Effexor and dreams

Dreams so vivid and realistic that at times I have had trouble distinguishing reality from dream state and have had episodes in which I would rapidly transition from the dream state to a paralyzed state of being awake

Since going on Effexor 3 years ago, I have had similar side effects, as well as withdrawal symptoms when trying to go off the drug. My symptoms while on it are: night sweats, being hot all the time (sweaty hands and feet), rashes all over, excema on my scalp and neck, "lightning flash" type feelings in my brain/head, extreme depression, an inability to feel intimacy (although no sex drive problems), extreme weight gain (despite frequent exercise and good diet). During my pre-menstrual period, I am pretty much psychotic, to the point of wanting to hurt myself and others. With the weight gain and depression, I really AM better off not taking the drug. But I find it impossible to take two weeks off work to simply stop taking a drug. It is not possible to stop taking effexor and work or function in ANY CAPACITY. I really feel for the moms out there who have had to do it. One other thing I have been experiencing is severe joint pain. I would like to know if others have experienced this.

I have been taking Effexor for around 2 to 3 years for depression. I am currenty taking two 150 mg at night, though I was told to take one in the morning and one at night... I found it easier to take them both at night. The only side effect I am sure comes from the Effexor is the reduction in my libido (and I am female). Effexor is the only anti-depressant I have been on, and I think I got extremely lucky in that I found the one that works for me on the first try. I also see a psycho-therapist, and between the two, I feel I have managed to get a better hold on my life. I am a thirty-five year old mom (married, and with a seven-year-old daughter) and I have "almost" nothing but praise for Effexor.

HOWEVER, I do know that the withdrawal side effects are terrible... I have missed it for up to three days when I went out of town and forgot my medication. I can usually miss one day and the side effects will most likely just be a bad headache, and maybe a little nautious. But when I missed three doses:

Missing one dose at night: I had a headache the following day.
After missing two doses: The headache became worse, I would occasionally get dizzy spellls, and I started getting very emotional - swaying between sad and cranky.
After missing third dose: The headache became worse still, and was aggravated by light - I wanted to just keep my eyes closed. I felt dizzy and nautious - nautious to the point I couldn't tell if I was going to throw-up (never did).
Oh... and I should add that the dreams while I was off the medication were incredible... like watching movies... so detailed and complex. I usually don't remember my dreams... but these I could recall... not in perfect detail... but they were amazing.

After I got back home and took my dose that night: I missed three days of work while being back on the medication. I was nautious, had a terrible headache, wanted to just stay in bed, I was no longer ultra sensitive emotional-wise - but I was ultra-pissed-off. I became very angry that I was on a medication that was addictive after having been told it was "not addictive". I was angry that I have never had an addiction before, but now suddenly I was addicted to a prescribed drug. I don't smoke, I only drink a couple of alcholic drinks in a month (socially), no canabis (pot... is that an out-dated term? ... everyone here says canabis), or any other illegal or legal addictive drugs... the only other drugs I take are allergy (Clarinex) and birth control (Nuva Ring), neither of which are addictive.

That whole experience was months ago, and now that I have had time to calm down and get a clear perspective on the situation... I wouldn't stop taking Effexor for just being addictive... and YES... it is addictive... I don't give a rat's ass what any "expert" says about it. If you can't stop taking something without your body freaking out... then IT IS ADDICTIVE.

I don't know that I will ever be able to stop the medication. I go back and forth as to how I feel about this. At times it bothers me being so dependant on a medication... but on the other-hand, I'm dependant on the allergy medication, and that doesn't bother me, so why should I let being dependant on an anti-depressant bother me? Who cares what everybody else thinks, right? - - Boy, that's loaded...

Effexor has helped me tremendously. My thoughts about death are very infrequent. I don't feel like crawling into a hole and disappearing all the time. I have found "my voice" with the help of this drug and my therapist to voice my opinions more often to help me from not feeling so trapped and helpless in situations. It does cut down on emotional sensations... I don't feel overwhelming sad at all the terrible things I hear on the news. And I don't cry at sappy commercials and movies any more (Thank you!). For the first time, I feel much more in control of my feelings and my life.

So, I can understand the anger in a lot of these postings, but I would like to add, that I don't think the people who have benefited from Effexor are posting here. They have no reason to be looking for this site. I found this site when I had been angry over finding out it was habit-forming. I believe Effexor has probably helped a lot of people - and it isn't an "evil" drug... it's just a drug. For some, it just isn't the right drug.

I should add, that I'm on here today because I've recently started experiencing night sweats, but I wasn't sure if it was a side effect of Effexor or not. I hope that it is a side effect of Effexor and not a symptom of menopause... cripes... I'm only 35! The first site that popped up after searching under "Nightsweats" was about nightweats being a symptom of perimenopause or menopause... ugh!

But if I have to weigh the benefits I have experienced using Effexor, with the downfalls: addictive, sexual side-effects, and maybe night sweats... I still am of the mind that it is a good drug for me.

I wish all of you luck in finding what helps you most to be happy with your life.

I was on Effexor for several months ago for depression after not responding to other meds very well. When I went on Effexor I was all energy; bouncing-off-the-walls energy! I had to get prescription sleep aids to calm down at night. I also had insane dreams! They were incredibly vivid and bizzare. They were almost every night too which is very strange for me. The dreams are what I remember most about the drug. Although it definately got rid of my depression the withdrawl was just as horrible as everyone said it is. Hope this helps someone.

I quit taking Effexor 5 months ago. I did it cold turkey. That was the only way I could do it. I have to admit I felt great. I had more energy when I quit than I had in years. I no longer woke up feeling hung over. I have to say though it did get me through some pretty tough times. I lost 20 lbs since I quit taking it so for those of you with the weight gain don't worry, the weight will come off. The only thing I still have is the intense dreams and night sweats. Everything else seems to have gone away.

The side effects I have been experiencing during the 5 yrs I have taken this drug are: Exploding in my head huge popping noises, electric like shockes throughout my body esp while trying to sleep. If I happen to skip a dose I know immed. because my eyesight will become all fuzzy, my thinking is fuzzy..and I have the feeling of rusty wheels in my eyes and head. When ever I turn my head from side to side, blink or move my facial muscles I have the feeling of a rusty door being opened along with the noise. Recently I could not converse with my kid (23ysold) because of the bad side effects. Could not concentrate.
Started taking Effexor to help with depression related to constant pain. It did help but the side effects are too much and they have caused me to be in trouble for the first time on the job. I have been employed by the same company for 16 yrs and now I am beginning to get into trouble because 1) can't show up on time I am sooo tired in the am
2) can't get to sleep at night...takes about 45 min to 1:30 min to fall asleep
3) Exema on my legs, arms, hands
4) lack of ability to make good decisions, lack of clear thinking
5) what the hell happened to my eye sight, can't even read a book at night anymore!!!
However I love the dreams!! Like going to a movie every night, some don't make any sense, but others have wonderful people with great experiences in them. Maybe I should sleep all the time and live in dream land.!!??

Don't start with this med if at all possible. The thing is they (pharmacist, dr. etc) never told me of the side effects that I have been experiencing except for the dreams. There has got to be a class action law suit against the makes of Effexor but I can't find it on the WEB. If anyone knows of a class action law suit I can join, or wants to start one please e mail me at ****** thanks