[RoseInterrupted]

Hi everybody.
Went to my doctor today and he's now decided that I should try Efexor-XR 37.5mg daily for 28 days and then he may ramp it to 75mg daily. I got the script made up on the way home and I've been feeling really anxious about this new med.

Since I got home, I've been on the 'net doing some research on Efexor and the biggie is that I can (apparently) no longer drink alcohol of any type I love a social drink, even though I must admit to hiding my anxiety behind a bottle for many, many years.

I also notice that you have to be weaned off the stuff if you think you no longer need it or it stops working. Another concern for me is that most people on Internet forums concerning Efexor say that it causes huge weight gains I really don't want that to happen!!

Anyway, at least I'm now armed with a bit of knowledge, so hopefully I can keep on top of the various issues as they arise. Wish me luck everyone. I've got a feeling I might need it
Rose.

[Pierro]

efexor is generally considered weight neutral, in that it doesnt effect weight, but everyone is different

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by Pierro

efexor is generally considered weight neutral, in that it doesnt effect weight, but everyone is different

Thanks Pierro. I'm usually pretty disciplined, but I suppose if it makes me feel better, then I may have a tendency to eat more.

I'm currently anorexic due to my anxiety, but if the Efexor makes me feel well again, that can change, although I can't have alcohol with the Efexor, so that will help stave off any potential weight gain too. It's a positive, but hell, I'm gonna miss my social drinking which is basically "home alone" in front of the fire!

I've never had any weight gain with EffexorXR. I also drank but not very much. Maybe one drink 3 to 5 times a week at work.
Of course you may be different. Probably are
Good luck!

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by George H.

I've never had any weight gain with EffexorXR. I also drank but not very much. Maybe one drink 3 to 5 times a week at work.
Of course you may be different. Probably are
Good luck!

I hid my anxiety disorders behind a bottle much of my life, so I'm really going to miss not being able to have a drink to relax, especially with a close friend who also suffers anxiety and panic attacks. She's a big drinker and drinks way more than I ever could and I'm really going to miss our little booze-ups!!

I haven't taken the Efexor yet. I have to get through the next two days of work, then I have 4 days off before my next shift, so I'm planning to start on Sunday which will give my head a few days to adjust to the meds.

I really don't know what to expect initially from the Efexor and I'm totally strung out about what it's going to do to me. I'm not even sure it's a path I want to go down when alcohol has keep me going all this time! Today I'm anxious plus, plus just thinking about it
Rose.

[vans1974]

Hey RoseIterupted- I hated Effexor, it made me hungry and didn't even help lift my depression or anxiety. I'd recommend Lexapro or Aplenzin or even Cymbalta! All the best!!

Originally Posted by RoseIterupted

I hid my anxiety disorders behind a bottle much of my life, so I'm really going to miss not being able to have a drink to relax, especially with a close friend who also suffers anxiety and panic attacks. She's a big drinker and drinks way more than I ever could and I'm really going to miss our little booze-ups!!

I haven't taken the Efexor yet. I have to get through the next two days of work, then I have 4 days off before my next shift, so I'm planning to start on Sunday which will give my head a few days to adjust to the meds.

I really don't know what to expect initially from the Efexor and I'm totally strung out about what it's going to do to me. I'm not even sure it's a path I want to go down when alcohol has keep me going all this time! Today I'm anxious plus, plus just thinking about it
Rose.

Good for you ! I don't drink at all now and didn't drink much at work even though it was free. Just never had the thirst.
I don't think most people have a lot of side effects on Effexor. I don't recall having any. It's the only AD that works at all for me. Try to relax if you can. I think stressing out about trying a new med is more likely to cause problems than the med itself does. I think you'll know within a day or so if there are going to be side effects or reactions. Good luck

Originally Posted by vans1974

Hey RoseIterupted- I hated Effexor, it made me hungry and didn't even help lift my depression or anxiety. I'd recommend Lexapro or Aplenzin or even Cymbalta! All the best!!

No offense but it doesn't work that way. An AD (any med really) may cause different reactions according to the individual. Some may work well for some and have no effect for others.
I don't think it's a good idea for us to recommend meds to each other.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by George H.

Good for you ! I don't drink at all now and didn't drink much at work even though it was free. Just never had the thirst.
I don't think most people have a lot of side effects on Effexor. I don't recall having any. It's the only AD that works at all for me. Try to relax if you can. I think stressing out about trying a new med is more likely to cause problems than the med itself does. I think you'll know within a day or so if there are going to be side effects or reactions. Good luck

No offense but it doesn't work that way. An AD (any med really) may cause different reactions according to the individual. Some may work well for some and have no effect for others.
I don't think it's a good idea for us to recommend meds to each other.

Thanks George H for the vote of confidence

I spoke to my shift manager today and found that his wife has been on it for 10 years and never really had a bad reaction. He really put my mind at ease, so tonight I'm having a few drinks because I don't have to start work until early afternoon tomorrow (Saturday here) and I'll take the first Efexor Sunday morning as planned. It might just do me good. If not, then I'll speak to my doctor.

Tonight I'm fairly hopeful that this will all turn out ok. It's the unknowing that's the worst, but I'm willing to "suck it and see!"
Kind regards,
Rose.

[RoseInterrupted]

Update: I didn't end up taking the Efexor this morning as planned. My doctor isn't going to be pleased, but after spending many hours on the Internet researching the stuff, I found literally hundreds of posts on forums totally condemning Efexor. It's not so much going on the drug that is the problem. It's coming back off it. It can cause serious complications such as vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and the worst seems to be the "brain shocks," but it was the vomiting that did it for me. I have a bad fear of vomiting and it terrifies me to think that by missing just one capsule, I could end up on all fours in the toilet.

Ok, ok. Yes, I'm a chicken and now I have to explain it all to my doctor, but I really feel this drug isn't for me For now, it's back to managing my anxiety as best I can. If there's an alternative that doesn't have horrendous side affects, then I'll give it a go, but I'm not touching that Efexor!!

It's your body and your life therefor it's your decision. I can definitely understand your doubts. Nausea and vomiting are scary to me almost to a point of phobia. I've stopped taking Effexor twice and never had any problems with nausea. The rest of the withdrawal thing... yes it is that bad for some of us. It was very bad the first time I stopped. The brain zaps and another sensation that is just indescribable are awful. For me there was also there was also a problem with controlling my temper and almost total loss of patience. But... when it works, it works very well. The second time I stopped it was much easier. Taking psychotropic meds is always a roll of the dice.
I hope you find something else that helps.

[Little Lulu]

I have heard more people say they had difficulty tapering off of Effexor than any other AD. In the best of worlds, it is something practitioners should counsel their patients about when they prescribe it and the individual can decide if they want to give it a try.

Good for you Rose for doing your research and making your own decision. Plus, you are not in the doctor/patient relationship to make the doctor happy. You are there as a team to find an approach to your issues that hopefully works AND feels right for you.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by George H.

It's your body and your life therefor it's your decision. I can definitely understand your doubts. Nausea and vomiting are scary to me almost to a point of phobia. I've stopped taking Effexor twice and never had any problems with nausea. The rest of the withdrawal thing... yes it is that bad for some of us. It was very bad the first time I stopped. The brain zaps and another sensation that is just indescribable are awful. For me there was also there was also a problem with controlling my temper and almost total loss of patience. But... when it works, it works very well. The second time I stopped it was much easier. Taking psychotropic meds is always a roll of the dice.
I hope you find something else that helps.

Thanks for your reply George H. The stuff really does affect different people different ways I guess, but your input is very valuable.

A psych nurse I spoke to asked "if the stuff actually works for you, why would you want to stop taking it?" A good question I suppose, but there could be any number of reasons. In my case I've always managed the GAD with a few drinks. I manage the SAD mostly by avoidance. I only go to town to do what I have to do (including work) and then get the heck out of there. The OCD isn't a big issue.

I had an old friend call me this morning and he's one of those older people who say most mental illness is just in a person's head and it's nothing a good psychologist couldn't help rectify. I was fine before his call and now I've tightened up with anxiety again. As an old song goes....... "Good advice is like a crash barrier!"

Not quite sure where to go from here, but I'll figure it out as I go like I usually do I suppose
Kind regards,
Rose.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by Little Lulu

I have heard more people say they had difficulty tapering off of Effexor than any other AD. In the best of worlds, it is something practitioners should counsel their patients about when they prescribe it and the individual can decide if they want to give it a try.

Good for you Rose for doing your research and making your own decision. Plus, you are not in the doctor/patient relationship to make the doctor happy. You are there as a team to find an approach to your issues that hopefully works AND feels right for you.

You're so right Little Lulu. GP's are so quick to offer a chemical solution without all the information required to make an informed choice. My big problem is that I don't really want to have to be one the stuff for ever. All I wanted was a short term fix for my anxiety until the triggering event that caused it has been forgotten. I guess I just picked the wrong doctor who is on a committee to stop other doctors prescribing that way. He's been my doctor for awhile too.

It appears that very few doctors have the inclination or the time to sit down and explain the medication from both ends as in what you may expect when you go on it and what the possible side affects might be if you go off it for whatever reason. The sheet they handed me at the chemist when I had the script filled was scary enough, but the Internet research was truly frightening.

If I went off the stuff after a while, it means I probably wouldn't be able to work and pay the bills. I just can't afford to do that. No wonder I've got anxiety plus, plus

[RoseInterrupted]

Efexor update 2:

Got smashed up a bit at work last Tuesday by an agro dementia patient were I work. The left side of my body looks like I've been in a car wreck Had the next day off anyway, but had to go back yesterday and my anxiety hit with a vengeance! I felt so wound up all through my shift (the guy who assaulted me is still my patient) that at times I just wanted to get up and run outside for air. As far as work went, it was a good shift with no hassles!

I spoke to my shift manager who knows about my being prescribed Efexor (that's how it's spelt in Australia) and he said he really believes I should at least give it a go for a few months since the dose is so small anyway, so this morning I swallowed my first 37.5mg slow release capsule. I'm currently just as anxious as I sit at home waiting for "something" to happen. Wish me luck!!
Rose.

[RoseInterrupted]

Day 5 on Efexor 37.5mg. Probably a bit early to tell yet if it's helping, but I've been suffering from insomnia since first starting on it. I toss and turn all night, only dropping off to sleep around dawn. Can somebody tell me if this is a permanent condition? If it is, then I'm in trouble as most Aussie doctors are now very reluctant to prescribe benzos.

The only other things I'm noticing is a faint metallic taste and the fact that I'm very shaky after I get up and until the Efexor kicks in. I take it around 9-9.30 each morning. By 11am I've calmed down again. I hope I'm not always like this because I often start work at 7am and I wouldn't be able to perform my job properly if I'm that shaky and fumbling.
Cheers,
Rose.

I can't recall any insomnia from the effexor but I had occasional insomnia problems and an abnormal sleep schedule before effexor.
Did you feel this way in the mornings before effexor? Mornings were usually the worst time for my anxiety regardless of what meds I was taking. Sleeplessness would also seem to a good suspect for feeling that way.
Hope it gets better soon.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by George H.

I can't recall any insomnia from the effexor but I had occasional insomnia problems and an abnormal sleep schedule before effexor.
Did you feel this way in the mornings before effexor? Mornings were usually the worst time for my anxiety regardless of what meds I was taking. Sleeplessness would also seem to a good suspect for feeling that way.
Hope it gets better soon.

I wasn't a good sleeper before the Efexor. I'd often toss and turn for a few hours, but eventually go to sleep around 3am-4am. Sometimes I'd go to sleep quickly, but wake up around 1.30am and couldn't get back to sleep. The mind simply wouldn't shut off.

Since the Efexor, I've been really restless until around 5am. I might then doze off for an hour or so and then wake again, not feeling the slightest bit tired. I'm going all day and not feeling tired at all. It's like suddenly I only need an hours sleep

As for the anxiety in the morning, it was a little better today. Hopefully it will settle down. I was told I'll get worse before I get better, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks for you input,
Rose.

[monstermash]

I've been on efexor 37.5 for 3 months now . It hasn't affected my weight but I have had some side effects from it. I also use drinking to ease the social anxiety but I still drink on it. I am not sure if it is good or bad but I cannot be at a gathering without drinking. Also, when I started it used to make me very tired during the day, very restless at night, and more depressed. I took benadryl to counter act the restlessness before I went to sleep but it seemed to wear off around 5am. After being on it for about a month these side effects improved. The most important thing I have learned is to plan ahead and do not run out of efexor. If I go a day with out it I get extremely nauseous.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by monstermash

I've been on efexor 37.5 for 3 months now . It hasn't affected my weight but I have had some side effects from it. I also use drinking to ease the social anxiety but I still drink on it. I am not sure if it is good or bad but I cannot be at a gathering without drinking. Also, when I started it used to make me very tired during the day, very restless at night, and more depressed. I took benadryl to counter act the restlessness before I went to sleep but it seemed to wear off around 5am. After being on it for about a month these side effects improved. The most important thing I have learned is to plan ahead and do not run out of efexor. If I go a day with out it I get extremely nauseous.

I stopped drinking when I started on Efexor which was nine days ago, however I have had 4 beers over the week-end, but spaced out a little. Two last night and two today, but hours apart. I haven't really missed the beer as I was never what one might call and alcoholic. The 4 beers that I did have didn't seem to affect me in any strange way. My friend is, however, an alcoholic and she's been on Efexor for ten years. She's currently on 300mg and drinks like a fish. Something I have heard about drinking and taking Efexor is that alcohol is a depressant and why would you want to take an antidepressant, then ruin it with a depressive substance? I also heard that alcohol cancels out or destroys the affect of the Efexor, but who knows??

So far, I haven't felt terribly tired during the day, but do feel a little spaced out and my emotions have definitely been "blunted." I have had severe insomnia since taking it, although I slept better last night so I'm hopeful that the situation will improve.

I've been well warned about making sure not to miss a dose, so I've become a bit paranoid about it. Looks like my life now revolves around the stuff until such time as I go off it for whatever reason. That's when the fun and games will start
Thanks for your input,
Rose.

I think that blunted emotions may come with a lot of ADs. Effexor seems particularly bad. I hate that. Just see if it helps and when you get ready to come off, your doc can give you a short course of Prozac that will help a lot with that.

[nycgal448]

Hi, I am on Effexor for 6 mos now. I am not sure if it wuz the actually one
that made me sleepy per se. I told my doc, and she changed around my
Lamictal. see a change.

[RoseInterrupted]

Originally Posted by George H.

I think that blunted emotions may come with a lot of ADs. Effexor seems particularly bad. I hate that. Just see if it helps and when you get ready to come off, your doc can give you a short course of Prozac that will help a lot with that.

Actually, I don't really mind the blunted emotions. I always was too sensitive for my own good. Thinking too deeply about things that may have or may not have happened on an emotional level used to keep me awake at night anyway, but the insomnia caused by the Efexor seems to be lessening. I've slept ok the past two nights.

I'll certainly ask my doc for Prozac when the time comes to get off the Efexor, but who knows. I might be ok with it all and stay on it for years. Time will tell and it's still early days yet.
Rose.

[vans1974]

Typically Effexor has more negatives than positives!