I am stressed very easily, nervous, have stomach aches and cry every day. Been on 150 mg for 2 weeks. Felt very blah, almost depressed the first week and a little more nervous the second. I pray that this works for me. The many weeks on Lexapro 20 mg did not help. I love my job of 20 years, but cannot work until I have improved. I have loved working with special ed children. I will not go back until I can be the good caring aide that I have always been. I want to work for about 5 or 6 more years. I am 57. I was afraid of effexor at first but now I pray it will be the medicine that helps me. I am taking good care of myself and having therapy. Before this happened I was upset about things in my life, (not work) but have resolved mostly everything. I just cannot stop this from happening to my body. But I guess these stressors sometime build up over years. I am trying to be patient and be grateful I can be off work to heal. Would love to hear positive comments of support from members that would share. Thank you very much!
How long will it take to notice Effexor XR helping for general anxiety disorder?
Question posted by Debbylynn on 13 Oct 2013
Last updated on 25 October 2018
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
34 Answers Page 2
I have just started a cross taper of celexa to Effexor xr. I'm currently on 10mg celexa and 37.5mg Effexor for two weeks then drop the 10mg celexa and go to 75mg Effexor. In terms of side effects I've had a bit of a headache, thirst and tiredness. I've still got a long way to go but I hope this works as I'm miserable with depression and anxiety!
I started taking 150 mg. of Effexor ER 8 years ago mostly for anxiety. It started to work within 48 hours, which is unexpected. Maybe it was the placebo effect but who cares? It was like night and day. I decreased to 75mg. about 5 years ago with no adverse reaction nor increase in anxiety. I weaned off with no trouble. The side effect I noticed most was a sexual one. My libido was almost zero and very difficult to have 'satisfying experiences'. It takes awhile, in my experience, for this sexual side effect to wear off. The anxiety and depression I had been experiencing were more detrimental to my sexual health than the side effects of Effexor so I would take Effexor again should I sense any increase in anxiety or depression. Oh, at the beginning of taking Effexor ER, I did notice - what I call a shy bladder. I really had to concentrate sometimes to get my bladder to release so I could empty my bladder. Really not a big deal and it did subside overtime, but I definitely did notice.
I know how you feel, I had Post Traumatic Stress due to a couple of relationship problems & also my father passed away when I was only 18, my boss died when I was 21, & other major problems, I am on the highest dose of Effexor XR & it wasn't easy, one Dr put me on something else & you're under me & he was no help so I ditched him & went to counsellors & another understanding Dr, finally after too much serotonin & virtually no understanding from family, I told myself every time they were negative I was gng to do everything they said NOT TO & I WAS GNG TO GET BETTER & I did, I'm on now Venlafaxine 375mg highest dose & after 18 mths of this I feel gr8, it was NOT without hassles, I did have an excellent counsellor who said do something nice every day for yourself & I do a nice as cup of coffee, 2 years now since I have been to her & still dng this & LUV IT,
think back to how u used to feel & don't let anyone or anything put u off ever, mine was washing the car, first time I did I broke down in tears to Mum & danced around the room saying Mum I did it, I KNOW it is hard work but when u come out on top, tell yourself whatever u do, only do it for a week, then change it if not working, but stick to it, it took me 4 to 5 years to find out what works, look at how far you've come not how far you've got to go & believe me u will get there, hope this helps, Golliwog
Hey there.
I noticed my anxiety go within 2-3 days of being on 75mg of exffor.
I have generalized anxiety which leads to panic attacks
12 months ago was on pristiq 50mg and that didnt even work as quickly as the effexor did.
I have however felt like i am more depressed on effexor. Feel unmotivated and flat all the time.
But on plus side. No anxiety
Hi Bigporp: How did it work out with Effexor? I just started taking it and my anxiety is higher than it was without it... going on day 5 tomorrow. 37.5 mg supposed to increase to 75 mg in a week, but am afraid the anxiety will increase with the dose increase... Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hello. Pristiq was amazing for me. Within 2 days of being on it my anxiety disappeared. I replased about 10 months ago and did 6 months on it and got off. I have been amazing ever since. No anxiety at all. I had a few social issues and stresses in my life i needed to sort out and deal with aswell. Since making a few changes i have come good
Omg! Your story is very similar to mine... I am a school aide and had trouble functioning at a job I worked ten years. I had some personal events that hit me hard and I've never been the same since. I suffer anxiety depression and nervousness. Effexor initially had me very nervous but I'm being patients and hope it kicks in. I just want to be me again.
Hi all, I've been on 37.5 Effexor and 75 for about a year now but find myself so incredibly unmotivated to do... anything. I barely make it into work, my home is a mess, I'm overweight because I'm too lazy to drive to the store so order pizza, my poor dog doesn't get walks, my personal hygiene is lacking majorly, and I can't get myself to accomplish anything, even like finishing a project that's due at work. I'm so tired all the time, not sleepy, but fatigued, and that doesn't help with the lack of motivation to take the baby step I know will help me start building. I'm inbetween psychiatrists right now (left an HMO style for a PPO), and am finding it quite hard to get a call-back. So I'm estimating it will be 2-3 weeks until I get an appt but I don't think I can hold on that long. My former p-doc always said I could tweet the dosage up around my periods, etc., so I've decided to increase from 75 to 150, tonight.
Am I crazy to do this (no pun intended!)? 75 is a fairly low dose, right, with the more common one being 150? I just need a reprieve from this awful feeling I have and the lack of ability to do anything except barely go to work and come back home. Since I've been on Effexor so long, does anyone know how fast I may get some relief? Please say overnight and not 4 weeks! ;-) Many thanks in advance to those of you who want to share your 75 to 150 dosage increase, how well it worked, and how fast. Take good care everyone!
Hi tiredgirl67. The best thing is to follow-up with a doctor. I have taken up to 300 miligrams of effexor and it has been a miracle drug. I have been on and off the medication for many years because when I felt good I thought I didn't need it. Well I will not stop it ever again. I hit a real bad slump the last seven months. Finally back on the medication and I started on 150 mg and finally up to 300 mg again. I assume that since you have been on effexor and your just ramping up, it probably wont take long to feel better. It is very hard to stay motivated and active when your not feeling well, so don't be to hard on yourself. Get in with a good doctor and remember when you have a chemical imbalance you can control how you feel, but try to live a simple and stress free life as possible. I am changing my lifestyle to make it simpler. May God watch over you.
Correction to above comment. When you have a chemical imbalance you can't control how you feel.
Thank you for your kind comments, Nissan!!
Just an update in case anyone reads my post going forward. I think I felt worse on 150mg of Effexor than on 75mg, so dropped back down to 75mg again. The jolt up and down seems to have helped as I feel a tiny bit better now, about 7 weeks later. However, it may be coming from forcing myself to take a couple if baby steps or facing losing my job. Accomplishing something, anything, makes me feel so much better, and then I build on that. I'm still very tired but am sleeping fine and not having much obvious anxiety at all. I feel it's always lurking and the fatigue isn't normal, and I still haven't found a psychiatrist! Really difficult unless you've been referred through a therapist. So my journey continues and I'll post when I have additional insight. Take good care everyone!
Hello I have taken celexa which worked very well but quit working.. I went through so many diff mess recently I stopped taking pristiq (caused anxiety) tried viibryd made me super sick and I am now trying Prozac which makes me feel worse I feel so tired and can't get out of bed.. I'm thinking about asking my doc to try Effexor xr does it give you some what of a boost instead of feeling like a zombie?
Yes, Effexor gives a little boost but easily makes some people anxious too, so you will need to experiment with it until you find the correct dose for you. I have to take Klonopin to calm down anxiety sometime but I had to before Effexor as well.
tiredgirl... just started 75 mg Effexor today, was on paxil for 14 years and I became immune to it. Since Nov. I have been on three different anti depressants that didn't work. I am praying this is the one!!! How long before I start to feel better?
I've been on .76 mg of Effexor for about 15 years and it works for me. At Christmas I had a difficult time. Many people do at that time of year. I cried for 3 days and needed help. My MD put me on 150 mg and it has helped immensely. I practice the teachings of Eckhart Tolle and try to get to the gym frequently. Anyway, try not to despair. Know that you're not alone. I kept all of this to myself until I found this wonderful site. Best wishes to you!
I am new to this forum stuff but really need some support. I have dealt with panic and anxiety for 18 years I am 35 now with 4 children and a busy life. I have been through several traumatic things in the past 8 months have tried different meds in the SSRI family which made me very I'll. I was prescribed effexor XR today. I am scared of it and the side effects. I have hit bottom and every day is a battle to get through with almost constant panic and anxiety. I've lost my job I stay in my bedroom etc. please encouraging words about this medicine would greatly help.
Logan, I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. I too am in the process of getting the chemicals in my brain back in balance and can relate to your struggles. Effexor worked well for me for 13 years. I am still on in with an increased dose and starting to think I may need to switch because I'm not getting the boost I'd hoped for but the good news here is that it does work. When I started on the med in 2001 it took a while to feel better. Initially the side effects are tricky and it can feel like the anxiety is worse. My Doctor gave me adavan to use temporarily for relief from the side effects and to help with sleep. I used it to get me over the side effects and eventually went with the Effexor only. I crashed again this past November and my new Psychiatrist is giving me an additional medication, Buspar. It seems to be helping with the anxiety and I'm currently upping my dose from 10mg/day to 20mgs. I think I can go as high as 60mgs.
I still experience anxiety and find the mornings are a bit rough but I believe things are getting better and I know they're far better than November.
Everyone is different and what works for one person may work differently for another. The hard part is sticking it out long enough to see if the good the medication does out weighs the side effects. Faith, exercise, counseling, sleep, diet and support are important parts of the healing process. I would not wish what you are feeling on anyone but I want to assure you it gets better. Breath, pray and keep working with your doctors.
I just took my first Effexor XR 37.5 mg thirty minutes ago and am scared to death of side effects that may come.
How are you doing on the effexor. my doctor just prescribed me some yesterday but i haven't picked it up from the oharmacy yet. I also am in the same boat as you. busy life, kids, constant panic and anxiety, barely getting through the day, im literally afraid of everything now. ive never until the past couple years had anxiety. this is nothing like i imagined anxiety would feel like. and i can't get it to go away. im stressed to the absolute max. i feel like someone else. like im trapped inside someone elses body or something. i just want to feel like me again.
Hi, i started effexor a week ago. I am still feeling anxious and tired. Not so much depression, but I have 4 kids and I feel so neglectful. I have a call into my doctor to ask about why I am feeling like this.
Loganc11 How is that working for u?
I was on effexor for over a year and stopped about 2 months ago because as a man I was getting sexual side effects that were very frustrating. My doctor switched me to less conventional medications that have offset uses for anxiety. They were limictal, mirtazapine and gabapentin. My chest started to hurt so bad I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the doctor one week who did and EKG and said if it didn't improve after realizing I was not having a heart attack to go to the ER. It did not so I went to the ER. They ran blood work, chest x-ray, and a variety of other tests to see if I was having any serious cardiac problems and I was not. I decided to wean myself off of the medications and started feeling extremely anxious and terrible. We decided to start the effexor back up. I know it will take about a month for me to start really noticing it as it did last time. I am only on 37.5mg xr right now and will increase in another week.
Medications are often a 'pick your poison' kind of thing. you have to evaluate benefits and draw backs and decide whats best for you. I will tell you that an neuropsychiatrist I talked to today said medications such as SSRIs which effexor is often only have a 17% chance of working from person to person. You may have to try a few before finding one that works for you. It can be very frustrating but you have to maintain hope and know its all trial and error. We are not very effective at treating mental disorders today compared to what we can do for things like cardiac problems etc. hopefully one day we can figure it all out
It's the Gabapentin. It made me super calm and relaxed but it made it feel like my heart was gurgling.
This drug has been like a miracle for me
It took 8 weeks
I packed my Job in January I couldn't cope anymore one day I just snapped I'd had enough
I thought I needed a break but I was still feeling so bad especially in the morning I was in big trouble !
I could cry at anything that upset me a bit and I'm a burley 6ft guy that works on building sites
3.5 years ago my 16 year marriage came to a end.and at the same time my dad got lung cancer and died.
It seemed to mess me up id had stress before but coped
After dad's funeral which I organized things just started affecting me bouts of depression i battled for year trying to avoid tablets but I eventually gave in and went on Prozac
This helped but it made me so tired and emotionless eventually I stopped taking them cold turkey and I was fine for 12 months
Then the depression came back
I started feeling down and it just got worse each week,and then in November 13 I got attacked on a night out totally unprovoked of 3 idiots
I was left with my face fractured
And needing a op
After the op and Xmas I went back to work for 1.5 days in January and then just snapped
What followed was the wees depression i seriously thought I wasn't going to recover
Going to sleep was the only thing that turned it off
I tried two differnt types of tablets after the attack but side effects where horrible and I gave in
I tried to get better myself gym etc eating right but I couldn't stick at it
I was having some couseling as the doc reckoned I had post tramatic stress
But to be honest if helped a little
Eventually I went back to the docs
Life wasn't worth living I didn't want to feel like this I wanted myself back suicide flashed across my mind but it was never a option as I couldn't do it to the people I love but I just wanted the hurt to stop
Effaxor was prescribed for me again I didn't take it back in February oh how I wish I had
I'm back at work now life's good
I don't hurt the same a broken marriage and then a failed relationship after two years I just used to dwell on them amongst other things
I'm sorry if I've jumped on this thread but fingers crossed I've got the old me back
I'm optimistic about the future I've stopped letting things bother me I don't feel anywhere near as bad in the mornings
My only dilemma is should I go to 150mg
The one side affect
My sex drive isn't the same
But everything works
Ps has anyone drank alchol on this drug as I seem to be okay and yes I know it's a antidepressant
I hope what I've wrote helps somebody as this so far is like a miracle
Thanks for sharing. I've been on Effexor XR since 2001. I crashed a few weeks ago with overwhelming anxiety. I've upped my dose from 150 to 225 and after 2 weeks the anxiety is still pretty awful. My GP has given me Clonazepam to help with the anxiety and so far that's made the biggest difference so far. Hopefully the Effexor with start working and I can get off the Clonazepam.
Thank you to everyone who shares on this sight. Your stories have inspired me and kept me going while I try to be patient with the medications.
I was put on clanazapam 3 WEEKS AGO my mom was very I'll and I ended up with anxiety that turned into GAD I was bad going to ER a lot I was put on effexor 37.5 and I'm going on day 2 ..I get hot flashes but so far I only have to use my clonazapam as needed and before I was taking it every 4 hour... I do get a lot of headaches and can't sleep much at night.. I have no appetite and have lost 12 lbs already I pray everyday things get better... Prayers to you and everyone battling this
How are you doing now? I'm On week 2 of 75 mg Effexor xr. Still waiting for it to kick in. The side effects are not as bad. I've had some good days I'm taking .5 Xanax in the mornings and at night Bc those are the hardest times did me. Hard to get going in the morning and sleeping at night hoping and praying it starts working soon!
Hi! I know a long time passed after you wrote this post. I hope you feel well. I am new to this site and looking for some information about Effexor. I took Lazaro for couple months for depression and anxiety but the anxiety symptoms was keep getting worse and went from butterflies in my stomach to panic attacks symptoms. I change from my doc and the new one prescribed Effexor 37.5 and then raise it to 75, and now I am taking 150 for 11 days. My symptoms are still there and I am also getting an annoying tingling on my scalp like when you put your hair on ponytail for long and open it. Did you or anyone else experienced it?
Hi! I know a long time passed after you wrote this post. I hope you feel well. I am new to this site and looking for some information about Effexor. I took Lazaro for couple months for depression and anxiety but the anxiety symptoms was keep getting worse and went from butterflies in my stomach to panic attacks symptoms. I change from my doc and the new one prescribed Effexor 37.5 and then raise it to 75, and now I am taking 150 for 11 days. My symptoms are still there and I am also getting an annoying tingling on my scalp like when you put your hair on ponytail for long and open it. Did you or anyone else experienced it?
Hi. I am so glad I searched and found this posting. After reading through all of the comments it is very helpful and encouraging. I am 26 and a mom of 2. I have had a rough past with a bad divorce and my anxiety is very bad. I was highly allergic to lexapro. I actually spent 3 days in a psychiatric hospital because of the lexapro. That was 6 years ago. I have been on the Effexor at 150mg for almost 6 years now and it was working great for me. I got remarried and we bought a house. I was having such great days. Now I'm having problems with my hormones and my doc thinks it is causing the anxiety attacks to come back. So he has changed me to 225mg and xanax .25mg as needed. I have been doing this for 16 days now and it is not helping. The attacks are everyday. I feel like I can not do anything or even enjoy life. It is getting me depressed but reading these posts are helping. I'm praying that everything will start to get better quickly!
Hi sorry I did not see your note. How are you doing? Did increasing the Effexor help? I hope so. :))) debbylynn
Have u tried Valiums instead of Xanax? I also have bad anxiety but was on Xanax for over a year I complained, and my doc would say they're all the same so no need to change..Finally a woman Doctor filled in for him and changed my Xanax 1mg to 5mg. Valiums and it had me so calm... Just wondering because Doctors say the benzodiazep are all the same
I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, acute anxiety, agoraphobia with OCD tendencies. I also have a fear of taking medication due to someone close to me dying of a medication overdose. I was also taking Xanax .25mg it did help stop an anxiety attack, but made me feel slightly intoxicated and overly emotional. 2mg Valium works much better. It does not make me feel sedated or overly emotional and instead of just stopping the anxiety attack it makes me not care as much about what got me worked up in the first place. It just makes me feel normal like it's not a big deal. I was recently prescribed Effexor XR 37.5mg. Due to my med phobia I filled it and had not been able to make myself take it. I finally tonight took the capsule apart. I counted 37 beads inside. I put 10 back in the capsule and took them. I'm going to do this for a week before adding 5 more beads. I really just need reassurance about this med.
Hello everyone. DebbyLynn... I found your post today and was curious on how you are doing? I hope things kept improving for you and that you have returned to be being the real you :)
I have been of and on Effexor XR for the past 10 yrs or so (I am 32 yrs old, mom of 3). I am currently trying to recover from and anxiety (a little depression too) relapse from lowering my dose too much. Each time I was doing so amazing that I wanted to get off of it... This is about the 4th time I've came down too much (stopped it once) from 150mg to 75mg then as every time 6-7 weeks later I'm back to the worst. I bumped it back up immediately and now it's been 3 weeks and 3 days and I'm SLOWLY feeling a touch better but I just pray it gets me back to MYSELF just like the other times (each time I recovered but it took a while).
I can't believe I didn't learn the first few times! I can't deal with the withdrawals, it's not worth it for me, I'm sticking with 150mg if it works and carrying on with my life!
Glad to hear so many others had positive things to say, I'm glad I found this post. It made me feel better :)
Thanks guys and I hope everyone here is doing well :)
Hi
Momee, and everyone,
Thanks for writing. I haven't for some time now.
Well as I was increasing my effexor xr I would have a few good days here and there which made he think this is it. I've found the answer. And would get excited because so many people get good results. But then I would go back to being nervous, and have anxiety stomach aches. So my doctor had me continue to increase all the way up to 300 mg. It did lesson the anxiety a little, but I have not been able to go to sleep at night for many weeks unless I take 2 Tylenol PM. My short term memory has also gotten very bad.
So now I am weining off, went to 225 mg for 2 1/2 weeks. Now I'm on 150 mg and by the 4 the day at this dose my stomach aches have returned. I am also taking 2mg of klonopin throughout all this. I will call my doctor again after being on the 150 for 7 days to decide what is next. It sounds like he is going to recommend another medication. But hadn't decided yet. The lexapro did not help either.
I hate the stomach aches because they make me cry after a while.
I am really digging into my childhood with a good therapist because I had a very very unhappy one. It formed me into being a worrier for my whole life. Thank god I have a wonderful supportive husband and daughter and son that are all the loves of my life. This all started for me last may at the end of the school year. I have worked with special ed children for 19 years. I have loved them and have a lot of experience, but it is a stressful job. I am a perfectionist and have been giving my all at work. Maybe it is time to work at something less stressful. I am considering retiring also. But I am 57. Al I know is I want to take care of myself and have no stress.
I wish I had great news for you Momee. But if 150 mg works good for you that is wonderful. Keep using it. It is a low dose. You are fortunate to have found something that works. Bless you with health. Debbie
Momee, if you look at a posting I have done here about withdrawing from Effexor, you may find it helpful. If you take it really slowly, and only reduce by a fraction at a time, you will manage withdrawals. It took me 10 months, but I am fine. It is now 4 months since I stopped, and I have had no withdrawals at all, and feel really well.
Good luck if you try again.
Hi momee146
I just tried to go off Effexor after being on it ten years. I cut down to half of a 37.5 and after three weeks I crashed and burned. My doctor put me back on 75. I feel like I'm right back where I started ten years ago nervous, jittery, and sleepy. I need encouragement, did the Effexor work again when you started it again? Did you return back to your old self? I really want my old self to return.
Oh my I did the exact same thing. I lowered from 150mg to just under 75 mg and about 6 months later I had terrible obsessive thoughts and anxiety and crying spells. I'm 3 weeks back on 150mg and I don't feel like it's working. I use to feel the effects way faster. I'm starting to think I will need to change meds?! My anxiety is bothering me and I don't feel like my happy self!!! Can you tell me what happened with you?
Hello to all that had given me support when I needed it so badly. I want to update you on how I'm doing. After taking Effexor 150 Mg for 3 weeks and 5 days, I began feeling better. I've had 3 great days in a row. The crying, and stomach aches that I had for 4 months stopped. I went up north to Prescott, Az overnight with my husband for a get away. We ate out lunch, dinner, shopped, and I was so happy to be able to get away. The only side effect I have with this med is sometimes constipation. But if I eat more veggies, fruit and fiber plus take magnesium it helps. I hope to improve more over the next few weeks. I saw an old friend I use to work with and she shared that she takes effexor too and it helps her. I am not afraid of it anymore. I've had nervousness since a child. And now that I am 57 I feel I may always need a medicine along wih some therapy. I'm looking for a new therapist because the one I went to was kind of a cold women, and was also rude at times.
I plan to be very mindful, enjoy each moment I'm in, be positive, meditate, exercise, breath deeply and be greatful for life every day. And work on any negitave old thoughts with a therapist. I pray effexor xr will help for a long time and I can stay in tune with my body to know if I need an adjustment or med change. I also do like my psychiatrist. The encouragement you all gave me really helped to get me through when I was worried about meds and at my lowest. Thank you so very much!! Bless You!!
I'm so glad to get your message and to know that the Effexor is helping.
I agree the therapist is an important part of feeling better. Self talk can be such a big help but sure can hurt you if you don't fight it. I've also come to the conclusion that I will probably always be on meds, Exercise and
eating can be a huge difference ... I should read that statement to
myself. I friended you in case you ever just need to talk. Great news!
Debbylynn,
I'm in that battle now and I am hopeful for change. I am also battling anemia, and thyroid disease so the complications are coupled with depression.
I'm wondering If the effexor worked within the 3 weeks? In hanging by a thread and I am hopeful. I have nothing else.
Best
It took me 4-5 weeks to notice some improvement. But had to wein off due to not being able to sleep at night, it gave me insomnia. If it worked for you for. 6 years increasing the dose seems the way to go. Can your doctor give you an anti anxiety med to take along with it until your meds help? Best wishes!
By the way I am still in therapy with a good therapist. I've always done some worrying. But I was hit with very very bad anxiety for the first time in the hospital right after having a total knee replacement. debbylynn
I apologize you did not say you had been on Effexor for 6 years. I read another note from someone that said that, when I read yours. Your note does not show above the one I write to reply to you. So I got them confused. Wish you well.
Glad your enjoying life a little more now. I've had panic attacks and anxiety since I was 18. I just started effexor xr. No more anxiety after a few days now just waiting to see how I feel in a month or so, I don't like being bitchy :)
Hi Debbylynn: I'm very interested to know how you made out with Effexor, if you don't mind sharing? Thank you!
Hi again Debby.
I searched on drugs.com, and the info was different than the Effexor site. The information was so much more understandable here.
According to our site said it could take up to four weeks to take effect.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
bipolar disorder (manic depression);
cirrhosis or other liver disease;
kidney disease;
heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol;
diabetes;
glaucoma;
a thyroid disorder;
a history of seizures;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
low levels of sodium in your blood; or
if you are switching to Effexor from another antidepressant.
Effexor should be taken with food. Try to take Effexor at the same time each day.
Gosh, there's so much to read on this subject. The Mayo clinic was way over my head, but your a teacher so I think you'll figure it out, I'm sure.
I wonder if you could add a supplement until the Effexor takes effect. Maybe you could call your doc and ask him/her. Be sure to tell your doc if you have any of the above health problems.
You take care of yourself. There's no reason you should have to go through this when there's tons of meds that could help your symptoms.
Be sure to talk to your doc. I'm not a professional(as you've probably figured out.)
Holler if you need me or any of our well informed friends. We're here for ya.
Faith, hope and love,
Anna
Wow, thank you for all your research. I have read a lot about the side effects. That's part of what scared me. But I seem to be almost over them now. I just saw my doctor and he wants me to take a anti anxiety med this week until the effexor kicks in. So you are right on track with him. My health is good in other areas except for getting this anxiety and depression. I don't take meds for anything else yet at 57 years old.
Thank you for all you've done for me Anna.
I love those words, Faith, Hope and Love
My best to you too!
Thank you much!
Debby
Your entirely welcome, Debby.
Hi Debby.
The most common side effects with EFFEXOR XR were:
Unusual dreams
Sexual problems
Loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or dry mouth
Feeling tired, fatigued or overly sleepy
Change in sleep habits, problems sleeping
Yawning
Tremor or shaking
Dizziness, blurred vision
Sweating
Feeling anxious, nervous or jittery
Headache
Increase in heart rate
It appears on the Effexor site (which is where I got this info) that it takes about 3 days to feel the effects of this med. The Effexor site was very complicated to understand, although they do have a patient assistant program. I'm going to get back with you. I need to do some more research.
L, Anna
I was just prescribed this medicine yesterday after abruptly stop taking lexapro,anyways I felt sick to my stomach,and woke up very jittery,does anyone know if this is common?and will it go away?Also does it really take 3 days to see results,because I was to the point of having suicidal thoughts constantly..I knew in my heart (which usually takes over the mind) I could never do anything like that & leave a large family who practically grew up in church,Anywhoo if anyone knows how soon I should start feeling good results,comment please <3 & Thank U
Hi Debbylynn lots of good answers here you well get some good results in the next 1 to 2 weeks in most cases some it takes 4 to 6 weeks but you are having a way with this one i have been taking 150mg down from 300mg for at least 10 years droping for 300mg to 150mg was no problem im not even worring about the problems with getting off dr say i well more than likely be on it the rest of my time which is fine with me with the way i feel these day..all my best and don't worry about getting off of it enjoy the results that most do its well worth it.
Hello Chuck, Yes, all these kind people are being so helpful. It means a lot to me. Thank you for encouraging me too. I was really freaking out about taking this Effexor, crying and making myself sick about it, but I'm not anymore. That's great you were able to drop from 300 mg to 150 easily. I got the impression that people just go up in mg. until it doesn't work anymore. I know everyone is different. For me I am sensitive to meds and usually am fine with small doses. I also am working on mindfulness, enjoying the moment I'm in instead of thoughts of the past or future worries. This is a big thing now. Just google mindfulness, there is so much to learn. I also ordered the new mindfulness magazine that is out. Doing some meditation to. I will post again when I have news. And thank you very much Chuck! Keep feeling Great! Debby
Yes and thanks Debby you are so right you need more than medication i have found lots of power in the mind,I have found Positive thinking,faith and keeping the very negitvive people out of my life has help unbelievable..also reading positive stuff..just a new focus on life. Wish you good luck you well make it
remember it one day at a time my friend..stay positive.
Very nice!
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effexor, effexor xr, depression, anxiety, nervous, stomach, disorder
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