[nesnetrom]

Hi everyone,

I've checked the forums but can't find any answers to this question, so I figured I would ask. I'm pretty new to antidepressants, but have been suffering with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts (not actions) for around 4 years. My doctor placed me on Effexor (75 mg for one week then 150 mg, because he wants the SNRI effects to kick in). I took the first pill on Saturday with a large meal (since I was told nausea is common when starting an SSRI). Within about an hour of taking it, I felt completely zoned out, couldn't focus, move, or function (among nausea other very bad side effects). The feeling continued for the next 24 hours and I finally gained some of my mental clarity back around 12 hours after taking the pill (but still had strong side effects). I couldn't bring myself to take the second pill the next day, and I finally started to feel better about 3 days after taking that first pill. I know that everyone says it takes about a week to get used to a medication, but I really couldn't handle it. I missed work on Monday (which can't happen again) and just know that I'd need at least a week off of work with someone around to baby sit me and make sure I eat and let my dog out to pee (I was forgetting to do/how to do the simplest daily functions, while I'm usually someone who multitasks easily and am very productive).

Now for the question: should I try again? I've been feeling really awful (depressed) still and it will be another month before I can meet with my doctor again to try something else (I can't even get him on the phone). I don't want to wait that long. Is this a normal reaction to taking effexor? The only other medication I've been on is Prozac, and I never felt any effect of that, let alone feeling high as a kite and sick within an hour of taking this. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm so new to this and google can only answer so many of my questions..

I couldn't see in your post if you're talking about Effexor XR, the extended-release version, or the regular kind. I'm guessing you mean the XR kind, since you didn't mention multiple doses per day?

I took Effexor IR 150 mg in the mid 1990s for about a year and then I took the XR 375 mg for about 5-6 years in the 00s so I guess that's fairly experienced with it.

The first time I took it, it really knocked me for a loop. Not as bad as what you're describing, but I was very sleepy for a couple of weeks and couldn't function very well.

I'm wondering if you've had such a strong reaction to the Effexor because you haven't taken many antidepressants.

Prozac was the first antidepressant I ever took, and I had way more side effects than I did in later years when I took other SSRIs.

You could try a dose of 37.5 mg to see how that made you feel. (For some reason, I'm thinking that's a more normal dose to start on anyway.)

Frankly, if I were you, I would ditch the Effexor. There are other drugs out there that won't make you feel so awful, plus Effexor has a horrendous withdrawal syndrome.

I took it for so long the second time because I have fibromyalgia and I needed it for chronic pain. I take Cymbalta now, though. It has fewer side effects.

I'm sure you'll get more replies about this.

As far as getting in touch with your doctor, if you don't take the Effexor, it sounds like you're going to need some way to contact him. I really have no patience with a psych meds prescriber who prescribes a new medication to a patient and then doesn't give them any way to get in touch for a month.

A new doctor would be best, but if that's not an option, write him a letter and send it certified/registered mail (I forget which is which - the kind that notifies you when he has signed for the letter. You can do that either by the paper version of a return receipt or an electronic version now.)

You can also send him a fax. (I did that to a psychiatrist once who wouldn't return my calls about a medication he prescribed for me that made me very sick.)

When someone says "I couldn't bring myself to take a second pill", I know that that medication made them very sick, because I've been in that spot myself. You know how your body is reacting and you know what your life responsibilities are. Sometimes you have to get a little strident with a meds prescriber. (I'd hoped that kind of doctor wasn't around anymore, but I guess there are a few of them left.)

[Skeezyks]

Hello nesnetrom: I can't say what you should do. This is really something you need to talk with your doctor about... if only you could reach him... I've been on Effexor twice. Yes it does take some getting used to, although the reaction you've experienced does seem more intense than I recall mine being. I will tell you though, without going into details, that both times I was on Effexor, it went badly for me & I had to be taken off... My best wishes to you...

[nesnetrom]

Originally Posted by jo_thorne

I couldn't see .... left.)

Thank you so much for the thorough response Jo! I really appreciate it. It is the Effexor XR that I was taking, you are correct. I read somewhere that the non-extended release Effexor is even worse.

The withdrawal symptoms is one of the biggest reasons I'm hesitant to keep trying with a medication that makes me miserable. I knew that it was a hard one to get off of, but didn't realize how bad until I started reading more user experiences here and elsewhere.

As for my doctor, I unfortunately can't switch at this point (insurance reasons) and have an appointment with him at the end of the month. Since I can't seem to get ahold of him, it seems that the soonest I'll be able to talk to him is then. It's quite disappointing, but for cost reasons is really my only option.

Again, thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I have been on effexor 2 or 3 times but never had such an extreme reaction. What time of day are you taking it? Perhaps if you tried taking it before bed the feeling zoned out wouldn't affect you so much? I'm not a doctor though so can't say for sure, and I can't remember when I used to take it. Effexor is not the normal go to as a first anti depressant so maybe you could try something else before resorting back to effexor?

[fishin fool]

I am on Effexor and have been for months now. Never had the side effects that you
have mentioned but I have had them on other meds. Everyone is different.
I have taken some meds only once or twice and not taken them any more even
with out the pdoc telling me to.
There are other meds you can try if Effexor messes you up that bad I would stop.

[LittleBird42]

I have been on Effexor for probably around a year now. During the first week or so, I felt sick and tired, and had to sleep/nap during the day. But I stuck it out and then started to feel great.

I've also read all the horror stories about Effexor, and it is true that you need to be vigilant about taking it, or you will encounter side affects (brain-zapping, I call it) on the same day that you don't take it.

That said, I would say on the whole, compared to where I was before I was on it (bedridden), to now (energetic and able to function), it was worth it for me.

In hindsight I was ready to dump Effexor after the first week. But I'm glad I stuck with it. That's just my experience though. Everyone is different.

LB

[LonesomeTonight]

When I tried Effexor, I was started at the 37.5 mg dose--sounds like you may have been on too high of a dose to start with? It had negative psychological effects for me (worsening depression and thoughts of SH), so I didn't stay on it for more than a month or two.