Effexor-depression????

Question

I have been taking anti-depressants for 4 years now.(how time flies!)It started off because I was getting bad P.M.T. and I was on a low dose of 75mg a day.(Effexor)For the last year I have had that upped to 150mg per day and while I feel that it has helped me I still get really bad days where I am unbearable to live with,I hate myself and feel that I have no friends.My doctor has said that I am suffering from depression,stress and anxiety which I believe to be true.I just wondered if things will ever be better or if I will be taking these pills for the rest of my life even though they aren't 100% helping me with the dark days?I am asking as I am due to go back to my G.P. next week for a review.Thanks.

Answer 1

Uckkkk. I took effexor off and on for several years, but ultimately decided that the negative effects outweighed the positive. If I was even a few hours late taking my pill, I'd get weird feelings in my head and chest, as well as spasms in my arms sometimes, and a general feeling of anxiety. Plus, like you, I didn't feel like it was as effective as it could be.

So I got a psychiatrist (as opposed to a GP), explained my concerns, and now I am happily taking Lexapro with none of the nasty problems I had with Effexor. The thing to remember with these drugs though, is that they affect everyone differently, and different things work better for different people. I've taken literally almost every major anti-depressant on the market and it took quite awhile to find something that worked well for me.

Answer 2

Boy, you have your hands full with a "Clinical Lunatic" if you ask me. There is no medical side effects with Effexor. The only side effect there is, is when a person stops taking it and after a few days fall into a deep depression and will cry for no reason. I have been on Effexor, same mg for two years, I have four kids, a great husband and I can remember everything anyone every tells me. You better tell this dude to get his head out of his *** and wise up or he won't see his precious no more! Head games is what he's doing. Stupidity is what he has! Pure Dumb ***!!! Why even bother talking to him!

Answer 3

although G.P's are very helpful if you are still suffering with everything you should see a specialist like a Psychiatry or if this is still to do with your P.M.T see a gynecologist. I do know what you mean as I suffer with P.M.T and am so over the top at these times. If you get a lot of pain at these times there is meds that they can give you for that as well. best thing would to see a specialist. Your not alone and many of us go through it every month. For me I have a cycle of every 21 days and not 28 like most and this causes a lot of problems for me. take care good luck

Answer 4

I used to take Effexor too and found that it was not he right one for me. I was terrified to walk out my front door even though I wasn't beforehand. (I was on them for Post Natal Depression)
I had to try about 10 different tablets before I found the right one for me. I ended up with 10 mg Valium twice a day.

Even though you have upped the dosage, your body may be immune to that dosage or it may just be immune to the drug itself. Have you discussed the possibility of switching medications with your Dr? This may be something that you could try. I don't know if you have tried any others but I have found from time to time that Prothiaden helps, not only with depression, but with sleeping difficulties and pain management as well.

I am not a Dr nor do I claim to be one. Any information you gain on this sight should NOT be used for self-diagnosis. Read through the comments and write some questions down for your Dr. Only s/he can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe accordingly.

Good luck with your appointment and you feel a bit better soon. I know how you feel (to some extent)
Hope you have a great day/night!

Answer 5

I tried to kill myself because i felt the same way as you I was put an Effexor but I went off it because I wanted to learn to cope with problems on my own...I didn't want to depend on pills for my well being or happiness and I'm doing even better now than I was on the pills...so It may be time for you to go off and see what it's like I too was put on them on a very young age 12...good luck and best wishes

Answer 6

i was on effexor for a while... and it really helped me out for a while.... but then... like many of the meds i have been on... i needed a change.

think its important to remember... that even when you are on a good med that does work for you... you will still have rough days.... people that dont per say... have depression... they still have rough days.... so it is normal to have rough days sometimes.

but if you think they are out of control... and you have more bad days than good days... it might be an idea to go back to yer doc and maybe be re-assessed and put on a new med.

all the best!

Answer 7

I used to take Effexor but have had it switched.
Rather than see a GP who really does not know antidepressants all that well, see a specialist in Psychiatry.
All the best to you!!!!!

Answer 8

i think that being on effexor is probably somewhat helping you in those dark times where you feel really down but its hard to notice that until you stop the meds. on the other hand there are some supplements that do provide quick rapid releef of these symptoms. and you can take this supplement when you feel really down... but please before you take it talk to your dr. about it.... its called Phenibut.....Phenibut originally known as phenigamma) is a derivative of the neurotransmitter GABA that crosses the blood-brain barrier. it has both nootropic and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties, and it is commonly compared to diazepam (Valium), baclofen, and piracetam, and it has similarities to and differences from all of these substances. this can be purchased over the counter. talk with your doctor about it.....

Answer 9

Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety / Panic Attacks / Stress / Depression(Bereavment) / Mood Swings :-

ANXIETY / PANIC ATTACKS & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death, Panic Attacks, Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X, 4 hourly.

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones and/or Mood Swings. Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.


Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

For more on Homeopathy and How to treat your depression please read this :- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aqthp4Q2t0Pd4PSQZrDIMWvty6IX?qid=20070810012854AA2Q9ao&show=7#profile-info-MQKqucjdaa

Take Care and God Bless You !

Answer 10

I too took effexor for about two years and it lost its effect on me. I felt exactly as you say. Your gp should refer you both to a pyschologist to talk about what is bothering you and how you can make it better ( that is caled cognitive therapy) and ALSO to a pyscharitist, who can prescribe a diffrent medication for you. BUT PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE OR STOP YOUR MEDICINE UNTIL YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!