Hi. After 7 years on Effexor, it stopped working for me. There was no way I could get out of the deep pit of depression I was on. My psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin which has also affected how the Effexor works. I'm on both now. Maybe try adding something else.

I feel like I've been on so many different medications over the past 7 years, but seem to have stabilized somewhat with this current combination. Earlier in the year, I'd been on 300mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin for several months but was still crying most days and not sleeping very well. At that point Effexor was still under patent and my insurance excludes psychotropics so it was costing me about $200/month, which I would have been happy to pay if it helped, of course. As it wasn't, I started to wean myself off the Effexor. Went to a clinic to look at my sleeping patterns, and the psychiatrist there, before the sleep test agreed with weaning off Effexor and increased Wellbutrin to 300mg, and after the test added 30mg Remeron. On that combination, I fell asleep when I went to bed, but the anxiety and irritability were there constantly. I'd forgotten that I still had a substantial amount of Effexor 150mg -- in a multi-vitamin container, of all places! -- and unwittingly took a couple one morning, thinking that they were, surprise, surprise, multi-vitamins. As I sat down to work after breakfast, I thought at first that I was having a niacin rush -- some multi-vitamins will do this to me, particularly when combined with certain breakfast cereals -- which, if others haven't experienced this, is a sort of whole body flush and tingling. But there wasn't the redness that I'd usually get with a niacin rush. Then I noticed the dry mouth and I clued in to what I'd done. So, besides the wooziness and disorientation that came from going from 0 to 300 on Effexor, I had a good refresher on the side effects it gives me: some nausea and headaches (went away after a couple of weeks), loss of appetite, blurry vision, night sweats -- the last three are persistent. As to the near/slight aphasia, KrissyRN, I was attributing that to other things, namely 40's moments, poor concentration, attention span of a gnat. I don't think that it improved at all in the 6 months that I was off the Effexor, so I don't think that I can blame it on the pills, unfortunately. On the upside, once the wooziness wore off, it felt like I'd taken a happy pill. So I checked with my psychiatrist and he gave me the ok to go back on the Effexor at 150mg (it's off patent now, yay!) and continue on the 300mg Wellbutrin and 30mg Remeron. The Remeron and Effexor seem to cancel each other out in terms of affecting my appetite, and the night sweats and blurry vision are back, but my mood is considerably elevated, the irritability is down, and there are times when I actually feel joyous. I can't comment on the fatigue, as not feeling exhausted is but a very distant memory... As per another thread, though, perhaps eliminating wine from my diet will also improve my sleep quality, along with all the other impacts/benefits discussed.:)

Hi; I'm taking effexor 300mg. I found some s/e's went away and some didn't. If you want more info on the drug go to mayoclinic.com or webmd.com. both are good. My psydoc. put me on remeron august 06, to help me get some sleep. after a year the remeron stopped working and the depression returned as bad as ever. Makes me think effexor is not working for me or i have drug resistant depression. Any ideas on that? Wow time to get some ZZZZZZZ. Take care Hon...rcguy

I've been on Effexor since I was about 12 years old. The side effects were really wonky at first. Sweating profusely, headaches, weird dreams, dizziness, and gaining a lot of weight. Now, just six years later, the s/e have changed so much. I'm losing appetite and weight, my dreams are more vivid, I don't sweat quite as much, and have headaches more than dizziness. Once you realize that what you're experiencing is a side effect, it's easy to actually prevent and control them. A little deoderant in your purse, making sure you don't stand up too quickly, not eating ice cream before bed (REALLY weird dreams then). You can adjust. It's completely worth it. Make sure you make yourself aware of the withdrawal symptoms. Doctors seem to forget to mention that it's an INCREDIBLY hard drug to wean off of. Keep it up! It'll get better!

ButterandEggs I am on Efexor since nearly a year now. I have worked my way up to 300mg and finally feel like I am getting a grip. I think, as is often said here, the side effects vary tremendously person-to-person. Mine are: Sweating profusely Tiredness Weight gain (get so hungry all the time) I tried other meds before but they didnt work as well as Effexor and, although the side effects are annoying, i put up with them to feel somewhat normal again. My thoughts are with you and I hope things get better for you

ButterandEggs, Take note off all of the side effects you are experiencing and make an appointment with your doctor to talk about them, he will be able to help you find the right dosage for you. Brenna, Bilingual Support Specialist

hi all. I have been on the stuff since my nov 2005 meltdown! I started a few weeks at 37.5 then 75 and since mar 2006 at 150. I was so miserable at the time I don't recall the side-effects. I finally blew off the haze in that late March and since have been functional. I am overweight and LOVE my food so the slowed metabolism has helped me to balloon to a solid 216lbs (118 kgs). I eat emotionally not physcically (hunger) so I couldn't really say of I had a loss or gain of appetite... the digestion is really hormonal as well constipated till I am close to menstration and all goes liquid ... sorry I hope you are not at lunch. Sleep was a problem before the medication and now I have a "homeopatic" dose of seroquil to force my head to get some sleep at a reasonable hour and to keep the subconscious in its proper place during the night. You know the meds keep the edge of the pain off so I can think straight and learn to take myself in hand. When I slowly have to let go of the "training wheels" I will have a whole toolbox of stuff to keep m thoughts on the straight line. I will have a better understanding of why I fall so I can catch myself at the edge. I have been working with my doctor and psychologist to get at the roots in my head. They have been there with various challenges and with the support I have needed along the way. I have even needed the pharmacist a couple of times!!! They are not just pill dispensers! Talk to the druggist/pharmacist to see what are the usual timeframes for the medications in your particular situation. The doctor can see with you if the good and the bad effects are balanced or if something else is available... and let us know!

Effexor - what a double edged sword. The severe, debilitating depression dropped away in a day, but the side-effects are bizarre! My particulars are severe constipation, dizziness, hyper dreams, a sort of turbulence in my right ear that starts at night, some muscle twitches, (again at night), dry mouth, fartiness, and sweating storms that feel like imagine post-menopausal hotflashes to feel like. Would I consider stopping the drug? No. I'm awake, I'm taking showers, I'm rejoining the community of happy people, and it feels great. I worry that the side effects may never go away, but I'll give it a few months. Butterandeggs.

KrissyRN, Please keep in mind the advice you receive here regarding Effexor is not substitute for the opinion of your doctor. If symptoms persist or worsen please consult him/her. They are the best authority to advise you on this matter. Danielle ___________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team

Hi KrissyRN and welcome to the Support Group, hope you find it useful. Just a quick note on Effexor (called Efexor in my country). I too am on this med at 150 mg (in modified release form) and have been so for only a few days. I suspect it's a bit different for me because I hsd previously been on Efexor for a couple of years, came off it for about 3 months, and went back on it about 3 weeks ago at 75 mg M/R, and now on 150 mg M/R as mentioned. I think the side effect that you mentioned are amongst the listed side effects of Efexor. Most of the side effects that you mention I have not in fact had, but looking over the whole of the time I have been on Efexor, before and now, I would say that the main side effects for me have been fatigue, normally starting in the afternoon, initial insomnia and nausea, both of which wore off in no more than 2 - 3 weeks. I also found that my appetite was reduced which was very useful as I am overweight. The main side effects I have had this time round are fatigue and reduced appetite. The fatigue is not a major problem, and as mentioned the reduced appetite is helpful. As you've said, everyone's different, but there's a good chance that many of these side effects will disappear completely over time, and that any that remain will become more manageable. You haven't been on the med very long, or at the 150 mg for very long either, so I suspect that it make take several more weeks before things begin to settle down. It is good that you're trying to keep at this dose, for a time at least, because as you've found, upping the dose "destablises" things for a bit until your body gets used to it. Hope the above is of some use, and that ultimately Efexor is a very real help for your depression. I have certainly found that of all the antidepressants I have been on (at least 5), Efexor has been the most helpful. Please post back and let us all know how you are getting on with the Efexor and generally. Best wishes MRB :)