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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jWideAwake on March 18, 2005, at 13:52:43
Hi there!
I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. My doc prescribed Effexor XR. I’ll be beginning with 37.5mg for the first week, 75mg the second and 150mg for the third week.After reading all the postings I am, of course, having second thoughts.
What am I getting into?
I have no experience with Anti depressants and although I fell my life is affected by constant anxiety I am still hesitant about starting the medication, especially because of the withdrawing symptoms. If I decide to give Effexor a shot and after, say, four weeks I feel it hasn’t helped me. Will I experience the same difficulties going off it?
I still believe it might help but I guess I am looking for some sensible and down to earth advice.Anyway, thank you all for sharing all the information as well as your personal experience
Good luck for all
WideAwake
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2005, at 17:34:31
In reply to Going on Effexor XR, posted by jWideAwake on March 18, 2005, at 13:52:43
In my experience, I don't think the Ad's help anxiety. At least they didn't for me. The only thing that does are benzos, preferably valium. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by jwideawake on March 19, 2005, at 8:59:38
In reply to Re: Going on Effexor XR » jWideAwake, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2005, at 17:34:31
Hi Philipa
I decided to start the medication yesterday. After a couple of hours I started feeling really weird, like my body was having a weird experience, like when you just wake up from a long sleep. That freaked me out a little bit.
I started feeling my heart going at an odd pace as well as my breath.
Then I could feel a metallic taste in my mouth and I could sense a strange smell, like my whole body was going trough a chemical reaction.When I got home after around 5 hours my pupils where totally dilated an even now after almost 24 hours I can still fell the booze in my head.
This is serious stuff and I don’t think my doc has any idea about what he was putting me into. If this whole experience was only with 37.5mg of the medication I can’t imagine what 150mg would do to me.
I will have a conversation with my doc about it but I have to say that I don't trust him that much anymore. Am I being dramatic? I think the last 24 hours where quite scary
I have decided not to take it. I feel like I would be putting my whole system on a really stressful situation.
There has to be something else.
J
Posted by SLS on March 19, 2005, at 9:13:26
In reply to Re: Going on Effexor XR » Phillipa, posted by jwideawake on March 19, 2005, at 8:59:38
Hi J.
> I decided to start the medication yesterday. After a couple of hours I started feeling really weird, like my body was having a weird experience,These are powerful drugs that have powerful effects on the body. What you are experiencing is likely to be what is known as "startup" side effects and probably won't last for more than a few days, if that. Different types of side effects may appear later, but are far less intense.
> There has to be something else.
Try to be patient.
If it were me, I would cut the tablets in half and take 1/2 a tablet tomorrow afternoon and then 1/2 a tablet twice a day thereafter or until you speak to your doctor.
What were your doctor's instructions?
- Scott
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