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HELP ANYONE PLEASE WITH EFFEXOR

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Posted 2/6/2009 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken lexapro, prozac, paxil, topomax, abilify and they have all made me extremely suicidal to the point where I did try and committ suicide about two weeks ago.  i am now in intensive outpatient therapy which is only therapy once a week and they want to put me on effexor im horrified it is going to give me bad suicidal thoughts again and I look it up and it says it can do that but do you continue taking it even though you have suicidal thoughts i mean do they go away if you keep taking it??? I can't beat this depression on my own but am terrified to try effexor any advice??
Posted 2/6/2009 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
i have heard good things about effexor. different meds affect people differently, so there is no reason to be worried. try it and give it enough time to work (about 4 weeks). please tell your pdoc about your concerns, he is your best ally right now.

also, if your suicidal thoughts are really bothering you, an anti-psychotic might help. once again, ask your pdoc.

Posted 2/6/2009 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
SheriAnne,

I take effexor and I don't have those thoughts. I take the highest dose that is allowed and will have to take it for the rest of my life. Did you let your doctor know that you have had these thoughts on all of the other medications? I take effexor and abilify together and it is a wonderful combination for me. The only problem I had was when I decided to go off of it, that was a mistake. I didn't taper off right and went absolutely crazy. So I know better now. I take it in capsules. It is effexor xr.

Make sure that your doctor is absolutely clear how the other meds effected you so that he knows. And I hope that it works for you.

Best wishes

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/6/2009 12:40 PM (GMT 0)

Sheri,

This is from the Effexor official site............

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

"Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior."

Contact your physician immediately if you start the medication or any of the AD's and have harmful thoughts.............That is a warning on all the AD's that I have read about. I am not a professional but I want you to be safe.

Bless you

Kitt

Posted 2/7/2009 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheri,

I take 150mg of Effexor and did get side effects for the first few weeks but this did reduce after a few weeks, I did not get any suicidal thoughts whilst taking this medication but as other members have said work closely with your doctor or pdoc as supervision is required when starting a new medication. I wish you all the best.

Keep us posted
Posted 2/8/2009 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
I take 150 mg of Effexor and I think about killing myself often. I used to cut, I don't anymore. But I haven't acted on the thoughts yet.
Posted 2/8/2009 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
When i took efexor it was hell on me. Changed to EffexorXR and had no problems. Actually found great relief. It is the timed released version and it really helped me.
Posted 2/8/2009 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Normajeanbaker,

I think that you should let your doctor know how you are feeling, it sounds like you need a medication adjustment. Please don't act on your thoughts. Call somebody when you are feeling this bad. I will post some numbers and sites for you to get ahold of when you are feeling down.

Hugs, Karen

National Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
This is a combined network of the Amerian Association of Suicidology, the National Hopeline Network, CONTACT USA, and many other organizations. Call are automatically routed to the nearest crisis center to the phone from which the call for help is placed.

Helpful Web Sites:
Suicide Hotlines (listed by state)
Suicidal.com (includes Suicide Crisis Center and Depression and Suicide)
SuicidalTeens.com

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Posted 2/10/2009 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
I took Effexor XR a few years ago. It helped tremendously. The first couple of weeks are somewhat difficult due to the side effects but once you get past that, the medication is quite beneficial. It worked well for me and hopefully it can do the same for you. Good Luck!
Posted 2/13/2009 8:03 AM (GMT 0)

After being on several different medications that didnt work my doctor put me on prozac which worked really well for me although I have heard that it can have undesired effects for some people including suicidal thoughts. After taking prozac for 7 years it stopped working which led me on a downward spiral of having to go through trialling a new medication again. I am now on 225mgs of effexor ER and I have found it to be doing well. I guess I have been extremely lucky in the side affects as apart from dry mouth I really havent had many problems. I do know that when you start a new medication you have to give it a go for at least 4 weeks to see any changes, I also know from experience that you should not under any circumstances stop your medication without consulting your doctor first, I know that if I miss a day by accident I get incredibly ill. For the last 13 years my life has been a constant up and down ride but after having a very good friend of mine commit suicide 10 years ago I have been able to see how this affects those that are left behind. I am not trying to give anyone a guilt trip I have been there before I have felt the incredible feeling of everything lifted of your shoulders but I tell you what I wouldnt go back there again knowing what I know now. There are so many people out there that are there to help and it may just be that you need someone to talk to not have them talk but just listen. I just want to say that if you ever feel that low try your darndest to get back up because you are a great person and what would your love ones do without you. Also it takes more energy to frown then it does to smile try lifting the corners of your lips even if it is just to yourself it does feel good.

Take care and I wish you well on your walk through life just remember there is only one of you and your the best one there will ever be!

Posted 2/21/2009 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am just coming off effexor after taking it for 2 years. I never had suicidal thoughts whilst taking this meciation. It did take 4-6 weeks for it to properly kick in and start working though. I took 225mg at one point and am now down to 75mg and hoping to come off it soon.
Posted 2/21/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you Victoria,

I take 375 mg of effexor each day. That is the highest dose you can take. I have been taking it for many years. I tried to go off of it once and believe me it was the worst thing I have ever experienced. So I ended up going back on and here I am. The reason that I wanted off, is because I thought I was healed. Well, it was the meds that made me feel that way. So it does work for me.

I hope that you can find what works for you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/22/2009 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
I took Effexor a few years back - it didnt make me suicidal at all (and they put me on this after an attempt) but it did make me very dopey - I really couldnt drive while I was taking it - I kept falling asleep, but I was on a high dose. I think the trouble with meds is you need to find the one that suits you, and LET SOMEONE KNOW the minute you start having suicidal thoughts. And get stuck into some therapy at the same time. I dont think meds alone will do it. My experience is that treating depression is multi-faceted - meds (at least initially), therapy, exercise, diet, staying off drugs and alcohol, and good sleep. Its a bit of a balancing act I think! Good luck.
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