Effexor XR

So ive suffered from anxiety and depression for years - caused by various reasons - dr finally put me on a few diff anxiety meds. First one was good, but made' Mr Happy', sad.... so we did a few trials....eventually i went back to the Mr Sad one - figuring ive been married for 19 years relatively sexless anyway so who cares. ....i took the prescribed 75mg caplet...and was a walking tired zombie for 3 days. Barely kept my eyes open - did zero work...could not function - driving was difficult, blurred vision, sweats etc. So my pharmacist says......you are reacting to the drug - you didnt hear this from ME, but open the capsule and there are two pills in each. Do it for a week or so and gradually take the whole caplet. Worked like a charm. I would take the little pill and wrap it in cheese and swallow it incase it burned on the way down.

Been on it for 5 months now - anxiety is better, not wanting to inflict death upon myself anymore, but i DO find im aggressive towards other guys who p!ss me off. That made me concerned because ive always been a good fighter and last thing i want is to hurt someone for a stupid reason. So i talked to my Dr about my aggression, he said he feels thats always been my nature to not sugarcoat anything - told me to just be aware of the feeling and walk away and avoid confrontations. ok(?)

The Sweats - i shave my head - so sweats are BRUTAL...water pours out my head down behind my ears and down my face and neck...back continues to sweat trickles down my buttcrack - disgusting. Ive NEVER been a "sweater" ever. I cant wear ANY colour other than black - due to embarassment. I dont stink or smell ever - but visually, people im chatting with will stop mid conversation and say "are you ok?" ....i joke it off. Also not wanting to fess up that i NEED mental health meds.

Mr Happy - he seems to work fine with a little bit of encouragement. Before i never needed any encouragement. I have always had a voracious sexual appetite - nympho type...no joke.   I have always been able to have back to back "sessions" easily.....that has ended with Effexor. I have lengthy sessions and this has increased even more with Effexor.... I can go once, and need half hour before attempting round two now. Now what i DID notice about ejaculating (sorry this probably disturbing to many) is that i shoot twice BEFORE i "feel" like i have shot. The rest is normal.... Appologize for that graphic visual but i feel its important to discuss all odd side effects of the drug.

Loss of appetite: I can nibble on fruit or the odd sandwich but as for a full meal - nope. I get full within 5 minutes of eating. 

Blurred vision: On and on all day - light sensitive too. I have since got more frequent migraines due to vision im sure. 

Stiffness of joints: both hands, fingers very stiff (i play bass guitar and struggle with dexterity now) Shoulders and knees also sore and stiff. Im in good shape for a near 50 year old as well. Ive stayed active - so all this is new.

Puffy belly: Not having kept a perfected six-pack since my 40's, ive slowly lost that cut chiseled stomach. BUT is always still been there in certain lights or coming out of a pool....so when i asked my dr about my weight gain and puffy belly he said that its normal for water retention. Im near 6ft, prior to meds was about 175lbs, in 5 months im knocking on 200lbs ...all puffy in face and belly. He thinks itll subside over time - curious as to reality in this reply from him. 

Brain zaps: I have had a few usually JUST before i fall asleep..nothing scary though.

Sleep: hit or miss. Before and during meds - so i cant be accurate on this ....anxiety and self employment have always hindered my sleep pattern and im susceptable to weeks of very little sleep per night. 

Overall - im relatively happy with Effexor....worst part is the blurred vision and from time to time i get the hand shakes. Contemplating trying the medical marijuana - its going to be legally sold in Ontario Canada within this year. I will try it and might be able to stop taking a chemical. Thats the goal. 

As for getting off the drug and withdrawls - luckily my body doesnt seem to care. Ive starteed and stopped all these drugs cold turkey.....zero issues.

Hopefully some of this info (albeit gross to many) lol ...will be of some value.

Cheers

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