I’ve always taken SSRIS, for about 13 years. Celexa and Lexapro worked good. No others have seemed to works so my therapist switched me to Effexor. I’m still on 10mg of Lexapro, took 75mg of Effexor for a week, bumped up to 112.5 mg for 2 weeks, now on 150 mg for a week. I’m able to go to work, but still nervous all day long. Also have a lot of dreams, not nightmares, just vivid dreams. Lastly feel numb in the head... ”medicine head”. Still don’t like to be around people, low appetite, up and down depressed feeling, lower anxiety but nervous and tired. Any thoughts? Signs that it might be working? Should I hang in there and see if these are just side effects and if they go away? I do take .25mg of klonopin, which helps take the edge off but don’t love taking it. Would love to hear other experiences and if they feel I should stay on it? Thanks
Signs Effexor is working?
Question posted by Lkruege on 19 May 2018
Last updated on 19 May 2018
Answers
Hi, L! Just out of curiousity, if Celexa and Lexapro worked well why did your doctor switch you to Effexor? Are you weaning off Lexapro or are you to continue taking it?
Anyway, Effexor is by far my drug of choice. I can't say enough good things about it! I think what you're experiencing now is a bit of drug stupor from the combination you're taking, side effects from the Effexor, and possibly discontinuation syndrome if you're weaning off your Lexapro.
From the literature here on Drugs.com:
"Some side effects of venlafaxine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects."
"Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, depression, agitation, anxiety"
"Common (1% to 10%): Weight loss, decreased appetite, anorexia"
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
"While symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to improve; disturbances in sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working."
I hope something in all of that will be useful to you! If you have further questions or concerns please feel free to post anytime, okay?
Forgot to mention, Celexa worked for about 7 years and Lexapro for 3 years. I just don’t want to give up too early, but also don’t want to waste anymore time finding the right drug. I wasted enough time trying Zoloft.
hi.. wildcat.. i was switched to venlafaxine in the last 7 days from 37.5 to 75mg.. i was on lexapro for the second time. but this time lexapro didn;t work .. they switched me because i was having stomach problems.. so do you think it will go away .. please help me
Hi, jennifer! I'm not sure what you mean. Will what go away? The stomach problem you had or are you having new side effects from the venlafaxine?
Wildcat, do U think it’s normal to be irritable? I did yard work all day, I come in the house and cook super and get irritable over little stuff.
Related topics
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
