anyone using effexor?

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cloet1
cloet1 Member Posts: 19
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
I have just started using effexor for hot flashes and mild depression/axiety. I have never used any antidepressents before. I've been on a 37 mg dose for a week and while the frequency of the hot flashes are about the same, the severity has lessened so that is good. However, I still feel down and anxious, maybe a little more so than before. The internet is full of horror stories about the side effects of effexor and I was wondering if any of you had experience with it. At this point I'm not sure I want to continue with it and would appreciate any feedback, hopefully something positive.
thanks so much.
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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited August 2007
    I had a great experience on effexor. It took care of my anxiety issues and when i was ready to go off of it after a yeaar, i did so under a doctor's supervision and had no problems at all.

    It takes a few weeks to feel an effect. Also, 37 mg is considered a sub-clinical dose, although it worked great for me. I think you should give it a few more weeks and considre talking to your doc about upping the dose. Don't be afraid of it. if it helps you, that would be great and if it doesn't, it won't harm you for trying.
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2007

    I can ditto the above.

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  • Peaches70
    Peaches70 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2007

    I've been on it since April. I started with the 37.5 then went to 75. The sole reason for taking it was to help with hot flashes. It did seem to cut the frequency and severity somewhat. The only side effect I have noticed is a little dry mouth and eyes. Now that we are in a heat wave, the hot flashes have increased, so I'm not sure if it was the Effexor that lessened them before or just coincidence. Anyway, I'm not planning on stopping unless the hot flashes greatly decrease from now. I can't imagine how bad they might be. BTW, the only other thing I have found that seems to help is cold packs applied to the back of my neck.

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  • HildaROTB
    HildaROTB Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2007
    I am looking at the sample box right now and I think i will give it a try. I am so tired, I have hot flashes all night and each time I wake up I feel angry. I finished my treatment for breast cancer 7 months ago. I had estrogen negative so I decided not to take Tamoxifen.
    The Doc gave me the Effexor then. I had been on HRT but had to go off cold turkey. I have been trying to live with it but...I'm going to try the Effexor now.

    What time of day is the best to take the effexor???

    Thanks ...I will keep you posted.
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2007

    I took it in the morning.

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  • Peaches70
    Peaches70 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2007

    I take it at night, hoping that I will sleep better that way.

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  • Poppy
    Poppy Member Posts: 405
    edited August 2007
    I take 50 mg a day and it works well. If I remember correctly it took awhile for it to kick in, but there have only been 2 times where my hot flashes overran the effexor. Must've just been something going on with my bod.
    Hope it kicks in fully soon, hot flashes are THE worst!!
    Hugs
    Erica
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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited August 2007
    Hi gals, depending on the person, anti-deps can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months to really kick in.

    Just a kinda slow process.

    Hugs, Shirlann
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  • Odalys
    Odalys Member Posts: 2,103
    edited August 2007

    I've been on it for a year now. It has given me better quality of life. I will continue on it as long as I can.

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  • cloet1
    cloet1 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2007
    thanks for the replys. I will stick with it and hopefully the lower dose will be enough. I've never taken long term medications before and it kind of scares me. The hot flashes seem a less intense so far but not gone. Right now it is more of an inconvenience and not the major event they were just a week ago.
    thanks
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited August 2007

    I started taking Effexor again last week - just 1/2 pill (37.5mg) and both DH and I think it is starting to make a difference. He thinks I am less irritable and that my mood is better. Hot flashes are less. I tried it in the fall after my ovaries were taken out (and after chemo and rads) and did not like the way it made me feel. Of course I did not read the directions and took it on an empty stomach the first day and was so sick and out of it. Not much better the next day, I tried if for another week or so then I just weaned my self off of it. I ususally have a high tolerance for meds - but for some reason I had trouble with the 75mg Effexor. BUT, the 1/2 dose is working well for now. If I need to I will increase to a full tablet, but I am going to stick with it as long as it is working. Good luck to you.

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  • Ka-Loni
    Ka-Loni Member Posts: 431
    edited August 2007
    Hi, I take 150 mg of effexor a day and feel fine. No side effects. I guess it just works differently on each person. I have only had positive signs. Good Luck.

    God Bless,
    Kaloni
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  • christineK
    christineK Member Posts: 1,265
    edited August 2007

    I love it and the dry sheets, finally. Good luck!

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  • HildaROTB
    HildaROTB Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2007
    Hello,

    I am on day 6th of the 37.5 effexor. A little nausea and sleepiness the first few days. I will start the 75 on Sunday. I will keep you posted. So far I wish I had started sooner. I resisted when the Doc gave me the meds....I hate taking anything but QOL is so important.
    Hilda
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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2007

    Thanks ladies for this thread. Dr. gave me script, which I filled, but then I read the possible SE's and never took pills. Your info has been helpful. After I finish treatment, I may decide to take. Right now, don't want to add another unknown into the pot.

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  • cloet1
    cloet1 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2007

    I've now been on the 37 mg dose for nearly 2 weeks and it seems to be helping but yesterday the hot flashes seem to be worse again so I am going to up the dose. The Dr. gave me a script for both dosages. I do feel better about things in general so I am glad I started them.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007

    I have been on Effexor 75mg for several years. Went on it about 2003 as I was having some real anxiety that I attributed to being off the hormone replacement therapy(which I stopped in 2002 due to the scare and now wonder if that caused my breast cancer). My quality of life has been great since being on Effexor. I have been on Arimidix since April and have no side effects from that either. Interesting...my breast surgeon told me that they found out that Effexor really does help with the hot flashes. I just know that I am able to handle life's difficult moments even better now that I have been on Effexor. Hope you all have good results from it as well!

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  • HildaROTB
    HildaROTB Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2007
    I have been on the effexor for 2 weeks now...one week at 37.5 and now 75. I am feeling fine...no side effects. It has started to help the night sweats...I will keep you posted.
    Hilda
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  • HildaROTB
    HildaROTB Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2007
    Well here I am with my report on the effexor XR....things are not so good.
    After the second week on the 75 I was not sleeping and felt wired all the time. Yesterday I called the doc and he brought me down to the 37.5 again.
    We will see..it may not be enough to help with the hot flashes...
    I will report the results in a few days.
    Hilda
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  • cloet1
    cloet1 Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2007

    I also upped my dose to 75 and at first was very wired and nervous but after a few more days I felt fine. No other side effects but I do yawn alot. I still have the hot flashes but I would say they are less often and less severe but none the less still occuring. I am pretty satisfied with the effexor at this point as it has relieved a good deal of my anxiety and some of the hot flashes. Good luck to you.

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  • HildaROTB
    HildaROTB Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2007

    This is my final report on the Effexor. I started the 37.5 then went to 75. The 75 helped the hot flashes but made me fell very wired, heart pounding and uncomfortable. The doc put me back down to the 37.5 but that made my face feel tight...hard to explain..almost gritting my teeth. It helped the night sweats but made the day flashes worse..... go figure. I only took it for reduction of hot flashes...I'm not depressed or anxious.

    I just stopped the 37.5 yesterday it was not worth it. I quess it is back to the hot flashes....

    Hilda

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  • Ka-Loni
    Ka-Loni Member Posts: 431
    edited September 2007

    Hi Cloet, Yes, maybe you just needed a stronger dose. I take 150 mg. for Anxiety/Depression. I get it bad sweetie. Some times it is

    very hard for me to get moving. 75 mg is good, and yes it does take a few weeks or so for it to get in your system. You will see good results I am sure. It is a very good anti-depressant. Good luck.

    God Bless,

    KaloniWink  

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