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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tina on February 12, 2003, at 10:56:24
Well, two hours after my first effexor(37.5mg) yesterday I got sooo nauseated and dizzy and had panic attack after panic attack. It was HELL. I loaded up on benzos and anti-nauseants and seemed to feel a little better. Around 6pm, the dizziness came back and I felt like I had the flu all night long. Then, at about 3 am, I was violently awakened by yet another panic attack.
Should I keep taking this stuff?? It's horrible.
Posted by daizy on February 12, 2003, at 11:42:26
In reply to Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck, posted by tina on February 12, 2003, at 10:56:24
I had that feeling of nausea for the first four or five days of taking it, but I took benzo with it to try and calm me down. I think you should stick with it, if you can, as the effects should wear off in time. you wont know if it will work for you, and It has a strong possibility, if you give it up so soon, so if you have some other meds on hand to help you through it shouldnt be too bad. Good luck!
Posted by jay on February 12, 2003, at 11:46:55
In reply to Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck, posted by tina on February 12, 2003, at 10:56:24
Yes..Tina I am sorry..I know the initial nausea and panic are horrible..but keep the benzos and anti-nauseant meds coming..and hopefully within a week or two, things will subside. Don't make *any* change in dose until you feel 99.9 percent fine with side effects, ok?
Best,
Jay
Posted by Mikey_C on February 12, 2003, at 21:19:55
In reply to Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck, posted by tina on February 12, 2003, at 10:56:24
Tina, it seems like you're running out of options here.... Effexor did work very well for me in alleviating my anxiety, BUT <-- (notice it's a big but) I felt like I had the flue for about 2 weeks till it kicked in. I was on it for about 4 months... that used with a little clonazepam. I'm not too sure why I decided to get off of it again, but I remember the withdrawal being horrible as well.So, it's up to you... either wait it out for 2-3 weeks and see what happens then, or give it up now and forever hold your peace.
Posted by Mikey_C on February 12, 2003, at 21:25:09
In reply to Re: Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck » tina, posted by jay on February 12, 2003, at 11:46:55
Yep, that's another thing that I forgot to point out.... don't make any changes to your medication whatsoever untill you're 99.9% comfortable with it's side effects. If you're on 20mg and you increase that up to 40mg, you're going to have those side effects again for a few days. They won't be as long as the first one in getting it into your system, but you'll feel it just the same.I never found that I was throwing up on it though... felt like I had to a number of times... but I just kept drinking LOTS of water. Damn, like 20 cups a day of water.... had to go to the washroom LOTS lol... And the panic and insomnia, use a benzo for it. Clonazepam helped me through the initial side effects and the withdrawal.
But apart from the beginning and the end, I found that Effexor worked very well for me. I'd have to rank that up right next to Depakote in the meds I've tried that rid me of anxiety.
Posted by shar on February 13, 2003, at 1:02:35
In reply to Re: Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck » jay, posted by Mikey_C on February 12, 2003, at 21:25:09
OK, I take it this is not a 'yuck, yuck, yuck' a la the Three Stooges. Damn!
I was on Effexor quite a while, and didn't have that reaction; but I started it while already on Wellbutrin...so that may have made the difference.
I say stick with it if you can. I know for sure you are strong enough to get through this adjustment, and without at least trying, you'll be going back to what was.
At least this is different...even if it sucks. It's sucking in a different way. You have a lot of knowledge about your panic attacks, and what to do, so if you can hang in there, please do. It may be a shorter time than you think to get used to it.
And, as others have said, don't take this stuff on an empty stomach (even if you can just eat a couple of crackers, it should help), and drink up the water.
I'm pulling for you, T! And, so happy you are doing something different, with the possibility of feeling better.
Shar
Posted by tina on February 13, 2003, at 8:18:01
In reply to Re: Oh YUCK..............yuck yuck--T, posted by shar on February 13, 2003, at 1:02:35
I am sticking with it. Lots of anti-nauseants and
benzos. I'm doing ok so far. The dizziness is impossible to medicate out though.
My mouth is so dry though. I've never had such strong anticholinergic effects from an AD before.
I can't drink a lot of water before bed or I'll be up a hundred times to pee and won't sleep, so, does anyone have any ideas on what to do before bed so as not to dry out??
OH, and did you guys have the yawning and gagging??
Posted by Mikey_C on February 13, 2003, at 8:56:31
In reply to Thanks everybody and a couple of questions, posted by tina on February 13, 2003, at 8:18:01
Hey Tina, yep, yawning and gagging... Never puked, but lots of gagging... Ummmm, to myself anyways, my skin smelled like burning rubber. And I had this warm greasy feeling all over my entire body. The first two weeks are going to be tough, so just stick them out. Then one morning you're just going to wake up and just about all the side effects are going to be gone.Since I took my Effexor in the morning, I would drink tons of water all day. If you're going to be taking it before night though, I guess you could just keep a glass of water beside your bed. Then drink a ton of water when you wake up in the morning. You know, if you start drinking tons of water, it's only maybe the first 4-5 days that you're going to have to go to the washroom so often. After that, your body just gets used to taking all the water in, and you lose about 5lbs from the water that your body is used to retaining. Other than that, keep a small amount of Clonazepam in your system throughout the day. That should help to make things seem less unpleasant.
Posted by jay on February 13, 2003, at 11:19:06
In reply to Thanks everybody and a couple of questions, posted by tina on February 13, 2003, at 8:18:01
> I am sticking with it. Lots of anti-nauseants and
> benzos. I'm doing ok so far. The dizziness is impossible to medicate out though.
> My mouth is so dry though. I've never had such strong anticholinergic effects from an AD before.
> I can't drink a lot of water before bed or I'll be up a hundred times to pee and won't sleep, so, does anyone have any ideas on what to do before bed so as not to dry out??
> OH, and did you guys have the yawning and gagging??Tina...the dry mouth probably comes from the antinauseants (which are part antihistamine), but I am sure the Effexor contributes. I found that again most side effects where time related...so in time you should adjust no problem. Just take it slow and easy..and again don't be in any rush to 'up' the dose.
Best wishes...
Jay
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