After a serious job injury and subsequent misdiagnoses and treatments I have undergone 19 surgeries in 14 years. I take massive amounts of medications and one of these is a drug called Effexor XR (extended release). Effexor XR has many different uses and even more side effects. The only reason that the drug was prescribed me is for anti depression. Because of my life altering experience it has been very hard to get my life on track. Often I face serious bouts of depression only to find that I am still depressed no matter what drug I take. I have tried Paxil, really serious side effects that have been in the news. Prozac didn't work and actually Effexor XR doesn't work any longer.

Side effects,

Weight gain, loss. Diarrhea or constipation (nearly all drugs can have this effect and do). Anxiety, blood pressure elevation, gastrointestinal problems, head aches, dizziness, liver damage in some, kidney problems noticed usually by jaundice which is the yellowing of the skin, worse depression and swelling. There are many more but I don't remember all of them.

There are always the usual side effect listed with all drugs, rash, itching, lethargy (excessive tiredness) and etc. These are serious side effects and a person must get treatment.

It is important to understand that anytime you put something into your body that is not natural there is going to be some type of side effect. Most side effects are not harmful and as our bodies adjust to the drug they will go away. However, many side effects are not listed on the inserts you receive with you medications and the pharmacist can help you there. If you are taking a new drug I always ask for the insert that comes in the box with the medication from the manufacturer. Why? Because only the manufacturer knows all the effects of the medication he is putting on the market for the publics use.

Usually the side effect that no one has heard of except the manufacturer is the one I get. Because it does not cause a large number of users during trials this particular problem then it is not listed as general information. Why cause panic when you don't need too, right? This information is something you either have to ask that pharmacist or go directly to the manufacturer.

More and more I have begun to think that drugs are made so that other drugs can be made. We have so many antidepressants I couldn't name them all but before you take anything and use it on a regular basis make sure you know and understand all the side effects and how they should be responded to in order to keep yourself alive. Every drug has some kind of side effect no matter how minimal so now what it is and what to do.

We spend a lot of time worrying about marijuana, but not enough time worrying about the drugs that are approved for our consumption by the government. All drugs are man made and because of that they can and do effect many of us in very unnatural and harmful ways. Be very careful before you take them and know what your body is telling you because every drug you take must work hand in hand with all the rest of them or you could have a fatal reaction.

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