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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MDR on March 4, 2002, at 15:28:17
I've been on Effexor XR (75 mil./day) for six days now. It was perscribed to give me some relief from persistent anxiety and headaches. I don't have: panic attacks, depression, or phobias of any kind (that I'm aware of). I deal with moderate OCD and anxiety. I've read many of the messages posted here and they all seem to deal with depression of varying degrees. Is there anyone out there taking Effexor for just anxiety? Has it helped you? Please give me your feedback on this drug for anxiety. Thanks.
Posted by Willow on March 4, 2002, at 17:46:43
In reply to Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 4, 2002, at 15:28:17
Posted by sid on March 4, 2002, at 20:29:27
In reply to Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 4, 2002, at 15:28:17
I'm taking 75mg a day of Effexor XR against anxiety and long-standing dysthymia, with good results. I've been on 75mg a day for 2 months now, and I'll stay at that level unless the effectiveness decreases. I read a lot about much much higher dosages, but so far I'm having success at that level.
I had MANY serious side effects in the first week (at 37.5mg a day only), so it may take a while before you can assess the performance of Effexor XR. If you feel weird or downright bad for up to a few weeks, talk to your doc and try waiting some more, things might improve and Effexor XR might turn out to be worth toughing it out initially. It's been my experience so far (3.5 months total).
- sid
Posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 11:12:53
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR » MDR, posted by sid on March 4, 2002, at 20:29:27
> I'm taking 75mg a day of Effexor XR against anxiety and long-standing dysthymia, with good results. I've been on 75mg a day for 2 months now, and I'll stay at that level unless the effectiveness decreases. I read a lot about much much higher dosages, but so far I'm having success at that level.
>
> I had MANY serious side effects in the first week (at 37.5mg a day only), so it may take a while before you can assess the performance of Effexor XR. If you feel weird or downright bad for up to a few weeks, talk to your doc and try waiting some more, things might improve and Effexor XR might turn out to be worth toughing it out initially. It's been my experience so far (3.5 months total).
>
> - sid
> Sid, I appreciate the information. So far, knock on wood, I have had few side effects from Effexor. Mostly sleep disruption -- I wake up a lot at night. I do feel light-headed a lot throughout the day and have ringing in my ears. I am assuming some of this will go away after time. Thanks again.
Posted by Willow on March 5, 2002, at 14:38:16
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 11:12:53
> > I've been on 75mg a day for 2 months now, and I'll stay at that level unless the effectiveness decreases.
I kept having improvement until around 8 months. Anxiety under control! For myself effexor has been great.
> > I do feel light-headed a lot throughout the day and have ringing in my ears. I am assuming some of this will go away after time.
When I first started I found it helpful to split my dose up, morning and then afternoon. You can get 37.5mg capsules. This helped me. After about two to three months the side effects lessened.
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 14:47:05
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by Willow on March 5, 2002, at 14:38:16
> > > I've been on 75mg a day for 2 months now, and I'll stay at that level unless the effectiveness decreases.
>
> I kept having improvement until around 8 months. Anxiety under control! For myself effexor has been great.
>
> > > I do feel light-headed a lot throughout the day and have ringing in my ears. I am assuming some of this will go away after time.
>
> When I first started I found it helpful to split my dose up, morning and then afternoon. You can get 37.5mg capsules. This helped me. After about two to three months the side effects lessened.
>
> BEST WISHES
> Willow
>>Willow, thank you for the feedback. I am concerned, as others are, about the withdrawl symtoms from taking Effexor. What are your thoughts?
Posted by sid on March 5, 2002, at 23:20:59
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 11:12:53
Good for you. I barely slept at all the first week. It did get better afterwards, after 7 to 10 days. I was spacey (very!) the first 5 days and that went away too.
Good luck.- sid
Posted by sid on March 5, 2002, at 23:25:42
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 14:47:05
Withdrawal syndrome - my thoughts, after reading and talking to my doc about it... (you asked Willow, but I write anyway)
1- decrease dosage slowly to try and avoid problems;
2 - not everybody has withdrawal syndrome;
3 - there are ways to get through it if it happens to me (Prozac, Benadryl, taking a week off to get through it if necessary), and my doc is aware of it all;
4 - for now, Effexor XR is making me feel the best I have felt in my adult life;
5- given all of the above, I choose to continue with Effexor XR.- sid
Posted by MDR on March 6, 2002, at 12:50:53
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR » MDR, posted by sid on March 5, 2002, at 23:25:42
> Withdrawal syndrome - my thoughts, after reading and talking to my doc about it... (you asked Willow, but I write anyway)
> 1- decrease dosage slowly to try and avoid problems;
> 2 - not everybody has withdrawal syndrome;
> 3 - there are ways to get through it if it happens to me (Prozac, Benadryl, taking a week off to get through it if necessary), and my doc is aware of it all;
> 4 - for now, Effexor XR is making me feel the best I have felt in my adult life;
> 5- given all of the above, I choose to continue with Effexor XR.
>
> - sid
>> Sid, thank you for the very helpful information. My problem, for along time, has been anxiety (needless and excessive worry), and mild to moderate OCD problems. I belive you indicated you were dealing with anxiety as well. I'm wondering, if you don't mind me asking, how long it took for Effexor at 75m./day to work for you and what were the indicators that it was doing the job in nipping the anxiety you were experiencing. Also, I wondering if you, or anyone, has heard how well Effexor works on OCD? I appreciate it.
Posted by sid on March 6, 2002, at 16:43:21
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 6, 2002, at 12:50:53
> I'm wondering, if you don't mind me asking, how long it took for Effexor at 75m./day to work for you and what were the indicators that it was doing the job in nipping the anxiety you were experiencing.
It started working within 10 days at 37.5 mg. Since then it's been getting better, slowly. I can't say I've had something change completely in one day, all of a sudden. Indicators: my life is as much a mess as before, but I don't panick about it anymore. I do what I have to do, since rationally that's all I can do, and we'll see what happens in time. I used to worry so much about what life would bring me next that I could barely function. I'm much more productive, I think much more clearly (I do research, so my brain is my main tool for work), and I don't worry all the time.
> Also, I wondering if you, or anyone, has heard how well Effexor works on OCD? I appreciate it.
It's marketed for GAD and one facet of GAD can be OC behavior, that's all I read about it. I do think it's working for me. My behavior was somewhat OCD-like: I worried so I was not productive and vice-versa, to no end.
An article was written recently (look at posts from the past 2 weeks or so, a web link is provided in one message) that said that it does NOT work for GAD however... well, it does for me.
- sid
Posted by MDR on March 6, 2002, at 17:04:36
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR » MDR, posted by sid on March 6, 2002, at 16:43:21
Sid, thanks for all of your input. I've been on this stuff for little over a week now and it seems to already be making a difference. My biggest "concern" right now is what it may be like coming off Effexor but I'll stay on it for as long as I need to and deal with any withdraw complications later (see, it's already working).
Posted by Willow on March 6, 2002, at 19:10:53
In reply to Re: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Effexor XR, posted by MDR on March 5, 2002, at 14:47:05
For myself I'll probably be on it for quite some time. I've been seriously affected for at least the past six years. What caused my gad? Until I find a cause I can't begin to find a cure, so in the meantime effexor gets rid of it, completely.
Regarding the withdrawal, I'll take a prescription of prozac which stays in the system longer and prevents the negative affects of body adjusting to being without the medication. For myself effexor has cured all the syptoms people complain about during abrupt stopping of the medication. In a selfish way it makes me feel good to have someone experience what I've been living with.
Whistling Willow
Posted by MDR on March 7, 2002, at 10:17:28
In reply to effexor withdrawal/ gad » MDR, posted by Willow on March 6, 2002, at 19:10:53
Willow, thank you for your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that Effexor has been helping you with GAD -- it's reassuring to me. I've been on it for just over a week and I've already noticed some improvements but feel I still have a ways to go. The only side affect that's really bothered me is the restless sleep problem -- I keep waking up starting about 2:00 a.m. I'm able to fight it off for the most part and go back to sleep but it's still an annoyance that I hear will subside. Again, thank you and take care.
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