Substance Abuse Community

I started taking Effexor 7 months ago because I suffered with really bad depression after I had my son. At first it worked so well. I was given Effexor XR 37.5mg once a day. I felt like myself again. I was able to finally feel, so I though. About 2 months ago I was given generic Effexor because my insurance would not cover non generic. I was scared to take it but I was told that it is the same as non generic. That is not true. As soon as I started taking the generic I felt worse. I had really bad anxiety, I was forgetting things, I felt like I was losing my mind. I would get mad and feel irritable because of it. Whenever I would look at my 2 sons I felt as if I did not know who they were. Better yet, I didn't even know who I was anymore. I had no emotions. I couldn't cry or feel happy. I hated feeling like this. This is not how people are suppose to live. I exercise 6 days a week and eat a healthy diet. Why was I not feeling better. I am in the best shape I could possibly be. This is when I decided to get off of it, with my dr's ok. I have decided to get off of it cold turkey. Yes, I do have the brain zaps, feel dizzy at times. The withdrawals are nothing compared to how I felt on Effexor. I can actually feel again. Thank you god for answering my prayers. It is day 5 of being off. I would recommend to exercise continually and eat a healthy diet when coming off. Take omega 3's, a multi vitamin and vitamin B complex. I think since I have been doing this anyways for 7 months, it has helped with my withdrawals. I have not had headaches or irritability like some have stated. I will never go on this again.