sleep

[Mskitty21]

I started Effexor about a month ago. My old antidepressant had really fizzled out and I like… or am learning how to like Effexor. I enjoy how it has helped me but the sleeping situation is a bit rough. I am literally pulled from a deep sleep into this weird feeling state…. In the beginning it was a panic attack and now it’s just a weird sensation similar to a panic attack but only some physical symptoms.

pls don’t give me any horror stories about this medication but if there is anything encouraging pls let me know. I feel like with time this side effect will dissipate I just always feel better sharing here and getting feed back.

I will take weird sleep any day over the severe panic attacks I was having literally all the time. Plus I’m learning other things on this journey ❤️

Hugs to everyone here 🤗 we will get thru all this together ❤️

[magicfan89]

It might be unrelated to the medication, not sure, but I sometimes have similar feelings while sleeping and resting. They come on when Im low on calories. Could effexor be speeding up your metabolism?

[Mskitty21 in reply to magicfan89]

That would be nice 😊 but I’m not sure honestly… it’s def a new sensation and it’s a bit dreadful but so far the benefits outweigh the negatives. My dr told me to take melatonin so I’m gonna try that tonight and see if it helps.

Thank you for responding 😊 Sometimes it helps just to know someone is listening

[Helga12]

Hi Mskitty… I have just logged into this forum for help as had exactly what you had last night! So I’ve started Fluoxetine (Prozac) two weeks ago after a load of life stressors sent me into an anxious insomniac mess. Two weeks on and the daytime panic has gone plus the obsession with falling asleep has gone. I was so happy as I could fall asleep with no trouble and no sleeping aids. I was thrilled and thought I was on the up. Anyway, the last two nights in a row I have been in a lovely dream and been whipped out of it very quickly into the place you describe in your post. I have been awake since 1.30am as the feeling was so unpleasant and made me anxious. I do believe that anti depressants can affect and interrupt REM sleep, but this should pass as our bodies get used to the drug. I have my two week review with my GP this morning so will see what he says.

I hope things settle for us both. You are not alone! X

[Mskitty21]

Thank you ❤️

[Kamgal5]

effexor XR literally saved me 22 years ago. The extended release is great. Stick with it… any side effects I had were minimal and gone within 6-8 weeks.

[Mskitty21 in reply to Kamgal5]

Thank you 😊 That’s how I feel…. That the benefits are out weighing the bad sleep and some irritation.

I’m so glad to here that it worked for you sns am now encouraged to keep going with it ❤️ Thank you 😊

[Mskitty21 in reply to Kamgal5]

Did you have nightmares? It’s been about 6 weeks and although it’s not every night when I have them it is pretty bad. I hope it gets better

[Kamgal5]

I don’t recall nightmares specifically, but more vivad dreams. Within 2-3 months everything leveled out. I was never over .75mg at my strongest dose and have stayed on .35 for the past 10 years due to perimenopausal and menopause symptom control. Everyone reacts differently to meds, so you have to be the one to decide if it’s right for you, but atleast give it 2 months or 3. Good luck!

[Mskitty21]

Thank you! I really appreciate you getting back with me. I’ll keep pushing thru because I do feel so much better taking it 😊