Anyone on Effexor?

gb2115

I have anxiety that used to be treated with Zoloft. I am untreated now but am thinking I really need to be back on something. I read that Effexor is ok with tamoxifen. I probably need to go talk with the doctor, but I have anxiety about it, lol.

InnaB2018

I am on Effexor. No anxiety, no depression. But i’ve gained 10lb

Spookiesmom

I was on it a few months for hot flashes. No problem, less flashing.

Capecodgirl

I was on Effexor for one month with tamoxifen. I noticed my hear raced wildly, even when I was sitting down resting. This was not constant, but probably happened 5 to 6 times per day. I also experienced the worst nausea I ever had. Took months for my appetite to come back, and even longer for me to be able to tolerate certain foods.

My onc said this combination was not good for me, and I discontinued the Effexor. FWIW I have not read of this happening to anyone else, so it probably was just a bad fit for me

DorothyB

Years ago I took Zoloft and Abilify. After I was diagnosed, I started having a lot more anxiety and started crying "for now reason" as it was about time to start radiation, etc. My PCP is also a breast cancer survivor. When I talked w/ her, she put me on Effexor (the generic). She prescribed one pill per day of the smallest dose (35 mg?), but I started w/ 1/2 pill per day and that is doing well for me. (I am not getting the XR and the pill is scored)

I'm also on tamoxifen which is known to cause weight gain, so my difficulty losing weight could be due to either of these. I am not gaining weight and am losing very slowly.

gb2115

I saw it referred to on the internet as "side-effexor." Kind of amusing.

Totallytubular

I am tapering down on Celexa and going to try Effexor for moods and hot flashes..

During menopause Celexa stopped being effective. I hope it works! anyone out there have

worse depression and anxiety after BC and menopause with arimidex? thanks, Mary

Cherryi3

Yes Tubular! Depression, anxiety, hot flashes and insomnia worsened on arimadex and now letrozole. Celexa 10 mg is the best thing to happen to me in years. I’ve lost 10 lbs, sleep through the night and wake up feeling like a million bucks. I wish I had done it years ago. Hope everyone on this thread finds what works best for them!

Jenkins00

I am waiting to hear back from PCP regarding my medications. I am currently on Lexapro and Busiprone. When I last saw her she said when I start the Letrozole if hot flashes were an issue which it is then we could try Effexor. I also feel my anxiety has gotten worse with the Letrozole. Mind racing and trouble focusing. Sleep is getting less and less too.

sweetp6217

I'm on effexor too for hot flashes. Works wonders for anxiety, etc. but works too well. I think I'm a slightly different person now. I sometimes have trouble getting to sleep too.

wallan

I too have worsening anxiety now. I take Effexor Xr 150 mg. I rarely get hot flashes, which is nice. I am on arimidex.

I think my anxiety is a form of PTSD. The second time I was diagnosed, I started getting panic attacks even before I took Arimidex. I was warned that Arimidex will make anxiety worse.

It has been 2 1/2 years now since I started Effexor and Arimidex and my anxiety has more or less stabilized until lately. I lost my big career job this summer - fired and its hinted at by my lawyer its likely due to breast cancer. Then the panic and anxiety spiked again.

I see the oncologist social worker and she told me panic attacks, and over the top anxiety is very common with breast cancer survivors because getting breast cancer is very traumatizing and this is not truly addressed or validated. So now, I feel stuck with an anxiety disorder and anytime I have major stress, I get panic attacks and crazy anxiety. Sigh.... I may need to up the dose of Effexor or maybe change to something else. Does Effexor not work after awhile?

wallan

LindsayJ

I'm only 33, was diagnosed w estrogen positive BC- after a double mastectomy and reconstruction I'm now taking tamoxifen and monthly lupron shot but getting TERRIBLE hot flashes. All throughout the day and at night. I wake up like clockwork every 2 hours, haven't slept through the night since starting these meds. I'm considering effexor to help, but nervous about potential side effects that would reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen. I will talk to my doctor but wanted to ask if effexor helped anyone else, or if you have other suggestions of herbal remedies I should talk to my Dr about. Thx!

Moderators

Hi Everyone, this is a great thread, and glad to read this conversation.

LindsayJ, Welcome to our community You may find some helpful pointers here: Treatments for Sleep Problems, Antidepressants and Ambien May Ease Sleep Problems. Definitely talk with your doctor, as you planned.

Jenkins00

I couldn't take it anymore and last Friday I was put on Gabapentin for hot flashes and to help me sleep. Apparently, Gabapentin can reduce hot flashes by 72%. I have to follow up with her tomorrow and discuss medications. I hate adding more medications but I was going crazy.