Question:
I have taken effexor for 2 years for prevention of migraines

I use to be on a time released formula, now I am on 2 75mg 2 X a day. I cut them in 1/2 eat them w/ food but I keep getting nauseated and have to lay down for a while. Does anyone else have this problem, and what can you do about it? I asked my dr. for another drug and she said this is the best thing on the market right now, and hopefully the nausea will go away?    — Cindee A. (posted on January 4, 2002)

January 4, 2002
Cindee, I also take Effexor the xr formula. I take it at night before I go to bed. I haven't had any problem with them post surgery. Perhaps if you try them at night or go back to the xr type? Hope things work at for you.
   — Donna S.

January 4, 2002
I also suffer from migraines. I see a neurologist (sp?) for them. I had the DS surgery in May and I was taking atenolol for the prevention of them. when I was a recent post op I had a terrible time with water food etc. I didnt want to deal with a pill every day. So she prescribed(sp? Sorry I am the worst speller) 2 different meds that only treat the headache when I had one. I used Migranal - a nose spray and a disolvable pill called maxalt . when the head ache started I used the pill, if that didnt help I used the nose spray. now at 8 months out I am on Atenolol again and things are ok. But I was told if it starts to upset my stomach to call and we would use something else. that there is alot of stuff out there to try. I would insist she give you something else to try. You should not have to put up with feeling that way after taking a pill. I am lucky, my PCP and the Neurologist I see both have migraines themselves so they know exactly what it is like.
   — C. L.

January 5, 2002
I too suffer from migraines and they get pretty severe. I do the injections of sumatriptamine they work the best for me! Unfortunately mine are "genetic", my dad's mom, dad, sister and I all suffer from them. Lucky us!
   — Kathy J.

January 5, 2002
I too am on Effexor XR for the same reason. For about 3 weeks post-op I took the "regular" (non-time released) tablets crushed up, which was icky but it worked. After that I went back to taking the XR capsules the normal way - just swallowing with water - and I've been fine. Perhaps that's all you need to try, too. Good luck.
   — BlueGray

January 5, 2002
I take 3 75mgs. of Effexor time release. My doc and I took apart a capsule prior to surgery and decided I could take the meds by taking the capsules apart. I just dumped it out on my tongue and washed it down with water. I now leave the capsule intact and everything is fine.
   — Betty Todd

October 29, 2008
I am new to all of this and am grateful for your question and to find others on similar meds. Some of my biggest concerns with going for this surgery are around my meds. I have anxiety and migraines so I take Effexor XR 75mg X2/da. and I always feel when I am in need of my next dose because I get light-headed and edgy. I also take Risperidone 2X 0.25 mg/da for anxiety. Plus I have Maxalt dissolvables for the really bad migraines but am not allowed more than 4 a month. It has taken me nearly twenty years to get this combo of meds that seems to maximize the quality of my life in terms of reducing anxiety, migraine pain and fatigue I had been suffering from terribly. I am concerned about malabsorption of these needed meds, for one thing. Unfortunately, a side effect of the years of trying different meds helped cause my tremendous weight gain, and my specialist says the Effexor also is the same. This leads to my other concern: my doctors and I are all concerned about my regaining weight because of the meds, like four years post-op if I go for the surgery. Can any of you direct me to where I can find more out about this?
   — CinnSareLee