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Posted 3/23/2008 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
So, i pick up my 37.5 mgs of Effexor Mon. (will start for first time)- Plz help, I am feeling anxiety...sorry gotta add the puns, about when to start it, what time of day...bla bla. I wanted to start it on weds. cuz I have the day off. I work 3pm till 11pm. I sleep till like 1:ish pm (hope to change that). I am the front desk manager at a hotel, which means I work all by myself, the only people I deal w/ are the guests. -Um..I am guessin I'll take it Weds. nite after work, luckily I have off Thurs. too.  Blahhhh!! Can someone pretty please tell me what there first week or so was like on Effexor, I am really scared of being, I dont know - weird feeling, or ..well mostly I just dred it interferring with my ability to work -normal. I really am the ONLY person in the entire hotel for 8 hrs. - so there isnt like a co-worker I can say, hey get my back if need be. And no one knows about me doing this. My job is the only thing in the world I have ight now. But I keep my personal life(lack there of it) out of my work. I will of course let someone know if need be. But rite now I need advise-please!! Suggestions, input. I know EVERone is gunna scream at me for doing this too-but I dont have a dr. right now. I got the script from an "on-line" Dr...    in my defence, I have been doin TONS of research, I am not going to be stupid, and I plan on getting a DR. as soon as I can afford it. -So, thats why I am only startin w/ 37.5 mg-any advice about any of this is needed and of course VERY appriciated!! ps, I have been on Zoloft, prozac etc. I have been off meds for well over a year, and I am DROWNING in my depression!! Effexor has helped a lot of people, I am desperately hoping it will me!
Posted 3/23/2008 10:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there Natalia,

37.5mg as far as I know is a starting dosage and it is something that can be stepped up if needs be. Please dont be scared about starting this course. I remember what it was like starting AD's for the first time. (Although I never took Effexor, I take Zoloft) It can seem scary but it is something that quickly settles down. You also have to bear in mind that AD's take around 4-6 weeks to reach full effectiveness so the process of building the meds up in your system is gradual and any problems should come to the surface before they turn into big problems.

Hopefully there will be other people here to share their experiences of effexor.

Posted 3/23/2008 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Natalia,

Starting the effexor isn't that much of a problem, though it makes me nervous that you got it from an online doctor just in case you can't tolerate it. As was said above, 37.5 is a low dose. I take the max, 375 mg, each day. But the thing that really scares me is if you stop without tapering off. It can be very frightening. You have to taper off slowly. You cannot stop cold turkey. Effexor is short lived in your system, and when you miss a dose even, it can make you very dizzy. You feel as if you are going to fall off of the face of the earth. So hang on to your seat if you miss a dose. Are you taking fast acting pills, or time release capsules? If you take the capsules, it isn't as bad to miss a dose, but if you take the short term pills, be very careful.

I wish you luck with this medication. It has worked very good for me for a long time. In fact even at first it helped me, it is just that everybody is different. So different meds work differently on different people. I said different four times, now five. LOL.

Good luck,
hugs, Karen
Posted 3/24/2008 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen- you're wonderful :)
Posted 3/24/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Natalia,

I took Effexor for about 10 years and started on 75mgs a day. For me, I did get side effects when I started taking them, but they didn't last for very long. The main side effects I experienced were feeling a bit tired, nausea and (what the?!) yawning a lot. Apparently yawning is quite common when you start taking Effexor. I was able to work at the same time and it didn't interfere that much with my life. Also, make sure you eat properly, get enough sleep and try to stay away from alcohol which can increase the severity of the side effects.

I would think it would be a good idea to start taking it when you dont have work the day after. I used to take mine first thing in the morning, so I didn't have to worry about it for the rest of the day; but it will depend on how it affects you. Some people get tired after taking it, others perk up so that will be a good indicator for you as to the best time to have your dose.

I hope you can see a doctor soon to discuss your dosages etc etc and that it is the right medication for you. It can be a dangerous drug though and needs to be respected. Karen is absolutely 100% correct. NEVER NEVER NEVER stop taking it cold turkey. Ever. I was stupid and thought I could handle it and it took me two years of horrible horrible withdrawals before I came off it. Its an experience that still stays with me even now.

Let us know how you are going with it and please feel free to ask me anything.
Take care,
Kate
Posted 3/25/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your advise, it is very appriciated!! I will keep ya updated, and hopefully can be of some help to other too! :)

Posted 3/26/2008 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I took Effexor for 2 years myself.  I started at 37.5 and then went up to 75mg where I stayed.  I noticed a little extra energy in the beginning along with being tired later.  Most of the side effects get better within the first couple weeks so hang in there.  You didn't mention whether it was the extended release kind or not?  If so, that should be even better for you.

As you've probably heard by now from the others here...do not stop taking this medication without consulting a doctor and weaning yourself off of it.

Good luck,

James

Posted 3/26/2008 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Natalia,

I am a huge Effexor fan i went through all the other prozac,setraline and so on and so on. They did nothing but made me feel worse!

Effexor pulled me out of the hole i was in and i still use it today as part of my bipolar meds. I would feel better singing its praises if a doc had given it to you. I take 150mg at the moment and it is working nicely. The side effects you may get at the start are no worse than any other of these wonderful drugs we all have to take. But i echo what an earlier poster said about the yawning. I could'nt keep my mouth shut for a couple of weeks even if i was wide awake!! If you are drowning in your deppression i really reckon Effexor can help. It did me.

But as the others say you need to respect it as its a bit of a monster compared to prozac and alike. If you go cold turkey on it you will know about it. I ditched it first of all and it was'nt a good idea my brain felt like it was whirring around in my skull amongst other things. I hope this doent scare you. I think its important we know just what are meds can do to us!

By the time you read this you should have started on it. Hope its going ok let me know!
Posted 3/26/2008 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Simon,

Have you been welcomed to the depression forum? Well, just in case... WELCOME... There are so many wonderful people on this forum. I am sure that you will feel at home here. stop in and visit us at any time, there is usually somebody close by.

Thanks for the input about effexor. I have been on it for many years. And it has really helped me.

Karen
Posted 3/27/2008 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Karen,

Thanks alot i am on the Bipolar foroum most b/c i have Bipolar.....sorry to state the obvious there. Anyway thanks again.

Simon
Posted 3/28/2008 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Simon,
Thanx! I have started the effexor. Tonite will be the fourth day(i take it at midnite)-anyhow, so far so good.
I sought out this forum cuz i do really need advise. I decided to take effexor cuz i did read a lot of good things, and also, i think i'll be able to afford it- but the bad things i read, it seems i would be smart to change my mind. But i already paid for the stuff, and i have waited so long for some help. Considering the horror it causes when one tries to go off it, i am very leary! I had no problems what so ever with Prozac, Zoloft, even
Cymbalta, all of which i went off of cold turkey. But i didn't take them that long. This time around i really want to give it a 110% try. It is absolutely obvious i need help with depression/anxiety. I have been waiting more than half my life for it to "just go away". But- you know. I also know I don't really have any reasons to feel the way I do, so i believe meds could really help. I am very aware they are nothing to play with also. I am kinda afraid to up the dosage. I wish I could be good off of 37.5 mgs, but that doesn't sound very possible from what i have read. The 1st day I took it I was pretty tired feeling, yawned :) - and my vision was a bit blurry, not bad but since the first day, nothing much to mentioned but a dull, bearable on off head ache, all of these things could even be blamed on normal stuff. So..when and how did you go about uping the dose? Oh, and I usually take generic tylenolPM..know of any interactions? The pills i take are called Venlafaxine Extended Release Capsules, does that mean they are XR? Is there a difference?

THANK YOU!!!!
Posted 3/28/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
oh I just re-read Jamie's comment...extended release:) nevermind, I also see you say you are on 75mgs. When did you up your dose? - And trust me guys, I have no intentions of going off of this unless I have to, and only with a DR.s help! I have read enough to have me scared!

ps- did i tell you, you are all wonderful!
Posted 3/28/2008 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Natalia,

I have to take 375mg of effexor a day. I have insurance so all I have to pay is 15.00 copay. If I had to pay for them, it would cost over 600.00 a month for the prescription. Is there anyway you could sign up for some assistance to help you pay for your meds and for a doctor that you can see in person? There are a lot of plans out there that will assist you if you can't afford your doctor's visits and your medications if you qualify.

Effexor is a medication that you can be consistant with. It takes somewhere around 6 weeks for you to feel the complete effect from it. So you can't be taking it for a month or two and just stop. So be really careful and try to find a doctor who will be able to see you. There are times that you will need bloodwork done too. I believe it goes through your liver, not positive. But it is good to have that checked.

I wish you good luck with your medications. You should ask your pharmasist questions about drug interactions. They know the best. You should have gotten some paperwork also with you prescription.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/28/2008 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Natalie,

Sorry i take 300mg of exx not 75mg. I live in England and it is called Venlaflaxine here but i just have the normal pills not the slow release. In fact i have never used any slow release meds so i am bloody useless on that one. As Karen says venlaflaxine(which i am now going to call ven b/c i am a lazy typer) does take a good while to work. I cannot remember what i started on but i think i went straight in at 300mg. I was very very low at the time and i recall the doc coming to my flat taking one look at me and the state of the place. As i did'nt go outside for at least two weeks. Then writing me a script for ven there and then. He told me that it may take a while to start working if i remember correctly. Altough trying to remember the advice of tons of differnt docs concering loads of different meds over more than a decade is a trial in itself!!

I cant help you with interactions with other drugs but i can help you with one thing. If you decide to drink heavily whilst on ven then be prepared to feel like a sack of crap for the following couple of days.

Try not to be too scared of it i think of it as my little morning friend now. Sitting there in the med cup next to the toaster every single morning. The lovely little pinkish pill ready to be flushed down my throat with a good shot of Orange juice (smooth not with the bits)

Whats the score with getting medication in the states then?? It seems to be much harder than here in good old rainy England. I just get my doc to write a script then i take it down the chemist they fill it in a couple of minuites. No charge and i'm good to go!! Do you have to buy the meds yourself?? Am i being naive?? Let me know if you can and stay on that ven and you will have a morning friend too.

Simon.
Posted 3/28/2008 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Simon,

We do have to pay for our medications here and some are very expensive. But some of us have medical insurance and it really helps. If I had to pay for mine, I couldn't afford it. It is sad I know but that is how it is here. So you are very lucky where you live. Even if it is rainy.LOL.

Have a great day
hugs, Karen
Posted 3/28/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Im on my second try with effosor. I admit the extended release did help my depression and motivation, but made gain so much weight and upped my blood pressure, which i dont have high blood pressure to begin with.

This time i am on the rapid release, it helps some but still dont like the wieight gain side effect and the tiredness, I had tried wellbutrin awhile back and i liked it, think I may give it another go. keep letting us know how you make out.... smurf .......

Posted 3/28/2008 5:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Sheryl,

I noticed that you take prozac too.  That was a weight gainer for me.  I think that I have gained on effexor too.

Have a wonderful day

hugs, Karen

Posted 3/28/2008 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
It wasnt making gain any weight when I was on it alone though. So i dont know eyes
Posted 3/28/2008 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheryl,

It does sound like the effexor. I liked the prozac but couldn't take the weight gain. My sister took prozac and didn't gain weight. So I guess different things have different effects on different people.

You know that I was talking about prozac when you mentioned wellbutrin. So much for my brain. I took wellbutrin also before and had no weight gain. I think that when they upped my dose it was a little too much. I started getting nervous and evertthing tasted wierd. Sorry about the mix up. I guess I should go back to bed today. Unless it is my fibro fog. I remember reading some of your posts on the fibro forum I think, so I am sure that you understand.LOL...

Have a wonderful day,
hugs Karen
Posted 3/29/2008 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
I understnad, no the effesor makes me too sleepy, and fat, and the prozac wasnt having that effect.

not too mention the high blood presssure the efffexsoer is casuing me, and im not a person with high blood pressure, usually the opposite.

I know what you mean byy the wellbutrin, would have to been slow to start and know when to stop, dont want to climb the walls..... smurf ....

Posted 3/29/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have gained weight too, but nothing I can't handle. My blood pressures are higher than they use to be also. I blame a lot of it on fibromyalgia. That is when all of this started. I have cut down on caffiene and my blood pressures have come down. Though I also smoke and I think that is adding to the blood pressure too. You can't win sometimes. If it isn't the side effects of the meds, it is something else.

hugs, Karen
Posted 3/29/2008 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm Danielle.
Sorry if I seem forward but i really don't know how to use this website or how to post anything.
If you could reply that would be great.

As for effexor. Someone very close to e is on it, Xanex too. She is so dependent on them now it makes me terrified to ever take medicine.

I think as long as you're using the right dosage, and not drinking yourself to death at the same time, you'll be fine.
Posted 3/29/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Danielle,

I just wanted to welcome you to the HW depression forum. There are a wonderful bunch of people here and I think you will find yourself comfortable here. Please post at any time. We would like to get to know you better.

Hugs. Karen
Posted 3/29/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Danielle,

No drinking and meds dont mix to well.

I hope your freind can get some help. Meds can be very helpful when used correctly.

Posted 3/30/2008 6:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Danielle and Welcome to HealingWell!

You can start your own topics for discussion as well by clicking on "NEW TOPIC" on the main depression page (At the top of the screen)

As for drinking and meds... im with Sheryl. Alcohol is a depressant, Effexor in an anti-depressant. Alcohol undoes all the good work that the Effexor does.

We would love to hear more from you and get to know you, as Karen has said.

All the best

Darren

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