Anyone taking Effexor ????? I'm relating to other post of anger, etc

Just checking to see if anyone is on this, I can totally relate to the previous post. I'm feeling the same way and my doctor sug. the Effexor that it should help with the anxiety and flying off the handle. But I'm conxerned about the side effects, as in no sex drive...... Its weird I've lost 66lbs and I'm at a all time low there!!!!! My husband has been great thank goodness, very patient, just wondering if anyone else is going through the same thing? Thanks, Mitzi

I take Celexa. it works i guess. LOL Debbie

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BUT I'LL BE SURE TO ASK MY DR. ABOUT IT THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION. AS FAR AS THE SEX DRIVE I HEAR THE MEDS WE WERE TAKING COULD CAUSE A LOW SEX DRIVE. BUT GO TO WALGREENS & GET YOU A BOX OF ESTROVEN PLUS (OVER THE COUNTER) IT HELPS WITH YOUR HARMONES. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS TAKING THAT MINE WERE RAGGING (IT TAKES ABOUT A MONTH TO GET IN YOUR SYSTEM GOOD)

Melanie, Great, thanks a bunch

Again I say I thought I was all alone, they didn't talk about this in the support groups or when I went to my surgeon. Then all of a sudden one day it hit. Damnittohell! I went to my PCP yesterday and she put me on Effexor as well, I don't care so much about the sex drive just as long as it gets my emotions under control. I have come to far, losing 90 pounds to be miserable and making everyone else in the house life a living hell. So what the heck I will pop my first pill around lunch. Wish me luck. -Shari 287/197/155

Effexor, Wellbutrin, Zoloft,and Celexa all are antidepressants that have much less affect on the sex drive than other anti-depressants. Nor do they cause weight gain--in fact. Effexor is associated with weight loss in many patients. Paxil causes weight gain and so do all of the old-style antidepressants. If the pills help, take them. Remember they take ten days to two weeks to kick in and can take up to a month to reach full effectiveness. Depression itself causes decreased sex drive, as does stress, relationship problems, and boredom with the same old sexual routine. Estroven is not any more effective than placebo in research studies but placebo's are better than 50% effective--that is, if you think it's going to help your sex drive, it may very well! A better choice if you want an herbal is DHEAS (dehydroepiandosterone), which is converted by the body into testosterone, the sex drive hormone for both men and women. Ladies, don't take more than 50 mg a day or you may have problems with unwanted hair growth and/or acne. Hope this helps--no charge. Carolyn Moore (OB/GYN Nurse practitioner) DS 11/03/03 317/227

My Dr put me on effexor 3 weeks ago. I have taken it before but stopped because of the side effects (no sex drive). Already I can feel the side effects but my anxiety has/had gotten out of control. My pcp has me open the capsules and swallow the contents as these capsules are extended release. Im glad to know someone else is on this as I did a search and didnt come op with anything on this med in regard to gastric bypass patients. congrats on the weightloss. Jennifer -70

Jennifer, I was on Effexor Extended relaease before my surgery but knew afterward I couldn't take capsuls. I asked the pharmacist if the capsuls could be opened and I wad told no..that it would not work that way. I had to switch to the regular Effexor. Regular effexor can be crushed and taken with no sugar added apple sauce. They taste nasty so I would cru**** and then pour it as far back on my tongue as I could then took a drink of water. Sometimes a crushed piece would float forward so to stop that I mixed it in a little tiny bit of no sugar added apple sauce and then put it on the back of my tongue and took a drink of water. Unfortunately since I can't take extended release anymore...I have to take it 3 times a day. I have not noticed if it effects sex drive or not. I am a single parent and with no partner it seems outta site outta mind works for me. Check with your Pharmacist....regular Effexor comes in many dosages. I am working now with my surgeon, nurse practitioner, and pharmacist to discuss how much of the medication may be malabsorbed to see if my dose should go u*****t. Take Care, Wendy T.

Thanks you all so very much I really appreciate all the information, it helps to not feel alone with this..... Hugs to you all, Mitzi Congrats to everyones weight loss

Wendy, I double checked with my dr and pharmacist--whom recommeds following my pcp's recomendation about opening the capsules. They said that it would be just as effective and so far so good. I have noticed the difference in my mood swings. I do appreciate the information on this though. Jennifer