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Med increase concerns

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Posted 1/7/2016 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
so 2 days ago I started taking 225 mg of Effexor from 150 mg. I was having some head pressure already but tonight its just horrible. I feel like somethings crawling on the top of my head or someones squeezing my head. its the whole top of my head including the sides of my head. it feels tight as does my neck into my shoulders. i'll be honest. I HATE Effexor. I forgot a dose once and I was dizzy and vomiting. it was horrible. I only increased it because I know its not working anymore considering im having full blown anxiety and im severely depressed. and im too scared of withdrawal (esp now in my current state) so I feel like I have to stay with it. anyway im wondering if I should go back to the 150 mg. does anyone else have experience with this med? or with increases?
Posted 1/7/2016 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
NoMorePanic,

There is always a chance of side effects with a med increase. We have to use our coping skills and post here to not focus on the. I know it's hard but this happens and we need to let the med take its time to work. That being said, if the side effects are too much to handle then call your doc and let them know and see what they would have you do. Maybe a new med is the right answer, maybe not. You know your breaking point so if it comes to that, then call your doctor and he/she will advise you the best way. I hope that you start feeling better soon.
Posted 1/7/2016 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Great advice above! All I can add is my support and encouragement...

Wishing you the answers and progress you need soon!

Update us after you talk with your doctor.

S.C.
Posted 1/7/2016 10:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Increasing the dosage of a med can increase the side effects and anxiety but things usually improve but if they don't go back and see your doctor.

I used to be on Effexor and went upto 225mg but found it way to much so I went back down to 150mg and them made the choice to change meds.

Hibee
Posted 1/7/2016 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hibernate - when u say it was to much - what do you mean? Also how did you wean off Effexor??? I would love too but am so terrified. Everything I've read said it's the worst drug to get off of. And I know after one missed dose how bad it can be.
Posted 1/7/2016 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I was not a fan of Effexor, I will never take it again. The start up side effects were wayyyyyy too bad for me. But you know they are just side effects and will pass eventually. Just remind yourself that.
Posted 1/7/2016 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
oops sorry Hibee - autocorrect!

Jennings - I cant stand Effexor and I have no idea why my dr put me on this horrible drug. I don't believe its really helped me at all in the past 2-3 years ive been on it. and now I think its just stopped working since im now in a full blown panic state. but those weird head feelings had to be from the increase - im trying to "ride it out" but its so hard. so I went back to 150 mg and I hope this weird head feelings go away. but idk how to ever get off it. ive heard good things about Lexapro but im too scared of weaning off the Effexor - esp now in my current state.
Posted 1/8/2016 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Try not to go too far down the path of "how will I ever get off of it". Today you're at 150 and you can stay there a long as you like. If you DO choose to wean, you just take teeny tiny steps over a long period. It's not the same as missing a dose since you're not going from 150 to zero. But since you're not weaning today, you can put that worry over on the shelf and think about it when the time comes.

When discussing weaning off of klonopin with my psychiatrist, she said that if the decreases from spliting the pill in half (from 50 to 25 mgs) was too much of a jump, she could send me to a compounding pharmacy that could mix a liquid form of it that was at 40 mgs, then 30 mgs, then 20 etc...Maybe this is a possibility for you?
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