med at night because I thought it made me sleepy. About 10 days into my treatment I moved it to the am because I was waking every night at 1:00 am and unable to go back to sleep even taking Lunesta. This drug complete zapped my appetite - and I lost 15 pounds in a month. So make sure if you are not eating to at least supplement your diet with protien shakes. That will help your body get the nutrients to help your brain. PLease note - and I learned this the very hard way - alcohol in a large amount will deplete the cummulative effects of Effexor and you will START THE PROCESS OVER GETTING YOUR SYSTEM READJUSTED. I have just completed the readjusted process and again went through all side effects that have generally passed. But I do caution you on the alcohol - don't think they stress that as much as they should.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sat September 9, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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none
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Cons:
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i lost 38 lbs. didn't eat but every two or three days
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effexor, for me, was the worst AD that i know about. coming off of it took months and i thought i was going to die while tapering.
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MyBestKids2
Elder
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 5675
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Did NOT work for me.
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DizzyLizzy
Junior Member
Registered: August 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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did help depression and anxiety
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Cons:
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nausea, hard to taper off of
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I found Effexor to be helpful for my anxiety and depression, but the nausea side effect started causing weight loss. Tapering off to discontinue the medication was difficult in terms of side effects. The worst tapering side effect were headaches and a buzzing/zapping in my head and body. Overall, I think it's a great med, until you have to stop taking it.
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jmo531
Grand Magnate
Registered: December 2004
Posts: 3600
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Review Date: Wed September 13, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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helps me with my anxiety, ocd and depression
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Cons:
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in the begining the vivid, weird dreams. Sexual side effects.
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I have had a good experience with Effexor XR. I did have horrible dreams when first taking this medication but it did stop shortly there after. I have forgotten to take the medication a few times which has caused huge headaches. Even increasing or decreasing this med dosage can have that effect. Overall, I am pleased with the medication and the results I have had.
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eskielover
Just Me
Registered: October 2004
Location: Kentucky, USA
Posts: 7462
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Cons:
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dizziness, migraine pain, lack of appetite
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Effexor was another medication that effected my blood pressure. The nausea causing the lack of appetite was causing even lower weight loss. The migraine pain didn't go away with time either, so again, this med was stopped. It was tried again about a year later with the same effects.
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darkeyes
Elder
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6683
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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subtle improvment
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Cons:
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caused drowsiness,blunted emotion,just didn't seem to address my depression
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This was one of the different SSRI's my GP tried with me,none made a huge different.
Being evaluated by a psychiatrist,and put on proper meds has been the thing that helped me.
GP's aren't qualified to substitute a Psychiatrist.
This is one of the reasons many aren't having such huge success with the SSRI's,you need to have a professional in the mental health field work with you,dosaing and possible change or adding a med. Effexor,Zoloft,Paxil,Prozac,Lexapro,Celexa,etc. are medications that too many GP's are handing out like lollipops. I'm sure SSRI's if properly prescribed,followed,and if the patient goes for some form of therapy can help.
Another down fall with SSRI's,they poop out after awhile,which in time a change in med will be needed.
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halfdead
Junior Member
Registered: September 2006
Location: Gardiner, Maine, USA
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Sun September 17, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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The BEST AD for extreme Depression
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Cons:
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For BP you MUST be on mood stabilizer
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I've been on Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, plus a couple others I can't remember the name of and none of them worked like this does. I would only recommend it for extreme depression. And for BP it will cause mania if not taken with good mood stabilizers.
Also this has very severe withdrawl effects.
IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS ALREADY... EFFEXOR IS NOT A SSRI EFFEXOR IS A SNRI....
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Ellavemia
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2006
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Review Date: Sun October 1, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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helped depression at first
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Cons:
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required increasing dosages, not working as effectively as it did
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At 300 mg of Effexor XR per day, I am not seeing the results that I once had. I'm not sure if the lack of libido is attributed to Effexor. I'm also not sure if my weight gain is associated with the drug, but I have gained weight since going on it.
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mags0705
New Member
Registered: October 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Tue October 31, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms
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Cons:
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withdrawl effects
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I really like Effexor, I think it has been a Godsend to me, but the withdrawl effects are just terrible. If I am off taking it by a few hours, I get very dizzy, not able to concentrate, very irritated, blurred vision.... The side effects are worth it though...
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abilifyguy
Member
Registered: November 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 68
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Review Date: Wed November 1, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Works great for severe depression
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Cons:
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poop-out
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Helps for severe depression when pure ssri's don't work. I had to increase the dose several times because it would stop working as well as at first. After increasing to 300mg/day I realized I'd have to do something different. I've started taking L-Tyrosine 4000mg/day (first thing in the morning on an empty stomach) to increase my norepinephrine levels. This brought back all the good effects of effexor: elevated mood and clear mind; no more brain fog!
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Special_K
Newly Joined
Registered: July 2008
Location: Georgia, US
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Review Date: Thu November 2, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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When people find it works it really does work
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Cons:
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When people find it doesn't work coming off of it is horrid
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Effexor sounds pretty bloody amazing... A drug that treats anxiety and depression, which is great given that there is a significant correlation. I've heard some people swear by it and say it really really helped them. It didn't make an appreciable difference to me (but then I have personality disorder dx so medications are likely to be less effective).
When I decided to stop taking it after a day I noticed hot and cold flushes, dizziness, feeling faint, feeling nauseous, feeling stomach pain. That lasted a couple of days, but I've heard some people have side effects that persist a lot longer than that.
It is possible to gradually reduce the dosage (by splitting capsules). This is best done over a long period with a gradual reduction because side effects of stopping this one can be severe.
I'd say it is worth trying but I would be aware that Effexor seems to be the new Prozac (i.e. the current 'wonderdrug' hence over prescribed).
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Rebound
Veteran Member
Registered: December 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 445
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Review Date: Mon November 6, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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works quicky, effective
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Cons:
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persistant nausea, loss of appetite.
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I've only just started taking this and so far it seems to be working well. The nausea is a little hard to take but so far it has been manageable. However, considering increased appetite is listed as a possible side-effect, I'm a little surprised that mine seems to have decreased instead.
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catcoon50
New Member
Registered: November 2006
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Fri November 17, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $4.50| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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has prevented recurrence of major depressive episodes for over 7 yrs now, when I am taken off of it, I relapse.
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Cons:
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none
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Have been treated with it off and on for over 10 years now. Every time a psychiatrist would try a new/different med, I would relapse and go back into the black hole of depression. I finally quit accepting changes 2 years ago and have not had a relapse since.
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ouch
Veteran Member
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 321
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Review Date: Tue November 21, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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helped a bit with my depression
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Cons:
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could not sleep, withdrawal is horrible when you taper it off!
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The withdrawal effects when you go off of it is horrible - drowsiness, itchiness, dizziness...
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Xilber
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2006
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Review Date: Fri December 1, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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motivation, appetite suppressant
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Cons:
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very difficult to achieve orgasm
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Took this drug two different times for depression. Both times it helped me start and maintain a health regimen for a while. It never really boosted my mood, but I did feel better about my health. After about 3 months the motivational effects started to wain, and my mood was just flat. Achieving orgasm can be extremely difficult (and I am a pretty libidinous guy.) I had no difficulties tapering off of the medicine.
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dooris
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2006
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Review Date: Sat December 9, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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helped a lot with my severe depression and mixed episode caused by another AD
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Cons:
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stomach pain if taken on an empty stomach
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Within two weeks I started to feel better. I have been taking this since April. Has not yet caused mania although I'm BP and not on mood stabilizers.
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howlatthemoon
New Member
Registered: December 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Wed December 20, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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feel like a human again, helped with depression/anxiety
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Cons:
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Acid reflux, anxiety(at the start), insomnia, no appetite, light-headed, headaches
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I have tried Prozac and Paxil at different times in my life. I was hesitant to try Effexor XR as I had a hellish withdrawl experience with Paxil. Effexor XR has truly given my life back. I was feeling hopeless, wasn't taking good care of myself, stopped listening to music and reading and completely withdrawing at home and work.
I suffer from depression and anxiety(which has gotten quite extreme over the years). I was seeing a psychologist for a while and it was helping but one day I just stopped going.
I have been taking Efffexor for about 6 weeks now. Positives include feeling like a human again, back to listening to music and reading, feeling less anxiety(Clonazepam prn)and depression overall. I am setting goals for myself, more social, my moods are a little up and down-back to my normal temperment lol
Cons include light-headedness, acid reflux, lack of appetite(must force myself to eat), initial increase in anxiety(which had diminished), bad headaches(have subsided), some insomnia
It has really brought me out of the shadows.
I am worried however about the withdrawl aspect of this medication however. I will not be there for a while but until then, I feel the good outweighs the bad at present.
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whybother
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2006
Location: ohio
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Review Date: Sat December 23, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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better than lexapro
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Cons:
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works ok I guess
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prefer effexor over lexapro by far
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mama2ak
New Member
Registered: December 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sat December 30, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Price
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Cons:
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Didn't do much for depression, took a long time to kick in
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I know this works for some people but it did absolutely nothing for my depression or anxiety.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Mon January 22, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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effective for my depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms
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Cons:
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possible fluid reasoning or processing speed decline
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My depression, which I have had since I was two feet tall, is now under control. I am able to speak in front of, interact, and socialize with people without having a surge of anxiety that puts me in a tail spin towards disaster. As far as my ADHD symptoms go, I am better at controling the words that come out of my mouth, I have no desire to self-medicate, and my sex drive now mathces that of my wifes. I have tried Wellburtrin without much success.
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Thomi
Member
Registered: February 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 29
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Review Date: Fri February 16, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Initially helped
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Cons:
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didn't work after a few months & was difficult to taper off
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Have friends who also had same difficulties. Did not help anxiety.
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WCSMPPHOTO
New Member
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Mon February 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Less anxiety
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Cons:
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Unstable moods, nightmares
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It took me out of a place where everything hurt to do, including laundry or vacuuming. The side effects aren't always great but tolerable. However, it only partly worked for me.
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Juliana
Grand Member
Registered: March 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 887
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Review Date: Sat March 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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none
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Cons:
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drowsiness, increased anxiety, inability to sleep, inability to keep legs still
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I took Effexor for a couple of weeks. I was taking it for panic attacks and agoraphobia. It made me feel very drowsy, but I had trouble falling and staying asleep. I couldn't keep my feet and legs still. I was constantly fidgeting. I actually ripped a hole in the bottom sheet of my bed while sleeping because of the constant twitching of my feet. This drug increased my anxiety.
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csmokery
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2007
Location: Southeastern, PA
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Review Date: Mon March 5, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Saved my arse
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Cons:
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Expensive (XR retail is $1400/mo for 90 day Supply)
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Effexor XR has really helped me enjoy life again. It is a great medication, but only for some people. SSRI/SNRI's are still a crapshoot. It takes time, and patience to find the drug, or combination of drugs that work best for each individual. Playing pill roulette is no fun, when you feel like hell, but it beats the alternatives in my opinion.
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story237
New Member
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Thu March 15, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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works for depressed symptoms in 3-4 weeks
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Cons:
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works too well, flipped me into mania bigtime.
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I was taking Effexor 75mg and noticed heart palpitations and within 6 weeks, it had me into full on mania that resulted in impulse control problems big time.
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zapot7
Member
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 28
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Review Date: Mon March 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Great for social anxiety - I went from shy to gregarious instantly
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Cons:
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didn't help my depression much - brain shivers too
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I took it for depression, and I'm still depressed. However I've always been shy and it's such a relief not to get anxious when speaking to people. In fact I love social interaction now. This has, in a roundabout way, helped my depression, I guess.
I forgot to take it one day and had some nasty brain shivers. Not looking forward to going off it.
Should add it makes me sweat quite a bit.
I have gone off alcohol completely. I was never a big drinker, but now I'd much rather avoid drinking altogether. I think this is the Effexor's doing.
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loupopeye22
New Member
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Tue March 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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hard to tell
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Cons:
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increase dosage to improve depression
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I don't feel any difference despite increased dosage of venlafaxine to 225mg but with combine quetiapine and it did feel different especially with mood and psychosis symptoms as well as lifted depression. So it is hard to tell if venlafaxine did wonder but definitely working with other meds such as quetiapine. Side effect with venlafaxine is suidical ideation which is at most risk.
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hder
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2007
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Review Date: Wed March 21, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $245.00| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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helps you to subdue your feelings
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Cons:
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major side effects, suppresses feelings that should be dealt with(i had a problem with having a dont care attitude)
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i would not recommend anyone taking this! i developed severe side effects after taking it for 3 years.......ranging from mood swings. weight gain, hot flashes to eczema that went away when i stopped the medication. it seemed to be helpful at first but when i was raped i realized all it did was suppress all my feelings so when i quit the medication all my feelings surfaced and i was actually able to come to terms with what i was truly feeling. the doctors just kept upping the doses which just made me more like a zombie. i developed insomnia and many other conditions. Also the withdrawals i experienced were HORRIBLE!!! I have never been 'addicted' to any medication and i will never take anything that makes me feel like this! I even tapered off the meds and still felt horrible! I think it should be pulled off the shelf!!
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Angst
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007
Location: Kansas
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Review Date: Wed April 4, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Clarity, impulse control, quells anxiety
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Cons:
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None
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I've been on several SSRI's, and this SNRI is phenomenal for me.
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Iskandar
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
Location: Rome, Italy
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Review Date: Mon May 7, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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It really works – if you can bear the side effects...
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Cons:
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Reduced sex drive / gastrointestinal disfunctions / nicotine 'addiction'...
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First of all – Italy's welfare system provides Effexor for free (it's called Efexor here; Efexor RP instead of XR). Just to clear things up: as you might have guessed (or rather, read in my profile) I live in Italy. Woe is me! ;-)
On with the review. As I've already stated in the 'pros and cons', Effexor DID work for me. I've used it for 4 months (starting with 75 mg. per day, then gradually stepping up to 225 mg.) due to a severe bout of clinical depression. I began to notice the positive effects of this 'miracle drug' after 10 days: depression and anxiety slowly started to seem pretty much irrelevant, and I was able to follow my psychiatrist's help. Don't fool yourselves: no pill can erase your suffering without proper counseling (as a side note, my OCD appears to be somewhat less annoying too, with Effexor; but that's another story).
I've used Prozac and Zyprexa (coupled w/Xanax) in the past, but only Effexor seems to have done the trick: that is, allowing me to really get on with a psychiatric treatment. I've battled depression for half my life; it has been and still is a though struggle, but I have to believe in myself, in my ability to cope and respond to life's challenges as much as I can. We are not defined by the absence of pain, but by our own ability to cope with pain. To make sense of it.
However: Effexor's side effects (erectile disfunctions, sparse and then really painful orgasms... well, these are the only side effects I DO care about!) have been really troublesome. So, I've decided to taper off slowly – after consulting with my 'shrink'. These 2 steps are crucial: don't EVER try taking and then getting off such a serious drug without consulting your doctor first. And, most importantly, don't try to pull a John Lennon-styled cold turkey with Effexor: the drug... will bite back.
So far, I'm managing. It's been tough, but I've slowly reduced the dosage to 75 mg. per day. Here's hoping I'll be able to go even further without much (more) suffering! My main concern (the sex-related side effects) hasn't yet been completely resolved. I hope it just takes more time.
Why all of a sudden did I choose to 'renounce' Effexor, you might ask. The answer is embarrassingly simple: a new love interest. A romance. Now, there's no antidepressant I know of which could match the power of love (it sounds lame, but... well, frak!, it's true). As fleeting and ephemeral as it might be... So, I had to try to get back my sex life. Understand that (due to my chronic depression) I didn't have a romantic interest for the last 3 and 1/2 years. As in: not even an occasional intercourse. Get my point?
Anyway, to reiterate: getting off Exxefor isn't easy at all. The occurrence of withdrawal symptoms (relapse into negative/suicidal feelings, difficulty concentrating on tasks, nausea et al; the list varies with each case/person) is undeniable with Effexor. Nonetheless, it may be worth it. At least, that's my 2 cents. And if you've got enough patience (and well, yes... faith) Effexor can really help.
Keep in mind I'm only describing my personal experiences. Effectiveness of the drug, side effects and withdrawal symptoms can be much different (rather, worse) in your case. Please encourage your doctor to talk about ALL this before getting the prescription/treatment.
To wrap things up: other side effects I've experienced include an unusual craving for nicotine (I'm a smoker, but I've really stepped up consumption with Effexor) and alcohol (mainly beer; again, I must admit I could be considered borderline alcoholic, after all; anyway, that's just something you should really try to avoid... As you might have guessed, mixing SSRIs and alcohol isn't the smartest move you could make)...
That's it. I really think this drug is a step in the right direction (as far as Western medicine is concerned), but nonetheless remember: be mindful, be careful.
I may be yet a wreck of a person, but I'm trying... I'm really trying to get better.
Effexor did a part in this.
So, of course, don't give up... Ever.
Blessings.
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jimmyjetta
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Review Date: Sun May 13, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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it works
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Cons:
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sexual side effects
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Antidepressant properties are solid. It works well.
I generally only get one side effect from antidepressants: no matter which one it is, if it demonstrates even the smallest possibility of causing sexual side effects then I'm going to be the person who has problems with it.
Catch 22.
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Kerrie925
Newly Joined
Registered: July 2007
Location: Australia
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Review Date: Mon July 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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alleviated anxiety and helped with depression
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Cons:
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none
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This treatment has releived my anxiety and depression with no side effects, unlike many other medications I've tried. It has also been the only medication I've taken that has not made me feel incredibly tired.
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Treading_Water
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2007
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Review Date: Fri August 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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Numbed emotions -- if that is a plus for you
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Cons:
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Numbed emotions, inertia, foggy head, sexual/prostate
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I tried this for about 4-6 weeks about 6 years ago. Before long, I could stare at walls for entertainment. MAJOR zone out. No depression, but my God, no mind either. Then it did real weird stuff to my prostate -- could not orgasm, and had a very difficult time urinating. Then when I did finally urinate, in with the urine was seminal fluid -- yikes!!! Thanks anyway.
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devgurl00
New Member
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Wed August 8, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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helped with the depression quite a bit
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Cons:
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if you are late with the dose, you get weird side effects
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The side effects are weird. If you miss a dose or are even just late taking your pill, you get these weird electric brain pulses. That's how I describe them. Kinda like a strobe light is going off all the time and you feel like you black out for an instant and then you're in a different place than you were before. Weird. Incredible dizziness.
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debbie_tabor
Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: England
Posts: 227
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Review Date: Mon August 13, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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helped my depression for a while
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Cons:
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night sweats, muscle twitching
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Effexor XR helped me for a while but then I got depressed while on it and switched meds. Unlike others I had few problems coming off it. My psychiatrist was confident I could come off it in 3 weeks and she was right. I did get some brain shocks but nothing too drastic. Now trying a higher dose (different psychiatrist!) and waiting to see what happens.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sat August 18, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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300 mg daily is saving my life!
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Cons:
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drozziness
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The price is horrible. I have to obtain samples from the psychiatrist who is RXing for me. Monthly $295.
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lil_tomato_head
Junior Member
Registered: February 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Sun August 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $49.28| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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None at first...read below
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Cons:
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Light headness, the withdraw if you miss a couple doses
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At first i hated effoxer but after 7 years of doctors playing around with the dose i think its actually doing some good.
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lhanson
Junior Member
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Mon August 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Temporarily relieved depression
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Cons:
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Severe internal shaking, racing thoughts, loss of reality, sleep issues
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Caused internal shaking and sleep issues in the beginning, but they subsided after a month or so, and stayed that way for another month or so..
Then the shaking came back even stronger and racing thoughts and loss of reality also showed up. This can be an extremely scary drug. Use with caution. It is WAY overprescribed.
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LadyLigeia
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2007
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Review Date: Sun August 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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if you want to kill your sex drive and have physical reminders when your an hour passed dosage time
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Cons:
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withdrawals, severe sexual side effects, based on theory
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horrid. period.
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xp1155
Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 150
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Review Date: Sun August 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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minimal side effects
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Cons:
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dry mouth
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This drug didn't phase me one way or the other. They bumped it up pretty high and it didn't do a thing to me. The only thing I felt was dry mouth and it was tolerable. Even though it didn't help me, I would say it's pretty safe for most people to try.
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BrazilMaster
New Member
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Thu August 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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So far, best "one in all" med. that worked for Depression and Anxiety - Simple to use and very effective.
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Cons:
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Slight decrease in sex drive, but nothing of the wall.
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After trying several drugs such as paroxetine, prozac, and traditional anti-depressives, I finaly experienced positive results with this drug. Anxiety symptoms were also greatly relieved.
The price is the only real "turn off".
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dolphinkiss28
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2007
Location: San Diego, Ca
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Review Date: Tue October 2, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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management of panic attacks & GAD
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Cons:
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dizziness, sleepiness, hard to achieve orgasm, weight gain over 3 years, dry mouth
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I would say that after being on this pill for a few years and gradually increasing the dosage, I have been able to control my panic attacks and Generalized anxiety, however I also go to a therapist and read self help books for panic disorder that help!
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Diosa913
New Member
Registered: October 2007
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Wed October 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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helped a lot with depression
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Cons:
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side effects: night sweats, weight gain
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I had a pretty good experience with Effexor. Had depression and social anxiety-I think the depression was because of the anxiety. Definitely helped with my depression and somewhat with anxiety. I got up to 150 mg a day and didn't have any terrible side effects of missing a dose like others have said. Also had no problems weening off of it. I've been thinking about getting back on it at a lower dose as my depression seems to have returned.
I did gain about 10 pounds while I was on it, but others have said they lost weight so I don't know about that part. The one thing I really did not like was that it gave me TERRIBLE night sweats. Almost on a regular basis I would wake up soaking wet. Not fun. I know it was related because I found forums where people described the same thing. Plus I haven't had a night sweat since I've been off of it. I guess some side effects are the price you pay to feel normal though.
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Sultrysorrow
Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 77
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Review Date: Wed October 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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No transition period if you've used other SSRI's
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Cons:
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Boosting dosage in increments can be a pain.
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Best stuff I've ever taken so far. Current dosage is 300mg.
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koalakim
New Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Fri October 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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It did control hot flushes...now they are worse????
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Cons:
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withdrawal is woeful, weight gain of about 38kgs (84lbs)
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Just bumped up to 300mg, dry mouth weight gain....omg.....sleeplessness...
I just don't know that its working??????
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pyewacket
Junior Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: ontario, canada
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Fri October 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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helped with mood control
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Cons:
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left me emotionally flat as a pancake
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took the max dose to get any effect, and then i ended up being a zombie, emotionally flat, monotone voice, stiff movements, so i switched to welbutrin
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Gianna
New Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Thu October 25, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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none
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Cons:
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did not improve depression, withdrawal was hell
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dangerous drug with awful and sometimes dangerous withdrawal effects.
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crownroyal
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Sun November 4, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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it helps my anxiety and contorlos my add
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Cons:
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prostate issues, especially during bowel movements, premature ejaculations
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The drug has helped my add in a big way, I no longer need riddline. I still have issues with occasional anexiety. I take 225 dose a day, not sure if it is a high or low dosage. Emotions are near nil, may be why my long term relationship has ended. Went off the drug once and I discovered then that it was helping. Take the good with the bad, thats life in a nutshell.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Thu November 15, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Good for the blues
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Cons:
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Dose tolerance
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Good med for whatever ails you. Takes a while to kick in, don't think its going to be easy to stop it, its brutal.I ran out of this for a couple days and thought I was losing my mind. Weird drug...it changes your brain.
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scrapper
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Fri November 16, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Works for me
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Cons:
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Fear of the day I ever have to stop them
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After several different antidepressants including Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor XR gave me the opportunity to make positive choices such as exercising, getting outside, visiting folks, and those are the things that I needed to do to begin recovery. For me that is all i can ask of a pill.
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Nighthawk1979
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Review Date: Sat November 24, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Finally eleminated my depression when this as added to the wellbutrin I was already taking
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Cons:
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Nasty headaches if you miss a dose
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I had never completely had remission of my depression until this was added to the 450mg of Wellbutrin I already took. After all these years it's wonderful to fell like myself. Wish I'd found this sooner. From all I've read I'm not looking forward to stopping this med so I'm hoping it works a long time for me.
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timeforsleep
Member
Registered: November 2007
Location: Pac Northwest
Posts: 83
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Review Date: Mon November 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Taken in conjunction Neurontin will make you a numb zombie
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Cons:
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Taken in conjunction Neurontin will make you a numb zombie
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Side effeccts. Decrease in libido. Loss of appatite. Felt like someone was pricking the back of my brain and upper spine with a million needles. Not painful but unsettling.
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Barbarian
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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If you suffer from major depression -- such as feeling like whale shit on the bottom of the ocean -- then this medication will lift you from the abyss.
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Cons:
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Rapid weight-gain; increased sex drive; UNBELIEVABLE EXTRANEOUS SWEATING; good luck escaping brain-zaps while sleeping.
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If you suffer from the worst kind of depression known to man, then this medication is for you. Along with Remeron, Effexor is the only other medication known to lift those patients with the most severe depression -- such as feeling like whale shit on the bottom of the ocean -- from the abyss. This medication will most definitely lift you from the abyss. However...beware that this medication -- despite what ANY doctor tells you -- will cause rapid weight gain. And on top of that, you will sweat your balls off. You will smell very badly as a result. I swear that you will regret taking this medication by the sweating factor alone.
Effexor will also increase your sex drive as well as your appetite. Worst of all, if you're bipolar, I would say this is the WORST drug to take for bipolar-depression, as this drug is notorious for throwing bipolar patients into dangerous mania, and often. You will be a ticking time-bomb. If anyone messes with you, then I feel sorry for them. If you've been taking shit from someone for too long, then this medication will allow you to stick up for yourself. If you want an excuse to tell your boss what a piece of crap he or she is, then by all means go with this medication.
I would not recommend this medication for bipolar-depression. It is dangerous to you and others. It WILL throw you into mania which can turn into dangerous circumstances. I would much rather take Lamictal for bipolar-depression, as it doesn't throw you into mania like Effexor does. Moreover, Lamictal is weight-neutral and has very few, if any, side effects.
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hangtough
Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: TX
Posts: 33
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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works fairly well with depression.
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Cons:
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none so far
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I find the medication works well with higher doses. I haven't had any bad reactions besides an ocassional headache.
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Merveille
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2007
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Review Date: Sat December 8, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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within 6 weeks, alleviated anxiety, better sleep; seemed to taper off in times of stress
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Cons:
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"flaming thoughts", hard to control impulses (spending, urgent sugar craving), weight gain, no libido
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It worked for anxiety (i was on a low dose) - but the uncontrolled sugar/chocolate cravings were disturbing, as were the hard to control impulses (to spend, to not go to work, to eat)- the most difficutl and the reason I switched is that I had a lot of good (work) ideas or things to follow up that would appear in my brain and then disappear before I could write them down. It zapped what was an excellent detail memory. I have just been switched to Celexa; I would like to know more about how your GP makes the decision for one over the other...
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ChipsAhoy
Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: Minneapolis MN
Posts: 25
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Review Date: Sun December 9, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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Low side effect profile
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Cons:
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Low efficacy
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I have been taking Effexor XR for 8 to 9 weeks now. I started at a dose of 75 mg and was increased to a dose of 150 mg after 4 weeks. My mood has not changed very much at all. I can't speak for everybody but so far this medication has done very little for me.
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mlpHolmes
Poohbah
Registered: March 2007
Location: Land of Endless Possibilities
Posts: 1086
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Review Date: Mon December 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Depressions are not as deep, as long, or as many in a month
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Cons:
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took ~ 6 wks. to begin working, no other side effects
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I have been on Effexor XR almost 2 yrs. and this drug has literally saved my life. Now I have bouts of depression but with Hope, before Effexor my life WAS Depression.
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mcfatty
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2008
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Review Date: Sun January 6, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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clarity - alert
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Cons:
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wears off - birth defects --
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I personally take this drug i have managed to ween myself down to the lowest possible dose, my side effects are horrible increase anxiety and paranoid when trying to get off medication. Cant get past this I have tried 3xs each time has sent me to the hospital. I cant orgasim (was never a problem) i find now 2&1/2yrs later still on the drug and now my moods are cycling, no longer depressed or anxious now just aggressive. I do also take a mood stabalizer.
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OcdPam
Junior Member
Registered: January 2008
Location: PA
Posts: 10
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Review Date: Mon January 21, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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good for anxiety and depression
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Cons:
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not good for OCD and coming off is awful
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The only real problem i've had from this med is trying to come off of them. Brain zaps were awful. I take this med again now and have decided it is time to STOP thinking I am better and to stay ON the medication. 
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sarcasticme
New Member
Registered: January 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Sat January 26, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $0.67| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Worked for about two weeks, constipation, dry mouth
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For me, minimal side effects compared to some other antidepressants. Pity it just worked for two weeks!
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12beat
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2008
Location: Seattle,WA
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Review Date: Thu January 31, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Great for major depression at higher dose titration
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Cons:
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Terrible Discontinuation syndrome - Instant side effects when stopped
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awesome for my depression and anxiety....worried if I can ever come off of it at 225mg a day, without whacking out.
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Ben23
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2008
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Review Date: Wed February 6, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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None for anxiety/panic attacks
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Cons:
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Severe insomnia, on-the-edge feeling, tinnitus, depression, dizziness
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I have had severe panic attacks and generalized anxiety with mild depression and this was the firt drug I ever took to try and solve the problem (after some lorazepam).
Did absolutely nothing for me, could not use for more than 3 consecutive days. Crying all the time, feeling spaced out, severe insomnia, increased depressive symptoms, dizziness ... I could go on, and on.
This may be a good alternative to some, but other SSRIs have proven to be more effective (with less side effects) than Effexor. Paxil was the solution for me, although everyone is different. I have a good friend of mine who used it for moderate to severe depression and had great results, though.
Do not hesitate to take the pills if it has been prescribed to you because of horror stories or comments like mine ! But make sure you do a close follow-up with your psychiatrist in the beggining. You will know soon enough if this drug is or isin't for you.
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Chris7
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2008
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Review Date: Thu February 7, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
|
NONE...maybe loose weight before commiting suicide!!
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Cons:
|
caused multiple SEIZURES and MANIAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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THIS DRUG SHOULD BE OFF THE MARKET!
IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! I TOOK IT FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE I TRUSTED MY DOCTOR BUT MY CONDITION KEPT GETTING WORSE!
IT CAUSE MANY SEIZURES. THEY DIAGONSED ME FOR EPILEPSY AND PUT ME ON MORE MEDS WHICH ALSO MESSED WITH MY BRAIN.
I'M NOW DOING HOMEOPATHY WHICH HAS SAVED MY LIFE!
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Popangel16
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Mon February 11, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
|
Worked incredibly well on depression and anxiety
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Cons:
|
Weight gain
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I began taking this medication when I was 16 years old. The medication kicked in automatically and I felt 100% better in one week. I gained 10 pounds unexpectedly a few months after starting treatment, but then my weight stayed at that point. Unfortunately, right before I turned 20 the medication stopped working. Up until then I had had no problems with it. Even though it only worked for a few years for me, it was a great treatment and I would highly recommend it.
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orangecat
Junior Member
Registered: December 2006
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Fri April 11, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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works fast; I had tried many antidepressants before settling with Effexor - also less side effects than the others
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Cons:
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have tried to lessen dosage many times over 11 years, but have always gotten suicidal
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It really got me out of a black hole 11 years or so ago and I have never relapsed back to that state although there have been trying times. It also makes me sweat, makes my blood pressure go up, and rather strangely, increased my bust size. I would really like to come off it to see how I would be but I always get suicidal and cry all the time when I reduce my dosage. Maybe that is a message to me I should not try anymore. I really don't know. I don't have dry mouth and it doesn't stop up my bladder. For me, the positives outweigh the negatives.
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eforest
New Member
Registered: June 2008
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Mon June 9, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $30.00| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Can't think of any
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Cons:
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Caused profuse sweating
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I took effexor when the lexapro stopped working. I don't think it added anything and only caused profuse sweating.
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emi24
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2008
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Review Date: Sun June 22, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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loss of appetite = weight loss (yay!)
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Cons:
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elevated blood pressure, dizziness, spaciness
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i know several people who have found a friend in effexor but for some reason it was more my enemy. it made me feel as though i was going in and out of consciousness, increased my vertigo, increased fatigue, heightened my anxiety, elevated blood pressure, etc. i must've had adverse effects or something. i did not feel like myself! i then hesitantly tried cymbalta afraid it would do the same thing but it has surprisingly worked for me. it helps with physical and emotional pain which, unfortunately, i am experiencing. not sure what the difference between the 2 drugs are as i know they are very similar (i did read the cymbalta is slightly easier to get off of than effexor). for some reason i had opposite reactions. CYMBALTA IS THE NEW EFFEXOR.
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missery
Newly Joined
Registered: July 2008
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Review Date: Wed July 23, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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a, positive attitude,
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Cons:
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i do sweat alot more
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i have been on zolof,paxil that one made me crazy,but this is working for me right now
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igot_mad
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
Location: The Dirty South
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Review Date: Sat August 2, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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good for anxiety and depression
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Cons:
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plateau effect, HORRIFIC side effects when a dosage is missed
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I took effexor for close to a year. When I started taking it, I felt nauseous and had headaches, but it eventually wore off. It helped a great deal with my depression for a few months until it just hit a plateau and did practically nothing for me.
In the beginning, my doctor told me I could get a little sick if I missed a dosage. Months later, I lost the bottle and had to skip. Before you consider this medication, look up 'effexor shocks.' I have never been in more agony in my entire life. Ever. Even after I took my dosage the next day, I felt a queasy and dizzy for a few days. Getting off of it wasn't quite as hard, but it certainly wasn't pleasant.
Bottom line: it may work wonders, or the progress may just bottom out. Not everyone experiences effexor shocks, but don't try your luck.
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trixie459
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
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Review Date: Tue August 5, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $35.00| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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relieved anxiety and depression very well and quickly
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Cons:
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insomnia or very vivid dreams/nightmares, excessive sweating
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I was on 75 mg for about 5 weeks. I felt more energized, calmer and happier on Effexor than I had been in months on other meds (prozac, wellbutrin). Unfortunately, I couldn't handle the lack of sleep, which never subsided. So now I'm going to start on citalopram 20 mg. I really hope it has all the positives of Effexor without the negatives.
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tarabug922
Member
Registered: November 2008
Location: santa cruz, cali
Posts: 294
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Review Date: Tue November 25, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $68.00| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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alleviated some of the depression
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Cons:
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weight gain and turned me into a zombie
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This med has turned me into a zombie. I stare blankly into space for hours. I can't find things to talk about to make conversation anymore. Thank you Effexor. Even though it has alleviated some of the depression I still have moderate depression while taking the highest dose.
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Helpmefindmymarbles
New Member
Registered: August 2008
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Tue January 27, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $60.00| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Restless, sleepless nights, nausea, anxious
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I really couldn't get past the side effects to see the full effects that I wanted. After 4 days and feeling like a paranoid psycho, I most definitely will be switching back to my old meds. These made me restless, I woke up every hr and slept maybe a total of 3 hrs a night. I didn't feel like moving at all. I ended up missing work and I had no energy whatsoever. However, you do lose your appetite when you take these and you have to literally force yourself to eat. On the other hand, these seem to work well for others. I couldn't get past the first week that is how bad it was for me. I switched back to Tegretol and I'm back at work, happy, sociable, and having my energy back. Yay!
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Ubiquitous Maninlev
Junior Member
Registered: November 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 15
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Review Date: Wed January 28, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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At times seems to have helped with depression symptoms
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Cons:
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Still no idea if its any good, worried about coming off it
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After taking Citalopram, the initial impact was good, but I put this more down to not being on Citalopram. Since then I have been all over the place, on various doses. Overall, I think it has given me more energy, and occasionally more concentration. But still not sure if I want to take more or stop altogether.
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SammiSama
Junior Member
Registered: January 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Wed March 11, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $24.97| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Better mood, more outgoing, easier to cope with some stressful problems.`
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Cons:
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No sex! lots of numbness (Kind of feel like a robot), massively supressed emotions (couldn't even cry), heart palpitations, insomnia
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Well, it's one of those "lesser of two evils" kind of situations. I was put on this drug two years ago as a "Band aid" method. My doctor refused to send me to a shrink, and said that my depression wasn't permanent. Anyway, it did help. I gained more confidence, saw a lot of my older self (More talkative, outgoing, etc.), and I hardly had any depression fits. After a year though, I started getting really frustrated with the "robot" feeling. When something bad happens, I get this pressure in my chest and feel kind of sick to my stomach...but that's it. The pills don't seem to allow me to express any bad emotions, to the point where I can't even cry when something terrible happens. It causes a lot of inner confusion. Also, I couldn't sleep more than five hours without waking up and feeling restless, I tossed and turned all night (kicked my poor dog tons of times), and I could hardly eat a thing...I went from two meals a day to one snack a day.
Lastly, coming off the pills was a nightmare. I cut my dosage down to one a day, and only 37.5 mg..and almost instantly started "feeling" again. Plus, I could actually consider sex. After I was completely off the pill though, like the day I stopped taking the one pill, I started getting heart palpitations? huge dizzy spells, couldn't stop eating (I suppose after a year of hardly eating at all, it was kind of a nice side effect.), the depression came back within a week, and I had hallucinations!! Not bad ones, just blurred shadows and once I woke up from a dream, and my dream image was superimposed onto my room for a bit...freaky. ..I don't know, it's the first time I ever hallucinated.
I guess the side effects out weigh the original problem, but personally ..I think it saved me from doing anything extreme, and put me back on my feet, so now I can sort of figure out how to fix myself.
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thalia2
Member
Registered: September 2008
Posts: 31
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Review Date: Tue April 21, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very Effective
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Cons:
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Side Effects
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The most effective antidepressant I have ever taken outside of Nardil (which worked TOO well). And I've taken a lot. I have had a bunch of side effects -- headaches, grinding teeth, sweating, anxiety and increase in suicidal thoughts (eventually fades) at the beginning and when the dose has been increased. The last two are serious. But overall it has saved my life and taken me from a dangerously depressed and incapacitated hermit to a functioning human being again.
I wouldn't recommend it as a first line. I would absolutely recommend it for someone who's really struggling, has tried others and who thinks nothing can help them. Which is where I was.
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kris10
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2009
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Review Date: Sat May 9, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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doesn't make you tired, i didn't experience any side effects.
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Cons:
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This medication is the only antidepressant that I can find that actually works. I didn't experience any side effects...once it started working, after about 4-5 weeks of starting it, it has worked great. I'm not tired, like I was on Zoloft. I've tried Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Paxil, etc.. and none of them worked...and all of them had side effects. I definitely recommend Effexor and Effexor XR.
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u2nance
Member
Registered: April 2009
Posts: 25
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Review Date: Thu July 2, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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saved my life!
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Cons:
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I have no complaints
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I was so depressed and was having lots of crying spells and thoughts of suicide. Had been on Paxil for 2 years and gained 40 pounds in 8 months!!! Effexor has let me start to lose weight for the first time in 5 years! Gave me back my life. I hope it doesn't change.
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thinker22
Magnate
Registered: June 2009
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 2010
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Review Date: Tue July 7, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $5.00| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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A bit more energy on some days
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Cons:
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Irritability, hand tremors, depression, huge withdrawals
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Irritability, hand tremors, depression, huge withdrawals. I had more energy on random days, even hypomania, but it wasn't helping with severe depression, may have even caused the depression.
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degas
Junior Member
Registered: July 2009
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Wed July 29, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $40.00| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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none
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Cons:
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vivid disturbing nightmares
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I'll admit that I was weaning from Serzone and Celexa and beginning Effexor as prescribed and following DRs schedule. I ended up twice in the ER with hysteria and symptoms that I couldn't quite describe. Horrible, horrible nightmares that I won't express, sweats, loss of appetite, complete and total hopelessness. I lay in bed at home for 4 days without eating or drinking, just sweating and nighmaring and crying and I couldn't WAKE-UP. I am especially upset by the fact that this was given to a patient who suffers from PTSD because now I can't forget the grisly, horrible things I SAW and EXPERIENCED so vividly in my dreams.
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kileyb
Junior Member
Registered: July 2009
Location: Boston, M.A.
Posts: 12
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Review Date: Wed August 26, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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Lifted mood a little
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Cons:
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fatigue, excessive sweating, nightmares, anxiety, cry or get angry when due for dose
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I was really hoping this would due the trick, but while it did lift my depression, I slept more on it than before! Experienced excessive sweating, had terrible nightmares every night, nausea/vomiting and weight gain.... also I would either snap or cry when I was due for my dose. I am talking only 18 hours later! Plus once when I was waiting for my check to pay for them, I had these almost electrical volts going through my body! I became very shaky and couldn't drive myself to the pharmacy! I was 18 hours past due! thats all! Oh one more, cost. my insurance covered 11 days so at 20$ a refill it was around 80 a month. Everyones different, so while I recommend alternatives before this it could be a miracle for you.
Just a heads up! Good luck, we'll find the right one eventually!
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phoenix47baby
Grand Member
Registered: September 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 619
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Review Date: Mon November 16, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $45.00| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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curbs depression
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Cons:
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none
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definite help with the depression
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contractorlou
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2009
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Review Date: Tue December 8, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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none
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Cons:
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agitation, impusliveness, anger, complete loss of sex drive, loss of cognative function, loss of memory, weight gain, fatigue
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I left my wife a year after she started taking 300MG per day of effexor. We had a lovely relationship for 15 years, including when she was on prozac. Her exhusband stressed her out and her shrink changed her meds. We had a great sex life and that completely disappeared withing the first two months. She became angry, impulsive, agitated towards me and the rest of the family. She thinks it is working. She tells her shrink that it is working. She sees her shrink for 30 minutes once every three months and no one in the family has been able to communicate to the shrink the problems she has had.
If you are thinking of taking this drug, give yourself a going away party because you will be leaving everyone who knows and loves you you will be replaced by an entirely different personality. Here is how Weyth promoted this drug through falsified testing and paying for positive reports from the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/health/17depress.html http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22237 http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/12/18/dear-me-nemeroff-wrote-himself-about-payment-for-effexor-article/
Effexor is addictive - Big Pharma marketing calls it " discontinuation syndrom" which the shrinks don't tell you about before you start taking it. Agitation, anger, impulsiveness, memory loss, loss of ocgnative ability and weight gain. The manufacturer stresses the opposite - weight loss - but that is true in young women. It makes it appear that women are getting a feel good pill and a diet pill, when in fact many post menopausal women gain 30 - 50 pounds.
Wyeth/Pfizer deserve an army of tort lawyers of this.
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PBHG
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2010
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Review Date: Sun January 3, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Definitely worked very well for me.
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Cons:
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Diminished sexual performance. Stopped working after a year. Made me start smoking again.
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I got put on Efexor XR after suffering chronic fatigue like symptoms which seemed to defy treatment, despite trying many things over a couple of years. I was reluctant, because although my condition included depression like symptoms, I felt the causes were physical rather than mental, I'd certainly never been prone to depression before, and had tested positive for hypoglycemia, which didn't respond to treatment. I thought the doctor was taking the wrong path, but relented in the end as I wasn't coping very well by that stage.
After a few weird days, they worked much better than I could have hoped. I've read since that they're used for CF sufferers and although it felt like the cause was still present Efexor did a good job of masking them.
I felt almost back to normal, the weight I'd gradually put on, going from 180 lbs to 225 lbs due to inactivity and craving food due to the low blood sugar, started to diminish at a rapid rate. I lost half of what I'd gained in 2-3 months, the rest was a bit harder but after 7-8 months I was back to normal. I had a lot more energy, and mentally I was back in business.
I only had a few negative side effects, maybe a little more sweating, but this was marginal. Sexual performance was definitely reduced, a doctor told me guys use them to prevent premature ejaculation, and I could well believe it'd work. For me it'd often never happen, but it seemed not such a big deal for the dramatic improvements in other areas. One other side effect was the resumption of smoking. I hadn't for a few years, but the cravings were very strong after Efexor. and after I'd started having a few, I tried really hard to stop. Patches etc had absolutely no effect, it was like being on speed, lighting one after another. I gave up giving up, and this probably contributed a bit towards the weight loss as well.
Unfortunately it just didn't last. After about 10 to 12 months they seemed to stop working. I was only on 75mgs so I tried doubling the dose, with no effect apart from sexual performance being virtually non existent.
I still persisted for a while, by then I'd read the horror stories of withdrawal, but eventually stopped taking them, pretty much cold turkey. I'd forgotten one days pill, so waited to see what it'd be like the next, thinking if it got too bad I would just take one or split one in half, but overall, although it wasn't completely trouble free, it wasn't that bad either. Nothing like what I was fearing.
I'd been off them for 3 weeks and decided to try to quit smoking, now the cravings seemed quite diminished, and was surprised how easy that turned out to be.
After reading some of the other accounts I consider myself lucky. Don't be too envious though. I've tried Cymbalta since then and that was as horrible as Efexor was good!
I hopefully have an answer to the CF now, a second, better test for toxic heavy metals was sky high, the much earlier hair analysis showed only a little, and although the going is still tough, with detoxing only making me feel worse at the moment, hopefully I'll only have to find one more product like Efexor to see me though the next 6 months or so. Fingers crossed.
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Suzann72
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2010
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Review Date: Sun February 28, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Works good
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Cons:
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None
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I'm on Effexor 75mg ( Venlafaxine ) now. I think that it's effective medication which helps me in treatment of major depression.
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rainbowrific
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2010
Location: FL
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Review Date: Fri March 19, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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brief relief of depression
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Cons:
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induced mania, weight gain, constipation, urination problems, severe withdrawal
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I started on a low dosage, and then I would feel better. I felt "better" because I was hypomanic, which I didn't realize until later, but it was better than depression. Then, I would feel bad again. So, the dose was increased. This vicious cycle went on until I was at 450mg/day, at which point I had serious digestive and urinary problems. I also gained about 30 pounds in 9 months. And, in the end, it didn't even work correctly for me.
Quitting this drug was a nightmare all on its own. I took me nearly FIVE months to get off this medication, AFTER. The withdrawals were pure misery: pain, lethargy, fatigue, headache, brain freeze, electric shocks through my body, nausea, general flu like feelings, suicidal thoughts. I completely identified with accounts I had heard about undergoing chemotherapy. I literally wanted to die every day from the physical and mental anguish. I would never recommend this as a first or even second resort for depression treatment.
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weird artist
Member
Registered: October 2008
Location: England
Posts: 49
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Review Date: Thu April 8, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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actually works for me
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Cons:
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I had strong side effects early on, and when I missed a dose. Must take at the same time every day to work.
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pretty good stuff once your body gets used to it. this is the 4th antiD I have tried, so I was relieved when it actually worked!
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Cattitude
Newly Joined
Registered: July 2010
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Fri July 16, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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doesn't make you exhausted but I really can't think of any Pros
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Cons:
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headaches, tremors, SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
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I was on 300mgs for what seemed like an eternity. It did not seem to have any positive effects on my depression or anything else for that matter. It did COMPLETELY kill my sex drive which is a real feat because my sex drive has always been on the high side... it also made it nearly impossible to orgasm which I'd NEVER had issues with.... My doctor did not want me coming off of it because of the notoriously horrible side effects and withdrawal. I finally took matters in my own hands and went off of it . I went from 300mgs to 0mgs in one day. Although I did not experience huge withdrawals, going off any med cold turkey is idiotic and not recommended.... I was just so frustrated. If I had major withdrawals I didn't notice most likely because I was so excited to get my sex drive et al, back.
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takepsych
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Mon August 16, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $40.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Helps with anxiety. It helps with my Trich..
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Cons:
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When I first began taking it, the drug made me very tired if I sat for too long.
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Excellent I have been on Effexor 225mg for years. It and relaxation techniques have put my Trich in total remission. It doesn't make me as sleepy as it use to. But, I still take it at night.
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Sultrysorrow
Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 77
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Review Date: Tue August 17, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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It's a good starter anti depressant
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Cons:
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Doesn't work that good when your world comes crashing down..
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It's so-so..
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NellyBrown
Junior Member
Registered: May 2011
Posts: 28
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Review Date: Mon May 9, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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treats anxiety
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Cons:
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Effexor (Venlafaxine) is a good antidepressant for me. It really works for anxiety treating too. I usually prefer to order in this online store, because it helps to save money and time. There are a full range of dosage at that site. Hope, it will be useful.
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saphirrain
Member
Registered: June 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 26
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Review Date: Sun June 5, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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helps with depression
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Cons:
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activating
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no complaints
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John Malkovich
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2011
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Sun June 19, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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hi my name is John and im 21 years old and i have been depressed and medicated since the age of 13. I was on effexor and didnt know what a god sent thing i had!!! Few month ago, my doctore recommended me to buy pristiq and take it instead of Effexor. After two weeks of taking this medication, i have started wetting the bed.
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John Malkovich
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2011
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Sun June 19, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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no side effects for me
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Cons:
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Hi my name is John and im 21 years old and i have been depressed and medicated since the age of 13. I was on effexor and didnt know what a god sent thing i had!!! Few month ago, my doctore recommended me to buy pristiq online and take it instead of Effexor. After two weeks of taking this medication, i have started wetting the bed.
PS: Sorry for double post...
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