Effexor and good luck

The only side effects I am having, and I have only been on Effexor XR for about 2 weeks are: bad headache, anxious feeling (but getting better), and I loved my vivid dreams (good or bad) I have had all my life. For the past 2 weeks, IF I DO dream, I don't remember a thing about them. My family is probably happy about that because they get tired of hearing about my silly dreams everyday, but I enjoy retelling them since they have always been so real and deep! But now, nothing! Before Effexor XR, I was on Zoloft for 14 years! It was great, and no side effects, but all at once, after all these years, it was like it just QUIT WORKING. NOTHING. It was like the drug store had begun giving me placebos or something. I so hated to change, but had no choice. Depression, crying spells, and "going off" had come back after 14 years with a vengeance! Wish me good luck because I am going to try and tough this out and give the Effexor more time. Otherwise, doctor is going to put me back on Zoloft and just up the dosage from 1 100 mg tablet to 1 100 mg in the morning and 1/2 tablet in the afternoon. Too bad they don't just make a plain, "ole" happy pill!!!

DON'T TAKE EFFEXOR unless you want be on a med forever. I did not have any problems getting on it but after two years I am wanting to get off of it because I think I am in a much better place. I have been tapering off and I am down to 37.5 and I just cant get off of it. I was all the way up to 150 so you would think all the down to where I am that I could get off this. NOPE!!!! I hate it i hate it I hate it. I don't mind being on it but I just don't think I need it...... but I am thinking my body is telling me differently. This just sucks getting off of it!!!!

i feel no emotions while taking effexor. no anxiety, mind you, (which is what i was using it for---GAD.) so no anxiety is good, but is it good to not feel any sorrow, empathy, joy or happiness??? I feel like i am just going through the motions of life, not really living it. but if i don't take even 1 dose, the anxirty comes back. (but the other emotions come back too) i cry more if i miss a dose, and that used to worry me into thinking i am depressed....BUT it is normal to cry when you feel sorrow or empathy. and maybe the tears have to come flowing out as a form of release, because they were withheld for so long by the effexor. other possible side effects could be: insomnia; headaches, clenching teeth, biting cheek and tongue a lot, constipation and weight gain. (hard to know if these are side effects of effexor, or symptoms of fibromyalgia).

I have been on Effexor for at least 4 years and am now taking 225mg per day. I was not aware that it is addictive until checking on line. My doctor never told me and I wonder if he was aware. What should I expect when I begin to go off Effexor.
It seems that now when I don't have to go to work all I want to do is sleep. Yesterday I got up at 5 PM and had gone to bed at 10 PM. Although usually not for so long, I have been wanting to sleep my weekends away since he uped my dosage but didn't realize what was causing it.

After reading all the posted side effects I am very scared to continue this medication. The doctor diagnosed me with anxiety. I have to work through this and try and not take anymore of this medicine. My husband and I want to have an active sex life. I mean.....who wants to be on medicine that doesn't let you enjoy sex! I also don't understand gaining weight. I haven't experienced any weight gain yet. My head is very dizzy and I also feel like I can't think straight. I work in a school and have to work with children all day. I don't want to take this medicine. What else can I do?