Efexor XL/venlafine

Hi folks,

I've been prescribed what's known over here as Efexor XL (venlaxafine)
75mg a day.

I've been told it's very popular and would take approx 5 weeks to take effect.
Well I've been taking them for approx 5 weeks now for stress, anxiety, depression etc.
Have any of you good folks heard or been prescribed Efexor, and if so did you feel a positive effect.

I'm really struggling just now (you'll recognize symptoms)
Horrendous tiredness, stressed out, very emotional, being afraid and no idea what I'm afraid of, trying not to cry.
No notion to go out......I've have'nt been out for about two weeks.
Though I must tell you I'm not curled up in the corner of my room. I keep trying to motivate myself to do "something" even it's it's only working on my computor and my web site.

I just don't have the fight or inner strength in me anymore to live this life as I used to. (I've always found life very difficult)

I was hoping the Efexor would help, but ther'e been no noticeable
change within in me.

All that sounds very negative, but I can still laugh and smile.



Cheers,
key.

Any comments would help me, but don't show sympathy or you'll have me crying my eyes out

[texasmamacita]

thekeytolife-i like your name.
has your pdoc dx as bp? or depressed?
i'm sorry your having such a frustrating time with your meds. a lot of it is trail and error. but if you have already given this med time to work and it's not, i would call your pdoc asap. if you are bp then you need a mood stabilizer as well. sometimes just having an ad will send you off in a manic/hypomanic mood, although it doesn't sound like your there either.
maybe it's just time to up the dose.
i was on that one for a while, but on others at the same time so i can't pinpoint any side effects.
wish i could help more, let us know what happens,keep posting.
take care,
tex

Hi texasmamacita (kinda like your name too)

My doc tells me he's reluctant to "label" me with any form of deppression (don't know if that's good or bad. lol), but he tells me I have a chemical deficiency in my brain. Duh

Anyway, apart from Effexor, I'm also taking Propranalol, plus tablets for blood pressure, and if things get really really bad the doc trusts me to have a supply of Chlordiazapoxide at hand.
I do take them, but only when I feel really bad.

I'll give you an example, I attended a counsellor for the first time in six years 2 weeks ago.
I got on very well with her, no problems with communication. She's there to help me and I was ok when I got back home.
However the next day I felt as if I'd been through a terrible trial or trauma, I only came out of it 5 days later. I took four chlordiazapoxide in those 5 days. (I'm quite pleased that I managed to keep it down to 4 x 10mgs)
It was awful, the after effects of that meeting.
Possibly it was because I was discussing things of old. ?

That's how my life has been, but normally if I go through a stressful time the after effects only last for one day...not five.


I could go on about this, but I'd bore you to death. lol


I hope all that makes some sort of sense to you, and thanks for replying.


key.

Hi key,

I would let your doctor know what you just told us. I just tried Zoloft and had to quit because it made me too ill. The prozac worked for me some, but it was a bit overwhelming at times. I think I'll go back on it though.

I tried welbutrin once to quit smoking and thought I was about ready to lose my mind on that medication. I had to stop taking it abruptly. I was following my daughter around the house crying and asking her why she hated me. She said "Mom, stop taking that pill "

Keep your doctor imformed. This type of medication can work great for one person and not at all for another.

They can also cause the depression to get worse when you first start taking them. Doctors should monitor you carefully when you first begin this type of medication.

Hang in there.

Hugs,
MG

[texasmamacita]

key, what are your other meds for? have you done a search on those and effexor to compare side effects and stuff?
is your pdoc saying you have a chemical imbalance?
my first pdoc didn't want to label me either, he said we'll know more when we know what works.
true........but you are the one in charge of your health and you deserve answers. it does sound like maybe you revisited some old stuff with your therapist, but keep going esp. if you like her.
i'm sorry you had such a bad time.
keep posting,let me know
hang in there,
tex