Experiencing nast side effects of Efexor (venalflaxin) - can anyone help

[Wills]

Hi,

Went onto Efexor yesterday. Have used it before and was fine however this time its made me feel incredibly "on-edge". I can't get hold of my gp to discuss whether or not these will be a short term thing or whether I should stop taking them. I feel really jittery, like I'm frightened and have not managed to sleep at all for the entire night last night. I'm now also feeling very spaced although this could be down to lack of sleep.

I'm very blue anyway (hence the pills) and now this additional confusion - can anyone help?

Wills, sorry you are feeling so low. No experience of Efexor so can't help on that score. Hopefully there'll be someone along shortly that is more use than me.

Wills sorry you are having such a tough time. Never taken Efexor I'm afraid, only a few others of the SSRIs. I know with the SSRIs anxiety is quite a common initial side effect.

I googled for info on efexor:-

www.smart-drugs.com/Inserts/insert-Effexor.htm

which would suggest that anxiety is quite a common side effect, and to consult the doctor if it was severe. which is not really that much help - sort of how long is a piece of string really.... i would be inclined to carry on with the tablets but try and get to see/talk to the doctors asap. are you in work atm - if so, sounds like you really should be off sick whilst dealing with this.

take care

Wills, I don't know anything about this particular ad but I did notice when I was researching the one I'm on that a lot of the SRRIs and SNRIs can cause agitation and insomnia. The spaced out feeling is also common in the first week or so. I'm sure someone else will be along soon who has first hand experience of this drug, I just wanted to let you know that we're out here listening to you. Hope someone else can be of more help than me.

Hi Wills, I changed to Effexor 2 months ago and felt just as you described for about the first 3 weeks. It does get better and I now feel like I have my head on again.

What dosage are you on? I started on 75mg but it was a totally inadequate dose for me and I had to see my GP after a week to get it increased to 150mg. I am now on 225mg (!) but it takes time for your body to react to the new drug so hang in there.

Have you any support? My parents in law came down and helped me during the first few weeks and that was invaluable. Otherwise you feel inadequate on top of feeling edgy and spaced.

I do feel for you. I know how terrible I felt - much worse than being depressed in a strange way but it will get beter youjust have to ride this part out. If I can help in any way please say.

Thinking of you xxx

Oh thank you thank you thank you. I've been under enormous stress recently and finally decided to approach my gp for a little extra help. I'm having a very tough time with my mother and am gradually starting to conclude that she is mentally not very well. (Still having problems saying it!). My brother has been sectioned before and was classified as emotionally stunted i.e. emotional age of 13 but actual age of 25. Mum always told me it was my step-father's family however with the help of my counsellor its slowly dawning on me how much like her he is. My mum is completely unable to relate to other people's feelings and absolutely has to be centre of attention at all times. My mum wants to control my children and I'm finally standing up to her but she counters this with a barrage of emotional blackmail that devastates me.

At the same time I've just returned to work. I work for an Investment Bank that was recently splashed across the tabloids for mistreating a woman on maternity leave and making her redundant. You'd think that they would be very cautious with me but no. They've handed my job to someone else, put me in a temporary one and keeping offering me seriously lower grade positions in the hope that I will ask for redundancy. I sent a letter to my boss pointing out that they are discriminating against me and of course have been hauled in front of hr and him to justify myself. I hate scenes and arguments. I proved many points but it hasn't stopped. I still don't have a decent job.

Sorry I've really prattled on haven't I? I have to say that the pills at the moment are making a bad situation feel more pressured. I'm about to go to bed and fingers crossed I get some sleep cos I really am knackered. I hope there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

By the way I have to be fairly squeaky clean at work so shouldn't really have contributed to Mumsnet but was feeling desperate. Really missing reading all the threads .

Umm can you drink alchol whilst on them? Also does it give you smelly breath?

no direct experience of efexor, but based on the other ssris I would say be very cautious about drinking whilst on them until you get an idea of whether they affect your alcohol tolerance or not. some people do find they get hammered quicker, others don't find they have much effect. also bear in mind that alcohol is a depressant anyway, so best to avoid drinking too excess anyway. i don't think anyone is quite sure how alcohol and ADs interact, tho I think regular heavy drinking would counteract the AD effects anyway.

Am sorry to hear about your situation at work, and with your mother. I would look at getting some independent advice about it - EOC, Citizen's Advice Bureau. Hope that the initial effects of the meds wear off.

in terms of breath, would say that the most probable reason for them affecting your breath would be if they made your mouth dry as a side effect - and the best thing to do for that would be to drink plenty of water - which is never really going to do you any harm anyway

Hi Wills, how are things today? I agree with MTS about the breath thing. I was very thirsty anyway so I didn't notice the breath thing. I would be very cautious about drinking alcohol while getting used to a new ad but my GP told me to live a little and try to enjoy life. He suggested something "clean" like a gin and tonic or a white wine.

Try not to beat yourself up. Your job situation sounds awful and you could do with someone to help you represent yourself at such meetings. Can HR or a union rep. help? I found having to 'fight' my corner totally exhausting and terribly unfair on top of everything else I was going through.

I really feel for you and wish I could do more but I'm in Devon and I don't think you're anywhere near me. Keep pedalling and posting !

PS I find getting some fresh air and exercise every day really helps, even if it is just going out for a short walk.

Hi Wills, just wondering how you were getting along today

Wills, I was on them for about a year 1999/2000. The side effects sound pretty 'normal' to me, and will die down after a while. When this happened to me on Prozac, my gp gave me betablockers too, which helped calm the panicky feelings.

Hi Wills,

Ditto Genghis! I also felt really panicky after taking them for the first couple of months. I also felt very nauseous and my appetite as gone down considerably (which is not a bad thing - I have lost 1 1/2 stone!)

Hope it all gets better.

Take care,

Jules x

Yes my appetite has gone which is nice since I've put a stone on in the last month and a half. My gp thought it was quite odd to hear of someone depressed and eating more. Life is sort of ok but I'm still finding little things "do me in". Do you know what I mean? For instance we took dd2 to get her first pair of shoes today and I whilst waiting for our turn I had a complete panic that the assistant my be crap or they might not have the right size or that simply we'd come to the wrong shop first. Its wonderful to find others. I feel like I must somehow stand out like a sore thumb. I feel very nervous of any "fights", I suppose because I'm fighting so to speak with my boss and my mother any more just seem too much so I'm incredibly nervous of upsetting anyone - almost demure which is not like me at all. Anyway waffling again. Thanks to all for being there.

hi wills. your gp is quite frankly an idiot. changed appetite is an indicator of depression, NOT solely reduced appetite. personally i find that if I am mildly down/anxious i comfort eat more, and it is only if I am more seriously down that I lose my appetite.

sorry you are having such a tough time with work and your mum atm. I think the problem with treading on eggshells in one area is that you subconsciously start doing it in other areas as well. it sounds like you could do with something relaxing for you - are you into exercise/gyms/jacuzzis at all

Excercising yes. But dh has been a darling today and taken dd1 swiming. Dd2 is in bed and finally I've got to get some time on the computer!

Hi Wills. Glad you can speak about how you are feeling. I cant really add much to all the great advice you've been given (so much wisdom on MN! ), but I definately overeat when Im depressed - comfort eating is so very common and I cant believe your Dr doesnt recognise this!! Could you speak to the CAB about work? Im sure there are employment specialists who will tell you where you stand. And I too would recommend you stay off alcohol, at least until your body has adjusted to the tablets. It's great your dh is so supportive. Wish there were more in the world like him!

Hi Wills, How is the Effexor going? Are things any better now?

Thanks for asking ghengis. The side effects have almost disappeared. I've lost my appetite which is wonderful and have lost 5 pounds which is even better. My mood however has not lifted. I'm still having really black moments where its difficult to see a way out of this. At these points I find it really difficult to even motivate myself to move - do you know what I mean? I can't see my mum changing her attitude and my work are now launching a new "attack" on me from a different angle. I've started going swiming in the hope that I can get a post swim high. It works for a few hours but that's it. I suppose I should open up more but I'm finding it difficult - I'm concerned that I will be seen as weak and stupid and simply feeling sorry for myself. Sorry to sound so down.

Hi Wills. I think that a week into the meds is probably too early to see much noticeable improvement, so hang in there, and hopeful in a week or two you will start to feel better. Please vent all you like - it's not a sign of weakness, and is what these threads are for. As for work - I think it is probably time for you to look at some legal advice - CAB or maybe Equal Opportunities Commission. Alternatively your household insurance policy may include some free legal advice. In terms of your appetite - make sure you eat regularly and keep your blood sugar up, as that will make you feel a bit better - rather than taking advantage of the opportunity for a crash diet, cut out junk but not the good stuff. Good going with the swimming - exercise really does help. As for your mum - I think I have seen previous threads by you on this, and do sympathise - all I can say is just try and avoid her as much as possible atm as when you are feeling low you aren't really going to want confrontation or to have to be assertive.

take care
x