Posted by AnneL on March 15, 2001, at 21:06:28
In reply to Re: Effexor xr causing panic attacks, posted by Eric on March 15, 2001, at 13:07:41
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> If you stay on the Effexor or SSRIs for several weeks, there is a good chance those panic attacks will dissipate and give way to an antidepressant effect. I think you may be confusing straight forward panic attacks(which are not usually caused by drugs) with SSRI and Effexor "activation" which oftentimes includes feeling extreme anxiety and nervousness, which includes "feeling weird." This SSRI/Effexor activation lasts a couple weeks in the beginning with some people, then as the body adjusts to the med it goes away, giving way to an antidepressant effect which usually actually fights the anxiety and panic attacks you complain of.
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> Giving an SSRI or Effexor only a few days or even a week does not give it a chance. I would be willing to bet that you are simply panicking at the extreme activation feelings these meds often cause when you first start them. It would be easy to confuse "panic attacks" with the SSRI/Effexor activation...this is very common and a big reason why many quit their antidepressant in the first two weeks...they get scared from the early stage activation.
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> EricThank you very much, Eric. I saw my doctor today who recommended that I resume Effexor xr at starting dosage and use Klonopin at night for anxiety relief and sleep. I am very motivated to give the Effexor a very fair trial, but need help with the "ativation" as you call it. Xanax is much too short-acting to have any real benefits during a long, scary night. Any suggestions on the use of another medication to help me while I get used to the medication? Thanks, AnneL
poster:AnneL
thread:56547
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56612.html