Stress Center Peer Support

I've been on it for a few days short of 6 wks and the insomnia side effect is insane. It feels like a may be decreasing but it's still there? Has anyone been on it for a longer period that experienced insomnia? If so, can you tell me if the insomnia is gone and about how long it took to go away?

Hello Beating Heart.....I am an Registered Nurse and cant stress this more as I have told others on the site......medications should have inserts that inform you of the side/adverse reactions of the drug. And most importantly your doctor should have spoken to you about this before giving you the prescription, but most people do not ask the questions until there is a problem which is normal.... All meds have a goal, some people are more sensitive to side effects, nausea, headache, insomnia.....READ MORE INDEPT ABOUT THE MEDICATION....it will help....it should also tell you what side effects are common with most people. If this is really interfering with your activities of daily living I would suggest you DO notify your doctor. Hope this helps. creamcheese

Hi Beating heart
I have gone on Effexor 3 times before in my life and am going to go on it again this week. I think the key is to start low. I know when my anxiety was really bad, they started me high and I didn't notice side effects because I was panicky and not sleeping anyway so I didn't notice a difference. What dose where you given? We are sensitive anyway so you will have some side effects. They will go away. It does take time but I have found from previous experience that the peace of mind I receive when the Effexor finally kicks in far outweighs the side effects felt in the beginning. I know it's hard but it is just a side effect and telling myself that usually helps. I think it took me about 2 weeks to stop feeling the effects as far as sleeping goes so hang in there, it may be more for you and if it doesn't get better, talk to your doctor. I know mine also gives me some ativan that I only take at night to take the edge off so I can sleep. Also, are you taking it in the morning or at night? Maybe gradually change the time you take it by an hour every day, this also helped me as I was taking it at night at first, I then swithced to mornings and never had trouble again. Best thing is if it persists, talk to your doctor. If you have never taken it before, it may not be the right one for you. I think I tried 3 different ones before I found that Effexor was the right one for me.
I hope this helps and contact me anytime if you need to.

Thanks cream cheese and wtgrotoafa for your advice. Thank goodness I'm the type to do alot of research before taking something so I was aware of the side effects and for Effexor, insomnia is the most common one. 23% of people get it w/ this drug. It is definitely tapering though and my doctor gave me benedryl to take occasionally at night after I told her about the insomnia. I do take the Effexor in the morning already. But it's nice to hear that it went away for somebody. I just want to make sure I give it a good chance b4 I change it. So I wanted to get thru the six wk period they say it usually takes to completely feel the drug's effects. Overall I feel better tho and it is not ruining my days. I don't need anything to stay awake; no coffee, tea, or anything so I'm doing alright. I just needed to hear another user's experience with the insomnia side effect to ease my mind a little or kill my curiosity. Thanks again guys!!

Hi,
I too was on Effexor for just over 2 months and felt very agitated the whole time and did not sleep well at all. My biggest problem was no sleep. My doctor than instead put me on a very low dosage of Remeron. I take it at night and it not only helps me with my anxiety but it very much helps me sleep. I've been on it for 2 years. The great thing about Remeron is that it has very few side effects. Check it out with your doctor. All the best!

Originally posted by Claudette:
Hi,
I too was on Effexor for just over 2 months and felt very agitated the whole time and did not sleep well at all. My biggest problem was no sleep. My doctor than instead put me on a very low dosage of Remeron. I take it at night and it not only helps me with my anxiety but it very much helps me sleep. I've been on it for 2 years. The great thing about Remeron is that it has very few side effects. Check it out with your doctor. All the best!

Thanks Claudette! That really helps. I hope it does go away tho. I'm not too comfortable about the idea of switching medications a trillion X's. But i'll do what I have to.