My doctor just described effexor xr

[Hope]

I have found alot of contradicting information concerning effexor xr.  This is the first medicine I have been on and would like to know different side effects and things that I should know about this med.  She really didn't give me alot of information just told me to take it 1 a day started me on 37.5mg and I just started 75mg.  I really haven't felt different a little spacey sometimes but that is it.

[KAREN - NOVEMBER 28,2000]

I STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR 37.5MG BECAUSE OF STRESS AT WORK AND
AT HOME DUE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.  AFTER TWO WEEKS I STILL FELT VERY MUCH ANXIETY, CRYING EVERYDAY, STILL STRESSED
ARGUING DAILY WITH MY HUSBAND.  WE OWN A BUSINESS TOGETHER.  I TOLD MYSELF TO STOP TAKING THIS SO I DID.  TWO DAYS WENT BY I FELT GOOD, THEN I HIT ROCK BOTTOM WITH MY EMOTIONS.  I WENT TO THE DR. 2 DAYS LATER AND HE STARTED ME BACK FOR 30 DAYS.  DURING THAT TIME A WENT BACK & FORTH WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY I SHOULD EVEN BE DEPRESSED AT ALL.  I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT I WOULD TAKE THE MEDICINE JUST TO FEEL BETTER.  I HAD A 30 DAY CHECK-UP AND THE DOSAGE WAS INCREASED TO 75MG.  THE VERY FIRST DAY ON IT I FELT SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND HIGH ANXIETY BUT I WAS ABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO TALK TO MY HUSBAND AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG.  WE CONCLUDED IT WAS AN ANTIBIOTIC I TOOK
3 DAYS BEFORE, FOR A CHEST COLD.  THE ANTIBIOTIC WAS LEFT OVER FROM MY HUSBANDS COLD.  I STOPPED TAKING THE ANTIBIOTIC IMMEDIATELY.  I'M NOW FEELING A LITTLE MORE STABLE. I DON'T FEEL EXTREMELY EXCITED, BUT I AM NOT AT ALL SAD. I INTEND TO FINISH THE 30 DAYS AND CALL THE DR TO GET A REDUCED MG.  I WOULD LIKE TO STOP THE MEDICINE ALL TOGETHER IF I CAN.  THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY IS AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE MEDICINE FOR THREE WEEKS MY HUSBAND STARTED ON ZOLOFT 25MG.  THIS HAS HELPED HIM VERY MUCH TO NOT GET UPSET ABOUT ANYTHING.  SO I KNOW MEDICINE CAN HELP IF YOU USE IT CORRECTLY.  HERE'S HOPING THINGS WILL STAY NORMAL.

[cherub]

I have been on Effexor for 3 days @ 37.5mg and I am shocked at the lack of side effects compared to prozac, which I have spent quite a few years taking.  Really, all of these widely prescribed anti-depressants are easy to tolerate, I just wish they were more effective for me.  My doctor once said that the presence of initial side effects is encouraging.  The reason for this being if the meds are having a noticeable impact, then chances are greater that they will impact your depression as well.  That's just passing it on...

[Lisa Foley [email protected]]

Dear Hope I was put in the same boat my Doc put me on it too after a bad raging session with my saint of a husband I went really off the deep end I broke things and throw things at him I just really lose it girl let me tell you.
I did know I had depression I just thought I PMS really bad, nope is something call premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
so Doc put me on Effexor-xr and well it makae me spacey too at time but I dont feel any different I was on Zoloft and I did feel better on that.
But all in all my husband say Im a happier person tro be around and he like me on it but I was told by my doc that I could suffer withdal  if I stop taking it I don't want to be on this forever, but I can tell what does work too in june I had to move in with my mom and dad and I lost my meds  so my mom made me a herb tea out of flower blossoms and orange blossoms and to tell you the truth I was happier on that.
But either way the meds help even if it in a small way if it make you happy to be around family, feel spacey is a small price to bay so your kids wont say "mom's sad again and wont get out of bed " at least for me  I'm glad you have this message bord to see Im not alone out there.
                         Thank You
                                 Lisa Foley
                                 Escondido ca 92029

[Dana]

I recently came off of Parnate after being on it for 6 years. After the required 2-week waiting period, i began taking Effexor XR (3 days ago @ 37.5 mg/day).  So far i have experienced terrible nausea, hot flashes, and, every now and then, increased heart palpitations.  If anyone else has experienced these symptoms, i would be very grateful if you would tell me how long they lasted- i am doing my best to make it through this initial phase of the treatment, but the discomfort is becoming very intolerable...any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Dana]

I recently came off of Parnate after being on it for 6 years. After the required 2-week waiting period, i began taking Effexor XR (3 days ago @ 37.5 mg/day).  So far i have experienced terrible nausea, hot flashes, and, every now and then, increased heart palpitations.  If anyone else has experienced these symptoms, i would be very grateful if you would tell me how long they lasted- i am doing my best to make it through this initial phase of the treatment, but the discomfort is becoming very intolerable...any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Shroo]

So, after reading some rather negative articles on the internet, I decided (on my own) to tape off my Effexor XR.  I was only taking 37.5 mg q.am. but after a while of taking the med, I started having headaches.  My doc wanted to put me on a higher dose especially considering that I have the most horrid PMS monthly.  He gave me a script and 2 days later I started to taper off on my own.  After about a week and a half, I thought I was okay enough to stop it altogether...WHAT A MISTAKE!  I started getting "electrical shocks" and profound anxiety attacks.  I, of course, went back to my doctor who said, "naughty, naughty!"  He said what I experienced by trying to go off the med was normal but would make me feel like CRUD.  Boy, did I.  He gave me a script for #10 at 37.5 mg then to increase to 75 mg q.am.  I am going to follow his advice.  I asked him if I would always have to take this medication and he had an analogy to offer.  He said that when you go to the eye doctor you don't ask him to make your glasses to where you can just see a little, you want him to make them where you can see clearly.  He said that like eyes being an organ of the body, the brain is an organ and sometimes needs to be treated whether it be short term or life long.  I still have "mini" anxiety attacks at night and I am told that this will occur until I am back to drug level.  Much luck to all out there who suffer with depression and anxiety.  Shroo :)

[Terri]

I have take Effexor XR for several months and have been quite satisfied with how I felt while on the medication.  I recently found out I am pregnant and chose to taper off the medication with the assistance of the psychiatrist.  Since I stopped my last dose 3 days ago, I have had nausea, dizziness, and an electric shock feeling in my head.  I hope these clear up over time.

[toya banez]

I was diagnosed manic-depressive 7 years ago. I started taking zolft, and for the last two years i have been on effexor. It has helped. I am tappering off towards a drug free existance. I am feeling dizzy, and very tired. But I look forward to the natural born human I am. I was recently diagnosed a natural born genius. And to tell you the truth, I believe the second diagnosis is far more accurate. There was a lot of feelings being covered up by my depressants. I would like to think that once the effexor is out of my system that I will open up that part of my brain that is so...frightening to most, My genius. Be cautious. Drugs are here to help one get through a tough time, but should not be a way out of your natural born potential. Good luck

[Tricia]

I have been taking Effexor XR for quite a few months now and I have noticed the same symptoms from missing a dose or two.  I hate when sometimes I am out of it and so I miss a few days and I go insane!  It helps me a lot except I am reserved and tired on my period.  My brother is on the same stuff as me but he has more anxiety than I do.  I hope I don't have to be on this stuff forever!  When can you get off it and still be normal?  I kinda feel like I have to take it or I'll be sick.  Does that mean that I am addicted?  I wish I knew more about this drug and my conditions that make it necessary for me to take it.

Thank you

[Katie]

i have been on effexor xr 75mg for about a year. Four weeks ago my md increased my dose to 150mg. the past to weeks i have experienced an irregular hr dizziness. My palpatation becamemore severe. my md is saying this might be seratonin syndrome . i have also had facial flushing for months. could you please tell me more about this syndrome.

[traci wagner]

My first anti-depressant was effexor and it made me feel high as a kite. Even my boss mentioned to me one day that I looked "out of it." Needless to say,I had my Dr. take me off effexor immediately.

[Trey]

I started Effexor XR about a year ago.  I had the normal side effects, lighheadedness and dizzyness when I first started, they go away after a few weeks,  I FELT GREAT!!!!!!  but, I gained 50 pounds over that period.  I have had my doctor to switch me to wellbutrin.   Havent lost any of the weight yet.  By the way.  Going off Effexor will have you going out of your bloody mind.  The electric shocks that persist for 3 weeks or so are excruciating.  I went off effexor cold turkey,  Believe me I let my doc know about it.

[Susan]

I have read about the side effects and everything, but have decided I definitely cannot do without it, so....I have been on probably 20 antidepressants and starting taking Effexor XR a year ago.  It has worked wonderfully for me and I have had no side effects.  If I accidentally miss a days dose, I feel dizzy but that is all.



Good luck to you!

[Susan]

Give it time.  Your doctor will probably increase the dose further.  I have found that Effexor is bvery helpful, and I have been on lots of different medications.  Effexor seems to be one of the best.

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear Hope,

Effexor XR is an effective antidepressant.
It is usually started at a low dose 37.5mg and gradually increased, usually until 150mg/day.

Some studies show that Effexor may actually work faster than other antidpressants (improvment in 3-4 weeks, compared to 4-6 weeks).

Side effects may range from sedation to insomnia, mild anxiety to restlessness. Increased blood pressure is also a concern with Effexor XR. Patients should have blood presure monitored regularly.

For more details consult your psychiatrist or pharmacist.

Best Wishes,

HFHS M.D.-SW

[Sheri]

hi hope,

everyone is different i have been taking effexor now for 4 weeks my biggest problem was after the first day of taking it i felt like i had the flue and for 3 days after it looked like my eyes were going to pop out of my head & i felt like i was in outer space, once i got over that i have been pretty good.

good luck!