For those who have followed my story. I suffer severe constant anxiety. I even have a bag packed to go to emergency it is so bad/
I have been on 10 mg of prozac which didn't seem to do me any good at all.
I saw the Dr yesterday and he switched me to Effexor.
37.5 mg caps for a week and then two caps a day the following week.
I took the first cap today and feel very strange. I just want to sleep and am in a world of my own. Will this go away when my system gets use to them. I took it first thing this morning but think I will switch and take it at bedtime.
I am on a very low dose of everything because of my weight. I have lost 30 some odd lbs since the anxiety started and very seldom feel like eating. From what I have read Effexor is one of the better drugs for anxiety.I have a very positive out look that this is going to help.
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Thank you all so much for your support.
Well today is the first day of Effexor XR for me and I feel strange. Will this go away?
Question posted by Beverleya on 19 Nov 2013
Last updated on 21 December 2019 by Seneynah
11 Answers
Well I have to share my experience. My doctor prescribed this for panic attacks anxiety and depression as well as muscle cramps that I've suddenly battled with perimenopause. Well apparently I'm extremely sensitive to any changes in my brain chemistry. Now I know exactly why I have all these mood problems and sudden panic attacks excetera. I took my first dose of Effexor ER last night, the smallest dose 37.5 mg. I shouldn't have taken it because I was feeling fine at the moment. I probably didn't need it. Well let me tell you I was a crack hamster all night long. Like a little dog on the 4th of July, like a race horse locked in a stall for a month. I've had panic attacks before and they're pretty bad from my hormone fluctuations but this was something else - the mother of all panic attacks ending with a call to 911. This drug shot me into outer space. 10 hours later I'm still waiting for it to get out of my system.
Luckily for me I had a good supply of progesterone which I take for anxiety when this happens naturally. I was hoping this drug would help me for my leg cramps which I thought was from low-grade anxiety the progesterone wasn't helping with. So I took the progesterone and immediately the awful symptoms subsided. I will keep taking it until this stuff has left my system. If the progesterone is allowed to wear off I completely I flip out - elevated blood pressure, heart rate through the roof, dizziness, even my brain starts literally quivering. This drug works by increasing your serotonin, estrogen does that naturally but if you have a drop in estrogen then you're going to feel sad. Too much estrogen and your jacked up. Think I'm going to stick to the hormones to try and balance my mood. They aren't nearly as strong as this drug. If you're having a rough time with hormone imbalance this is not the solution!
I've been using Effexor for a number of years, along with Prozac. It did take a couple weeks till I was on that I finally began feeling better, but did discover it isn't a good idea to miss a dose! Withdrawal symptoms are felt very soon. Make sure your doctor knows how you are feeling... wishing you better days ahead, friend!
Sharing my journey:
I have depression and anxiety. I was on Effexor 37.5 for years and was responding very well to it. Along with Effexor, my doctor prescribed Xanax as a "just in case" anxiety struck thing. While on Effexor, the one bottle of Xanax would last me up to a year, sometimes more.
About 2 years ago, my doctor decided to try me on a new med, Trintellix 5 mg. From day 1 of being on Trintellix, I've had nothing but anxious moods and panic attacks but decided to remain on it, optimistic that things will get better with time. I remained on Xanax .25mg to combat the anxiety and panic episodes as they came and went. Two years of being on the Trintellix, no change... panic attacks came and went and anxiety uncontrolled. A bottle of Xanax while on Trintellix, lasted a month as prescribed.
I finally asked my doctor to switch me back to Effexor 37.5 just this week and today marks day 1of being on the pill. Side effects are present, I am feeling disconnected with reality, light headed, emotionally numb, very awake, dry mouthed and with slight anxiety. I remain optimistic that it will be ok after a few weeks.
Everyone responds to meds differently, give it time to see if it works for you. If not, speak with your doctor to discuss other treatment options. It will take some time to find the right treatment option.
I wish you all the best.
Is anyone still on this forum? I’ve just switched from cymbalta at Effexor xr, 75mg, today is day 7. I thought I noticed some improvements but I’m suffering panic disorder with now agoraphobia. I’m petrified. Is Effexor something that can help and how long before I see the benefits? Any help very much appreciated. I feel constantly nervous, even at home.
Hi
I am on day 7 of 37.5mg of Effexor for anxiety -GAD & panic disorder (no depression). I have had extreme anxiety attacks since starting this med, always about 4-6 hours after taking it. I am no stranger to panic attacks, but this is the most intense terror I have ever felt. Actually wound up in ER on the first night. I am taking diazepam and propranolol to get through but I really don't know if I can handle anymore. Did you persist and the anxiety reduce? I will try and push through if it will be worth it...
Thanks for any feedback
Hi Beverleya. I'm on my 3rd day of venlafaxine ER 37.5mg - Effexor. My only major symptom is dry mouth so far. I'm getting anxiety from severe hot flashes. I'm thinking I'm seeing a small improvement but it is too soon to tell I'm sure.
I'm wondering since I'm on day 3, would I have already experienced more side effects or can it still come on the more I take this?
I know it has been 5 years since you posted this and I'm hoping you get notifications and will write back and let us know how you're doing today. Are you still on Effexor/Venlafaxine? Did it help? Or are you on something else? I'm hoping you're doing well!!! ❤
You’re getting hot flashes from the meds? My doc told me about that. I just started it today.
@Scarey1978 no I'm not getting hot flashes from venlafaxine. I was prescribed venlafaxine for hot flashes. Unfortunately this drug made all my symptoms worse so i stopped after 15 days.
I have a tumor on my adrenal gland that we are testing to see If it is active. Active tumors in adrenal glands can cause hormone surges, which increases anxiety.
If you think it makes you tired that is a wise decision to take at it at night. One say is not enough to really feel that strange, however, I did feel start to feel a tad better within a week on it. Don't over think how you feel, I've found that when I do that I start to let my anxiety get the best of me and I'm a little over sensitive. Good luck,I hope that I've helped some. Keep posted on progress!
PS,
I don't think there is an actual "normal" dose, I know my doc said I shouldn't go past 300, I think an average dose would be 75 to 150Mg but everyone is different a you know.
I was on 150mg Effexor daily for 5 years and before that I took it for 4 years. It took away my anxiety completely.
Give it up to 6 weeks to have any beneficial effect. Sometimes we feel worse before we feel better. I do hope your anxiety decreases.l
Beverley's, I hope that you are doing well. I started Effexor in June of this year. My midwife prescribed because I had a panic attack in the middle of the night. I am dealing with a few issues after my hysterectomy. Hot flashes have been horrible so I went back on premarin and that's when she prescribed Effexor as well. I am at 75 mg once a day. I haven't had any problems with it at all. It does help! Hang in there and feel free to ask more questions. You are not alone.
I was on buspar for about a month and did nothing for my anxiety what so ever for me so my Dr switched me to effexor xr. Today is my first day and I feel very weird very light headed and my stomach keeps feeling like im car sick. I keep losing things I don't think this is a better drug I don't think I should keep taking it???
I am on Effexor XR also and take it in the morning. When I first started taking it they increased it also but it didn't work alone. I am also on Lamictal and tried to go off of Effexor but found I still needed it. I take 37.5. Keep your positive attitude it will work for you. Try a walk if you can. If you
need to take a nap, do it. Let us know how you are doing,.
What positive effects do you have with the lamictal?
I take 150mg effexor and have the lamictal but haven't started it unless I feel I needed
The side effects will subside in a couple of weeks as you reach a theraputic level of the medication. If they become unbearable, call the doc. Otherwise, hang in there. It will get better.
Thanks Laurie... I want all the info I can get. Could you please tell me what is the normal for doseage.
We are all different, but your dosage can go as high as 375mgs if necessary.
I found that I can't take it at bedtime. It keeps me awake even tho I'm sleepy. The side effects will go away as you get used to it.
Thank you. Do you take yours in the morning or at noon? Wish I could talk to you more... I really am desperate.
Ho wlong b4 the side effects go away.? I'm scared to drive the car.
It didn't take long for them go away, I started them on the week end because I was working then, and I went to work on Monday. I take mine in the am, after breakfast. I get up late, so that's not until around 10 or so. I've been on it over 10 yrs, and I don't believe I could have functioned thru the garbage that's happened to me in those 10 yrs without it.
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, prozac, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
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