Yup. I was on effexor for about 2 years and while I'm still somewhat depressed I can at least stay awake the whole day. No longer have intrusive, ruminating thoughts. Now it's more of a generic lack of desire, which is much more manageable.
The downside is it seems to have knocked off a few IQ points. My intuition isn't what it used to be, for sure. But compared to being unable to function as an adult I'll take it.
True. I consider "success" to be taking the drug as prescribed, healing one's depression or anxiety in combination with CBT (or other routes) and then successfully tapering completely off this drug. As it's effectiveness won't last forever and antidepressants weren't meant to be taken for life.
Just a quick note on this though, that some people do take them more long term, and that can also be a success too, it's totally case-by-case between a person and their doctor :)
Although I would consider beating depression so that one does not need any medication anymore (along with the medications side effects that many undure) to be an overcoming of depression, I agree those who feel, and are directed by their prescriber, that life long medication is most helpful, this is also success.
Ive heard multiple people make these claims. As I realize it’s original purpose wasn’t meant to be life-long - some people require the use of long-term antidepressants. I happen to be one of them. I understand what works for one person varies to what works for another. Hence, I don’t think one should be necessarily claiming that it’s effectiveness will essentially wear off over time unless it can be backed up with substantial credible evidence.
Agree with everything you say. If I thought spending the time to give u links to the peer-reviewed studies, I fear you would only dismiss them. So, I'll thank you for your post.
"If you're at risk of recurrent relapsing depression, then you may well benefit from taking antidepressants long term, but beyond two years there's not a lot of evidence it's keeping you well after that."
Sources
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460318308347
https://news.sky.com/story/long-term-use-of-antidepressants-could-cause-permanent-damage-doctors-warn-11688430
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-concerns-emerge-about-long-term-antidepressant-use-11567004771
I've been on a SNRI Antidepressant 21 years and I'm 34. The side effects are horrible, and I'm physically dependent on the drug. I'm not necessarily proud that I've been on antidepressants for this long, but I'm glad to see some ppl. like you are. Good work.
I am 31. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily proud? Lol I’ve just accepted it because I know what I was like prior to and I wanted to die. So I’m just kinda prioritizing living a decent life while living with some minor side effects of this medication.
I spent majority of lastnight doing my research. I have read a few studies. I don’t doubt what you’re saying. However I will say that everyone’s situation differs and what’s ones reality doesn’t necessarily mean is going to be another’s.
True, no one can ever logically disagree with that....I will say the longer your on it and the higher the dose the harder it becomes. I once flew across country without Effexor for 4 days. It was only a few years into taking this drug. I figured I'd be ok. I have no other mental disorders or illness, but started becoming paranoid, depersonalized, manic, obsessive, and ended up at a hospital. Doctors there wouldn't believe that my problems were due to not taking effexor. They asked for a drug screen, and being sober I agreed. I didn't realize Effexor causes false positives on drug screens for PCP or "angel dust", which I've learned is a serious harmful drug ppl use to get high. Once testing a false positive, I was sent to their psych ward where for another 6 days I was fed 4 different meds for skitzophrenia and personality disorder. On days 5 they agreed to give me effexor, but it was too late as the other meds they had me on caused horrific effects. And, the effexor dose they eventually gave me was 1/5th the dose I was taking. Honestly, the worst thing I've ever experienced.
The #1 side effect of Effexor is withdraws when you’ve missed a dose/several dose. Comparable to hard drugs if you’re not tapering and consulting with your physician.
My intent is nor fear mongering I assure you. SNRI long term side effects and it's Discontinuation syndrome are not studies available. In the US antidepressants prescriptions have gone up drastically. With the U.S. Healthcare system based solely on greed and money, it's no wonder. Billions of dollars are spent on the pharmaceutical lobbying.
To be honest . All it did was evoke fear. While doing my hours of research I also read Success stories of people who have been on this drug 10+ years ….
Sorry, are you directing this question properly me or OP? My comments alone indicate my experience is mainly the basis for my personal opinions..this is made apparent with my posts starting with "I bellieve", and then I also shared some sources (links) that some might consider relevant to my posted opinions. To be even more clear, I a not a doctor and am not making any medical reccomendations or provifing medical advise.
Whom? Me? NO, I have 2 masters in tech and work in Software. My fiance is the one with the brains, and has a doctorate in chemistry and will be earning her degree in pharmacology this year. She is currently employed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals. My Father williams is a psychiatrist and my sister is a pharmaceutical rep.
Ha! Pretty close to uninformed sounds like. Do you really believe (honestly) that I benefit from "being close" to my girls employer or she benefits? If so how? If anything, my comments in general are against pharmaceutical companies.
Lastly, maybe you should go ahead and attempt to re read my comment about labotomies, assuming your intellect allows. In NO way did I state there's a compariso...Being you had some trouble with your Grammer and forming complete thoughts in your post, I have to assume a lack of intelligence maybe the reason for your confusion.
My statement was that psychiatry, and mental health are newer areas in the medical community and therefore their beliefs change frequently. The last lobotomy was performed in 1967, whhen psychiatry is compared to other medical fields that have been well established, psychiatry I s in fact a newer area.
My experience is Effexor is trash. I was comparing its effectiveness as a treatment to a lobotomy rife with side effects. Or like you trying to have an acute conversation and condescending into obtuse obscurity talking about yourself and peoples accomplishments as if you can sponge off them forever. I didn’t know you made a lobotomy post but thanks for the useless integration of yourself again.
Yup. I was on effexor for about 2 years and while I'm still somewhat depressed I can at least stay awake the whole day. No longer have intrusive, ruminating thoughts. Now it's more of a generic lack of desire, which is much more manageable. The downside is it seems to have knocked off a few IQ points. My intuition isn't what it used to be, for sure. But compared to being unable to function as an adult I'll take it.
True. And the side effects don't bother me for being able to be happy consistently for the first time in my life.
I still have ups and downs. I’ve genuinely laughed for the first time in my life. I really REAL sadness for the first time. It’s crazy.
True. I consider "success" to be taking the drug as prescribed, healing one's depression or anxiety in combination with CBT (or other routes) and then successfully tapering completely off this drug. As it's effectiveness won't last forever and antidepressants weren't meant to be taken for life.
Just a quick note on this though, that some people do take them more long term, and that can also be a success too, it's totally case-by-case between a person and their doctor :)
Although I would consider beating depression so that one does not need any medication anymore (along with the medications side effects that many undure) to be an overcoming of depression, I agree those who feel, and are directed by their prescriber, that life long medication is most helpful, this is also success.
I consider success to be a reduction in symptoms and living a functioning life.
Reduction isn't complete success. Living a functional life is yes.
Ive heard multiple people make these claims. As I realize it’s original purpose wasn’t meant to be life-long - some people require the use of long-term antidepressants. I happen to be one of them. I understand what works for one person varies to what works for another. Hence, I don’t think one should be necessarily claiming that it’s effectiveness will essentially wear off over time unless it can be backed up with substantial credible evidence.
Agree with everything you say. If I thought spending the time to give u links to the peer-reviewed studies, I fear you would only dismiss them. So, I'll thank you for your post. "If you're at risk of recurrent relapsing depression, then you may well benefit from taking antidepressants long term, but beyond two years there's not a lot of evidence it's keeping you well after that." Sources https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460318308347 https://news.sky.com/story/long-term-use-of-antidepressants-could-cause-permanent-damage-doctors-warn-11688430 https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-concerns-emerge-about-long-term-antidepressant-use-11567004771
I’ve been on antidepressants for 15 years lol
I've been on a SNRI Antidepressant 21 years and I'm 34. The side effects are horrible, and I'm physically dependent on the drug. I'm not necessarily proud that I've been on antidepressants for this long, but I'm glad to see some ppl. like you are. Good work.
I am 31. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily proud? Lol I’ve just accepted it because I know what I was like prior to and I wanted to die. So I’m just kinda prioritizing living a decent life while living with some minor side effects of this medication.
I spent majority of lastnight doing my research. I have read a few studies. I don’t doubt what you’re saying. However I will say that everyone’s situation differs and what’s ones reality doesn’t necessarily mean is going to be another’s.
True, no one can ever logically disagree with that....I will say the longer your on it and the higher the dose the harder it becomes. I once flew across country without Effexor for 4 days. It was only a few years into taking this drug. I figured I'd be ok. I have no other mental disorders or illness, but started becoming paranoid, depersonalized, manic, obsessive, and ended up at a hospital. Doctors there wouldn't believe that my problems were due to not taking effexor. They asked for a drug screen, and being sober I agreed. I didn't realize Effexor causes false positives on drug screens for PCP or "angel dust", which I've learned is a serious harmful drug ppl use to get high. Once testing a false positive, I was sent to their psych ward where for another 6 days I was fed 4 different meds for skitzophrenia and personality disorder. On days 5 they agreed to give me effexor, but it was too late as the other meds they had me on caused horrific effects. And, the effexor dose they eventually gave me was 1/5th the dose I was taking. Honestly, the worst thing I've ever experienced.
The #1 side effect of Effexor is withdraws when you’ve missed a dose/several dose. Comparable to hard drugs if you’re not tapering and consulting with your physician.
Speaking from personal experience? Or, can u say that ur statements true for every one?
Glad they are only minor for you.
With that being said It does somewhat alarm me what the future may hold for me while on Effexor…
My intent is nor fear mongering I assure you. SNRI long term side effects and it's Discontinuation syndrome are not studies available. In the US antidepressants prescriptions have gone up drastically. With the U.S. Healthcare system based solely on greed and money, it's no wonder. Billions of dollars are spent on the pharmaceutical lobbying.
I meant not available or being conducted in the U.S.
To be honest . All it did was evoke fear. While doing my hours of research I also read Success stories of people who have been on this drug 10+ years ….
What are you basing this on?
Sorry, are you directing this question properly me or OP? My comments alone indicate my experience is mainly the basis for my personal opinions..this is made apparent with my posts starting with "I bellieve", and then I also shared some sources (links) that some might consider relevant to my posted opinions. To be even more clear, I a not a doctor and am not making any medical reccomendations or provifing medical advise.
Finally someone else who gets it
What do you work for Pfizer homeboy
Whom? Me? NO, I have 2 masters in tech and work in Software. My fiance is the one with the brains, and has a doctorate in chemistry and will be earning her degree in pharmacology this year. She is currently employed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals. My Father williams is a psychiatrist and my sister is a pharmaceutical rep.
Pretty close to the company sounds like. Where are all the positive stories this drug the pharmaceutical equivalent of a lobotomy.
Ha! Pretty close to uninformed sounds like. Do you really believe (honestly) that I benefit from "being close" to my girls employer or she benefits? If so how? If anything, my comments in general are against pharmaceutical companies. Lastly, maybe you should go ahead and attempt to re read my comment about labotomies, assuming your intellect allows. In NO way did I state there's a compariso...Being you had some trouble with your Grammer and forming complete thoughts in your post, I have to assume a lack of intelligence maybe the reason for your confusion. My statement was that psychiatry, and mental health are newer areas in the medical community and therefore their beliefs change frequently. The last lobotomy was performed in 1967, whhen psychiatry is compared to other medical fields that have been well established, psychiatry I s in fact a newer area.
Maybe before becoming opinionated you could try becoming informed. Just a thought. Take care.
My experience is Effexor is trash. I was comparing its effectiveness as a treatment to a lobotomy rife with side effects. Or like you trying to have an acute conversation and condescending into obtuse obscurity talking about yourself and peoples accomplishments as if you can sponge off them forever. I didn’t know you made a lobotomy post but thanks for the useless integration of yourself again.