Anxiety and Stress Forum - Effexor XR side effects

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Q: Effexor XR side effects

asked by: mom123 on January 9th, 2008

New User

After reading all of the posts above, I've started to feel a little better. I'm a 32 year-old female and have been stressed out for a long time. Besides being raised by a mom that worried all the time, I too, have worried about everything there is to worry about. I've tried to conquer it on my own, but lately it seems too overwhelming. I've talked to the doctor about taking anxiety medication. She prescribed me Effexor XR, but I felt really weak after the first dose and my heart started to race. It felt as if me heart was going to beat right out of my chest. The day after I took the first dose, I started to feel better, but still jittery. Does anyone recommend a more calming anxiety medication? Also- does anyone know anything about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fybromylgia? A lot of these stress symptoms seem to be listed under these illnesses, as well. I am just ready to feel better and don't know what to do. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

Replies(8)

CarolDiane

replied on January 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Talk to you doctor about the Effexor. And just because they are listed, does not necessarily mean you have them.

mom123

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

I have called the doc's office to see about getting the medicane switched. the nurse told me that those were defintely not good side effects and to not take another dose for now. The doctor was really good about asking me what I think I might want to take and -stupid me- I hadn't done my homework. I didn't know if anyone knew of a more calming med than effexor. I want to be able to deal with stress, not have that shaky feeling added to it. I've read a lot of forums after seeing the doctor and everyone seems to have a different opinion. I thought about asking for Prozac or Zoloft but I've heard some bad things about them, too. Not quite as many as some of the others, though. Any suggestions on what to ask for?

CarolDiane

replied on January 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

There are many drugs out there. I'm sure they will find one that works for you.

mom123

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

the problem is- she's giving me a choice of what I want to take- and I'm not sure what to ask for. Does Prozac have that jittery effect?

aidanspurs

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

You asked about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many people who have anxiety think they have this CFS (because of he similarity of the symptoms), but they don't. As I'm sure you're aware, anxiety can make you ridiculously tired. You've already said that you over-worry, so that is where all your problems are coming from.

Hope you feel better soon. Smile

CarolDiane

replied on January 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

This is your personal choice. I ca'nt tell you what to ask for. That would be like perscribing IMHO.

mom123

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

Thank you aidanspurs for your info. I do feel much better after reading a lot of the posts here. I hope the doc can prescribe a med that will work well for me. I am so tired of being stressed all the time. I also suffer from frequent severe headaches and have other pain including arm and shoulder pain.

raberware

replied on November 14th, 2008

New User

Heart related side effects

My cardiologist was not happy that I was on effexor XR even though my stress tests always were within normal range and I personally did not have any heart related side effects that I noticed. But I decided to get off it (never cold turkey this process!!!) for other reasons and have felt much better. My cardiologist is happier too!

IT does take 4 or more weeks for antidepressants to really start working, and that is true with any antidep. There are tons of them out there, just need to have a good relationship with your doctor and work together to find something that works for you. This takes time.

Good luck.

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