2 weeks into Effexor - side effects

[Dahlia]

Hi - I've been taking Effexor 75mg XL daily, for 2 weeks now. The first week I felt mostly fine, except I got shaky an hour after taking the tablet.

This past week, I have been having these 'episodes' about 3-4 times a day, where I feel shaky, a bit sick, and anxious but not properly anxious (I can't explain the feeling - it's a bit like you feel when your sugar level has dropped).

I'm not sure the meds have actually started working, as although my anxiety level per se is a bit less, I am still anxious about doing the usual things that make me anxious. Plus the shaky/strange feeling is making we worried about going too far from home.

I've never had initial side effects from drugs before - have other people experienced these symptoms? How long did it take for Effexor to start working properly? And was it an 'overnight transformation' feeling (like I got with Seroxat, where I woke up and could do anything!), or more gradual?

Thanks!

[MyNameIsntRich]

Effexor has more side effects that differ then any other drug i know of(not a dr.) so dont be shocked when a new one pops up. This set does sound rather common though. The time it takes to work is diff in most but i and many others felt it working within days. Of course it can take several weeks to get used to and start feeling the effexts of. Hang in there and talk to the doc if you have nay concerns.

[Yvonne]

The effexor defo made me shaky and trembly. It gets better a few weeks in. I defo didn't have an overnight success but I didn't with Seroxat either. It's helped my anxiety for sure. I would say give it at least four weeks.

[Dahlia]

Thanks Yvonne. The side effects seem to have settled - apart from bad stomach cramps and diarrhoea a couple of times a week (which I'm really not liking!). It has worked a bit for my anxiety - and I suspect the psych will increase my dosage as I am only on 75mg. What dosage are you on?

[worrywort1977]

i have just been prescribed Effexor 37.5mg for my anxiety but am really reluctant to take it as i have had many different side effect problems with every other one i have been given i.e amytriptiline, norytriptiline, citalapram and Tramadol. I know they all do different things but i have read some horrible posts about Effexor side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Can anyone advise any good treatments they have had with fewer or least side effects.

Thanks!