1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Venlafaxine

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

Posted , 9 users are following.

R0bert
R0bert

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

1 like, 29 replies

29 Replies

Next
  • AprilTruscottSm
    AprilTruscottSm R0bert

    Posted

    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

    • R0bert
      R0bert AprilTruscottSm

      Posted

      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.

  • mike60339
    mike60339 R0bert

    Posted

    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

    • R0bert
      R0bert mike60339

      Posted

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

  • john059
    john059 R0bert

    Posted

    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!!!!!!
  • bianca1966
    bianca1966 R0bert

    Posted

    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 😊

    • R0bert
      R0bert bianca1966

      Posted

      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.
    • bianca1966
      bianca1966

      Posted

      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😊

    • R0bert
      R0bert bianca1966

      Posted

      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.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 R0bert

      Posted

      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

    • bianca1966
      bianca1966

      Posted

      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?

    • bianca1966
      bianca1966 lynn67615

      Posted

      Hi Lynn 

      Did you struggle with increased anxiety at first?

      Bianca

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 bianca1966

      Posted

      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

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 bianca1966

      Posted

      I have been on 75 for one month. No anxiety anymore 90% better,might go up to 112. 
    • bianca1966
      bianca1966 lynn67615

      Posted

      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

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 bianca1966

      Posted

      Yes by all means take it. I take it when I need it still, especially to help me sleep.
    • bianca1966
      bianca1966 lynn67615

      Posted

      Lynn, was your anxiety worse in the mornings? And if so did it subside? Mine is awful first thing and by afternoon it's not to bad.😊

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 bianca1966

      Posted

      How are you doing on effexsor now. I am upping my dose to 114.5 starting tomorrow. Have you raised your dose again
    • R0bert
      R0bert lynn67615

      Posted

      Hi Lynn, I doubled my dose from 75 to 150 and must be honest, I'm pleased how things are working out. I'm glad I made the choice to increase. Side effects haven't been too bad at all.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 R0bert

      Posted

      Robert thanks for responding, I am glad you are seeing improvement. I was on 37.5 for a month, then 75 for 6 weeks. I was still not 100%, so last Wednesday went up to 114.5. The side effects were a lot easier to handle with this rise in dose. It’s only been 5 days but already I don’t need a Klonopin to sleep at night. I am going to give this level a trial before I go up to 150. The doctor didn’t mind if I went straight up to 150 from 75, but I was too nervous. Keep me informed of your progress must people disappear when they improve.
    • R0bert
      R0bert lynn67615

      Posted

      Hi Lynn, I too was apprehensive about going up from 75 to 150, I'm pleased I made the correct decision. It's 17 days since I increased, side effects were nothing like as bad as I'd read, the longest lasting side effect is broken sleep but I feel that is also settling down. I also meditate daily which is a great help.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 R0bert

      Posted

      Did you ever get intrusive thoughts with your anxiety 
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.