Help with Effexor Withdrawal

I would urge anyone to think long and hard before taking Efexor. (I live in the UK and thats what its called here)

I started taking it when it first came out, around 16 years ago, My husband had died in horrific circumstances and every other antidepressant I had tried didnt help me, but this new wonder drug worked for me very quickly, every time I tried to come off it, I became catatonic, I could not function in any way and had to be hospitalized each time, the consensus was that I was still depressed so I continued to take it.

It was only many years later, and after having spoken to a top psychiatrist that I found out the real reason I could not stop taking it.

Venlafaxine (Efexor) is unlike any other antidepressant, it is not an SSRI (selective serotin re-uptake inhibitor) it is a SSNRI, (selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, what this actually means in laymans terms, is that the drug alters the way receptors in the brain take up serotonin and noradrenaline (the feel good chemicals) so that there is actually more in the brain,so you feel better,  what the drug companies and Doctors dont tell you is that with long term use, the receptors in your brain become damaged and DO NOT switch on again after stopping the drug, hence why long term users cannot withdraw from this drug and why short term users have so much trouble coming off them.

I do know this to be fact, and in the UK, Doctors have to work to strict government guidlines in the prescribing of Efexor, as they are very much aware of the dangers from this drug.

After saying all this,even knowing what I do know, I still would have taken this drug all those years ago, for me, it was a wonder drug, it is now to late for me to ever come off it, during my last period of hospitalisation, I had a brain MRI and indeed my brain recepters were inactive, so I will have to stay on it forever. Whilst going through BC and having my ovaries removed, my efexor dose was raised to help with the hot flushes and yes it worked.

So  any of you thinking of starting Efexor, please, please do so with an informed mind, DO NOT take it for more than 6 months and be aware that you might have a hard time coming off them, the info is out there now for you to make your own mind up, it wasnt for the 16 years I took it in ignorance of the long term consequences

Happy New Year to All

Hi Ladies!

I'm having terrible hot flashes and night sweats and my Dr just prescribed Effexor. At first I was happy that he prescribed it without a blink, but now I'm worried about taking it after reading some horror stories.....what to do, what to do. Do you think the dosage for hot flashes would be less than someone who is taking the drug for depression? The night sweats are the worst, I wake up 4-5 times a night drenched and then freeze! Am I asking for more problems in the end????

Terri

Edited to add: Hey Michelle!

Hi Terri!!

Wow we seem to bump into each other on several threads!

I am taking the 37.5 mg daily...I have an appointment with 'a' oncologist on the 23rd (mine is on vacation, so I get to meet a partner )  I will pose the question about some of the long term effects mentioned here, low dosage vs higher dosage and see what he has to say...Let you guys know what I learn.  

Hi Again,

I really apologise if it seems I'm scaremongering, I really didnt want it to come across that way.

Efexor is indeed a marvelous drug, without it, I doubt whether I'd still be here, as nothing at all would even touch the deep dark despair I was in all those years ago, and as I said, if I was asked with hindsight if I would take it again, I would say a definite yes.

I dont believe that the dependance or damage to brain receptors is dependant on dosage, but more on the overall length of time that the receptors are 'out of action' as to how they recover when the drug is withdrawn.I only ever took 37.5mg but the problem was, I took it for 16 years!

I would never ever presume to tell anyonr what to take, or to scare them, I'm sorry if I have done that,I just thought that after the many years of research Ive done, and speaking to physicians who are in the know, I would like to share the outcome,I'm just so suprised that no one else has heard of the dependance issues, In the UK, we are far very far behind the US on research and medical news, in fact, the most information I ever got was from American websites where some people had banded together to confront the makers of Efexor to address this issue, I believe there have also been lawsuits against the makers for not warning peopke of the long term effects.

But as with all medications and drugs, not everyone will be affected the same and we all have to make decisions regarding risk v benefit, such as, would I have agreed to Taxotere chemotherapy if I'd known that there was a risk that my hair would never grow back? luckily this didnt happen to me, but it does to 10% of the people who take it.... Yes, I would still have agreed to it, because my life was on the line, and it was the most aggressive treatment available at that time, do you see what I mean?

So, yes, take the Efexor, its a great drug, with very little side effects,its brilliant for hot flushes, but take it knowing that it will be only be short term, or an agreed period of time, and if youre really worried discuss it with a psycholgist/psychiatrist rather than an onc, as they dont seem to be very specialised in the area of mental health, good luck everyone x

Stillstanding, thank you for your encouraging words. I in no way was referring to your comments when I said that I was scared to take Effexor, it's just me...I'm not really the pill popping type and ANY medication I take is thoroughly researched before I take it.  I'm sorry to hear of the circumstances that made you start taking it in the first place.. that must have been very hard to deal with - my heart goes out to you. I guess everyone does what they have to do to get by. I'm also sorry that you'll have to  remain on it forever.

As of yet, I still haven't made my way to the pharmacy Maybe tomorrow?

Terri

I am sorry if you felt I was ripping you to shreds. I am actually quite interested in information regarding receptors being permanently suppressed by treatment. I agree with you that being aware of potential side effects is an important part of making informed decisions. I will look up the books you mentioned.

I corrected the taxotere statement because I didn't want someone who was just contemplating treatment to be scared off by the idea that they had a 10% chance of being permanently bald! 

SS - I ditto my560sel - I really appreciate your input and experience...I have learned so much from the postings here that is never discussed by the doctors and I appreciate your willingness to post your story. 

Harbor...so good to see you here and hear that you found a good, listening and evidently effective new MD! Hooray for you!!

I have heard from others that neurontin can do wonders....glad it is working for you, too!

Take it easy...take it slow....but take it as you can!

God Bless!

Benadryl is listed as one of the drugs that affects tamoxifen. I just finished a couple of articles on the effects of antidepressants on tamoxifen. Here is the link to the most recent. Near the end of the article is a link to a tamoxifen page which lists all the meds affecting tamox. I'm not sure if you're on tamox but thought I'd let you know.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/287454