That's it! I'm Stopping Effexor...

lexislove
lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Ok ladies, I have been on Effexor XR 75mg since January 2009. I started taking it to help me with my anxiety not hotflashes. Back in October 2008 right before my Vegas Vagation, I lost 27 lbs. * FABULOUS!* I was feeling great and ready to drop another 20-25 lbs.

Then around Xmas time I was having major anxiety issues. I just had finished my Herceptin and I wasn't in a good place. Saw my GP and she suggested the Effexor. I had to do something. The Effexor has worked wonders but my weight has crept back up. I hate it. I have tried to loose the weight and it is not coming off easy. I do the very low carb thing, portion control, walks nothing. It has stayed the same. It is very deprssing and at my last onc visit on Monday, my onc said that weight gain can be a se.

Well......I have decided to go off it. Mentally I think I'm doing fine and I will be ok. My 2 year cancerversary is coming up and I'm living my life. I want this extra weight off come fall once and for all. Since I am only taking 75 mg I hope my withdrawl symptoms won't be bad.

My question to any of you, have you stopped Effexor cold turkey? Did you gain weight while taking it and did it come off afterwards? Mentally were you ok, or were you right back whereyou started?

Thank you so much, I would go to my GP but she is out of the country for the summer, and it will take forever to see my onc.

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Comments

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited July 2009

    I don't know anything about Effexor except that Docs seem to 'push' it for hot flashes.  I balked and didn't take it.  I'm not sure how one should go off of it but I think your pharmacist could tell you if you don't have access to a Dr. 

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    I put 2 and 2 together. My onc says that weight loss is the more common se, but weight gain for some individuals. Why couldn't I be the other way around?!

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  • cleomoon
    cleomoon Member Posts: 443
    edited July 2009

    Hi lexislove,

    Withdrawal is very individual. Some may experience mild symptoms, while others experience debilitating symptoms. Also how long the symptoms last depends on the individual.

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  • Kayree
    Kayree Member Posts: 466
    edited July 2009

    Hi Lexislove,

    I had a similar experience with Effexor.  I started taking it for Hot Flashes also.  I gained a lot of weight too and believe it is totally contributable to the Effexor.  PLEASE Do Not STOP taking it Cold Turkey!   I did that.  It was ABSOLUTELY the worst experience ever!!  Withdrawals were almost unbearable: severe headache, nausea, dizziness, tremors, to name a few side effects of stopping cold turkey.  I was an emotional basket case coming off of this med.  Cried at the drop of a hat.  Never had that problem before.  If  you want to stop taking it, you MUST talk to your DOCTOR FIRST.    He or She can tell you how to taper off of the meds.  Don't quit cold turkey.  I am truly glad I quit taking it, but OMG, the withdrawals were horrible.  I had also started a thread re: Effexor.  Look at the posts on this same forum.  I think you will find some good info from the other ladies here. 

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited July 2009

    Hi Lexislove,

    I agree with everyone else...DON"T STOP COLD TURKEY! I have been on Effexor since March 2008..with an increased dosage to 150 mg, after my hysterectomy. I accidentally missed 2 days dosage...and it was horrible!! I have not missed a dose since! It is something you have to gradually go off, with a doctor's help.

    I did not gain weight with effexor, for me it was the surgery and the AI's that I was on, that put on a few lbs, and made it impossible to lose. I went off the AI for a month, and was able to lose some lbs.

    All the best to you!

    Lisa

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    Thanks ladies.

    I have noticed today I am really..really moody. Angry and frustrated. Thursday was the last time I took the Effexor, but I'm going to take one now. My GP is out of the country for 5 more weeks, but I asked my pharmacist and they told me to start tappering by taking 1 pill every 2 days for 7-10 days. So thats the plan....*sigh*

    Bad thing...I have a horrible craving for a burger! I don't know why I gave up read meat a year ago. I'm on my laptop and my daughter is watching a cartoon movie and all I see is bacon double burger, double pepperoni pizza ...ugh.

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  • bettysgirl
    bettysgirl Member Posts: 938
    edited July 2009

    that' why i have no intention of letting my onco put me on it no matter how down i get. My sister took it for depression and gained almost 100 pds. A friend of mine here in town did the same thing. Not quite 100 but at least 50. If you have poor metabolim (like me) AND are an emotional eater (like me) the weight WILL find you. I can ill afford 10 pds much less more than that.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    bettysgirl...thank you for your post.

    My metabolism is very poor, always has been.I have fought with keeping my weight down since pre adolescence. I am also an emotional eater. My weight came on since January..thats when I started the Effexor.

    It's a horrible cycle..i take Effexor to help with anxiety/depression and gain weight. I'm depressed because I gained the weight so I take more.I have to break this cycle. I took 1 pill about 45 min ago, and won't take the the next one till Wednesday. I hope I can get a grip on all this once and for all

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited July 2009

    Ladies, I've had no trouble with effexor, but I think it's the hormone therapy that's mor likely to cause us to gain and retain weight.  Actually, since I got the dose of my effexor levelled out, I've managed to lose ten pounds.  My3girls is right, tho' -----  DO NOT STOP ANY ANTI-DEPRESSANT COLD TURKEY!!  Very unwise medically, it'll drop you right on your butt.  Taper or maybe do a different hormone therapy if you're on one.

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  • analu
    analu Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2009

    I stopped Effexor, but do not stop suddenly pls... you must take less all the time or you may reduce by taking every second day then third and so on.. For a while effexor will be in your system. Talk to your GP and walk a lot. You are not alone.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    Thank you all! I will wean myself, 1 pill every 2-3 days then lessen the dosage. I hope things works out.

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  • MrsBee
    MrsBee Member Posts: 124
    edited July 2009

    I'm on Effexo for depression, and I've found that if I miss a day of taking it, I have HORRIBLE withdrawal side-effects.  My doctor is currently helping me to wean myself off it, and I definitely would not attempt to go off it cold turkey.  I get awful nightmares and sick headaches if I miss a day of it. 

    I'm not so sure that I'd try weaning myself off it.  My doctor cut my dosage in half and I do that for four weeks and then see him again, at which time he will evaluate how I'm doing and maybe take it down further.

    If you have problems doing it on your own - strange side effects like I mentioned - get your doctor's help.  I really don't think this is something one can safely do on her own.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    UPDATE:

    I have not taken my Effexor for 5 days. My only complaint.....my hotflashes. Im not sure if it IS the hot flashes or just the 30+ degree weather we have been experiencing OR a combo of both...lol

    I am not experiencing headaches,mood swings or nausea. I am going to continue NOT to take a pill unless something changes. So far so good....Smile

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