Effexor: Constant Head Rushes, Dizziness, Brain Zaps, Anger!

[WhenItsQuiet]

Hi all!

 

As of lately, I've been experiencing some fairly concerning side effects, and would appreciate any feedback/insight that anyone may have. I'll try to be as concise as possible, as to avoid confusion (as though mental health isn't a freaking never ending puzzle with a piece missing).

 

I currently take Effexor XR 75mg, usually around lunch time. In addition, the only medications I take are birth control (Tri-Sprintec), and the occasional GummyVite. I never miss my medication, nor screw them up. I've been on the birth control forevr, and on Effexor for about two months, since switching to it from Celexa.

 

For the first month and a half, I was living the good life, completely symptom free. Then, out of nowhere, I started getting these head rushes roughly every 2 minutes, for periods of hours at a time. The best way I can describe them is comparable to that slightly scary feeling you get when sitting upright too hastily after sleeping. It feels like a sudden rush of blood to my head, which almost propels me forward, and makes me hyper aware of my head for that second. This happens every few minutes..for a few hours..yeah, its quite the disturbance. With this, I also feel extremely dizzy.

 

In addition, I sometimes feel an intense jolt of anger for absolutely no reason. I tend to have fairly decent self-awareness, and try not to supress anything. I have never experienced anything like this prior to now. I will literally be having a wonderful day, and one second, I will become spontaneously raging, usually directed toward someone, like a co-worker, or boyfriend. Needless to say, this isn't exactly good for the whole "being a normal person" bit. Now, these little fits of rage last for roughly an hour, and dissipate with my efforts to think of positive things, or otherwise occupy myself.

 

Has anyone else ever experienced these types of symptoms? Perhaps on other medications?

 

Help! I'm going crazy here (hehe, see what I did there?)

[AnneMarie]

The zaps sound like what happens to many when they discontinue. I had them. They are awful. Are they worse right before you take your med again?

 

Not sure what to say about the rage other than it's a sign that the med is not the right one for you.

 

I'd definitely call you pdoc. You are reacting to the med in ways other than intended.

[bfff]

I have experienced that "rush" feeling when i have changed dosage of Effexor. It is different to the withdrawal "zaps" imo. It can be disturbing as it feels like something has been injected directly into your brain, somewhat similar to an intense come-up on Ecstasy. I used to stand at work staring off into space, barely able to move and it felt like I was going insane at that exact moment. This was a really scary side effect for me. My pdoc said it is nothing to worry about as it is only temporary. Easy for them to say!   Talk to your doc asap.

[Derek]

I can agree with the dizziness, I get that a lot on Effexor.  I'm fairly certain Effexor has some strange effect on blood pressure, cause mine changed after I started taking the drug.

 

Could also be completely unrelated to the medication, sometimes I worry too much about the meds as well. 

 

Only other thing that comes to mind is maybe you missed a dosage, but I saw you say you don't do that....

Edited May 10, 2013 by Derek

[Lookingfiranswers82]

I get these headrushes as well. I’ve been on the max dose of this drug for years now. I first noticed it was the drug cause the headrushes would always for sure happen 8-12 hours after missing a dose. But I also get them if anything stressful is on my mind or anything to do with confrontation. I’m tapering off the drug now cause while it’s not constant, it’s extremely unsettling. Gotta do what’s good for you, doctors weigh pros and cons on paper, only you know what you can handle and what is too much. 

[Blahblah]

On 6/1/2021 at 4:35 PM, Lookingfiranswers82 said:

I get these headrushes as well. I’ve been on the max dose of this drug for years now. I first noticed it was the drug cause the headrushes would always for sure happen 8-12 hours after missing a dose. But I also get them if anything stressful is on my mind or anything to do with confrontation. I’m tapering off the drug now cause while it’s not constant, it’s extremely unsettling. Gotta do what’s good for you, doctors weigh pros and cons on paper, only you know what you can handle and what is too much. 

When i changed doses, I had similar (not as pronounced...) but more like brain zaps i guess. I assume it is maybe due to the fact Effexor is works on adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline...? Can give a bit of an adrenaline rush which at times can be not so nice...