Increasing my dosage from 75 to 100 but worried about side effects

Treatment and medication
1

I've been on Effexor xl 75mg for 9 months, prior to that i was on 37.5 mg. I'm considering going up to 150mg as my mood fluctuates which i hate, very often i'm feeling ok then out of the blue i'm down in the dumps. At times i can't be bothered with people, many whom I like greatly. I can't seem to maintain a happy interested feeling. Any help would be appreciated.

thank-you

2

Hi

I've been taking 75mg twice a day for couple of years now and find it really does help to smooth out the mood swings. I was originally on venlafaxine and had a week when I couldn't get hold of it and reduced my dose to 75mg per day to eke it out. I got all sorts of symptoms after a couple of days, anxiety, insomnia and mood swings and these have only just stsrted to settle down again after a week on Effexor. It makes me anxious in case they decide to withdraw the drug altogether since it really does seem to work for me.

April

3

Hi, are you taking the XL, slow release? I've considered taking one at night and one in the morning rather than 150 in one dose. I'm wondering about additional side effects also.

4

Hi Robert,

Speaking form personal experience, I would say you should certainly consider increasing your dose, but I'd strongly recommend you go up by only 37.5mg initially, and continue increasing in 37.5mg increments with frequent reviews of your progress. I'm told the normal effective dose for anxiety is 225mg, per day, higher for depression, so you've a way to go and it does take time. i went from 150mg. per day to 225mg in one step - it was too much, it worsened my anxiety and after some considerable time with no improvement I've gone back down to 187.5mg, which after a couple of weeks to settle down is now proving much better.

Hoping things work out for you,

Mike

5

Robert. I agree with what Mike said. 2 years ago my Dr doubled my dose to 150 mg’s cause I thought 75mg’s wasnt working for me anymore. It screwed me up peetty bad and started me on a path of 2 diff AD’s. I’m now back on Effexor, 112 mg’s and I’m just starting to feel better. It does take time though!!!!!!

6

Hi Robert 

Did the Effexor 75mg help you and how long did it take to kick in? I'm struggling with anxiety and prozac made me worse so I'm now on Effexor for a week. I feel the extra anxiety at the moment but would love some positive feedback. Bianca 😊

7

Hi Bianca, yes going up to 75mg definitely helped me, I noticed many improvements as did others who knew I was on the meds. Hope this helps.

8

Thanks for the feedback Mike,this is what I've been looking for.

9

Hi Robert

I've isolated myself from my family similar to what you said.

I have no feelings for them which is upsetting me..

.(((sooo not like me)))

 I'm not sure if that's from the medication or the depression but I'm on a lot of medication.....

( sorry this is v. Long....)

I was on 37.5 xl veneflexine in the beginning  (18 months )and then went up to 75 (8 months) but i was struggling...

Under my GP's care...

I ended up having to leave my job (of 10 years that I loved)  due to stress and depression 

in tears all the time

so 2  years later

I'm still on 225xl veneflexine

Then added  100sertraline  this summer...

I was told this was due to being on such a low dose for so long..

10

How long did it take to start feeling better as I also take Valium when needed which I dislike. I see my specialist on Thursday😊

11

I've been on 75mg XL for 9 months but my doctor left it to me if I wanted to raise it to 150mg, I now have , 3 days now and having some minor side effects but I think it'll be worth it long term. I'd tried Sertraline but couldn't cope with the effects. It made me feel worse, I did try and stick it out for a while, just didn't suit me.

12

I'd say around 4 - 6 weeks and I noticed a big difference. The side effects settled down, especially the vivid dreams and I felt a lot calmer.

13

Hi Robert,

i have been on Effexsor for 2 months now. One month at 37.5 and just completed one month on 75 on Saturday. I am feeling 90% better. Just some falling asleep issues and very occasional a racing thought. Don’t need Klonopin at all anymore. My question is should I stay on the 75 for another month and give this  dose another 4-6 weeks to work completely or go up to 112. I hate the side effects going up a dose and the genetic test results said a lower dose was advised

14

Robert 

Did you struggle with increased anxiety the  few weeks? I'm just frightened it's not going to work and then have to start all over?

15

Hi Lynn 

Did you struggle with increased anxiety at first?

Bianca

16

Yes terrible anxiety. I took Klonopin which helped bring the anxiety and fear way down. I had a fear I wAs going to lose it in a store or around people. Stayed home a lot and worked in my garden. I was on sertraline for 23 years at 50mg and it worked great for me> in mid June it stopped working entirely. They raised up to 175 over the next 3 months and I go so much worse . I had to be weened off it and started Effexsor in late September. I was a basket case

17

So are you on the Effexor now? And how much 😊

18

I have been on 75 for one month. No anxiety anymore 90% better,might go up to 112. 

19

Thank you Lynn😊

I will soldier on and not feel so bad about taking the Valium whilst it kicks in. Have a fab day Bianca

20

Yes by all means take it. I take it when I need it still, especially to help me sleep.