I hate this Effexor XR

[itsme]

I hate this med. I have been on it for almost a year and now suddenly I get dizzy spells (even when I am sitting still) and every now and then it feels like my heart will beat really hard just once or twice, but enough to notice. I have trembling hands every so often. All this started sort of off and on about a month or two ago. I have an appt. with my doc in about a week and a half, I gotta get off this bizarre med. Any one have anything like this happen? Any suggestions on what the heck to do for the next week or so? This is driving me nuts!!

[ShelleyERgirl, LPN]

Hey guys, man was I glad to see this thread! I have been taking Effexor XR for about a year now myself and have really put on the weight on and been very hard to get it off, okay it is definitely not coming off, I'll be honest! I didn't realize that this was a side effect, I just thought I was a big fat eating machine!:) I also didn't realize the extent that my libido would go down, damn! You guys weren't kidding about that one. My boyfriend was not thrilled when I went on the med, but we are not together anymore for kind of that reason. I wasn't really physically attracted to him and now I wonder if it wasn't the Effexor... hmmm. Do you guys have any advice on a med that does the same as Effexor but not the weight gain? Me and my big fat butt would be very appreciative!

[ulianka]

Originally posted by Nursie30

.But I always feel it when I miss a dose. Definately don't stop taking it cold turkey.

One thing about my case. I went off cold turkey as soon as I realized I was pregnant. I guess it might be a good excuse.

[Nursie30]

I have lost wgt with being on Effexor, it has the side effect for loss of appetite, so I don't know about the gaining wgt factor, I've lost about 30lbs and psyche says its the Effexor.

Definately have the libido side effect, he offered to give me Viagra, but I declined, I could take or leave sex, my husband wants me to take it :roll now I don't have to say I have a headache, I can say, Honey you know its my medicine:chuckle

[kids]

Originally posted by Nursie30

I have lost wgt with being on Effexor, it has the side effect for loss of appetite, so I don't know about the gaining wgt factor, I've lost about 30lbs and psyche says its the Effexor.

Definately have the libido side effect, he offered to give me Viagra, but I declined, I could take or leave sex, my husband wants me to take it :roll now I don't have to say I have a headache, I can say, Honey you know its my medicine:chuckle

Oh CRUD!

For 2 years I have been blaming *zero* intrest it on hormones. I never thought to blame the Effexor, with Zoloft it was very clear it was the cause. I am suspecting it is dose related...2 years this December the dose was increased to 225mg. I also lost some weight since being on it which I attribute it to increased mobility (started Effexor and new pain meds at the same time). I have packed on 20 pounds since I stopped working mid-August but have become addicted to peanut M & Ms (only 1400 calories in a 14 oz bag!)