[hopeless85]

My son was prescribed 50 mg of effexor for anxiety almost a month ago. It was time to refill and I kept telling him. So today with only 3 pills left he finally called the doctor. There was message on our answering machine that the doctor is increasing it to 100mg now and will re asses at his next appointment.

Is this a normal dose? He is on 50 mg of zoloft as well for over a year.

Just worried about the side effects. Some reviews said it makes you want to drink alcohol which I don't need for him because he has a problem with that- currently has stopped but afraid for a restart.

[splitimage]

Not sure what the normal dose for anxiety is, but for depression it's 225 mg, although some people need higher doses. I'm on 375 mg.

splitimage

[250.mrs.b]

Im on 75mg for anxiety

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[Bird Feeder]

I'm on 600 mg and have been for 15 years. Just tried to cut back to 450 and the suicidal ideation came roaring back. There is a lot of movement with Effexor.

[gina_re]

I'm on 150 was at 225 at one point

[hopeless85]

do you all feel it has helped you? I have read so much about the withdrawal symptoms, weight gain and sexual problems. My son won't discuss anything with me. Very withdrawn and will be moving in January out west for 5 months alone until his girlfriend moves out upon her graduation. I am scared to death. Scared that he will spiral downward. Scared that he will resume his drinking. Like I said, he doesn't open up with me. I have to walk around him on egg shells. I weigh every word I say because he will find a way to twist it into something I didn't mean. If I only knew he would be okay, I would welcome the move so he would appreciate all we have done for him. Not knowing if he is truly okay will weigh on me so heavy. He will be 1600 miles from home so I can't just hop in a car and get to him. Nor, afford a plane ticket to fly out to help him. I guess I have to accept that he is 21 and is responsible for himself.

[250.mrs.b]

It has helped me a lot more than cipralex did. I have experienced weight loss with effexor instead of gain. On my side effects sheet from the pharmacist it listed loss of appetite and weight loss as side effects. When i was on cipralex i had a lot of harsh side effects like palpitations. . Mental disconnection...increased anxiety... brain zaps and the shakes. I hope effexor works for your son . I know it has done wonders for me!

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[gina_re]

I haven't had any problems while being on it which is about 2 years. I think for the most part, it has helped. I don't recall a year weight gain from the effexor, I think that was the Paxil and some emotional eating. But I have noticed it has killed my sex drive. And I can't speak on withdrawal since I'm still on it..
I understand your concern as a mom and it's hard to talk to him. I was like that too at that age. I moved from Virginia to Illinois to be with my boyfriend against my mother's wishes. Yes there were difficult times, and even though things didn't work out between us I don't regret it and learned a lot about myself and grew up being that I was on my own. I did have some mental health issues, but it worked out in the end. Take what you will from that, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Does your son's doctor know about his past problems with alcohol?

[kiwi33]

I think that the dose may vary a lot from person to person - I have been on 150 mg/day for depression for a number of years - this works for me.

As far as urges to drink are concerned, this is a possible side-effect which has not applied to me - something which I am aware of because I am an in-remission alcoholic.

[hopeless85]

I am not sure if my son told his new family doctor about his alcohol problems. I was hoping his therapist did that. My son used to go to the family doctor I see whom knew all about his alcohol issues thanks to me. BUT then that doctor refused to prescribe the effexor or xanax so my son switched doctors per advice of the therapist.

[hopeless85]

I was wrong on the mg of the increase. The doctor increased him from 75mg to 150mg. I noticed when he took this at first it seemed to be helping. Then the last two weeks he went backwards with his personal hygiene which was a problem prior. I don't understand how someone who is in college and will be among others his age would not want to look clean and smell good. He constantly wears a hat which is good because his hair doesn't look good. I am hoping the increase helps.