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fexor support please

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Posted 11/10/2014 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

Jus checking in to see how your going with Effexor. I think Ive stabilised at 225mg, I have been on this dose now for just over 3 weeks now and feeling better everyday, was feeling a bit anxious and a little flat last week just before my period but then period comes and I feel much better. im doing acupuncture too once a week which I also believe is helping. I also have PCOS and the acupuncture should help with balancing hormones too, I hear such good things about it so I am going to keep doing it for a while.

Anyway I hope your feeling good and all is well with your family too.

Cheers Tess
Posted 11/10/2014 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better! That's wonderful news! I've had a pretty bad stretch these last 9 days or so. I feel like I have a weight around my heart and the anxiety is there too. I'm at 150mg of effexor and 10mg of cipralex. I'm supposed to increase the effexor and decrease the cipralex. I've been at this dose for almost 3 weeks and on the 2nd week my mood started to tank. I too just got my period and still feeling it. Usually my anxiety begins during and after my period but this time it was before too. Maybe hormones? Who knows. All I know is that I'm anxious for this med to work. I took it last year and although I did have some breakthrough anxiety, I did feel better. I'm worried that by stopping it, that it won't work this time around. I'm trying to stay busy and such but the black feeling comes on and it makes me feel like the med is not working. I had 2 awesome weeks before this hit, so of course it leaves me feeling worried and discouraged. I know I can get through this but Geez it's been a tough road so far!!! I'm sure you can relate??
Posted 11/11/2014 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tess, how are you doing? I could really use some encouragement right now. I'm feeling pretty horrible with anxiety and depression. Hope you're well. Lisa
Posted 11/11/2014 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa
I completely understand your fears and worries because I was there too, I promise you it will lift and the anxiety will ease. Look into acupuncture it is very helpful for anxiety/depression. Once u are just on the effexor for a while u will be fine. Keep up those positive mantras, even though I'm feeling better I'm still doing them every morning. I promise u will get better, this too shall pass
Posted 11/11/2014 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Did you have a crash in your mood after feeling good for awhile? I'm just really scared that this med won't work. My kids need me!
Posted 11/11/2014 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Yes , your only on 150mg, how long have u been on that dose? When are u going up to 187.5mg? You will ride some waves for a little while but because you have had some good days it will work. Remember that! I know it feels deep and horrible but it will lift , I promise, it's the anxiety that is making you doubt it.
Posted 11/11/2014 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doc, 3 weeks is probably enough now maybe time to go up. Period definitely gives you anxiety/depression, I add 37.5 3-4 days b4 my period comes at the moment, I did that last period and it definitely helped. I'm on 225mg now 4 weeks this weekend and I'm definitely much better and you will be too.
Posted 11/11/2014 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, it means a lot to have someone who can understand where you're coming from.
Posted 11/11/2014 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I know it's scary but just keep telling your self it's only temporary , I promise u will get well, reach out to supportive ppl, your kids will be fine. X hugs
Posted 11/11/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you again. Let's keep each other posted and encouraged. This journey can be lonely without supportive people around you!
Posted 11/19/2014 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

Just checking in to see how you are going? Have you gone up a dose yet? Im now approaching 5 weeks at 225mg, doing pretty well......sleep is better,jitters gone, appetite good. I know you will be feeling better soon.
Hope your having some better moments and days now X
Posted 11/19/2014 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess, I'm doing ok. Thanks for asking. I'm now on 187.5 for a week. I do feel a bit better but that anxious feeling is kind of in the background. I'm quite tired too but I can handle that. I still have flashes of strange sensations off and on but I try not to pay attention to it. My stomach still churns at times , but it passes. I'm sure I will have to be at 225 eventually. I'd like to see how this goes and how I feel before next period. Usually I get this way during and just after, them I'm totally fine for a couple weeks,but this time it stuck around for 2 weeks. I'm seriously thinking it's hormonal in some way. I read an article about hormone imbalance, and I have nearly every symptom. I'd love to get tested to see if that is a contributor. I will post the link if you want to read it. I'm glad to hear you're doing well! I hope you'll keep me posted and encouraged! Thank you again!!!
http://www.vrp.com/hormone-support/the-hidden-causes-behind-hormonal-imbalances
Posted 11/26/2014 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

How are things? Im on day 8 now of 262.5, a weird dose but after a few days of some mild S/Es Im feeling pretty good, Im going to see how things go over the next few weeks, If I have any dips again may go up to 300mg again.

Im taking chinese herbs also from the acupuncturist and I have not had any anxiety all this week.

Hope all is going well and you are seeing an improvement every day.

Im finding positive affirmations are helping me too, morning and night. there is a great app from Louise Hay about fear, I think you will find it helpful

Take care
Posted 11/27/2014 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess, thanks for checking on me. I'm doing ok, but not perfect. Some mornings I still feel the anxiety build and tthat sinking feeling but I try not to give in to it. When I was on effexor the last time, I would still have days where I didn't feel great so I'm almost expecting not to feel good all the time. I'm on my 3rd week of 187.5 and 7 weeks since starting. I'm hoping for consistency but I'm kind of doubtful. Hope that you're continuing to improve!
Posted 11/30/2014 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tess, just checkin in to see how you are doing? Im so so. Getting my cycle next week and im feeling off these days, and can you say tired? Whoa! Don't recall being this tired last time. I cant quite describe how i feel really. I feel the sinking feeling alot lately and I try to busy myself, but I'm just so tired. How about you? How are things with you? I'm hoping well?
Posted 11/30/2014 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

I was on 262.5mg as you know for 8 days then as my period is approaching I was getting a little flat and some more anxiety, no panic attacks just not feeling myself again. SO I upped it on Saturday to 300mg and Sunday also , but felt very flat yesterday and today, period should be coming in next couple of days as I am having symptoms. I decided it was too quick to go up to 300mg, so took the 262.5mg this morning, I ve called my Pdoc as he didn't call me back last week. Im seeing my acupuncturist today as when I had a session with him last Thursday I felt really good. I had a big cry yesterday and for the first time got angry and swore and cried in my husbands arms.I sent my kids off to school this morning then had another cry, Im sure its hormonal, but I am just so frustrated at how long it is taking to get some consistency, I can deal with a little flatness but Its not that it really flat, Im hoping it will lift as soon as period comes as it usually does but when you are in it its hard to see the light. Im sure you will feel better soon too, I know Effexor takes time to settle in, I have some good days in a row but when I slip its difficult to stay positive although I am trying, Im using my coping skills but Id rather just feel like me and be getting on with living X hugs
Posted 11/30/2014 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think I could have written that myself! Do you mind me asking your age? I'm 43 and I'm wondering about hormones. I've never had such a change in my moods like this. I too am usually happy go lucky and I absolutely hate feeling anything but. I'm really scared that this med will not work this second time around for me. I'm not sure what to do if it doesn't. I'm even having a hard time getting excited for Christmas. It's strange, I can't quite pinpoint how I'm feeling because it's different than I'm used to. Did it take you awhile to get used to it last time? I've been on it for over 7 weeks now, you'd think it would be better by now. I live in the north up in canada and days are short, but usually it doesn't bother me. This year has been strange to say the least. Are you in the U.S?
Posted 12/1/2014 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa, Im turning 40 tomorrow and Im usually excited for my birthday but not so much because of how I am feeling. Its very hormonal for sure, Im sure I will get relief when it comes soon.last time it did take a while, from what I remember, I had good days, dips, then good weeks, dips then it smoothed out. Ive been on them for just over 12 weeks but once you get to your targeted dose it still can take 4-6 on that dose to become consistent. I just had acupuncture this morning and he said the same thing, our plan is to monitor 3 cycles and so far we have done just one and 7 sessions, I always feel very relaxed afterwards so I do feel the acupuncture helps too. We just have to be patient, don't give up on the Effexor, its a sturdy med I just think it takes time. I was so bad in August, not sleeping, shaking, full on anxiety, it went on for a while before I did anything about it so it will take time to recover. Im in Australia and its the first day of Summer today, we are going down the beach for 2 weeks at Christmas and I am feeling the same way as you. Im just going to go with the flow and take each day as it comes, It will fall into place and we will feel ourselves again its just going to take time. Don't put any pressure on yourself to get better quickly, I do that to myself and I am sure it doesn't help. I have had a stressful year so I know next year will be better for me and my family.
Posted 1/8/2015 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa


How are you going? been thinking of you. How was Christmas? I have now been 5 weeks on Effexor, I have had more consistency, alittle anxiety especially PMS but doing ok. Hope things are better for you now .
Posted 1/8/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess! I'm so glad to hear from you! I've been thinking of you too. I had a good Christmas and was feeling great for a few weeks and now I'm back to feeling the anxiety and depression. I was hoping it would pass, but so far it hasn't. I'm still on 187.5 and may have to increase. So you are on this new dose for 5 weeks? What dose have you settled on? Extremely tired too and well, quite unmotivated at the moment. Strange as I was feeling quite good there for a bit. I'm so glad that you're doing better! How was your holidays? Did you have nice weather? It's summer in Australia yes? It's absolutely frigid here. 30 degrees below freezing lately. That could account for the fatigue and lack of motivation! ! Just need to get through the next 14 weeks or so!!! We have very long winters and short but usually pleasant summers. Most people are counting the days to warmer weather, my self included!!!
I'm so glad to hear from you. I was thinking alot of you lately too!
Hope to hear from you again!! Could use a bit of support.
Be well, Lisa
Posted 1/9/2015 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

Great to hear from you. I have been 300mg which is what I balanced on last time, I had some anxiety when I was 2 weeks in and he told me that last time I stabilised on 300mg at 10-12weeks with lots of phone calls in between, he said I needed to patient and said it was ok to use valium 2mg as needed as he knows I dont have an addictive personality. I havent needed it much at all maybe for 2 days here and there. So next Tuesday will be 6 weeks so just hoping for more improvement all the time. Ups and downs are to be expected if you have had good weeks thats a great sign, maybe 225mg will be the best dose for you as its just a little bit more. Yes it is summer here although it is raining here today and much cooler than it has been. we spent 2 weeks away down the beach first week I had a bit of anxiety off and on second week felt great, just got my period 2 days ago so have had a bit of anxiety a little before and during, finishing up today and tomorrwo so should ease again, no tears or depression like last month and that is a relief. keep being positive you will be fine I just know it, a little increase might do the trick or just hang in there and another couple of weeks you will be great again you know its always temporary , my doc always says its rollercoaster for a while and once you get to the corrrect dose it really dose take 3 months to get consistancy. it seems like a long time but because you get less downs and anxiety as time goes on with good days and weeks in between its easier to deal with.

Take care and we will chat again soon X

Posted 1/9/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tess, I really could use the support right about now. So all in, how long have you been on the effexor? It's been almost 13 weeks since I've started. I am seeing my regular doctor next week because I've been extremely tired for a few weeks now. I have had a tendency towards low iron in the past so I'm wondering if that's what is causing it. I'd like to make sure it's not the med because I'm worried that increasing will make it worse. Did you experience fatigue with all this? I mean that can be a downer in itself! Hard to get too motivated when you're tired all the time!!
Thanks again for the support. It means a lot! !!
Be well, Lisa
Posted 1/9/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

All up it's been 18 weeks, but as I said you have to get to the right dosage for you and then it can take another few weeks to stabilise. I take an iron supplement and yes sometimes I feel tired. When you dip you question if it's working etc but an increase may just give you the energy u need and pull u out of the flatness too, talk to your doc . Take care everything will get better I promise. Remember you have had some good weeks so u will have them again. Xx
Posted 1/13/2015 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tess, just checking in. I've now been on 225mg for 4 days and felt ok for the first couple days and today my anxiety is up.
However, the strangest thing has happened this month.
I got my period like 12 days early! I'm usually very regular, so this is quite abnormal for me.
I'm not particularly scared of the early period, but it does make me wonder if it's all hormonal.
I'm scared that this med is just not going to be effective and I could really use some comforting words.
I hope you are continuing to feel good! Hope to hear from you soon!
Hugs, Lisa
Posted 1/13/2015 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess,
I don't want to sound redundant to anyone else's post, but for what it's worth, I would also give it more time. It can take several weeks for the Effexor to reach it's full effect. I used to take Lexapro, but it stopped working so my doc switched me to Effexor XR 150. I started at 37. 5, then was increased to gradually to the 150. It works really well for me and I've been on it for a few years now. I've been told by doc and pharmacist that it is one of the best available for treating anxiety issues. Hang in there!
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