Effexor XR - need advice, opinions

Kee · Post by **Kee** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:17 am

I have been taking Effexor XR for a week and a day now - started with 37.5 for the first 6 days and then 75 for the past three days. The reason it was prescribed by my dr. was because I have generalized anxiety disorder (have for a long time), but it has been much worse due to circumstances in my life that are not in my control. I take it at lunch, and the side effects are: insomnia, feeling very sick in the morning, tingling, hot flashes/flushed, and unable to eat/swallow in the morning despite being hungry. Wondering if I should get off it now? There are days I have felt good mentally and other times when I feel more depressed and angry. And not being able to sleep makes me more anxious. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:47 am

Hey I have been on effexor for over 4 years now.trust me the side effects disappear. they are horrible at first but they go away I started low and over the years my dose has been upped. My doc also added wellbutrin during times when I really struggle. I inquired if maybe I should try other meds and my doc emphatically told me there is NOTHING better on the market right now then effexor . so...try and hang in there the symptoms will pass

h.beth · Post by **h.beth** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:50 am

Hi Kee- I have been on and off effexor for about 6 years now. AT one point I was on 300 mgs. I have to admit it was the best I ever felt in my life. I only went off of it because I tend to gain weight. Food tastes great to me when I am on it. I am back on 75 mgs. now,hoping that I will not gain as much weight. I don't feel quite as good as I did on 300. I did have a lot of trouble with insomnia when I first went on it. My doctor suggested that I take my full dosage first thing in the morning so that I could sleep at night. It did work but I warn you that I would have trouble staying awake when I was driving to work in the AM. It was a little scary to me. Other than that I do think it is a wonderful drug. The first month is the hardest after that it is easy. Good luck! ECBOP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:48 am

Hang in there! I've been off and on Effexor for about 3 years now and am at a super low dose of 37.5 every second day. The second time I started taking it again, I had massive nausia and didn't want to eat at all, plus huge headaches and a variety of other things. It does pass. The benefit I had of having taken it before was that I knew it worked and I knew the effects would pass.

I find the amount I take is just enough to keep me feeling good while I keep working on my skills. I was up to 150 mg, the first time I was on it, then only went to 75 mg this time. It really allowed me to see things normally and it is worth working through the side effects just so that you can get your head straight and start to learn to be good to yourself!

Good luck!
Ronda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:21 am

ecbop ,hang in there with the weight thing . the first time i was on effexor i LOST about 30 lbs. then went off for awhile and when i started back had no weight gain or loss this time so....you never know

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:18 am

Tam0827-thanks for your encouraging words. How in the world did you lose 30 lbs. on it? Wow, maybe there is still hope for me. I do like how I feel on it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:14 am

I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for 3 years now with great results. I had bad side effects for about 2 weeks and my doctor told me to stick it out and they did go away. I lost about 8 lbs during the first 6 months on it and then it plateaued. Unfortunately, I have had a 10 lbs weight gain since, course I also turned 40, so maybe that had something to do with it too?? ha ha Regardless, I will happily exercise more and eat less to have peace of mind and no more racing thoughts! Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:15 pm

Thanks so much for the replies. Feeling so sick and no sleep made me wonder if I should get off it, but I do want to feel better mentally and emotionally and I already see a little difference with that. I'm glad to know the side effects will go away because I hate feeling so sick!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:45 am

Goodmorning all.. I also have been taking xr for 2 yrs now..I am on 300 mgs a day I take mine first thing in the morning..the side affects do go away, and i also feel wonderful on it...I lost weight at first taking it and now i am gaining weight

but all is good cause i feel better then i have ever felt in life..

dana_shae · Post by **dana_shae** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:52 am

Hi there.

It sounds like effexor has worked well for a lot of you. In a couple of your responces, you had said that you were off of it and then went back on it. How was it to do off of effexor?
I am scared to be on a drug the rest of my life and I want to know if the symptoms returned when you got off the drug and how difficult it was when you were not taking it.
thanks a bundle