Posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:14:02
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil, posted by Cindy W on April 10, 2000, at 21:52:43
For anyone who is afraid to take meds now because of a bad experience with Paxil, I have had the same experience. I took Paxil once, and instantly had terrible side effects. I couldn't sleep, I shook like crazy, my jaw was tense and trembling, my muscles kept seizing, I couldn't sleep, had nausea, and severe panic attacks. I felt like I was being poisoned. After three days of that torture, I went off of it.
Ever since, I had been very reluctant to try anything. But then my mother died, and my depression and panic was out of control. I found a new doctor, who convinced me that Effexor may work for me if I started on an extremely low dose. So now I take half of the 37.5 mg a day, by breaking the pill into quarters for each dose. It's fine-I feel a little better already. I felt a bit wierd at first, and my jaw is tense and a little trembly, but it's not bad. I also have to pee alot, and have dry mouth, but again, it's not awful. I can live with the symptoms because I feel better with more energy, and not so incredibly sad, awful and irritable like I felt before. I feel more relaxed and mellow, a little spacey, but it's kind of cool. I think I feel wierd because I'm so used to feeling anxious sad and tense, and my body is not used to feeling good and relaxed.
is there any suggestions for me
> Stef, there are lots and lots of antidepressants: tricyclics (like imipramine), SSRI's (Paxil, Luvox, Zoloft, Celexa), Effexor-XR, Serzone, Remeron, MAOI's, etc. Have you talked with your pdoc about your fears? He/she can probably suggest a new med depending on what your symptoms are and what side effects you have experienced in the past. Have you ever tried anything besides Paxil? Also, if you try another med, you may want to start VERY slow (some people even crush the pill and put it in water and take VERY VERY small doses until they see how they are going to react).
>
poster:Alesa
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/373620.html