Effexor Xr, Efexor Xr, Venlafaxine...

[Shellbell]

I have started taking Efexor XR (as a replacement for Seroquel) and feel worse 5 days into taking it. I have absolutely no energy or motivation and my nightmares are back full force.

I know it takes a while for meds to adjust, but I didn't feel like this starting the Mirtazapine (which I'm also still taking, but at night).

I'm also pretty worried about the withdrawal issues with Effexor, when you stop taking it.

Does anybody have any views, or experience they would be okay to share?

 

[Bilby]

I've taken it before. It was around six years ago now from memory and I can't recall anything specifically about feeling worse whilst on it, but the side effects were very uncomfortable (severe constipation and severe sweating). In fact, because of the severity of those side effects, I came off it. Yes, the withdrawal can be a right pain in the backside (pardon the pun LOL), but do-able. I actually felt better for around a week after coming off it (that's actually a withdrawal side effect, can you believe?!). I had the brain snaps though - it's very hard to describe but like an electric shock inside your head. It's a bit off-putting, but I survived :)

Funnily enough Shellbell, I'm on a small dose of Seroquel at the moment!

 

[Shellbell]

Thanks Bilby, those side effects are pretty yuck, not surprised you came off it.

My mental health doc wanted me to go on Seroquel (as an extra to Mirtazapine), so I did for 2 weeks, but then in the 2nd week of that, my psychiatrist suggested Effexor instead. So, my doc said to trial Effexor XR and if no good, go back onto Seroquel.

The Seroquel had helped ease my nightmares, and now they are back since stopping it.

I've heard Effexor can make nightmares worse.

 

[Bilby]

That's no good, it must be awful to have the nightmares back :(

Can you contact your doctor and explain what's going on? It sounds like the switch back to Seroquel might be better for you?

 

[Shellbell]

Thanks again Bilby,

My doc is away now until I see her in 2 weeks. And she wanted me to trial the efexor long enough for it to settle in my system, which can take around 4-6 weeks I was told.

I wondered if it feels worse when you first take it, but then gets better.

Problem with Seroquel as well, is it is very expensive here if you don't have a bi-polar or schizophrenia diagnosis, which I don't.

 

[Bilby]

Yes, it is expensive unless you fall under that diagnosis! (You're in Australia, yes?)

Good luck - I hope things settle down with the Efexor!

B x

 

[Shellbell]

Yes, I'm in Australia, I don't know how the cost Seroquel is as my doc gave me some, but I know it's expensive.

Thanks, I hope the Efexor settles too.

 

[Innordinate]

I'm on Effexor XR. This is my third time taking it. The side effects took about 5 days to a week to wear off for me this time. The nausea and dizziness is all I got from it. I've gone off of it before with 0 side effects. Just quit cold turkey, no problems there.

Takes at least a full month to take effect. What dose are you on? Your Doc should've started you off low, and gradually increase you. Eat when you take it, eat before, take it 10 minutes after you eat. That can ease some of the side effects.

It doesn't give me energy either, though my Dr was hoping it would do that too.

It doesn't help my nightmares, but didn't make it worse. I hope that goes away for you too. Maybe just coincidence or the other med you were on made the nightmares better and effexor doesn't do that. Sorry not helpful for you there.

 

[Shellbell]

Thanks Innordinate,

I'm on 37.5 mg and will increase to 75 mg in a month.

Good to hear your nightmares didn't get worse. And good that you were able to quit it with no problems.

I've been felling dizzy, so that might be a side effect from it too.

 

[Innordinate]

Definitely a side effect, the dizziness. That's a really low dose to start on, which is also good. :)

I stared at 75mg and in a month was up to 225mg, so definitely give it some time to work.

I could be biased. I like effexor XR more than most other meds. Sort of my 'go to' med. lol

But everyone is different with every medication. Just finding one that fits is the important thing.

 

[Shellbell]

I'm really glad you have found the one - Effexor - that fits. It really helps when you know which one will work when you need it.

It's horrible trying different ones until you find the one that fits, but it's worth doing as I know I really need meds to cope.

 

[Shellbell]

Does anyone know if missing one dose of Efexor XR, can make you feel terrible?

I know you are meant to take it every day and at the same time of every day.

I missed one yesterday morning, and have felt terrible since, but don't know if that's just me, or if it can in fact make a big difference to mood?