Posted by DP on August 12, 2001, at 15:24:40
Hi everyone!
Here is my story. I went to go see my doctor because lately I've mysteriously been getting quite a few panic attacks. My doctor determined that it was as a result of my eating disorder. Up to this point, I have been taking lots of diet pills, I was purging and at one point, I was abusing laxatives. He told me he wanted to put me on Effexor and some drug called Lorazepam for the attacks (used as needed type thing).
My BIGGEST concern is weight gain (obviously) and sexual side effects. I would rather suffer than to take a drug that would make me gain weight. Also, not as important, is the sexual side effects associated with the use of antidepressants - I didn't want that either. I figured if the doctor was going to put me on an antidepressant (which I still do not fully understand why), then why not put me on something that has the least amount of undesirable side effects. I read briefly that Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that does not cause weight gain and doesn't have a negative effect on your sex drive. When I asked my doctor if I could try that instead, he would not prescribe it to me, saying that Wellbutrin is not for someone who has had an eating disorder.
So here I am, sitting here with an unopened bottle of my Effexor (not XR), terrified of taking it because of all the negative posts I've seen. I literally did not see anything positive about the drug or its effects. Of course, everyone reacts differently to different medications and I am fully aware of that. I just wanted an ounce of hope that I will get through my tough time without doing too much damage.
Thanks for listening.
Jimmy
poster:DP
thread:74801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74801.html