If you have a question or concern that is not addressed by any of the topics in this room, please post here and we will help you.

I'm not really new (to the boards).. I started Effexor XR back in March, but only took it for about 3 weeks. My doc got sick, and I couldn't get a refill so I quit it.. I didn't feel ANY sideeffects anyways. I was sure he gave me a placebo...

Anyways, I just recently started Effexor again, 9 days ago, and its... different. Thats my short story... Just wanted to say hi  :wave: ..

Oh my question... Can someone help me, what do you do about the excessive sweating?

~*Fallen*~
he wouldn't have given you a placebo unless you were on a drug trial.  But there could have other reasons for why you didn't suffer any side effects.  HOw you were at the time for instance.  

Anyway, the sweating is to be endured, horrible though that is.  One woman did suggest something and its in the "Venlafaxine ( Effexor )" thread, the last post.

I just grin and bear it, and go around without a jacket during the warmer months, wear cotton, wash regularly, use anti-deodorants etc.  

Do drink plenty of liquid to make sure that you do not dehydrate yourself.

You could ask your dr or pharmacist if there is anything else you could do.

Welcome to the sweaty ones.

Eileen

Hi!
Newbie here!
I actually used too lurk on the old boards. But for some reason, I could never register. I think it wasa glitch with my old Macintosh. However I am here now.
My doc prescribed effexor xr about 7 weeks ago, and it is still sitting in my cupboard unopened. I am supposed too be taking it for anxiety, but I can't seem too get over the anxiety and fear I have of the side effects! Catch 22! :sniffle1:
I wanted her too give me the Paxil, I used too take with no major problems. But she said no, she felt the effexor would be a better choice. Less chance of weight gain(I am already overweight) and less sexual side effects.
I have too do something, the anxiety is now putting me into a major depression. I have 3 kids, I don't want my moods affecting them. I have too get over this fear somehow. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Paula :verysad3:

Paula
welcome.  It always puts a smile on my face when folk say they are prescribed effexor for anxiety but then the person is too anxious to take it.  Sorry but I have a warped sense of humour.  Its not that I'm laughing at  your condition but the Catch 22 situation.  And it isn't funny be anxious I know.

All I can say is that Effexor has helped people with anxiety and depression (read the Effexor Success Stories, they are all true and posted by folk like you and I).  

There are side effects to effexor, there are side effects to any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety med.  But you don't know if you will get any.  Take it slowly at first and don't up the dose till your body is ready to take the next increase.

The leaflet that comes with effexor has to state what are the possible side effects, this does not mean that you will get all that are listed.  Most common for the start up side effects is: dry mouth, feeling nauseous (makes you eat less for a week or so), you might get a bit jittery, you might feel a bit 'hyper', you might get a bit sensitive to daylight and sound, you may get a bit constipated, maybe a little restless sleep.  These are the things I got at first.  You may not get the same list, but at least you will be prepared for it IF they do occur.   These are minor and don't last long.  A week to 2 weeks maybe.

Think about what you are going through just now, can you live like this?  Can you take the risk that Effexor might be able to help you through this tough time?  Re-read that 2 questions, they are important.    It might be that it is your anxiety that is worrying you about the possible side effects.   By being here you can read up about the POTENTIAL side effects and be on guard for them and realise that they will not least long.  You can read about how effexor has been for other people, this isn't coming from Drs or Psychiatrists, this is coming from folk like us, people who are depressed, anxious, etc.

I must be truthful and say that there are some side effects that have affected me long therm, these are vivid dreams and a tendancy to sweat easily.   I don't know about the sexual side effects since I am single so I don't notice if I've lost libido.  

I can say, honestly, that for myself the few side effects I have had were worthwhile in getting me through the depression. I was on 225mg for nearly 3 years.   I'm currently reduced to 37.5mg but I feel my depression has returned, thats not a fault of the effexor, that is MY condition.  I get recurrent depression.   I am in intensive therapy just now and the reduction was per their advice (I may have to go back up).

The dr has suggested Effexor to you for a reason, she may be right or she may be wrong, but you are not giving her advice any chance by leaving the pills in the cupboard.  Are you in therapy, because that may be one way to go if you don't want to take pills?  Although it might help in the first instance to get you to a point where the therapy would help.

Give effexor a go, if you don't like it after say 3 months then talk to your dr again or do go and talk to your dr this week and tell her how you are feeling.  Maybe you just need to have a good talk with her about effexor. Tell her what you are worried about and what she could do to help if your fears are proved.  Be prepared.  If you are worried about sexual dysfunction, talk about that, talk about it with your partner, make him aware that there MAY POSSIBLY be some minor sexual dysfunction.  Is he supportive?  Is he willing to go through this with you? Does he fully understand how you are feeling with the anxiety and depression?  

You have 2 choices to take effexor or not.   It has to be your choice, Paula.   The water may be cold but sometimes its better to jump right in and get it over and done with.   Well maybe 3 choices, go and talk to your dr and see if there is something else like therapy (which can be expensive and time consuming but can be worth it).

Let us know what you decide Paula.  You are not the first person to say how fearful they were of taking anti-depressants.

Eileen

Hi, I have been taking 225mg of Effexor for about 5 months now and things seem to be going ok. I have noticed that my frustration level and my temper are returning where it originally subsided when I began the meds. Does anybody take something along with the effexor for this? I just seem to be a little more high-strung again. I remember my doc telling me that my original stress and temper symptoms were due to depression so I don't know what to think. Other than that I think the meds are doing the job..except for the lag in my memory recall which can be frustrating? Any suggestions?

bigblue has your dr suggested a mood stabiliser of some kind.  I had problems with temper as well (diagnised with  personality disorder as well as depressive disorder) .   I started off taking Zyprexa as well as effexor, then changed to Seroquel (too much sedation) then finally Risperidone.

talk to your dr about it.
Eileen

hi everyone
i started effexor in march this year.  I did help me but now I am weaning myself off, down to 9.375 mg from 75mg.  I have had to halve and then quarter my pills which is what my doc suggested after i was given some bad advice and stopped altogether (DON'T DO THIS...EVER). I am feeling rather tearful a lot of the time is this normal?  Not really depressed, just low.  Hoping it will pass, I really don't want to rely on meds just to feel ok for the rest of my life, that frightens me.    Anyone who has gotten off effexor without feeling sick, tired, weepy, unreal, I would love to find out how you did it.  Also frightened that my depression is coming back,don't want to go through that again.  Hope it's just weaning side effects :verysad3:

soph32
it is known that some side effects of weaning off effexor can be similar to the side effects of starting on effexor.   I think it is 'normal' to feel a bit weepy when coming off any anti-depressant.  This won't last long.  

Has your dr warned you that there can sometimes be a 'rebound' depression when coming off anti-depressants.  Its just the body's reaction to there being no AD around.  It shouldn't last long (if it does occur).  If you feel depressed for longer than a few weeks then do go back to your dr.

You said you started taking Effexor in March.   Did you know that it has been documented that to help prevent a recurrence of depression that it is better to be on an anti-depressant for at least 6 months after the last symptom has disappeared.  Research has shown that the longer you are on an AD for the least likely you are to suffer a relapse in the next five years.  Just a thought, cos you weren't on the drug for very long and I know from personal experience (usual history of taking ADs was to be on it for a few months) that the depressions always came back.

Are you getting therapy as well or was this depression a reaction to a particular situation?

Eileen

Hi Soph32,
This is also the first time taking AD's for me also and I also began in March of this year- so we have something in common! I am taking 225mgs daily. Actually I had the same concerns as you about starting to take meds for my 'condition' but I also wanted to resist these fears and give the meds a chance. My doctor told me that many people that only take the meds for a few months usually return with the same symptoms very shortly and that you should take them for minimal 6 mos- just as firelizardee mentioned- I just thought I would reinforce her words with my experience. Anyway, my doc said I should take the meds for about a year which seems like a long time but I put off dealing with my condition for years and want to try and beat this thing once and for all. So, I sometimes have concerns about 'needing' the meds for life etc. but I also want to allow the meds to run their course- you know? Just my thoughts -hope this helps :D
bigblue

I have had no counselling, last time I got depressed was 1997 following a termination and being ina relationship that wasn't healthy for me.  I had hypnotherapy and got better, this is the first time I have felt depressed since then but am in a loving relationship, good job, own home nothing really wrong at all but still feel miserable, now that doesn't make sense to me. Will i have to pay for therapy or can i get referred by my gp????

soph32
depends on where you live.  Are you in the UK?  If so you can ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist, there may be a waiting list though.  There is a reason for why the depression is there, there may be some underlying reason for it or it may be a chemical imbalance.  

Sometimes we get depressed because we aren't dealing with some problem in our lives or there is unresolved feelings about something in our past.

With me its... too big to describe.  But childhood, parents, family, relationships, everything.

Therapy may not be necessary but you have had at least 2 periods of depression in your life.  Have you resolved them?  Sorry for the questions, I attend a therapeutic community and there we are asked questions all the time and have to answer them.  

Please don't get worried about this, its just a concern, its my stuff.   I asked for extra help because I couldn't stand just being given anti-depressants by the dr, I wanted to know why the depressions kept recurring.

TAke care.
Eileen

i will look into this if things don't get better,  this is my third episode and like you I want to know why it keeps coming back.  Thanks and keep on keeping on :)

You're welcome

:wave: My doctor added a small dose of Zoloft to my Effexor to help my frustration/temper.  When I was on Zoloft alone, my temper was much better, but I was out of sorts and depressed and unmotivated.  Effexor fixed all that, but without the Zoloft I am angry.
You should ask your doctor for suggestions!  I've been very happily taking this combo for 8 months now.  :;):