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Effexor Xr Fatigue Resource
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Popular Questions
Does Venlor XR (generic of Effexor XR) help with chronic fatigue? Would it keep you awake if you take it at night?

SUTHHERN REDD replied: "That is something I would call and Pharmacist and ask them. I have taken Effexor XR and didn't have problems on it. If it's a side effect of beginning the medication then it will go away in a little time as the medication builds up to a regular level in your body which usually takes 4-6 weeks..... Calling and asking is your best bet because they would know exactly an answer for you... -- I hope this helps..."

How to distinguish between leukemia and Effexor XR side effects? I have several side effects of Effexor XR which coincide with symptoms of leukemia. Namely leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, headaches every day, fatigue and night sweats. Is there any way to know which is the culprit? I'm 27 and on birth control, so menopause isn't likely to be causing the headaches or night sweats. Serious replies only, please.

Emma replied: "I am currently on Effexor XR and suffered from headaches and night sweats for the first few months of taking it. I have also suffered from extreme fatigue since i began taking them 6 months ago. Leukocytsis and lymphadenopathy are infrequent side effects to the drug, which means approximately 1 in 100 people will suffer these effects. It is extremely likely that effexor is the cause and not leukemia. Although you should probably go to the doctor if these symptoms continue and try a different anti-depressant."

What happens if you drink alchohol while taking effexor xr? I told my gyno that I've been feeling fatigued and uninteredsted in my favourite activities since the birth of my baby a year ago. She prescribed me 37.5 mg of effexor xr. I like to drink a lot, how will alchohol interact with the drug?

katyzta replied: "This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy or cause blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. So, you can still drink, but I'd do it in moderation"

Julie replied: "It makes you a happier drunk. The bottle says not to do it, I know for sure. But try to find any drug that does ot have that on the label. There is no evidence that Effexor and alcohol creat any deadly cocktail if that is your worry. They affect different parts of your body. Alcohol causes more depression so there is one reason to not repeat the episode."

Doctor Chauhan replied: "You will have to choose one of the two - either continue with the alcohol and then some more (which has become a necessity of sorts in your depression), or you may like to follow the advise of your doctor and just take effexor sr for the control of depression. Try getting addicted to your child -spend more time with your child. Spend time in playing, teaching, training and building a strong realtionship with your baby. Take your baby out for excursions, fairs, games and things like that. This will cheer you as well as your baby."

Should I expect the same side effects from Prozac as I had with Effexor XR? I tried Effexor XR 75mg last year and it was a very bad experience. I had many side effects: constipation, fatigue, dizziness, sleepy all day long and you can say I was not functional. Anyway, I will start Prozac 20mg tomorrow and I wonder if I will have the same side effects or not. I heard that Prozac is not the same drug class as Effexor XR.

Candy replied: "You won't have the same side effects but you will have side effects."

Does it matter if Effexor XR is taken at night? Does the time of day this medication is taken have any effect on fatigue? My medication was was changed from Lexapro to Effexor and I just continued taking it at night but I find myself needing a nap at about 3pm. Have you noticed a change in your energy level when you take it in the morning? Thanks!

johny1punch replied: "take it when its most comfortable for you."

TweetyBird replied: "Generally, Effexor is prescribed for a daily dose (a.m.) or in two or three divided doses. Because one of the common adverse effects is somnolence (sleepiness), you may wish to take it in the morning since you have found that taking it at night causes somnolence the next day in the afternoon. Somnolence/drowsiness is a common adverse effect of many antidepressants and, if the med is taken at the right time of day, can help as a sleep aid. Check with your prescriber first but it should be fine to switch to mornings. Many people do this based on the effects of the med."

cactusjoe replied: "This med will make you feel fatigued,its a side effect.You may want to lower your dose.As far as the time you take it ,its in your system 24 hrs. anyway.I would talk to my Dr. before doing anything on changing dose.Go to Webmd.com and check the side effects of your drug,its probably going to make you feel fatigued no matter what and it may take a few days to get use to it and the fatigued feeling may go away."

foxiegixxergurl2004 replied: "Personally I take this medication in the AM and find that I am tired all day....constantly yawning and feeling lethargic. The yawning is a side effect as I believe is the fatigue. There is just no happy medium!"

Dovie replied: "You can take it at any time during the day, but it may keep you up at night."

Has anyone successfully gotten off Effexor XR? I will soon be celebrating by 6th year anniversary as an Effexor XR addict. What have I gained? Well, my panic attacks are gone. Other things I've gained: - 90 lbs - Chronic fatigue - My creativity is gone - My emotions are so detached from reality that I no longer can cry Even 24 hours off the stuff gives me brain zaps. I'm terrified. Can it be done? What's another drug to switch to that's not so mind altering that you feel like a zombie?

duececoupe replied: "Does your Doctor realize the problems you are haveing. I was just switched from Effexor to Lexapro. I haven't had any problems going off the Effexor but the Lexapro makes me feel dopey. I've split my strength in half and will see how it goes. I work off slow and had no trouble."

AdamKadmon replied: "I used to get 'brain zaps' too. It would feel like an electric current in my brain going off. I would also get 'skin zaps,' it felt like patches of my skin was actually crawling up my arms. I switched to Seroquel and have been on it ever since. Its great. I'm afraid you still won't want sex, but you WILL feel "normal." There's also, Wellbutrin, Prozac (yes, prozac), Zoloft and others that should do as well (if not better) than Effexor! Also, many medications are only 'good' for a few years before certain individuals have to 'trade-off.' Depends on the individual."

derek1079 replied: "I wish I could tell you what works. I was on Celexa, a cousin of Lexapro, and it helped the depression, but I gained a lot of weight and lost a lot of energy like you said. I haven't found anything else that works for the depression, but everyone is different; maybe your doctor can find something. Best to you."

nicole26 replied: "I got off effexor by dosing down on it while starting on lexapro. I had no problems doing it this way."

luvmypups replied: "Effexor screwed me UP. I actually became anorexic when I was on it and I was a total freak. I switched from effexor to lexapro which is amazing for my anxiety, but when I tried to go off it I had major withdraw symptoms. The good thing about lexapro is that there is a liquid that you can get prescribed and can taper VERY SLOWLY with the liquid. You can literally decrease your dose 1/2 a mg a time every couple weeks until you are down to nothing. If the effexor doesn't have a liquid form, you can ask your dr about going to Prosac for a few weeks. Prosac has a longer half life and is actually in your system longer than lexapro or effexor. So your body automatically "weans" itself off the prosac. It's crazy how addicting these meds are, but they really do work. Good luck. It's a hard road, but don't be discouraged if you have to take it INCREDIBLY slow or switch to Prosac first to get off. Seriously, if you go the route of tapering off take it very slow. Let your body get used to the smaller dosage for about 2 weeks or so before you decrease it again."

Ivy M replied: "I'm currently in the process of going off effexor and going back to zoloft. With any SSRI, it's not a good idea to just stop taking it cold turkey. I went off Celexa like that and it was bad. Brain zaps, crazy dreams, flu like symptoms, etc. Afterwards, my doctor gave me a stern lecture about why that was a very bad idea. Your brain needs time to slowly adjust to the change in chemicals . Just stopping throws it all off of whack. Just like you slowly increase the dosage of an anti-depressant, you have to slowly decrease. So, if you're at 150 mg, you go down to 75 mg and take that for a week or two, and then go down to 37.5. And you can discuss with your doctor going on another medication, so you can slowly transfer from one medication to another. For example, while I'm slowly decreasing the effexor, I'm slowly increasing the dosage for zoloft. So, when I decreased to 225 mg of effexor, I started taking 25mg of zoloft. Did that for two weeks, then went down to 150 mg of effexor and increased to 50 mg of Zoloft. So on and so forth. 2 weeks is the time period that works best for me, your experience may differ. Regardless if you're transferring over to another med or going off meds completely, your doctor should be able to assist you with the process. There are also resources online for dealing with the process of going off of an SSRI. Do a search and check them out."

chrissfife replied: "I'm experiencing the worst case of withdrawal symptoms from trying to come off Effexor. My doctor really nudged me to stay on it for months while I complained that it made it impossible for me to sleep. He can't perscribing different sleeping pills (I even started sleep walking on Ambien because he had to increase the dosage so much so that I could get any sleep at all. I finally changed doctors because even if it was helping with my depression, the not sleeping and sleeping pill side effects, etc. were sending me over the edge. Now I'm trying to change to a new prescription with a different doctor, Remeron, which seems to be ok, but I can't really tell because the withdrawal symptoms I'm experiencing from trying to get off of Effexor is horrific. Have you seen: or It is very expensive and hard to find, but I'm trying to take L-Glutathione. I also read that a big dose of Prozac has also been known to help which I'm going to discuss with my doctor this week. The "brain shiver" things are sooooooo horrible. I can't even explain how uncomfortable I feel because of this."

First Week of Effexor XR, Side Effects Already? Hey I just went on Effexor XR a week ago, I feel better but at the same time I feel like I have been slammed with the side effects. I have been constipated, yawning constantly all day, very very fatigue, dry mouth, and very suppressed appetite. I do feel better even though I was told it would be about 4 weeks till it kicked in. Has anyone else experienced the side affects early during their prescription?

Kate replied: "The side effects of SSRI/SNRI drugs kick in much sooner than the actual antidepressant effects do. You can start feeling the physical side effects (like the ones you were describing) within a day or two of starting the medication, while it usually takes between 2-4 weeks for your actual depression to be affected. This is because scientists aren't exactly sure HOW antidepressants work. They have their theories, one of which is the idea of neurogenesis, or the growth of new neurons in a specific part of the brain. In lab rats, the time it took for SSRI drugs to stimulate neurogenesis was about 2-4 weeks, the same time frame it takes for people to begin to feel the antidepressant effects of these drugs. Another theory is that they alter the way the brain absorbs serotonin and norepinepherin, which may not change right away. On the other hand, your body absorbs the drug right away, so you begin to feel the physical affects of the chemicals much sooner. These side effects usually go away within 1-2 weeks of being on the medication, or at least diminish in intensity, but some of them will persist for the entire time you're on the medication. When I was on Zoloft I had nausea that went away after about 2 weeks, but insomnia and sexual side effects that stayed with me the entire time I was on the medication. It just depends on how your body reacts."

linuxsuze replied: "I was on effexor for 3 months. I could check off a new side effect daily. I quit taking it because it gave me sever permanent nerve damage in my left ear."

Effexor XR changing dosage and time? I have been taking Effexor XR every morning at 9:30 am since June (37.5 mg for 1 week, then 75 mg/day for 20 days) for SA and depression. It hasn't been doing much for my anxiety, so my Doctor upped the dose to 150 mg/day. The problem is that, due to extreme fatigue, especially in the afternoon (i will fall asleep at 2pm every day), she recommended that I start taking it at 5:30 pm everyday and see if that helps. My question is: should I make both changes at once (increase to 150 mg and start taking it at night), or should I keep taking 75 mg for a couple days until I get used to taking it at night? I have a bunch of 75's left so it's not a problem. I forgot to ask my Doctor this question, otherwise I would have. Please, no med- or effexor-bashing.

Atul77 replied: "You should make both changes in one go."

Effexor XR Withdrawl? A friend of mine was experiencing dizziness randomly one morning with loss of coordination wasn't able to walk in a straight line and was losing balance and ended up being sent home the same friend informed me that they were taking effexor XR and had taken their usual dose the night before they had been on the pill for almost 3 weeks at that time the same friend was then by their doctor told to stop the drug and has stopped cold turkey I am posting this because I'm concerned the friend advised me of apparent withdrawl patients get and after stopping cold turkey for a few days she still experiences lightheadedness, SLIGHT loss of balance, occasionally, headaches and nausea as well as fatigue and increased irritability (she also told me her dreams are of unusual content and include people she knows but aren't nightmares) anyway I'm wondering could all her symptoms be of this drug even though she wasn't on it for that long and could the symptoms have occurred that randomly after almost three weeks? and as a concerned friend what should I tell her to do? p.s her docor never discussed side effects or withdrawl symptoms with her doctor* sorry had a typo above just for clarification the friend experiences the minor loss of balanca occasionally not occasional headaches the headaches occur daily since the morning she first experienced dizziness (the first day of her stopping cold turkey)

poohbear doesn't give a F**K replied: "She could absolutely be suffering from withdrawl!!! Some anti anxiety/depressants only take about a week to kick in on certain individuals. All drugs have side effects. Her Dr. should have spoke w/her about them, but she also should have expected, depending on her age. anti anxiety/depressants can be absolute hell to come off of! all kinds of side effects that last about two weeks...sometimes longer. They are not like coming off of a narcotic or anything, due to the fact that you do not crave the drug. You just feel like absolute garbage. It's horrible! But she will be ok. give it time. The side effects of coming off of an anti anxiety/depressants are only intense for so long. it gets easier..."

darling replied: "Yes Effexor XR is a drug that you cannot stop cold turkey, when you start the medication you are titrated up and when you quit you should be titrated down. When you are taking this drug and you miss your dosage, you get what is called "Effexor flu" . Symptoms are similar to the regular flu, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headache, weak, tired, etc.... your friend should call her doctor and explain the symptoms she is having, Even though she was not on it very long, you still experience withdrawl when stopping it abruptly... good luck and stay healthy!"

detlef.schtraka replied: "Never quit cold turkey! WITHDRAWING SAFELY WITHDRAWING FROM PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS MEDICATIONS. DIFFICULTY STOPPING PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS. See sections 1, and the antidepressant websites, and read section 2, at ezy-build* (my standard post follows): See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as the supplements: Inositol, or SAMe, or herbal remedies, like St. John's wort. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even weeks to begin becoming effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. Print/refer her. I'd go back on 1/2 dose, for 3 weeks, then begin tapering off, with medical advice."

TRACE replied: "I have heard nothing good about Effexor. Bad withdrawl seems to be pretty common. I refused to take the crap. Hope your friend gets better quick."

I am slowly weaning myself from Effexor XR? I started taking it every other day, then every two days and so on and am now taking it every fourth day. I feel awful on the third day!!! Dizziness and major fatigue! How long will these withdrawl symptoms last and should I just stop taking it all together since I'm waiting three days inbetween anyway?

KARA replied: "Listen to me I am a Doctor you can't do this alone contact your doctor he will help you..you are not a doctor my friend you must not do this without supervision love kara"

...hello? replied: "stick with the plan, you may want to stay at every four days for a few weeks. withdrawal symptoms are not good becareful"

michele replied: "Best to reduce by 37.5 mg weekly to avoid the symptoms you're now experiencing. Some folks have no trouble at all with discontinuing effexor. Others, such as yourself, experience the dizziness and fatigue. Rather than going with your every other day (or every fourth day) plan, how about just reduce by 37.5 mg each week until you are completely weaned? Hang in there, ~M~"

TeriR replied: "Are you doing this under your doctor's supervision? What dosage are your capsules? When tapering off this medication, most doctors will prescribe the lowest dosage capsules and help you taper down that way. It's usually not good or easy to just abruptly discontinue this type of medication. The sudden change in neurotransmitter levels can produce some nasty symptoms. Good luck."

CLICKHEREx replied: "Wrong way! See on page 2. Get a pill splitter, and check out the low strength liquid variety with your doctor. I would take 1 now, then see the doctor tomorrow, or ASAP (phone now) and take 1 every day until then."

phil replied: "you should have just started taking lower doses every day your bringing yourself off to fast"

striasl replied: "I strongly agree with the people who said 1) please do this with the guidance of your doctor and 2) get a pill splitter and take a (supervised) tapered dose every day. I have heard that effexor has some of the worst withdrawal effects, but it should be ok if you are tapered very slowly -- by your doctor. Good luck !"

gurlieak replied: "Please do this with your Physicians help. You can really get into long term withdrawl problems if you are not careful. Severe withdrawal symptoms can develop from patients on any level of dosage, so if you're taking a low dose don't think you're necessarily safe. Effexor withdrawal symptoms can easily last two months or more, and some people don't feel back to normal even after a year of discontinuation. Because effexor has a 'half-life' of about five hours, withdrawal symptoms can develop from missing only one dose. (The half-life refers to the amount of time it takes the body to metabolize one-half of the drug.) Five hours is a frighteningly short half-life for a drug of this nature. It almost guarantees problems. One Harvard study found 78% of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing effexor xr making it the only drug worse than paxil in this regard.... ... As withdrawal time increases, so does the frequency of the shocks, before they wane completely. At their peak, "brain shivers" have been associated with severe headaches. They may last for a period of several weeks after the last dose, but usually resolve completely within a month. However, the effect may only last a few days. There is hypothetical and anecdotal evidence that Omega 3 supplementation can be very helpful to alleviate the symptoms of brains shivers. Best of Luck!"

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