Effexor?

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Hi guys,

I would like your opinons on Effexor, do I understand correctly that there are different kinds?

How about blood pressure? Anybody with problems on the high side because of effexor?

I did Lexapro, hated it (nausea AND weight gain), can't afford weight gain, it disturbes me more than my depression, fat holds estrogen and I want to lose it!!. I don't want to be nauseous (had enough on my Lexapro trial for 2 months and during chemo....done with that)....

What to do? I am on Femara and concerned about negative interactions, prefering to just not take anything but supplements (Melatonin for sleep, working out to decrease anxiety)

Hanging in there.....

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Comments

  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited March 2009

    Hi - I was switched from Zoloft to Effexor last Nov.  The hardest thing for me was the weaning off period.  I've been fortunate that I haven't noticed any side effects, and I guess it's working.  Insomnia and hot flashes are still with me.  Ambien and Xanax with sleep issues.

    Good luck.  I guess we have to shop around to find what works best for us.

    Susan

  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2009

    Calico,

    Effexor really helped me get thru last year.  I had a single mast in Nov 07 with "immediate" reconstruction w/expander.  By January 08 my path reports, onco visits, etc. all had good news.  But instead of feeling better, I lost it.  Was crying for no reason, etc.  Saw my regular doc who said it was something similar to post partum syndrome or post-tramatic stress syndrome.  He said it didn't really matter what it was, but I was suffering.  Started the Effexor...slow at lower dose, then increased to 75mg.  He suggested I go up one more but by then I was feeling okay.  Not unusally happy, just kinda normal.  Don't know what I would have done without it.  Last September I decided I wanted to stop it and slowly, again, tried.  And couldn't.  So stayed on it till January.  I've been off it for about 6 weeks and am doing pretty good.  My doc told me that he saw no reason I couldn't stay on Effexor, but I  had problems with constipation that I really wanted to go away.  But that was the only side affect I had. It was kinda hard to go off it; but it was worth it in the long run.  Phyllis

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited March 2009

    My story is the same as PhyllisCC's.....

    Although I'm still on Effexor. It has helped me tremendously, I take 75mg....so a low dose. I hope to be on it for a year.

    ~* Good luck! *~

  • rferraris
    rferraris Member Posts: 191
    edited March 2009

    I've been on Effexor (75 mg) for 2 years now to help with the hot flashes from chemopause.  I thought I was ready to come off of it so my doctor reduced my dose and I didn't even make it a week.  The hot flashes started immediately and were rough!  The only negative that I've had with it is that if you miss a dose you are OK, miss 2 doses and you better watch out. You have to take it at the same time every day!  I was also on a sleep aid and weaned myself off of that last fall.  While I was going through tx I'd go days without sleeping.

  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited March 2009

    There are 2 types of Effexor: the immediate release (i.e. Effexor, generic venlafaxine), and the sustained release (i.e. Effexor XR, generic venlafaxine XR).

  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2009

    Woops... I forgot that, Leaf.  I was on the Effexor XR.  Phyllis

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

     I have been on low doses of effexor.  At higher doses effexor will inhibit orgasm.

  • shelloz1
    shelloz1 Member Posts: 405
    edited March 2009

    I started on Effexor XR about 2 weeks ago, was given 1/2 a 37.5,gm pill, and told to take that for a week and then start to take a whole one.  I have tried the whole one twice, both times I was naseous and very nervous and couldn't sleep.  Are these normal side affects of the pill?  Will it get better if I keep taking them, or should I change pills?  Can I take a sleeping pill to help?   I'm taking Effexor both for hot flushes and depression.

     Shelley

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited March 2009

    The first week I took effexor was 37.5mg and I was "spacey". Nervous and has mild..mild nausea. these are normal sideeffects and they completely went away.

  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited March 2009

    I tried Effexor. Went ramping up on the dose as my MD advised. Didn't feel squat. No improvement whatsoever. Gave it 12 weeks at full dosing. Went off it cold turkey rather than the slow weaning that is recommended and didn't have any problems doing so. It just didn't affect me one way or t'other.

    I think I've got a serotonin-resistant brain. Undecided

    Lisa

  • shelloz1
    shelloz1 Member Posts: 405
    edited March 2009

    Hi Lexislove,

    Thanks for letting me know that these are normal side affects.  Do you know if I can take a mild sedative with the pill, so that I can sleep through the night?

  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited March 2009

    I take my Effexor in the AM, so I'm ready for Xanax and/or Ambien by bedtime.

    Susan

  • tea42
    tea42 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    I had issues with blood pressure on effexor.  Was only on it about 3 months and had to quit. I haven't found anything that really helps with the hot flashesFrown
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited March 2009

    Thank you for all your responses, I will chat with my PCM this week.

    Tea,

    I take Turmeric and Fish Oil Omega 3 for hotflashes, it helps with the AI bone pain too!!

  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited March 2009

    My Onc. put me on Effexor 75mg for hot flashes (which had been with me about a year before dx.) They haven't completely disappeared but the amount and intensity have lowered significantly. The sleep I have in turn makes me very happy.

    Tried several antidepressents a few years back and did best with Wellbutrin. But then again, I didn't have bc so who knows if it would be any better for my mind now!

    Ellen

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited March 2009

    I have been taking 75 mg. of the generic Effexor (the one that is not extended release) since shortly after my BC diagnosis last September.   This drug helps tremendously with the hot flashes and the anxiety/depression I had after diagnosis.  Once my body adjusted to it, there were no noticeable side effects.  Sleep has also been a problem for me, and Lunesta or Ambien are pretty helpful.  Good luck with the Effexor if you do give it a try.  ~Bonnie 

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited March 2009

    Went on Effexor 8 months ago for hot flashes.  Wanted to go off so I quit cold turkey.  Had a few days of weird feelings in my head but that passed and now I am fine except the hot flashes are more intense without the effexor.  I was having constipation or so I thought from the effexor but it has not gotten any better in the 2 weeks I have been off. 

  • PugMum
    PugMum Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2009

    I was originally on Lexapro about 4 years ago for non-Cancer, garden variety anxiety. I found it was making me CRAVE alcohol. Now I love a good glass of wine, but this was really scaring me so I weaned myself off of it. The day after my 2nd mammo and ultrasound I called my internest and asked for something else. I was on 75mg. of Effexor for about 9 months. It really helped during the biopsy and treatment. I also have high blood pressure and it didn['t seem to affect it at all. I think the Femara I'm taking probably does ( and it is a SE ) but not enough to concern my phyisician. I tried to get off the Effexor and felt like absolute crap: brain zaps, hot flashes, irrational irritability. So I got back on it. Pronto. I'm on an even smaller dose, but may up it after my colposcopy on Wednesday! So, if it helps without too many side effects I'd stay on it. It does seem to help those lovely chemopause symptoms. Good Luck!

    Kathy

  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited March 2009

    I have been on Effexor for a few years prior to the breast cancer diagnosis.  Now that I'm on Tamoxifen, I think it has helped with the hot flashes since I don't have them too much. Sleep still eludes me, but it beats the anxiety I used to have.

  • shelloz1
    shelloz1 Member Posts: 405
    edited March 2009

    I'm having a horrible time with sleep, can I take a sleeping pill to help?  Is it better to take the Effexor at night or in the morning?  I tried to switch to 75mil but was having nausea, does it eventually go away?

  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited March 2009

    The FDA sends a monthly report and changed warnings for docitors I subscribe to it, this month they posted a few antideppresants just click on the link scroll down and get your info it will give you alot of insite to the med and mixing them with other meds.  Celexa was on there and that is what I'm on. 

    Sorry hhope your not sick of these they are from the FDA and there are 28 new ones and while looking I realized I'm on two of the changed warnings.  Please Read Import. 

    http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/jan09_quickview.htm

    These could explain some fevers, or what we may think are hot flashes.  I really hope your not sick of this information, but it's always good to know. 

    PN
    Dx 5/24/2007, ILC, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ [Edit] [Delete]

  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2009

    I took Effexor XR in the morning.  It never made me feel loopy or sleepy.  Occasionally took zolpidem (generic Ambien...sorta) to help me sleep.  Linda... give yourself some time.  My constipation slowly improved after I went off the Effexor, but it took over a month.  Hot flashes are back but only occasionally (never had them before my mast and I was post meno)  Snowy... I find your info quite helpful...I believe that the more info you have the better off.  Don't worry about about anyone getting sick of it. If they don't want to read it they can skip it.  Thanks.  Phyllis

  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited March 2009

    Hi Shelloz

    I have been taking Effexor XR 75 mg since Aug 08 for hotflashes.  It has worked great and has the added bonus of helping with aniexty and has also evened out my menopausal moods.  I take it in the a.m. with my Armidex.  I also take Immovane at night for sleep and have been for almost 3 years.

    All the best and I hope it works for you too!  I even got my mother who has been on HRT to get off that nasty crap and use Effexor, it has also worked for her too!

     Michele

  • DragonladyTina
    DragonladyTina Member Posts: 371
    edited March 2009

    I have been taking 37.5mg of effexor for about 6 months now to combat the side effects of menopause. It helped with that almost immediately although I did feel very dizzy and nauseous for the first three days or so, that passed pretty quickly. My hot flashes have decreased in intensity and the constant drenching sweats are greatly decreased too. I don't know if you can become immune to the effects after a while but lately I have been sweating again although not as bad as before, maybe I need to up the dosage. I am seeing my oncologist after Easter. I am pleased to report no other s/e from the med.

    Best wishes,

    Tina

  • Skye64
    Skye64 Member Posts: 109
    edited April 2009

    Can please someone tell me, when the Effexor is working. Right away after taking one pill or after days or weeks...????

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited April 2009

    Skye...

    See my post under Study Ovarian Supression

  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited April 2009

    Skye64 -- everyone is different as to how soon Effexor (or other anti-depr. meds) will kick in. I would swear that I felt a difference after I took the first dose, even though they say it takes a while. Effexor is supposed to kick in more quickly than some, so I would think you would notice something by at least a week. I still get hot flashes, but they are more like warm flushes -- I notice I'm warm but I don't have that "I need to strip all my clothes off right now and jump in a pool of ice water" like I did without the Effexor. Also, I noticed on another thread that you are taking it twice a day, which means you are not on the exteneded release formula. Do try to be consistent in taking in every 12 hours. And if it isn't working for you or you are getting side effects from it, talk to the doc about the ER. Some women have hated the regular and then done well with the ER. Others are fine with the regular. I'm not sure there's a generic for the low dose ER, so some insurance plans make you "fail" at the regular before trying the ER.

  • Skye64
    Skye64 Member Posts: 109
    edited April 2009

    thx a lot for your help. I could not take the Effexor the last days. I was so scared of the SE.

    Today, I am really so down, cause I do not sleep. I took a half pill with breakfast. Now I am sitting here, waiting for the SE. Seems I am a real sissy.

    I can not understand, why "they" cannot find anything against the hotflushes and sweating.The chills and the hotflushes are so mean...now every our. I am feeling like I am punished for anything.

  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 228
    edited April 2009
    Skye:  I haven't tried effexor but was prescribed pristiq, which is a newer antidepressant that is supposed to be similar to effexor but "better".  I took one pill around lunch and felt bad within an hour; I had a drugged feeling and didn't feel comfortable driving that day.  I still felt bad the next day.  For me, I believe the hot flashes are better.  It seems that my body doesn't need an antidepressant and reacts negatively.  I've always felt that the fewer drugs the better; hopefully, I can make it without more medication.  Having said that, I know that antidepressants work wonders for some.  You just have to decide what's best for you. 
  • Skye64
    Skye64 Member Posts: 109
    edited April 2009

    rayhope:

    I know, I do not need an antideppressant. Ok, sometimes I feel a little sad, or I am in a mood to cry. I think it is normal if you go to menopause. But when I can go running, I feel so good.

    Just hate the flushes and the sleeplessness. It is like a circle. Hard to break out.

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