Updated: xanax

Don't feel like typing all this out but I'll do my best. I apologize if it doesn't make sense.


I've had anxiety and panic disorder for over 10 years. I recently stopped denying it and "diagnosed myself" with depression this past year as well. I had been on Lexapro for about two years until my primary put me zoloft about a month ago. I was on that for two weeks, it made my depression a lot worse, so she put me on Effexor. I've only been on it for a little over a week and a half. I have about two days of the low-dose left until the dosage gets raised. the Effexor I am on is 37.5 mg and I believe the next dosage will be 75 mg? And then up to 100? Something like that…

Ever since starting Effexor I have been A lot more anxious, have been depersonalizing a lot (feeling like I'm dreaming, dizzy, paranoid).

We were out of town the past four days and I found that every single day about an hour or two before I had to take my meds (8 pm) I would start going into a panic attack. These panic attacks have been different than my previous pack attacks, however. Ever since starting the Effexor I have gotten dizzy, short of breath, depersonalization, paranoid, anxious, loss of feeling/tingly-ness in my face and sometimes legs/hands. Feeling like a zombie; like I'm dreaming; like I'm going insane.

Like I said before, we were out of town the past four days staying in a hotel and I got no more than five or six hours of sleep every night. But, I woke up at 3 PM today. That's at least 15 hours of sleep in one sitting. Kind of concerned me. Ever since waking up I've been very very dizzy, depersonalizing, paranoid, heart rate has been 94 BPM or higher, shortness of breath, brain fog, trouble focusing.

I just don't know if the Effexor is making me worse or if I just need the higher dosage.

I'm scared. I had to take off work. And I really want to go to the ER.
That's how bad it is.

I guess I just need advice. Some peace of mind. Someone to talk to. Someone who has gone through the same thing. ??

I know some antidepressants can make you worse the first couple weeks of being on them. I'm wondering if I should have just stayed on the Zoloft...
I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going insane.

Post Edited (Niks) : 6/15/2017 6:00:15 PM (GMT-6)

"Update": feeling like I'm going to pass out/collapse any time I try to walk. Still dizzy. Weak. Tingling in face.

Hi

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment starting a new medication can be tough going.

Unfortunately it's the norm for things to get worse before they get better again during the start up period which usually lasts a couple of weeks and then things settle down so stick with it if you can.

I used to take Effexor and found it to be a good antidepressant and it worked well at treating my anxiety but I took mine first thing in the morning as I found it very activating. I ended up stopping it after a couple of years as it caused me to get bad night sweats.

Double up on your coping skills to help with the extra anxiety we have some good links in our resources section.

Hibee

N.,

If you are unsure about how your PCP is managing your Rx care, you may want to consider a consult with a psychiatrist. These doctors habe the most knowledge regarding psychotropic prescribing.

I am sure your primary would undetstand and give you a referral on request.

Just a thought...keep us updated...and know we are sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

S.C.

Yes, I think uou should go along with your doctor's plan for now, until you get a P-doc referral if you choose to do so.

Work your coping skills and stay positive for a good outcome...these steps will go a long way of ensuring the best experience possible. 😊

Best wishes and keep us updated.

S.C.

Niks,

I am going to guess your Xanax dose is .5 mg? If so, it is perfectly okay to take them closer together if you don't get get relief from your initial pill.

I am sorry this is so rough right now. Things will get better for you soon.

Work those coping skills, and keep posting for support!

S.C.