Positive Withdrawal Experience
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hey guys, I was on Effexor for maybe 10-12 months and worked up to 150 mg like a lot of you. I can safely say I had NOT ONE, ZERO side effects while on this drug as well as coming off of it. What I also find really strange is the fact that one day I just decided I would stop taking it cause I'd been feeling good for a while and my life was taking a turn for the better so I even STOPPED COLD TURKEY! Absolutely nothing, no side effects. When I forgot to take a dose... NOTHING. I have read sooooooo many negative stories about this drug and coming off of it and I don't get it. Am I an enigma?? Is there anyone else that this has been the case????
Effexor did a lot for me as I was severely depressed with daily suicidal thoughts and one attempted suicide where I just decided not to eat/drink and die peacefully but after 6 days I was "found out". I have not had suicidal thoughts since coming off although I haven't been able to get that I guess "good" feeling back since being off it so am considering going back on. Only because I'm slowly getting back into a rut and my minds starting to drift to the dark side again 
0 likes, 4 replies
travis87
Posted
sue34151
Posted
How long have you been off this medication I'm interested because I have been considering coming off after 4 years of taking venlafaxine. but if it seems that if within a short time without this medication we go back into depression again is it worth stopping.
Kind regards sue
travis87
Posted
Honestly I probably came off it too early. The reason I went on is because I had extreme anxiety/depression since about grade 6 causing me to lose any kind of social network. I was thus a complete loner because I didn't allow myself to open up to anybody no matter how hard others tried.
Effexor almost completely wiped away any anxiety I had and really reduced my depression to the point that I could have great conversations with people and put myself completely out there. The mistake I made is coming off of it too soon as I had been able to connect with people again but still hadn't developed any social network/freinds although I was getting there.
I honestly think had I stayed on it another year and fully developed these relationships (I did need the help of the medication to do this) there is a decent chance I would have been able to pull through.
Genetically everyone is different though and some people were lucky enough to win the genetic lottery by naturally producing higher levels of "happy" chemicals than some of us. So honestly I don't know if it's something I will need to stay on or not but I think that to come off SSRI's in general you should:
1. Have a good social network with deep meaningful relationships
2. Exercise and eat healthy
3. Have hobbies that keep you active, involved with other people, and inspire you
Another REALLY important factor is that you really should be able to REFRAME the negative thoughts that obviously come along with being depressed I'd say before you get off the meds. Therapy can definitely help here as well as some self help books.
I hope that helps!
Travis
travis87
Posted