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Effexor XR

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Posted 8/28/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Has anybody had any experience on Effexor (Venlafaxine)? My doctor started me on it and is trying to wean me off of Klonopin. Im taking both for a little while. I was just wondering if anyone has had any positive experieces with it and/or a combination of the two.
Posted 8/28/2007 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I started EffexorXR about 4 weeks ago. The first week was a little ruff(nausious, spacy, tired). Stick with it! I took 75mg first week, 150 after 1 week. I started by taking it in the mornings, But it made me nausious. I switched to dinner time, but that made me sleep poorly (it has a stimulate in it). So I switched back to 9am.

I started seeing a pdoc during the 3rd week. I told him that it seemed I was still real anxious in the mornings. He switched me to 75mg in the am (8) & 75mg in the afternoon (3). Thats been working good. I take a kolonpin every once in awhile if I cant sleep because of anxiety, but I dont need it often. This past week of 2x a day seems to have really leveled me off and I am feeling much less anxious. Much more functional then before.

If you dont have a pdoc, find one. Theres no shame in going to one! Find one that has dealt with p/a for awhile and that has proven therapies to help (CBT).

So far, I like the Effexor. Its been better than the others I've tried (Paxil, Wellbutrim, Lexapro). I hope to one day have the skills to cope w/o the medicine. And the therapy is the way to do it!

-Dan
Posted 8/28/2007 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dan. This is my second day taking it. I can definately feel the stimulant. I am constantly restless and feel a little weird at times. This is my first time taking meds in about 5 years. Paxil and Wellbutrin did not really work to well for me back then. Plus I had a certain anxiety about taking pills back then too (which I have since gotten over). Im taking 37.5 mg at the moment and move onto 75 mg next week. I will be taking it in the morning since I think that I would have trouble sleeping if I take it in the evening. Thanks again for the input. I will also check into seeing a pdoc. I would like to deal without medication too (im not a big fan) but I think I need it right now.
Posted 8/28/2007 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, I think your md gave you stuff to help. And I resisted seeing a pdoc because of the stigma, but look at it this way: They are the experts in their field! They simple know more than your MD. The hard thing I've heard is finding the correct one. I got lucky, I was given a name from my wife's friend who is a therapist. This was my first visit to a Pdoc. I tried a self help book, but I couldnt understand it enough. The main thing I came away with after my first visit was: The meds are necessary to make myself comfortable now. So I can function right nowa and learn the coping skills to help myself w/o the meds. And it's my pdocs job to help me learn to help myself! I came away from the session knowing that evetually I will be able to do whats necessary and I wished I had done it awhile ago!

Good Luck
Posted 8/28/2007 7:47 PM (GMT 0)

:-)  i've been on effexor xr for a few months now and it def took the edge off of my anxiety, and really helped with depression as well. I recommend it and hope it works well for u. i would like to say that missing a day (and esp. 2 days in a row) after being established with it can have some wierd side effects- something i learned. so stick w/ur prescribed dose and enjoy a better life. tongue  

Pink

Posted 8/28/2007 10:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone,

I have read a lot of posts re Effexor and you might want to run a search on the topic if you want more info.

Good luck with this med and I wish you peace.

Posted 8/28/2007 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on the max. milligrams allowed for 10 years and it has kept me pretty well stabled. I don't get deep lows on it and my thinking is clearer. I know that is has different effects on different people.
Posted 8/29/2007 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your input everyone. The first two days were a little weird physically and mentally. Im feeling a bit better after taking it for the third day as I think my body is ajusting to the chemicals. Not all sunshine and butterflies as of yet but hopefully one of these days. :-) Thanks again.
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