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Switched from cit to Effexor and noticeable improvement that has plateaued - normal?

Posted , 5 users are following.

sweetmere
sweetmere

Hello all!

I switched cold turkey from citalopram 40mg (wasn't doing anything for me after 5 months) to Effexor 75 mg, under the supervision of my doctor.

I have barely noticed any side effects from Effexor, except I find myself waking up more at night. A bit more of an appetite too. With citalopram, I had every nasty side effect possible for months and my anxiety sky rocketed, my depression swallowed me up and I got no relief from that SSRI.

Since switching to Effexor just over a week ago, I honestly felt an improvement FAST. Less anxiety and overall uneasiness and more motivation. I was super excited thinking 'great! every day I am just going to keep getting better and better!'

But now I find the last 2 days I have felt depressed again and anxious, although still not as bad as when I was on citalopram.

I see my doctor in a week and had aready been planning on asking for an increase to 150mg.

I am wondering if anyone else had a similar experience, where they noticed a rapid improvement of symptoms and then a levelling out where symptoms seemed to return although a bit milder? What did you do?

Thanks everyone!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 sweetmere

    Posted

    Hi sweetmere,

    The same has happened to me! I'm starting 150 tomorrow and hope to see improvement. Like you cit did nothing for me apart from making me feel worse! I have been on 75 ven for six weeks and after success for the first four weeks it seems to not be as effective over the last two weeks.

    Hoping the increase will do the trick! Will let you know.

    Wishing you continued recovery ♥

  • sharon12462
    sharon12462 sweetmere

    Posted

    Hi I'm the same iv been on ven for about 7 weeks now ..started 75mg went upto 150 after a week.. I have more good days than bad by far ..but I think having severe depression it's most likely always gona linger bt noway as bad as it was. Good luck.
  • renee37065
    renee37065 sweetmere

    Posted

    Hey yeah I was on 75mgs for 4 weeks did nothing. It's basically just another ssri.. but when u get to 150 mgs. It turns to a snri.. I'm on week 2 I've had a rough time with the side effects.. increase anxiety, nausea, dizzy but I'm hanging in there doctor wants me to wait out the side effects they will go away.. but when I was on 75 mgs the first week was great then the rest right back to the same Ole crap.. anxiety n depression cried everyday.. did nothing for me.. hopefully 150mg helps.. good luck hang in there. We are all in the same boat.. smile
  • sweetmere
    sweetmere

    Posted

    Hello all!

    How is everyone doing with the dosage and medication?

    Thanks for all your encouraging responses.

    After this post, I called my doctor and we added 37.5 to the 75mg I already take, totalling 112.5mg. We are going to look at bumping it up to 150mg at my appointment this Wednesday.

    I just wanted to report back and say I had the same experience again! Felt a noticeable improvement after adding the 37.5, but then a week later (today), I feel depressed and anxious again.

    Do you guys take this to mean that the dosage isn't right? I am definitely agreeing to up it to 150mg .

    Thanks!

    • lorraine52317
      lorraine52317 sweetmere

      Posted

      Hi sweetmere,

      I think you are doing things the right way ie. Small increments. I would wait a few weeks to really feel it's effectiveness. I jumped from 75 to 150 the first three days I was so nauseated. Today feeling better but no different to when I was on 75. I know I need to wait a few weeks to see any benefits. How are you feeling? Really hope you see good results soon ♥

    • Purpledobermann
      Purpledobermann sweetmere

      Posted

      I would give it a few weeks if possible. In my experience venlafaxine therapy is not rapid but once you get high enough concentrations, pretty steady. Good luck!
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