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Posted 7/15/2009 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I am very new to the forums, and felt like joining to see if I could get other users opinions and thoughts.

I've had depression, anxiety, panic attacks...for probably about 5 years now. I am 21.
Recently I've been having a lot of trouble with my depression (I'm sitting at work right now crying as I write this)
I've been worrying about the stupidest things that will happen in the future, or have already happened and I tend to dwell on them.
This makes things worse because I then get panic attacks which make my stomach hurt and make overall life terrible.
I am also emetophobic (fear of vomiting) which just makes it even worse and a never ending circle.
Suicidal thoughts come and go, I know I won't act on them...but it just scares me that my mind would want that.

Currently I'm on 75 mg Effexor XR, Xanax, and a few other meds for my stomach.

My doctor wants me to switch over to Cymbalta now, and I am quite scared that I will go through withdrawals of effexor and make everything worse. And wouldn't you know it, cymbalta's main side effect is nausea. Maybe I should up the dosage of effexor?

What do you think I should do? Any advice? Know what I'm going through?
I just want to know I'm not alone, because I definitely feel like I am.
Posted 7/15/2009 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
If you are sitting there, crying, I don't think the Effexor is working. Listen to your doctor and give the Cymbalta a try. Don't go worrying about possible side effects unless you experience them. That's like staying home from a picnic because there is a 20% chance of rain that day. It's a possibility, not a probability. My doc gave me Cymbalta for pain management and it made me feel so good I had to stop taking it. Don't worry about withdrawals from the Effexor, I'm sure your doctor will titrate you off one and then on to the other.

I don't know what else you enjoy doing, but I know that a few hours of yoga every week help me stay grounded. You might want to look into it. Give you something else as a tool to help you focus on other things and not dwell on things you can't control. I know it helps me a great deal.

Good luck. You are definitely not alone.
Posted 7/15/2009 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi There,

Welcome to HealingWell. I take effexor, 375mg a day. And it helps me. But the doctor added abilify. It helps with obsessive thinking. I no longer worry about the future.

Effexor and Cymbalta are close cousins, so the transition shouldn't be that hard.

Learn to live in the present. Don't dwell on what might happen. Try not to worry about the future. As said above, yoga might help. It does ground you.

Do you go to any counseling? CBT therapy might be the way to go, it helps you to live in the moment and not worry so much about what MIGHT happen. So think about counseling. It has really helped me. I have been going for many years and it is a life saver.

I hope that you feel better soon. And I hope that you get on the proper meds. 75mg of effexor is a low dose and certainly can be upped.

Best wishes to you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 7/16/2009 7:56 AM (GMT 0)
not alone my friend. effexor is the right med i feel. an anti-dep with sedating qualities. was on it for 4 plus yrs. 75 mg is a very mild dose, definately suggest that you speak to your doc, uping the dose may be more productive than changing at this time. no doc, but would seek clarification before changing it. xanax, yes was on it for p.a. as well, highly addictive though. i am on pristiq, a dirivative of effexor, the difference is that it is not sedating and works more effectively with depressive disorders. keep fightin' thx for your courage in posting. keep safe and well. focus on the here and now, yesterday is gone and the future is still happening.

healing prayers. jamie

dx, mdd, severe borderline personality disorder.

Posted 7/16/2009 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Paradynix, I also want to welcome you to the forum. Anxiety and depression go hand in hand for lots of us, and I know it can be really hard. You are definitely not alone. I really like the suggestions about grounding/relaxing activities like yoga, and especially the counseling. Therapy has been a lifesaver for me. Have you tried counseling before? Perhaps it would be something to look into. I hate to think of you sitting at work and crying. I've been there, too, and it's a very helpless feeling. The good news is that you *can* help yourself, and I hope you will consider the suggestions here and come back and post with us some more. We really do care.
Posted 7/17/2009 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Personally I have had a great experience with Zoloft. The only side effect was insomnia and just how long it took for the meds to start helping (4-5 months). I started at 50 mg and went to 200. Only on the first couple days there was a little nausea but I never threw up. things are different for each person. I'd say follow what your doctor thinks is best if you are unsatisfied with the other medication. It's a tough road and it's hard to be patient, but in time things will look up and you will figure out what will help you.
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