Since going on Effexor 3 years ago, I have had similar side effec...

I have been on Effexor up to 150mg a day, down to 37.5 over a 4 year period. I'm writing to share with you my experiences with Effexor. I have been off now for several days. Regarding the joint pain, over the past 4 years my pain and stiffness has steadily increased to the point where walking, typing, just about anything requiring joint movement is extremely difficult. I thought I had some horrible dehabiliting disease. I've gone to a rheumatoid dr and been tested. Other than some mild osteoarthritis he found nothing. My hands, feet, ankles, knees, everywhere, stiff and painful. I'm sure there is a link between the Effexor and this. It's even difficult to sleep because I'm partially awake all night, constantly flexing my muscles because they are stiff and hurting. I am determined to stay off this and see what happens. I just can't go on with the pain and immobility. As far as it's helping with depression and anxiety, it did do that because I basically feel nothing mentally when on it. I think a house could fall out of the sky and I'd just probably remark, "oh a house just fell from the sky". When I started taking it, yeah I got calm, I also think the "me" died with it. Somehow I've got to stay off and try to keep sane at the same time. Maybe, I'll at least get rid of this horrible pain and stiffness. Just wanted to share with you about the joint pain. And I'll try to post again later to say how it's coming along.
God bless
Yvonne

Ah, yes. I just recently tapered off the Effexor and find I have terrible joint pain- especially in my hips, jaw, and shoulders. The pain can be described as a burning ache. It hurts to stand, to sit, to lay down, etc. Stretching and massage don't seem to help. This has to be a withdrawal symptom as I don't have arthritis.

I have been on Effexor for almost a year now; have been on the 150 dose for about 4 months. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with the 'abnormal' side effects that they seem to fail to mention on the list of possibilities. I started Zoloft in 2006 and LOST weight from that because it made me so sick the first week; eventually it stopped working. The Effexor made me jittery in the beginning, and THEN came the bad stuff: I've had HORRIBLE night sweats ( I sometimes have to put a towel in the bed and sleep with the window open even when it's snowing), I've gained at least 50 pounds, can't seem to get enough sleep (and I sleep at least 8-10 hours at night), my dreams are vivid and bizarre, but on the bright side, my anxiety attacks have stopped. I did, however, switch jobs so I don't know if it was the drugs or getting away from that awful place. I can tell when it's time for me to take a dose because my eyes feel pressured and I get sluggish. I'm fearful to see what it's going to be like getting off of this stuff, but I want to start a family in the next year or 2 and refuse to be on this stuff.