Well, I started on the 37.5 mgs back in December. About a week later I began taking the 75 mg pills. I didnt up the dose again until about the end of January to 112.5 mgs. On February 14th I upped the dosage again to 150mgs. I started my dose of 187.5 about 3-4 weeks ago. In the beginning of starting the effexor xr, I was going through a very deep depression and having constant panic attacks. I mean constant. I wasnt sleeping. I wasnt eating. I was so tired that I actually went into in ER and asked to be commited because I was so afraid of what was happening with me. I am so embarresed to speak about this now. I mean, I think that time period was the absolute lowest I had ever felt in my life.

Anyway, because I have severe anxiety and my OCD has me terrified of medications I had to increase my dosage very slowly. About every 5-6 weeks I would up to the next dose. Each time I upped the dose, I experienced periods of anxiety that last for a few hours but I am not sure if that is because I was already axious about the medication itself. I had some sleep problems and definitly lost my appetite. After about a week or so, my body was used to the medication and I was pretty much back on a regular schedule. I have to say that with this last dosage increase, I have had virtually no intrusive thoughts associated with my OCD and for that I have to thank my T and PDoc for getting me on the right track. Despite my severe anxiety and fear of meds, to me, I had "NO CHOICE" but to take the meds because I knew I could no longer live the way I was living or feel the way I was feeling. I think the medication has given me the benefit of clearer thought and I know that I am less tense and wound up. I feel like I can actually relax. I mean really relax. This is not to say that I dont have my days. Because we all still have the questionable days. I think I can just deal with them better. I also take ativan on an as needed basis but I rarely need to take it.

I also remember having some really vivid dreams in the beginning of starting the effexor xr, that also went away with in a few days to a week. That was only initially. It did not happen with the increased dosage.
I am the type of person to notice every little weird feeling I have after taking a medication. I just would journal everything and tell my T and PDoc. I cant report that I had anything unbearable.

I hope I have helped you. Take care and please keep me posted.