Effexor? Who takes this

my MO gave me a scrip for this because I was pushed into menopause by chemo and started experiencing hot flashes. Well I started reading about it and didn't think it was for me so I never told ok it....I do however,leave the window open now ....

Many women do take an SSRI for hot flash management. It is also an antidepressant. It is not prescribed typically at a therapeutic dose for depression. The usual dose starts at 37.5mg and increases until hot flashes resolve or are considered manageable. There are other meds out there for hot flashes --> gabapentin is another used for hot flash control however the med purpose is nerve pain. You can't just stop an SSRI - because there can be some intense withdrawls....stuff to consider. However many women have been using this med for years and it is effective for most...

I have been on this since 2009. before BC for hot flashes and depression. I can tell if I miss doses as my mood plummets. I dont know if I will ever be able to get off it. I am still depressed when on it.

I too started at 37.5mg. Brought my hot flashes down from 6/day to 1-2. It can have a reduced efficacy after a while. I recently went to 75mg due to increased hot flashes and signs of depression (unrelated stuff). My doctor did tell me that coming off of it is challenging and when the time comes we will work together.

LiMa66 - regarding your waking up at night. Have you tried taking your tamoxifen/AI in the morning? Long story but I discovered that aromasin was the driver to my insomnia and switching to morning corrected the problem.

What does "taking beads out" mean? I'm on 37.5 mg. Effexor, and probably will continue until my 10 years on anti-hormals is over in 2 1/2 years.

Thanks farmerlucy! Is this what the docs recommend?

gb, Effexor is actually known to cause weight loss. I've lost about 7 lbs after starting it.

I was on this for a few years and even though i was slowly weaned off, i had a month of flu symptoms. Never did get the weight loss.

And late on your dose? You feel ill. Worst AD and never again.

Took Effexor pre-cancer, for depression. Terrible side effects began as soon as my dose went above 75 mg. They continued as I sloooooowly weened off it (opening the capsules and removing 5 grains a day). About a year after I quit altogether, I was still having the brain zaps that people describe. It was about two years after quitting that all the unwanted side effects finally stopped for me.

In case people are wondering, the side effects included: dry mouth, anxiety, constant hunger/nausea with weight gain, night sweats, inability to orgasm, dizziness, "spider-vision" (saw weird squiggles at the edge of my field of vision), and the zaps that feel like you are getting electric shocks in your head.

I later described this experience to my primary care physician who said, "I'm going to put you down as 'allergic to Effexor.' " So I'm guessing I'm at the extreme end of intolerance.

I have been taking Effexor for nearly 9 years to offset SE from Arimidex. No real issues and helped a lot. I do have very wild and crazy dreams. My husband thinks I am a bit nuts because of it. I started with 37.5mg then up to 75mg. Was up to 150 at one point due to other stress in my life. Have been back to 75mg for a few years. Seems to be the right dose for me. I can't miss a dose or I feel bad overall. I am sure I will have to slowly withdraw as others have suggested. I once tried to reduce to 37.5mg, but went right back up after a couple days as my body didn't feel right.

Recently developed some mystery back and pelvic pains. My Oncologist is thinking it might be related to the Arimidex and asked me to stop cold turkey. I have been off for 9 days and have felt rotten. I have been having diarrhea, abdominal pain, achy, sleep issues, depression, you name it. I am hopeful that these will go away in time and then will consider tapering off Effexor.