![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 985 to 1009 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by newby on May 20, 2001, at 18:13:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by N.P. on May 18, 2001, at 20:02:09
Thanks. N.P I'll try to stick it out. Still can't figure out if I feel better or worse....
What did you switch to when you quit Effexor?> Hm.. Effexor made me reeeeeealy sleepy. I slept for three days and nights and then quit it.
> But mine was prescribed for depression. They recommend to hang on for couple of weeks when majority of the side effects should dissapear. Take care
> N.P.
>
> >
> > Started Effexor XR five days ago. Withdrawal posts are frightening. Only other medications I've ever taken are vitamins and aspirin. Dr. prescribed Effexor for insomnia and related anxiety. Feeling jittery during the day since taking the med and drowsy at night, but still can't sleep more than three hours. Anyone take this for sleep disorder?
Posted by newby on May 20, 2001, at 18:23:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by mvaureen on May 20, 2001, at 1:47:14
I've just started taking it for anxiety, but feel more anxious. On 37.5 now, starting 75 tomorrow. What I can't understand, is how an antidepressant can treat anxiety. Don't feel depressed, just antsy and my heart is racing all the time. Will these side affects level off?
> > Hi i have just started taking effexor xr its the first anti depression medication i have tried, i have had side effects such as dizzyness and dry mouth and sleeplessness but i am hoping these will go away.
>
> Wen, I must tell you that if your depression is life-threatening, Effexor will save you. It is not a lightweight treatment for depression. If your depression is serious, it will work and it will be worth the wait through the initial side effects. If your depression is less than life-threatening, then you may consider asking your p-doc for a gentler treatment. Down the road, re-entry to the world after treatment is difficult when you are speaking of Effexor. But, if it is the way to save your life -- hold on! You will find it a source of stregnth. Are you seeing a psychiatrist? maureen
Posted by dee pop on May 20, 2001, at 18:28:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by newby on May 20, 2001, at 18:13:03
> I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
Posted by Violalloyd on May 20, 2001, at 19:25:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Tomorrow I will be 28 days effexor-free, and I STILL have shocks, severe headaches, and dyslexia-like symptoms.
I still have cravings for sweets and carbs. (didn't before taking effexor), and have not lost any of the weight I gained while taking it.I still have trouble thinking, as in planning things to do (sounds crazy, but I have to concentrate so hard to come up with each step involved in completing any task.)
I was referred to a psychiatrist, who prescribed Klonopin for the shocks. It reduces the intensity some, so that my body does not 'jump' when it hits, but I still have maybe 40 or more a day.
I am extremely frustrated, and hope that eventually all these symptoms will FINALLY go away.
Any comments or advice?
Thanks
Viola
Posted by wtm on May 20, 2001, at 19:36:59
In reply to feelin bad again, posted by mstar on May 15, 2001, at 12:20:21
> for a while I thought the FXR was working. I have been at 150 now for almost a month. I have had some good days but lately I have had some physical pain (a back ache) and now it seems the depression is taking over again. I feel tired most of the time, sad and have violent thoughts. I don't want to do anything. Has this happened with anyone else? My depression isn't as bad as it was, and I did seem to get better. I've only been on FXR for a total of 8 weeks. Do things get better and then worse if you aren't at the right dose? Is it situational? Do you think my pdoc is going to up my dose when I see her next week? Any advise on this would be great.
>
> best,
> m > >RE:feeling bad again, sounds just like me 8 weeks at 225 thought i was getting better but now i dont know my back feels bad i am sad again and miserable
Posted by mvaureen on May 20, 2001, at 22:33:20
In reply to 28 days Effexor-free, posted by Violalloyd on May 20, 2001, at 19:25:08
> Tomorrow I will be 28 days effexor-free, and I STILL have shocks, severe headaches, and dyslexia-like symptoms.
> I still have cravings for sweets and carbs. (didn't before taking effexor), and have not lost any of the weight I gained while taking it.
>
> I still have trouble thinking, as in planning things to do (sounds crazy, but I have to concentrate so hard to come up with each step involved in completing any task.)
>
> I was referred to a psychiatrist, who prescribed Klonopin for the shocks. It reduces the intensity some, so that my body does not 'jump' when it hits, but I still have maybe 40 or more a day.
>
> I am extremely frustrated, and hope that eventually all these symptoms will FINALLY go away.
>
> Any comments or advice?
> Thanks
> ViolaViola, I am so sorry that you are still feeling so bad. I have not had a brain zap in several days, almost 5. I've been off of Effexor for 14 days. My p-doc gave me Wellbutrin and a stimulant. I've had a slew of odd withdrawal symptoms, and have spent many moments of many days handling them. I drank a lot of Gatorade for a few days because I read someone's testimony that electrolytes are depleted during this type of withdrawal. I've taken tons of zinc, ginseng, vitamins, and have maintained my use of Prilosec. I found that I couldn't smoke cigarettes anymore without nausea and dizziness. I found that I had to eat smaller amounts at shorter intervals to treat the vertigo, which felt a lot like morning sickness. I have been craving carbs like mad!! I, also, never wanted them before. No weight loss for me, yet, either. Something worked somewhere around the seven day mark because I was going to go back on the drug. I drank water a lot, although it was unappealing to me. I realized that the "zzzt" sensations had lessened. Today, I have had none. The hardest thing to do is to refuse my body and brain the ludicrous amount of sleep they want. When I finally did that, finally made myself take the stimulant, I could get up and stay up a normal 16 or more hours. That was right around the time I felt that I might make it through. It's a struggle to balance a system that has had to be jolted out of depression by a very strong drug. I want to tell you that you will stop getting the sensations when the balance is reached within your body and nervous system. I'm a weak-willed person, and I made it this far. You can, too. Many posts on this site tell of ways to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I haven't tried is a system-cleaner from the health food store. I'm going to do that soon. Good luck!
Maureen
Posted by LglEagle on May 20, 2001, at 23:11:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 20, 2001, at 18:28:14
> > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
I have the same problem (anxiety disorder). I think it's job related. I was on Xanax for under a year and it kept the anxiety temporarily controlled but ultimately I gradually started increasing the dose. I started Effexor XR 3 months ago. I am at 75mg and quite honestly, I believe I will taper down to 37.5mg as I am needing to sleep 10 hours a night ( I think I am over-medicated). The first 72 hours of going on to this medication, was quite difficult. I have no anxiety whatsoever, so it is quite effective for this type of problem. I have an excellent Doctor and we have discussed the reputation of this drug therefore, I will only use it for short term. For me, it was a choice of being on sedatives long term which aren't good or being on this and hopefully with the medication this cycle of "anxiety" will be broken. Sorry so long winded - I hope this will be of value to you.
P.S. Get well!!
Posted by James B on May 21, 2001, at 13:13:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by LglEagle on May 20, 2001, at 23:11:46
Just left my marriage due to a horrendous co-dependency issue among other things, and found myself depressed and panicked for the last 2 months due to the lack of someone controlling me... I felt lost and helpless. Doc prescribed 37.5mg Effexor XR for one week, will bump up to 75mg next week. Worked wonders as early as day three!! I'm on day 5 now, and can't believe the significant difference... no panic, no depression, I'm in great spirits and highly productive, HOWEVER...
Don't like some of the side effects. Had severe headaches the first few days, and I rarely get headaches for even half a day. Feel restless, almost anxious now instead of panicked... want to conquer the world. And I'm extremely impulsive... got a tattoo the other day, never thought I'd do that. All inhibitions seem to be gone, I think I'd try doing anything if it struck my fancy. And I feel like anything bad could happen, and it wouldn't matter: "What's that, you say? Truck ran over my entire family? Oh, gee, that's too bad... hey, want some ice cream?"
That attitude scares me when I'm mellowed out.I see a lot of people complaining about decreased sexual ability... I've been having the opposite problem, this stuff keeps my excited all day, which is highly uncomfortable and sometimes embarassing.
Last of all, have had some feelings of detachment from my body, like the senses are muffled or that I'm distant from them. "Out of body" type of thing. Like I'm reaching into my body through a distant tunnel, and controlling it from there.
All of this in just five days!!! Not sure I want to increase to 75mg! Have also just read lots of withdrawal stories, and am now worried about when I come down off of this stuff... I'm only expecting to be on it for a couple months.
Anybody else experience the impulsiveness, increased sexual drive, or "out of body" symptoms? I haven't seen anybody mention these as problems...
Posted by newby on May 21, 2001, at 14:24:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 20, 2001, at 18:28:14
Dee, I have been on the 37.5 for a week. Will switch to 75 today. All I know is, doctor told me to give it two weeks for it to work, so I'm trying to hang in. Last night, couldn't sleep from the anxiety. Heart racing all night. Scared of what affects the 75 will have, and nearly threw in the towel, but I'm going to try to hang in another week. Feel ok during the daytime. > > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
Posted by N.P. on May 21, 2001, at 15:05:16
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by newby on May 20, 2001, at 18:13:03
I figured if it's a prescription medication in Germany it's at least worth trying. St. Johns Wort. I started with 300 mg, now at 600 and going for 900 in the next couple of days. I can see the difference already. Since my depression is not life threatening, I figured why have all those withdrawal effects... I'll see how that works..
> Thanks. N.P I'll try to stick it out. Still can't figure out if I feel better or worse....
> What did you switch to when you quit Effexor?
>
> > Hm.. Effexor made me reeeeeealy sleepy. I slept for three days and nights and then quit it.
> > But mine was prescribed for depression. They recommend to hang on for couple of weeks when majority of the side effects should dissapear. Take care
> > N.P.
> >
> > >
> > > Started Effexor XR five days ago. Withdrawal posts are frightening. Only other medications I've ever taken are vitamins and aspirin. Dr. prescribed Effexor for insomnia and related anxiety. Feeling jittery during the day since taking the med and drowsy at night, but still can't sleep more than three hours. Anyone take this for sleep disorder?
Posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by newby on May 21, 2001, at 14:24:28
> Dee, I have been on the 37.5 for a week. Will switch to 75 today. All I know is, doctor told me to give it two weeks for it to work, so I'm trying to hang in. Last night, couldn't sleep from the anxiety. Heart racing all night. Scared of what affects the 75 will have, and nearly threw in the towel, but I'm going to try to hang in another week. Feel ok during the daytime. > > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
Thanks for the help. I still haven't started it. Very apprehensive. I may try it this weekend when my husband is around for that extra security that I desperately need!! All these side effects make me wonder which is better to stick with the xanax and therapy or try the effexor since some people do have positive outcomes from it. I have also been told to try the herb Kava Kava? Anyone tried this yet?
Posted by froggy on May 22, 2001, at 6:01:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
> > Dee, I have been on the 37.5 for a week. Will switch to 75 today. All I know is, doctor told me to give it two weeks for it to work, so I'm trying to hang in. Last night, couldn't sleep from the anxiety. Heart racing all night. Scared of what affects the 75 will have, and nearly threw in the towel, but I'm going to try to hang in another week. Feel ok during the daytime. > > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
>
> Thanks for the help. I still haven't started it. Very apprehensive. I may try it this weekend when my husband is around for that extra security that I desperately need!! All these side effects make me wonder which is better to stick with the xanax and therapy or try the effexor since some people do have positive outcomes from it. I have also been told to try the herb Kava Kava? Anyone tried this yet?>Hi
I am new to Effexor Xr and are waiting for some positive results. When I was out of Xanax I drank alot of Herbal teas. I would drink the anti anxiety and sleep time tea. It is by no means the best but it helped me through that crippling time. Good luck!
Posted by bird on May 22, 2001, at 13:43:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
I just started Effexor XR around 3 weeks ago. It is my first
time ever on any kind of anti-depressant. i kept having panic
attacks and crying all the time. The first couple of weeks I couln't really tell much
difference, but this week I'm beginning to feel like my old self,
have more energy, care more about things, don't cry as much, etc.
I think I can definitely say that the Effexor is working for me.
Posted by N.P. on May 22, 2001, at 19:37:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by James B on May 21, 2001, at 13:13:43
For James B.
I would recommend you go on the internet and read the symptoms of manic depression. Please do and if anything familiar report to you dr. Go to about.com (or just run a search
on manic depression). Take care.N.P.
> Just left my marriage due to a horrendous co-dependency issue among other things, and found myself depressed and panicked for the last 2 months due to the lack of someone controlling me... I felt lost and helpless. Doc prescribed 37.5mg Effexor XR for one week, will bump up to 75mg next week. Worked wonders as early as day three!! I'm on day 5 now, and can't believe the significant difference... no panic, no depression, I'm in great spirits and highly productive, HOWEVER...
>
> Don't like some of the side effects. Had severe headaches the first few days, and I rarely get headaches for even half a day. Feel restless, almost anxious now instead of panicked... want to conquer the world. And I'm extremely impulsive... got a tattoo the other day, never thought I'd do that. All inhibitions seem to be gone, I think I'd try doing anything if it struck my fancy. And I feel like anything bad could happen, and it wouldn't matter: "What's that, you say? Truck ran over my entire family? Oh, gee, that's too bad... hey, want some ice cream?"
> That attitude scares me when I'm mellowed out.
>
> I see a lot of people complaining about decreased sexual ability... I've been having the opposite problem, this stuff keeps my excited all day, which is highly uncomfortable and sometimes embarassing.
>
> Last of all, have had some feelings of detachment from my body, like the senses are muffled or that I'm distant from them. "Out of body" type of thing. Like I'm reaching into my body through a distant tunnel, and controlling it from there.
>
> All of this in just five days!!! Not sure I want to increase to 75mg! Have also just read lots of withdrawal stories, and am now worried about when I come down off of this stuff... I'm only expecting to be on it for a couple months.
>
> Anybody else experience the impulsiveness, increased sexual drive, or "out of body" symptoms? I haven't seen anybody mention these as problems...
Posted by Iris on May 23, 2001, at 6:44:03
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Iris on May 7, 2001, at 10:33:44
Well,I'm going on four weeks now taking the XR -75mg - most of the sideeffects are gone. Saw my Doctor yesterday and he said to go ahead for another three weeks to see if the rest of the sideeffects will go away, if not we're probably switching to something else. I haven't had a single anxiety attack so far and my in between symptoms - constant headache and dizzyness - are gone. I guess it means the XR is helping.
Posted by Jenny15 on May 23, 2001, at 11:43:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on effexor xr for almost a year now, and my new doctor is switching me to prozac because he says the side effects are less and that it will really help with my PMS. Some of the bad side effects that I've experinced from the effexor are sweating A LOT, and always being really tired, even after a full night's sleep. And I'm already experiencing withdrawl symptoms, and it's only been a day since I decreased my dosing. My hands are really shaky, and my eyes don't move as fast as my head. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who's going through all this.
Posted by JAMMER on May 23, 2001, at 13:04:31
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Jenny15 on May 23, 2001, at 11:43:20
> I've been on effexor xr for almost a year now, and my new doctor is switching me to prozac because he says the side effects are less and that it will really help with my PMS. Some of the bad side effects that I've experinced from the effexor are sweating A LOT, and always being really tired, even after a full night's sleep. And I'm already experiencing withdrawl symptoms, and it's only been a day since I decreased my dosing. My hands are really shaky, and my eyes don't move as fast as my head. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who's going through all this.
Don't be in a hurry to get off Effexor, Take your time tapering, and my experience shows tapering the dose daily is much better then skipping days.
Take everyday but lower the dose over the weeks to come, is what I finally did and this worked well. I went through hell trying every other, every 3rd day at lowest capsule dose availible. I opened it up and started dividing the agent down, over several weeks. But take every day...
-James
Posted by kid47 on May 23, 2001, at 13:14:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny15, posted by JAMMER on May 23, 2001, at 13:04:31
Hi. Ask your doc if you can start on low dose (10mg/day) Prozac as you slowly discontinue the FXR. Prozac has been known to ease FXR discontinuation fx. Since you are switching to Prozac anyway, this would be the best of both worlds. Take care.
> > I've been on effexor xr for almost a year now, and my new doctor is switching me to prozac because he says the side effects are less and that it will really help with my PMS. Some of the bad side effects that I've experinced from the effexor are sweating A LOT, and always being really tired, even after a full night's sleep. And I'm already experiencing withdrawl symptoms, and it's only been a day since I decreased my dosing. My hands are really shaky, and my eyes don't move as fast as my head. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who's going through all this.
Posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by kid47 on May 23, 2001, at 13:14:00
I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery..
Posted by N.P. on May 23, 2001, at 15:30:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
I totally understand you. I don't get how they do it, but antidepressants do treat both - depression and anxiety (which is in most cases one of signs of depression). I guess that is because lack of serotonin causes both - anxiety and depression.
> I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery..
Posted by LglEagle on May 23, 2001, at 23:03:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
> I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery.
Hi, I read your post. The way it was explained to me is that this medication treats both anxiety and depression. For me, I had horrible anxiety, so bad that I ended up in the ER while on vacation in Florida. I had my first Panic Attack (Terrible!!) I ended up coming home on Xanax. I went on the Effexor XR and it was pretty rocky the first 2 weeks. My heart was racing, I had nausea, and did not sleep good at all. I would sleep for maybe 3 hours then be wide awake. I did the starter pack of the 37.5 then went to 75mg. Lack of sleep causes your Serotonin level to be depleted. With the medication, I truly believe you will overcome this. I have the same problem that you have. It helped me to sleep and there were nights that I didn't sleep at all. Hang in there :-)
Posted by on May 24, 2001, at 4:48:00
In reply to Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Mary Jane M on October 6, 2000, at 16:15:52
> Has anybody accidentally skipped or forgot a dose and it felt like you were starting all over again? I am on 150 and forgot one dose. I slept for 2 days. In the past, when I ran out for about 3 days, I had the electric head things, severe anger/frustration, the flu-like symptoms, and the sleeping. Anyway, just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. I'm not sure if this is working, but then again, it could just be my stressfull surroundings, too. ....Not giving up yet....
Thanks, Real Name (Not)
> I've just worked up to 225 grams of effexor xr and can't figure out whether it's better to take bigger dose during the day or at night? Please give feedback if this drug causes you daytime drowsiness or nightime insomnia. Do these side effects wear off? I'm also taking 500mg depakote bid, wellbutrin 100mg am and afternoon, topomax 25 mg at night, and klonopin (clonazepam)1 - 2 mg at night and prn for anxiety and panic attacks (about .25 mg occaisionally during the day.) I also am experimenting with ambien and sonata along with the klonopin to see how I'll get the best night's sleep with no side effects. pdoc doesn't want me to take any more antidepressants for fear I may go into a hypomania.
> Thankyou, Mary
Posted by DSJ on May 24, 2001, at 8:53:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
EffexorXR has changed my life. I was suffering from panic attacks which lead to anxiety attacks which lead to be totally out of balance. I have tried them all, prozac, wellbutrin, klonopin, just to name a few. I started on 37.5 and went to 75 about 1 month after. I am much happier, I smile, My moods are even, I laugh. I work in a high stress job and the anxiety is all but gone. The side effects are at times a pain, especially the sweating. I have found that I sleep better if I take it a night as it does at times make me drowsy during the day. But, those things are I small price to pay for stablity.
Posted by Astrologer30 on May 24, 2001, at 18:31:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
At the time that I was on Effexor, I am coming off of it now after a year, I was on a very high dosage of 225 mg of the time release a day, and it was started at 'one' time due to an impending disaster that was about to occur in my life and the after effects, my docter felt it best to really 'give it to me'. So I didn't have to take steps to increase my dosage, like yourself ( I have ocd I'm not sure about you) but I was terrified about being sick, and what was going to happen and so on, but it really wasn't bad at all, if anything, now that I am coming off of it I have been having withdrawl symptoms that appear to be worse than going on it... but I can tell you, that I would recommend the Effexor xr, if you can, like I did, I divided my pills up through out the day, morning, noon and bedtime, you can try your increase at bed and any side effects you 'may' experience, you'll probably sleep through and than adjust it to your regular time schedule. But I am not a docter - I just try to play one on the internet ;) so you should ask him/her, I just know that aside from shocking every pharmacist when I would bring in my prescription at the mgs. I was on, the 'episode' that I had to go through 'may' have taken my mind off of the symptoms, so try not to 'think' toooo much about it, because they do say "If you think it - it will probably happen".
I dont know if that helps, but you'll pull through it fine, and the Effexor worked wonders, and I mean wonders! it did for me and I am literally 'living' proof!!
Posted by KatieGinger on May 25, 2001, at 3:40:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by LglEagle on May 23, 2001, at 23:03:01
< < Hi, I read your post. The way it was explained to me is that this medication treats both anxiety and depression. For me, I had horrible anxiety, so bad that I ended up in the ER while on vacation in Florida. I had my first Panic Attack (Terrible!!) > >
*Hugs* I'm on Effexor for Panic Attacks as well. I always thought that they were normal until I had my physcial before I went off to college. The RN blinked when I told her how often I had panic attacks (2-3 a week) and then put me on Effexor right away.
< < I ended up coming home on Xanax. I went on the Effexor XR and it was pretty rocky the first 2 weeks. My heart was racing, I had nausea, and did not sleep good at all. I would sleep for maybe 3 hours then be wide awake. I did the starter pack of the 37.5 then went to 75mg. > >
I think that's exactly what I did too. Although sometimes after being on the medication for awhile I consider upping the dosage. I've had panic attacks while on Effexor after 2 months, or so of medication.< < Lack of sleep causes your Serotonin level to be depleted. With the medication, I truly believe you will overcome this. I have the same problem that you have. It helped me to sleep and there were nights that I didn't sleep at all. Hang in there :-) > >
Yeah, Effexor still messes with my sleep cycle when I go on it. I guess I'm a bad medication person because I'll go off it for days, weeks, or months at a time and then start again after I have another panic attack.
=KatieGinger=
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
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.