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Effexor XL and insomnia
Hi everyone,
4 days ago I increase Effexor XL from 75 mg to 150mg. Since then I have been unable to sleep consistently. I go to bed at around 11 pm, I wake up at 4 pm, start tossing and turning and then fall back asleep in an hour or so. I had the same issue when I started with 75 mg.
Has anyone of you experienced the same problem? How long did it take to get better?
I take Effexor at 8am and I don't drink any coffee or tea just for reference, I take magnesium, vit D and b6 on a daily basis to help regulare my sleep, bu the last 4 days have been quite tough.
I would really appreciate hearing your own experience. That would help me get through this initial phase.
Thank you!
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This is the 5th day on Effexor 150mg. Insomnia is quite unberable. Also I feel very low with no intrest whatsoever in doing anything. I'm pretty much sleepy all day. Are this normal side effects? Will they go away?
I need some reassurance pls 🙏🏻 it's so difficult to get through the day feeling this low and with very little sleep
@silmil93 I have a niece that had insomnia after increasing Effexor from 75mg to a higher dose. She just went back to 75mg to avoid the insomnia. She’s also on Wellbutrin.
@meingan Hi,
I had many, (as later listed from patient feedback, on numerous trusted internet sites), adverse side effects & issues with Effexor (aka venlafaxine) @ 75mg. The drug did me no good as intended / prescribed. It transpired I am allergic to any type of Anti-depressant. Insomnia and moreover, vivid dreams (remain) amongst them. And , I titrated off for 3 yrs with pharmacist & clinition oversight. I ceased 2 yrs ago, coming off venlafaxine completely . Certainly, I found any increase in dose, immediately worsened the adverse effects.
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1 ReactionI was prescribed effexor years ago, and found that the higher mg worked best for me I take 225 mg, XR. If I miss a day, my brain is wobbly (feels like it). Hope you feel better soon.
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2 Reactions@tamlove did you have insomnia when you first started?
@simon007 Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Much appreciated!
I honestly can’t believe there are drugs like these that are meant only to deal with symptoms and can be so destructive to our bodies! There’s got to be other options! The most important thing is to find the cause and heal your body. I’m having acupuncture for my anxiety and it seems to help. Of course not the solution but part of a healthier strategy. TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) aims to heal all the systems in your body that are failing or weak that lead to all health issues including anxiety and depression.
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1 Reaction@tamlove Going off of Effexor must be similar to going off heroin. It is horrible. I just started going off Effexor 225mg and I have been using a Prozac bridge which has been working well. If I miss a dose of Effexor it takes about 6 hours for the withdrawal to start with nausea and dizziness and it then will get much worse. It is brutal.
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4 ReactionsDay 8 on Effexor 150mg insomnia is still there, now I also have a bit of anxiety and dizziness. Hopefully it will get better soon! 🙏🏻 I'm so scared of side effects in general
@sallyo420
Some advice I read from a doctor:
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable; and don’t fear the side effects”
I keep repeating this to myself as I am withdrawing from Effexor.
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4 ReactionsDay 9, I was finally able to sleep 6 hours without waking up 🥳 let's see how it goes from here
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