Anti-depressants (Efexor)

LegacyUser

I'm just wondering what experiences people have had with Efexor XL. Did they work for you or not? If they did, how long did it take for them to start working?

I started talking these (the 75mg ones) about five weeks ago, two a night with the view of going on to three per night, but I feel like they've made me feel worse. I was told that it usually takes about four to six weeks before you start to feel the full benefit of them but, as I've said, I've been on them for five weeks no and I feel they aren't working at all.

Just looking for other people's opinions.

Thanks.

nesf

The biggest problem with anti-depressants is that they can take time to work and the start can be bad, with Effexor anyway I had a nasty time for the first month with a lot of bad side effects but they eased off after about six weeks and things got better as my body got used to the medication.

The only way you can approach this is to work with your GP or Psychiatrist and discuss your treatment with them. You should most certainly not stop taking your drugs without talking to them first.

If it's depression, and it's your GP, then I'd recommend asking them to refer you to a psychiatrist, but that's only an opinion of mine (ie I saw a specialist for my ulcers, similar to how I saw a specialist for my bipolar).

LegacyUser

If you don't mind me asking, would you be able to elaborate on what side effects effected you?

Cheers.

nesf

I felt like I had pins and needles over my entire body and had very bad headaches on and off. I was also quite agitated though that could be down to me having bipolar rather than the medication itself.

eth0_

I was on effexor a few years ago and the biggest side effect I found was that I had the most ENORMOUS amount of nervous energy. My mind was constantly racing and I couldn't stop fidgiting. I remember feeling very paranoid about what people were thinking about the change in my behaviour. I lasted about seven weeks on it and I had to just taper it off and stop, I couldn't handle the jittery, nervous energy. If you were feeling like that long-term I think there could be a genuine risk of suicide.

Other side effects I had were headaches, very bad insomnia and visual disturbances.

I know I am biased but I would not recommend most people take effexor. Obviously that's something you need to discuss with your doctor, though.

nesf

eth0_ wrote: »

I was on effexor a few years ago and the biggest side effect I found was that I had the most ENORMOUS amount of nervous energy.

You should see what it does to someone with bipolar when they go into a manic state.

TequilaMockingBird

Is 75mg not a very large dose? Or normal dosage?

ciano6

Just a few things about Effoxor. I have been on it for 3 years now. Prescribed by a psychiatrist. No other meds.
For me, it took about 8 weeks before I really noticed any effect. Also, I was stepped up to 225mg (ie 3 of the 75 mg). In the last year, I have dropped back down to 75mg. I never really noticed any side effects although, if I forget to take it, I experience massive depersonalisation.
Effexor, along with a change in lifestyle, really helped me turn my life around.
Just one other thing, I have always taken mine in the morning. I thought that was the norm?

LegacyUser

My GP wants me to up my dose to 225mg also. She told me to take it at night, don't know why tbh. The last time I was on medication I took it in the morning. Maybe I'll say that when I go back.

Cheers for the replies.

eth0_

Unreg2097 wrote: »

My GP wants me to up my dose to 225mg also. She told me to take it at night, don't know why tbh. The last time I was on medication I took it in the morning. Maybe I'll say that when I go back.

Cheers for the replies.

Perhaps she is giving you the XR (extended release) version, rather than taking 2-3 pills a day. I think the reasoning behind taking it before bed is that it means the drug has time to release before you wake up, so you always have a good amount of the drug in your system. But....i'd say it's a personal thing. I found I was unable to sleep if I took it before bed, because it made me feel really wired.

nesf

sueme wrote: »

Is 75mg not a very large dose? Or normal dosage?

No, not at all. I spent 2 years at 300mg (or slightly over that, I can't remember), that's about as big a dose you'll get outside of a hospital setting from what my psychiatrists have told me.

Irrespective of that, the theraputic dose of many drugs depends on what it's being used to treat. I'm on anti-convulsants for my bipolar and the dose I'm on is tiny compared to what an epileptic would take to stop seizures. Thinking in terms of large/normal doses in drugs that have multiple purposes can be misleading (Effexor is prescribed for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Aniexty etc for instance).

Nalced_irl

I have been on Efexor for a while but wasnt very good about taking every day until the last 4 weeks. I have made sure to take it everyday (150mg a day) and funny a poster mentioned about the nervous energy. For the last 2/3 days i have been a wreck! I have had 2 panic attacks altho i had not had one previous for over 12 months and i have literally been shaking all day. I figure its in the worst stage of my body getting used to it tho so ill stick it out for a few more weeks and hopefully it will change. Im on it for anxiety and panic btw so these side effects are definately not wanted!

eth0_

I hope you get over that stage, I know I couldn't handle it. Contact your doctor if you still feel this way in a few days time - some people can react badly to effexor.

Ekancone

I don't think it is a good idea to ask for advice on medication from strangers on the internet, tbh. Go see a professional.

Villaricos

anyone else on Efexor ever sort of lose perception when they were on them? If I forgot to take my tablet in the morning or when my dose is being lowered I find its like I cant see straight and I walk into doors and walls, and every bit of me is jumping up and down inside at a different pace?


Anyone else get that?

nesf

Villaricos wrote: »

anyone else on Efexor ever sort of lose perception when they were on them? If I forgot to take my tablet in the morning or when my dose is being lowered I find its like I cant see straight and I walk into doors and walls, and every bit of me is jumping up and down inside at a different pace?


Anyone else get that?

If I missed a dose I'd be in a very bad way by the middle of the day. There are withdrawal effects with the drug unfortunately.

mclaugn

was prescribed seroxat when abroad about 2 years ago - for anxiety. was initially on 40 mg then went to 20 then increased to 30 mg over that period - had a lot of anxiety breakthrough - have now been taken off seroxat and am on effexor 75mg for 2 weeks - is this a very small dosage as not feeling any relief or should i give it more time???

nesf

mclaugn wrote: »

was prescribed seroxat when abroad about 2 years ago - for anxiety. was initially on 40 mg then went to 20 then increased to 30 mg over that period - had a lot of anxiety breakthrough - have now been taken off seroxat and am on effexor 75mg for 2 weeks - is this a very small dosage as not feeling any relief or should i give it more time???

Give it more time. It'll take 3-4 weeks before an antidepressant normally starts showing an effect and may take as long as 6 weeks. Your psychiatrist also might be waiting for a few weeks before increasing your dose slowly in order to give your body time to adjust to the new drug.

LegacyUser

I just started these meds over a week ago after being referred to the mental health team. I was on lexapro 20mg prescribed by my GP for a year previous to this.

I found that with these meds that I feel weird, with having over-active thoughts especially before bed,I'm not sleeping and my tummy is really funny. I am only on 75mg for two more days then I have the Rx for the 150mg, god only knows what they're going to do to me!

I'm on these meds for depression and anxiety. Not keen on taking meds because I'm only 21 but all the health care professionals thought they were an essential part of my 'care plan'!

Hows everyone else getting on?

mark_jmc

confused21 wrote: »

I just started these meds over a week ago after being referred to the mental health team. I was on lexapro 20mg prescribed by my GP for a year previous to this.

I found that with these meds that I feel weird, with having over-active thoughts especially before bed,I'm not sleeping and my tummy is really funny. I am only on 75mg for two more days then I have the Rx for the 150mg, god only knows what they're going to do to me!

I'm on these meds for depression and anxiety. Not keen on taking meds because I'm only 21 but all the health care professionals thought they were an essential part of my 'care plan'!

Hows everyone else getting on?

Hi Confused,
I was 21 when i first started taking effexor- im now 31 so thats 10 years!
Don't worry about taking medication so young- the way I look at it is some people have to take meds for diabeties/ some for their heart etc. If it works for you and makes you feel better then thats all that matters.

Effexor has worked very well for me over the years and if I have to take it for the rest of my life to keep me feeling well then thats ok by me.
As far as i recall it did take some time to get used to effexor and there are side effects but the positives effects far outweighed any side effects.

I wish you well and remember there are plenty of people out there that struggle with these issues- you are not alone,

flyswatter

TequilaMockingBird wrote: »

Is 75mg not a very large dose? Or normal dosage?

The thing is different medications take more or less amounts to work.

One might only take 20mg while another might need a hundreds of mg dosage.

I believe it might have something to do with the way the drugs align to your brain cells or something like that. Some meds take more to do than others do.