Turky symptoms and conditions

I just HAVE to add my story here!! I was on Lexapro 20mg for 2yrs. All was pretty well. It somewhat controlled my anxiety & panic attacks (I have GAD) and it helped stabilize my moods (I am Bipolar), BUT I DIDN'T like that it made it to where I couldn't cry when I wanted to but yet cried at inappropriate times! I basically came to a stand-still with the lexapro and it KILLED my sex drive, so bad that my relationship was at risk (well, thats what I think, cuz no man is happy with NO sex!!) So, I SLOWLY came off them over a month, and even though it was very slowly, the WITHDRAWAL from this drug is just a horrible experience that I hope none of you that are taking now, will ever have to go through what I did!! I seriously thought at one point I was going to die!! I was severely sick for one week-- nausea, vomiting, the runs, hot flashes, cold flashes, the shakes, internal tremors, severe migraines, dizziness when I sat up or stood up, and I got bad electrical zap feelings in my hands & brain (which, even one month & 3 weeks later, I am still having!!) But to you all still on them, I also had weight gain on them, head rushes, dizziness, headaches, internal tremors, and I didn't like that it made me generally dumb!!! Since coming off, I still have the "duhhh" moments, getting less & less, thank goodness, now if only these darn "Zaps" would go away. But yeah, the side effects of this & the withdrawals are HORRIBLE!!! I will never take this again!! So much for newer drugs eh!!

I have to say, I stepped up from 37.5mg to 75mg of Effexor XR after a week and was on the higher dose for almost a year and had amazing results. I have always suffered from depression and after losing a pregnancy in the second trimester my doctor put me on effexor xr immediately. It was like seeing above the clouds for the first time. I felt like myself only clear, focused and able. I had no side effects and after about a year felt it was time to start getting off as I kept missing does and not noticing any difference when I was off. I cut out cold turky without stepping down and I have to say I THANK GOD there is this drug that works for me out there. If I ever went way down again or anything ever happened, I know that I have a safety net. I know that some people have severe reactions to this drug and others, but not all do. Some people get real help from Effexor XR. Just wanted to pass my experience along.

This drug should have been researched more before dr. prescribed it. Paxil has ruined my life. I have been on paxil for two years now not only do i have strange dreams i still have panic atttacks, weight gain no trouble with sex and three attempted suicides. I have tried to stop cold turky and the dizzyness, sleepiness and out-of body feeling was too hard to bere. So I am still on it and am searching for relife. I despriatly want my life back that this drug stole from me.