Effexor for migraines-side effects
dizzylady91 posted:
I've seen a few things about effexor being used to treat migraines in some cases and i was put on it nearly a month and a half ago. I noticed my mood has progressively gone down hill. I know effexor is an anti-depressant which makes it kind of funny that it's making me seriously depressed but I talked to my doctor about it and in some people it can have an opposite effect... guess I'm "some" people eh? I'm currently tapering off of it and recently had lamictal added to my daily meds and I'll soon be off the effexor completely. It just wasn't helping my constant head pain.
I was just curious if anyone else had the same outcome as I did using effexor for migraines. Or do I just have a rough case of the blues?
Also I read that lamictal can, rarely but it happens, worsen depression and since I'm currently on both my depression has gotten worse (I read the side effects after the fact). I don't know what to think or do and it's just seriously frustrating.
Any comments would be appreciated... hopefully positive ones
I was just curious if anyone else had the same outcome as I did using effexor for migraines. Or do I just have a rough case of the blues?
Also I read that lamictal can, rarely but it happens, worsen depression and since I'm currently on both my depression has gotten worse (I read the side effects after the fact). I don't know what to think or do and it's just seriously frustrating.
Any comments would be appreciated... hopefully positive ones
83 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI've seen a few things about effexor being used to treat migraines in some cases and i was put on it nearly a month and a half ago. I noticed my mood has progressively gone down hill. I know effexor is an anti-depressant which makes it kind of funny that it's making me seriously depressed but I talked to my doctor about it and in some people it can have an opposite effect... guess I'm "some" people eh? I'm currently tapering off of it and recently had lamictal added to my daily meds and I'll soon be off the effexor completely. It just wasn't helping my constant head pain.<br /><br />I was just curious if anyone else had the same outcome as I did using effexor for migraines. Or do I just have a rough case of the blues? <br /><br />Also I read that lamictal can, rarely but it happens, worsen depression and since I'm currently on both my depression has gotten worse (I read the side effects after the fact). I don't know what to think or do and it's just seriously frustrating. <br /><br />Any comments would be appreciated... hopefully positive ones <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/litesmile.gif" align="top" border="0">
carpetcrawler5 responded:
Unless you're completely off of both and then you start taking the Lamictal and you don't have the depression anymore, then you will know.
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsUnless you're completely off of both and then you start taking the Lamictal and you don't have the depression anymore, then you will know.
HeadachesSuck22 responded:
I have been taking a medication called Diamox. My doctor put me on Effexor to give me energy because Diamox was taking so much out of me. While taking Effexor, I started feeling very anxious. Then came in Lamictal. Let me tell you, Effexor screwed me up. I started getting very anxious very fast. I got depressed, my mood changed, and I swear it messed with my mind. I hated what it did to me, so I stopped taking it. I am very glad I did. I still take Lamictal to counter act the Diamox, but I am soo much more happy.
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI have been taking a medication called Diamox. My doctor put me on Effexor to give me energy because Diamox was taking so much out of me. While taking Effexor, I started feeling very anxious. Then came in Lamictal. Let me tell you, Effexor screwed me up. I started getting very anxious very fast. I got depressed, my mood changed, and I swear it messed with my mind. I hated what it did to me, so I stopped taking it. I am very glad I did. I still take Lamictal to counter act the Diamox, but I am soo much more happy.
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
Yeah I don't like how I feel on Effexor either. The Lamictal made me feel worse and then here recently I had hallucinations so I'm also having to stop that slowly. I just hate how all these medications are making me feel worse then I did to begin with 
I don't know what will work and my doctor seems to be careless at this point since its been so long with no relief.
I don't know what will work and my doctor seems to be careless at this point since its been so long with no relief.Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsYeah I don't like how I feel on Effexor either. The Lamictal made me feel worse and then here recently I had hallucinations so I'm also having to stop that slowly. I just hate how all these medications are making me feel worse then I did to begin with <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0"> I don't know what will work and my doctor seems to be careless at this point since its been so long with no relief.
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
Boy!! Can I relate?? I hate the way I feel on my medication. I had pain before, but at least I could handle that pain. With this medicine, the pain has changed and I am finding it harder to handle. My doctor keeps pushing this medication on me and he just doesn't understand that my body can't handle so much dosage. He doesn't listen to my concerns and defends his medicine till the end. I just don't know what to do
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsBoy!! Can I relate?? I hate the way I feel on my medication. I had pain before, but at least I could handle that pain. With this medicine, the pain has changed and I am finding it harder to handle. My doctor keeps pushing this medication on me and he just doesn't understand that my body can't handle so much dosage. He doesn't listen to my concerns and defends his medicine till the end. I just don't know what to do
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
At some point it's like some doctors give up on you, I suppose they see it as if they can't figure it out then it's not really there OR you're just a helpless case. Each medication he's trying (or combining) it's like something new and worse occurs and then I have to up the dosage or do something else to another one. I've been with this doctor for a few years and I saw another one but I really didn't like him considering he already seemed to give up on me after the first visit. So, now I'm thinking I need to look for another. It's just when I ask around everyone mentions the doctor I've been seeing since he recently focused his specialty on to migraines. He's not helping me so onward I go I suppose.
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsAt some point it's like some doctors give up on you, I suppose they see it as if they can't figure it out then it's not really there OR you're just a helpless case. Each medication he's trying (or combining) it's like something new and worse occurs and then I have to up the dosage or do something else to another one. I've been with this doctor for a few years and I saw another one but I really didn't like him considering he already seemed to give up on me after the first visit. So, now I'm thinking I need to look for another. It's just when I ask around everyone mentions the doctor I've been seeing since he recently focused his specialty on to migraines. He's not helping me so onward I go I suppose.
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
I have seen so many nuerologists, it's sick. One of the reasons I have seen so many is because most of them don't even want to touch my case. As soon as I whip out the list of ALL my previous doctors, that's where it goes down hill. I guess they just don't know enough. I have the same problem with my doctor and his medication. He wants to give me all this different medicine, and my body just keeps rejecting it in more ways than one. I don't understand why he doesn't get it. I am also looking for a new doctor, but it's hard because not to many doctors are familiar with my problem. I'm thinking of UCLA next. Where do you live if you don't mind me asking? I live in Southern California.
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI have seen so many nuerologists, it's sick. One of the reasons I have seen so many is because most of them don't even want to touch my case. As soon as I whip out the list of ALL my previous doctors, that's where it goes down hill. I guess they just don't know enough. I have the same problem with my doctor and his medication. He wants to give me all this different medicine, and my body just keeps rejecting it in more ways than one. I don't understand why he doesn't get it. I am also looking for a new doctor, but it's hard because not to many doctors are familiar with my problem. I'm thinking of UCLA next. Where do you live if you don't mind me asking? I live in Southern California.
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
I live exactly opposite of you in North Carolina ha. If I can't find anyone local I'm going to look into Duke. I understand about the list situation and new doctors. That's why I hated the second neurologist I tried because at the first appointment, despite my list of attempts at meds, he promised hope and was optimistic. At the next appointment, when I was hurting and super dizzy, all hope was lost =(
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI live exactly opposite of you in North Carolina ha. If I can't find anyone local I'm going to look into Duke. I understand about the list situation and new doctors. That's why I hated the second neurologist I tried because at the first appointment, despite my list of attempts at meds, he promised hope and was optimistic. At the next appointment, when I was hurting and super dizzy, all hope was lost =(
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
Why is it that we just can't find doctors to take us seriously and want to help us? How have you been feeling? Are any of your medications helping?
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsWhy is it that we just can't find doctors to take us seriously and want to help us? How have you been feeling? Are any of your medications helping?
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
I have no idea. I've met a lot of doctors in my lifetime, doctors that insisted they were right and if i disagreed I must me crazy. I had an allergy specialist tell my mom when i was younger that I should possibly seek psychiatric help since I told him every time I got an allergy shot I felt sick. Needless to say I never went back to that whack job with a God complex.
The hallucinations I mentioned earlier are still occurring, I've been off the Lamictal since Friday so at this point all I can do is hope they stop soon. Almost off the Effexor so that's good. Still hurting 95% of the time and my dizziness keeps coming and going. I'm not supposed to go back to my regular neurologist till November, in the meantime I'm hoping to go see someone else who could provide a fresh point of view on it all.
How are you doing? Are you going to look into going to see someone other than Diamox doc?
The hallucinations I mentioned earlier are still occurring, I've been off the Lamictal since Friday so at this point all I can do is hope they stop soon. Almost off the Effexor so that's good. Still hurting 95% of the time and my dizziness keeps coming and going. I'm not supposed to go back to my regular neurologist till November, in the meantime I'm hoping to go see someone else who could provide a fresh point of view on it all.
How are you doing? Are you going to look into going to see someone other than Diamox doc?
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI have no idea. I've met a lot of doctors in my lifetime, doctors that insisted they were right and if i disagreed I must me crazy. I had an allergy specialist tell my mom when i was younger that I should possibly seek psychiatric help since I told him every time I got an allergy shot I felt sick. Needless to say I never went back to that whack job with a God complex. <br />The hallucinations I mentioned earlier are still occurring, I've been off the Lamictal since Friday so at this point all I can do is hope they stop soon. Almost off the Effexor so that's good. Still hurting 95% of the time and my dizziness keeps coming and going. I'm not supposed to go back to my regular neurologist till November, in the meantime I'm hoping to go see someone else who could provide a fresh point of view on it all. <br /><br />How are you doing? Are you going to look into going to see someone other than Diamox doc?
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
Oh Yea...i've met a few of those doctors. Actually, most of the doctors i've seen are like that. My friends and family ask why I always go in with my walls up and on the defense. I guess it takes someone who knows what headache pain is to understand why i'm sooo fed up. You're right about the "God complex". I never thought of that. I'm sorry to hear that you are still having hallucinations. Can you take another pain medication to lower that percentage. I have a list of many i've tried, I don't mind sharing. 
Ugghh...dizziness is a killer. Do you also get nauseas?
Unfortunately...I have to make an app to go see him again. I don't know when i'll be able to go to UCLA, so in the meantime, he's all I got. I'm afraid to go off the Diamox beacuse i'm afraid my spinal fluid will rise too high and i'll have even MORE pain. The ironic thing about that is, I am still in a lot of pain everyday. I just don't have medicine to help. I just don't know!!
Ugghh...dizziness is a killer. Do you also get nauseas? Unfortunately...I have to make an app to go see him again. I don't know when i'll be able to go to UCLA, so in the meantime, he's all I got. I'm afraid to go off the Diamox beacuse i'm afraid my spinal fluid will rise too high and i'll have even MORE pain. The ironic thing about that is, I am still in a lot of pain everyday. I just don't have medicine to help. I just don't know!!
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsOh Yea...i've met a few of those doctors. Actually, most of the doctors i've seen are like that. My friends and family ask why I always go in with my walls up and on the defense. I guess it takes someone who knows what headache pain is to understand why i'm sooo fed up. You're right about the "God complex". I never thought of that. I'm sorry to hear that you are still having hallucinations. Can you take another pain medication to lower that percentage. I have a list of many i've tried, I don't mind sharing. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> Ugghh...dizziness is a killer. Do you also get nauseas? <br /> <br />Unfortunately...I have to make an app to go see him again. I don't know when i'll be able to go to UCLA, so in the meantime, he's all I got. I'm afraid to go off the Diamox beacuse i'm afraid my spinal fluid will rise too high and i'll have even MORE pain. The ironic thing about that is, I am still in a lot of pain everyday. I just don't have medicine to help. I just don't know!!
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
well I'm totally off the lamictal and today I took my last Effexor so I'm really hoping with both those meds gone my hallucinations will stop completely (cross your fingers). So now I'm technically not on any preventative so I have constant pain that just increases and decreases here n there. I take fioricet for the pain when I just can't deal with it solo and since I have a lot of stomach problems on top of it all it's pretty much the safest thing to take 
and OHHHH yeah I get super nauseous A LOT, even if my head isn't hurting that bad, very annoying.
I called to get a referral to the new doctor I'm hoping can help so also cross your fingers on that. Did they check your spinal fluids or something when your migraines got really bad??? I've had every test but that...
I always worry all these meds I'm on are going to make something even worse happen, like a new symptom. But I'll never know if it's a new symptom or just medication. UGH.
and OHHHH yeah I get super nauseous A LOT, even if my head isn't hurting that bad, very annoying. I called to get a referral to the new doctor I'm hoping can help so also cross your fingers on that. Did they check your spinal fluids or something when your migraines got really bad??? I've had every test but that...
I always worry all these meds I'm on are going to make something even worse happen, like a new symptom. But I'll never know if it's a new symptom or just medication. UGH.
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectswell I'm totally off the lamictal and today I took my last Effexor so I'm really hoping with both those meds gone my hallucinations will stop completely (cross your fingers). So now I'm technically not on any preventative so I have constant pain that just increases and decreases here n there. I take fioricet for the pain when I just can't deal with it solo and since I have a lot of stomach problems on top of it all it's pretty much the safest thing to take <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/chagrin.gif" align="top" border="0"> and OHHHH yeah I get super nauseous A LOT, even if my head isn't hurting that bad, very annoying. <br /><br />I called to get a referral to the new doctor I'm hoping can help so also cross your fingers on that. Did they check your spinal fluids or something when your migraines got really bad??? I've had every test but that... <br />I always worry all these meds I'm on are going to make something even worse happen, like a new symptom. But I'll never know if it's a new symptom or just medication. UGH.
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
Fioricet...isn't that for tention headaches? For your nausea, you should try Zofran. It helps some and it isn't to harsh on your stomach. I also have stomach problems pretty often. I'm pretty sure that i've gotten this way because of all the medicine i've taken for the past 10 years. I'm tearing my stomach apart.
I've had two Lumbar Punctures. The first when I was 13 to check for meningitis. The second, this past July to confirm "Dr. Diamox's" theory about my spinal fluid. Now, I have to see an opthamologist to check behind my eyes because vision loss is an outcome of the "too much spinal fluid". Another thing to worry about.
I will definitely keep my fingers crossed!!
I've had two Lumbar Punctures. The first when I was 13 to check for meningitis. The second, this past July to confirm "Dr. Diamox's" theory about my spinal fluid. Now, I have to see an opthamologist to check behind my eyes because vision loss is an outcome of the "too much spinal fluid". Another thing to worry about.
I will definitely keep my fingers crossed!!
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsFioricet...isn't that for tention headaches? For your nausea, you should try Zofran. It helps some and it isn't to harsh on your stomach. I also have stomach problems pretty often. I'm pretty sure that i've gotten this way because of all the medicine i've taken for the past 10 years. I'm tearing my stomach apart.<br /> <br />I've had two Lumbar Punctures. The first when I was 13 to check for meningitis. The second, this past July to confirm "Dr. Diamox's" theory about my spinal fluid. Now, I have to see an opthamologist to check behind my eyes because vision loss is an outcome of the "too much spinal fluid". Another thing to worry about.<br /> <br />I will definitely keep my fingers crossed!!
dizzylady91 replied to HeadachesSuck22's response:
I don't know if Fioricet is for tension headaches or not but it's what my doc dishes out to me ha. I totally know what you mean about tearing your stomach apart, I've been on so many medications I'm pretty sure my stomach hates me now.
I've never had anything done with my spinal fluids so I was curious. My vision has gotten progressively worse since all this started this time around and I went and got my eyes checked and they said my vision is still the same so I don't know. I can't even wear my glasses because they just irritate my headaches more. I have both phengran and zofran but I haven't used the zofran lately, I should probably switch back ha.
Did they prescribe you anything for your dizziness ever? I've been prescribed every anxiety med in the book for mine because it's supposedly supposed to help with vertigo... they do absolutely nothing for me. Nor does meclizine.
I've never had anything done with my spinal fluids so I was curious. My vision has gotten progressively worse since all this started this time around and I went and got my eyes checked and they said my vision is still the same so I don't know. I can't even wear my glasses because they just irritate my headaches more. I have both phengran and zofran but I haven't used the zofran lately, I should probably switch back ha.
Did they prescribe you anything for your dizziness ever? I've been prescribed every anxiety med in the book for mine because it's supposedly supposed to help with vertigo... they do absolutely nothing for me. Nor does meclizine.
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsI don't know if Fioricet is for tension headaches or not but it's what my doc dishes out to me ha. I totally know what you mean about tearing your stomach apart, I've been on so many medications I'm pretty sure my stomach hates me now. <br />I've never had anything done with my spinal fluids so I was curious. My vision has gotten progressively worse since all this started this time around and I went and got my eyes checked and they said my vision is still the same so I don't know. I can't even wear my glasses because they just irritate my headaches more. I have both phengran and zofran but I haven't used the zofran lately, I should probably switch back ha. <br />Did they prescribe you anything for your dizziness ever? I've been prescribed every anxiety med in the book for mine because it's supposedly supposed to help with vertigo... they do absolutely nothing for me. Nor does meclizine.
HeadachesSuck22 replied to dizzylady91's response:
Ugghh...been feelin like crap lately. Diamox is killin me.
If my stomach could talk, it would yell at me!! Consider yourself lucky that you've never had anything done with your spinal fluid. The procedure sucks!! I'm dreading going to the Opthamologist. I don't like doctors all over my eyes. Have you ever seen an opthamologist? I wear reading glasses, and I understand what you're saying.
They tell me there isn't much for dizziness, so i've just been going through it and sticking it out. I havn't taken much anxiety medicine so i'm not familiar with those names. I've tried a bunch of pain medicine though, but not much works. I'm actually back on Morphine. Man, I HATE that stuff.
If my stomach could talk, it would yell at me!! Consider yourself lucky that you've never had anything done with your spinal fluid. The procedure sucks!! I'm dreading going to the Opthamologist. I don't like doctors all over my eyes. Have you ever seen an opthamologist? I wear reading glasses, and I understand what you're saying.
They tell me there isn't much for dizziness, so i've just been going through it and sticking it out. I havn't taken much anxiety medicine so i'm not familiar with those names. I've tried a bunch of pain medicine though, but not much works. I'm actually back on Morphine. Man, I HATE that stuff.
Sandra
Report This| Share this:Effexor for migraines-side effectsUgghh...been feelin like crap lately. Diamox is killin me. <br /> <br />If my stomach could talk, it would yell at me!! Consider yourself lucky that you've never had anything done with your spinal fluid. The procedure sucks!! I'm dreading going to the Opthamologist. I don't like doctors all over my eyes. Have you ever seen an opthamologist? I wear reading glasses, and I understand what you're saying. <br /> <br />They tell me there isn't much for dizziness, so i've just been going through it and sticking it out. I havn't taken much anxiety medicine so i'm not familiar with those names. I've tried a bunch of pain medicine though, but not much works. I'm actually back on Morphine. Man, I HATE that stuff.
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