Effexor

[lydeenlydoo]

Hello :) Effexor has been my medication for the last year or so, and about a month ago I decided to go off it. I was on 225mg a day. I was wondering has anyone else tried this medication? The withdrawal effects I'm experiencing are quite harsh, but I'm quite glad I'm finally getting off them. I'm doing this under the watch of my doctor, in case you were worried.
I was wondering does anyone else have any experience on this type of SNRI? Or any other type of SNRI?
Even now I can't be quite sure as to whether the lessening in anxiety while I was on them was due to the med themselves or a type of placebo, or even simply the change in circumstances for myself in the practicalities of my life. When I decided to get help for my anxiety, I also began avoiding situations that would bring me stress, like attending lectures.
Also, if anyone was thinking of giving Effexor a go, and would like a more in-depth description of how it was for me, I'd be glad to help! :)
Thanks for reading :)

[superchick22684]

Not sure if this will be helpful but I'm willing to try. I'm not currently on meds but I'm going to a doc in a week to see about taking meds again. To make a long story short my anxiety and depression have been much worse the last 6 months.
I haven't been on meds for 7 years but right after I was diagnosed I was placed on Effexor. I found it to be helpful for awhile but something happened and it wasn't quite as effective anymore. My doc then tapered me off the Effexor and at the same time tapered me on Paxil. Paxil caused me to be exhausted and messed with my appetite. The last mediction that I was on was Cymbalta. I found that it worked the best out of all the medications that I've used. It reduced the anxiety and depression symptoms and as a bonus it reduced the amount of migraines that I was getting.

[lydeenlydoo]

That's really awesome that you found Cymbalta to work so well, including for your migraines. Can I ask what happened 6/7 years ago that stopped you? I wish you all the best if you do decide to go back on them!

[superchick22684]

lydeenlydoo,
The reason that I had to go off of them was I had just graduated college and financially just couldn't afford the prescription anymore. During college I was on my parent's insurance but after graduation I was no longer eligible to be covered by it. I tried to go through a prescription assistance program but the paperwork got messed up. When I found out the paperwork got messed up I only had a few week's worth of meds left. I basically had to taper off of the Cymbalta by myself, which I do not recommend doing unless you are under the watch of a doctor.
In terms on going back on meds, I don't really feel like I have a choice at this point. I've been back in therapy since late April and while there has been some improvement in some areas the anxiety and depression aren't improving as much and my therapist and I would like. Going back on meds has been on my mind for some time but my therapist thinks that adding them to the treatment plan could really be helpful. I have an appointment next week to talk to my doc so I'm hoping that things get better soon.
I'm curious are you still experiencing anxiety? If so how do you cope with it?

[lydeenlydoo]

That is terrible, I'm so sorry you were in that situation. You were doing everything you could to recover, but were hindered by circumstances outside your control. You seriously have my sympathies, and also my admiration, for tapering off the Cymbalta without outside help.
Yeah, I've been told countless times about the winning combination of meds and therapy at the same time. In fact, it has been circumstance that has hindered me from doing both at the same time.
I wish you all the luck in world with it!
Yes, I'm still experiencing anxiety. I have been very lucky recently though. I attend University in Ireland and the services I've availed of have been better than anything I experienced with the HSE (health-care system in Ireland). I've just been given a spot in a therapy group, which is structured like a class where we're learning how to apply CBT. I've tried CBT before, but this time it's very structured and I feel more secure , and less likely to ditch at the last minute due to the same anxiety I'm attempting to manage by attending, which has been a recurring pattern for me. It's amazing because other than a workbook we had to purchase, the entire thing is free, and I think my gratitude for the oppotunity is what's keeping me hopeful about it. But, I hope I'm not speaking too soon, as I've only been to the one session so far. :P :)
But back to your original question, I have been dealing with everyday anxiety by avoidance, and really just putting a lot of my life on hold (not a permanent solution, but for the moment it's all I can do) and with CBT. So far, CBT exercises have only helped to a finite extent, but I believe this is due to my own lack of initiative, and am just making myself keep going with it, and not giving up.

[superchick22684]

So glad to hear you have access to a therapy group at basically no charge. Wish we had that here in the US. I hope that you continue to keep a positive attitude and refuse to give up. Sounds like you are on the right track :)