Effexor and desire

I have been on Effexor for about 5 years. I had to stop using it suddenly when I became pregnant and the withdrawal was HORRIBLE (the inside of my eyelids felt like sandpaper and I actually heard my eyeballs scratching against it). Immediately after I stopped breastfeeding my son, I started it again. Within a few weeks, I felt so much better, my house was cleaned regularly, I stopped biting my nails, I lost and kept the pregnancy weight off and my libido did not suffer one iota. Unfortunately, my medical coverage lapsed and I cannot afford to refill the prescription. The sandpaper eyelids came back, my nails are bitten down to the quick, and I have no desire to take care of anything. The pharmacies are giving out free antibiotics ... but people who cant afford much needed medication have to suffer. I would rather have the flu than deal with not having Effexor.

Redd,

I'm 27 with a full time job & I've been on the 75mg of Effexor for about 4 months now and I really like it. If it takes a pill to level me out, that's fine...I'm not going to read too much into it. I previously took paxil and it did nothing for me, so I'm just glad that I finally found something that I like :)

Anyway, I do drink wine (on the weekends), and smoke cannabis. I don't really notice any difference now, than when I wasn't taking the effexor and I would drink or smoke. I do have a hard time getting to sleep on the effexor which is why i usually smoke before bed.

I'm no doctor, but if you are taking 150mg daily and you are not getting the effects that you desire, then ask your Dr to try giving you something else. There's no sense in trying to force this medication to work. All meds have different effects on everyone. I'm sure there's somthing that will work well for you. Don't worry about the fact that you take a pill to help you out. I consider myself to have a normal life, I just happen to take a pill to help me out. :) Hang in there!!!

My husband and I call this Effexor the NO SEXER. Because all desire and sensation was gone! Getting off the drug was no picnic either, I was soooooo out of my mind, cried for days like someone else had the remote control.

Ive been on Effexor XR for 2 years... SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS!!! Ive heard how some men have sexual side effects... But I'm a woman. I dont think Ive ever heard about a woman having sexual side effects. However, I cant get off! Its like I have no sensation in the clitoris, or even the vagina! This is really frustrating! I have no desire whatsoever for sexual pleasure! I'm only 19... Can anyone help me?!!!
Thanks. Sophie

Well, I have been on Effexor 75mg for about six months. I certainly haven't lost my sense of humor, but the weight gain I have experienced is no laughing matter (25 lbs). I do know that my appetite has strongly increased -- eating all the time, and I started smoking cigarettes again; I think this drug makes me too relaxed and I feel indifferent to many things... Maybe wanting to eat & smoke is a desire to get "highs", as this drug makes me feel too lifeless. I have decided to wean myself from this drug on my own (starting tomorrow), because I want my appetite to go away, and I miss the higher sex drive I once had. Also this drug has given me a feeling that I am "not myself"... like "personality disintegration"... Who am I?

Anyway, I shall let you know how I make out during my withdrawls... Oh, incidentally, I also have experienced "shock-like" twitches in my head (times when I miss just one dose)... Wish me luck!!