Topic: Anyone Had Good Results with Effexor?

Hi Karen,

THANK YOU so much for your input!  I am so glad to hear Effexor worked for you and you didn't suffer side effects-- that's very encouraging!  How long did it take for the Effexor to start working for you?  The NP said about 2-3 weeks, but I'm hoping for quicker results

And also, thank you so much for the Pink Ribbon Review website link!  What a great site and I'm looking forward to reading more on there. 

Hi Deb and thanks so much for your help!  I had almost forgotten that my NP did mention the nausea and she also told me to take it at night-- glad you reminded me and so glad to hear that works for you!  I never thought I'd look forward to taking a medicine, but I am so looking forward to getting rid of the night sweats!

Mary Jo

Hi Shrink and thanks very much for your input!  I am so glad to hear the Effexor has helped you a lot.  How long did you take it before you saw an improvement?

I really appreciate your info about psychotherapy.  Is a psychotherapist like a psychologist or a psychiatrist?  (I am trying to find out if my insurance will provide coverage and so far not found any info re: psychotherapists, only psychologists and psychiatrists.) And how many visits are normally required for some good results?

Again thanks and hugs!

Mary Jo

Thanks, Lisa--  I am glad to read about another big score for Effexor!  And I am so glad you are feeling great now and back to running!  As much as I detest taking medicine, I can't wait until I get this stuff in my system.  Hubby and I went hiking in the woods today, and normally I find such peace and joy there, but instead I felt like I was standing in the middle of the Wal-mart parking lot-- it was that exciting.  Now I really realize that I have a depression problem, though I don't think it's severe, it's definitely not the norm for me.  I could tolerate the hot flashes if I had to, but not the "down" and "apathy" feelings that I have had lately.  I haven't picked up my prescription yet at the pharmacy, but I believe I'm getting the generic-- hope it works but if not, I'll know to ask for the brand name in the xr.

Thanks again Lisa! (I love your signature line)

Mary Jo

I have been taking Effexor xr for a few months now and it does work well. I didn't really think I was depressed but instead described my symptoms as racing thoughts and not being able to sleep. The effexor helped alot.  It does take a few weeks to work.  I just started on the tamoxifen so perhaps the reason I am not experiencing hot flashes or night sweats is because I am already on effexor? 

Good luck with all of this!!!!  

i took effexor, among many other anti-depressants. it helped for awhile. the key is to take it regular, same time everyday and give it 4-6 weeks to feel the benifits. if i missed one day or even took it more than 8hrs different than normal, i felt the difference. good luck and if it dosent help, there are many others!! the bad part is the time it take to see if it is really going to work.

dawn

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Mary Jo,

Your welcome.  I really do hope you find relief of your feelings with the effexor.  I know exactly what you mean, about not finding pleasure in things you normally did.  I was feeling just like that.  I also had no get up and go.  So a few weeks (it didn't take me long at all to feel the effects) on this drug and I felt like a totally different person.  Like I said the generic bothered my stomach terribly.  You could also ask your doc for some samples of the XR, mine gave me about 1 months worth!  People at work were telling me that I looked so happy, and had a glow.  That itself made me feel so much better.

Pick up your scrip and get started on it..let me know how you are doing.

I am glad you like my signature line.  The first part...worry is for shit...is what my "Baba" (grandmother) used to say. She was from the Ukraine, and she spoke very little English.  But that was her way of telling us not to worry about things.  I thought it was cute.  The second part is what one of my very dear g/f's kept telling me while I was going through my chemo.

I love your avatar..is that your grandson? I see your signature line..say's Mason's granny.

Take care, and let me know how you are doing.

xoxo

Lisa

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Hi Mary Jo,

I've been on Effexor XR since last fall, and I noticed an almost immediate difference in my mood - much better.  I was very emotional, the smallest things would stress me out and bother me etc.  I started at the 37.5 dose, I take it in the morning.  I started taking the 75 dose a couple of months later, as my onc. said I would get the added benefit of reducing the hot flashes/night sweats at the 75 dose - and he was right.  I could not believe how those horrible night sweats  ( and I mean dripping) were almost totally gone after I started the 75 g. dose.

I still feel like "me" only calmer and not as anxious.  I started feeling better almost immediately, even at the 37.5 dose - within 10 days of starting it.

Cindy,

I just wanted to chime in to tell you I still get the occasional hot flash during the day, but I have no intention to go higher on the Effexor XR than the 75 g. I'm on.  I have heard that taking 400 units of Vitamin E/day can help with the flashes.  I will ask my onc. about that at my 3 month check up.  I have read that that Vitamin E can cause blood thinning (I think), so that should be addressed as well.

It's always something, isn't it?

Caya