Problems with effexor xr !!!Help!!

pinklady238 · Post by **pinklady238** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:18 am

ok so I am new at this, so please bare with me. I have been taking effexor xr for about near two months now, I started out on 37.5 then it went to 75 then they moved up to 150 but I felt that it was totally to strong for me so they lowered it to 112 meaning I take a 37.5 and a 75. It has been about 3 weeks since I have been on this and just yesterday started to feel really depressed. I feel really down and at times feel like doing something dumb which really scares me because I have two young kids. Is there anyone that has felt this way??or that at least give me some advice on what to do???!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:47 am

Hi,
I have been on effexor ex for about four years. I recently tried to go off of it, but found my anxiety symptoms returned so I am back on 150 mg. I, too, am not feeling a whole lot better yet. It takes time for these medications to work, so please don't lose hope. When I was on my full dose of 450 mg. I felt good. But that didn't happen all at once. Good luck and stick with it. It will be worth it.
Maderagirl

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:26 am

Hi pinklady238,

I can feel your sadness and want to say I have been there and know how bad it feels and there seems to be no end in sight but please believe me there is and you will feel relief from this sadness. The AD's are tricky and some work wonders for certain people and others have a harder time finding the AD or dose that's just right. I used Efexxor for 2 years and it took me 6 weeks to even feel it starting to work. It seemed like an eternity to me then because I was in the same mind set as you are right now. That was what made me go to the doctor asking for help. Try to talk to yourself...saying this depression will subside and I will get out of this dark pit I am in. Talk positive to yourself and do anything and everything to distract your mind. The more upset you get with this the more depressed and anxious you will become...one feeds the other...and you are releasing too many amounts of hormones into your body which just keeps feeding this and making everything so much worse. It's a big viscious circle.

Also any caffiens, sweets, raw sugars, even fruits and juices add to the problem by messing with your blood sugar levels increasing depression and anxiety.

Caffein and sugars also greatly affects the AD's being able to work properly.

Please believe that there is light ahead, and just work on trying to keep focused on being calm, kind, caring and understanding to yourself. Positive thoughts greatly reduce anxiety and depression. I can't stress that enough.

Please PM me anytime you need to talk. I am online most of the time and ALWAYS willing to help anyway I can.

My Heart Just So Goes Out To YOU.
Gentle, Caring <span class="ev_code_PINK">(((HUGS)))</span> and Prayers to make you stronger than this depression.

You are not ever ALONE, We are all here to help.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:52 pm

I too had this same problem with this medication. I started out at a low dose which i think was 37.5 also and was doing great the first month or so. Then i went back to the doctors for a follow up and telling her that i was still feeling a little anxiety so she gave me 75 which i thought wasn't but started the new dose as told. A few weeks later i didn't feel right my moods were all over the place and became VERY depressed even thought of suicide it was almost like it made me feel Bi-polar although i am not. I immediately went to my doctors and we got it all straightened out and weened off which was difficult to say the least. This medication was the best and worst medicine of my life. It made me EXTREMELY happy which made me feel like my "old" self but then EXTREMELY depressed which was VERY scary for me. I think that you should make an app. with your family doctor and your psychiatrist if you have one. Hang in there i know this is very difficult i have been through it but the key here is I DID GET THROUGH IT AND YOU WILL TOO!!! I hope this helps you and good luck!! I'll be praying for you. And do not get off this medication on your own im not trying to scare you just help ive been in your exact situation. Lots of Love Erin~~~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:03 pm

Hi! I had an interesting experience with Effexor XR. When I started taking it, my mom was on it, and it made such a difference for her that I went to the doctor and asked for it. I started out on the 37.5, then moved to the 75. It worked immediately for me. I felt completely different the first day I took it. I weaned myself off of it when I started seriously considering getting pregnant. When my A & D came back with a vengeance, about two weeks later, I tried to go back to it. The 37.5 didn't help at all. The 75 made me feel like I was on speed! I couldn't slow my body down and my anxiety was awful! So I stopped taking it all together and scheduled an appointment with a pdoc instead of a GP. He put me on Cymbalta. I was up to 120 mgs of that, and I was still feeling anxiety and depression as I was in an extreme crisis state. He added Klonopin first, then Abilify, and now, I feel wonderful!

If you are having this kind of reaction to the Effexor, call or go see your doctor and begin weaning off of it. It's supposed to make you feel better, not worse! Good luck!

Genie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:49 am

Your definitly not alone! Effexor also made me suicidally depressed. The biggest mistake i made was thinking that it was my depression, and not realizing that the effexor was actually making me depressed, I had never felt suicidal until taking effexor. I stayed on it for two months feeling this way and not realizing.
I think you should see you doctor right away, and dont stay on Effexor if you continue to feel this depressed. The good news is that as soon as i went off of it the depression lifted.
Good luck and hang in there. I hope things get better for you really soon.

Nanapup · Post by **Nanapup** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:46 am

The commercial for this AD says that if your depression worsens or you have thoughts of doing harm to yourself to seek medical attention. Please get to your doctor asap or even a clinic or hospital. Call a support line to talk your feeling out but do not do anything to cause yourself bodily harm.
I've seen too many people react that way.

God Bless, My thoughts and prayers are with you.

PM me if you need to talk.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:38 am

Curious... were you perscribed Effexior for ADD? or Depression?
I did not like Effexior. I slept for 2 yrs, it felt like anyway.
There are so many other options.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:39 am

WHY IS MY PICTURE SO BIG?!!!!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:53 pm

I was prescribed effexor xr for anxiety and despression. Only it seemed to make me have weirf scary thoughts. S