Posted by Cindy S. G. on January 5, 2005, at 7:58:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
I have been on Effexor XR for about six months now. I have had my dosage increased to 150mg per day two months ago. I have not had any weight gain at all. It suppresses my appetite and I have actually lost weight. As far as my sex drive is concerned...I have not noticed any diminish in that area either. I am a w/f/age 35. I still have the dry patches on my nose and cheeks and have just recently started having periods twice a month. I have never had this happen before. I have always been like clockwork. It may not be due to the effexor though. My mom started menopause at the early age of 37, so I may be experiencing that. As far as other side effects, I have been very fatigued. I was this way before I even went on the meds and now after a month or two on the meds it came back. On a positive note, the effexor does control my emotions and I have not cried since being on it. I hope you find a solution to your problems though. Take care...Cindy
Original Post:
> Here is my babble regarding Effexor. My family physician started me on Effexor back in 1995. I started out taking 37.5mg per day and am now on
> 75mg XR per day. My doctor prescribed Effexor because of my severe mood swings. I would say that overall Effexor has been positive except for the negative sexual side effects. I can't count the number of times I have attempted to quit effexor but have failed. Each time I have tried to quit the withdrawal symptoms were so bad I just gave up. My doctor even tried a combination of Wellbutrin with the Effexor to ease the withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to increase my current dosage of 75mg per day because of the weight gain side effects I have read about. My doctor thinks I should take 150mg per day. I have friends who have gained as much as 150lbs on effexor but they are at the higher doses of 300-450mg. I know I need to increase my dose but I hate to get more dependent on this drug. I am curious if any other Effexor users have experienced the weight gain with the higher doses. I'm a healthy 39 yo m that exercises regularly. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I understand that Prozac and Benadryl can sometimes help in the withdrawal process. I think the reason I have tried to quit Effexor is because of the negative research I have read but I also have to understand that there are others out there that Effexor has helped.
poster:Cindy S. G.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050103/msgs/438053.html