Effexor Question

Mary Jo · 07-24-2012, 06:37 PM

It's been awhile since I needed to ask for some help or opinions but that is what I am seeking.

Since chemo started in 2005 I have been having HORRIBLE hot flashes. In the 7 years I have had barely a break in them and the severity this past year is as bad as when I was on chemo. Not fun. I keep telling myself it's better than having cancer again or going through chemo. And, it is. However, I get so many during a day AND night that it is physically and mentally draining. I've even started noticing more depression/anxiety that I'm sure is related to sleep deprivation and hormone imbalance.

My GYN recommeded a low dose Effexor 37.5 mg. (I am on the generic though). I took my first one today. I take NO prescription meds and it bothers me to take this one but what bothers me isn't taking it (cause I hope it helps) but it's what I've read about getting off of it that scares me. Seeing as I only took 1, it isn't too soon to stop cold turkey. I don't want to stop cause I want to feel better BUT I don't want to go through hell when I stop them. OHHHHHHH, I'm so confused. HELP!

Any advice from you guys would be appreciated.

Mary Jo

karen z · 07-24-2012, 07:03 PM

I think if you are experiencing anxiety and depression you will fee better (may take awhile) if you get on something. One thing to remember is that there are a lot of "anti-depressant" drugs and just because one does not work (or a dose doesn't work) does not mean you should give up. I think most people would agree that these drugs do work better on depression than anxiety (and that talk therapy might also be a good component to add). You might also ask you doctor about giving you something you could take (e.g., clonazepam) at night to get some sleep or on "rough" days. Such additional pills often help with anxiety "break through". Good luck.

Mary Jo · 07-24-2012, 07:17 PM

Thanks Karen......The reason I'm taking the Effexor is strictly for horrible hot flashes. I have noticed lately that anxiety/depression seems to be happening a bit more frequently, however, I do believe that it is a result of lack of sleep and soooooooooooo many hot flashes that they drain me. The anxiety/depression is not something I live with on a weekly basis....just a day here and there. Reading online all I've read about getting off Effexor tells me that I will not take pill number 2 tomorrow. I will say though, most things I've read are people taking more than 37.5 mgs but still, it scares me.

Thanks for responding Karen. I appreciate it.

caya · 07-24-2012, 07:35 PM

Mary Jo

I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg. (generic) for 5 years now - My onc. started me on it when I went on Tamoxifen as I was having major depression/anxiety issues as well as major hot flashes. I cannot begin to tell you how it basically changed my life- my hot flashes went from practically all day and night - nights were especially bad, we are talking dripping nighties and soaking sheets. My general mood and demeanor was much calmer - not a zombie, just a more level-headed, not sobbing, me.

I have read about the bad side effects of coming off this drug, but quite frankly, if you need it, why not try it and see if your hot flashes improve. 37.5 mg. is such a low dose - and if it works, great. If you decide to go off it eventually, it will have to be under your doc's supervision of course. I have talked to my GP about this, and since I just went off Femara a week ago, I am going to let my body "settle down" for a couple of months, and then I may try to go off Effexor. Or I may not.

all the best
caya

mmoons · 07-25-2012, 08:53 AM

Hi Mary Jo!

I am with Caya. I started on low dose (37.5) when I went into chemopause 2 years ago. My hot flashes went away immediately. It was amazing. I don't think I will ever go off. It has worked very well for me, personally, with no side effects. It evens out my stress and moods, too, so that is a great side effect (even though that is its main purpose for most perscribers).

Hugs,
Maureen

Mary Jo · 07-25-2012, 09:03 AM

Thanks for your responses ladies. I have decided (after 1 pill) to stop taking Effexor. I don't like how it made me feel, although, I'm told it is normal to feel this way when you first start it. And, after reading all the stuff about getting off of it, it freaked me out. I am not a person who takes any meds (thank God I don't need them) so I should have known better than to ask for these I suppose. I would rather feel naturally crappy than a drug induced crappy. (if that makes sense) I'm happy it's worked out well for you ladies though and I suppose if I had given it time it would have worked for me too.

Thanks again,

Mary Jo

tricia keegan · 07-25-2012, 02:40 PM

MaryJo, my onc gave me a script for this years ago but I did'nt fill it as my hot flashes were not so bad to be honest that I needed or wanted another drug.

However I quit smoking eight months ago and while I'm delighted to finally have done this despite my eating carefully and exercising I've still gained about nine pounds and have noticed my hot flashes increasing with the weight gain for the first time in seven years!!! I think there's a connection there obviously but wanted to say why not try the Effexor and when you want to come off it maybe cut down to a lower doseage rather than quit it suddenly which I've read is a bad idea and hope it helps you!

Mary Jo · 07-26-2012, 07:30 AM

Thanks Tricia.....I have decided to stop the Effexor. I am not a "pill" person at all and honestly can't believe I even called my GYN to go on the Effexor. I guess after not sleeping well for a few nights, because of so darn many hot flashes, got the best of me and I wanted them to stop. Even if the Effexor would have helped, eventually, I would have had to stop and then I'd have to go through the weaning of that. Not something I wanted to do. I will hope the flashes end or ease up soon.

Thanks for your post AND CONGRATS on quitting smoking. The BEST thing you could have done for yourself.

Mary Jo

tricia keegan · 07-26-2012, 02:24 PM

Thanks MaryJo and I think you made the right decision, I know hot flashes and interrupted sleep is no fun but neither is being addicted to something!!
Just a thought, have you tried a chillow?? my friend swears its wonderful and she's now sleeping far better, if you google it you'll get details on how to order if you're interested

Mary Jo · 07-26-2012, 02:34 PM

Thanks Tricia...I will google it. It sounds awesome. I flip my pillow when a hot flash comes, but unfortunately it only has 2 sides. :-(

Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-26-2012, 03:37 PM

Hello Mary Jo!

Was just wondering where you are. Didn't notic your posts, though I have been sporadic myself lately.

Effexor caught my eye. As I had an awful experience with it. I know some have had fab results. Not me. I was confused, shaky, weird feeling. So much so, I posted on the blog thing I found. I was with the group that wanted it to be removed from the market.

I had/have awful hot flashes, just as you describe. Horrid. Shaking hands is dreaded. Clammy. Cheek kissing or people touching my arm and (I think) recoiling. I love hugs and kisses!

So now I take Evening Primrose Oil. I take 1300. I add 500 mg if need be. Helps enormously. I am ER/PR-, and my onc said it was okay to use Progesterone Cream. 25 days on, 5 days off.
And I take Ativan at night, which is marvelous. Can't take that by day (though wish I could) cause it makes you drowsy. Good for sleeping, not for living...

Hope this is helpful. This was me all day. Now I am far more ...

Feel good! You deserve that! Sure hope this helps you.

Andi

Mary Jo · 07-26-2012, 06:07 PM

Thanks so much for chiming in Andi. I appreciate any and all advice I get. Hot flashes are HORRID, right?

I agree with you on the Effexor. After reading the MANY posts I found about women given this by their doctor for hot flashes and the ordeal it was to get off of it, I couldn't believe it. If one needs this for depression, well then I'd say that's different. But to offer a drug such as this to a woman who is having hot flashes makes no sense to me. To me is was like having one problem, possibly solving it and then creating a new one....an addiction. No thanks. I took one pill....felt weird (foggy-disconnected) and decided this was not for me. I'd rather have hot flashes than experience that.

The hot flashes will end eventually....I PRAY! At least in the severity, (again I PRAY).

Thanks for your information. I've heard about Primrose Oil but have not tried it. I will have too.

Thanks Andi....so happy to see you too (I am not here very often) and especially to "see" you doing well! Yippee Skippee!

Mary Jo

tricia keegan · 07-27-2012, 02:46 PM

This is the U.K site Mary Jo but there's bound to be one in the U.S too! http://www.chillow.co.uk/2010/template/

Sheila · 07-27-2012, 03:49 PM

I could be wrong but I thought Primrose was not recommended for those who are ER+...could be my chemobrain, but I am thinking I read it somewhere

LoisLane · 07-27-2012, 04:23 PM

Hi Sheila no you are as sharp as a tack as usual, I am sure I heard that as well about Primrose oil. I like your new picture! Did I spell tack correctly? Talk about chemobrain. Yesterday I kept walking around putting things down and then couldn't remember where I put them minutes before Yikes!

michka · 07-28-2012, 01:25 PM

Mary Jo. I love your posts but not that one. I did not know hot flashes could last for so long! You must be exhausted. For different reasons of course, my son took Effexor and was a mess. I really hope these hot flashes will fade away now.
Michka

tricia keegan · 07-29-2012, 02:58 PM

Sheila you beat me to it and was about to post the same info!

v-ness · 07-29-2012, 08:40 PM

dear mary jo

i tried effexor too. actually, i am still on it and would like to go off, hate the head rushes when i forget to take it. it only worked on hot flashes for a short time, and not very well at that. same with the Chillow. however, i did my own intensive research 2 yrs ago when the hot flashes were driving me insane. i had countless flashes day and night and so intense. i found ditropan aka oxybutynin and asked my onco if i could take it. it is a med given to women who are having bladder issues. it has minimal side effects. the study i found showed that 70% of women had relief of some level from ditropan to hot flashes. these were cancer patients. the study is here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17204995

i have been on it for 2 yrs now and it made taking tamoxifen bearable. even if you are not a 'pill taking' person, you may want to give it a try. my oncologists had never heard of it, but ever since my success it is the #1 drug they turn to for relief for their breast cancer patients. see, oncos know cancer, they don't necessarily know this kind of stuff. it is not even that well known, and i don't know why. i just saw my onco on friday and he told me he was so glad he learned about it from me. (he also learned friday that arimidex can cause blurred vision, but that's another story). anyway, if you are having quality of life issues, as i was, with the hot flashes, this is something that could help. i am supposed to take it 3x daily, but i take it 2x daily. it can be drying, thus you have to drink a lot of water. if you look it up, you will see that it is FAR less troublesome than effexor.

i wish you and everyone else luck with coping with the hot flashes. they are horrible. valerie

norkdo · 07-30-2012, 05:30 AM

Hi Mary Jo,
I could not have gotten through the "change" etc, and the treatment without Effexor. I agree re: tough getting off it. However, a friend of mine did go cold turkey and it took a month to get through the symptoms of getting off Effexor. One great side effect of Effexor (besides killing hot flashes) is that it seriously reduces the anxiety caused by cancer. I don't plan to get off it soon, so I am with your g.p.
Nora

caya · 07-30-2012, 01:09 PM

I would just like to chime in to remember that people who have done well with Effexor (for whatever reason) and have not had trouble going off it, generally would not report that on the net. As with most things, it is usually those who have had issues who complain/report.

Mary Jo, I respect your decision to not take Effexor, but I can tell you from personal experience that it changed my life.

all the best
caya