|
|
Post by **Angie** on Aug 15, 2016 13:57:07 GMT
***Update further down***
I started last Monday. Lowest dose.
First four days were absolutely wonderful. Is this what normal is supposed to feel like?
Forgot my dose on Friday, didn't realize it until Saturday night after a really shitty day (like my old days). No headaches, though. Set a reminder to take my pill.
Saturday night, the dreams started. Slightly odd but crystal clear. I dozed back off this morning after sending dh to work. Never, ever going to do that again!
The first dream wasn't too bad, I went to visit an estranged relative who shot at me (probably not too far from the truth!) and spent the dream trying to remember which flooring style to follow in a weird mall so I could find my mom.
The second? O.m.g. I dreamt our subdivision had been sold and our houses were being torn down or moved without our knowledge. The movers took the backside of our house off while I was sleeping, I woke up and couldn't find any of our belongings (except the dirty laundry) or our pets. I can still remember exactly what I was threatening the workers with if I didn't find them. Hot pokers, the drywall nails that spread out behind the wall as you hammer them in, the chains on the crane...
I woke up while yelling for our kitten to find her head butting me. I'm thinking naps are a no-go too... |
|
|
|
Post by jovifan on Aug 15, 2016 14:11:57 GMT
I took Effexor for several years. It worked well when I was on it but when I missed a dose I would have these brain zaps. Didn't like that.
I had horrible experiences coming off of this. It was even a regime my doctor gave me, to come off. For 6 weeks it was hell. I couldn't sleep, I paced inside my house. Felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I wanted to jump through windows. It was so odd and I was so thankful o had enough sense to not jump through any Windows.
I would ask if there was anything else you could be put on. There are tons of meds. Luckily for me I'm not taking anything anymore.
|
|
|
|
Post by not2peased on Aug 15, 2016 14:20:34 GMT
I took Effexor for several years. It worked well when I was on it but when I missed a dose I would have these brain zaps. Didn't like that. I had horrible experiences coming off of this. It was even a regime my doctor gave me, to come off. For 6 weeks it was hell. I couldn't sleep, I paced inside my house. Felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I wanted to jump through windows. It was so odd and I was so thankful o had enough sense to not jump through any Windows. I would ask if there was anything else you could be put on. There are tons of meds. Luckily for me I'm not taking anything anymore. just because you didnt like it, doesn't mean it's inappropriate for the OP telling her to ask her doctor if she can be put on something else, because you had a hard time weaning? when she said how great its been for her? very irresponsible! |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 5, 2024 16:02:44 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 14:26:49 GMT
I took Effexor for several years. It worked well when I was on it but when I missed a dose I would have these brain zaps. Didn't like that. I had horrible experiences coming off of this. It was even a regime my doctor gave me, to come off. For 6 weeks it was hell. I couldn't sleep, I paced inside my house. Felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I wanted to jump through windows. It was so odd and I was so thankful o had enough sense to not jump through any Windows. I would ask if there was anything else you could be put on. There are tons of meds. Luckily for me I'm not taking anything anymore. just because you didnt like it, doesn't mean it's inappropriate for the OP telling her to ask her doctor if she can be put on something else, because you had a hard time weaning? when she said how great its been for her? very irresponsible! Everyone has different body chemistry. I was on Effexor for years with great results and had no issues coming off of it. i would take it again without hesitation. |
|
|
|
Post by chirpingcricket on Aug 15, 2016 14:30:29 GMT
I had to look it up to see what Effexor was for -- it's an anti-depressant, right? I have never taken it, but I did take Chantix to quit smoking several years ago. Sounds like the two drugs work in similar ways. And! If vivid dreams are a side effect, then yep, been there, done that. I *loved* the vivid dreams. For six months, I got to visit my mother every night, and it was just like she was with me for real. There were other side effects -- seems like skipping a dose could mess with me, and there was a bit of nausea every morning when I took a pill. I definitely could deal with it, since the quitting smoking was so much more important.
I wish they would come up with a similar drug for weight loss. I would take it in a heartbeat and be happy to go to sleep at night!
|
|
|
|
Post by hollymolly on Aug 15, 2016 15:00:36 GMT
I took Effexor for several years. It worked well when I was on it but when I missed a dose I would have these brain zaps. Didn't like that. I had horrible experiences coming off of this. It was even a regime my doctor gave me, to come off. For 6 weeks it was hell. I couldn't sleep, I paced inside my house. Felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I wanted to jump through windows. It was so odd and I was so thankful o had enough sense to not jump through any Windows. I would ask if there was anything else you could be put on. There are tons of meds. Luckily for me I'm not taking anything anymore. just because you didnt like it, doesn't mean it's inappropriate for the OP telling her to ask her doctor if she can be put on something else, because you had a hard time weaning? when she said how great its been for her? very irresponsible! I had an even worse experience coming off of Effexor. Much worse. I talked about it a little bit in a previous thread. It worked great for me for a year, and I loved feeling normal for the first couple of months. But I couldn't miss a dose or the side effects would start. I had issues with my doctor's staff not calling in my refills in a timely manner, so I ran out one month and it took me 3 terrible, hellish days to get my meds. That's what convinced me to wean myself off, the possibility that I might have to wait on another refill and what might happen if I had to go cold turkey again. I know not everyone has problems weaning off, but it is well documented as occurring in a significant number of patients. I wish I had been warned early enough so that I could have switched before I was so dependent. I consider it a bad and dangerous drug, and wish I had never taken it. I don't think it's irresponsible to warn others, I think it's irresponsible not to. I'm not going to tell the OP to stop taking it, but I would definitely advise reading about Effexor withdrawal and then talking to her doctor. Some of the stories may seem like exaggerations because they are so extreme, but they aren't. It really is that bad for some people. I had a brain zap this morning, and it's been 6 1/2 years since my last dose. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 5, 2024 16:02:44 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 15:08:49 GMT
I agree with hollymolly I had horrible experiences with Effexor, and while I wouldn't tell someone to stop taking it, I would most definitely caution them to have an in-depth discussion with their doctor on the side effects. I sure wish someone would have warned me about how common the side effects and problems were. |
|
|
|
Post by Delta Dawn on Aug 15, 2016 15:09:21 GMT
The first year I was on Effexor I had no problems, excellent results, felt good etc. It *can* really work miracles for some people. My BFF takes it and it works wonderfully for her. I had minor brain zaps when I went off it but I won't tell you the rest. It was a good drug at the time for me. This might be a lifesaver for you, though. If you aren't trying to harm yourself and are happy on it AND getting good results stick with it. Lots of people love this drug. I was on an average dose then weaned down to a very low not very therapeutic dose and then quit taking it because of some side effects.
Just keep taking it. Don't forget to take it. Watch your mood just get better like you said it did. It *might* make you a happier person all around quickly as it doesn't take long to work!
|
|
|
|
Post by chichi on Aug 15, 2016 15:27:01 GMT
I took Effexor for about 4 months a few years ago
I learned that I could not skip a dose or I'd feel like I was just out of it..like I wouldn't be safe driving
I started having daily migraines
I had nightmares/ night terrors so bad that I was afraid to try to sleep
I decided the side effects weren't worth it
It took a long time to wean myself from the drug
During the weaning process, I experienced what some would call brain zaps. Like an electrical current suddenly plunged through your brain
I was on the drug for 4 months. It took about 4 months to wean myself from it.
I was starting to fear that my brain would not ever be normal again
I hear some people have a positive effect with Effexor.
I didn't.
|
|
anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,836
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
|
Post by anaterra on Aug 15, 2016 15:58:44 GMT
My husband n 18 yr old son are both on efffexor... i know my son has issues if he skips a dose... so he sets an alarm to wake up every morning to take it... even on weekends.. my hubs seems to be fine if he skips a dose... both of them are really happy to be on...
My daughter is on prozac... shes never said anything about any side effects..
|
|
|
|
Post by jovifan on Aug 15, 2016 17:22:12 GMT
When I read this thread my take was the OP wasn't sure if she would continue to take it, with the vivid, weird dreams she was having. So sharing my story was just to share my story. Obviously I know everyone reacts differently. I think if anyone was in my shoes those 6 weeks when I was coming off of it and experienced what I did, they would understand why I have the knee jerk reaction to want to stay far away. To have that bad insomnia and have to call into work sick, it affected me beyond what I thought was possible.
So my apologies. I didn't mean to come across as being mean. Im just saying there are so many other options that wouldn't give the OP the vivid dreams she was having, if she chose to not have them anymore. Good luck to you, OP
|
|
|
|
Post by hollymolly on Aug 15, 2016 17:47:47 GMT
When I read this thread my take was the OP wasn't sure if she would continue to take it, with the vivid, weird dreams she was having. So sharing my story was just to share my story. Obviously I know everyone reacts differently. I think if anyone was in my shoes those 6 weeks when I was coming off of it and experienced what I did, they would understand why I have the knee jerk reaction to want to stay far away. To have that bad insomnia and have to call into work sick, it affected me beyond what I thought was possible. So my apologies. I didn't mean to come across as being mean. Im just saying there are so many other options that wouldn't give the OP the vivid dreams she was having, if she chose to not have them anymore. Good luck to you, OP I understand 100%. I have a strong reaction too, a strong need to warn people, because it was so awful. I had already had to quit my job before I weaned myself off, but there's no way I could have worked while I was going through that. I could barely get out of bed. It was 3 months of hell. |
|
|
|
Post by **Angie** on Aug 15, 2016 18:51:39 GMT
Thanks for your replies everyone!!
I've read quite a bit about the side effects. In fact, I held out an extra month before starting them panicking over the side effects. But, my loveable "country" doctor says he would take it if he had the issues I was having. He hasn't steered me wrong yet. He started me out on the lowest dose there is and has me checking in with his office every Monday to keep him updated. Have I told you I love this man? He treats me like one of his kids.
I've tried other meds before - Prozac, Zoloft...one made me numb and the other made me give up on everything. With the Effexor(so far), I've been more awake than I have in years. I did math in my head and got it correct. I haven't been able to do that in a long time. I have a drive of sorts to be more healthy. I get sleepy about an hour after I take it and actually fall asleep when I go to bed. I've dreamt normally. I'm hoping the vivid dreams were just because I went back to sleep instead of staying up like I usually do.
My dh took Effexor for years, and stopped when it started to interfere with another required medicine. He knows what to watch for with behavior and such. And I've started keeping a journal of foods/activities/etc. so I can hopefully track things that might cause problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrappinmom3 on Aug 17, 2016 5:14:03 GMT
I have taken Effexor for 8 years. I was prescribed Effexor for panic attacks and severe anxiety. I do have very vivid dreams, but nothing creepy or scary. It works for me so I don't know if I will ever go off. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by missfrenchjessica on Aug 17, 2016 12:01:05 GMT
I have been taking Effexor now off and on for about 4 years. I was first put on it for my IBS. Apparently anti-anxiety meds help the gut-who knew?
It helped and the by-product was I felt ok mentally.
Then I went off of it on my own. I ran out of the Rx??? I can't remember. I just stopped taking it. I don't remember any bad side-effects.
Last winter, I was having a really hard time with my anxiety. It was crazy and over the top, verging on panic attacks. Talked to my doctor and she asked why I wasn't still taking the Effexor.
I've been on it since late December and I, thankfully, haven't experienced any of the side-effects others here have mentioned. Like all medications, how it interacts with your personal biology will be different which is why there are so many different types of meds for the same issues. We sometimes don't react well to med A, so we try med B.
OP, I hope Effexor keeps working well for you. Anxiety sucks!
|
|
