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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mkp on September 13, 2005, at 22:12:49
My doc gave me some samples of effexor today for my social anxiety, and mild depression and I'm not sure if I want to start taking it. I've been reading through alot of the posts placed about this drug and most of them are about all the side effects and problems effexor has caused. I'm afraid if I start this med, I'm just trading in one set of problems for another.
I don't know what to do!
mkp
Posted by wildcard on September 13, 2005, at 22:56:07
In reply to should I start taking effexor?, posted by mkp on September 13, 2005, at 22:12:49
everyone reacts so differnt to meds that u cant go by the posts alone. i am one that effexor has helped a great deal and have social/general anx. w/ severe depression. i have had minimal side effects and effexor hasnt caused weight gain as the others i tried did unless i worked out each day(which i cld. barely crawl out of bed then). it seems to work well for anxiety and depression BUT, i also take minimal klonopin as well b/c the effexor has made me feel a bit edgy at times but i take 225mg daily. take care and i hope it helps u if u try it.
Posted by wildcard on September 13, 2005, at 22:56:59
In reply to should I start taking effexor?, posted by mkp on September 13, 2005, at 22:12:49
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 14, 2005, at 11:59:43
In reply to should I start taking effexor?, posted by mkp on September 13, 2005, at 22:12:49
If you are hesitant to try effexor, is there another med that you'd rather try?
Or, often mild symptoms do not require meds if you have psychotherapy. (You didn't say anything about the severity of your soc anx, so maybe you don't fall into this category). Have you had therapy about these issues? Are you currently in treatment?
Best,
EE
Posted by Racer on September 15, 2005, at 13:09:00
In reply to Re: should I start taking effexor?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 14, 2005, at 11:59:43
I've been on Effexor, and it helped.
Keep in mind, while reading this board, that many of us are very medication resistant. What we experience is unlikely to be what you experience. About the only thing that is consistent with Effexor is that more people experience what's called "discontinuation syndrome" when stopping it. (Of course, only the drug companies and some doctors call it Discontinuation Syndrome. The rest of us call it withdrawal. ;-P ) There are ways of minimizing the discomfort of that withdrawal, though, which you'll find on the withdrawal board here.
For what it's worth, if you're very concerned about trying Effexor, there is a drug with similar effects called Cymbalta that was released about a year ago. You might ask your doctor about that. If cost is an issue, though, Effexor should be cheaper.
There are also a lot of other anti-depressants out there. You can ask your doctor about them, too. And, if you can't talk to your doctor comfortably, fire him and get another! (Unless, like me, you're stuck because of lack of resources. I was uninsured for about ten years and went through hell because I had no options for seeking other treatment. If that's your situation, I can only offer my sympathy.)
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
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