Effexor?

mglee

I too was given Effexor when I started my rads in February. I was at 75 mg and have cut back to 1/2 pill - so ~18mg. I went off for a week and found deppression really set in. Could be that I had just finished my rads and going through post mortum depression like suggested above, but have miserable hot flashes without it. Today I have put myself back on. I see my Oncologist next week and will look for suggestions. My acupuncurist  gave me a treatment (which helped the sleeping) and gave me natural pills, they didn't help the hot flashes and the dreams were too vivid for me.

It is a merry go round, hot flashes- Effexor. Effexor - headaches, some nausea, can't sleep. Lunesta for the lack of sleep.... Lack of sleep - tough to work effectively at the office.... I'd like off the merry go round now.

sydpen2

Effexor has been wonderful for me.  Initially for hot flashes and the added bonus for my depression and moods.  It has been great for both.  I can't seem to do the generic version.  It didn't work.  But the  non generic is great.  Go figure....  I do everything else generic.....just not effexor.  I do not take the extended version.  If I don't take it though I get light headed until I get it back in me.  Then I am good to go again.

kimbly

I have been taking Effexor for about a year now with a month or so off in the middle, I tried to wean myself off but found out that was a bad idea.  I need it for both anxiety related issues and the hot flashes associated with chemopause and now surgical menopause ( had ovaries out a few weeks ago).  I also have xanax for night if I find I cannot sleep.  I was diagnosed in Nov of 2007 and not sure when I will feel I can go off these meds.

vision4utoo

I just began the Effexor XR two days ago. @ 75mgs  I had ugly reaction, shakes, dirreaha, nausea, felt loopy ~ I took at night and next morning still all those symptoms, had to leave work due to "loopy" drowsiness. So yesterday took only 37.5, sleepy but better ~ however, reading all the posts and withdrawal of coming off, I am not going to take at all.  I had already found a great Hot Flash treatment by accident, I switched vitamins!  I had been doing the Source of Life drink and wanted something easier to take in mornings, so I grabbed a new daily women's vitamin called Vitamin Code, Raw, made from raw ingredients.  I had noticed that I wasn't having any hot flashes, and I asked my what was different?  Those Vitamins! 

GratefulGal

rferraris 

Chemopause - I love it!!!

I too just started taking Effexor and I have to say, it has helped tremendously with the hot flashes. The sleeplessness - not so much.

Skye - I didn't feel I needed an antidepressant either - however, I did find that the hot flashes were horrendous and my onc suggested that I try it. I had to get past the possible side effects (everything has them) and try it. For me, it seems to be working right now. Good luck! 

Skye64

I am taking Effexor 18 mg once a day...I really helps me with my mood. I am still afraid taking more.....my hotflushes are still there like 30 a day...for sleeping I am taking now Ambien 5 mg..Now I can get a 5 to 6 our sleep during a night. I feel much better.

GratefulGal: How much Effexor are you taking?

vision4utoo

Stopped taking that - feel much better, couldn't get handle on SE's  ~ still no hotflashes I posted about previously ~ Yeah!  find vitamins a little pricey, but working and considering my love of coffee...working really well!  I prefer the most natural treatment without drugs if at all posible for me.

Has anyone tried the Mushroom compound? ( MD Anderson has done a huge study and found effective),,,?

GratefulGal

Skye64 -

I am taking 75 mg once a day. Boy, looking at your dosage, mine seems a bit high. I do know that when they started me on it, it was 37.5 mg once a day for two weeks. Apparently it was so that my body could acclamate to the drug gradually.

Skye64

I think 75 mg is the best dosage for the hotflushes. But I am afraid of taking it. I really do not want to depend on so much drugs. But now more SE from the Lupron shots kick in. My hip is hurting now. I have to move back to Germany in 3 weeks, and then I will try acupuncture for the hot flushes.

dreamwriter

I take 37.5 mg twice a day.  And it does help the flashes.... I wouldnt have noticed, but I didnt even have one today.