I know what Iād do - skip the dose, suck it up with the consequences and start in the morning. But, Iām generally considered reckless on that front. So, maybe instead call your pharmacist. Also, as insomnia is a known Effexor side effect, if it gets really bad you might switch over to amitriptyline. My endocrinologist saw that on my list of rescue drugs and assumed I took it for insomnia.
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I agree with Emily, thatās what I did when I did my switch, I did this when I was still at a low dosage so maybe thatās why I didnāt feel much of side effects from the switch but at the same time venlafaxine was the easiest med for me compared to the other 2 I tried before
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Thanks Emily and Diana. Thatās what I figured, just bite the bullet and do it.
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Hey all
So Iām a little earlier than I anticipated! Only 5 days in on the Venlafaxine and my symptoms are much worse already! My brain feels super sensitive, ear fullness, nausea, motion intolerance (especially head movement) dizziness in parts, just generally crummy.
Is this to be expected? Iāve looked on the search facility and saw that some people do have a hard time with it but should I stick with it?
Thanks in advance 
I personally couldnāt take it, but Iāve read it could take a few weeks before you feel better. Are you building up slowly? Or did you start off at 37.5?
Hi Brian
I hope youāre doing alright.
Yes I started Venlafaxine at half the dose 18.75mg but got much more symptomatic so dropped down to 12mg for the last two days. I started this med because head movement is really troubling me and constant nausea. Iām going to persevere with it - only 8 days in so very early days and a tiny dose. Iāll keep you posted about ven fingers crossed!
I couldnāt even handle 2 granules out of 36. Those who can handle getting through the first few weeks end up feeling well. Good luck and keep us posted please
Hey Brian
Iām sorry it wasnāt the drug for you, donāt despair there will be something to help you.
Yes it is a powerful drug, that said it needs to be for my current symptomsā¦ Iām going to stick with it even though my migraine and dizziness has ramped up no end since starting. Practically house bound yet again with it.
Thank you for your well wishes and I will indeed keep everyone posted on my personal diary
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Wishing you well, really hope Ven is the one for you, sounds like a Valentineās Day card lol but finding the right med is like finding the right partner, one who makes you feel better, without too many annoyances or bad habits. Venlafaxine was one I nearly considered, but I went with Nortriptyline because of its sedation effects, sleep is an issue for me already and Iād heard Venlafaxine can cause insomnia in some people.
Iāve gone commando now, no MAV medications following my Nort failure. Iād be very interested to see how you get on. Keep us posted.
Hi everyone
So just a little update on the Venlafaxine day 16, so Iāve been migraining daily since starting at only 12.5mg I havenāt increased the dose further yet as Iām not really able to do much without feeling dreadful. Main symptoms are dizziness with head movement and visual stuff too. After a very uncomfortable morning (in-laws visiting) I felt a migraine on the way soon after theyād left. I have spoken to the neurologist who emailed me back and did say that it can increase migraine and to try and persevere with it but itās so hard. Im really symptomatic and prior to trialling the Venlafaxine I was becoming more symptomatic hence the trial of this new drug.
Iād like to hear what everyoneās thoughts are, should I try and persevere? Or should I be feeling better not worse? I know it can take at least 4 weeks to work but given the fact Iām so poorly again I really donāt know what to do right now. Feeling pretty fed up right now 
Thank you all for reading xx
We all react to meds differently but venlafaxine has been so good for me. Please persevere with it and give it time to soak into your system. It took a while for me to get to grips with it. Maybe three or four weeks. After this it was straightforward. Off weāre voting on this (!??!) then I vote for you to stick with it and only increase the dose when you are ready and then gradually. It was a game changer for me. Best.
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Hi Lexi
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I really needed those todayā¦ did things start off tricky for you? My migraines are bad at the moment and Iām hoping they will settle down soon. Xx
Lexi is my daughters name. Iām Jonathan!
It was okay for me but I was aware something different was in my system. However, I was so desperate to feel better I stuck with them. I built up gradually to 112.5 mg AM and the same PM. Dr S said anymore wonāt pack a punch. I donāt have any side effects save for my appetite is bigger. My wife keeps an eye on this and the kids hide their sweets! Itās not a sprint so build it up slowly. Each week will be easier and easier for you Iām sure of it. To give you that all important encouragement, I am now at 90/95% and go for long periods with only a light background fuzzy head. I just dread cold season as add this layer and it amplifies the lightheadedness. Annoyingly Iām suffering now with a cold. You can do this at your own pace and Iām confident it will reduce your symptoms.
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Sorry Jonathan, didnāt read your user card!
Yeah I guess itās a hard one because since day one of taking the Ven for me my migraines are much worse than usual - today been the worst! Iām trying my best to persevere even though things are pretty bad right now, Iām going to try and get through and just rest as much as possible. My other halves in-laws are here visiting and we just had a meal out with them, it was awful yet I managed to sit through it hiding how horrid I felt. I couldnāt move my head/eyes from each person very well at all ughā¦ Iām staying home tomorrow and just doing what I can to be as comfortable as possible.
Thanks again for responding 
Hi Kirsty, youāre just over 2 weeks. I bet the longest 2 weeks yet. Itās so hard to continue to take the meds when you feel so poorly. I stopped my first after 3.5 weeks but I had bad insomnia, depression, no physical energy. The doc said it was the right thing to do.
Are the migraines youāre having pain as well as dizziness. Is there anything else youāre taking for rescue meds? Are you having any other side effects?
Try your best to keep going. Youāve got nothing to lose and much more to gain if you can get through the next few weeks.
Xx
Hey Belinda
Yes, so the migraines are pretty much the same as if I were to relapse. The first couple of days on ven I felt nauseas and dizziness but would appear to come around after the morning/ afternoon passed, right now theyāre worse probably because the med has started to change my brain chemistry and my migraine doesnāt like it one bit. Iāve got full on migraine symptoms, head/ear fullness, actual migraine head pain, difficulty focusing, moving my head/eyes just ugh! I also went to the drs on Monday and have Otits media so I am on antibiotics for that too. I really want things to settle down, luckily Iām not working and couldnāt right now anyway.
For the last two days I have taken a triptan and some pain medication but it only comes back after theyāve worn off anyway so itās pointless it seems.
Thank you for your encouragement I do appreciate it 
things will get a little easier xx
You what?! Perhaps thatās the source of your problem?
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Hey James
Well, I donāt know for sure but it certainly isnāt helping MAV. Iām only two days in with the antibiotics too. Could it really make me feel this bad? X
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear and yes, this can cause dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and no doubt neurological fallout.
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Yes I agree. How long have you had this? Common side effects of Effexor is insomnia, nausea, fidgety, heart racing and increased dizziness. Apart from dizziness, do you feel any of these ?
I wonder if things will settle once the ear infection is gone.