Something isn't right

KKSMom

A warm welcome to HealingWell and I know exactly how you feel.  I was on the Effexor XR for over a year and it seemed to work sometimes for me but I had a lot of break through anxiety and depression while taking this med.  I felt like a yoyo and could never count on having a steady level feeling of being OK.   At your dose foggy feelings could be common.  I never went past 150 mg. 

Another thought is talking with your Dr. about adding a mood stablizer which helps many.  Lamictal seems to be one of the most popular.  With any of the meds you almost alaways have issues getting onto the meds so going slowly is often helpful.

Working with your therapist on your feelings is helpful and I still see mine. 

Know that you will be OK.  Believe that your family loves you and now you have a whole new online family here so use us well and we will help you through this tough time.

We want to see a happy, smilling bride.

Gentle Hugs to you,

Kitt

Hi KKSMom and welcome! I am sorry to hear of your anxiety troubles, and the tragic event that has set them in motion. I think that you are indeed a strong person to carry on and seek the help that you need for yourself and your child, and expanding family!

I am glad that you are seeing your psychiatrist soon, and I hope that you can get your medication and therapy both going in the right direction and working for your recovery.

I would also invite you to visit our Anxiety Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) for some great links to sites that teach great coping mechanisms. There may be a few new ones to add to your arsenal of stress fighting techniques:)

Keep posting here with us as well. We are here to support, so ask questions, seek advice, or just come and share:)

Congratulations on this exciting chapter of your life, and well done on seeking the treatment you need so that you can be the mother and wife you want and need to be!

Take care,
Scaredy Cat

Kks mom..
I would like to welcome you to healing well, I absolutely love it. It has helped me so much through some tough times..
I understand you are a bit afraid of taking medications and have had to be hospitalized etc. I myself have an 11 yr old and had to be hospitalized for a few weeks and did a few weeks outpatient. I was abusing my medications.
At that point every single physch med made me worse, more anxious, more depressed, I held on and kept trying new medications, alot failed..but after a few months I found abilify and trileptal (mood stabilizer) and then a small dose of remeron..my life has changed! I can leave the house, I feel great, no more depressing days filled with anxiety, I have not even had to touch my xanex in 3 months. My point is to hang in there , give the doctors a chance and the medication a chance, you owe it to your daughter, your fiancé, and especially yourself.. I know things will get betterr for ya..good luck.
Leslie

Hi

I did find Effexor hard to come off. I had to do it very slowly over a number of weeks I was actually given Clomipramine while I was still on the Effexor and then went from that to Lexapro.

Most people find they get problems when they try and reduce the dosage to quickly or cold turkey which you must never do. It is also important to keep in close contact with your doctor or preferably a psychiatrist who can make sure the reduction and changeover goes well.

I have heard a lot of people are given Prozac as they are coming of the Effexor and then come of the prozac which is easy due to its long shelf time.

Effexor xr is usually used with people who have not had much success with the ssri's and it is a strong AD. I would not worry to much about coming of Effexor at the moment and focus on getting yourself better and if the Effexor is helping with the symptoms then that is a good thing.

Hibee