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Effexor XR

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Posted 11/17/2012 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Took 75 mg of this medication yesterday. I woke up at 3 am feeling panicked and claustrophobic. That is NOT normal for me. Horrible headache & diarrhea.
Just wondered if anyone else has experienced problems with this medication.I don't want to take it again.
Posted 11/17/2012 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
75 is high to start, IMO. My doc started me at 25, and the first few days I took half in the morning and half at night. We slowly worked our way up.


25, to 50, then to 100, and now I am at 150. It's been over 6 months.

Call your DOC.

I have benefitted greatly by this med, BTW. I feel so much better than I did.
Posted 11/17/2012 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't taken Effexor, and I'm not knocking SSNRI's at all, but I do think many docs underestimate the sensitivity some people have to these meds and/or their potential to INITIALLY heighten panic or anxiety.

I had a similar reaction to a similar medication. I ended up switching to a different med (same class) and started at a much lower dose. I agree about calling your doctor. You can definitely start at a lower dose or try something different. There are many, many SSRI's and SSNRI's out there and it often takes a trial and error process before you find the right medication at the right dose.

Medication induced anxiety is NOOOOO fun at all. Fortunately, it is only temporary.
Posted 11/17/2012 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Doc told me to take 1 every other day the first week. I still have bad headache and feel nauseated. I think it's been 18 hours since the first dose
Posted 11/17/2012 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
If you can tolerate the side effects, they will go away in a week or so. Then the medication should work good. It takes six to eight weeks to reach the full potential. I hope it works for you. I took 375 mg effexor xr for 15 years. I now take pristiq. Good luck...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/17/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I take effexor XL. Similar to myself09 (hee hee that sounds funny lol) I also started on a very low dosage and titrated up. It's been a lifesaver for me. I went through hell trying to find an snri that wouldn't give me daily debilitating migraines.

Good luck, I hope it helps you.
Posted 11/17/2012 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Applevenus- I would call your Dr. Monday about the side effects. I think if your symptoms were that strong I would talk with your Dr. Before trying the next dosage. They do come in a lower strength. I think Dr's are not truly aware how fibromites are so senstive to meds. I was wondering does your Dr. office has on call for emergency or sickness? I know lots of office don't do that anymore. Don't give up on the drug. It's actually a good drug. Works for lots of people. I know myself it took many to go through because I was extremely senstive to meds. I love the one I am on, but one of the big side effects is making you very hungry after taking it. Not good! Lol
Posted 11/18/2012 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Before I go on, let me say that I tend to have reactions to medications that people typically don't get, or they are just rare.

I would be very cautious with taking Effexor if it is giving you weird symptoms. I agree that that is a very high starting dose (if I took too much or too little, I would get shaky and buzzy). The one symptoms that I would watch out for with Effexor (and this is what I meant by what I said first) is suicidal thoughts or even actions. It hit me really hard over several months and ended with me trying to commit suicide. It was scary, looking back at it, and it was the Effexor. Or my doctors are pretty sure that is what it was.

Definitely check with your dr on Monday. At least have him watch you as you get on it.
Posted 11/18/2012 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...I would also be very cautious about cutting extended release capsules in half to lower your dose.  ER meds have little 'timing beads' in them and it can be dangerous if you are not accurate.  I would call your doctor and ask for a lower dose pill...like the others have suggested.

Donna

Posted 11/18/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Each one of us reacts differently to medications. I use drugs.com to look up side effects:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/effexor-side-effects.html

Good luck to you.

Posted 11/18/2012 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I think I can cope without it. Thanks everyone for the good advice!
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