Medication Question - Meds stopped working abruptly?

[finding_reason]

I have been on Effexor XR 37.5mg since 2008 and it has been the only drug that has worked for me however recently within the last two weeks or so I am experiencing all the side effects and some of the withdrawal symptoms that I have experienced briefly in the past when my script ran out and I couldn't get it filled for a day. But I am taking the dosage everyday at the same time each day and nothing....yawning and the light headed dizzy/ nauseous feeling are the most prominent of the symptoms that I am experiencing.

I am in a bit of a pickle as I am currently living overseas and I was origninally prescribed the medication at home and while I have no problem getting my script refilled there really isn't a way of having the dosage changed per say as I don't have a GP (as I am only on international student health care).

I guess I am looking for others experiences and what people who are outisde of situation may see as an option? I am terrified of the full withdrawal experience if I was ever to be medication free as I have heard from professionals and others how horrible the experience can be. Naturally I wouldn't do it without medical support but would ultimately like to be medication free. I guess I am just curious is it possible for your body to become immune to a drug that has been effective for so long?

any advice, thoughts, suggestions people can provide are GREATLY appreciated.

[Geranium]

I was on effexor once and remember that the effect of skipping a few days was nasty. For me the withdrawal process was fine when I decreased it gradually though.

Seems unlikely you'd suddenly become immune. A few things to check
Have you got a new packet of tablets? - if so are they in date? Are they made by a different manufacturer to your usual?

Could anything else be interfering with your bodies ability to metabolise it - have you started any other medications recently, had diarrhoea/vomiting, changed your diet radically?

[riotgrrrlcori]

I know some people can get used to some medicines at lower doses. Although, I don't know much about Effexor. My therapist once described it to me as your liver gets better at processing a new chemical, but eventually that levels off. Maybe you just need a higher dose? I'm not sure about the therapeutic index for Effexor.

[overcome.]

I was taking venlafaxine for a while, months and months ago. It's the last anti-depressant type medication I took. I don't know what it did for me really, but I do remember missing it for about two and a half day and it was horrible. I remember walking to work one early morning and the buildings infront of me in the far distance seemed to be blurry and almost move back and fourth slightly. I remember getting hot flushes, being dizzy and also before the early afternoon I was sick about 4 times. Horrible time.

I think that the best honest advice would be to speak to a pharmacist or any kind of general practitioner/doctor ASAP really. Even if you were to go into a local pharmacy and explain the medication you were on and explain your situation, you could go from there.

Edit: Btw, I'm really not trying to scare you here. I did feel unwell, but I was still at work when I missed a few doses. Two and a half-three days is a long time. Saying that, as soon as I was able to take a tablet, I took one, had a long sleep and felt fine again. It will only be temporary, it's a case of weathering the storm. Stay strong.