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Iris29

Updated 11mo ago

Seeking advice on Effexor for depression

Hello, I've been advised by a few medical professionals to take Effexor as my next antidepressant. I am hesitant to take it (or any antidepressant) due to side effects like weight gain, exhaustion, and headaches. Has anyone had experience, good or bad with Effexor?

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Dawn_Recreated

2y

I take it and haven't had any problems with weight gain or anything bad at all. It's helped me quite a bit!
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Dawn_Recreated

2y

I have been on it for about a year now
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pianochick

2y

I took Effexor for about a year (along with a couple of other antidepressants), and after trying so many different antidepressants for several years, I decided to go off all of them. I had turned into a couch zombie, so I tapered (safely) off of each one by one. I tapered off Effexor last...and I will tell you, it was really hard. I was on 300mg, and I was doing fine until I tapered from 75mg to 37.5mg. I was so sick for a week...and then my body adjusted slowly after that. I managed to get off of it, but decided I would never go on it again. I really learned a lot from that experience.❤️
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Dawn_Recreated

2y

The doctor has recently added Vanlefaxine for my hot flashes (power surges 😉) since I turned 51 this year.
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katiecat

1y

hi there, just wondering if u found it helpful for that at all?
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Abadaba

2y

I have been taking it for a while, the only thing I have noticed is that my compulsive behaviors are more difficult to control.
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AfterlifeOfTheParty

2y

I like Effexor much, much more than anything I've been on before except for Zoloft. I liked Zoloft because it seemed to stop my symptoms the most, but a side effect was weight gain and I have eating disorder issues that were horribly triggered by it. The Effexor doesn't do that. However, I've been drowsy as heck on this med. Idk what to do to stop being tired.
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Cece7

2y

Effexor is the first Antidepressant I’ve taken that is very minimal on side effects and I can actually tolerate it. I’m very sensitive to medications so medications like Zoloft and Prozac were horrible for me. I just have to eat before I take my pills in the morning or I get a little nauseous during the day but other than that don’t have any experience with the symptoms you had listed due to medication.
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loader

1y

Ive taken effexor for about a year now I had a really hard time the first ten days but after that it's been ok
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Moon14

1y

I’ve been on Effexor for a few years but I’m trying to get off of it since I haven’t had any benefit with it. Obviously everyone’s body reacts differently but I didn’t have any side effects with medication. The only big side effect is that with Effexor you can’t miss a dose. Once your at approximately 75mg if you miss a dose you will get very sick so if your someone that forgets to take your meds you don’t want to forget this one. Your body kind of goes into withdrawal when you miss a dose. This medication is also very difficult to get off of eventually when you jump from 75mg to 37.5mg your body goes into a pretty severe withdrawal and you feel very sick. Effexor doesn’t have a lot of side effects except for those and it can really help for some people. I’d give it a shot.
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Dizz

1y

this if I have missed a dose I get vertigo like the world is spinning too fast and also sleep paralysis and night terrors. When I have taken it regularly though I have no issues. I have put on a few pounds but no where near as on other antidepressants or even birth control. I have currently got a chest infection and have had to be put on super strong antibiotics as some can interfere with the Venlafaxine. 👍
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Luhn

1y

I did notice an increase in appetite while adjusting to the medication but it doesn't last. The main persistent side effect I've noticed is the inability to orgasm. The withdrawal symptoms are no joke though.
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Rawbeeya

1y

I've been on a lot of antidepressants and the only one that caused weight gain was Zoloft. Ask about Wellbutrin.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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