Anyone else take Effexor (Vennlafaxine)?

awebb198488 · Nov 29, 2012, 09:17 PM

I take 150 mg a day and was just wondering if anyone else takes it and what kind of success u have had with it.

Nobodyandnothing · Nov 29, 2012, 10:09 PM

I took this for quite a few years and it kept me on an even keel through a stressful job and young children. Then it suddenly stopped working for me. My pdoc and I have been trying for 8 years to find something that will get me back to that stable state of mind. Good luck. I hope it helps you.

onionknight · Nov 29, 2012, 10:11 PM

I was given it a few days ago, but I haven't taken it, so I don't know how it would work for my depression.

awebb198488 · Nov 29, 2012, 10:13 PM

I've been taking it since May. We increased the dose from 75 mg a day to 150 in August. I have responded well to it.

NDNOutlaw · Nov 29, 2012, 10:34 PM

Couldn't dance with it but that's only my experience. Paxil was ok but Wellbutrin seems to be a benifit

Nov 30, 2012, 08:21 AM

Effexor made me extremely anxious. I need something though and it's all I have right now. Did anyone else feel anxious at first..does this get better with time? I tried one a few weeks ago and couldn't sleep my mind started racing.

awebb198488 · Nov 30, 2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly4519

Effexor made me extremely anxious. I need something though and it's all I have right now. Did anyone else feel anxious at first..does this get better with time? I tried one a few weeks ago and couldn't sleep my mind started racing.

The first day I increased my dose I felt a little anxious/fuzzy but the feeling has stopped since my body has gotten used to the medicine. Also, at first I took my first dose first thing in the morning. I felt a little nauseus/lightheaded so I adjusted to taking it with lunch instead and my second dose right before bed. I felt much better after that and I still take them approximately every 12 hrs like I am supposed to. Hope this helps! How long have you been taking the medicine?

Corvid · Nov 30, 2012, 11:59 AM

It's basically another bottle in my cabinet, It didn't help me, personally. I'm also glad I didn't take it to the point where I got the really bad withdrawal effects that can happen when you quit venlafaxine or desvenlefaxine. I have a friend that it works really well for, and my husband was on it for a little less than a year and it really helped him though. wellbutrin works a little for my sleeping all the time issues, and they have similar effects on the brain, as far as I know.

awebb198488 · Nov 30, 2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvid

It's basically another bottle in my cabinet, It didn't help me, personally. I'm also glad I didn't take it to the point where I got the really bad withdrawal effects that can happen when you quit venlafaxine or desvenlefaxine. I have a friend that it works really well for, and my husband was on it for a little less than a year and it really helped him though. wellbutrin works a little for my sleeping all the time issues, and they have similar effects on the brain, as far as I know.

I've heard about the withdraw symptoms...they concern me. I'm going to ask my doctor about it on my next appointment.

Corvid · Nov 30, 2012, 03:00 PM

I'm sure it doesn't effect everyone, but it's enough to make me want to steer clear, since I'm already anxious. Not that that keeps me away from caffeine. But what to do when you're constantly tired and depressed? It's like you have to pick one or the other lol

Hellion · Dec 02, 2012, 03:04 PM

I have a months worth of it, and took one pill then was afraid to take anymore. But I might give it a go still, since I have nothing better to do anyways. But I doubt it would help and not sure how I will react to yet another unpleasant prescription drug experience and don't want to think about how others might react to my bad reaction or things it contributes to.

Corvid · Dec 02, 2012, 04:23 PM

*sigh* It's probably a good idea to give it a go. Spin the wheel again, it seems.

veiledregret1234 · Dec 02, 2012, 10:28 PM

I took that one for about six weeks. It ended up making me very anxious and sort of violent.

Real Magic · Dec 03, 2012, 02:50 PM

Had to stop taking it after 2 days. Sent me into a manic cluster****

May work for you, but im staying the hell away from that stuff.

Hellion · Dec 03, 2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veiledregret1234

I took that one for about six weeks. It ended up making me very anxious and sort of violent.

That's what I am afraid of...

RJ78 · Dec 04, 2012, 11:03 PM

I started taking it six weeks ago, I'm at 150 mg. It took about 4 weeks for it to kick in, and then I had a week of near hell while my body took it all in. I had crazy painful anxiety, I cried non-stop, and once that passed I had messed up stuff in my head - migraines and lightheadedness at the same time. That all lasted 8 days, and for the past 2 weeks I've been feeling quite good, better than any other time this year. Suicidal thoughts have entirely passed, I can concentrate for long periods on a task at hand, I'm mostly fully present with my friends and family. I'm relieved, I hope it lasts!

RJ

Odee · Dec 05, 2012, 06:27 PM

Taken it before. Went all the way up to 300mg. Didn't help, just fueled anxiety.

RJ78 · Dec 11, 2012, 04:52 PM

Hi everyone,

For those of you who have used Effexor and had good results, how long did it take for the meds to take their full therapeutic effect?

I had 2-3 weeks of relative peace of mind, but the anxiety has slowly crept back in and I had a very difficult day today with multiple crying breakdowns at work. I have been taking Effexor for about 6 weeks, is it possible that I may experience some ups and downs before I see some stability in my mood and anxiety? Has that happened to anybody else here?

Thanks, I'm feeling pretty desperate today, so any help would be great.

RJ

awebb198488 · Dec 12, 2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ78

Hi everyone,

For those of you who have used Effexor and had good results, how long did it take for the meds to take their full therapeutic effect?

I had 2-3 weeks of relative peace of mind, but the anxiety has slowly crept back in and I had a very difficult day today with multiple crying breakdowns at work. I have been taking Effexor for about 6 weeks, is it possible that I may experience some ups and downs before I see some stability in my mood and anxiety? Has that happened to anybody else here?

Thanks, I'm feeling pretty desperate today, so any help would be great.

RJ

When I first started taking it I noticed a difference in about two weeks. The full effect happened at around the 4th week. I would say that if you continue to experience crying spells at work in the next couple weeks you may need to talk to your doctor. Perhaps the dosage needs upped, a different med tried, etc.

onionknight · Dec 12, 2012, 11:01 AM

Oi. So I've been taking Effexor for like five days, and I'm nauseous, disgusted by food. It's very annoying, and I'm currently only on 37.5; in a day, I'm going to have to go up to 75mg. How will the side effects abate if I keep going up in dose? I need them to because they're interfering with life.

awebb198488 · Dec 12, 2012, 11:23 AM

My side effects only appeared when I upped the dose. If u continue to have side effects talk to your doctor.

RJ78 · Dec 12, 2012, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the reply Amanda. I did some more research and found out that the average time for the full therapeutic effects is 4-6 weeks, but there is a pretty large percentage of people who needed 8-12 weeks. Since I'm just going on 6 weeks right now, I'm going to try and be a bit patient and stick with the 150mg for the time being. If I continue to have intense anxiety every once and a while, then I'll either up it or consider other alternatives.

Thanks for the support.

RJ