Effexor Xr, Efexor Xr, Venlafaxine...

[Shellbell]

I am glad you don't have side effects Gizmo :hug:

I think the Seroquel causes more side effects for me, than the Effexor. I just wasn't on a high enough dose of Effexor my doc thinks, so I'm up to 150mg now, and that will be increased again if not enough.

 

[Abstract]

Shellbell, shouldnt you be in hospital?;)

Have they put it on hold to see how you go?

 

[Shellbell]

Thanks for asking Abstract :hug:

My doc wants me in hospital now, but she phoned the hospital she wanted me to go to and they basically said if I'm not actively suicidal then I won't meet the criteria to be admitted.

So, even though I am not safe or stable, I can't access inpatients treatment. I don't have private medical insurance, as we can't afford it due to me not working. I've worked hard all my adult life until this year, and now I need help I can't get it. Sucks.

So, now my husband has had to take a week off work to basically make sure I'm okay while my meds are increased and to make sure I don't go become worse. And him taking time off right now is not easy as he's only just graduated as a cop and is in his first year constable training. So, I feel bad about that.

:(

 

[Abstract]

Gosh I am sorry to hear that Shellbell. :( Can imagine how difficult it would be. Makes one wonder if you should all of a sudden become very "suicidal" ;)

I imagine it would help a lot to have been in hospital whilst meds get sorted.

There is nothing you can do about your H so try not to feel bad. Things sometimes just are what they are.
:hug:

 

[Sunny:)]

I've been on Effexor XR 150 mg for two years. I developed neck pain since I started taking it, but thought it was from whiplash issues from past accidents. My pdoc upped the dosage a couple of months ago to 225mg (I was going through a bad time). My neck pain became searing, and I went to the immediate care office twice in three weeks because I couldn't bear the pain. X-RAys and no problem found. Looked up Effexor side effects and found "neck pain", so I dropped back down to 150 mg. When I saw pdoc again, I told her about what happened and she was astounded. She had never heard of that side effect. I looked it up on my cell phone and showed her where it said neck pain could be a side effect. So she left dosage at 150mg. My neck has still hurts, though not as bad, so I've been emptying the capsule each night of the tiny Effexor beads to about half the dosage. Am feeling much better. Will see pdoc next week and want to drop down to 75 mg. I am feeling very good actually. I think I was caught in a crazy circle of neck pain, stress from pain, depression, take Effexor for depression, neck pain, stress from pain, depression, take Effexor for pain, etc.

I'm down to .5 mg of Clonazapam (initially was prescribed 7 mg); down to 150 mg Wellbutrin (originally 300mg) once a day, and I feel happy and content. I still have "life on life's terms," but a lot of therapy and Al-anon in the past, and now the Bible have set me free from the past and presently guide me in my present and for the future.

I thank God and praise Him for my recovery. Every day of peace is a gift. I am not wealthy, but oh, is my life rich!

 

[Shellbell]

Sunny:) That's interesting you developed neck pain from Effexor. I always carry tension in my neck and shoulders, but this has become more painful in the last month, since starting Effexor. I'm now at 150mg, so won't be wanting to increase it and the neck pain get any worse. I'm also on Mirtazapine and Seroquel as wel.

I'm glad your faith is helping your healing and is a source of comfort and peace for you.

 

[Innordinate]

I missed my meds 2 days in a row and wow! Super dizzy and light headed, which lasted until an hour after I got home and took my meds. Also, I was really depressed yesterday and had 0 patience, anger level went through the roof in a matter of seconds! :(

Definitely need to be smarter about taking meds at the same time all the time.

 

[MissMacD]

I was on Effexor XR for 1 year. It is one of the worst anti depressant drugs to get on and off of. The first two weeks I was on it I felt horrible then after that started to feel better.

It stopped working for me a month into using it and I developed a weird side effect - severe vertigo.

 

[Innordinate]

You were on it for a year but a month in it stopped working for you and you had vertigo? How come you didn't stop taking it at the end of the month?

That's strange for me. Everything I know of Effexor it takes about a month to start working at all.

Meds...can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

 

[MissMacD]

I was advised by my doctor to keep taking it even though I knew it wasn't making me feel any better.

The vertigo happened a few months into taking it and I knew it was a medication side effect because it happened around the same time every day. When I stopped taking Effexor (was gradually weaned off of it) the vertigo got way worse and eventually diminished. I haven't had it since.

I also found it really hard to remember to take it at the exact same time every day. If I took it even a few hours before or after I was supposed to it threw off my whole day.

 

[Shellbell]

Yes, if I don't take the Effexor at the same time every day, I can feel worse. And I missed it completely one day and felt terrible. It does have side effects, but then they all do.

 

[Innordinate]

How's your nightmares? Decreasing yet?

Mine are getting way worse than normal. Normal is one a night maybe 5 or 6 times a week. Now it's 2 or 3 times a night every night. If it's not a nightmare then it's a very vividly messed up dream. I was hoping it was another med, since they started when I started that other med but.... they continue on.