Effexor xr - Depression Message Board

cb999 · 01-15-2009, 05:24 PM

My doctor perscribed me 37.5mg of Effexor XR and it seems my symptoms are getting slightly worse.Ive been on it for nearly 2 weeks and I feel dizzy often, tired, have trouble sleeping, moody, and feel generally out of it. Is it possible I shouldn't be taking this drug? What happens if someone without depression takes it?

Seymour93 · 01-20-2009, 06:31 PM

My physician has a rule of thumb....when a patient has severe side effects early on, the ad should be changed. The side effects usually do not resolve in such cases.

Brando46 · 01-21-2009, 08:24 PM

I had side effects early on. It increased my anxiety quite a bit.
After sticking it out for 3-4 weeks, they got better.
I'm glad I stuck it out! The Effexor XR works good for me.
Seymour93, your Dr. is too impatient. You need to give it more time.
Your Dr. should read up more on these drugs.
I look at the side effects as a good sign that the drug is working.
It took 8 weeks for the Effexor XR to kick in.

iluvpizza · 01-22-2009, 03:41 PM

Hi CB999,

I've been on Effexor XR for 3 months.
My doctor's philosophy is to raise the dosage on this drug very, very slowly.
Let your doc know that you want to take as little of this drug as possible; just enough to get the desired effect from this medication.
The higher the dosage, the worse the side effects with this drug.
However, you just started with it. It took 9 weeks for it to relieve my depression. I would give it more time, if I were you.

Good Luck!

(No, it is not a side-effect of the drug; there really is a little yellow man waving at you)

Survivor3 · 01-22-2009, 06:42 PM

Read about Effexor withdrawal problems. Considering how often meds are changed because of tolerance and side effects-my two cents is to bail now. I was trapped on Effexor for 12 months and had horrible withdrawal symptoms.