Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
My husband was weaned off Effexor last summer and yes the withdrawal was terrible. He was prescribed Cymbalta and that seemed to work but not nearly as well. He is going through a huge crisis right now and is thinking about going back on Effexor because it was so much more effective than what he is taking now. I thought he needed to go off the Effexor because of the fatigue he was having but I think now that the fatigue is because of the illness he has and not necessarily a result of the Effexor. It is very frustrating to know what to do but if for those who posted who want to wean off of it don't believe your doctor if s/he says there won't be any withdrawal (like my husband's doctor!), I think the Prozac is a good idea or maybe Ativan for anxiety attacks.
One of my long term goals for weight loss and reaching my goal weight is to come off anti depressants. I started on Cipramil, but had to start taking Effexor, but I am terrified because of such accounts of coming off it...then worrying about weight I havent yet lose, going back on, AND bringing more friends with it!
I'm on Effexor and I remember one time when I couldn't get out to refill my prescription. I was off them for 2-3 days and the withdrawal was ****! I hope to lower my dose(or get off them completely) by creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Has anyone had the same problems withdrawing from Pristiq? I was on Effexor for only 1 month when I was put on Pristiq, which is the metabolized form of Effexor. There are supposed to be less side effect, which has been true. But it's just not working for me and my depression and panic is at the worst it's ever been. I go to the psych tomorrow and I'm sure she will put me on a different drug, even though I have pretty much been on every SSRI and SNRI. I sooooo don't feel like dealing with withdrawal symptoms
I have been trying to get off Effexor for three years. I now take 37.5 mg Monday, Wednesday & Friday. I can't get to three days off without having a huge panic attack & other physical symptoms. My doctor says I might have to take it for the rest of my life. That's an awful senerio.
Clearly the company who created this drug did not do long term studies on taking and stopping this drug. My doctor told me that it wasn't until widespread use of the medication did they realize how difficult it is for many people. At that point they changed the literature.
Last edited by Beverlyjoy; 10-25-2010 at 05:07 PM.
Oh my goodness. Coming off of Effexor XR was the worst experience ever! I experienced something called "head shocks" or "brain zaps" when I was coming off of it. UGH it felt like my head was being electrocuted. Not to mention I felt depressed and sluggish. I will pray for you to get passed these symptoms.
Ahh! The same thing happened to me when I forgot to refill and was off a 150 for 3 days. I thought it might have been just me but never thought to describe it like that. Trying to come off it now hopefully it goes better.
There is hope in getting off Effexor XR, my story - back in July 2003 my late husband was diagnoised with stage 4 lung cancer, without Effexor, I don't think I could have been as strong as I needed to be to help get him to the end. I started out on small dose 37.5 I think but by September was up to 150 daily dose. I stayed at that level through his death in December 03 and thru 2004. I spoke with my doctor about stopping and did research on internet and what we did was tapered off by cutting down my daily dosage by 37.5 for a couple of months (for the first few months, we twiked this up by 1/2 of a 37.5 if my anxiety or grief got too bad). At the end I was down to cutting a 37.5 in half which I took for about 3-4 months, then every other day, then every 2 days and so on. My only real bad withdrawal thing was night terrors which I have been prone to all my life. All told, it took me until about the middle of 2006 to be fully Effexor free. I did start retaining water in my legs and feet while taking Effexor, I still take a water pill every day for edema. Sorry this is so long, but I hope this gives some valuable information and help to someone.
Hi
I'm on effexor for 8 years now..and I do have to say it's helped me sooo much now I'm eating good,losing weight and I don't sleep in the day like I did. I also don't smoke don't drink and I'm much better then I was a year ago. I still do have some anxiety like once ever 3 months or longer same with my panic attacks and when I do get them..I say to myself...Ok lets do it and get over with it..and it goes away..so I talked to my doctor today and told her I would like to come down a little since Im on 150 a day..and that I feel sleepy all the time.. but she tells me it's not the pill..so she said no!..she's always telling I'm going to be on it for the rest of my life... Hello Doc!! I'm feeling better ...I don't understand why she wont let me get off..? anyone else has a Doctor who wont let her come off? I mean I'm not asking to stop cold turkey.
I have been on Effexor twice in my life and it was a really good fit for me. Coming off of it the first time wasn't so bad. My doctor weaned me off it slowly, I followed his instructions and didn't have any problems. If I recall correctly, I was weaned off over 2-3 months from 150mg daily dose. I am on it again at a much higher dose and expect that if I ever stop taking again (I have PTSD, so we'll see) it will be another slow weaning process.
Sorry to hear others are having a negative experience with it.
I believe without a shadow of a doubt that Effexor XR saved my life. I don't plan on stopping it anytime soon. I tried other meds but effexor is the only one that has been a perfect match for me. I've lost almost 45 lbs since taking it, that's the most I've ever lost and I'm not done yet. I'm not planning on quitting.
Sertraline is actually a generic for Zoloft, which has a different mechanism of action than effextor. Sometimes, you need to try a few different anti-deppression meds before you find one that works for you.
Yes, I believe than weight gain can be a side effect on Sertraline, but again not everyone has the same side effects. I would talk to your dr. before stopping.
I want off!
and when I do get them..I say to myself...Ok lets do it and get over with it..and it goes away..so I talked to my doctor today and told her I would like to come down a little since Im on 150 a day..and that I feel sleepy all the time.. but she tells me it's not the pill..so she said no!..she's always telling I'm going to be on it for the rest of my life... 
Hello Doc!! I'm feeling better ...I don't understand why she wont let me get off..? anyone else has a Doctor who wont let her come off? I mean I'm not asking to stop cold turkey.
