[MusicalRaven]

So this is only my second day on the higher dose of Effexor 75mg bit I feel very agitated, jittery, unable to sit still and louder and more talkative than I notmally am. I don like this feeling it feels unnatural and uncomfortable.

Should I be alarmed?

[cool09]

All anti-depressants have lots of side effects and it differs to degrees from person to person. If you are BP you may be more susceptible to AD side effects like mania, agitation, etc. If it's completely intolerable I would call your Doc or try to stick with it day to day. (SSRIs usually made me extremely agitated. Effexor does not have side effects for me but everyone's different. Been on it 7 yrs at 75 mg. I'm agitated depressive.)

If you tell your Doc and he wants to give you an anti-psychotic for agitation then I would be alarmed (but I don't think most Docs would do that right now - taking two new meds at the same time is not a good idea). Hope you feel better - RC

fyi:At higher doses effexor works completely different in the brain than at 75 mg.

[sewerrats]

Could be a while before you settle into your meds.

[MusicalRaven]

Yeah I called my pdoc an he said to stop taking it immediately and we have an appointment soon. Means I won't be on anything for like 11 days but I have Xanax just in case. So here's to hoping we find something better.

[clash]

what other than the seats do you get hot flashes too by the way

[MusicalRaven]

Not a lot of hot flashes by mostly just agitated and jittery and really loud. I also have been spending and shopping an abnormal amount lately.......

[cool09]

Xanax is the shortest-acting out of all benzos. (I think it's out of your system within 4 hrs.) Klonopin is the longest acting - stays in your system for days. Both worked for me I think but klonopin has worked much better last 10 yrs. In 80's/90's I was on xanax or ativan. I hit a very low point in 2006 and saw a new Dr. and he put me on klonopin first then later effexor. Klonopin helped me right away to calm me down and ease anxiety. Hope you feel better soon - RC

[Kate King]

fyi:At higher doses effexor works completely different in the brain than at 75 mg.[/quote]

My Effexor just doubled to 150 mg. (in addition to Geodon and Lamictal). How does it work differently in the brain, and what side effects should I be noticing? Something is different now but I can't seem to sort through what is what, what means what...meds are completely foreign to me as I did not even take Advil or anything growing up. So, I'm really feeling funny, but I definitely need the meds...

I just dumped my thoughts on paper, can anyone help me figure this out?

[archipelago]

Effexor is not an SSRI. It affect norepinephrine as well. That is an agitating neurotransmitter. I don't take anti-depressants any longer but I found that Lexapro and Celexa were decent. As far as the one SSRI most approved for anti-anxiety effects it's the old one, Paxil, that people don't seem to use much now.

As far as Xanax, I agree with Cool09, Klonopin is the longest acting and I've used it for years without any problems at all. I hardly feel the sedation because the half-life is so long. It works to relieve the anxiety without making you feel doped up or drowsy.

[sewerrats]

lorozapam is the benzo of choise in England on the NHS , if in hospital for op give you 2mg loz , if you go for panic attack 2 mg loz injected . I SURVIVE ON 4MG LOZ a Day . 2mg 6am 2mg 9pm plus 10 mg lexapro the best ssri , i have had them all. snri effexor and cymbalta dont like me and are nightmare to withdraw from

My Pdoc tried me on Effexor. I hated it. I gained weight and didnt feel well at all. Also no sex drive at all.

At first I felt as though a speeding freight train was on my path. I called Pdoc right away and we lowered the dosage but still felt like shyte. Just was not for me.

I went back to my old tried and true Rx, back to talk therapy and added Xanax for the severe anxiety and that seems to be working quite well.for me. Esp with talk therapy I have neen able to lower the dosage(s) and only take the Xanax for emergencies. I would love to not be on the anti depressant but I have tried but my emotional struggles and work environment make it very difficult to stop.

When I have tried, I feel very depressed, cry a lot and pms is worse. Plus, I hate to admit it but my fuse is shorter and I have little patience for the craziness, incompetence and bs at the office. Not to mention containimg my frustration at all the stupid drivers and unnecessary traffic 4 1/2 hours a day sitting on the 405 parking lot.

Bottom line, everyone is different. It may take some time, adjustments in dosage and if it still is not for you, hopefully there will be something else that will help. I cound Rx plus talk therapy is the most helpful and beneficial.for making gains.

I hope you feel better soon and you find the right Rx to help you feel better xx

[sewerrats]

Your right i have 2 friends on EFFEXOR an have been for about 10years with no problems . The secret is never come off a med thats working get down to the lowest dose you can get away with, an stay there indefinet .

[MusicalRaven]

My mom takes lorozapam and it works well for her. I don't really need the xanax all that much but it sucks that it makes me so sleepy. I can't take it during the day when I really need it because it will make me a zombie....
Oh well so far so good.