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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 16:29:53
Hi...today I was prescribed Effexor for panic and anxiety attacks I've had for 20 years, they have gotten consistently worse, in fact, they are ruling my life..I cannot even sit in the dentist's chair and need my teeth done badly...it's not the dentist's work I fear but the CLOSED in feeling of not being able to escape, I have horrendous claustrophobia which brings on the panic attacks (I sleep with my bedroom door open and have to used completely CLEAR shower doors etc.) I feel like such a FREAK to say the least, so I am starting on Effexor tomorrow morning and after reading all these posts am pretty frightened, the last thing I need is high blood pressure, weight gain, sweating, weird dreams and what in the WORLD is a brain "FREEZE" or brain chill???
Has anyone had really GOOD luck with this drug with FEW side effects, is there HOPE?
Also, is it very addicting?
Thank you to anyone who answers me
hugs
redparrot
Posted by Dauphine on April 5, 2004, at 17:06:43
In reply to My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCARED!, posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 16:29:53
Hi -- I started Effexor XR 3 weeks ago at 75 mg/day. The first day I took it was the worst day for side effects -- I felt really loopy and agitated and was yawning alot. Basically as the days went on, the side effects diminished a lot. It might be good to take your first pill on a Friday so that if you have the weekend off, you can just rest and not have to deal with work when you feel strange from the drug. There was a tightness in my jaw and bad dry mouth for the first week or so, but at 3 weeks, I hardly feel any side effects at all, and even the dry mouth is improving. It can get very scary when you read all of the posts regarding effexor and withdrawal from it, but remember that everyone responds differently to these drugs and you should give it time to work before you give up on it completely. There are several people that post often that have had good experiences with Effexor, but there are a lot of people that only take it for a couple of days and then get too freaked out by the possible side effects and withdrawal and decide to stop taking it before the side effects diminish. I have never taken any AD before this, and so far, I feel just fine and my mood is starting to lift ever so slightly.
good luck
Dauphine
Posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 17:26:32
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCARED!, posted by Dauphine on April 5, 2004, at 17:06:43
Thank you so much Dauphine, I truly appreciate your quick answer...it's bad enough being anxiety ridden to need the drugs and then being anxious about taking them is kind of an oxymoron isn't it...
Thanks again
Redparrot
Posted by ku4ns on April 5, 2004, at 17:45:14
In reply to My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCARED!, posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 16:29:53
I've used effexor for a little over a year now and the only reason i'm stopping is that I had an increased heart rate. The beginning was tough but it became much better after a week or so. I, too had a problem in the dentist's chair, aircraft, and even some business meetings I needed to sit close to the door. I am beginning to wean off of effexor for a second time since the first was very difficult (not enough weaning time) now I am on prozac to help with the weaning process and have only used effexor once in a little over a week. While on the drug I have had very good results and will be happy to answer your questions with my experiences. John
Posted by pretty_paints on April 5, 2004, at 18:18:29
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by ku4ns on April 5, 2004, at 17:45:14
Im on Efexor too, 75mg for nearly 2 weeks. Iv experienced nothing so far, but Im trying hard to keep hoping. I was on prozac before and the first bit really is the worst, because, you know, you have all these side effects and no lessening of..whatever your on the AD for! (in my case, major depression and mild ocd). hehe, you made me laugh with your "anxious about the anxiety" type post! Im similar in that Im basically OBSESSED with researching everything that I possibly can about the effects of efexor on ocd! hehe
And yeh, I agree with Dauphine. A lot of people start on ADs, give them a little while and then suddenly stop. Granted, the posts can be scary on here (I was petrified at first and demanded that my doc give me something other than efexor!!), but I just kinda think you have to at least give it a good try. My cousin has just started on an AD for anxiety and depression. It was kinda nice in a way to have someone to chat about things with. She was having a few side effects, and then one day got invited to a party and wanted to drink, so she just came off them, just like that (um hello?). Obviously thats fair enough. But then she started moaning on to my parents about how crap they were and how they didnt do anything to help..and HOW that pisses me off when people do that!! grrr!
anyway, keep in touch, both you guys? It would be great to see how you guys get on! I havent really had any side effects except a bit of a dull headache. Sometimes its hard to tell whats a side effect and whats just the depression. I basically sleep 24/7 and completely loose my appetite when I get low and I always seem to be aching allover anyway! so as long as the side effects dont suddenly get wild on me, we should be ok! (famous last words!)
xxxxxx
Posted by EERRIICC on April 5, 2004, at 18:41:27
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCARED!, posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 17:26:32
It is strange that Effexor was prescribed before Klonopin or Xanax XR (Both are Benzodiazepines)for the symptoms you described. However, Effexor should work (2-6 weeks for full effects), and side effects should be minimal. It is horrible to be scared, and confused; I'm sorry you have to go through it.
Good drugs (ie. a good psychiatrist) and a good psychologist/therapist (occasionally both take awhile to find) are your best options.
Posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 19:37:23
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by ku4ns on April 5, 2004, at 17:45:14
It's the COMING off that scares me a LOT!
Aside from the panic anxiety, I have a herniated disk in my neck, just had an MRI, had to be totally PUT out for it (claustrophobia again) the docs acted like I was a NUT case..I've gotten so bad with the anxiety that I freaked when they did the IV (holding me down) I have NEVER been this bad, something is definitely WRONG here and my husband is thinking I'm totally SPAZZO but he's trying to be understanding about it
My doctor is not too understanding because I am so anxious about going on drugs, they did give me Xanax for when I go to the dentist but it didn't work and neither did Valium (a whole one) they said the anxiety ate right through the drugs, they had a name for that..so as you can see I REALLY need something, I thought about psychiatry but my insurance only covers HALF and it's SO expensive...I've had to give up my job (radio announcer) because of my anxieties so I'm not working right now (adding to financial stress) I feel like I'm in a HUGE Catch-22...
Thank you for responding, I feel like at LEAST someone understands what this is LIKE
Hugs
Redparrot
> I've used effexor for a little over a year now and the only reason i'm stopping is that I had an increased heart rate. The beginning was tough but it became much better after a week or so. I, too had a problem in the dentist's chair, aircraft, and even some business meetings I needed to sit close to the door. I am beginning to wean off of effexor for a second time since the first was very difficult (not enough weaning time) now I am on prozac to help with the weaning process and have only used effexor once in a little over a week. While on the drug I have had very good results and will be happy to answer your questions with my experiences. John
Posted by ku4ns on April 5, 2004, at 19:56:05
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 19:37:23
I used xanax in the beginning along with effexor and the combination worked well for me. I do have some anxiety now about stopping the drug but would like to see if the symptoms emerge again. My dosage of effexor was 37.5mg increasing to 150mg over three months. I also had an MRI in the beginning and had a difficult time during the procedure, but was able to do it, maybe because the technologist doing the procedure was a friend. John
Posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 20:29:28
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by pretty_paints on April 5, 2004, at 18:18:29
Thank you for responding to my post, that's great that you haven't had any major side effects, I guess a headache is bad enough, but better than high blood pressure, itching and some of the others I have read about...
Boy, I wish I could lose my appetite when I am anxious I eat, in fact I could stand to lose several pounds, I'm hoping the Effexor will not add tons of pounds like I have been reading, just what I don't want, I'm not obese but would like to be thinner, but I would trade thin for being peaceful and less anxiety ridden.
Best of luck to you with the Effexor and I hope that it works for your depression
hugs
Redparrot
> Im on Efexor too, 75mg for nearly 2 weeks. Iv experienced nothing so far, but Im trying hard to keep hoping. I was on prozac before and the first bit really is the worst, because, you know, you have all these side effects and no lessening of..whatever your on the AD for! (in my case, major depression and mild ocd). hehe, you made me laugh with your "anxious about the anxiety" type post! Im similar in that Im basically OBSESSED with researching everything that I possibly can about the effects of efexor on ocd! hehe
>
> And yeh, I agree with Dauphine. A lot of people start on ADs, give them a little while and then suddenly stop. Granted, the posts can be scary on here (I was petrified at first and demanded that my doc give me something other than efexor!!), but I just kinda think you have to at least give it a good try. My cousin has just started on an AD for anxiety and depression. It was kinda nice in a way to have someone to chat about things with. She was having a few side effects, and then one day got invited to a party and wanted to drink, so she just came off them, just like that (um hello?). Obviously thats fair enough. But then she started moaning on to my parents about how crap they were and how they didnt do anything to help..and HOW that pisses me off when people do that!! grrr!
>
> anyway, keep in touch, both you guys? It would be great to see how you guys get on! I havent really had any side effects except a bit of a dull headache. Sometimes its hard to tell whats a side effect and whats just the depression. I basically sleep 24/7 and completely loose my appetite when I get low and I always seem to be aching allover anyway! so as long as the side effects dont suddenly get wild on me, we should be ok! (famous last words!)
> xxxxxx
Posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 20:35:19
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by ku4ns on April 5, 2004, at 17:45:14
John,
I would really love to hear of your experiences with the anxiety and ALL of it, it's so refreshing to not be thought of as WEIRD, people who have NOT experienced panic attacks, depression, or ANXIETY, just have NO clue what you are talking about and look at you like you're an alien.
The increased heart rate would be scary for sure, I used to be able to fly and do normal things but I'm a MESS now, I have NO clue how this all came about but I have had several very traumatic things happen in my life over a span of years...
Gosh, if you are having to make a second attempt to get off this drug it must be rather habit forming to say the least...
I wish you the BEST of success John and continued PEACE and well being!
hugs
Redparrot
> I've used effexor for a little over a year now and the only reason i'm stopping is that I had an increased heart rate. The beginning was tough but it became much better after a week or so. I, too had a problem in the dentist's chair, aircraft, and even some business meetings I needed to sit close to the door. I am beginning to wean off of effexor for a second time since the first was very difficult (not enough weaning time) now I am on prozac to help with the weaning process and have only used effexor once in a little over a week. While on the drug I have had very good results and will be happy to answer your questions with my experiences. John
Posted by ku4ns on April 6, 2004, at 9:24:39
In reply to Re: My first try at these kinds of drugs...I'm SCA, posted by redparrot on April 5, 2004, at 20:35:19
The prozac has made stopping the effexor much more tolerable. If not for the increased heart rate I would have stayed on the effexor since I did not have any other side effects that caused concern. I was totally back to normal while on the drug. The first attempt at stopping effexor was done without the proper weaning (if there is one). I was trying to stop cold turkey from 75mg and by the second night I was sweating, had nausea, headache. I checked my bloodpressure and it was elevated along with my heat rate. Then I took an effexor and it all got back to normal, so I dropped down to 37.5mg for 3 weeks and decided to try again, had a migraine before stopping and that when I was put on the prozac to help. I will post more as each day passes. John
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