emmalyn Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 I've been on effexor xr for about a month now, and I've been at 150 for two weeks. I wouldn't say I'm a whole new person, but I am sure there's something going on. I've had a couple of people (who don't know I'm on meds) comment on how much more relaxed and happy I seem. One person said "Wow, classes are really agreeing with you!" Hehe. Internally I have more energy and feel smoother. I'm not walking around with a grin on my face, but I don't feel as stressed. Things don't seem as overwhelming or hard. I've had some nights where I've been giggly and goofy (my typical happy behavior), which my fiance noticed. I've been able to be more social with the people in my new classes than I thought I'd be able to. As for side-effects: no headaches for a while, sleep is slooooooooowly improving (due to reduced anxiety I'm thinking), though I'm still rotating between various helpers, appetite still reduced but with some odd candy/sugar cravings (I'm not a sweets person, so that's really odd), libido - not sure yet. I'd been fluctuating a lot before, so I need more time to evaluate. I've also been able to make some good progress in therapy, because, prior to effexor, some of the things we have been trying to talk about caused me to shut down or go into useless mental circles. I'm able to understand what she's saying better now, process it all, and actually follow through on her advice. I'm not quite there, but I am pleased about the direction. So, to everyone who's starting soon or started recently, good luck and I hope it has some of these good effects. I'm glad I started it. Robotlove, how are you doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 That's excellent. I'm glad to hear it's working out so well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotlove29 Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Emmalyn, I'm doing pretty well, thanks for asking! I'm also at 150, think I've been up there for only about 2 weeks as well. It was quite subtle at first but I think I really needed to be at 150 to get the appropriate effects. I notice I'm MUCH calmer in stressfull situations and not the typical worry wart I usually am. I still have some anxiety difficulties, but definitley much better than before. I also feel a lift in the depression as well. I'm like you, I'm not walking around smiling all the time, but I also don't spend the entire day utterly unreachable and praying to god for some relief... How is everyone else in the "new to Effexor club" doing?? Emmalyn, do you think you will stay at 150 for a while?..or do you plan on moving up anytime soon?? Glad to see you are feeling better too! B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacanuck Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Still waiting!!! Hopefully I can be full-fledged member soon...I'm glad it's working for you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalyn Posted October 17, 2005 Author Share Posted October 17, 2005 Robot - yup, planning on staying here @150 for at least another couple of weeks. I figure if I still feel close to what I feel now then, I'll probably go up to 225 to see if norepinephrine does the trick. You? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYPaintLady Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 I've been on effexor xr for about a month now, and I've been at 150 for two weeks. I wouldn't say I'm a whole new person, but I am sure there's something going on. I've had a couple of people (who don't know I'm on meds) comment on how much more relaxed and happy I seem. One person said "Wow, classes are really agreeing with you!" Hehe. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is wonderful news, for both of you Effexor newbies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotlove29 Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 Robot - yup, planning on staying here @150 for at least another couple of weeks. I figure if I still feel close to what I feel now then, I'll probably go up to 225 to see if norepinephrine does the trick. You? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I may want to eventuall go up to 225 for the norepinephrine, but I'm not sure my pdoc wants me to go up that high....in the beginning we couldn't figure out if GAD was my major problem and my depression was just a consequence of that or if it was the other way around. I think she wanted me on a lower dose because she thought the GAD was my dominant problem...but my therapist and I are thinking otherwise....I'll have to have them talk to each other I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 How is everyone else in the "new to Effexor club" doing?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So far so good. Still at 75 mg (I'm only on day 13). I have lost 2 lbs.... . A lot more relaxed, much less anxious, not having the lovely mood swings I was having. Interesting thing that is happening: I've been getting hot flashes lately. Dunno whether it's an Effexor side effect or whether it's due to perimenopause.... I don't recall the hot flashes happening before I started Effexor, but per my OB-GYN I am probably perimenopausal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 Im glad everyone seems to be doing so well with the Effexor. It's great when something works. Interesting thing that is happening: I've been getting hot flashes lately. Dunno whether it's an Effexor side effect or whether it's due to perimenopause.... I don't recall the hot flashes happening before I started Effexor, but per my OB-GYN I am probably perimenopausal. I had hot flashes alot. I would get so hot, then have trouble getting cooled down. It's gotten better since I quit the Effexor. Im only 27 and am not perimenopausal. My mil also had this problem, and has cut her Effexor dose down some, and is doing better with the hot flashes. Who know, for you maybe it could be a combination of the Effexor and possibly being perimenopausal. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYPaintLady Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 Interesting thing that is happening: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalyn Posted October 19, 2005 Author Share Posted October 19, 2005 It's so funny you guys are talking about hot flashes - I'm burning up this morning. I think it's just a coincidence though. I definitely am sweating more. Soooooooooo attractive. That's ok though, I'm down 7 lbs, so I'll take the trade. Robot - I am in the same boat (am I anxious b/c of the depression, or the other way around)...and I too feel it's the depression leading to the anxiety. I just was feeling like everything was so damn hard, and who wouldn't worry about that? Anyway, keep me posted if you do go up. I see my pdoc today, I doubt he's going to raise my dose. BTW - I haven't had to pay for this stuff yet (have been given lots of samples) - can anyone tell me if it's expensive? I have decent insurance now, and next month will have great insurance (BCBS), is it usually covered? Between therapy, pdoc and classes, I'm not sure I can handle another expense very easily. Shakti, I'm glad to hear it's having good effects for you already. There is so much negativity out there about this drug, but the more I actually talk to individuals about it, the more I'm finding it's really worked wonderfully for a lot of people. Not sure why the level of vitriole is so high. Some really bad reactions I guess. Thanks everyone for chiming in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Shakti, I'm glad to hear it's having good effects for you already. There is so much negativity out there about this drug, but the more I actually talk to individuals about it, the more I'm finding it's really worked wonderfully for a lot of people. Not sure why the level of vitriole is so high. Some really bad reactions I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYPaintLady Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Shakti, I'm glad to hear it's having good effects for you already. There is so much negativity out there about this drug, but the more I actually talk to individuals about it, the more I'm finding it's really worked wonderfully for a lot of people. Not sure why the level of vitriole is so high. Some really bad reactions I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Narcathex Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Congratulations of finding a funcitonal antidepressant. It's done the job for me as well. Just be careful about the sweating if you are taking certain other medications. Excessive sweating while on Lithium, for instance, can cause your blood level to rise to the point of toxicity. It's no fun to collapse and vomit while playing tennis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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