Novo-Venlafaxine XR

i was on venlafaxine for four months, i gained 20 pounds, but i was happy...
i could sleep easy, nothing bothered me anymore, pms was a dream come true, i for the first time ever didnt cry or hide in my room for 3 days. the only side effect that i had was sexual, i became extreamly numb...
so my situation changed and i decided to quit. me being me decided to just stop taking it (do not do this)
i have slept 4 hours in the last three days, thanks to a six pack, oh and 10 min today othwise ive been up over 36 hours ...
my heart feels like its gonna beat outta my chest im dizzy, and no sleep makes me feel realy funky...
so yes i took my pill today....
oh ya and my skin is realy itchy..
but on the plus side instead of being realy numb i have extreamly hightened sensitivity...lol at least i have something fun to while not sleeping...
so yes this drug has many side effects while on and trying to get off of it, i still do not know if i will loose the weight i lost (god i hope so)
so if anyone knows let me know ..ILL BE UP...

Cheryl wrote:

been on it for about 9 years and love how it has helped me cope with some crapy stuff, however I am now gaining weight like crazy...anybody else experience this?

wow 9 years and now your gaining weight.. im so sorry to hear that, i was on it for 4 months or so and i gained 20 pounds that is another reason why i quite..
doctor says its normal, what the hell is normal about gaining 20p in 4 months ...

Cyber wrote:

Just for those that are wondering, Effexor vs. Effexor XR, the difference is an extended release. Plain effexor is usually taken 2-3 times a day whereas XR uses a controlled release so it only has to be taken once a day.
I have been on Effexor for nearly 13-14 years. I started it about a week after it was released for use in Canada. It has been a lifesaver.
I do however want to ask for everyones help in a mini-experiment. For those who have been using Effexor XR Brand Name initially, but who have now switched to novo-venlafaxine XR, have you noticed any difference in your moods, side effects or effectivness of the meds. I have been switched back and forth from brand name to generic and everytime I go on generic, I lose all the benefit of Effexor. Drug stores are supposed to notify you when switching drugs to generic however they rarely do.
For those experiencing the same problems, speak to your doctor and Pharmacist. Effexor XR is still covered under 99% of the drug plans in Canada BUT, you must have your doctor write "NO SUB", or "DAW" (dispense as written) or "MEDICALLY NESSICARY" on all Rx scripts.
Its unfortunate that Health Canada and the FDA can't figure out the problems with these generics.
Hope this helps everyone that has had the same problems as me. Remember to check your Rx and speak to your doctor. Watch for any changes in the effects of your meds if you switch to generic, or try to think back to when you switched and if there was any difference.
Thanks!

I have been switched to the generic and my life has seemed like a roller coaster ride since. I am going to ask my Dr. to write my script for brand. I was on the true Effexor XR for several years and it was a miracle. Because of back pain I had a doctor put me on Cymbalta...that was a nightmare. I have taken the generic Effexor XR now for about 3 months. I never had weight gain on the "brand" meds, but on the "generic" I gained about 40lbs in 4 months. I have mood swings, I an irratable, and have problems sleeping. Sound familiar?

I started taking Venlafaxine 3 weeks ago, however, I haven't been taking it properly. I am still on the lowest dose of 37.5mg and didn't double it after 1 week. I also took it different times of the day. I stopped taking it for 2 days now since I don't want to be on this drug. Prior to taking it, I suffered from insomnia so my doctor automatically prescribed this medication to me along with Cloropazen. I feel like time has just wasted away and I have no interest in anything I onced loved and find it very difficult to concentrate. I have to decide to continue to take this or get off it. The first week on this drug, I cried like crazy but now I'm starting to feel a little bit normal but still find it difficult to laugh and be myself....any help or suggestions?

I have been taking novo-velafaxine xr 37.5mg for 19 days now at that dose and I don't like being on the medication. Any advice as to how to ween myself off of this medication. I tried cold turkey but by day 2 my brain felt like it was fried. I have an appointment with my doctor next week but until then I don't want to keep on taking this medication. I hate it! I also can't sleep at night and it makes my skin itch. Any advice?

i had to restart taking my my
novo-venlafaxine xr
even sleeping pills did not help me sleep and i became so depressed and nasty i put my poor bf in tears... so im now taking 1 a day and im still not sure if i have the guts to try to quit or keep going...
how do u know if you are on the generic brand or the read brand.. cause maybe i will try switching...

TN Ang wrote:

<quoted text>
I have been switched to the generic and my life has seemed like a roller coaster ride since. I am going to ask my Dr. to write my script for brand. I was on the true Effexor XR for several years and it was a miracle. Because of back pain I had a doctor put me on Cymbalta...that was a nightmare. I have taken the generic Effexor XR now for about 3 months. I never had weight gain on the "brand" meds, but on the "generic" I gained about 40lbs in 4 months. I have mood swings, I an irratable, and have problems sleeping. Sound familiar?

The brand label will actually state that the product is Effexor XR. I took the brand name Effexor XR for many years and had minimal side effects. The problems started with the generic version.

I took venlafaxine for depression for about 2 years and have been off it for about 3 months. I am suffering from anxiety and irritability in a way I never felt before taking the medication. These are new symptoms! Will this never end?

I went off of it for about 6 months. I was a train wreck and a roller coaster all rolled up in one package. I was never so unstable before. I have been on it for about 3 years for mild depression. During the 6 months I turned my life upside down. Alomost lost everything important to me. Quit my job because I was irritated, left my spouse, etc...Luckily, my spouse realized that something was amiss and that I was completely a different person, but I am still looking for a job. So, I am back on it now, and I am not sure I will be able to get off of it.

I'm supposed to start taking this tomorrow and now I'm really scared to...

I have been taking novo-venlaflaxine for 9 days now. I already feel "different" in a positive way. I am confused because I have read it takes several weeks to actually take effect? The first 3 or so days were difficult...I felt sick & dizzy. I continued to take them & now I feel fine. I guess I needed some time to adjust. I like to have the occasional drink but I advise people to not have any alcohol within a few hours of taking this medication...I did & the next day I was sooo sick. I take my medication in the afternoon & find I am ok to have a drink in the eveing after hours have passed.

Just wanted to share my experience with others.

I was on Novo-Venlafaxin for almost a year before i decided to quit cold turkey about 10 months ago. While I was on it, it was like i was psychotic, I would do things that normally I would feel bad for doing, like stealing or lieing and not even think twice about it. While i was on it i got caught for stealing something and when arrested... I didnt even care, I was living in a homeless shelter and had no ambition what so ever to do ANYTHING. When I quit the withdrawl was horrible, sounds echoed, my vision kept pulsing like i was getting electrocuted, and my head would pound with pain. Now 10 months later damn near everything is back to normal if not better then it was before and during the use of effexor. The only thing that has stuck around is i am still unmotivated to leave the house.. I work 10 hours a day and even on weekends i don't go anywhere... and when pressured to i get angry.... and my sex drive has gone down considerably since before i started taking them and went up slightly when i stopped... but its still down.. im turning 22 in a week, my sex drive should be through the roof... will these 2 longer term effects go away? everything else is normal-ish(will explain this in a sec.) ie emotion, the ability to show remorse, happyness, laughter, motivation for hobbies etc.

In terms of the normal part... what is normal? to me the definition of normal is an outline of socially acceptable standards created by the media and government to make us think we should be somthing that most of us aren't... did it ever occur to anyone that perhaps being slightly wierd or abnormal... is actually the real norm as opposed to the social norm? personally i like being random and wierd.... this has been my biggest help with dealing with depression, Be Yourself an screw what everyone else says!

thanks