welcome Shadowgem
I'm sorry you are having so much problems with the weight. Could it be the amisulpride that is doing it?


Eileen

okay, so now i'm switching back to effexor from cymbalta. i'm supposed to take wellbutrin with it. i never took two different antidepressants before. maybe it'll help??

I have heard of others who are on this combination and it seems to work for them. Here's hoping it works for you.

hey all...
just started this ad today.
i didnt feel like making a thread to complain about feeling really sick lol, but feel the need to complain about it anyhows.
feel like my stomuch is spinning round n round, if i get up i feel like been sick. not liking this feeling but hoping it dissapears coz i get the feeling this ad might just work.
just come of mirtrazapine which really didnt work for me, and i got the feel when i first started it that it wasnt going to help.

so hoping that the feeling ive got for this one proves right lol.
xoxox

some feeling of nausea is common when starting Efexor, but it doesn't last too long only a few days or so.

e

Hi Rachel........ If 75mg works for you, GREAT Theres no rule that says you half to come off. Im trying to come off 200mg a day ( down to 150mg) My aim is to stop altogether. I would have to if I want to work 4 a certain company near me. But If I only get down to 100/75mgs so be it.
Good luck with it .....Tim

Hi... I'v been on effexor xl for eight years or so and only thought about comming off it recently. I failed a medical for a driving job because of being on the drug so I went to my doc and started reducing from 200mg >150mg.
I hope to get off it altogether but I know it will be tought.
The main problem I have is with my eyes. They feel heavy and tired a lot. Can any one relate to this problem and if so can any one explain it?
I am not the most possitive person in the world but I realy want to come off the drug.
Tim
P.S Im probably not doing this right!

good 4 you man! key word is "positive"
Good luck......tim

This post has been edited by b11664: Feb 23 2007, 01:10 PM

when you come off you need to do it really slowly, my pdoc suggets dropping 37.5mg every 2 to 4 weeks.

What do you think you aren't doing right?

Eileen

Hi! I'm new to the board. Found after searching the web for info on Effexor.

This is my first time on meds for chronic depression. My Dr. put me on Effexor XR. 37.5 for one week, 75 the next, and now I'm just completing my first week at 150. I had dry mouth and clenched my teeth a lot, but that seems to be subsiding. What is odd is that the first week, I felt energized for a few days and started to level out again, then went up again when I started on 75, then started to go down again. But, I never went up again when I started 150. Just kinda stayed level. I was really loving that energy burst I had gotten and I was really enjoying life for the first time in a while! Is that normal for it to come and go like that? It was kinda a let down when it went away!

I had had a few glasses of wine a few days in a row, and thought that might have been a factor, so I stopped but haven't noticed much of a difference. Also, I've had sexual side effects that I'm not really fond of (neither is my husband!) Lost most sensitivity and have no ability to finish what I started.

I'm going to see my doctor soon for a follow up and will discuss with him. Overall, even though I don't have that energy burst and 'life is great' feeling anymore, my baseline level is higher. I'm not on the verge of tears, which is good. I'm just not sure if the sexual side effects could be a deal breaker if just a slightly raised baseline is all I can expect.

Does any of this sound typical as far as the ups and downs of just starting on the meds?

Thanks for your insights!

Amy

Hi Amy;

I just wanted to add my comment about sexual side effects. i took wellbrutrin because of this, it was really important to me but ultimately Wellbrutrin did not work by itself so my doctor added effexor. He said to keep up with the little bit of wellbrutrin I was taking because sometimes that helps to eliminate this effect with other AD's. It is working for me. I have some trouble getting there, but I do get there rather than loose all sensation as was the case on other AD's I tried so adding the wellbrutrin seems to have worked for me.

Talk to your doctor
Brenda

Thanks, Brenda! I actually went to see my doctor this morning. He assured me that this is probably fixable. He wants me to stay on 150 mg for 2 months and see if it gets better on it's own. He said that since the other side effects are getting better, this one may, too. At that point if it's still a problem, he said he would either add something else that might help or change my meds altogether. I'm hesitant to change altogether since this has been working for me and I've heard horror stories about the trials and errors of different meds! Anyway, keeping my fingers crossed that this is temporary or fixable!

Thanks!!
Amy

Hey,

I'm Matt...known about the forum for a while but never really posted anything. Anyway I'm coming to the Effexor forum for now but my doc is getting me off of it and I'm looking for thoughts about his tapering schedule (which seems quite fast for me). Anyway I'll post about that after I get my 5 posts in. :P

Matt

the best tapering schedule is to take it really slow, my pdoc recommended dropping 37.5mg every 2 to 4 weeks and that was from 225mg.

There is a thread about stopping efexor already pinned.

E

Hi
My name is Debbie (Debs) - I will use the name Floyd here - my boyfriends dogs name who I love dearly - the boyfriend and the dog!!

I have been looking here on Depression Forum specifically for stories of success from people taking venlafaxine (exefor) as I have just started to take it and am DESPERATE for it to work for me. Was on Citaloptram for a few months which did nothing for me at all. My psychiatrist seems very confident in the venlafaxine. I have been on it for 2 weeks almost - though only 1 week on my current dose of 150 mg. I am trying to get the psychiatrist to put it up to 225 mg which he says he might do at the end of this week. I am not working but may be getting a job offer and have to decide whether or not to take it as I dont know if I am able or not - but having to fill in every day with nothing to do is very hard too.

Any positive feedback on venlafaxine and how long it took to work and how much it lifted the depression would be very helpful to me

Many thanks to all on this site for your input as what I have read so far has been a help. I am just SO DESEPERATE to not get stuck the way I am in this depression that I am desperate for encouragement that this drug is gonna work for me. Dont know how many people on average it works for.

Many thanks
Floyd (Debs)

Floyd / Debs

venlafaxine is supposed to be good for people where other antidepressants have failed. A lot of people notice that they get a benefit from the drug within a month or so. But more normally it takes 6 to 8 weeks at the correct dose for it to work, so don't expect an instant cure. At the higher dose it works on noreadrenaline (norepinephrin sp?) as well as seratonin. So you get the double benefit from it.

Good luck.

Eileen

Hi Eileen
Sorry for late reply to you - I only logged in today after a while. Your reply really cheered me up - tomorrow will be 3 weeks exactly of taking the drug - my psychiatrist put me up to 225 mg last Friday 20 April so maybe that will help. Dont feel any difference yet but your reply has really encouraged me not to lose hope

Thanks again and I will keep logging in to DF - its helpful here
Floyd / Debs

Hi Newbie here

I am a mother of 3, and I am 32 yrs.
I have just started back on effexor after getting depressed again after 3 years of being well. I noticed that I was extremely irritable and angry all the time, and worried about everything, I didnt want to admit that I was depressed again, then the suicidal thoughts came back. So I am back seeing a dr and they put me onto 150mg today of effexor. I have been on many meds in the past and nothing seem ed to help me at the time. I even had ect when I was in hospital, this time I hope the effoexor helps me quickly and that I find peace soon. What is a good dose? Is it usually 250mg? I hope it works soon. I am going to therapy soon so that will help me!

Hello from Sydney Australia.

~~~~Hello, Sydney~~~~

Welcome to the forums. I just joined this site pretty recently, and it is a wonderfully supportive place to be when depression tries to bring you down. As far as the Effexor, and I'm no expert and have only been taking it for a month and a half, but every person's dose will be different based on how you respond to the dosage. It may take a while to figure out what is an appropriate dose for you. I hope that you are able to find the support that you need. I know how hard it is to be a mom and try to care for your family when you feel lousy. Good luck, and welcome, welcome, welcome.

hi the most therapeutic dose is supposedly 225mg (3 x 75 mg).

Therapy should help as well.

Take care.

Hi,

I started taking Effexor XR 75mg about 2 months ago. I actually began taking it because I was unhappy with Paxl CR and was hoping to taper off of meds all together. DH takes Effexor, so I was taking his when my Paxil ran out (and I hadn't picked it up yet), and I noticed I felt fine or even better on his. So, I went in to my doc and told her what I was feelng. SHe prescribed the Effexor at 75 mg (DHs was 150mg) and I began to monitor myself to hopefully begin taperiong off. After about 2 months and a lot of really stressful life events (DH was arrested for a DUI--NOT somethign we ever would have imagined happening...the man hardly drinks!), his job as a driver was no longer doable so we thought he'd be jobless, I had to get another job on top of watching kids in our home (along with our 2) and we were quickly racking up more debt...and the list goes on) I had a meltdown. Lots of crying, I was getting very angry (rage) at my childrena nd yelling...was also being a bit rough with them (and we practice gentle discipline), and just was not myself. DH was on me about the changes for about 2 weeks before I finally got in to see my doc. I told her about my troubles and she upped my dose of Effexor.
2 weeks later I am not really feeling any better. I almost feel worse. I am still getting very angry, irrationally so, and have begun eating terribly.
I am wondering if the Effexor is just wrong m=for me. Could it cause these rages?

Peace,
Darcy

Darcy

it can cause problems with anger in the beginning but then so could your current stressful situation.

I had a problem with anger coming to the surface as well, and my dr added an antipsychotic to the mix, which helped.

Do talk to your dr.

Eileen

ps I'd like to say to others reading your post that taking someone elses prescribed medicines is a big NO NO, it could be dangerous. It should never be done. Never give anyone else your medicines even if they have the same symptoms.

Hi ya!
I've been on Effexor-XR now for just over a month for depression.
I kinda havent noticed much difference although my b/f has slightly.
I feel I may need to get my dosage(75mg)upped as Im doing a few other things a lot more than usual.
My doc will be back from holiday middle of Jan so I will make an appointment then to discuss this with him.
Though I have noticed since being on this Im eating more than I usually have been.Just have to be careful now and watch what I eat or I will put the dreaded weight on!!Grrrr!

Thunder
you are on a low dose of efexor and it can take 6 to 8 weeks to get the most benefit from it. Usually you have to be at the most therapeutic dose (225mg is usual). Do make that appointment.

Sometimes we tend to eat more because we are feeling better, but you do need to watch your intake. Its good that your bf has noticed a change in you, its good to have someone take that much care of us.

It might be better to make that appointment now for the mid Jan, cos if you wait all the appointments might have been taken before you get round to it.

Eileen

Thanks for that response Firelizardee,
I will get onto it straight away.By then too my doctor should have recieved my medical reports from my previous doctor in another town that I lived in.It may give him a better understanding of my situation too.
Yes,I did read that I could be eating more than usual too because of that.

Hi

I posted on this forum oct last year when my doctor had taken me all off my meds because he didnt know what to give me anymore. Since then ive been holding on the best i can to see a phsychatrist. I had my appointment today and he has put me on effexor. 35 for the first four days then increasing to 75. I took the first of the tablets today and after about 40 mins i was violently sick, my body was actually lifting and the pain in my stomach was excruiating.

Is this normal?

This post has been edited by akania: Feb 11 2008, 05:17 PM

No, Akania, this is NOT normal. Call your doc immediately!!! Do NOT take another pill until you speak with your doc!

Are you taking any other meds, even OTCs? If you are taking something else, this reaction could be the result of bad drug interaction. Call your pharmacist and ask him/her to cross reference the meds you've taken.

Call your doc!!!

Please let us know what your doc says.

-Bean

HI

Ok i took one this morning and have been feeling a little sick but havent been sick. I feel a bit spaced out as well. I think i know what happened , last night i took the 75 tablet instead of a half of the 35 tablet. Would it make me that sick if i took the 75 one staright away or is that still an adverse reaction?

This post has been edited by akania: Feb 12 2008, 07:20 AM

it usual to feel a bit sick when taking efexor for the first few days but not actually being sick. Are you particularly sensitive to medications? Did you take the medication with food? It says to take efexor with food as it can upset the stomach. although I find that after so long on Efexor I can take it on an empty stomach and not feel anything.

It isn't unusual to feel a bit high or spacey when starting efexor but this is only for the first few doses.

Also are you on the tablets, cos the capsules might be better for you. They are a slow release version of Efexor. Try asking your dr about that. It is supposed to help with reducing side effects.


I'd still suggest that you talk to your dr about the sickness and explain what you did.

Take care.

Thanks for the reply.

I ate at 3pm and took them at 6pm, i think i took too much to be honest as i have the feelings of being a bit high and a little sick but havent been sick.

Im allergic to penecillin and alll antibiotics except for ceflexin. I also took a minor overdose in october of tramadol (went to the hospital and was given black charcole never been so sick in my life...) and it seems after that my body is finding it hard to accept tablets.

to me it sounds like you are being upped very quickly and this means that you won't have respite from the side effects. Some side effects won't appear till you up the dose.

Also I'd say that you didn't take food with the meds, you have to eat the food right before you take the med. 3 hours may be too long.

I suppose that they gave you only 28 days for a reason, are you suicidal? have you talked about suicide or wanting to harm yourself? It is usual to give only the minimum amount of tablets for these reasons. Also sometimes people taking ADs will get suicidal from the meds, not everyone feels this but some do and you need to watch out for this.

As for increasing the dose, that is necessary untill you are at the most therapeutic dose, which can be 225mg or 300mg. Your dr has suggested a faster time to increase the dose, s/he must have done that for a reason, can you ask what that reason is? maybe s/he wants you at the therapeutic dose as quickly as possible since it takes 6 to 8 weeks once you are at the correct dose for it to have good effects.

Eileen

My wife is on 225 mg a day, and recently (2008) the way scripts are covered has changed with our insurance. Before it was a co-pay, and now we have to pay the whole amount (but yay! It applies towards our extremely high deductable! Big Whoop!). Anyway...in November it was $255 for a 3 month supply (co-pay plus what the plan covered). Now (Feb 20) I went to refill it and it was $440 for the same script! I called my insurance and the medco pharmacy, and they claim that the manuf. price has just gone up that much in the last 3 months! I find that hard to believe and think that now that I'm footing the bill they are just not giving me a better "negotiated" price that the insurance had worked out in 2007. Has anybody else found the price to have gone up recently? My wife feels horrible about it and we won't be able to afford it for very long at that price. It's a shame that insurance companies have to make my wife feel horrible about taking a medicine that has helped her.

Hello Huskerboy!



I hate insurance companies!!! I'm talking a deep, passionate, seething hatred. That being said, I'll tell you what I know (which ain't much. )

My 30 day supply of Effexor XR, 150 mgs, 90 pills, is just over $700. This is the actual price, as quoted by Walgreens. Walgreens knew nothing of a price hike, but that doesn't mean there wasn't one.

Another possibility is just as you said, you're no longer getting the negotiated rate. Walgreens claims that they are unable to tell me if they have negotiated rates with the manufacturers. I know they do. They know I know they do. Just spill it already.

Unfortunately, there is no generic for Effexor, nor will one be coming out soon. They have a while yet until the patent expires.

Get a quote from another pharmacy. It sounds funny, I know, shopping around and getting quotes on Rxs, but with these prices you've just got to.

My pharmacist has informed me that there's a discount applied to "quantity" Rxs. In other words, the cost per pill is less at 90 pills, then it would be for 30 pills. Ask your wife's doc if he'll write the Rx for a 3 month supply.

Please let us know if you find a more affordable pharmacy, or learn more this price increase. I'll search around, too, looking for info for you.

I do sympathize with you and especially with your wife. Even with insurance, my Rxs are costing us a fortune. I constantly worry about $, and often apologize to my husband for costing so much. He just laughs, and says, "Luxury models are always high maintenance."

-Bean

Actually there is a generic. Just not in the extended release form of Effexor (although I have found the XR generic if I order it illegally overseas...which I won't). She gave up the battle of having the convenience of the one Effexor XR and went to the "couple of times a day" generic of Venlafaxine in November when we saw the insurance change coming and figured we could afford the $250ish. That's for a 225 mg. script for 90 days in the generic. So that's as low as it's gonna get. Then the first time we try to get it after seeing the $250 price in November, it get's quoted as $456. After hours on the phone with the insurance and the mail order pharmacy that our insurance uses (Medco), they insist it's a manf. price increase and not that they just aren't negotiating as hard. For some reason I don't believe them. There's no reason that a med that's been out there for 14 years would all of a sudden double in price within 3 months! Very frustrating.

Hi guys

I'm on my second day of Effexor starting at 75mg, to go up to 150mg in another five days. I'm hoping this will help my depression, which has recently got a lot worse than it's been in a while.

At the moment, I feel pretty crap, but I'm pretty sure this will pass. I don't have the nausea, but I've got that "spaced out" feeling that other people mentioned. Everything I eat tastes like cardboard, so it's a real effort to get food down, as I actually have no appetite.

I'm more anxious, after reading some of the horror stories, about withdrawal from this one.

Don't worry too much about the withdrawal problems that only some people get. I tapered off slowly and had no problems, others have been able to stop cold turkey and have no problems whatsoever (however this is not recommended to go CT). Many people have been able to stop efexor with only minimal problems.

Think about it this way, how depressed are you? don't you want relief from your symptoms?

Don't worry about the future right now, lets get you well first.


by the way the crappy feeling is just a minor thing and will soon ease up. Drink plenty of water or juice and eat well if you can. The taste will go away soon.

Take care.
Eileen

Hello!

I actually have not started on Effexor yet. I have tried both Wellbutrin and Prozac with some initial success but after awhile they both have stopped helping. I'm excited about starting a new med. It gives me a new found feeling of hope, that just maybe, just maybe, THIS WILL BE THE ONE!!!

I have suffered from depression now for nearly 5 years. I don't know how this happened to me. I've always considered myself to be a strong individual. I did not seek help for quite some time because I was sure I could fix me. And if not me then surely God could. I guess it is true, God only helps those who help themselves.

I'm glad I came upon this site. I need the support.

Hi my name is john, I live in the London UK.

I need some help cos I've been suffering from severe anxiety for the last two of months. Fear of fainting, collapsing, dying etc.

I know its down to a trauma of seeing my brother ill for 3 years and on many occasions expecting the worse. Never seemed to deal with it at the times.

Been to the doctor, recommended me to councillor. But that can take 3 months, so been to see a physiotherapist privately which has helped but never for long enough.

I've been back to the doctors cos I feel I needed for help, just about getting through the work days.

He's put me on venalfaxine 37.5 twice a day. Took my first one yesterday just after eating breakie. Felt terrible, shaky, sweaty, the blood seemed to run cold down my back. Horrible sensation. Hardy had an appetite before but now its completely gone, feel sick a lot of the time. Not thrown up but constantly feeling that horrible taste in my mouth. Terrible nights sleep too, seemed like i couldn't switch off.

Is this unusual? everyone I've spoken says it wouldn't take affect that quick. Not sure of its my head playing tricks with me again or genuine side affects? worried about continuing to take them. This is the worst of the feelings i've had.

Hi John

Welcome to DF

What you describe sounds perfectly normal for venlafaxine during the adjustment phase.

I had all the side effects you describe, and more (spaced out feeling, panic attacks, anxiety, fast heartbeat etc.). They all passed within a week. The only one I have left is a weird sensation whenever I yawn. It's like it goes all the way down to my knees. Very hard to describe.

That's a very low dose you're on. Has your doctor intimated that you'll be increasing it at all?

I'm on 225mg, and have been on Efexor for just over six weeks now. I'm only just starting to feel any benefit.

If any of the side effects become too much to bear, talk to your doctor straight away. It might be that venlafaxine is not right for you.

Hope things improve for you soon

Cheers

dtm