It’s been like this for the past 3-4 months now. Every morning its the same cycle, I wake up feeling OK, but as soon as I take my Effexor (which, is actually Venlafaxine- so the generic version) I get the exact same following side effects:

Sleepiness and tiredness...

Dizziness, lightheadedness and blurry vision!

Inability to focus

No motivation

Memory problems (swirling thoughts)

Difficulty recalling memories

Speech problems, difficulty formulating sentences

When you add all these things up, it just looks (and sounds) like a COMPLETE loss of self, the ego, and the person becomes a vegetable!! o.o it’s just really really bad...

My GP says that some of these symptoms are the price to pay for taking an Anti-Depressant in the first place... Others, are just my ADHD worsening (which can be very debilitating in its own regard... imagine not finding enjoyment in anything. No motivation and extreme distractability. Now imagine also forgetting everything you think of...that’s what my life has now become.) thing is, that I wasn’t having any of these side effects before!! Yes the ADHD-like symptoms were there, but none of the “swirling thoughts” and “extreme drowsiness” etc. that’s totally new!!

I will be taking my Medication at bedtime to combat a some of these side effects, esp the drowsiness.

Thing is also, that my brain is now very addicted to this substance, and without it I start feeling much much much worse. So I HAVE to keep taking this hell of a drug! Poop out or not, I have to keep taking it.

—My only solution at the moment is to get the TEVA or CO versions of Venlafaxine from my farmacist instead of the current APO and see if that fixes anything. I should not have to take Modafinil so I don’t fall asleep, this stuff (Effexor) is used to TREAT ADHD not make it worse. That’s why it must be some sort of POOP OUT—-

I can only be “somewhat” functional and not a vegetable when I take some Modafinil with it. I took some now and I’ve regained a lot the my motivation. (Thank God or else I’d be asleep!!) And it helps me focus, and it fights all of the described side effects! Even my memory is better.

It is NOT an option at this point to be switching anti-depressants. My doctor says I’d have to taper down first, and knowing how atrocious my withdrawals can get, that can simply not be at option. (She already suggested switching to Pristiq but I said no. And we agreed NO to cymbalta because it makes ppl tired, and NO to Wellbutrin because it’s not stimulating enough/ causes anxiety, and I have GAD) which one would you suggest switching to though??

I NEED to fix this. If this a poop-out of my Venlafaxine how do I make it work again?? I’m telling you, these side effects were not as bad before. I’d been on this stuff for like a year now, with no noticeable side effects, and here I am today, literally and figuratively struggling to keep my eyes open. I’ve tried taking supplements and nootropics. No real results!! I eat OK and sleep OK.

—-Can anyone help? What should I do? My Dr suggested switching to Pristiq but I decided against so because they are essentially the same thing. Could my brain have just Burnt out and is intolerable to Venlafaxine anymore? Is there some chemicals missing? I don’t want to keep suffering, and wasting my life away :( I just want to feel well and not like I’m about to die/fall asleep! I’ve become so high maintenance because of this POISON I keep taking every morning. Can anyone help by any chance??