Least amount of side effects...any Effexor users?

I'm 35 years old and only being dealing with anxiety and panic attacks since my father passed away unexpectedly in March. In this time I was also in my last semester in college for OTA!! I began feeling something was always wrong with me, my heart began to alway seem to be palpating, head alway hurting, just didn't feel myself. I been to doctors, er and can't find anything wrong! I been on Ativan to help with panic attacks. My doctor prescribed me zoloft I took half of one and the next day at the er with a weird feeling!! I want something to help with anxiety a friend suggested Effexor... Anyone taken them? If so how was the side effects? And I know everyone is different just wanting to know experiences with this medication! Thanks

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 6/17/2014 9:50:20 PM (GMT-6)

I'm starting Effexor XR 75mg tomorrow. I was on Zoloft too once and I experienced increased anxiety as I started it, which is what you might have felt. That is something common to a lot of anti-depressant meds, it's just your body trying to get used to the med. Effexor may do the same thing.

Something doctors will tell us is to give it time. Sometimes up to 4-6 weeks, for the side effects to go away and the med to work. I hate that part myself.

H.A,
Please let me first send my sincerest condolences for the loss of your Father--I know what it is like to lose your Father suddenly, as I lost mine in June 2008 suddenly. I have always had anxiety, but mine has reached a pinnacle so to speak bc of a severe MVA i had on Valentine's Day last year. I was broadsided by someone going over 70 mph, and i had to be extricated from my SUV. This auto accident caused multiple broken bones (closed breaks, and by the grace of God did not require surgery). I now have PTSD, and it took from Feb thru September last year before I was able to even drive by myself due to my not wanting to have a panicked reaction (please forgive me on here, sometimes now the words i'm trying to find don't come to my head--i know it's bc of the accident---i know what i'm trying to say, i just can't think of the right words). Anyway, i am seeing several different doctors, and i have been on Effexor (started at 37.5 mg twice daily --I'm so anxious now, I'm on 150 mg once daily). I have now a "bucket" of meds i have to take, but the large dose of Effexor makes me feel super nauseated and just "in a fog". It's a great medicine when i was taking a smaller dosage. It was almost like my brain wouldn't let me have a negative thought. I know that sounds weird, but that's how i felt. I am seeing a psychologist now, and i'm being set up to see a psychiatrist who specializes in PTSD, and helps you breathe without trying to hyperventilate so to speak. I am so anxious (and i did this A LOT right after my Dad passed away), but i would be talking and have to just--mid sentence--suck in air. After MANY tests, and cameras going into my heart, they told me i was under an "inordinate amount of stress"--thus all the anxiety meds. Please give the Effexor time to work. It will probably make you nauseated as they increase your dose to the next level. Find your own level of comfort in the med, and if your doctor wants to increase your dose, and you feel comfortable at the dose you are at...let them know. There are other meds out there to alleviate your anxiety that can be added along with your Effexor. I now have a horrible rash on my eyelids and face that have now been associated with stress. I work in an extremely stressful environment (media sales). Stress shows up in our body in so many ways, (I'm finding out the hard way).. Take care H.A. and good luck to you. Give the Effexor time to work, and I'm sure you will find that it will help your anxiety. My prayers are with you. It's so hard to lose the very first man that ever loved you....