Effexor Weight Gain And Loss Of Motivation (Top voted first)

My 21 year old son is on Effexor xr, 75 mg's per day. He has been on this drug for almost 9 months. He has gained 20 pounds or so, he is not motivated at all about anything. He can't work. He is not suicidal, but it is not helping him. His girlfriend is ready to leave him. I am at a loss. He has what seems to be brain zaps from what I have read. He calls it electricity jolts.

Please send me some information so that I can figure out what to do to help him. He will not do anything about it . He never sleeps at night. He sleeps all day long. He takes the medicine at bedtime.

Thank you

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Hello,
As a patient with depression, I have taken Effexor on many occasions. I never had a problem with Effexor increasing my appetite or weight. But it did stop working after a few months. Your son's weight gain may be related to his underlying depression, which could be exacerbated by the Effexor. A major side effect of all antidepressants is the possibility of worsening the illness they were meant to treat. For myself, a switch to Pristiq was remarkably effective. It is also a metabolite of Effexor, so I was able to just switch without any withdrawal symptoms.

If I were 21 years old, I would find a good PhD. clinical psychologist and slowly ween off the Effexor. (But only under a Psychiatrist's supervision.) If your son's Psychiatrist isn't willing to help him do this, find another one. Your son should always keep in mind that he, as a patient, has the right to find good medical care. It is unfortunate that some mental health professionals will use a patient's illness as a weapon to suggest that they don't have the judgement to decide which therapist is good for them.

A major problem is the difficulty of finding a good psychologist. I spent weeks looking at patient reviews and actually went to different therapists to see if they would be a fit for my personality. Let me just say that a good therapist is worth his (her) weight in gold. If the patient is willing, they can change lives. A psychologist actually helped pull my son out of a psychoses, without any medications. Many psychiatrists, who have little training in psychotherapeutic technics, believe it is impossible to cure a psychoses without drugs. They believe in an unproven chemical imbalance theory that is supported by the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry. Science really knows little about the inner workings of the brain. All psychiatric drugs work differently on different people. An honest psychiatrist will admit this.

And please don't use a family doctor to prescribe psychiatric drugs. They don't have the training and expertise of a psychiatrist.

I am a complete layman. My recommendations are solely based on my own experience and should never be followed without first consulting a licensed mental health professional.

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I am on the same dosage as your son. My doctor recommended me taking the meds in the morning, verses at night. He stated that it gives you a little boost. Which could be why he's staying up at night.

Speak with his doctor before just quitting taking this medication. The withdrawal symptoms are absolutely terrible. (I had to stop taking mine last year because my insurance was cut, due to losing my job. So I just started back on the meds)

Also, since he's been on it for 9 months and the symptoms aren't improving, speak to the doctor about upping the dose. This is very common with depression meds. Tell him to tell the doctor what has been going on.

I haven't gained any weight from Effexor since I've been prescribed it.
27 year old female.
Height:5'5
Weight: 125 pounds.

I hope sharing my experience helped you in some way! Feel free to ask me further information if needed! :)

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I must agree with the other poster, he might need to switch the time of day he takes it. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, mood changes, and weight changes.

However, there is also a chance that he might need to try a different medication.

How is he doing, now? Has there been any change?

Are any of you on any additional medications?

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