Effexor - not having a good time

Hi Emma,
Not so far, I’ve just finished my monthlies, normally around PMS moods would be a problem, I’m finding the effexor calming.
I’ve been on effexor since the 25th of January.
Motivation is a little down, so I push myself to get off my bottom, once I do, I can go like a train.

Effexor did take some time to get used to, felt a little surreal for a while.
Those things have settle now.
My Head is clearer.
I understand what you’re saying though; I’ve been on other anti D’s that gave me mood problems,
Sadness and feeling suicidal.

jen

Hi Jen,

How many other meds have you tried before Effexor? How long have you had MAV for?
Do you feel turned off emotionally on Effexor or just calm?

I’m increasing my dose tomorrow so I hope it goes well. Last time I increased the dose I felt terrible…

Emma

Hi,
My emotions don’t feel turned off, just relaxed.
I’ve had that turned off feeling on other meds, which eventually turned into feeling suicidal, possibly due to No sleep.
I had mav rocking for almost 16 years, and wasn’t diagnosed until 3 years ago.
Or though I’ve had Alice in wonderland syndrome and fading out under fluro lights all my life.

I’ve tried

Zoloft
Aropax (paxil)
Endep
Prothiadon (dothep)
Topamax
Verapamil, I was given to me for my tachycardia of AV node, which also works for mav.
Neurontin
Effexor.
Occasional valium. Which I save for my period time only .
Occasional xanax .

Hi Jenny,

Hope you are well. I wanted to ask you if you have had blurry vision on Effexor? I got blurred vision today :frowning: after increasing the dose 3 days ago…

Emma

Hi Emma,
Blurred vision and double vision was an every day thing for me with my migraine but it’s all but gone now on effexor.
sorry can’t be of any help there.

How’s it going are you noticing any changes yet?
the only thing I can say is stick it out if you can; the side effect for me now are minimal, motivation problems mostly.

all the best jen

Hi Jen,

It’s been three weeks tomorrow but I don’t feel that different…I woke up and had no blurry vision today so thats good.
Dr. Hain told me that 5% out of younger women are very sensitive to Effexor, but that he thought I should stick with it.

What are the motivation problems you are having? you feel tired?

Best,

Emma

Hi Emma,

When I first started effexor I felt pretty sleepy during the day that went away after a while.
It’s not tiredness as such, it’s just hard to get moving, I feel so relaxed most of the time, I feel I could easily just sit around and do nothing, Motivation.
I have to push myself to care about the dishes being done.

It’s strange this effexor, it seems to change slight side effect weekly for me.
One week I’ll be sleeping well, and then the next week I’ll have slight insomnia or vivid dreaming, then it settles again,

The thing is I’m not migraining like I did before, so it’s worth any slight side effect I’m having.
I’d say I’m about 90% better than I was.

I’m 46 this month so I’m not young Emma.
What dose are you on so far?
In my case it’s taken months to really feel the full change in my migraine cycle.

jen

Hi Scott,
I see you are no longer on the Effexor… my question is why you started at such a low dose 5mg? I saw another post from somebody who is also at a very low dose. Is it recommended for migraine dizzy related users to start at very low doses and work up? I apologize if I have missed this info elsewhere on this site.

I’ve been dizzy over two years now, follow the migraine diet the best I can, and avoid my known triggers. I recently decided to start trying medications to find something that might help me function more often than not. My medical provider, who is not a specialist of any sort, wants to start me on 37.5mg of Effexor, and then double that dose from there on after 7 days. I already went through a trial of prozac during my monthly cycle with no improvement and only unpleasant effects. I’m very nervous starting Effexor and I am wondering if I should jump right in at the prescribed dose, or should I discuss with my doctor about starting slower with smaller amounts?

Thanks.

Crystal

Hi Crystal,

I’m not Scott, but I can tell you that many of us are very med sensitive. By starting at a low dose and titrating up slowly, there is a better chance of avoiding or at least minimizing side effects. Often when a med is started at a higher dose, the side effects are so unpleasant the med is abandoned before it has a chance to work. If you tend to be prone to side effects, I recommend talking to your doctor about starting out slower with a smaller amount. It will take longer to titrate to a therapeutic dose, but it may increase your chances of sticking out the trial.

Good luck!

Marci

Hi Crystal,

I’m currently on Effexor but I’m taking a low dose. I been having a few of the side effetcs but it’s getting better.
Dr. Hain finds that starting at a 1/3 out of 37.5 mg is better the first week then 2/3 for another week then 1 capsule thereafter.
I felt really weird on a 1/3 so I started on a 1/4 in the beginning. I think it will take me another month to get up to 37.5 mg. I’m taking it slow…

I hope you can work it out with your doctor.

Best,

Emma

I know this is a really old post, but did you ever get an answer on some of your other symptoms? Specifically, the inner vibrations? I’m also having this bizarre symptom and curious to know if you ever learned what it was. Thanks in advance!

Hey Scott which brand/one/dose did you find helpful? Thanks!