Effexor

[dodo]

Anyone else taking Effexor? If so, when you started taking it, did you feel extremely tired? And did you feel dizzy?

[yannah]

I have taken it all.

I was on effexor for two years. I gained 35 lbs on this drug.

(I gained twice that on zyprexa)

the tired thing will wear off.

there are two things to absolutley know when taking effexor.

1. take it the same time everyday. I did not do this. I ended up in er -an ambulence had to come and get me. not kidding. vomitting diarreah, dizziness. I was just sort of taking it whenever. they thought it was gallbladder but the whole thing ended up effexor. when I took it the same time everyday I was okay, but if I missed a dose I got sick. not that sick, but pretty sick.

2. do not discontinue without your phychiatrist. google effexor withdrawal. OMG OMG OMG. I discontued without tapering slowly. I coudn't even walk, and was violently ill. I missed 10 days of work. It was horrible. I would visit all the info on Effexor withdrawal.

[slwood321]

I have been on Effexor for about eight years. The tiredness will go away after a month or so. You should definitely take it at night, as it will help you get a better night sleep. As mentioned, you should try to take it at the same time each day. If you skip a day, you may feel like you have the flu. If you miss two days, you will feel very bad!! I don't remember having the problem with dizziness , but given how this medicine works, dizziness does seem possible at the beginning. Effexor takes time to build up completely and is so gradual, you may not notice a difference, but other people might. I have gotten off it a couple of times and my stress levels went sky high and I was getting headaches constantly, so apparently I do need it even though I keep thinking, "well, I'm feeling better so I'll quit taking it". The last time I quit, my husband asked me to get back on it. This may be more than you wanted to know, but I hope it helps. BTW, what dose did the doctor put you on to start?

[dodo]

I'm starting with a dose of 37.5 mg for the first week and then I'll go to 75 mg for the second week and then up to 150 mg. I should have thought of taking them at night but I already started taking them in the morning.

Thank you for sharing your stories!

[slwood321]

As you are on such a low dose, when your first week is up, take a 37.5 that morning and then again that night and then start taking them at night.

[lorilei]

My DH is on effexor...just watch for sudden mood swing, if you are coming ourt of a low period (deprerssion NOT BG wise) the chemicals can make you feel a bit odd as they get to a therapeutic dose..(around 4 weeks into it if i recall)..keep a close person informed to watch you mood wise as you ramp up...6 yrs later, he is still on it and much better than the initial few months..