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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 jay on January 22, 2003, at 2:23:01
An odd thing has happened over the past 6 or so years on Effexor. I have become apathetic, and very isolated, and very social-phobic. I've lost touch with friends I could have easily stayed in touch with..and when I don';t work, I lock myself in my bedroom...in bed. And no..it is not just the depression that did it..it was when I started treatment with Effexor, and I just *didn't* care. I've become lazy...lost my better health...and soon enough, became afraid to even go outside.I am sorry..but this is just not unacceptable.(Now he says!..heh) So, my Dx is minor depression, with a major case of GAD AND Panic Attacks. I honestly think the Effexor brought on much of that fear...and now with treatment with benzos and a possible very different, much smaller dose of an antidepressant, I may be making some room.
My point is...if you aren't happy with your living..don't just 'accept' it..because you deserve the FULL treatment to make your like liveable and enjoyable.
I lost about 6 years of my life to Effexor...and it *has* prevented me from getting *anywhere* in my life goals. If Effexor works for your depression...then great...but an ANXIETY Disorder requires a WHOLE different line of meds, therapy, etc. (No matter what the drug companies tell you.)
Jay
Posted by kath on January 23, 2003, at 18:50:39
In reply to Isolating onself..while on a med.., posted by jay on January 22, 2003, at 2:23:01
That sounds awful, Jay. So what is your situation now? As to meds? As to how you fell, etc.?
Kath
>
> An odd thing has happened over the past 6 or so years on Effexor. I have become apathetic, and very isolated, and very social-phobic. I've lost touch with friends I could have easily stayed in touch with..and when I don';t work, I lock myself in my bedroom...in bed. And no..it is not just the depression that did it..it was when I started treatment with Effexor, and I just *didn't* care. I've become lazy...lost my better health...and soon enough, became afraid to even go outside.
>
> I am sorry..but this is just not unacceptable.(Now he says!..heh) So, my Dx is minor depression, with a major case of GAD AND Panic Attacks. I honestly think the Effexor brought on much of that fear...and now with treatment with benzos and a possible very different, much smaller dose of an antidepressant, I may be making some room.
>
> My point is...if you aren't happy with your living..don't just 'accept' it..because you deserve the FULL treatment to make your like liveable and enjoyable.
>
> I lost about 6 years of my life to Effexor...and it *has* prevented me from getting *anywhere* in my life goals. If Effexor works for your depression...then great...but an ANXIETY Disorder requires a WHOLE different line of meds, therapy, etc. (No matter what the drug companies tell you.)
>
> Jay
Posted by lostsailor on January 24, 2003, at 12:17:12
In reply to Re: Isolating onself..while on a med.. » jay, posted by kath on January 23, 2003, at 18:50:39
Jay<
I have been on and off of effexor over the past about 6 yrs as well. I don't believe that the med did what you are describing but he panic and GAD leading to social phobia and/or agoraphobia.
I was first diagnosed with mag dep, panic dis. w/ agoraphobia and later Bi-polar instead of mag dep after a manic episode.
Oddly, effexor is the only med that helps depression but I can only take it until the episode subsides or else I find it to stimulating. I then switch to a 'normal" ssri, (currently lexapro) but doc, while liking the fact that these meds help with anxiety and panic, they cannot be used instead of other treatment when needed like benzos etc.Are you honest with doc, if so, maybe it's time for a new one?
Good luck,
~Tony
Posted by jay on January 25, 2003, at 5:19:21
In reply to Re: Isolating onself..while on a med.., posted by lostsailor on January 24, 2003, at 12:17:12
Hi Tony:Well..after almost a decade of Dx'ed depression, then bipolar, it now looks like I suffer from a MAJOR case of anxiety (GAD..but now 'low level'..)..as well as panic attacks. I found many of the newer antidepressants REALLY made that worse, and eventually I was so scared to leave the house..or my room. Now, I *thought* it was the depression..but the breaking point game when another doctor suggested ECT after my ten year struggle. I also responded poorly to mood stablizers, so/so to atypical antipsychotics..but the anxiety NEVER went away.
I went to an emergency clinic, I was so 'freaked out', and they gave me an ample (theraputic) supply of clonazepam. Oh man....within a half hour it was like this evil 'ghost' of anxiety left me...and over the past few days, I have been fine. Also, my doc changed me to a big dose of imipramine, with a very, very small dose of Effexor.
So, I have gathered and collected as much info as possible, and am going to also get a referal to the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic' here in Ontario, Canada. My doc isn't benzophobic..but quite conservative in their use. I am sure he will go with a theraputic dose, starting at 1mg 3x a day. (I was on that dose before). The thing is, after my 10 years of suffering, and if it can be abated by a GOOD theraputic benzo dose, I know I will fair well. If I was 'addicted'...I would be needing more and more of a higher dose, and that is far from the case.
Plus, I have always responded well to benzos. And, the imipramine is great for the depression...doesn't cause the 'jittery' feeling most new SRI's cause. We have tried almost every other medication iin the book...and any of the SRI's et all do *crapola* for my anxiety..at the highest doses..for the longest time.
As far as isolating goes...it wasn't depression..it was *anxiety*..just plain brutal fear. If I am anxious for a decade...no wonder I am depressed! A bbenzo with a dose of imipramine and a small dose of Effexor seem to be doing me *extrememly* well. No, not 'manic' well...just that I feel gentle and calm in my approach. Before benzos, it was like I was on a massive dose of methamphetamine, always! I was so nervous I could never even look a person in the eye when talking.
Besides..I need this..because I now have to enter a career..finish a university degree..never mind odd jobs along the way. Sitting in my room, in bed in a panic of fear for the past number of years has set my life wayyyy back.
Anyhow..thanks for the thoughts..and sorry for rambling.
Jay
Posted by yaya on January 26, 2003, at 7:45:05
In reply to Isolating onself..while on a med.., posted by jay on January 22, 2003, at 2:23:01
This is kinda scary for me. I've gone through the exact same thing as you describe. I've been on Effexor for a few years now for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I handled the illness pretty well until the last year or so. Now, I don't leave the house unless I have to, and I have lost all motivation to do anything. I'm on strong pain medication so the physical aspect of my illness is pretty well controlled. I don't know what's happening to me otherwise...
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