Is my body ruined for life after effexor?

Kelly wrote:

Hi there,
It's now been one week since I took my last Effexor pill (37.5mg) after about a month of weaning myself off the 75mg. I have been taking Effexor since March 2008, and it's mostly been 75mg, but I have gone up to 150mg for a couple of months and then gone back down. I experienced HORRIBLE side effects, particulary in the 'brain zaps, dizziness, palpitations' department. I mujst say, during these three years of taking the drug, I only experienced them if I accidently missed a dose. I got these side effects really bad whilst I was weaning myself off them in the past month. I have been reading everyones different experiences with withdrawal symptoms, and now I am concerned - WIll I keep getting side effects even after the drug is out of my system for good??? I know its only been a WEEK since I stopped, and to be honest my side effects havent been as bad! I usually felt the side effects hardcore after TWO nights of not taking it but this week I have only had slight dizziness everyday, not as bad as usual. So does that mean I will be ok? I got my blood pressure tested and it was a little low but not by much at all.
Will my body ever go back to the way it was BEFORE i started taking this drug? Oh, and Effexor only proved to be a numbing mask that took away my anxiety. It DIDNT help with my depression, that help had to come from inside me, not a drug. And I can actually handle my anxiety on my own, I know how to calm myself down. So I just wasted 3 bloody years on this stupid thing.
Kelly, 22 yrs.

Kelly , how are you now? What most people do not realize is it takes about 6 weeks for the full effect of withdraw to hit you. They think they made it and the worst is over when really it is just beginning. Then you are left a month later going "what the hell is happening?"

christy wrote:

Most of the people here didnt get good results with the drug or they wouldnt want to stop taking them. I have been on for 7 years and it gave me a new life. why would I want to stop taking? The worst reason for stopping is they are feeling good and want to go off. The reason your feeling "good" is because of the drug.

Christy, I bet everyone on here thought the same thing at one time. I use to say "I can't go a day without my antidepressant or all I would do is cry" I hear my friends say the same thing now but if there ever comes a day when you find out what this "safe happy pill that Drs hand out like candy" really is and more importantly what it does to your body then you too will quickly want off of it . It not only makes you gain weight which is what most people think is the worst there are many other things like memory loss, muscle aches , fibromyalgia , it messes with the calcium channels, damages your body many many ways. When it quit working for me after 8 years and the Dr wanted to double the dose to 300 I decided I wanted off of it. I was crying everyday while on it so why not? When I experienced the withdraw that really opened my eyes to what it had done to my body. Once after being off of it for about 4 months in desperation I took a 150mg and was so sick,throwing up all night ,could barely walk, I realized how powerful it was. There are amino acids to take that do not have the side effects and control depression naturally.

SasHP wrote:

I have been on Effexor for 6 years. I am currently at 50mg and I am weaning off using the bead method. You can read more about my journey here: http://warofhappypills.blogspot.com/ I started at 150mg and have tapered slowly using counting of beads. I read "antidepressant solution" and it was an excellent book that helped a lot. I am fearful also that effexor has ruined my life, and that the withdrawals will never fully go away. I hope for the best and I think that we will feel wonderful once the drug is out of the system. Kelly, I hope you feel great and post back when you have results. If you are having bad symptoms I would go back on your last dose and do the bead method, as I know if I dropped from 37.5 to nothing I would be in the hospital. Everyone is different though, but I just wish doctors knew more about these drugs and the effect on the body then they actually do. It is all about money. You can see the trend from 1908 when they prescribed cocaine and then banned it. Now they are prescribing drugs that are derived from things like cocaine and morphine and labeling them "safe" because we have a “serotonin problem” in our brain. There is no test for this magically serotonin problem, it is just a “oh well we think” type of situation. There is too much trust in doctors who are just selling drugs the same way a jeweler sells a necklace.
I had semi-good results on effexor myself, it basically numbed me. I had moments of clarity but all in all it made me feel flat. If I ever missed a dose or took the dose to late I was completely miserable. I am stopping effexor because I think it is terrible for my body. I think it is pre-maturely aging my brain and I also want to become pregnant someday soon. What a horrible life it would be to have a baby that is withdrawing from the womb! It is scary to think my "world renowned" doctor 6 years ago said it would be perfectly safe to carry a child while on this drug. There were simply not enough case studies to prove that back then, and now it shows the complete opposite.
Anyway, long story almost short, I hope you feel better with each day of your new effexor free life. I am continuing this journey and cannot wait to call myself effexor free. This drug has been my crutch for way too long and I have obeyed by its rules without even asking myself if my body and mind are suffering. I am happy I woke up!

Its been a year since you wrote this, how are you doing now? I'm down this time to 30 beads . I cant wait to be off this but I know this time I have to go SLOW. I feel the effects of one less bead but I'm sensitive after trying to go off the first time over a three month taper and fell apart. It was terrible! I was off for about 7 months but unable to do anything . Has all of your anxiety gone away?

hmariewv wrote:

<quoted text>
Its been a year since you wrote this, how are you doing now? I'm down this time to 30 beads . I cant wait to be off this but I know this time I have to go SLOW. I feel the effects of one less bead but I'm sensitive after trying to go off the first time over a three month taper and fell apart. It was terrible! I was off for about 7 months but unable to do anything . Has all of your anxiety gone away?

Have you read the tapering thread and reasons to taper off slowly both can be brought up by doing a search on the word taper. If you have not read it yet please do it may help you. These are threads here at topix I am sorry if I have already talked to you about this but I have effexor memory dysfunction and can't recall what I have said to whom anymore. A very slow taper and listening to you body should increase your chances of staying effexor free.

hmariewv wrote:

<quoted text>
Kelly , how are you now? What most people do not realize is it takes about 6 weeks for the full effect of withdraw to hit you. They think they made it and the worst is over when really it is just beginning. Then you are left a month later going "what the hell is happening?"

Just wanted to add for some people it takes even longer than 6wks this is personal I bet and depends on your own body metabolism dose you were on and time you were on Effexor.

Derek wrote:

My parents started me on Zoloft and Ritalin by the time I was in second grade. Then experimented with any other medications throughout the years until running across effexor. I took effexor for about a year as a 16 year old by which time I had discovered marijuana. When I tried to come off effexor at that age I was totally unable until I started regularly smoking marijuana then I quit smoking and I started drinking and when I stopped everything my anxiety was so out of control I went back onto effexor for another 3 years and began exercising compulsively and taking lots of stimulants as it was the only way that I really experienced any strong emotion while on effexor. I was at 225mgs and 150mg of lamictal amd came off over a period of a couple months at which point I started smoking a lot of marijuana and started on testosterone injections as I was certain that I was suffering from low testosterone as my sex drive had been destroyed for many years by then. I had not researched effexor at all as I had put my trust in my mother and my doctor so I had no idea what the side effects were I just lived in them. I realized I was making crazy decisions and came off of marijuana and steroids and began looking at my defeated body. It has been a mind blowing experience but I will say that I think there is a way out. I have daily bouts of deep depression followed by mania and I struggle to not eat crazy amounts of sugar but I am learning what life is all about even though I don't feel it in the same way as many people. GABA helped me significantly as I was coming off of everything and between that and practicing awareness, love, and meditation I think I can see a way out. Maybe on my own plain of existance but that's ok. Good luck everyone.

Derek I know this is a rather dated post but I wanted to say many people end up taking other drugs to deal with effexor you are not the only one and doctors like to suggest these other street drugs are the reason they have such problems with effexor withdrawal... all I have to say to that is a very sound B_LL__iT!!!!
So don't buy into the blame the patient blame original illness crap they just want off the hook and I for one am not having it. I may not be able to get a lawyer and sue them for the damage they have done to me and my loved ones ( as no lawyer will touch it and pharma seems to have that all sewn up after years of being sued) BUT that does not mean I am going to buy into their twisted reality that this drug is fine it ISN'T! I will never buy in believing them is what got me here in the first place I am not going back. Resist the drugs take you time eventually your body will heal be advised it may take years but better a long time than never or staying drugged. Peace and health to you. Dont' buy in.

maggie wrote:

I took Effexor for 2 years. It ruined my life. I had an overwhelming compulsion to spend money and abuse alcohol while taking it and I did not have this problem before taking Effexor. I stopped the Effexor after pure hell of withdraws, but I still have some dependency on alcohol + with the comes a lot of embarrassment and self esteem issues. However, the whole take a pill to reset my hangovers is gone & my urge to race to the liquor store after work is gone. Now I just drink one or two to fall asleep. However, I'm still trying to stop drinking. It's really difficult. I'd say I'm definitely changed for life. I don't have emotions like I use to. I don't really care about much but I'm no longer paranoid about dying with all the crazy side effects & horrible interpersonal experiences I created while on it. I'd say I feel healthy again but my emotions are really messed up.

Maggy I have the same problems I totally wrecked my life while on effexor and while withdrawal has floored me for the last four years and I am still dealing with what I suspect is the after affects like thyroid ect... the life damage is something I will never recover from that is a given at this point. Even if I could sue and win there is no amount of money that could make up for the damage to my life. I was really too sick to drink as soon as I went off Effexor and for a a long time before I went off too actually. The sleep problems are common and caused by the E that fact that you have quit drinking shows you are one of the many who had E induced alcohol cravings while I do not know the effect of drinking in withdrawal as we are all so different if it helps you sleep maybe it is not such a horrid thing. I don't know how far you are into withdrawal or how you quit.... the answers to both those questions would make a huge difference in how I thought about the alcohol use just now. Every single person I know of who has quit effexor cold turkey fast taper or slow taper ALL have had sleep problems. Many have become addicted to benzos used to treat this issue and have another withdrawal to get thru. There is lot of information on both of these subjects.
I will start with some science:

btdt wrote:
back on topic
Alcohol and Effexor
“The work Dr. Ann Blake Tracy is doing is very important and she is truly a heroine..." Dr. Candace Pert, one of the two developers of the serotonin binding process hich made possible the development of the serotonergic drugs.”
by Dr. Candace Pert
SSRIs and Alcohol
By atracyphd on July 29, 2009
Alcohol Cravings Induced via Increased Serotonin
by Ann Blake Tracy, Director, ICFDA
There is an alarming connection between alcoholism and the various prescription drugs that increase serotonin. The most popular of those drugs are: PROZAC, ZOLOFT, PAXIL, LUVOX, SERZONE, EFFEXOR, ANAFRANIL, and the new diet pills, FEN-PHEN and REDUX. For seven years numerous reports have been made by reformed alcoholics (some for 15 years and longer) who are being “driven” to alcohol again after being prescribed one of these drugs. And many other patients who had no previous history of alcoholism have continued to report an “overwhelming compulsion” to drink while using these drugs.
(A few personal accounts:#1 A young woman, a recovering alcoholic, reported that during the eight month period she had been using Prozac she found it necessary to attend AA meetings every day in order to fight off the strong compulsions to begin drinking again.#2 In the Southeastern United States a middle aged psychologist, also a recovering alcoholic, after being prescribed Prozac, found herself needing to attend AA meetings morning, noon, and night to keep from destroying the sobriety she had achieved.#3 A young father, who was Mormon and had never before in his life used alcohol, found himself drinking Ever Clear and exhibiting bizarre as well as violent behavior, after being prescribed Prozac and Ritalin.#4 A young mother who had never used alcohol before began drinking large amounts within weeks of being prescribed Prozac and quickly found herself committed to a mental institution due to the psychotic behavior that resulted. Added to her Prozac prescription were anti-psychotic meds and electric shock treatments. She then began to experience seizures and was started on anti-seizure meds.#5 A concerned neighbor reported her friend was drinking straight Vodka on a regular basis after being prescribed Zoloft.#6 A daughter reported her father, sober for 15 years, began drinking again on Prozac. The consistant report from these patients has been an “overwhelming craving or compulsion” for alcohol.)
For some time we did not have specific medical documentation to help us understand why this was happening. Could it be that Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc., being mood altering substances, were removing the inhibitions that individuals had placed upon themselves to stop their additions? But beyond this mood altering effect of Prozac, etc., there seemed to be a physiological cause for this alcoholic obsession as well. There were reports of people who rarely drank before Prozac, etc., consuming excessive amounts of alcohol after starting usage of these various drugs. For example we have the case of a young newly wed in Southern Utah who was given Prozac for a hormonal imbalance. Before that time she would have two or three social drinks a year, yet soon after being prescribed Prozac she began bringing alcohol home by the case. Many similar reports followed.
Could it be that because these drugs have such a strong adverse effect upon the pancreas [Manufacturer's warnings include such side effects as hypoglycemia, diabetes and pancreatitis.] they are producing a potent disruption in the body’s blood sugar balance? This would in turn cause a “craving” for alcohol as the body reaches out for a “quick fix” to raise the blood sugar level.

I still have the sugar problems and am currently on a very restricted diet no sugar no flour to help deal with liver and sugar issues. Ya some of these things may just be forever I still don't know but you can bet after four years off Effexor if not forever they are very long term..they develop over time post E

http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/effexor/TF0S3...
btdt wrote:
back on topic
Alcohol and Effexor
“The work Dr. Ann Blake Tracy is doing is very important and she is truly a heroine..." Dr. Candace Pert, one of the two developers of the serotonin binding process hich made possible the development of the serotonergic drugs.”
by Dr. Candace Pert
SSRIs and Alcohol
By atracyphd on July 29, 2009
Alcohol Cravings Induced via Increased Serotonin
by Ann Blake Tracy, Director, ICFDA
There is an alarming connection between alcoholism and the various prescription drugs that increase serotonin. The most popular of those drugs are: PROZAC, ZOLOFT, PAXIL, LUVOX, SERZONE, EFFEXOR, ANAFRANIL, and the new diet pills, FEN-PHEN and REDUX. For seven years numerous reports have been made by reformed alcoholics (some for 15 years and longer) who are being “driven” to alcohol again after being prescribed one of these drugs. And many other patients who had no previous history of alcoholism have continued to report an “overwhelming compulsion” to drink while using these drugs.
(A few personal accounts:#1 A young woman, a recovering alcoholic, reported that during the eight month period she had been using Prozac she found it necessary to attend AA meetings every day in order to fight off the strong compulsions to begin drinking again.#2 In the Southeastern United States a middle aged psychologist, also a recovering alcoholic, after being prescribed Prozac, found herself needing to attend AA meetings morning, noon, and night to keep from destroying the sobriety she had achieved.#3 A young father, who was Mormon and had never before in his life used alcohol, found himself drinking Ever Clear and exhibiting bizarre as well as violent behavior, after being prescribed Prozac and Ritalin.#4 A young mother who had never used alcohol before began drinking large amounts within weeks of being prescribed Prozac and quickly found herself committed to a mental institution due to the psychotic behavior that resulted. Added to her Prozac prescription were anti-psychotic meds and electric shock treatments. She then began to experience seizures and was started on anti-seizure meds.#5 A concerned neighbor reported her friend was drinking straight Vodka on a regular basis after being prescribed Zoloft.#6 A daughter reported her father, sober for 15 years, began drinking again on Prozac. The consistant report from these patients has been an “overwhelming craving or compulsion” for alcohol.)
For some time we did not have specific medical documentation to help us understand why this was happening. Could it be that Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc., being mood altering substances, were removing the inhibitions that individuals had placed upon themselves to stop their additions? But beyond this mood altering effect of Prozac, etc., there seemed to be a physiological cause for this alcoholic obsession as well. There were reports of people who rarely drank before Prozac, etc., consuming excessive amounts of alcohol after starting usage of these various drugs. For example we have the case of a young newly wed in Southern Utah who was given Prozac for a hormonal imbalance. Before that time she would have two or three social drinks a year, yet soon after being prescribed Prozac she began bringing alcohol home by the case. Many similar reports followed.
Could it be that because these drugs have such a strong adverse effect upon the pancreas [Manufacturer's warnings include such side effects as hypoglycemia, diabetes and pancreatitis.] they are producing a potent disruption in the body’s blood sugar balance? This would in turn cause a “craving” for alcohol as the body reaches out for a “quick fix” to raise the blood sugar level.
The sugar metabolism issues continue post E I am on a very restricted diet to control fatty liver cholesterol and sugar...these things develope over time post E... so if they are not forever they sure are long term. Our brains can only use sugar want it!

Daniel wrote:

<quoted text>
Why did you stay on it? Did it help in any way that made the rest acceptable to you?

While I can't really answer for this person it sound like you are blaming the victim here and I for one don't like it. I can tell you why I stayed on and why others did even tho you did not ask. I am telling you in hope of enlighting you and maybe some people who are blaming themselves for staying on.
Most people me included do not know these drugs cause boozing it is not on the label so much for informed consent it is non existent!
Just because the 30+pages of side effects are listed some place in the world I doubt informed consent means it is in the world some place for you to find I believe it means some responsible person perferably you doctor told you all the side effects and they DON'T could not possibly know all side effects from all drugs...
and btw this boozing side effect is not listed!!!
Second taking a brain altering drug does just that it alters the brain so when you can no longer reason it is not too surprising you make horrid choices in your health care as you do with the rest of you life....some of us have been all but destroyed and I am one be careful with me on this subject it is a very prickly where this is concerned informed and have a great deal of anger which can erupt into useful tongue lashing when needed. This is not a threat in any way I believe in free speech freedom to choose and informed consent! What it is, is a vast storage of unforgivenessed(directed usually at drug makes that KNEW the DAMAGE these drugs can cause and put profit over patients lives!) that is not going anywhere that I have at my disposal to tap into on a whim because I know about these drugs and I am never backing down! You want to debate this bring it on maybe we will both learn something we can only hope.
So many people have been damaged and if you read the books and internet sites you will see that this has been an one - corruption based- unethical- science perverting - dance from the beginning from the prozac drug trials where they had to add benzos and didn't report that to not disclosing suicides and coding them as "other" things in the drug trials. Sorry I just know too much and the sad and wonderful thing is all this information is out there for anybody with a computer and a library card. Sadly most of us until we are at least partly well cannot digest or recall the information we are too damaged from the drug same way as we were when actually taking the drug... the withdrawal is just as damaging especially cold turkey or fast taper both damage your body and brain further. Slow taper is the way to go as at least there is not another huge asault on the brain. We can only hope to lessen the damage. Sorry if this is over the top and turned into a rant I should come with a warning may errupt at any time without notice. I cannot stand to have people once assaulted to be repeatedly beaten there is something about justice in my blood I have no idea where it comes from it must be from suffering. Now that I am a bit
better it will not go unchallenged by me.

This brings to mind something I just read about thyroid people with hyperthyroid become nasty and change they don't notice it but people who know them see it. This is the same thing. The people who are affected by these drugs are too dense to know they are dense and I know because I have lived it.
I can't help but wonder how these drugs affect the the thyroid I suspect it there is much more to the affects of the affects of Effexor on the thyroid than the little blurb posted on the effexor side effect page.
which read like this:
Endocrine system—Rare: goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodule, thyroiditis.
and breaks down into many things including the changes all these thing can cause in your life possibly even the personality changes as in hyperthyroid and including thyroid cancer which is one of the type of thyroid nodule. So you see nothing with these drugs is as simple as it first appears. NOTHING!
On quitting to fast the low sertonin causes deep darkness and a host of other issues that find people back on the drug...

To ask why a person keeps taking a drug if you know the above information is like asking any human why they are bleeding if you cut them in part....in my mind at least. Mostly they buy into the drug company sponsored retoric sold down the throats of doctors advertised everywhere...they get us when we are weak and from there the drugs take over.

Feel like bumping this so here it is.

Rachel wrote:

I have been on several medications since I was 19 and I am 29 now. I was a average student GPA 3.0 and still am in college. I don't have any complaints about serious mental health issues, other than a few serious mental breakdowns due to recovery memory over abuse in my childhood. My list of meds I've taken is a mile long. I've suffered mostly from short term memory loss, feeling that "cloudy" sensation in my head, chronic neck and head pain, muscle immobility in my mouth, trouble speaking where I will stumble in conversation, or wander off. I can't read a book because I won't remember what I read, and have to a read a paragraph more than 4 times (depending on text). I'm literally slow. I have never been this way in school years. My concentration symptoms and for odd reason have selective mutism symptoms increased with Effexor. I've been on it for 2 years, it helped me with my emotions greatly, but I literally am here, but not. I really believe the meds I've taken cognitively disabled me.

My experience almost mirrors Rachael's. I was put on effexor because I was having some difficulty sleeping which they blamed on depression so I started taking 37.5mg XR having never prior been on any sort of antidepressant or anything of that nature and took it for about 18 months. While I did get a great nights sleep on the medicine I was always tired and my emotions disappeared along with my short term memory and focus. I used to consider myself pretty smart and knowledable, however I stopped taking it 21 months ago and life has never been the same. I still experience twitching in my sleep (with my sleep being worse than before I ever started taking the meds), foggy vision, severe memory loss, I have no idea what I am doing most of the time.

The lights are on, but nobody is home and I feel like I'm watching a mindless person live my life while I watch in 3rd person. My speech isn't very good I stumble when talking constantly and find it pointless to read anything or study because I am not able to retain anything. I had none of these problems before taking this horrible somehow legal medication. Much like others medical professionals don't believe you when I tell them what it has did to me. I feel helpless since this drug has ruined my mind and subsequently my life since I am a 30yr old person that feels like I have the mind of a 80yr old with alzheimers. I would advise against taking this medication at all costs.

Daniel wrote:

<quoted text>
What you are saying is untrue and irresponsible.

I agree. btdt likes to think he knows everything about Effexor but he's no scientist. I find him irritating.

I had "severe major depression with psychotic features" in 1995. I had been in an abusive marriage for 10 yrs. Mental abuse. In and out of psych hosps for yrs. I think I've been on every ad there is, except prozac. hmm Since then I've been on antipsychotics, "mood stabilizers", they r actually anti seizure meds, and antidepressants. What I have never understand is this: if depression is an imbalance of brain chemicals, why have mine never been tested? How do they know if they are imbalanced, and how much? btw I was a nurse. I worked with doctors and I KNOW they are full of it.

You certainly cant be crazy asking that question, and they, by they I mean my friends in the medical profession do not liked being asked that one and reason is because of the answer, they cant test your brains chemical levels and our brains are full of chemicals that they dont even have clue about or what they do. Now they would not be allowed to give out insulin without testing your blood sugar and they would test it before giving a diabetic diagnosis, but with depression? you said it all not crazy. Ask that one simple question and you see it all for the witchdoctory that it is. No w I dont have a problem with people indulging in witchdoctory, but if you are being a witchdoctor at least be honest about it

John wrote:

<quoted text>
My experience almost mirrors Rachael's. I was put on effexor because I was having some difficulty sleeping which they blamed on depression so I started taking 37.5mg XR having never prior been on any sort of antidepressant or anything of that nature and took it for about 18 months. While I did get a great nights sleep on the medicine I was always tired and my emotions disappeared along with my short term memory and focus. I used to consider myself pretty smart and knowledable, however I stopped taking it 21 months ago and life has never been the same. I still experience twitching in my sleep (with my sleep being worse than before I ever started taking the meds), foggy vision, severe memory loss, I have no idea what I am doing most of the time.
The lights are on, but nobody is home and I feel like I'm watching a mindless person live my life while I watch in 3rd person. My speech isn't very good I stumble when talking constantly and find it pointless to read anything or study because I am not able to retain anything. I had none of these problems before taking this horrible somehow legal medication. Much like others medical professionals don't believe you when I tell them what it has did to me. I feel helpless since this drug has ruined my mind and subsequently my life since I am a 30yr old person that feels like I have the mind of a 80yr old with alzheimers. I would advise against taking this medication at all costs.

Wondering how you are doing now John, I know its been a while since you posted, if you're still around I hope you are recovering?

Ann from WA wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree. btdt likes to think he knows everything about Effexor but he's no scientist. I find him irritating.

I think btdt means
Been
There
Done
That

and though SHE did NOT taper off these drugs, because she went cold turkey and has suffered so much she has spent a good deal of time researching and reaching out to help people. Maybe a little full of herself but mostly just wanting to help. She has strong opinions, that's for sure. Having not tapered her advice does not come from experience with tapering but from research and fear that others may make the same mistake she did and stop cold turkey. I see where she is coming from.

btd wrote:

<quoted text>
Maggy I have the same problems I totally wrecked my life while on effexor and while withdrawal has floored me for the last four years and I am still dealing with what I suspect is the after affects like thyroid ect... the life damage is something I will never recover from that is a given at this point. Even if I could sue and win there is no amount of money that could make up for the damage to my life. I was really too sick to drink as soon as I went off Effexor and for a a long time before I went off too actually. The sleep problems are common and caused by the E that fact that you have quit drinking shows you are one of the many who had E induced alcohol cravings while I do not know the effect of drinking in withdrawal as we are all so different if it helps you sleep maybe it is not such a horrid thing. I don't know how far you are into withdrawal or how you quit.... the answers to both those questions would make a huge difference in how I thought about the alcohol use just now. Every single person I know of who has quit effexor cold turkey fast taper or slow taper ALL have had sleep problems. Many have become addicted to benzos used to treat this issue and have another withdrawal to get thru. There is lot of information on both of these subjects.
I will start with some science:

It's now March 2012. I quit drinking out of lack of desire to do it. I don't have the compulsion to spend money. I no longer have fits of rage. I sleep well every night. I feel like it took about 6-8 months to stop the learned behavior habits to end once and physical compulsions ended about 2 months after I quit. I too felt like I was changed forever. Now that I'm drug free I feel balanced again. I don't have much of an urge to ruin my life and go off based on my anger now like I did when I was on Effexor. When I was taking Effexor, the honeymoon stage made me believe I found a wonder drug then my life started falling apart piece by piece. I'm still paying for the damage I did in a 2-4 year span I was on anti-depressants, most of which I was on Effexor. I think it takes a long long time to get grounded again, WHILE having to deal with guilt, shame, financial repair, embarressment, rebuilding my career after my horrible behavior at work with associates and colleagues... I earned a reputation for being a flaming b***h and that is NOT who I am. So, there is hope but you have to be drug free if you think you can live without this drug. I can. I was on it for mild depression and anxiety. I still get both but I'm able to talk myself through it. It takes longer but eventually I feel better and I'm not taking it out on other people or drinking, spending money, calling in sick, having violent thoughts, etc. Every weekend I spend cleaning and fixing things around the house I neglected for 4 years. I gained 50 pounds, I'm trying lose that too. At my age if I'm depressed about anything it's how my life was in the tank when I should be doing a lot better and should know better but like I said... I craved alcohol daily, it truly was a scary experience. Now I'm Effexor free and don't drink at all. I tried to quit alcohol when I was on Effexor and could not make it 24 hours without getting wasted.

Daniel wrote:

<quoted text>
Why did you stay on it? Did it help in any way that made the rest acceptable to you?

I just wrote a comment about this, probably directly above this one. I quit for good. I had about 3 months of head spins, dizzyness, general sickness like vomiting, etc. but eventually it all stopped. I believe I started sleeping better therefore I wasn't so sick during the day. I feel healthy now. NO... to answer your question this experience wasn't worth taking the drug. Everyone is different. It almost ruined my life permanently. Many times over I could have killed myself due to the alcohol consumption and reckless behavior. When I look back I don't even feel like I was the same person I am now. I'm still dealing with the stress and flashbacks from it as well. However, my body is back on track and I don't do compulsive things that ruin me so that helps me deal with the guilt better & it doesn't keep compounding... I'm able to dismantle my problems rationally now without adding more to it.