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i finally started the effexor xr

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Posted 3/30/2008 7:38 AM (GMT -7)
after debating and doing research on effexor, i finally started it yesterday,

I took it at 8am sat and sun.  i have been extremely dizzy and drowsy.  i tried to go back to sleep but couldnt.  then last night i was up 3 times and couldnt go back to sleep.  Do you think i should take this in the evening or will this go away after a week?? I wont even drive, thats how dizzy and weird i feel.  yesterday i almost got hit by a car crossing the street- i feel like i am on cloyd nine.  i figure if i take it at night- this will just happen in my sleep and i wont know it :-)

Posted 3/30/2008 9:49 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Mish, There are some medications that I take at night to help with side effects; this was after I spoke with my doc to make sure it's okay to take them at night rather than the day time.  I would recommend that you just give a shout to your doc to make sure it's okay to give it a try to see what happens.  It will also be good for your doc to know that you are experiencing these problems.  Your doc may not want you to continue on this med or just may want you to try taking it at night to see how things go.  Let us know how you make out with this. Take care, Wen
Posted 3/30/2008 10:21 AM (GMT -7)
Does Effexor really work that quick into your bloodstream ......unlike other AD's that can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to work
Just wondering am curious .........

I think if you are still experiencing all the probs you are do as Wen posted and confer with your doc ......
Keep us posted plz like I said I am curious
I dont take Ad's simply due to the fact I am on so many other meds for everything I already feel like a bleeding waking pharmacy everyday and it is getting to me ......
I know they do help many ..........LYN

**Also smart of you to research this  IMHO**

Posted 3/30/2008 10:56 AM (GMT -7)
Effexor does get into your bloodstream fast but it goes out as fast as well. That is why when taking the instant release, if you miss a dose you get dizzy. It can be a good medication for those who it works for. But like others it does take time for the full effects, 4 - 6 weeks.

I agree with the others, that you should call your doctor and let him know what is going on. It may be a side effect that will go away in a week or so. I hope that you can tolerate it, because for those who can, it can be a very good medication.

Good luck,
hugs, Karen
Posted 3/30/2008 1:17 PM (GMT -7)

You have received some very sound advise from the members.  2 days is a short time span and most people have some side effects for a bit.  I hope this med does work out for you.

Please let us know ow it is going for you.
Kitt

Posted 3/30/2008 6:18 PM (GMT -7)
thank you all for your replies.  i am going to stick it out a week and see if it goes away. today i took motrin cuz i had a headache and dizziness.  it went away and came back about 6 hrs later.  my md said i can take it at any time,  i guess i just have ti take the chance of going al lday without it until next night
Posted 3/30/2008 8:36 PM (GMT -7)
Oh Mish, I feel for you sweetie, I was sooo dizzy the first three days on Effexor that I fell off the treadmill at the gym (very embarrsing let me teel ya!)..I also had some nausea and stomach cramping which I hope doesn't happen for you.  The dizziness receded..but you are smart not to attempt driving..or operating anything that requires a lot of focus.

Take heart, it does get better and I was back to normal within two weeks and I haven't fallen off a treadmill since lol!!! Keep us posted with your side effects and succesess Mish xxxx

Posted 3/31/2008 4:53 AM (GMT -7)
oh my- that's bad. yeah i think i will give it a week taking it in the morning and see how it goes. I am on day 3 today. i just dont want to be tired all day. i was tired all day yesterday and saturday after taking it at 8am. i went to bed at 9 last night. got up twice and then got up at 5 thins morning. i have fallen asleep twice since i got up and feel like i can crawl into bed. i am sared to take my next dose at 8 and go to work. i am 5 min from work so the ride is not bad-- just dealing with people while i am so tired and have these headaches. I think i am getting more panicky too about what time to take it. i am finding i am breathing harder then usual.

what time do you take yours? and how do you feel throughout the day?
Posted 4/6/2008 8:26 PM (GMT -7)
Hi there Mish. I have been taking Effexor XR for several months now...along with Klonopin. I am on 150 mg of the Effexor XR. At first, my doc had me taking it in the morning, but I found that shortly after taking it, I needed to go back to bed. I didn't need a nap, I needed to sleep. I would get up, take my medication, take my son to school, and sleep til I had to go get him. It wasn't a way to live. So, I talked to my doc about taking it at night, because I was not functioning. about a month or so ago, I started taking it before I go to bed, and I do find that I have MUCH more energy through the day. I still nap once in a while, but not everyday, and not all day. I will lay down for an hour or so in the afternoon if I am tired. But, I don't think that has anything to do with the Effexor, because people often take naps. So, you might want to talk to your doc about taking it at night, and try to relax, because you don't want more anxiety than you already have. Hope this helps! Wishing you the best!
Posted 4/6/2008 10:10 PM (GMT -7)
Mish, I took mine in the morning (100mg) with a little yoghurt (to ease those tummy cramps)..I didn't get headaches, but I was definately "on edge" waiting to see what happened next....which was nothing but cramps. Phew!!

If you feel the headaches and dizziness are too much, please go back to your doc, maybe you could lower the dose for a while..all the best of luck...I hope the panicky feeling moves away and that this med is the right one for you..please email me if you have any further stresses or worries xxxx 

Posted 4/7/2008 5:42 AM (GMT -7)
Good morning Mish,   Just checking in to see how you are doing with the Effexor XR.  Any changes in how you are feeling?  When you have a minute, let us know how things are going.   Take care, Wen
Posted 4/22/2008 7:53 PM (GMT -7)
thanks for checking on me.  i have been taking the effexor for about 3 weeks.  i have to say- thank goodness i did.  i have so much going on right now i would have lost it.  so far i am doing good. i f/u with my dr on tuesday- i think i may need higher dose to help my ocd, but i do feel more relaxed.  i have lost about 10 lbs already and it has seemed to help me with my eating disorder so far and control my emotional eating. i hope it continues to help that.

side effects- i just get some brain zaps once in a while.. and i feel like i hardly have emotions-- to feel sad. but i want to try it for longer and see if it changes.  it has helped my ibs a little too:-) i was tired and dizzy at first but it went away.  i am fine all day until about 8 pm- then i am ready for bed.

 

Posted 4/23/2008 6:43 AM (GMT -7)

mish,

I am glad you stuck it out and the side effects have pretty much wore off.  It is so hard to get onto  a new med as the side effects make you feel so awful sometimes that you cannot stick it out.

Keep us posted and glad your doing better.

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 4/23/2008 8:02 AM (GMT -7)
Mish,   I'm glad you are feeling better and stuck with it.  As others have said, it sometimes takes a while for the side effects to subside.  Keep posting and let us know how you're doing.   Take care, Wen
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