Anyone switch from Lexapro to Effexor for Premenopause Anxiety?
madwells1
Posts: 510 Member
Okay, long story short: I am a stark raving lunatic when I ovulate--whenever that may be as even though I track my cycles, I have NO IDEA when they will be because I go 21 days to 90 days depending on how my body feels like dealing with this through this whole pre-menopause thing.
A few years ago I started Lexapro as my anxiety was through the roof, and we tracked it to the hormonal swings. Although it evens me out the majority of the time, and stopped my hot flashes, I have noticed over the past few months that during my luteal phase (which is never the same), I pretty much turn into the spawn of Satan because of my anxiety levels.
After talking about this with my doctors, one tried me on Welbutrin (to be taken mid cycle) but that didn't work because I never know when that will be.
My GP just prescribed me effexor to replace my lexapro. I'm hesitant to replace the lexapro as it works the majority of the time, but I do know that I need something different as I can't handle the swings.
Has anyone switched from Lexapro to Effexor, and if so, how did you feel? Did you taper? My GP told me to do a one to one switch (i.e., stop the Lexapro and start the Effexor), but I would have assumed that I would taper one, start the other and discontinue the low dose of the first one after a time period.
Now that I type this, I must need something other than Lexapro as I am anxious thinking about switching. Damn hormones...I swear, I can't wait until this is over.
A few years ago I started Lexapro as my anxiety was through the roof, and we tracked it to the hormonal swings. Although it evens me out the majority of the time, and stopped my hot flashes, I have noticed over the past few months that during my luteal phase (which is never the same), I pretty much turn into the spawn of Satan because of my anxiety levels.
After talking about this with my doctors, one tried me on Welbutrin (to be taken mid cycle) but that didn't work because I never know when that will be.
My GP just prescribed me effexor to replace my lexapro. I'm hesitant to replace the lexapro as it works the majority of the time, but I do know that I need something different as I can't handle the swings.
Has anyone switched from Lexapro to Effexor, and if so, how did you feel? Did you taper? My GP told me to do a one to one switch (i.e., stop the Lexapro and start the Effexor), but I would have assumed that I would taper one, start the other and discontinue the low dose of the first one after a time period.
Now that I type this, I must need something other than Lexapro as I am anxious thinking about switching. Damn hormones...I swear, I can't wait until this is over.
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Interesting question... I’ve been on Lexapro for about 9 years to help with my ADHD-induced anxiety (also take Adderall for the ADHD). I am curious to know how Effexor is different from Lexapro, as I started at 5mg years ago and ended up at 30mg, which is where I’ve been since last year. I’m wondering whether the need to increase my dosage has been exacerbated by peri menopause... though my GYN says my hormone levels are still quite normal (they MUST fluctuate). I just know that my Adderall level has been steady for at least 5 years, but in the last year, I’ve needed the increased dosage of Lexapro... there must be some correlation.
My shrink has told me more than once that Lexapro doesn’t build up in your system, though, so maybe that’s why your doctor said 1-for-1 switch...?
I see you posted this last month so I’m wondering if you made a decision either way and how it’s going.0 -
I switched from Prozac to Effexor to help with menopausal symptoms. My dr started me on 1/2 dose (37.5) of Effexor for the first 7 days and then moved up to a full dose.(75mg)Prozac and Lexapro are SRI's and Effexor is an SNRI. Both affect absorption of serotonin, but an SNRI also affects norepinephrine levels in the brain.0
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Okay, long story short: I am a stark raving lunatic when I ovulate--whenever that may be as even though I track my cycles, I have NO IDEA when they will be because I go 21 days to 90 days depending on how my body feels like dealing with this through this whole pre-menopause thing.
A few years ago I started Lexapro as my anxiety was through the roof, and we tracked it to the hormonal swings. Although it evens me out the majority of the time, and stopped my hot flashes, I have noticed over the past few months that during my luteal phase (which is never the same), I pretty much turn into the spawn of Satan because of my anxiety levels.
After talking about this with my doctors, one tried me on Welbutrin (to be taken mid cycle) but that didn't work because I never know when that will be.
My GP just prescribed me effexor to replace my lexapro. I'm hesitant to replace the lexapro as it works the majority of the time, but I do know that I need something different as I can't handle the swings.
Has anyone switched from Lexapro to Effexor, and if so, how did you feel? Did you taper? My GP told me to do a one to one switch (i.e., stop the Lexapro and start the Effexor), but I would have assumed that I would taper one, start the other and discontinue the low dose of the first one after a time period.
Now that I type this, I must need something other than Lexapro as I am anxious thinking about switching. Damn hormones...I swear, I can't wait until this is over.
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I switched 5 or 6 years ago. I felt like I was in a fog and dizzy for the first week. After that it wasn’t bad. I didn’t taper Lexapro.1
