Posted by Annie S. on January 14, 2000, at 10:54:08
In reply to venlafaxine - should it be taken?, posted by Concerned on January 13, 2000, at 9:32:15
> I have someone who was prescribed venlafaxine for anxiety. Originally they went to Dr for chronic pain in legs. Dr suggested this instead. I do not believe this medication is for anything to do with pain. Only for the use of an antidepressent. The DR claimed, that it has other uses...????
> Any help on this would be appreicated.
Dear concerned,I have taken Effexor XR (venlafaxine) for over 6 months for generalized anxiety. The drug has changed my life in many positive ways. It truly has been a God-send for me. It has allowed me to relax enough to focus on projects, read books again, sleep through the night, handle the every day stress of life like a "normal" person. For me it has been a very effective treatment for anxiety.
Someone explained the reason why antidepressants work for depression and anxiety in this way (it made sense to me): It is theorized that very anxious people start out life with "too little serotonin." The receptors in their brain that normally receive serotonin may compensate by becoming hypersensitive in later life. Giving these individuals medications that boost serotonin may help them by eventually "toning down" those hyper-sensitive receptors.
Good luck to your someone who has been prescribed venlafaxine.
Annie S.
poster:Annie S.
thread:18878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000112/msgs/18926.html