3rd week on Effexor 75mg, and anxiety is coming back!!!

Good Morning,

I know how tough it is to get onto the AD medications, however, don't give up as it can be a rough ride for the first 6-8 weeks.  You are starting to have some good days but the break through days make you doubt the medication is going to work.

Try some of the awesome suggestions in the resources and most of all keep on believing.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Coopsmum same thing happened to me but on paxil started to feel better on 3rd week but 4th week awful again. Dr said im having too many side effects and took me off, told me to start effexor after 2 days without paxil. I didn't think that was right so broke paxil down been off it 5 days now and feeling awful. Don't know what to do as its awful getting on and off these meds. I know I had effexor yrs ago and had to come off as I stared at ceiling all night long and was like a zombie the next day I don't want that again. Do they effect you like that ? Im really not sure if 3 or even 4 weeks is long enough to make a proper assessment and that causes me to doubt my drs advice. I think in your shoes I would give it another week as you must nearly be over the worst effects now. Take care x

Thanks all for your support, I really need it right now. I seem to be slipping down and woke up this morning bawling. I am so frustrated about this and I just dont know what to think anymore. I will stick with the med and hope and pray that it will eventually work, but it is just so dissapointing to say the least. Marie, my side effects are mainly jitters and heart palps sometimes, but I have no issues with sleep. I take them at 8:30am every day. I seem to be feeling more depressed too. Maybe it's because of the dissapointment? Alsky, do you mind me asking what dose you are on, and what your symptoms were? Mine are nervousness and depression. How long before you noticed a difference? I am on 75mg of the extended release, which I assume is pretty low, but I still have to wait to see what my doctor says before I up the dose. I am really trying to be positive here, but I'm really struggling right now. I have so much to offer fellow members, as I have conquered many other anxiety faces, and I want to be of help, but I am so consumed with my crap that I am consumed with it. I know this will pass eventually, but I am constantly thinking about how carefree I was just a few months ago, and can't help wondering if after all of this, I will ever be able to go on and eventually forget this horrible time in my life. I have so much to live for and be thankful for, so what is my problem? I just don't know. I cry as I type, and I weep for all of us who suffer. I know we will overcome, and I know how hard it is to get there, but it really helps to have each other to guide us and understand what it's like, to support us and encourage. I'm very thankful for that.

I have been having health related anxiety attacks. Don't really know what to do. I don't sleep much, have crying spells and don't really want to go anywhere. Anyone have the health related anxiety and how do you treat it?

Hi again, badbutt, I used to suffer from health anxiety too, and what worked for me was to play out my fears right to the very end. For example, if I feared say cancer, I would imagine the initial diagnosis, then the treatment, then the support that my family would provide, then the remission, then the move on phase. I would remind myself that I had absolutely no control over what "could" happen, and told myself that living in fear of what if, was far worse than the actual percieved illness. We simply can't predict what may or may not happen in the future, but we can control how we think about it. I know, easier said than done. I did not grasp it quickly, but with persistance, I did manage to control my emotions to it. Now if only I could do this with my med situation!!! I seem to be slipping deeper into this mood and I'm not sure how to get out of it. I have had many years where I have felt well, and you will too. I have been dealing with this for over 20 years, and have had many very happy years in between each spike.
Alsky, I just wanted to ask if you had been on any other antidepressants before? I had been on Celexa for 8 awesome years with no trouble until it pooped out in July. Been trying to find normal since then!!!

Well, unfortunately my day is not going too well. I think that one of my problems is that I am already worried about withdrwals from it because of way toooo much googling. Maybe I'm not giving it enough of a chance because I am afraid to? I'm also worried that I will never find a med that will work again. Were you on Effexor from 97 to 2010?? How did you manage your withdrawl? Is it as bad as some people say? Maybe knowing that will help? Thanks for your support too!!