Kathy
05-20-2003, 04:04 PM
Hi Everyone!
My Doctor just gave me Effexor for hot flashes and night sweats because I am going off Premarin. He says it will get me off the Premarin and Zanax, which I have been taking 3 times a day for years.
Has anyone heard of the effects of Effexor for menopausal symptoms?
thanks and take good care.
kathy
My Doctor just gave me Effexor for hot flashes and night sweats because I am going off Premarin. He says it will get me off the Premarin and Zanax, which I have been taking 3 times a day for years.
Has anyone heard of the effects of Effexor for menopausal symptoms?
thanks and take good care.
kathy
Sponsor
chelespiglets
05-21-2003, 01:49 PM
Hi Kathy,
I have been on Effexor xr for over 3 months. I love it. I started out low and then went to 75mg, I went to doctor and she up'd it to 150mg once a day I started that yesturday. I have not had no side affects so far.
Yes I have read about effexor for hot flashes. I wish I could remember where I read it. But it has helped calm them down and it has done WONDERS for my moods. If you have anymore questions just ask me and I will try and help. :)
I will look for that article for you.
Here is there web sight if that helps.
www.effexor.com (http://www.effexor.com)
good luck
hugs Chele'
I have been on Effexor xr for over 3 months. I love it. I started out low and then went to 75mg, I went to doctor and she up'd it to 150mg once a day I started that yesturday. I have not had no side affects so far.
Yes I have read about effexor for hot flashes. I wish I could remember where I read it. But it has helped calm them down and it has done WONDERS for my moods. If you have anymore questions just ask me and I will try and help. :)
I will look for that article for you.
Here is there web sight if that helps.
www.effexor.com (http://www.effexor.com)
good luck
hugs Chele'
Kathy
05-21-2003, 03:17 PM
Thanks Chele'
It's always so interesting to hear what others go through, it helps so much to determine if your some what "normal", as if there is such a thing!
I just started the Effexor xr a couple of days ago, don't notice too much as far as side effects except that maybe I'm a little jittery. May have been a little jittery to begin with, I'm sure that's what my husband would tell you!
The hopes with the Effexor is to get away from the Premarin and Zanax for anxiety, which I have since found out is a common symptom of meno anyway. Gosh, who's to know?
Thank you again.
Kathy
It's always so interesting to hear what others go through, it helps so much to determine if your some what "normal", as if there is such a thing!
I just started the Effexor xr a couple of days ago, don't notice too much as far as side effects except that maybe I'm a little jittery. May have been a little jittery to begin with, I'm sure that's what my husband would tell you!
The hopes with the Effexor is to get away from the Premarin and Zanax for anxiety, which I have since found out is a common symptom of meno anyway. Gosh, who's to know?
Thank you again.
Kathy
Kathy
05-21-2003, 03:18 PM
Thanks Chele'
It's always so interesting to hear what others go through, it helps so much to determine if your some what "normal", as if there is such a thing!
I just started the Effexor xr a couple of days ago, don't notice too much as far as side effects except that maybe I'm a little jittery. May have been a little jittery to begin with, I'm sure that's what my husband would tell you!
The hopes with the Effexor is to get away from the Premarin and Zanax for anxiety, which I have since found out is a common symptom of meno anyway. Gosh, who's to know?
Thank you again.
Kathy
------------------
Kathy Crimmins
It's always so interesting to hear what others go through, it helps so much to determine if your some what "normal", as if there is such a thing!
I just started the Effexor xr a couple of days ago, don't notice too much as far as side effects except that maybe I'm a little jittery. May have been a little jittery to begin with, I'm sure that's what my husband would tell you!
The hopes with the Effexor is to get away from the Premarin and Zanax for anxiety, which I have since found out is a common symptom of meno anyway. Gosh, who's to know?
Thank you again.
Kathy
------------------
Kathy Crimmins
Karla
05-22-2003, 08:38 AM
I had no clue that effexor helped with metapause symptoms. I have been taking 75mg -300mg of effexor a day for depression. I had no idea my lack of metapause symtoms and the effexor could be related. I just thought I was a blessed individual with no symptoms. I am starting to lower my dose to eventually go off the effexor because I am no longer depressed. I will soon find out just how big a role effexor has played for me and my symptoms or lack thereof. I might not be so quick to go off of it now. Thanks for bringing up this topic. I learned alot.
Kathy
05-22-2003, 12:44 PM
Hi Karla,
I had no idea either! I don't have a problem with depression, however I do suffer with anxiety, I've heard can be closely related. The Effexor was prescribed to me strictly for hot flashes and night sweats. I've only taken it a few days and really know very little about it. Have you had any side effects or noticed anything that would help me know what to expect? Are you going off of it because your feeling better or is there another reason, it hasn't been harmful to you has it?
Thanks.
Kathy
I had no idea either! I don't have a problem with depression, however I do suffer with anxiety, I've heard can be closely related. The Effexor was prescribed to me strictly for hot flashes and night sweats. I've only taken it a few days and really know very little about it. Have you had any side effects or noticed anything that would help me know what to expect? Are you going off of it because your feeling better or is there another reason, it hasn't been harmful to you has it?
Thanks.
Kathy
jaykaybee
08-02-2004, 10:47 PM
I have been taking 37.5 mg effexor xl for night sweats. I take it every other day and it has been very effective without side effects. My doctor told me it is commonly used in place of H.R.T. for women who have had cancer. Six months and so far so good.
Hopefully
08-02-2004, 11:44 PM
My sister, who is experiencing perimenopause symptoms, is now taking Effexor 75mg. and doing wonderful. Her only symptom since starting Effexor is feeling tired...but she had that peri symptom before taking Effexor. I wish that I had listened to my doctor and taken Effexor back in 2002 instead of suffering through almost 2 years of anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. We didn't know back then that my symptoms stemmed from my hormones.
Hopefully
08-02-2004, 11:49 PM
Hi Kathy,
I have been on Effexor xr for over 3 months. I love it. I started out low and then went to 75mg, I went to doctor and she up'd it to 150mg once a day I started that yesturday. I have not had no side affects so far.
Yes I have read about effexor for hot flashes. I wish I could remember where I read it. But it has helped calm them down and it has done WONDERS for my moods. If you have anymore questions just ask me and I will try and help. :)
I will look for that article for you.
Here is there web sight if that helps.
www.effexor.com (http://www.effexor.com)
good luck
hugs Chele'
Chele' are you very pleased with Effexor? How has it helped your meno/peri symptoms? I'm presently taking Loestrin (bcp) and if my mood doesn't improve 100% in the next couple of weeks I'm seriously thinking about trying Effexor. I've been wondering if Effexor works like hormones in helping with perimenopausal symptoms. Does anyone know???
I have been on Effexor xr for over 3 months. I love it. I started out low and then went to 75mg, I went to doctor and she up'd it to 150mg once a day I started that yesturday. I have not had no side affects so far.
Yes I have read about effexor for hot flashes. I wish I could remember where I read it. But it has helped calm them down and it has done WONDERS for my moods. If you have anymore questions just ask me and I will try and help. :)
I will look for that article for you.
Here is there web sight if that helps.
www.effexor.com (http://www.effexor.com)
good luck
hugs Chele'
Chele' are you very pleased with Effexor? How has it helped your meno/peri symptoms? I'm presently taking Loestrin (bcp) and if my mood doesn't improve 100% in the next couple of weeks I'm seriously thinking about trying Effexor. I've been wondering if Effexor works like hormones in helping with perimenopausal symptoms. Does anyone know???
shirleykerley
08-04-2004, 03:23 AM
I took Effexor RX for very severe hot flashes for 4 months, but I took 300 mg. per day and they never went away completely until I took an herbal remedy along with it. Then, I started to get dizzy spells and had to tapper off the Effexor. Going off gave me worse dizzy spells. I tried Lexapro before the Effexor, which worked instantly, but diminished after 6 weeks. The larger dose I needed of Lexapro also gave me dizzy spells. I'm about to try Bellargel, which I know nothing about. If that doesn't work, I'll have to take some kind of hormone again. I was on estrogen for over 10 years, which is probably why my hot flashes are so severe - profuse sweating, nausea, racing heart - over a dozen times a day. I'm just about out of alternatives.
Hopefully
08-04-2004, 09:15 PM
I have been taking 37.5 mg effexor xl for night sweats. I take it every other day and it has been very effective without side effects. My doctor told me it is commonly used in place of H.R.T. for women who have had cancer. Six months and so far so good.
It is good to hear that you are doing so well on Effexor. On the days that you do not take the Effexor do you experience any dizziness?
It is good to hear that you are doing so well on Effexor. On the days that you do not take the Effexor do you experience any dizziness?
PattyPaul
08-06-2004, 01:21 PM
I thought Effexor was "the answer" for my hot flashes. I took it for a year and it did reduce my flashes by at least 80%. It was a welcome relief to be off Vivelle, a low dose estrogen/progestin patch which I used for a year but discontinued due to all the negative findings regarding HRT. I was doing well until my family doctor found nodules on my thyroid. After an ultra sound, I was diagnosed with "multi-nodular cystic goiter" with several small masses. I know that my thyroid was fine 2 years ago after a cat scan of my neck for dental purposes. Effexor states that in rare/infrequent cases, thyroid changes can happen. I don't think this is a coincidence and I am now tapering off Effexor (not a pleasant experience due to the side effects of withdrawal) and considering Menostar. This is a recently approved low, low dose of estrogen alone in a patch form. It is recommended for treatment of osteoporosis as well which I have the beginnings of. I just want to make people aware of the possible negative affects that Effexor may have on thyroid function. Good luck to all of us!
jaykaybee
08-08-2004, 09:33 PM
I have not experienced any dizziness when off the effexor. I also don't experience side affects from stopping the medication, aside from the return of hot flashes.
Prickly Pear
10-17-2004, 10:11 PM
Hi,
If Effexor doesnt' work, speak up and ask the doctor to switch. I have fibromyalgia and Effexor causes hot flashes and insomnia in me.
However, it does seem to help many women.
Linda
If Effexor doesnt' work, speak up and ask the doctor to switch. I have fibromyalgia and Effexor causes hot flashes and insomnia in me.
However, it does seem to help many women.
Linda
humanriff
10-18-2004, 12:51 PM
Hi Kathy.....i took effexor a few years back during the beginning of my peri ...and all i did was sleep 24.5 hrs a day!! and whatever you do DON'T take it and forget to eat asap, it will make the room spin for days on end! It did nothing for my peri at all but was givein to me for sever depression. I am now on paxil (40mg) and zanax (4.mg) a day and its great ...but i am experienceing a problem that someone might be able to help me with??? I have not had a period in almost three months but have felt as if i am ready to start constantly..i have lightly spotted but not even enough to wear a pad of any kind. Does anyone else feel bloated, gassy, retaining water, for such long periods of time...i even cramp..but not starting.. I have skipped periods before but its always an extra hard one the next month or two the next month, but i have not felt as if i am ready to start constantly ...and am payin a fortune in protection whenever i have to leave the house, just in case!...is there any way to find relief from some of this in any way?? my weight is slightly high do to the water retention but other wise staying about the same......any suggestions?? please help
thank You
a very miserable timid
thank You
a very miserable timid
humanriff
10-18-2004, 12:54 PM
oops i posted under my husbands name ....i am timid_little1
sorry about that ..thought i had signed in
sorry about that ..thought i had signed in
timid
10-18-2004, 12:58 PM
oops ...i forgot and posted under my husbands acct ....humanriff is his acct but it was my post ...sorry ladies ...its that forgetful thingie again :eek:
missy52
10-18-2004, 11:46 PM
Hi,
If Effexor doesnt' work, speak up and ask the doctor to switch. I have fibromyalgia and Effexor causes hot flashes and insomnia in me.
However, it does seem to help many women.
Linda
Hi I am a 52 year old Woman. I'm on Effexor for depression and have been on it for over a week it seems to make me more depressed and have MORE Anixety also I have more Hot flashes, insomina and night sweats. I don't know what to do. I feel so Hopless. :confused:
If Effexor doesnt' work, speak up and ask the doctor to switch. I have fibromyalgia and Effexor causes hot flashes and insomnia in me.
However, it does seem to help many women.
Linda
Hi I am a 52 year old Woman. I'm on Effexor for depression and have been on it for over a week it seems to make me more depressed and have MORE Anixety also I have more Hot flashes, insomina and night sweats. I don't know what to do. I feel so Hopless. :confused:
ainfante
10-20-2004, 09:13 PM
Hi I am a 52 year old Woman. I'm on Effexor for depression and have been on it for over a week it seems to make me more depressed and have MORE Anixety also I have more Hot flashes, insomina and night sweats. I don't know what to do. I feel so Hopless. :confused:
Hi Missy. U need to give anti-depressants at least 4-6 weeks to work. My advise to u is to communicate with ur doc and let him/her know that u r more anxious, increase in hot flashes, etc. She/he might want to switch u and not wait out the 4-6 week waiting period. Now some of this are just side effects and will go away the more you get use to the drug. But effexor might not be your way. Please communicate with ur doctor about this.
Andrea
Hi Missy. U need to give anti-depressants at least 4-6 weeks to work. My advise to u is to communicate with ur doc and let him/her know that u r more anxious, increase in hot flashes, etc. She/he might want to switch u and not wait out the 4-6 week waiting period. Now some of this are just side effects and will go away the more you get use to the drug. But effexor might not be your way. Please communicate with ur doctor about this.
Andrea
missy52
10-21-2004, 05:07 AM
Hi Missy. U need to give anti-depressants at least 4-6 weeks to work. My advise to u is to communicate with ur doc and let him/her know that u r more anxious, increase in hot flashes, etc. She/he might want to switch u and not wait out the 4-6 week waiting period. Now some of this are just side effects and will go away the more you get use to the drug. But effexor might not be your way. Please communicate with ur doctor about this.
Andrea :yawn: Another sleepless night. Hi Andrea. Thanks for responding back to me. I went to see my doctor yesterday and he wants me to stay on the effexor he also gave me a perscription for Lorazepam for my anixety. I start seeing a counsler today .My doctor thinks this will help. So going to give it a try and hope that it does.
Andrea :yawn: Another sleepless night. Hi Andrea. Thanks for responding back to me. I went to see my doctor yesterday and he wants me to stay on the effexor he also gave me a perscription for Lorazepam for my anixety. I start seeing a counsler today .My doctor thinks this will help. So going to give it a try and hope that it does.
molly123
10-21-2004, 01:30 PM
:yawn: Another sleepless night. Hi Andrea. Thanks for responding back to me. I went to see my doctor yesterday and he wants me to stay on the effexor he also gave me a perscription for Lorazepam for my anixety. I start seeing a counsler today .My doctor thinks this will help. So going to give it a try and hope that it does.
Hi Missy,
Sorry you had another sleepless night....this is another peri-meno symtpom. Hopefully, you will be able to sleep better soon. If the Effexor isn't helping you after another week or so and continues to make you feel worse, ask your dr. to put you on something else. Don't stick w/something just b/c your dr. said so - sometimes they don't know everything and only you know how you are feeling, and you can speak up.
I was first put on Wellbutrin XL and was on it for 9 days and I hated it, felt like a zoomie all day. I stopped w/o consulting my dr. even. Paxil CR was recommended by a women dr. who works w/my sister who also said Lorazepam was not for long-term use (very addicting). I asked my dr. to prescribe the Paxil CR and it worked immediately for me and I never had to take the Lorazepam. I am not pushing the Paxil CR - I'm just saying, you have to be proactive in helping yourself sometimes. My dr. asked if I wanted to see a someone too (psychologist) but I said no b/c I was already sick and tired of going to all these drs. plus and I know it wasn't all in my head and if I was depressed it was b/c I was tired of not feeling right.
Hang in there....keep us posted on how you're doing!
molly :wave:
Hi Missy,
Sorry you had another sleepless night....this is another peri-meno symtpom. Hopefully, you will be able to sleep better soon. If the Effexor isn't helping you after another week or so and continues to make you feel worse, ask your dr. to put you on something else. Don't stick w/something just b/c your dr. said so - sometimes they don't know everything and only you know how you are feeling, and you can speak up.
I was first put on Wellbutrin XL and was on it for 9 days and I hated it, felt like a zoomie all day. I stopped w/o consulting my dr. even. Paxil CR was recommended by a women dr. who works w/my sister who also said Lorazepam was not for long-term use (very addicting). I asked my dr. to prescribe the Paxil CR and it worked immediately for me and I never had to take the Lorazepam. I am not pushing the Paxil CR - I'm just saying, you have to be proactive in helping yourself sometimes. My dr. asked if I wanted to see a someone too (psychologist) but I said no b/c I was already sick and tired of going to all these drs. plus and I know it wasn't all in my head and if I was depressed it was b/c I was tired of not feeling right.
Hang in there....keep us posted on how you're doing!
molly :wave: