Effexor for POTS

[kbennj]

Does anyone here with POTS take Effexor?  I just had a hysterectomy July 13th and have had a flare up of POTS symptoms.  I saw that some OBGYN Dr.s perscribe it after hysterectomies for help with hot flashes and mood swings due to hormone changes, but also saw that some cardio Dr.s prescribe it also to help with POTS.   Does anyone here have any experience with it?  Thanks,

[Groggyfroggy]

Hi, My name is Lois (Groggyfroggy) I'm new here.  My OBGYN also put me on Effexor for hot flashes and night sweats because I wasn't a candidate for hormone therapy and I'm going thru' menopause.  I happen to have POTS, but wasn't put on the medication for the POTS.  I became very sick after that with nausea, shakiness, and a most terrible moodiness.  I had to be taken off the medication and it took quite a while to get out of my system.  

That being said, I've read good things about it; for POTS and menopausal changes.  I may have been taking way too big a dose as I had signs of "seratonin sickness".  I only took Effexor for about 12 days.

Nice to meet you,

Groggyfroggy

[AireScottie]

I had an EP put me on Effexor, and it made my dysautonomia much worse.  Same with Celexa, Cymbalta, Prozac, and Pristiq.  I think it depends on the cause of your dysautonomia.  In my case, most of the nerves are missing, so more neurotransmitters aren't gonna get the message across!  It may be worth a try for you though

[LivingInHope]

I took Effexor for I think three days related to migraines  I think the year before being diagnosed with POTS, but had to stop with all the side effects it gave me.  I had a hysterectomy in 2006.  I don't get many hot flashes for some reason.   I  take over the counter Sam-E, naturemade brand 200 mg/day and flaxseed oil capsules (the latter with breakfast and mid-day meal).  Both are mood elevators.  For a short time somewhere along the way, I didn't feel it was quite enough and added 5 mg prozac generic to my regime, but I went off it this year and seem to be mostly okay.  

[halbashes]

Unfortunately, I don't have any personal experience with Effexor, so I cannot offer you any specific firsthand information.  However, I have heard of both Effexor, and other SNRI's like Cymbalta being used to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with POTS and Dysautonomia.  Some patients are able to use these medications very successfully, while others are not.  Like many of the other medications available, it really depends on the patient.

If you do choose to start taking Effexor, I'd ask your doctor about starting with a lower dose.  Starting low, and going slow seems to be the best strategy for these types of medications.  The biggest problem I'm aware of with Effexor specifically is that it's apparently difficult to stop taking after one has been on it for a number of months.  Still, I would suspect it's worth a trying, most especially if it could be helpful to you.  I hope you feel better soon!

Dysautonomia Treatments Page:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Dysautonomia-Treatments/show/171?cid=196