Effexor and lithium

Ive had really good results with this drug. Ive been happy alert cheerful etc.. like a "normal" person. I was taking it for about a year when Lithium was added to my cocktail and some very bad sexual side effects occurred. Thankfully a touch of real (im not going that here) Wellbutrin eliminated that but right now im off and in the wonderful land of generic budeprion. Im switching back to Effexor ASAP!!!

I felt immediate relief of depression and anxiety. I have lost weight 10 lbs in 2 weeks with a loss of appetite and sleep is fine. I am on zanax, lithium, abilify, provigal and effxor 225 mg's daily. I am a recovering alcoholic, bipolar/manic depressant. I am for the medication. Good luck to all in our same boat!

Having been on Venlafaxine for 2 years and feeling well, I am trying to "get off" them, have reduced from 37.5mg twice a day to a quarter of a tablet ever second day over 3 months and I thought it would be fine to stop now, one week on, I feel terrible, started with a terrible pain in the left side of my head and very bad pain in left side of neck, couldn't stand bright lights, during the week I have had weak arms, sore throat, pain in chest like being kicked, dreadfull dizziness, can't think properly, feel close to tears for no reason, head feels like i'm inside a box, sort of muffled. Dry mouth, waking very early in the mornings- about 5am. bad diaroea for two days, feel like I have jet lagg, now today on day 8, feel low mood and am terrified of depression coming back, think I will take a quarter of a tablet tonight as have a holiday coming up and job interviews, can't deal with this now, so may have to go back on them for while ? I was fine taking them, and felt completly well again although I have put on about 40lbs, am also on Lithium so could be that ? anyone out there having same problems with this drug, all advice appreciated.

Wow, there's alot of comments about this drug on both sides of the plate. I've been off and on Effexor four about 5 years now. I never had any bad side effects coming off Effexor. I take a whopping 300mg a day, and it keeps me out of trouble. I am also bipolar and take lithium which is a mood stabiliser. Effexor is NOT a mood stabiliser, anyone who tells you so, is wrong. It is an anti-depressant and only an anti-depressant. With any antidepressant there is the chance of weight gain, but I personally have lost weight on the drug, and perhaps like all drugs of this category, one should have their thyroid checked, to make sure that their weight gain is not due to hypothyroidism. Sexual side effects, like any anti-depressant, are always mentioned as a possible side effect, though I haven't experienced any change...maybe these affects are caused by depression and not always necessarily by the drug. All drugs work differently because we alll have our own specialized brain chemistry. Finding the right drug for you is important. YOu cannot make this decision until you've taken the full course of the drug which is 6-8 weeks for full effect. The first few weeks are usually when you're are going to feel any strange effects as your body gets used to this new element in your system. Good Luck to all.

I have been taking Effexor for a few months now. I have BiPolar disorder...I also take Lithium, Neurontin and Ativan (as needed). I feel "funny" too! My sleep is totally off and I honestly don't think it's doing much (good) for me.