Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 368163

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I just started Effexor XR

Posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 9:35:37

I just began taking Effexor XR yesterday for my GAD - I also had blood-work taken for the first time to see if maybe my problem is thyroid related. I have been to councelors, therapists, phsychiatrists - you name it - since I was 13 years old. In my teens I was severely depressed and they tried Zoloft and Celexa - both of which I became fed up with and stopped taking cold turkey. Fortunately, I haven't suffered from depression in several years now - but now I have severe anxiety. Earlier this year I was put on Lexapro (against my will - I didn't see why they would use Lexapro when Celexa obviously hadn't worked in the past!!!) and of course I stopped taking this cold turkey too. Lexapro actually changed my personality - it made me very mean, confused - it just didn't work right at all.

I don't know what to think of Effexor - but I am not very optimistic about it, considering my multiple failures in the past - but I have promised my fiance to give it a chance since it seems to be marketed more towards GAD then depression.

What do you think?

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR » Cottonwool

Posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 9:45:03

In reply to I just started Effexor XR, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 9:35:37

I've been on Effexor since last October. It has helped with my anxiety - I take 150mg of the XR version. I had side effects that were extremely uncomfortable, for a long time (8 weeks); but it's given me great relief and I'm happy to be taking it

Good luck!

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy

Posted by crazychickuk on July 20, 2004, at 10:08:17

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR » Cottonwool, posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 9:45:03

what side affects dod u have?

Cottonwool- best of luck..... stick with it..


 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy

Posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 10:21:45

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by crazychickuk on July 20, 2004, at 10:08:17

Since I just started yesterday, I don't think I've had any side effects. My stomach was a little quizy yesterday after I took my first dose, but I ordered a pizza and it went away : ) My fiance is terribly concerned about sexual dysfunction, because our sex life is already pretty dysfunctional to begin with due to my anxiety. I suffered from an abusive relationship and sometimes I just DONT feel like having sex, and he doesn't understand why. I know by now that he wouldn't never hurt me, but I will freak out at the smallest things and have to stop.

I explained to him that my hope was that the medicine would actually SOLVE our problems - if I don't have anxiety, I wouldn't fear sex, right? I don't know.

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy » crazychickuk

Posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 10:33:28

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by crazychickuk on July 20, 2004, at 10:08:17

I think I must have had them all: dry mouth, dry eyeballs (couldn't wear my contact lenses for MONTHS), excessive sweating, twitchiness in limbs at bedtime, shakey hands, some nausea, weird dreams at first. I really had to be persuaded that it was worth hanging in there; and I am so glad I did. I had a time when after going up to 150mg, my blood pressure went up. We went back down to 75mg and went up more slowly (adding the 37.5mg to the dose) and the BP is normal.

The last side effect to subside was the dry mouth. Now I'm also on Wellbutrin XL, so I'm thirsty all the time. I have depression along with the anxiety, and adding the WB to mix was the right thing for me.

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy

Posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 10:49:34

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy » crazychickuk, posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 10:33:28

My doctor explained to me the reason why they never put me on wellbutrin is because it causes an edginess and if I'm already overly anxious, this would only make things worse.

I have to say that I slept very well last night! I was very drowsy last night, but I didn't know if that was from the meds or because the night before I had stayed up most of the night ( my kitten just got fixed and he wouldn't stop crying!!! but usually I can go a night without much sleep and still have plenty of energy. )But I laid down and went RIGHT to sleep, and woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in months! I consistently have terrible, upsetting dreams and sleep fitfully. I always wake up feeling very disoriented and drained, like sleeping actually took my energy away!

I don't remember what I dreamed last night, but I know it was pleasant. How wierd!

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR » Cottonwool

Posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 11:06:43

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 10:49:34

Yes - "your mileage may vary" is an oft-quoted saying here!

 

Huh?

Posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 11:23:11

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR » Cottonwool, posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 11:06:43

I don't understand what that means? Please explain! ~LOL~

 

Re: Huh? » Cottonwool

Posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 12:01:10

In reply to Huh?, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 11:23:11

I'm sorry! It means that people will different reactions, side effects, and benefits from the same medications. You can't really say that if you take X medication that this that and other thing are going to happen. My experience with effexor and my blood pressure going up, for example, is cited as a "rarely experienced" side effect.

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy

Posted by starlight on July 20, 2004, at 14:25:51

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 10:21:45

I like Effexor alot. It's helped my anxiety tremendously. I accidentally started at 75 mgs and had 1 anorgasmic experience, but other than that, my sexual life has been great - so no issues there. I've actually lost a good bit of weight on it as well - probably about 10 pounds or so, which on my frame really shows.
Good Luck,
starlight

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy

Posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 14:44:55

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by starlight on July 20, 2004, at 14:25:51

I suddenly got really shakey out of the blue earlier, but I had some xanax on hand and took .5 to calm me down. Other than that - I'm still doing ok.

 

Hang in there! » Cottonwool

Posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 15:02:43

In reply to Re: I just started Effexor XR-partlycloudy, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 14:44:55

I have that on hand for panic attacks that I get too. I bet things will even out quickly for you, medication-wise. If you don't mind me asking, do you see a therapist, too?

 

Re: I just started Effexor XR

Posted by Possibility on July 20, 2004, at 18:28:30

In reply to I just started Effexor XR, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 9:35:37

You sound like me from everything Ive read. I too have GAD and have been on Effexor XR (75mg) for about 2 months now. I have to say that it is going great. The sexual side effects are present and I too can also relate to that being a problem before I even started taking the medication (due to my anxiety, and as well tramatizing past relationships). You really do have a lot in common with me. LOL. Anyway, the side effects that I do have now are weird dreams, not being able to sleep properly at first, sleepiness during the days, which is sort of subsiding now, and constant sweating, which i am going to talk to my doctor about next week. My advice is pretty much stick with it if it works for you. That sounds sort of simple but all I can say is what it has done for me. It has been a miracle drug for me and my anxiety has greatly been reduced to the point where I can function at work and live my life the way Ive always wanted -- little to no fear. I am happier than ever and i hope that it brings you the same success. Good luck to you!

 

Re: drugs and therapy together cld work

Posted by sageblue on July 21, 2004, at 1:14:23

In reply to I just started Effexor XR, posted by Cottonwool on July 20, 2004, at 9:35:37

Hey,

I just wanted to say that first, I hope the Effexor works for you. It is slightly different from SSRI's, so it might work where the other meds didn't.

It might not completely eliminate your fears about intimacy. My girlfriend has similar issues, yet she does not have any form of anxiety -- more of a conditioning to find intimacy fearful due to the past incidents.

It has been pretty helpful for us to go to therapy to talk about it. Me, so I can understand more where she's coming from, and her, so she can view sex in a more positive light. Maybe you could bring your boyfriend in to see a good counselor with you sometime -- once the meds are helping with the whole thing.

good luck !

 

Re: Hang in there!

Posted by Cottonwool on July 21, 2004, at 16:10:03

In reply to Hang in there! » Cottonwool, posted by partlycloudy on July 20, 2004, at 15:02:43

I'm not seeing a therapist at the moment, because it was given to me in samples when I was having a physical. I have 1 months supply so I need to schedule an appointment with one of the therapists she recommended soon.

I'm feeling a bit better today. I was ancy towards the afternoon and left early for work - which upset my fiance because we don't get to spend much time together when I work evenings. I seem to feel ancy and dog-tired at the same time. It's wierd. But I really feel more social and open and don't get frightened by wierd things or small things.

 

Re: Hang in there! » Cottonwool

Posted by partlycloudy on July 22, 2004, at 18:02:30

In reply to Re: Hang in there!, posted by Cottonwool on July 21, 2004, at 16:10:03

If you are able to, I would personally recommend seeing a therapist in addition to taking the medication. There are many differing opinions out there about the best route, so all I can speak from is my experience. The way I see it (and it's been echoed by many people) is that the medication allowed me to function well enough to be able to participate in the therapy which helps me address the whole problem. Not just this immediate depression, anxiety, and panic; the whole shebang. A word of advice, too: if you do try therapy, don't be afraid to "interview" until you find a T you are comfortable with.
I have no delusions that therapy will fix me and I'll be off meds any time soon; I'm just saying that I feel that the entirety of me is being treated, rather than just the biological or emotional part of me.
(You'll find that I will always have an extra 2 cents to add on this subject!)


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