Effexor XR - Does the yawning go away? Why am I so tired and have depressive episodes?

So I have been taking Effexor for almost 2 years. Initially I began taking Effexor because of the chronic urticaria (hives) and the meds I was taking before were awesome until I hit rock bottom.
Anyways I did yawn a lot but it didn't last more than 2 months or so. My dr. & I decided to up the dosage because the hives continued to get worse. They are triggered by stress. Eventually, I was taking 225mg. I started a new job a few months after. That's when the high dosage really showed its effects. I felt like I was literally glued to my bed. I had woke up late so many times I cant believe I'm still employed. I definitely woke up late at least 10 times. My boss suggest I go down on the milligrams. Thank God I did. I'm now back down to 75mg & I can say I'm pretty comfortable. Not to forget, we added an antacid med. I don't beat myself up anymore about being myself or the things I say, something I would do for hours before. I am happy but I miss being a morning person.

I have been taking Effexor for approximately 5 yrs. I'm on 150 mg that I take in the a.m. and from when I get up for work around 6:30 a.m. until around 2 p.m. I am a zombie. I literally will fall asleep at my desk from 8 a.m. until 11/11:30 a.m. I didn't want to take in the evening because I also take 200 mg of Seroquel and occassionally a 10 mg Ambien because I'm completely awake from 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. It's so embarrassing and weird. And I refuse to go on any meds to keep me awake like Adderall. I started setting my alarm on my cell and I'd go walk every hour. But I usually take a nap on my hour lunch!!

Hi i am on EffexorXR 375mg i am extremely tired mid morning and all day. I have to have a sleep at work during my lunch break (1 hr) but this doesn't resolve it. This is driving my wife insane as i am tired and cannot function, it is especially worse if i exercise or have late nights. I find myself falling to pieces at times but i need to take this as the alternative is not an option. I just wish that my immediate family would understand why i am like this and that the medication does this to me. I am proactive but i cannot keep this up.

When these posts where written is irrelevant as the information and more input is STILL (and probably always will be) very valid.

That said, I am suffering from EXTREME fatigue starting late morning and going all afternoon. I have always had afternoon slumps growing up and was untreated for the first 35 years of my life.

I take Adderall and 3x 150mg Effexor in the morning and by 11 -1pm I am ready to pass out I'm so tired. I will try to take only 75mg in the morning and 150mg in the afternoon to see if that helps. I love Effexor and don't want to get rid of it but if this fatigue continues I may have to try other anti depressants.

I have been on Venlafaxine for a while now, probably 3 years. Anytime I try to stop taking it, even try taking another antidepressant, I become moody and very irritable. My head pounds, my body feels physically painful and if I move my eyes around in my head I feel a weird sensation like I'm going to pass out. After a couple nights I start having very vivid dreams and many times they are nightmares. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anyone, but nowhere have I found people with as severe withdrawals as me. Never had a problem switching other meds. Currently taking a lower dose of it with other meds and I am doing much better. If you're taking it and feel tired, try taking Effexor before bed. That seemed to help me some with being so tired all the time.

Your depressive thoughts are probably due to the fact that you need an increase. Effexor has never made me tired, but everyone is different. I think once you get leveled out you will see some energy. Hang in there.

The yawning should go away, but remmber you're taking the effexor xr, which is exteneded release that will stay in your system longer than just effexor, so you will feel the effects probably for a longer period of time. good luck,

You probably need it increased too, since you're still having depressive episodes. You get withdrawal from this med which is why your dr yelled at you. Are you taking it in the morning? I found that if I took it at night, I had a strange wakefulness that left me a mess the next day. It doesn't make me sleepy taking it in the morning. Most of the side effects go away after you're on it for a while.