Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 913877

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by zonked on August 24, 2009, at 14:33:40

Hi all:

First, let me say, I have been on Effexor XR 150 for the last 3-4 weeks, and 75 before that. 75 was tolerable, noticed mild improvement, but 150 is HELL. And it didn't start at first! Only within the last week or two.

I am scared to stop taking this because of what I've read; total time on Effexor, period, has been about two months.

You know, I wanted to push for Vivactil, another tricyclic, or Marplan; but I was shoe-horned into accepting Effexor. I am mad about this; I should have stood my ground.

In the past, only MAOIs have worked for me. The amount of Parnate required to have an effect is way beyond what most doctors will prescribe; and Nardil pooped out.

My anxiety is SO bad that things which have NO threat (taking a shower, doing dishes) make me scared. Even on 2mg Klonopin a day.

What should I do? I don't really feel rapport with my new psychiatrist, and am scared sh*tl*ss.

I know it's the wrong thing to do; but just so it makes sense, I had to drink alcohol to quell my anxiety enough even to make this post.

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by bulldog2 on August 24, 2009, at 15:08:15

In reply to Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!, posted by zonked on August 24, 2009, at 14:33:40

> Hi all:
>
> First, let me say, I have been on Effexor XR 150 for the last 3-4 weeks, and 75 before that. 75 was tolerable, noticed mild improvement, but 150 is HELL. And it didn't start at first! Only within the last week or two.
>
> I am scared to stop taking this because of what I've read; total time on Effexor, period, has been about two months.
>
> You know, I wanted to push for Vivactil, another tricyclic, or Marplan; but I was shoe-horned into accepting Effexor. I am mad about this; I should have stood my ground.
>
> In the past, only MAOIs have worked for me. The amount of Parnate required to have an effect is way beyond what most doctors will prescribe; and Nardil pooped out.
>
> My anxiety is SO bad that things which have NO threat (taking a shower, doing dishes) make me scared. Even on 2mg Klonopin a day.
>
> What should I do? I don't really feel rapport with my new psychiatrist, and am scared sh*tl*ss.
>
> I know it's the wrong thing to do; but just so it makes sense, I had to drink alcohol to quell my anxiety enough even to make this post.

Find a p-doc that will presribe parnate.

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » zonked

Posted by SLS on August 24, 2009, at 15:32:07

In reply to Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!, posted by zonked on August 24, 2009, at 14:33:40

> First, let me say, I have been on Effexor XR 150 for the last 3-4 weeks, and 75 before that. 75 was tolerable, noticed mild improvement, but 150 is HELL. And it didn't start at first! Only within the last week or two.

If it were me, I would declare it a failed trial and discontinue the Effexor. Ideally, you can call your doctor and tell him that you just can't go on like this anymore, and ask him how he wants you to discontinue the drug. Calling him should preserve your rapport with him. Hopefully, the withdrawal effects will be mild in comparison to your adverse anxiogenic reaction. Some people don't even have withdrawals with Effexor. Regardless, you gotta do what you gotta do. Just try not to combine alcohol and Klonopin. I know you know that.

I wish I could help more.


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by alchemy on August 24, 2009, at 21:25:12

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » zonked, posted by SLS on August 24, 2009, at 15:32:07

Your Effexor withdrawals may not be bad or be worse than the pain they cause, but just be aware that it can also be very hard to withdraw from (it has that reputation, which I have experienced)

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by Phillipa on August 25, 2009, at 1:14:12

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!, posted by alchemy on August 24, 2009, at 21:25:12

I didn't do well on effexor either felt so much better when off it. Hope no bad withdrawal also. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » SLS

Posted by zonked on August 26, 2009, at 2:30:20

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » zonked, posted by SLS on August 24, 2009, at 15:32:07

Scott and all:

You are helping. The fact that I have this board may save me from going to the hospital tonight, which has almost always been a traumatic and FRUITLESS experience for me. I need to try to calm down and sleep... If anyone interested in what's going on with me would read this entire ramble (I'm sorry) it would help me, I think.

There are psycho-social factors involved. I have been staying with my mom, who has brain cancer, and she asked me to leave this morning due to my depression anxiety being so bad (I don't blame her--I literally could not stop pacing the floor and grimacing.) it was dragging her down.

I don't know what to do next. This is where I may need guidance-- I have a small sum of money I could spend to find a well known, expert psychopharmacologist, pay the consult fee, and be on my way to being fixed, but that would come at the expense of not having that money for other things. (So you know, it's my SSDI retro money--I cannot work in this state. I haven't been able to work since April of 08. I should be HAPPY that I finally have health coverage, but I am anhedonic and anxious.)

My psychiatrist is on vacation until mid September; the ER is not going to do anything or start me on a new med; and my GP is an idiot, so I am sort of scared of opening the phone book. If anyone can reccomend someone in the SF bay area (California), I would appreciate it. Or point me in the right direction. This time, it may save me to get someone who's as good as good gets, even if it costs me half my savings.

What would you (any of you) do if you were in this situation?

Medication wise, I am just freaked. I am so tired of this--I think since Parnate and Nardil worked well (there are reasons I can't take either) it would be sensible to try Marplan, or maybe Vivactil since it seems to work rather quickly in anecdotal reports (and a sort of super-psych-PDR I saw in a Dr.'s office once.)

I haven't taken any Effexor XR in over 48 hours, and given its short half life, I am just hoping that I do not WX. My state hasn't gotten better or worse, but I am not a happy camper. Sleep has been elusive. Really sad, but can't cry; scared, but of nothing in particular. Some of you will know what I'm talking about..

I am sitting in a motel room by myself with my laptop, remembering what life was like on Nardil or Parnate, and just hoping that I can find something and/or someone--soon--that can restore me to that level of functioning.

(Just for reference: Nardil quit working at 90mg [doc wouldn't go higher]; Parnate requires higher-than-PDR doses to work and made me manic [altho I wasn't on a mood stabilizer at the time.])

What am I taking tomorrow morning? Lamictal 200 and Klonopin TBD. That's where I'm at now.

And as sort of a last thing - SLS - I've read a lot of your posts, you really seem to know what you're talking about - are you in the field or just self educated?

Good night, all.. I will keep you all updated.

zonked

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » zonked

Posted by SLS on August 26, 2009, at 6:42:31

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » SLS, posted by zonked on August 26, 2009, at 2:30:20

Hi.

It sounds to me like your obstacle is finding health care that you can afford. Don't you get Medicaid or some other general assistance medical program? You should be eligible if you have been granted SSI. The other thing you can do is to petition the hospital for Charity Care. Speak to the financial assistance department at the hospital. I know that you would be eligible. Just about everything gets paid for. I hope your state subsidizes these programs.

Unfortunately, I had to educate myself about affective disorders because my doctors gave up on me and said that I was untreatable. This was in 1983. Since then, I have learned to skim written material, as I have been unable to read more than a few sentences word for word. There are people on Psycho-Babble who know quite a bit more than me. This is a good thing. I guess we all have our strengths and weaknesses here. That's why a group effort is so effective. We sometimes operate as a think-tank.

Thanks for the complement.

:-)


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by zonked on August 26, 2009, at 11:45:19

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE! » zonked, posted by SLS on August 26, 2009, at 6:42:31

I do get California's medicaid (Medi-Cal); the issue is no longer coverage, it's quality of care. A lot of "top docs" (which is what I think I need right now) do not accept Medicaid/Medi-Cal AT ALL;

I guess I'm going to have to spend an afternoon sitting by the telephone book--the other thing that scares me is that I do not want to be "out" an additional $300-400 for a consult, only to find out that they're not comfortable using things that have worked with me (benzos, MAOIs).

zonked

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by SLS on August 26, 2009, at 12:23:37

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!, posted by zonked on August 26, 2009, at 11:45:19

I would ask each doctor or the doctor's secretary whether or not the doctor works with MAOIs before actually making the appointment. You are the consumer.


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!

Posted by zonked on August 26, 2009, at 15:18:49

In reply to Re: Effexor XR NIGHTMARE!, posted by SLS on August 26, 2009, at 12:23:37

You may find this odd, but this is what I am doing, since Parnate makes me "normal" within two days -- I swear to you.. This time, I am less concerned about potential mania because I know the signs, and am also on Lamictal (last time I was on Parnate I was not on a mood stabilizer.)

I am sitting in the ER (nice Wi-Fi guest net!) and going to ask for a two week supply of that, plus 1mg xanax b.i.d.

I have done this before when I lacked coverage. I can't suffer like this anymore.

With regards to the potential interaction of having taken Effexor XR a few days ago, I am not especially concerned since I will start at a low dose and it should be out of my system by now.

I appreciate you guys' help, I'll keep you posted.

zonked


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.