Can't stop sleeping on Effexor

[injeanious]

I started Effexor Friday am. I was drowsy Friday then couldnt' sleep well Fri pm so switched to Saturday pm to take it.  I was drowsy all weekend. By Sunday night I fell asleep at 9:30pm and slept until 11am on Mon. All day yesterday I pretty much slept other than getting up to eat and go to the bathroom.  The Dr told me to go off it since I had only been on it 3 days and said I'd be fine today. I still can't stay awake today. It's not as bad as yesterday but I keep dozing off and can't do anything. How long is it going to take to get out of my system? He has me starting Celexa next but not until this wears off.

[injeanious]

Aga135, Glad to know I wasn't the only one! I was unable to find anyone else who said they slept like this on it. There is no way I could have continued on Effexor. I literally could not stay awake, work, drive etc. From what I have read about this medicine I'm glad I got off of it quickly.  All medicines have side effects and withdrawal if not weaned off properly, but this one really sounds drastic.

[Aga135]

I took Effexor and could sleep all day if I could. That's one of the side effects of Effexor. I don't remember any other side effects, but a friend who also took Effexor not only experienced extreme fatigue and took naps all the time but had other problems which he blames on the drug after doing a little research which supported his suspicions. He said that found people who had many problems while on Effexor and these people were planning to sue...

[RubyWitch]

Hi guys!
This is the perfect example of why this forum is so great. The sharing of opinions, experiences and ideas as well as the support, comfort and care we give to each other just can't be beat.
Whether or not I agree or disagree is moot. The main point is that you have an open, honest discussion with your doctors and therapists and work as a team to reach your goal of recovery.
Wishing ALL of us the best life has to offer...........
Peace
Greenlydia
  

[Slappy3243]

Don't forget that many of the SSRI and SNRI anti-depressants are FDA approved to treat anxiety disorders such as SAD, GAD, PAD...etc. My mother had anxiety her whole life and nothing helped her until she went on Paxil many years ago. She was like a new person. She said for the first time in over 30 years, she felt "normal" again. She is now on Effexor XR since the sexual side effects were too much for her on Paxil and all is well. Since most psychiatrists would rather treat a patient with an SSRI or an SNRI than a benzo, they are not such a bad place to start and can be very effective in treating anxiety. The best treatment is usually obtained through a combination of medication and therapy.

-Adam

[injeanious]

Greenlydia,
I appreciate your feedback, but I'm not sure I agree. Lexapro worked great for me for anxiety. The reason I went off of it was due to the sexual side effects. Celexa is the older version of Lexapro so it seems to me, from what I've read, that it's similar and would hopefully work as well, possibly without side effects.  Wellbutrin did not work, since that is for depression. I'm not sure about Effexor, but obviously that's not an option for me anyway. Do a quick google search for "Celexa and anxiety" and you will see tons of information saying it works for anxiety.  I also know the Dr himself has taken Lexapro in the past and has described my symptoms first hand, so I know he is sure of what he is trying to treat me for.  I feel comfortable with this based on the research I have done and with the fact that Lexapro worked so well for me. Eventually going back on Lexapro may be my only option if nothing else works but we are trying other options first.

[RubyWitch]

If you were put on Effexor for anxiety, I have to question your docs thinking. According to the forums pharmocology "guru" Ryan, being prescribed an antidepressant for anxiety is wrong, it will, apparently, in the long haul only make it worse. Conversly, he writes that being put on an anti-anxiety med for depression will only make THAT worse. Effexor is prescribed for depression which you state you do not have. So.....in my humble, bumbly way, I would suggest you have a bit deeper discussion with your doc as to his choice of this med for your anxiety. Which is your right since it's you who is going to be ingesting this drug.
I'm glad to hear that you are feeling even more normal today, but before you start on the Celexa, which is also prescribed for depression, NOT anxiety, that discussion with your doctor needs to take place before you begin THIS med. Somewhere along the line, your DX seems to have gotten confused and you really need to get this clarified.
Best of luck. Let us know how it turns out, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia

[injeanious]

I went on the Effexor for anxiety not depression. I did contact the Dr right away and he took me off of it immediately.  It does seem like most people get insomnia from it. I didn't find this effect on anyone else.  It definitely had to be a reaction to the medicine, not depression since I'm not depressed. If anything I'm too hyper most of the time!    This definitely felt like I was drugged and couldn't stay awake, like if you were taking nighttime cold medicine all day.  I think I am finally feeling back to normal today hopefully and going to try Celexa next (per the Dr). The Dr did tell me to wait until the Effexor was out of my system to start the Celexa.

[RubyWitch]

Hi Toots,
Did you scan thru the posts here to see what other folks had to say about their experience with Effexor?
Did you call your doc? Or a pharmacist?
You wrote about this over 17 hours ago which should have given you ample time to contact SOMEONE regarding your excessive tiredness.
Consider also that since Effexor is prescribed for major depression, and one of the major symptoms of depression is feeling excessively tired, then possibly what you are reacting to is not connected with the Effexor, but the depression. I am only guessing at this, but I really don't believe you were on the Effexor long enough, even if you were possibly hypersensitive to the med, for the tiredness you feel to be connected. I would still urge you to contact your doctor. I know you said you would be starting another med as soon as you felt less exhausted, but perhaps your doc will want to get you going sooner because of this. It's kinda like a bloody merry-go-round, isn't it? But trust me, I know it's nowhere as much fun!
I am really sorry you are going through this and wish I could offer you more than the same advice I gave you yesterday, which is to get back with your doc for some truly professional answers.
This too, believe it or not, shall pass.
Peace
Greenlydia

[injeanious]

I can't find anything online about anyone else experiencing this. It must be unusual. I have been off the medicine for 3 days now and still taking naps and drowsy, although some improvement. I've read how horrible the withdrawl is on this medicine. I can only imagine since just being on it 3 days knocked me out so badly.

[RubyWitch]

I think your doctor was correct in taking you off the Effexor. While malaise and drowsiness ARE side effects of this med, the amount of time you were sleeping is abnormal and MAY have been a hypersensitive reaction to this drug. I can't find any information for you about how long this excessive tiredness "should" last, but your best source of information is your doctor. Perhaps there are others on this forum who experienced what you are going through and will give you a better answer than I could. If you are hypersensitive to this med, then perhaps it will take a little longer than most for it to leave your system completely. I'd still call my doc, but don't get all freaked out about this, you said it was getting better. So just hang in there, you'll be fine soon.
Peace
Greenlydia