u/balls9518

(25/F)

hi everyone!
i was on effexor before, but because of certain issues, i couldn't continue the treatment. luckily though, i'm back on it again and it's been 3 years already. i'm reaching out to you on this subreddit, as i'm the only one who has ever been prescribed this medication in my circle. other than you, i have no one else to ask.

regarding effexor, i don't mind it. it stabilises my mood well enough and i don't have as many suicidal thoughts as i used to. however, the toll it has on my body is a different story.

i never noticed much of a difference regarding my weight when i used to take it before, but now i do see few red flags. i went from 63kgs to approximately 80, and i don't eat a lot. i've heard a lot of opinions regarding the weight gain while on effexor; many say it's just a placebo ("you don't realise you're eating more when you're happier") or that it's normal for me, since i'm in mid 20s and the metabolism slows down (i used to get treatment when i was freshly 18). also people say they lost weight, while others say they gained a lot, even more than me. i'm pretty confused...?

i feel incredibly bloated and i developed stretch marks & double chin, but as i said, my eating habits didn't change. i also suffer with painful cystic acne now and that wasn't an issue before. it gets big, irritated and painful especially on my jaw, chin, arms and back. not to mention, my menstrual cycle is so messed up my period is a month late or doesn't come for two or three months. i struggle with migraines too, especially after missing a dose; though it isn't as alarming as the rest - unfortunately, venlafaxine is an awful substance and it will kick your ass if you don't take it regularly.

because of this, my confidence level dropped even lower than it was. i can't leave the house without covering my acne and i dress in baggy clothes to hide my weight gain. naturally, it makes me "spiral" and struggle with awful thoughts. i don't go out as much anymore, i don't dress in cutest outfits like i used to and i started abusing the power of editing apps... LOL.

when i mention it to the doctor, he brushes it off. he says the gain is normal and the acne isn't connected to the medicine. but i'm so confused, if it isn't then why do i get it when i haven't changed my diet, makeup or skincare products?

did anyone else struggle with these side effects, or am i some sort of "medical anomaly"? LOL
please share your experiences with me. i know stuff like this depends on a person and it isn't black or white, but i wonder if any of you have been in similar spot as me. and if so, what did you do? did you switch to different meds? did all of these issues (especially weight related) get resolved or not?

btw, i take 150mg.

waiting for any feedback!