Has anyone had this problem? :confused: I took my first dose today and it made me feel funny but I ate and felt better. But then I got a horrible migraine. Will it go away or not. I don't want to take another dose if i'm gonna have this problem continuesly (sp). Please help me cuz I can't handle feeling this way for much longer.
Thanks :)
Robin

Amazingly, Effexor is supposedly used to treat migraines. But I had an experience similar to yours. I started having terrible migraines at age of 5 and was so happy when they all but disappeared following a hysterectomy at age 40. Last year, at age 55, I started taking effexor. At first the migraines were weird mimics ... rushes and pulsations when leaning over, climbing stairs, moving too fast, etc ... but no pain! That eventually changed ... raging headaches from all the same old triggers. The bad news ... they did not go away after I stopped taking the effexor. Also, watch for itchiness and skin rashes, general inflammation (like arthritis,etc). You have to look really hard to find out about the side effects they claim are uncommon.

Robin,
Check on www.psychobabble.com if you don't get more replies and need advice on this. Those folks know all about all the various antidepressants and side effects, especially effexor. Lots of suicidal folks & serious conditions with loads of experience with these meds. Totally medication oriented discussion, very heavy traffic.

I didn't take the effexor today and called the doctor. He said to stop taking it for a couple of days then try again. He also suggested that I take it at a different time of day and make sure I eat with it. So I am going to try it tonight. I just hope it doesn't keep me up all night. I also was thinking of starting it on Saturday but I don't want to be sick on a weekend day. I would rather call into work :D than take up a weekend. Sounds horrible but I need to do laundry and clean. :(

Personally, I'd recommend half the dose if it's effecting you so strongly. Just empty half the little balls out & wrap in paper. You can buy empty capsules at the pharmacy. I don't know why docs always push high doses??? I guess they want to make sure it really knocks you out & works so you don't get apathetic and give up.

I am really worried about coming off the meds should I ask for a different drug? And do you think that it will effect my sleep tonight if I take it tonight? There are horrible stories about the discontinuation. I'm kinda scared :eek:

I'm glad I tried it and may again. It is nice to know that it's possible to exist without anxiety and feel normal. Then you decide if the side effects are worth the benefits. I still feel calmer 3 weeks after quitting (and still have a bit of the side effects/withdrawl like very minor brain zaps and sweating).

I actually almost enjoyed the withdrawls in a weird way. The worst horror stories are from people trying to quit cold turkey against doctor's orders. The best advice was to use Prozac to wean off since Prozac does not have a major discontinuation syndrome. I think people who do this come through almost painlessly in most cases.

The problem with prozac (I took Fluoxetine) is that with that too I had major migraines. I then went to Paxil CR and that made me emotionally numb. Not what I wanted. I just didn't want to be soo damn upset. So I stopped paxil cold turkey and got really weird problems. One it made me right side hurt my skin was very sensitive (I thought I had shingels since they are stressed induced) and DR said that it was probably due to the fact that I stopped taking paxil like I did and I got a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). I went back on paxil for about 3 weeks and was so tired I couldn't handle it and my UTI went away. I stopped again cold turkey and my UTI came back no other ill effects tho. the UTI could just be a coincidence tho. Then he put me on Effexor and my migraines are back (due to the meds) I didn't take any meds today and just had to take some advil cuz my head hurts again. So I will try tonight on the half dose like you said and see if that helps. Also, can I put it on some applesauce like I used to for my daughter when she first started her meds?
Thanks :)

Ack, I'm not a doctor but I don't think you can put the effexor in applesauce. I think it's supposed to be in a capsule. The little balls inside are time release mini-pills so DON'T chew them! Just set the loose leftovers aside wrapped in paper or something for now & use the remaining half in the pill. I'm not a doctor. I put the loose balls on the back of my tongue & swallowed with water once but heard it's really supposed to be in a capsule.

I don't know anything about migranes but it sounds like they will make effexor not an option for you also. Check with the folks at psychobabble, there are more antidepressant side effects experts there and they are very kind. Seems like wellbutrin (or maybe strattera though the side effects sound worse) would be worth a try. I didn't like wellbutrin but it was fairly harmless and easy to quit. Wellbutrin was energizing and a had a little impact on the depression, it just kept me awake like effexor. Helps some with ADD.