Posted by JohnL on April 27, 2000, at 5:17:17
In reply to This is not worth it, posted by Jennifer on April 26, 2000, at 12:22:12
> I took my first dose of Effexor last night. I did not go to school or work this morning. I can hardly type. It feels like an acid flash back. My doctor told me that only 3% of people taking Effexor reacts this way. He said it made my anxiety worse and he is right. I feel horrible. Nothing is worth all of those side effects. I would rather cry all day than feel this way.
The CORRECT med for your chemistry will be characterized by:
Quick response, often the first day, but definitely within a week. Continued improvement after that.
Minimal side effects.The farther away a drug is from matching your chemistry, the slower the response (if any), perhaps a worsening of symptoms, and drastic side effects.
My doctor always sends his patients home with a small sample of Xanax(benzo) and Stelazine(antipsychotic). Both are for the same purpose...bringing immediate relief to an initial bad reaction to a new trial of an antidepressant. Having Xanax and/or Stelazine onhand is the same as having seatbelts in your car.
It would appear to me that Effexor is not the correct drug for you. My doctor does NOT continue with a drug when there is a bad initial reaction. He will authorize discontinuation that very day, even if it's just the first day. He is looking for a SUPERIOR medicine for my chemistry, which is NOT characterized by a rough go of it in the very beginning. While many doctors will preach that lower doses and longer time is needed to get past that initial tough stage, my doctor thinks that is hogwash. Most people I think would debate me on this issue, and that's OK, but personally I would dump the Effexor immediately and move on to another choice. If you've already tried 3 antidepressants, I wouldn't even try another at this point. Move on for comparisons in different classes, like antipsychotics, stimulants, mood stabilizers, etc. At the very least, do 1 to 2 week trials of EVERY SSRI to see if a best match for you exists before committing to any one of them.
poster:JohnL
thread:31340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31440.html