I started this medicine 2 weeks ago. Recovering from depression and anxiety episode. I get these every 4 to 10 years when difficult situations arise. Was on Zoloft for 12 years then on Luvox for 4 years. I have 2 family members that are doing well on 150 and 225 mg so my doc decided to give it a try. I feel less anxious and depression is lifted. I would like to hear positive responses from Effexor users on how long it took for sleep and the jitters to go away. I see many people posting these side effects but then they went away over time. Can current successful users post if they had this side effect and how long it took to feel completely calm inside? Like I said I'm about 60 percent better in 2 weeks starting my third. I have less negative thinking too but not completely gone.
Effexor XR - How long to feel calm inside and sleep better?
Question posted by Kgub on 21 April 2017
Last updated on 30 November 2018
4 Answers
Hi! Just wondering how you are doing now. I'm on my second week of Effexor and could use some encouragement. I was on it before, and did great. But went off because we didn't think I needed it anymore. How long until I can eat again??
Hello
I have been on Effexor now for 10 weeks. started at 37.5 mg and kept increasing each 4 weeks each time anxiety and other symptoms got worse - I am now sitting at 112.5mg and I am feeling a bit better but still not there yet, doc said to stay on this level and will review in 4 weeks. I am also seeing a psychologist weekly.. I have days where I feel normal for a while and then it goes back. I have had no appetite since January when this breakdown happened to me so it is hard to say for me if it is the drug or the physical symptoms of my anxiety. I don't like not having an interest in food and pretty much have to force my self to eat something. I really hope that gets better for me. I have lost weight and went from 54kg down to 48kg in the last 8 months. I was recommended a book called 'hope and help for your nerves' by Dr Claire Weeks - it is a very good read it is a bit dated but gives some good advice and you can really relate to it. Good luck
Keep up the good fight, you will get there...
How has everyone been doing? Please update your progress. I started 37.5 for 5 days and taking 75mg for almost 4 weeks. But doc put me on lorazepam while taking Effexor as anxiety side effects are bad. I’m hoping 75mg is good. Suppose to go to 112.5 but still having anxiety side effects from 75 off and on. When do these side effects subside. I want to ween off the benzo but not there yet. Maybe I need to go up to 112.5. Unfortunately during open heart they abruptly cut me off the Effexor. Horrible withdrawal. Hoping I only need 75mg as usual as my weight is down 80lbs. Would love to hear success stories in detail. Thanks all. Hope everyone is good now. That’s where I want to be is good. I did read a fellow took 75mg but it took 3 months for success.
HI Kgub,
I am in the same boat as you now just 7 days in to taking 75mg of Effexor XR, I still have the sad thoughts, I have the jitters, head is throbbing inside and very bad sleep, nausea and no appetite. Just wanted to know how you are going now it has been 3 weeks? any updates please.
Hi budsie. Sorry just seeing this now. I ended up having to come off the Effexor because it caused akethesia and jaw clenching. Podcast added mirtazapine but didn't help. I also got bad pins and needles sensation and just couldn't sit still. I'm now on just the mirtazapine and pins and needle sensation is gone but still find it hard to sit still. Now doc is going to reintroduce Luvox with the mirtzapine. Oh she tried anafranil and made me more depressed. Overall the mirtazapine at 60 mg worked for depression and anxiety but had agitation and when backed down to 45 mg caused more depression but still controlling weird pin and needle sensations. Have to take xanax. My two adult children do wonderful on effexor. One is on 150 and the other 225. Wish it was case for me. Zoloft at 400 mg worked for me for 12 years and then Luvox for 6.
My p doc is thinking of trying a Corbo of Luvox with Zoloft because when I did the original switch from Luvox to Zoloft there was a sweet spot of 350 Luvox and 50 Zoloft where I felt great. Wish they would have just kept me there. The symptoms you describe I would suspect would need more than 75 of Effexor. It's hard trying to figure out these meds but my therapist assures me that she has never seen a patient get stuck in their depressed state. Feelings are constantly moving and the episodes we experience will also pass. Let me know how you are making out. I use xanax to get through the rough spots. Hope you are feeling better. Kim
Hi Kim sorry you have had such a hard time with your meds it must be so frustrating - I'm 4 weeks in now and only today I have felt a bit of relief it's so frustrating you feel that you will never feel normal and lose hope. I'm glad you kids are having success on Effexor / I have had horrible pulsing sensations on my head nausea and shakes and sweating - phsyc has put me on 25 mg of seroquel to take at night for sleep - I only weigh 50 kg so I only Took half first time last night and have felt calmer today. Thanks for your response avd for listening - I wish you all the best
Hi budsie. My psych has me on mirtazapine which worked well for anxiety and depression for the most part but still gives me the feeling of not being able to relax and sit still. They have added Luvox now up to 150 mg with 15 mg mirtazapine and now1.25 mg of olonzapine starting tonight. I am also going for mindfulness meditation training. One day at a time and hoping the meds work for both of us. Glad to hear you were feeling a little better. Keep me posted. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim
Hi budsie. My psych has me on mirtazapine which worked well for anxiety and depression for the most part but still gives me the feeling of not being able to relax and sit still. They have added Luvox now up to 150 mg with 15 mg mirtazapine and now1.25 mg of olonzapine starting tonight. I am also going for mindfulness meditation training. One day at a time and hoping the meds work for both of us. Glad to hear you were feeling a little better. Keep me posted. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim
Can I ask, how are you doing now??
Hi Kgub-
It would be wise to check with a pharmacist, your doctor and or the interaction checker on this site to before taking any over the counter remedies with Effexor. There could possibly be interactions. Better safe than sorry.
Hi Kgub: Congratulations! The fact that you feel 60% better in two weeks is HUGE! Keep doing what you're doing. It is working! Most antidepressants take 4 weeks to start having positive effects , but 6 to 8 weeks to reach full steady levels in the bloodstream. If you already are seeing results, it should only get better for you. For sleep, you could ask the doc for a sleep aid to take temporarily till that side effect passes. I took hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax) tablets. They can be taken "as needed", can be taken temporarily, and don't have to be taken every night. Or you could take some OTC sleep aids, such as ZzzzzQuil, or even a couple of Benadryl capsules for the start up side effect of insomnia, until it passes.
Great answer, my friend!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I'm glad to hear that insomnia is something that is temporary. It's a little weird in that the medicine is helping with anxiety but at same time I don't feel calm inside. I feel wide awake and hard to sit still. I've been told by my doctor that this is a temporary side effect. Would love to hear from the community how long it takes for these2 side effects to calm down. On the plus side my sexual dysfunction from the Luvox is gone and I've lost 20 lbs which is also from the depression but I don't feel hungry on this medicine. It's ok for me because I had 30 lbs to lose. The negative thoughts still come but not as bad. I know once I feel at baseline these will disappear to. I'm hoping anyway. Just need encouragement that it's going to keep getting better and better thank you all for your support.
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, luvox, zoloft, depression, anxiety, sleep, medicine
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
