Effexor XR and medications

The Dr. gave me Effexor xr 75mg for my depression and 0.5 mg every 6 hrs of Xanax. Since then he lowered my Effexor xr to 35mg. During that period I gained 20 lbs and now I have excessive sweating constantly at least 5 times a day just as if I was coming out a flu like symptom.

My depression is still there buy not as bad but I started to get worried about what was causing the excessive sweating until I saw this site. I will set and appointment with the doctor tomorrow and see what the next plan of attack will be.

I know I was really bad with panic attacks and depression but know I could like to not take any more medications at all. With the help of God and I will recover from my depression and panic attacks. I had depression, panic attacks rasing heart beats, could not focus, memory loss, constant crying, fear. I when to the ER twice tacking I had a heart attack. All heart exams normal.

Now I have to deal with getting off the pills and live a normal life. How can I do this?

I am going on day 4 of stopping my Effexor cold turkey. I was on 300 mg and taking 20 mg of Pexeva. I am stopping cold turkey after being on this medication for three years. The withdrawals are terrible, I don't know why any doctor in their right mind would ever prescribe this medication for anyone. I have those wonderful brain zaps every ten seconds, the only thing that momentarily makes me sane is food, as if the 30 pounds this medication has gained me aren't enough, stopping it is going to pack on another 30. I am a bundle of anger and rage directed at anyone within distance. I am at the toilet every night waiting and praying that I can just throw up. When I finally can fall asleep I am jolted awake in a puddle of sweat having just had yet another nightmare. And when I say nightmare, I mean the kind that have me screaming out loud in terror waking my husband. Minor daily tasks are ignored due to the fact that putting one foot in front of the other is too much to handle. I can't stand this feeling and only pray for the day that it will stop.

Started on Effexor XR after trying several other antidepressants. Effexor worked the best for me, and I loved it. But the longer I was on it, the worse things became. I started on 37.5 mg, then up to 75mg. Then to 150mg and then 325. By that time, I was completely numb. No emotions. I did not cry for over 3 years. I ended up with severe headaches, heart issues and more. Do NOT stop taking this med cold turkey. It made me sick and nauseas, so I went back on it, gradually lowering the dose until I was off. But even weaning off of it took me a good 4 months before I felt somewhat normal again.
My twin sister took it for 4 days and stopped immediately due to it causing severe heart issues that led to an ER visit and now-daily Atenolol, a heart medication.
A friend took Effexor XR this summer, and after a couple of weeks, pretty much went crazy on it and ended up in the psych ward on a 72-hour hold because she was a safety threat to herself.

There are other medications out there without such drastic side-effects and withdrawal effects. Pay attention to any changes and mention them to your doctor right away. I loved this med cause it worked the best for me, but hated the side-effects enough, that I couldn't stay on it.

I have been taking Effexor XR for a year now. When I first started I was taking a 150MG now I am down to 75mg a day. I have experienced a lot of abnormal dreams and usually I am interacting in my dreams. I also have experienced different parts of my body jumping. I am coming off of this medications and work on my anxiety on my own. It is always best to do everything natural because no one knows what medication actually does to your body but I can tell you I have had some strange feelings.