HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Effexor feedback

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/4/2018 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had my appointment this morning with my psychiatrist, and after going over where I am at these days she prescribed me Effexor. I have not had luck on either zoloft or citalopram in the past, so she decided to try something in a different class. Her opinion is that we need to treat the anxiety more than the depression, as that is causing depression which I mostly agree with. So.........naturally I am a bit nervous about starting something new, but know I need something to help me stabilize. Obviously these medications can have vastly different effects on people, but curious what anyone out there will experience on this medication has to say. Thank you in advance!
Posted 4/4/2018 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I used to take Effexor and found it to be a very effective at treating my anxiety and depression so I would say give it a shot.

Effexor is very activating so it's best to take it first thing in the morning because if you take it in the evening/night it will cause sleep issues.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 4/4/2018 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Good to know that. I was told that I can take a small amount of trazadone at night if this keeps me awake in order to counter that side effect. Was that one of those side effects that tapered off over time?
Posted 4/5/2018 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Effexor 150 mg for about 5 yrs now. TBH I preferred Zoloft which I was on for 12 yrs. I started getting hives so my dr decided to switch me to Effexor. However I have had periods of panic over the years on Effexor where I needed to take Xanax when I never had to do that on Zoloft. But everyone is different so it may effect you differently. I am getting ready to wean off Effexor and go on Prozac which I am very nervous about. Effexor is a VERY difficult drug to stop taking. when I was on Zoloft I could miss a dose and be ok. On Effexor I missed one dose ONCE in the past 5 years and it was horrific. I had extreme vertigo with vomiting and brain zaps. I then did some research on weaning off it and found other similar stories. so I never tried because I never wanted to feel that way again. My dr want me to take 75mg for a week while taking half of Prozac for a week and then the next week take the whole Prozac dose. Im hoping that's enough. anyway Im not trying to scare you but you should definitely do some research into it. its a hard drug to stop once you start. good luck!
Posted 4/5/2018 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning.

I have been on Venlafaxine Extended Release (generic Effexor) for about a month and a half. I had success with Zoloft in the past, but have been off meds for at least a year. My declining mental and emotional state caused me to go back on. My psychiatrist started me at 37.5mg and I'm currently at 150mg on my way up to 225mg. He said that was the preferred dosage for my OCD/depression.

The last few days I have begun to really not feel well towards the middle of the day. about 6-8 hours after I take the med, I get super tired and fall asleep. Then I'm groggy for a while after. Worst part is that the med, so far, has not helped with my OCD behaviors and intrusive thoughts. I will call later today to get his take on what's going on.

Thought I'd share my current experience. Hope this helps you and others in some way.

GG
Posted 4/6/2018 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken Effexor for about 15 years and it has worked great for me, except now I am at max dosage 225 mg and I think I am getting immune to it, so my doc has me taking 5mg of Lexapro which has been awful to get used to. It has been 5 weeks and still not totally right. But like I said Effexor worked great for me.
Posted 4/7/2018 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Great feedback, thank you all. Susan, do you recall how long you had to take the Effexor before it started taking effect? Just curious. Took my first dose this morning, starting at 37.5. A bit nervous about taking it, but need to give it a shot. Status quo is not good, so will give this a shot and see what happens.
Posted 4/8/2018 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
UPDATE: After consulting with my psychiatrist, I am coming off venlafaxine. It just has not helped me in any way with my OCD/depression symptoms. I some ways, it actually made them worse. This plus the other growing list of side effects is why he is taking me off this med. We'll try to find another med/meds to hopefully help me.

Minnesota, love that your doctor is starting you off slow at 37.5mg. That's a smart move as Effexor is typically a tough med from which to withdraw. Right now, I'm at 75mg for at least a week before reducing it to 37.5mg. And I'm still experiencing some withdrawal effects such as slight dizziness, nausea, and confusion (my wife would say that that's normal for me lol). Just glad that I have never had a "brain zap" from any SSRI/SNRI I have discontinued.

Wishing you good luck finding what works for you.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply