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Effexor May Not Work For Everyone Posts

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Popular Questions

Is Effexor ok in the long run? I'm currently on Effexor and am a little bit worried if in the long run it's going to have some side effects. Is it possible that after taking it for a year or so and then gradually stopping you might fall again into deppression and this time deeper?? Can it create some problems to the brain or body after a long term use. While on it can it give me bad breath, give out an unpleasant odour from my skin pores? Pls don't get me wrong... I'm aware of the positive effects that this drug has brought. Thank you everyone!

elanabutcher replied: "No medicine is ok in the long run. Most medications damage your liver after long term use. And you should definitely not go off of depression medication yourself. You need to be under the strict supervision of a doctor to wein you gradually off of it or you could have a horrible depression relapse. Go to your drug store or go online and check out the side effects. They are different for everyone."

kennadee30 replied: "the biggest problem I had with Effexor is that after about 2 years, it just didn't work anymore, and it messed with my liver a little bit, I would never take it again"

Violet Pearl replied: "Of course. You're taking a drug meant to alter your mind and thoughts. Bad breathe and different body odor are common. When you stop, the thoughts your sought to escape will still be there. Effexor is one of the strongest mind-altering drugs on the market, and for many people Effexor has the absolute worst discontinuation syndrome of an antidepressant. You can't stop taking it, you need to taper off under supervision\."

meggus31 replied: "I was on Effexor for almost 8 years. Apparently, when we take anti-depressants for a long period of time, it actually changes the pathway of your brain chemistry. Also, like most other anti-depressants, after so much time, it can just stop working. It's called "pooping out". It really sucks. It helped me alot for a long time. Did you stop on your own or because of your dr's advice? If you did stop, and now find yourself in a deeper depression, it may point to signs that you should not have stopped it. I know one side effect is dry mouth and that may cause bad breath. Don't know about body odor though. Good luck!"

I've been on on a low dosage (75 mg) of effexor XL now for about 7 weeks.? I have been reading all of the concerns when going off of this medication. I have not seen any improvement in my severe depression but guessed i may need an increase in mg.'s. I have tried just about every antidepressant out there and I guess my question is...why is everyone discontinuing effexor??

Sarah N replied: "Every medication is different for everyone. I found that Effexor XR was the best for me (don't know much about XL).....I would definitley keep trying and go up in mgs (of course with approval from the doctor). Dont' give up on it, especially if you have tried others. I found its great for me. I hope it works for you too. Give it some time. Not sure why some ppl are coming off of it, but withdrawl effects are a little tough to deal with......I don't get any side effects from effexor (a little weight gain in the past). Just remember everyone is different and reacts different to medications.........so dont' just look at the bad experiences some ppl had."

Any input on why I may not be getting pregnant? Im 27, have a 22 month old daughter, and have been trying to get pregnant again for at least a year now. I'm with the same guy, but he's been on meds since she was born (depakote and effexor). Nothing seems to be happening, and everyone tells me to try and find out my most fertile days but thats so hard since my periods have been so irregular. I've actually had the problem that every other month I think Im pregnant cuz I have so many symptoms, and my period is late, then a couple days later I get it....my bodies so messed up, and I just want to have at least one more, would have loved to have at least 4...but dont lok like thats ever going to happen!

bourke replied: "maybe look into the med's that he is taking and see if they can cause infertility-- also, if you stress about it usually it doesnt happen. just let nature take its course-- or else ask your dr. what you can do to increase your chances.. Good Luck!"

justice_is_hott replied: "To much stress can effect getting pregnant so try and relax."

Mommie to Be replied: "what everyone else has been telling you is right, find out your most fertile days. the dr will be able to tell you if thats even the problem or not. i dont know exactly what those meds are that ur man is on, but that could be some of the reason as well. just make sure you are on prenatal vitamins. those are god to be taking before you even try to get pregnant."

Roc replied: "To my knowledge neither of those drugs cause infertility. I think this may have something to do with your irregular periods. Irregular periods means that you may not be ovulatiing or at least that it might be challenging to figure out when you are ovulating. I would recommend going to the doctor because you many need some help balancing your hormones in order to get pregnant. Lots of women have this issue and are able to get pregnant so don't worry quite yet. A great natural supplement to help balance hormones is vitex. It does take a few months to work though."

prispot25 replied: "i'm 25 yrs old and have no kids. We have been trying for over a year. I finally went to my doctor and she put me on provera to help with my periods. They work great i only take one pill for 5 days and then 3 to 4 days after i start. She thought this would help me get preg, but it did'nt so she put on clomid along with the provera. She started me off with 50mg of clomid but it did'nt work so she moved me up to 100mg. That still did not make me ovulate. So she moved me up to 150mg of clomid and worked. I ovulated. But the next month she left me on the 150mg of clomid and i did'nt ovulate. This is so stressing. So this month i am on 150mg of clomid and 1000mg of metformin. I find out this week if it will work when i have my bloodwork done. You should talk with your doctor and see if there's something you can take. I've read about this drug i'm taking on the internet and many people have had luck with it. It takes 2 or 3 months for it to work, but it's worth trying. Anything is worth trying. I wish you the very best of luck!!!"

Tamara H replied: "What i am about to tell you sounds extremely strange, but it has worked for two of my sisters. My sister now has 2 boys and they are 9 years apart and not by choice. She had tried everything by going to doctors, having a sperm count for her husband, and no one ever seemed to know why she couldn't get pregnant. She was checking into invetro, and I asked her to do me one favor before she did that. I had to do a lot of talking her into it but she did it and it worked. I asked her to go get on birth-control for one month. Stop taking it and have sex every other day. She did it and she now has a 4 year old son. When taking birth-control it makes you not release your egg. When you come off of it you are extremely fertile. If you do try this please let me know if it works for you. Make sure its only the pills. The shot will make you infertile."

kjhall75 replied: "Maybe you aren't timing sex right? You can buy ovulation predictors to help with that. There is also a book that tells you how to predict your cycle by taking your temps - Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Maybe the meds are affecting your partner's sperm count? You can have him tested."

kris replied: "Do you know that you are ovulating? If not, you should at least start charting your basal body temperature (search on line or ask your doctor how). That will tell you when you ovulated (yup, past tense). You can also get an ovulation predictor kit, which will tell you right before you ovulate. You probably already know that you need to have sex in the few days before you ovulate in order to get pregnant. By charting your temp or using the OPK, you can find out if you are timing sex properly. If you are ovulating and having sex at the right times (or all the time, should you be so lucky), you should talk with your doctor, and maybe have your husband talk with his doctor. I don't think effexor has any effect on sperm count, but I know it might affect sex drive. I've no idea about the other drug you mentioned. Good luck, and remember - you're still young! I'm 33 and struggling to have my first baby (I don't ovulate at all on my own, I did get pregnant but it recently ended in an early miscarriage). You still have plenty of time!"

White replied: "First of all, I suggest you check if the meds he is on affect or not his sperm count. If they do then you should have sex every other day instead of daily so that his sperm count improves. Both of you should take the FertilityBlend supplement, which helps your bodies start working properly and improve your fertility. Secondly, I would buy the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which lets you understand how your body works by taking your temperature daily (you will need to buy a basal thermometer), observing your cervical mucus and your cervix's position throughout your cycle, specially since you are irregular, and to top it all off, buy a fertility monitor, I use the Clear Blue Easy along with what I have learned from the book and now I know when exactly I will be ovulating. Good luck! hope this works for you."

Should I try Effexor XR or Cymbalta for my Panic/Agoraphobia? Hello everyone, have suffered with anxiety/panic attacks for about 20 years now. Usually, an anti-depressant will work for about 4 years, poop out, then another will be found to be helpful. Used Pamelor, Nortriptyline 150 mgs, from 1996 to 2000 with great results. Then used Paxil 40 - 60 mgs from 2001 unitl this year. Noticed that Paxil was really losing it's effectiveness about 2 years ago and would poop out more and more. Finally, in early May of this year switched from Paxil to Zoloft. Started Zoloft while still on the Paxil and tritrated up on one down on the other. Was pretty tough but handled it okay. Problem is I've been on the Zolfot 150 mgs for over three weeks now and still don't want to drive anywhere. Depression is pretty much all gone and no panic attacks unless I drive out of my "safe" area (currently about 1 mile). Pamelor and Paxil corrected this phobic behavior but no help from Zoloft thus far. Going to pdoc tomorrow (Thursday, July 26) and hoping he has some answers for me. I've been thinking, as has the pdoc, that maybe Effexor XR or Cymbalta will do the trick. By the way I do take Xanax in the a.m. and p.m. Usually, only take half of a .25 mg. I take a whole .25 when going out. Haven't been to work since mid-July and need to get back as quickly as possible. What do you all think? I really need some good advice. Thanks for all your help Another thought is should I try another SSRI like Lexapro?

grundle goat replied: "wow you've tried a lot of things. i have also, it seems most of the anti-depressants flip flop on you after a while. now i am on lithium carbonate and lamictal for bipolar I and depression. i used to be on xanax for anxiety disorder but started abusing it so i quit that all together. i was breifly on effexor and found it to be a wonderful 'quick fix' it just didnt seem to help me long term, and i found little anxiety relief from it. i've never tried lexapro but some friends of mine are on it and are very happy with the results. you know as well as i do that it may take trying 100 medications before you find the right one, so keep an open mind and do the best you can everyday. do you see a therapist? i find it very helpful to talk to mine twice a month."

tina replied: "hi, I'v never used this site before, but i'm up early again thanks to the churning stomach in the morning. I am a female aged 42, and this is the 3rd time in my life I have had to go on medication for severe panic attacks. The first time a panic attack occured was when I was 28 and had a one year old. I didn't know what it was, I thought I was going to die etc. The Dr prescribed prothidein (old drug) & after one year i came off it and was great. The second time it happened was 3 years ago, My dr put me on LUVOX and while I was waiting for it to work I was taking valium. I was literally paralysed with fear, I could not walk and stayed in bed most of the time, taking my meals etc in there. Let me tell you about me I work full time in a highly respectable job, nomally confident until this overcomes me. God there so much I can tell you. I think my overall fear is death, isn't that what we all fear (the ultimate). Currently I have been off work since Monday 23/7/07, don't know when I will resume work (big hurdle that one). I'm on LUVOX again day 8 its difficult because I know my mind has to adjust to taking it again, but I know when I took it last time it helped me so much I would have not made it. Some of my symtoms are, panicking, not wanting to leave the house, but I force myself. I have children so I need to go to shops, this is difficult I can't stay in cues as I feel like I'm going to faint, my legs feel like they can't keep me up, I hate the sensations. I had blood tests the other day, I have been so paranoid that there is something wrong with me, all tests came back good and this has taken some of the worry away. I'm off to pschologist today to talk about issues etc. The worst thing for me is when I go out in public all I want to do is flee, this is the fight or flight action that we have. I do not want to talk to any of my friends or family, the only people I currently deal with is my children and partner (biggest support). My doctor yesterday suggested when you feel a panic attack starting focus on any it could be a picture, tree etc, look at all the finer details, the concept of this is to distract yourself from your thinking to the other . I will be trying this or if fails good old valium, which has been my saviour. The last time I was on LUVOX, when it really kicked in I eventually didn't need valium. I eventually went back to work and took on a very challanging job ie speaking infront of large groups, wow couldn't do that now, I would run away. Hang in there I know every day is difficult, I want to be my oldself again but I have accepted that I need to do it with medication. Hey before my last severe panick attack (last week) I went off LUVOX in April 07 and started walking on average 5km about 5 days a week, now I can't work out the door without shaking, rattling rolling, how powerful is our minds. Ask me what you want I have experienced every text book symptom, heart racing, nausea, constantly going to toilet etc etc."

Moonface replied: "Hi, I can't advise on drugs, but the following steps should eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) your panic attacks and agorophobia: 1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better. 2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, agorophobia and anxiety etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: 3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really make a difference if you practise often enough (i.e. twice a day). They will also help you sleep better if done at bedtime. You can get free downloads online. E.g.: With each step practise makes perfect. (i.e. practise the steps every day, not just when you are feeling bad). I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!"

Switching from Effexor to generic Venlafaxine - I feel so sick!! Help? Hi everyone, Ok so first I will say I have a doctors appt for tomorrow afternoon - so I am in no way going to self diagnose or switch meds by myself. I just have a question for anyone who has struggled with severe depression and anxiety - or a mild case of bi-polar. I have been on/or at least tried most anti-depressants. Prozac worked great for years when I was age 16-21, then it seemed to stop working well. I have tried cymbalta, zoloft and paxil. In October I found a new doctor after moving out of state. I had always been treated with the diagnosis of severe depression + anxiety. After speaking with my new doctor, she thought I may have a mild case of the bi-polar disease. I do have manic episodes - though not anything that would hospitalize me (yet lol). And super low - lows. She put me on Effexor. Within 2 weeks i felt my depression begin to lift - and my anxiety seemed to almost get worse.... Then after 6 weeks or so, the anxiety was OK but not great. Mind you, I also was a very heavy drinker. So I am not sure how well this med ever got a chance to work in the last 3 months.... Recently my insurance termed - and I switched to Venlafaxine (which is effexor generic). I did the switch to generic 12/30/08 - I just switched from effexor to the generic --- as I read they are nearly identical. I also QUIT drinking on 01/08/09 completely, and am working an AA program. I have a healthy diet, no booze the last 10 days, and have been going to the gym for 2 weeks. HOWEVER, with all of this good stuff I am doing in my life - I have been dizzy, lightheaded, had vertigo and feel sick most of the day since about the 5th of January... I still have very bad anxiety - though the depression still seems under control. Are all these dizzy, nauseous, vertigo feelings from going to generic you think? Or maybe they are the TRUE side effects for me, and I had blocked them from all of my drinking and cancelled out what the anti-depressant had been doing for me or to me should I say.... I am going in to see if effexor/venlafaxine is just not the right fit for me - I am not sure what my next option would be after this??? I just wanted to throw this out there, in case someone had a similiar reaction as mine to this medicine and what they ended up switching to or finding helped take the side effects away?? Thanks all!

Helen W. replied: "You don't say what type of doctor you are seeing. I hope it is a psychiatrist, because the sort of issues you have are not something that a typical family doctor or internist will be able to handle. It is very important for you to know that Bipolar disorder treatment is different than the treatment for simple depression. Typically an antidepressant is not used alone but together with a mood stabilizer (such as Depakote). You should also know that it is common for Bipolar sufferers to self-medicate with alcohol, and to find that their symptoms get much worse when they quit drinking. With less than two weeks of sobriety, though, it's hard to tell anything. (I congratulate you on your decision to quit drinking, by the way--I quit ten years ago myself.) I urge you to work with a good psychiatrist as you work toward stable abstinence. One more comment...I went to AA for a number of years, and I was quite disheartened by the attitude of some AA members that dually diagnosed people should not take psychiatric medications on the grounds that they "weren't really sober" if they did so. Needless to say, this is terrible advice, and should be ignored. The best thing I learned in AA is this: "Just don't drink, even if your ass falls off.""

Zoloft vs. Effexor? I've been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. I'm starting therapy in 2 weeks and my psychiatrist recommended to take medication as well. She mentioned Zoloft and Effexor. I have several other mental problems such as instability, worrying, obsessive thoughts etc.) Which medication might be most helpful. Now I know everyone is different but I'm hoping to hear from people who used it for social anxiety disorder.

cambridge_daisy replied: "Effexor has done wonders for me. Zoloft did not work at all. After taking Effexor for three weeks it helps you minimize your anxiety so that you can function normally. It is not addictive, but once your on it you can really feel the difference. Also it is very expensive - almost $5 per pill. And no generic is available."

Shellguana replied: "I took Effexor for that and it does work... but let me caution you about it. If you forget just ONE dose of it, you will be sick as a dog! You will get dizzy, nauseated and just feel like crap. That's what I hated about it. I can forget any other medication for a day and not have any problems but with this one it was pure hell! I'd try Zoloft first, but my doc says it can cause weight gain."

sdselt replied: "Effexor was (and still is) my LIFESAVER!! It has changed me from someone who was so anxious that I could never leave the house without getting physically ill! I was worried all the time, unstable as hell, and just overall screwed up. I have 2 kids two and felt like I was being a horrible mom. I began taking Effexor last July and will NEVER ever stop taking it - I love the way it makes me feel. I am no longer afraid to be around people or new places, and I feel like myself again. My doc said I can come off of it whenever I want, but I really think it saved my life! Good luck with whatever you choose! (Just a quick update - there is a generic version of this pill. But the best way to get it (if you don't have insurance) is to check out Wythe.com and apply for pre ion assistance. Your doc can send in a 3 month pre ion at a time for you, and Wythe sends it to you for FREE if you don't have the money to pay for Effexor)"

dropping bombs on your mom replied: "zoloft is more widely prescribed for anxiety/ocd/worrying etc. i would go with zoloft as the safer bet. reason being, effexor can have some gnarly side effects and is VERY difficult to wean off of if you do decide to go off of it. ive been on zoloft now for several years and really like it. it curbed my panic attacks and anxiety. plus, you can start out on a low dose and work your way up to get to your target dose. with effexor, sometimes the initial side effects are so uncomfortable that people stop taking it immediately. good luck!"

buffy fan replied: "It really varies from person to person. I never tried Zoloft, but Effexor did wonders for me. I actually did come off of it about a year ago, and I will tell you this: yes, it is hard to come off of. No, it isn't impossible. As long as you drop the dose little by little, week by week, you'll be okay. It won't be fun (side effects were dizziness, nausea, shocks, and tremors for me) but you'll do it. And I felt so much better mentally that physical stuff wasn't really that big of a problem. Good luck! The best thing to do is just ask your doctor which would be better for you. Sometimes there are other symptoms that the doctor might want to treat (lack/excess of sleep and appetite, etc) and that might help determine which med would be better for you, too."

Pico replied: "Zoloft did nothing for me. I'm currently on Effexor (225 mg) and I find it works well for my depression AND anxiety. Of course, that's just me... I also take the antipsychotic Abilify which my doctor said should help with my OCD."

TREAT replied: "zoloft made me sick at my stomach"

Kim S replied: "Effoexor was a life saver for me... I have anxiety, and OCD. I took zoloft for a little while, it did help with my depression a little/... it did nothing for my anxiety or my OCD ( which, if u are having obsessive thought, you have OCD)"

sheilasays replied: "effexor worked on me for awhile then it made my ocd and wanting to drink very hard to deal with im on zoloft and im getting better but i also take trazadone and seriqual"

serialmom12 replied: "I've tried them all, but for what you're explaining you'd probably be best with Wellbutrin and Lexapro. (Effexor has withdrawl effects similiar to Heroin withdrawl and Zoloft, while a good drug makes you F-A-T...speaking from personal experience, I gained 60 lbs in about 8 month's)"

Klonopin (Clonazepam) & Effexor XR Anyone on SNRI & Benzo? Panic Disorder Depression AnxietySocialAnxiety HELP? Thanks for stopping by, this could be kinda long but it's important and I put detail into it.. Just incase you don't already know?: EFFEXOR XR is a pre ion antidepressant and is indicated for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. CLONAZEPAM/KLONOPIN is a pre ion used for : Controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy and for the treatment of panic disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the activity of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. (I'm a {}male {}20 years old) - Diagnosis: {}Panic Disorder {}Clinical Depression {}Social Anxiety - Medicines I've tried {}Lexapro {}Celexa {}Paxil {}Abilify {}Buspar {}Ativan (And of coarse {}Effexor XR & {}Clonazepam (Klonopin) - Went to Doctor, then community mental health clinic, now I'm at a much better place then the mental health clinic Seeing a psychologist and waiting to see the psychiatrist Until I can see the psychiatrist at the new place I'm going I went to a different doctor (who accepts Medicaid) and explained this all to him - I was on effexor xr 75 mg for about a year+ (which my doc told me is an ineffective dose, the therapeutic dosage for Effexor XR is at least 150-300) -And also on Klonopin (Clonazepam) .5 mg 2x daily - I was on both (Klonopin& effexor xr) for about a year up until December of 2008 -I no longer had insurance and decided to try going without any medicine for awhile, and there wasn't a way to "taper off" without insurance, so i stopped both cold turkey (please no comments on how that's not good.. i know) However I made it through getting off of these medications and it wasn't as bad as everyone said. - Since going off of these medications my panic/anxiety & depression has peaked - So like I said I went to a doctor until i can see the psychiatrist -He suggested I try going back on effexor only at a therapeutic dose Below is the treatment plan for now read and discuss after: Effexor XR 37.5 mg (they want to ease you up so they give you 30 pills at 37.5 mg each and say: take 1 for 5 days (37.5 mg/day) take 2 for 5 days (75 mg/day) then take 3 for 5 days (112.5 mg/ day) Then I can get a filled for 150 mg Effexor XR The 150 mg should start to help the panic, social anxiety, gad, & my depression In combination with the Effexor XR; I will start back on *Clonazepam* 1 mg 2 times per day *(PS: I know clonazepam is a controversial drug and may have withdrawl effects but for the benefits of functioning way outweigh the risks. So no comments on that please)* The 1 mg Clonazepam twice a day should help control my anxiety and panic In addition to those medications I'm already seeing a psychologist, I believe talk-therapy alone isn't the cure but I'm hoping medicine and the talk therapy will be beneficial together. In your answers you can leave advice comments etc, just no lectures or anything like that thanks. Also If you do take these medications (esp. together) leave you experience/progress Any advice on what time you take Effexor XR (currently taking it in the morning) Clonazepam/Klonopin (currently taking not specific times, but twice a day) answers(/anything you have to add) I receive is appreciated

minx replied: "wow, i'm speechless ......... go and get yourself fully assessed by a naturopath or other wholistic healer ....... get them to do testing for food allergies/intolerances and chemical sensitivities .......what you ingest and absorb through your skin and breath can have a vast impact on the way you think, the way you feel and your overall health and vitality ....... seriously, you can live a pain free drug free life if only you know precisely what chemicals and foods are upsetting your system .... it could be something as simple as lactose intolerance or an intolerance to processed sugar or wheat ...... disorders from which people suffer due to intolerances to food or chemicals in their diets can cover almost the whole spectrum of physical and mental illnesses ..... an extraordinary concept but mind blowingly true....... do yourself a favor and go and get allergy tested. in the meantime, try to eat as much whole fresh foods that you prepare yourself that includes a wide range of leafy and green vegies, some low sugar fresh fruits like watermelon, cantalope, pears and strawberries, some lean meats and fishes, brown rice, organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds and lots of fresh filtered water .......... ditch the sodas, pop and soft drinks, consumption of foods containing processed sugar and junky and take away highly processed foods ...... ** and that includes alcohol** ....... not immediately of course or the detox would be too nasty ...... slowly ...... and feed your body from God's table and wean yourself off the highly processed, packagedsludge that has little to no nutritional value anyway. i was diagnosed with "Bipolar/Schizophrenia" 7 years ago and was pumped to the eyeballs with a selection of very heavy antipsychotis and large amounts of Effexor daily (600mg) ....... by taking all their nasty meds i ended up an insomniac, with achy bones, nasty sweating, headaches and migraines, terrible mood swings, permanent constipation, constant sweating ......... until i got reassessed by a naturopath and was diagnosed coeliac, lactose intolerant, intolerant to soy and processed sugar and a plethora of other preservatives and other nasty chemicals they use to preserve our foods......... it wasn't a mental illness at all with me .... it was all food and chemical intolerances ... i detoxed off the meds and cleaned up my diet and finally got me the bounce and vitality back that i'm entitled to ....... that we're all entitled to. EDIT: sorry, i should clarify that i'm speechless at the fact that physicians are so ready to simply continue to prescribe such meds on a never ending basis when they clearly aren't resolving the problem ...... perhaps your health issues need to be resolved from the source mate, not bandaided with toxicmeds. peace baby "

mntnrain80c replied: "I used to have severe panic/anxiety attacks and depression I took clonopin and paxil also went to talk therapy which helped I also had severe agorophobia and had to go to day treatment which is kind of like a babysitting service for people with mental illness. But after going there for about 2 weeks I noticed that there were so many people who had wasted their life by going to this place. It seemed that they bought into the whole "you're ill and you can't decide things for yourself type stuff) I quit going there and I decided I would make myself go out and do things even if it was just baby step type things then push to do more and more. After all this is the type thing that no one else is going to make go away you have to reach deep within yourself to find the strength to over come it. I eventually weaned myself off meds and started driving etc also got a job and have had no problems (well major one) since If I feel anxious I ask myself what is causing it and then work to calm down. Breathing, meditation etc works wonders. I also have the attitude now of I don't care what people think That used to be one of my fears I was afraid if I had a panic attack in public I might start acting irrational and be embarrassed. I could write volumes on panic/anxiety disorder but the space here is limited if you want genuine help then feel free to write me using this screen name @ yahoo.com And no I'm not going to tell you to find Jesus etc That's a choice people have to make on their own and when I was at my worst I would get so annoyed at people who tried to tell me I was being punished for so un named sin etc. I just offer you a friendly compasionate person to talk to about this."

underdamped replied: "Ah, the nay-sayers. Medications have saved and improved so many lives. They not be the right thing for everyone, but I am a firm believer in modern science... Ok, I have depression, bipolar, panic, and add, here's the list: AM 300 mg wellbutrin xl 300 mg lamictal 200 mg provigil 60 mg strattera PM rozerem 1 mg klonopin 37.5 mg paxil as needed: klonopin, niravam (super fast-acting xanax) I sleep. I'm healthy, my nails, hair, and skin are beautiful. I take dance and martial arts and am in the best shape of my life. I'm taking classes (18 units) to get ready for a master's degree program, I study like 8 hrs/day, and I get good grades. etc. I agree with you 100% - the benefits of *functioning* far outweigh the risks/side effects. 50 happy years are better than 80 miserable ones. yes, I take a ton of medication. it not only saved my life, it took it from hell to good. Find a good psychiatrist and be patient. It took a year to get my little cocktail just right, it sucked, but I'm finally mostly normal. Yep, you gotta have therapy too. You need coping skills to deal with that occasional...symptom. I have found that I can handle life better than most healthy people, every-day problems are so small compared to things I have experienced. Even if I could, I wouldn't "heal" myself. I have become very compassionate and non-judgemental. I believe I am better for it and so are those around me. (FYI I'm an athiest) Hope they figure it out for you. And I hope it doesn't take too long. Chat with me anytime, especially if the nay-sayers or people who think it's all in your head get to you."

underdamped replied: "Sorry, I wrote the answer above and then realized I had to change my account and settings, etc. if you want to msg me, it's underdamped_2 :)"

Margaret P replied: "Get as much resource as you can maybe is one option,however it could be quite time consuming,here is one resource i have had good experience."

Pico replied: "I take 300mg Effexor XR, 2mg of klonopin and 30mg of Abilify. I'm diagnosed with 'major depression with psychotic features', GAD and PTSD. I'm 31, been suffering with this crap since I was 12 but was not diagnosed until I was 28. I'm doing better on this drug combo than on any other meds I've been on. I haven't been on many (Lexapro, Zoloft and Ativan). The Zoloft did nothing at all for me and I took 200mg. The Lexapro was a bit better but nowhere near good enough. Ativan was a nightmare. It helped with my anxiety and panic disorder but I got addicted to it within weeks. I was popping the pills all day long. I was switched to klonopin and have had no problems with addiction and it works GREAT for my anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in over 2 years. Honestly, I take my meds when I remember to take them. I used to be really good about taking the Effexor at night but lately I fall asleep before I remember to take it. I end up taking it at all hours of the day and it doesn't seem to effect me in any negative way. I originally chose to take it at night in case it made me sleepy. I'm supposed to take 1mg of klonopin in the morning and 1mg at night. I take the Abilify with the Effexor whenever I remember to take them. Klonopin is a long lasting benzo. It was explained to me that it works slowly but stays in your system for a long time. It's best to take it on a schedule and space it out. When I was on Ativan, it was 'take as needed'. It's a fast acting benzo. It hits you hard and wears off the same way. It would wear off suddenly and I'd be hit with anxiety and need another pill asap. That's how I got addicted. As for progress, I had a psychotic breakdown in July 2006. I got on Lexapro, Ativan and Abilify right away. As I said above, the Lexapro and Ativan didn't work out for me. I got on the Effexor and klonopin around Feb 2007 and it's done nothing but good things for me...mostly. My sex drive has been a LOT lower since I've been on these meds but I can handle that better than wanting to kill myself. One of the meds gives me night sweats. It's not every night and I'm unsure which med is causing it. I'm leaning toward the Abilify though. As for taking these meds together, I haven't had anything negative happen because of the combo. I was feeling a bit lethargic recently and I complained of constant fatigue. My psych put me on Wellbutrin as well but I had a terrible acne breakout after about a week. I can't live with that so I ditched the Wellbutrin. Unfortunately, it REALLY helped to fight the fatigue."

Why does effexor cause manic episodes? About two years ago I was at a pretty low point, i had just dropped out of my sophmore year of college and my girlfriend dumped me a year before that... so while i was at home that fall my mom told me i should see our family doctor so i did and she put me on 20mg adderall and 75mg efferxor xr when i took these in the morning i had a very manic almost euphoric feeling pretty much the whole day and wanted to talk to everyone and after about six months i stopped taking these pills because they started to make me feel crazy! But after i got off them i felt cured and still do to this day, but a med student friend of mine told me that the reason i felt euphoric all the time was because i was really bi-polar or really not depressed at all and effexor was making me manic... can this happen? is effexor really not suppose to make you fell all happy all the time? and if it is not suppose to why did it for me! A cousin of mine wants to see his doctor for anti "d"s i think i may be misleading him!

tantrumcat replied: "The Adderall is probably what gave you the manic feeling since it is a stimulant. It's usually given to treat ADHD. (It seems counter-intuitive, but stimulants help to calm hyperactivity and increase concentration in people with ADHD.)"

brokeu91 replied: "It is a common misconception, even among doctors to believe that antidepressants cause a manic switch in individuals with bipolar disorder. There is some evidence that the older antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants can cause such a switch. However, with the newer antidepressants, including Effexor, there have been multiple studies and found that it does NOT happen. Let me write this again, there is no increase compared to placebo for onset of mania, multiple studies confirm this. Anyone who tells you differently, either does not know, or has been misinformed."

stella replied: "Yes I think it can. People with Bi-polar can experience mania when taking anti-depressants. You might like to discuss with a psychiatrist."

teachpeacelove replied: "Any antidepressant can cause mania. Please don't let anyone tell you that you have bipolar disorder on the basis of this one experience alone. You probably experienced a substance-induced mania and we absolutely don't know anything else other then that. It warrants mention that Adderall is a psychostimulant but if you have a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD it should NOT have caused you to feel manic. It would've made more sense for the doc to prescribe one medication and then add in the other. As it is right now, if you are no longer depressed that's what we really care about. Please be careful about playing 'psychiatrist' with your cousin on the basis of your experience. Clinical depression is nothing to treat lightly much less ignore. Your experience is actually quite rare and perhaps your depression was mild enough to not require medication. That would be why the Effexor caused you to feel a bit manic. Anytime an antidepressant is prescribed we need to monitor for this possibility on the one hand as well as making sure the patient's depression is effectively in remission. As the saying goes...the right med, at the right dosage level for the right amount of time........."

Magician replied: "Bi-polar patients often get different meds that treat both the manic (high) and depressive (low) phases. Effexor should allow more serotonin to remain in your brain to assist with a nice pleasant feeling. But there are people on anti-D's who experience increased anger, irritation or anxiety. Drugs and herbals can sometimes have effects peculiar to that person's own body chemistry, lifestyle and personality. Dr Charles L. Whitfield is an expert on healthy alternatives to anti-D's as well as the harmfulness and ineffectiveness of doctors dispensing such drugs. Check out his web site below."

boss replied: "I was prescribed Efexor in my teens as i was extremely depressed and suicidal. It does give you a feeling of euphoria. I'm not sure why. I've heard that antidepressants have something in them that is kind of like "speed", and my experience with Efexor validates that for me. Not sure if it's like for everyone tho. However i also found that while i was taking Efexor, i had no appetite and when i made myself eat i would throw up. NOT an eating disorder, it just made me feel ill. These feelings, as well as being "scattered" led me to the conclusion that something was wrong with these tablets, and after 3 months, against my doctors orders, i made the decision to cease taking them. I lost so much weight from not being able to eat, that i looked ill, and i couldn't sleep because it felt like i was on speed. I couldn't slow down my thoughts, or movements. I had to be on the go all the time or i just crashed. When i did crash it was time to take another one. Once i stopped taking them i was what i would say "cured" and have only suffered mild depression very rarely in the last 10 years. I am a healthy weight now but Efexor is definitely not a tablet i would reccommend for anyone. I was a mess on it, was very ill, and paranoid. Prob worse than i was before it. But if you can outlast the "episodes" you get and keep in control of them, Efexor DOES work. Depression is something that someone will constantly battle thru-out their life and it is difficult but you can get thru it. Good luck to you!"

Andy replied: "Effexor can cause manic episodes because it increases the brain chemical neurepinephrine. Since there's no "counter" drug to keep the level stable it just rises to the point of mania."

Have you had a bad experience because of Prozac or another SSRI? And I mean from your use or from the use of these drugs by a person close to you? (Luvox, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor..) My daughter went on Effexor, and she is unrecognizable. She and I were always close. She has a Ph.D. She was a really hard-working, loving person. She had a sad experience (wedding called off) and was put on Effexor. Now she hates me; she cuts herself; she beat me up. It's insane; it's so different from any which way she was before. She has such a short fuse, and she yells at everyone. Please let me know what you think about my experience and any experiences you may have had--with these drugs. Although I appreciate all and any kindness and helpfulness, I know much about these drugs and about the lack of their being used. Please notice that I am asking for YOUR experiences because of them. Thank you. Have YOU had a bad experience either because of someone else's use or your own????? LET ME BE CLEAR. HAVE YOU, YOU HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF YOUR OR ANOTHER PERSON'S USE? WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE? Thanks....

azawalli replied: "Part of the problem with figuring out the side effects of SSRIs is that depression itself can lead to some very ugly behaviour, including some of the things that you describe. Perhaps seeing a counsellor or therapist might be more helpful than medication."

Jimmy replied: "All of these are psychoactive drugs. Side effects and positive effectiveness varies among people. UPDATE: So it's good that you are well-informed about the effects of these meds. I worked under a psychiatrist for my volunteer service. From my perspective I saw that these drugs either worked amazingly or just exacerbated the mental condition. There was this patient whose symptoms improved like it was miracle. But, then again, there was this 19 yr who was given SSRI med and on day 2 of his administration of SSRI, his symptoms became extremely severe to a degree where he was considered harmful to the public. So basically, it is like trial and error experimentation. Generally, most of the patients do improve and have some minor side effects like nightmares."

Trying to find an antidepressant that works for me?? I have never dealt or even payed attention to all the antidepressants that are out there. However, a month ago when I was diagnosed with severe depression (this wasn't a surprise to me, it was just the first time I told anyone what I was going through). I was prescribed effexor. I was so hopeful. I still am because my dr. told me it may take some playing around with the meds to figure out which would work for me. I gave effexor a chance and finally stopped taking it because the side effects were outweighing my little progress. I was nauseous for at least an hour after taking it. I had dry mouth a little blurriness and some other minor effects. Anyway, I go back for my follow up on Friday and am trying to be completely informed this time. I looked on Wikepedia at ALL the choices and was thinking goodness no wonder it is hard to figure out what works for everyone. So from you guys I am just looking for insight. I want to find something that will take away the pain, physical and mental. Something that will make me want to get up and do stuff/life. Otherwise, I just lay around feeling like a lazy bum and get sunk into my depression even worse. What has worked for you guys? I know many will disagree with my even looking for modern meds to help me, but after over 10 years of just trying to "get over it" I finally have a bit of hope. Please help if you can. Thanks. Thanks Indigo, I appreciate that answer. I am of course looking for a magic pill lol, but I know that is not available. Wish it were, I would pay a fortune. Maybe I didn't give it a chance because I was waiting for an instant result. I def didn't think the side effects were horrible, they were just there. So should I expect them with anything. Would I have some side effects with something that would even work, because I would def take that over this.

yearold replied: "Effexor is good, however takes a little time (2-3 months) for the full effect to come along. Good luck and it may take more than just one medication to help. I do also suggest a good psychiatrist, they do eventually help combined with medication."

petra replied: "The best way to help the doc find the right antidepressant for you is to write down the symptoms of your depression as detailed as possible. Do you have problems sleeping? If so- do you feel tired all the time, do you have problems going to sleep or staying asleep? What about concentration? Isolation? Mood changes? weight gain?- There are so many different antidepressants out there because the brain chemistry of people is slightly different in different people. It often takes several tries to find the right meds for you - and they may not be what helps someone else."

letterstoheather replied: "Hon, you can't just get over depression - it's an illness and many times, we need the help of a medical professional. Your doctor is right -- you have to play around with medications to find something that is right for you. Many times they take 2-6 weeks to start working effectively. We are all such different individuals, that what might work for me, may not do a thing for you. Your side-effects are pretty typical and usually subside after a few weeks. You will get different, or all the same types of side effects, from each med at the onset. Your doctor sounds like he knows what he's doing. It's difficult but try to be patient. And, in the meantime, exercising, walking, hiking is one of the best things you can do for yourself... daily. sending all best wishes."

Tracy replied: "Sometimes medication is good, but for things such as depression, mental anguish...being around positive people, therapy and most of all God. God loves you and doesn't want anyone to experience depression. Life is supposed to be filled with joy, although there are occasional hardships, depression is not a way of life. I've heard that medication just numbs emotion and people develop a greater reliance on it and need it in higher dosages so...I would say prayer and coming to know God's love for you is the medication I would prescribe. God Bless"

denimcap replied: "Have you tried alternative therapies? Most medical doctors do not agree with therapies that have not undergone double blind clinical trials, but there are some alternative, non-psychiatric approaches that work, without manipulating your brain's chemistry (in ways, I'd add, that aren't even fully understood by science). A couple therapies are 'dietary'; herbal (st john's wort, 5-htp and tyrosine, and others); reiki; meditation; homeopathy - which is used extensively, Supported by insurance companies, in the UK, [and] described by Gandhi as a method that "cures a larger percentage of cases than any other method of treatment"; yoga, and probably others. I would recommend either homeopathy or Usui reiki, combined definitely with some kind of nutritional therapy -- we are what we eat, and a poor diet affects the entire person -- and meditation, with Tai-chi, even. A good nutritionist might also recommend things like st john's wort, which is proven to be effective with depression, and 5-htp. I also recommend, if you choose, meditation [but] with an expert. Severe depression and meditation could be a dangerous combination for the inexperienced. Anyway, that's my prognosis. Keep searching, learning, growing, hoping. And never settle for less!"

cityxlightsxfade replied: "there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants out there it makes my head spin. i have gotton good results from cymbalta. it took some messing with the dosage but the side effects were minimal. but everyone is different. if you are taking something, and not getting many or any side effects stick with it! it takes about 3 months for it to start affecting your brain chemicals. if you feel suicidal, of course call the doctor or go to the ER ASAP! try asking he thinks you would benifit from a mood stabalizer. that may help with the laziness. i hope i was helpful. =)"

Lypiphera replied: "look into herbals. i was put on a pill that made me horribly sick, the doc told me to keep taking it, and threatened to have me hospitalized, i gave him some unkind words and walked away. sometimes tea is the way to go, just about anything can be solved with a tea. and maybe see a chiropractor, that always helps me when im feeling down. i used to have a really hard time with depression. then i had babies, and stopped having time to feel bad. try to find something to do. crafts are great because you can sell them in the fall at local craft fairs, and make decent money too. "I want to find something that will take away the pain, physical and mental. Something that will make me want to get up and do stuff/life" depending on where you live, well. email me through answers as i have a bit of more private advice for you. something i use for depression, pain, and nightmare prevention."

Indigo replied: "Effexor is actually the best anti-depressant I have used, the only one that her really worked. I am on a very high dose (350mg) considering I'm fairly petite. You didnt state how long you'd been on it and how much you were taking, as that can make a big difference. It takes at least 3 months to start working properly. I know the side effects can be really annoying, but they usually fade as your body gets used to the drug and yuo adapt to it. Its all about weighing up what is more important to you- feeling better emotionally or feeling better physically, you may need to make some sacrifices. As for finding a medication that will make you want to get up and do stuff, you may never find that. There's no magic pill, we just use meds to take the edge off."

Paul A replied: "I take Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) in the evening. I've been taking that for over a year and a half, and it's working very well for me. The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They work on different areas of the brain, and kind of compliment each other. Best of Luck to you :-) Paul."