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Effexor users please help!!!

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Posted 12/2/2013 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I know I keep harping on this same subject but I dont know what to do!!!! I'm on Effexor for over 9 weeks, and 3 weeks at 150. I thought for a while I was doing better, but I have gone back to how I was in the beginning, no appetite, waking with anxiety, shaky hands, weak arms, heavy feeling in head and chest and just plain nervousness. These feelings last all day long until the evening when I start to settle down. I don't understand how I could have been feeling better for a few days and then this? This has been ongoing for the past week now and it's not passing at all. I had to take clonazepam yesterday just to get some relief, which helped but I want an antidepressant to help both anxiety and depression and I don't want to rely on benzos. Please please, has anyone experienced this? Is it a matter of increasing? changing? Please anyone have some insight? I'm really struggling alot with this!!!!! Thanks anyone!!!!!
Posted 12/2/2013 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been on effexor but it may just be that the increase is too much or not enough. Maybe call ur doc today and see what s/he thinks. I hope you find some answers.
Posted 12/2/2013 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have posted on your topic often regarding effexor . First of all sorry to say you are not doing so well . Second of all I would like to say I have been effexor free for about a week . I was on it for about 7 weeks and it just wasn't doing it for me . I was more nervous then ever and self diagnosing more than ever with google . I was letting it get the best of me and I felt the effexor didn't help . On top of that I got some weird side effects from this drug . I went to a new doctor and got blood drawn and he told me to go off the effexor . I go back tommorow morning to discuss further treatment options ( I'm guessing I'm not dying because it's been 2 weeks and they haven't called regarding the blood test ).

It seems like you are really give this medicine a shot . Maybe you should go up a dose to 225mg a day .

Are you perscribed a benzo ? Those are really the only things that help me during a panic attack . I used to have xanax which worked wonders and now I have klonopin and it seems to help .
Posted 12/2/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry coops mom I missed the part about the benzo!!

I have been perscribed them since June and I have to say as long as you are responsible and really need them then you won't physically depend on them .
Posted 12/2/2013 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
#coopsmom. I was on Effexor for three years. I still had mild panic attacks and couldn't do very much outside the house. Then I got pregnant an fall hell broke loose with my meds. I am now on 40 mg of cel exam and 100-150mg of trazadone i have been on this dose for seven years with help from NOVO-BROMAZEPAM @ 3mg (or the generic form lectopam). Now I don't have complete freedom from anxiety you have to learn that. But I can now drive a reasonable distance from home (150km) and this weekend I went shopping for Christmas by myself for an hour. That is amazing for me to do because I don't do ANYTHING by myself.
I have had major issues with anxiety since I was 8 years old and have been on meds all my adult life. I can't be off for any length of time or I will be hospitalized.
I have been married for 14 years and have a 7 year old boy. So there is hope but it takes a little bit of juggling your meds around. Good luck! I wish you we'll!
Posted 12/2/2013 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
linden, just curious what dose of effexor were you on? I was on Celexa for 8 years with amazing results. I wish I could go back on it!! and what is lectopam? Thanks
Posted 12/3/2013 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
CM,

I wanted to ask you, are you due or did you just get your menstrual cycle this month? I noticed that my anxiety really acts up when that time is near and it calms down about 2 days into it.

I am guessing you take a generic brand of Effexor...as do I...if you do, what is the manufacturer? Mine is by TEVA.
Posted 12/3/2013 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, and thank you for your responses! I went to see a different doctor yesterday as mine is away till mid December, and he (through his rushing) told me that I should try and increase it by 37.5 for a week and see what happens, then another 37.5 after that and see. H basically said that I've invested alot of time on this med, and we should try a dose increase first before making a decision to change. I guess that's what I will try. I really do hope that works, as I have been using klonopin to get through my days and I would really rather not.
Sylk, as a matter of fact I did get my cycle on Tuesday, but I'm still having a rough go. I feel like I'm nervous and sweaty palms all day long, and it does subside in the evenings. How does your anxiety feel? Do you have to use anything to calm your body down? I only take a .5 of klonopin, but it makes me a bit woozy. How are you feeling now? You were having some anxiety too, is it better? I still want to chat with you but everytime I've tried I get a message that my server is down. Maybe through email?? Let me now I'd love to hear your feedback on Effex, since you have been on it longer than me. I'm still having anxiety today, and I have to work! Ugh I just want something to work!! Have you been on any other meds before??? Love to talk!!
Posted 12/3/2013 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

Yes, my anxiety tends to flare up near my cycle. Those are LONG days! I do take Klonopin .5 mg 3x a day. I too don't like to take that, but for the meantime, it helps and gets me through until the anxiety is under control...when I get my anxiety under control, I will discontinue the Klonopin, but until then, I am not worrying about taking it.

I think it's a good idea to try what the Dr. suggested. He isn't increasing you too much, and it might just be what you need!

I too want to chat with you. I think if you go under my profile, my email addy is there. If it is and you can, email me and we can figure something out on how to chat!!!

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you are feeling better today.

Hugs to you!
Amy
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