Effexor HELP

[khamm]

My husband has been on Effexor XR 150 mg for about 1 1/2 years and his original symptoms seem to be reoccuring (ie. extreme irritability, lack of sleep, low motivation, easily overwhelmed, anger).  He contacted his internist (Texas) about increasing his doseage and they told him that was the maximum doseage he could be on and I'm looking on the blog and that doesn't appear to be true.  My husband hates taking medication and certainly doesn't want to ADD anything else.  Does anyone know if this is normal for symptoms to start reoccuring after a period of time if you don't increase the doseage?

[LisaAnn678]

I can only  tell you my experience and it will not be the same for everybody.  I have been on 3 different anti-depressants in the past and never had the problem that I have had with Effexor.  I am currently on it but it seems like after I have been on a certain dosage for a few weeks then my symptoms come back.  I have been on 150, 225, 75, and now 37.5mg.  I tried to wean off of it last month and ended up in the emergency room with one of the worst panic attacks that I've ever had.  I do not like this med.  This is probably rare and I dont know why my symptoms keep coming back, I just now that it does not seem to be working and everything else has worked for me in the past.  On the FDA's dosing guide it does not mention anything higher than 225mg.  I will attach that link.  Also, I had to decrease my dose from 225 to 150 because my blood pressure SKYROCKETED because of this med.  Again, others have had good luck with this med but not me.  Hope this helps.  Lisa
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/effexor_xr_PI.pdf

[Rahlala]

Hi there.
I wanted to let you know that the highest FDA recommended dosage for Effexor XR is 300mg. So, I wonder what your husband's internist meant? Yes, they can increase the dosage if you are becoming too "adjusted" to that dosage, but in some cases it is best to just switch to another med altogether. I highly recommend seeing a Psychiatrist. These are MDs who are professionals in the area of psych meds and will know exactly what to do. Find someone you both are comfortable with. It's important to shop a bit. If he doesn't want to do therapy, fine. That's what a Pscyhologist is for. But at least a Psychiatrist can regulate his meds accurately.  :)
Also, is he taking any other medications? If so, they may interact in a negative way with each other. The psychiatrist will know how best to handle these if the internist does not feel like the best fit for your husband's psychological care. Just be sure to list all current meds when you see him or her.

I wish you and your husband good health and best wishes!
-Sarah

[amanda77rainbow]

I noticed the same problem with Effexor. I'd be stable on a dose for a few weeks and then my symptoms seemed to come back and worsen. You've probably read about all the problems with Effexor--side effects, withdrawal--but I know it's helped tons of people. Maybe it's just not the right medication for your husband. It's a dangerous drug at high doses and he can't continue it indefinitely. Is he also in counseling? I found talk therapy more helpful than any drug I was ever on.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

although there is a 225 mg form of this, your doctor may be worried about the blood pressure side effect.  It is very common for a medication to stop working as well because the underlying issue of depression is not deal with by the drug, it just covers the symptoms. Your husband may have to try other antidepressants, or spend some time with a therapist figuring out why he is depressed.