I was already feeling just awful– and now I have the Effexor NIGHTMARE to look forward too! – Naturopathic Medicine Network

Posted by Trish on 08/28/04 at 02:18 AM

I’m up at almost 5am– what started as a search on depression and weight gain (after my loving husband admitted he’s not as attracted to me as he used to be, since my weight gain– which has been especially around my abdomen as many have mentioned) led me to all the postings about Effexor. I have to say I was TOTALLY shocked!!!!! I have been on and off several anti-depressants in the past, but when my husband, who is an Air Force Reservist, was activated and sent overseas (to Iraq the first time, Afghanistan the second time– third and subsequent times are still up in the air!!). I pretty much fell apart, and my doctor put me on Effexor– I tapered up, and have been on 150mg for over seven months now. I never have felt ‘great’ on the drug, most days I just seemed to get by– and at one point right after I started taking the Effexor, my doctor added an anti-psychotic (low dose) to the regimen, while my Effexor level built-up he told me– that really did make a difference, but I was noticing my weight creeping up (10lb gain in about a month)– of course I also attributed that to my husband being gone and the lax eating and exercise habits I had developed, and the fact that I’m now well into my 30’s (I’ll be 35 next April). I went back to the doctor for a check and he said to stop the other drug since I was feeling better, and attributed the other drug to my weight gain. Well, needless to say 40+ pounds later (I just got on the scale to my horror– which I’ve been purposely avoiding)– and with no real ‘drive’ to do anything about it, still not feeling great, having little to no energy, clenching my jaw/grinding my teeth, etc., I see all these scary postings!!!! Of course my first instinct is to quit cold turkey, but I know first hand what a BAD idea that is– my husband and I went on a trip to Mexico on his first time back from overseas and with our schedules being all off, etc., I forgot to take my Effexor for two maybe three days. The dizziness, fuzziness, nausea was just awful– I thought I had come down with Montazuma’s Revenge– to my surprise, as soon as I remembered my Effexor, the symptoms went away. Since then, I’ve been nervous to even miss a day, and after all the experiences I read about, now I’m scared shitless to even start tapering off– and I’m worried my doctor will not take me/this seriously as well!!!! I’m wondering if anybody who’s still checking the site has had a successful ‘withdrawal’, any new tips, ideas, etc. on making it easier and/or how to make your doctor listen, and if anyone’s had luck losing the weight once they stopped the Effexor– I would greatly appreciate it!