u/mooseyy98

I was just forced to quit Effexor this past Friday bc it was giving me full body hives and swelling of the face and lips (been on 37.5 since Jan 2026, hives randomly began in May 2026). My neurologist told me because I’m on the lowest dose 37.5, I can stop the medication right away. My last dose was Thursday. Yesterday (Saturday) was horrible. So so so nauseous is all I can say. Today I just feel strange and off balance. In your experience, how long did the withdrawal last? Specifically if you’re like me and only have gone as high as 37.5 on this med.

Slightly vain rant, but sooooo incredibly frustrated that weight gain is not disclosed as a side effect of emgality. I 110% have gained weight from this med and no doctor can tell me otherwise simply because the “drug manufacturers don’t say it’s a side effect”. It is extremely exhausting going through trial and error with meds especially when they create MORE issues like weight gain. I would’ve never gone on this med knowing it caused rapid weight gain.

The worst part is, I’ve been on Qulipta for several years, and was a miracle drug for me. Switched neurologists and suddenly my insurance was denying Qulipta stating that I needed to try all drugs before being approved for it. (I’ve tried a drug from each drug class, so don’t understand this rationale.) This was the only reason for starting Emgality.

Fast forward, I reported my weight gain to my neuro and they submitted an appeal and Qulipta has been approved! Hopefully on my way to losing the weight I’ve gained from this damn Emgality.

Sorry for the rant, but hopefully some can relate. 🫠