I'm New Here...Anyone take Effexor XR with any luck?

Hi Folks: This is my first post to the RNY Forum.  I am usually on the Ontario, Canada board.   I have a very important question that I am trying to find an answer to.  I have spoken to all my doctors, my shrink, my pharmacist, my Internist, my Naturopath...everyone but my surgeon and dietician, who haven't gotten back to me yet.  My surgery will be on March 1st and I am wondering if anyone on this board has been able to take Effexor XR (antidepressant) with any luck.  It is an extended release capsule and Wyeth, the manufacturer doesn't make a regular release pill any more.  I have read the articles that say that extended release capsules don't work after RNY but I haven't had any diffinitive answers on this particular drug.  If no-one has had any success with this drug post-op I will probably have to stop taking it and taper over to another antidepressant.  Oh, the horror of the withdrawal symptoms!!!    Any advice would be wonderful! Thanks in advance, Debbie H

Congrats on your upcoming surgery!  I had been on Effexor XR for almost 4 years before surgery.  I, too, was panicing because I did not want to change meds or go off this drug.  However, my PCP switched me to VENLAFAXINE HCL.  It is a generic and comes in the regular release that I take twice a day.  I did not have any problems at all.  Nor did I go through any withdrawls and I have always been very sensitive to Effexor XR if I didn't take it at the exact same time.  I am very happy with the medication and don't think you have anything to worry about.  Copy the name down and take it to your PCP.  Best of luck with surgery! Dena B.

Hi Dena: If the Venlafaxine is the generic Effexor, they don't make it in Canada any more!     I contacted Wyeth the Manufacture here in Canada and there wasn't a demand so they stopped.  That would have an ideal soloution.  Oh well, thanks for the info and maybe if I pester them at Wyeth, they will start making some again! Thanks, Debbie H

Hi Debbie, I went on Effexor XR back in October 2003. I stopped taking it cold turkey not too long after I met my hubby. I haven't had any withdraw symptoms. I was taking 150 mg a day. Oh, and I'm not on any other kind of antidepressant either. Dunno if that's helpful or not. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!!!! Lori :)

Thanks for the info Lori.  I already know I am a "withdrawer"...I accidentally stopped taking it for three days and man was I sick!  I think I will try to open the capsule and put it in a little glass of water and drink it down without breaking any of the granules and see how that goes. Thanks for your good wishes, Debbie H

 Debbie I am having the problems right now with this very thing.  I'm in my second week since surgery.  The effexor is not doing well.  I hope we both find a solution.   Good luck on your journey.   Ruth

 Ruth - you might ask your doctor about Celexa.  it's a kissing cousin of Effexor, and that's what they switched me to for after surgery since it's not time released like the Effexor was.  Works fine for me :)

Good luck!

Hello, I had my surgery just a few wks ago. i also take effexor xr but i just open the capsule and take it and i feel the same way i did before surgery except i think i feel better. i lost 16 lbs already so i have lots of energy. the time release still works. in my opinion. have a fast recovery. shawnna

Wow Shawnna!  That is great news!  I guess I will try it like how you are doing it and see how it goes.  I hope I have a fast recovery too! Thanks, Debbie H

I took Effexor XR before my surgery and continue to take it after my surgery.  It works for me.   When I was fresh post op I opened the capsule and put it in jello or pudding to take it, just don't chew it.  When I was 3 months post op, started swallowing the capsule whole and have had no problems.   My dose did need adjusting though, I was on 150 mg pre op and then had to go down to 75 mg when I was about 6 months post op. I did try the generic kind that had to be taken twice a day and didn't get very good results. Pam RNY 4/11/05