My PDR just upped me from 150 to 225 because I was feeling tired and still had some symptoms. I am in my second week of the 150mg. SHould i have giving it more time?? I am kind of worried because it is the highest recommended dose. Is there much difference in the two dosages?? Is there anyone else that was on the 225 and felt better?? Any suggestions/advice is helpfull. Thanks DC :)
Venlafaxine/Effexor ER 150mg to 225 mg?
Question posted by nenag on 4 Jan 2012
Last updated on 2 July 2023
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10 Answers
I’m upping my Effexor from 150 to 225 and wonder if it heightens anxiety or helps. my anxiety is already terrible.
if you have been taking venlafaxine 150mg for 2-4 weeks and your anxiety has not improved you can certainly try to see if 225mg helps. sometimes anxiety may increase a bit for a few days when upping the dose but doctors say this is not a bad thing and those who feel a little worse at first have an increased chance of feeling better once your body adjusts to the new dose
Yes went up from 150mg to 225mg and had problems with side effects. Though my depression improved. Had to go back down to 150mg. Because stomach and intestine problems.
Joined a good church and the prayers and worship really helped alot with the cognative part of the illness.
I have been on this medication (Venlafaxine) 15 years and seldom have any anxiety or depression. Along with the valenlafaxine I also take Bupropion. I have been bumped up from 150 to 225. too for the venlafazine. I wonder if anyone else feels like they don's have the gumption you once had? I will know that there is a task I need to complete and I can tell myself tomorrow for months. It really bothers me a lot. I would love to hear from others on this medication.
Been on venlafaxine for 13 years 225mg
I still find the need to complete tasks etc and find it hard to leave things for tomorrow if I want it done. Although I'm nowhere near as obsessive with getting things done as I was before I went on them.
I'm also on 75mg of lyrica for chronic pain after an accident one year ago.
Did you have any heightened anxiety upping from 150 to 225?
I have been on 375mg daily for about 2 years. Recently I asked my new PCP if I can try to lower my dose. I started 3 days ago with the 225 mg daily. It’s the same reaction as when I started this med: I have been sleeping so much since 3 days ago. I feel lazy and I’m not getting anything done.
After taking the 150mg dose for about six months I still had residual symptoms and my doctor raised me to 225mg. It's been almost four years with excellent results and no long term complications.
Did you have any heightened anxiety when you went up?
Hello, drugs work different from person to person but my experience was that I was on 150 went to 225 and then 300. Nothing improved and I had more side effects. I changed dorctor.
I was wondering if it would be safe for me to go 300mg im at 225mg but im still depressed, anxiety think its time for a new medication if you dont mind me asking did you switch Dr. What was prescribed an how are you feeling
I take 225 mg of venlafaxine xr and it works much better than the 150 mg..Tried 300 and 375 mg. The 375 mg made me angry. My heart would race somewhat. And was a little anxious. But everyone is different though..
nenag, I have been on Effexor XR for 10 years now. I started at 75mg and was slowly increased to 150 over time. I have been on 225 for many years now with no problems. I'm wondering, are you still feeling bad or are you still experiencing side effects? I contined to feel heightened anxiety for about two weeks after my dose was increased. My doctor gave me Ativan to help with the worst times and as I continued I needed the Ativan less and less. Aside from side effects like being tired, really strange dreams and dry mouth, I feel really good on Effexor XR. Above all, keep in constant contact with your doctor until you feel better. Effexor XR has been awesome for me but isn't for everyone. BTW, I also found taking tai chi to help with the racing thought very helpful! I hope you feel better soon. Stay with it, it does take time to adjust. But do call your doctor. Mine was awesome and even called me back at 10PM once! Good luck!
Thanks for your comment maykaygirl, I am feeling alot better, i have been on effexor before for about 3 years and it worked wonders for me. I know that i just have to be patient for the meds to take effect but it can be frustrating sometimes. It has been 6 mos since i havent been myself and frankly im exhausted. LOL, im just glad to be back on track. I havent had much anxiety. What is tai chi?
Glad to hear you're feeling better. tai chi is a form of martial arts which uses slow body movements and really helps you focus your mind. One of the things I had a lot of trouble with in the beginning was my mind was always racing and I couldn't concentrate properly. Tai chi helps you to focus and it's great exercise for the body! and it's slow so not much chance of hurting yourself with it. Don't know where you live but here in TO we have many evening courses for tai chi through the city for a reasonable price. Good luck!
I might have to look into that, I am in Texas im sure i can find one somewhere. Thanks a bunch!!
Stay off all Bezos!
currently i take 150mg effexor and 2 mg of abilify and i still feel tired but this is a good dose for me so the i try to deal with the tiredness.
im glad you are feeling better. I hope this dose works for me, thanks navygirl :)
N0! Abilify is money maker. about risperdone.
I too was quickly taken from 150time to 225the and I was fine. I felt my deep depression lift and felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders. Be positive! This is an amazing drug (it at least it has been for me ). I have insane anxiety and it has helped wonders. Any more quiestions please ask!
I will thanks a bunch terica3825!! :)
How long did it take to work
I just went from 150mg to 225 mg for the last three night.
A bit nervous. Haven't had any side affects but also have the felt like it works either.
Any comments welcome
My first post here
Thx
I’ve gone on 225 mg only 4 days ago. How long dose it take to kick in please. My anxiety is awful. Thank you
I’ve gone on 225 mg only 4 days ago. How long dose it take to kick in please. My anxiety is awful. Thank you
Hello. I was on
150mg for four weeks and then went up to 225mg and felt much better. Decided to go to 300mg and after a month went back to 225mg as felt good on this dosage . I'm off effexor now for almost a month and going back to the old Prozac 20mg . Dont worry about this dose cause if u don't improve you can just talk to your doc nxt visit. x
if you dont mind me asking, why are you switching? was the prozac better for you or did you have any adverse reactions to the effexxor?
I was on Prozac in and off for about 15 years. Sometimes, not always combined with other stabilisers mood. Last jan I got really unwell, went high and then low and Prozac didn't seem to help. So ir was changed to zoloft up to 100mg a day. I had really bad side effects with no mood improvement. So I started on 75mg of effexor up to 300 . It didn't make me fell wonderful but it help me to stand up and starting getting my back together. Going back to Prozac ad it's been "the one" for me for a long time with minimum side effects and I really hope it will work again. hope it answer your question or pls ask more if you'd like to.
Thank you Marcio :)
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