i think effexor is making me worse.

[Nic Marsella]

for three or so years, my doctor had me on increasing doses of Zoloft, not for depression, but anxiety. he also in the beginning had me on 1mg klonopin twice daily and 1mg of Xanax as needed for panic attacks. eventually I got up to 200mg Zoloft daily, off klonopin completely, still 1 mg Xanax as needed for panic attacks, and on to 30mg buspar twice a day, which was perfect. almost zero panic attacks for two years.

so I moved to florida a year and a half ago with all the records from my psychiatrist back up north, yes, I have GAD, yes, all these meds and finally the right combination works. my new dr cancelled my rx for Xanax because I hadn't had an attack in quite some time. I wasn't happy about it but I couldn't fault her logic. then, about two months ago she took me off Zoloft and put me on 75mg Effexor XR daily.

the last month has been probably one of the worst of my life. I've had to call out sick from work 3 times because of panic attacks. my anxiety is through the roof. I can't hardly sleep, and when I do, I wake up in a cold sweat with severe anxiety symptoms. my temper is getting very short. I cry a lot. i'm miserable because I cannot enjoy - well, more exactly, I can't even do most of the things I love doing with my friends, especially boating, because I don't want to leave the house most days. i'm so restless and my mind will not shut off.

has this happened to anyone?

[Anne1221]

I can't imagine why your new doctor took you off Zoloft when it appeared to be working fine. I think 75 mg of Effexor is NOT equivalent to 200 mg of Zoloft, which is why you have much more anxiety. See if you can get the Effexor increased, or go back on Zoloft. I just read where you need more Effexor than 75mg (sometimes) to control panic. It said the maximum dosage is 225, but that sounds too high to me, but you may need more than 75mg.

[RoderickLariviere]

You can talk to your doctor to get back to Zoloft.. It is a nice medication for anxiety and depression... I am on Zoloft and Xanax from 2 years and it works fine... My anxiety is quite controlled.

[Snakeadelic]

BE CAREFUL WITH EFFEXOR PLEASE!!!

I watched it devastate 3 different people I loved. Two are permanently brain-damaged, and one of them was fine until he missed a dose 3 months in. 8 weeks later he was on full medical leave from work, and 15 years later he has not entirely recovered. The third required nearly SIX MONTHS to wean off, and during that time experienced the joys of randomly falling down, throwing up, and/or getting dumped into brutal migraines.

[Ponder]

Yea that was one of the first antiperspirants (LOL hahahaha what a typo) they put me on.

Srry - I mean that was one of the first antidepressants they put me on. It played heavily into my now bias regarding meds. Not only did it fuck with my brain and trigger my tinitus but my daughter also refuses to takes meds due to that drug. Doctors don't know shit ... they get rewards from companies for pushing that poison. Whilst I know not personally of extreme cases re major brain damage, I do believe it is Not a stable meds. In fact they are all forms of poison that attack the brain in order to do their thing. I think the XR or slow release is even worse. Can't quite remember. Probably same thing.

Stick to using antiperspirant instead and take the dog for a walk.

Works for me. hehe.

Whatever works - there is simply too much in this world that will end up killing you before nature would of otherwise intend. Just choose your poison carefully. I wish only the best for all my friends that rely on whatever medicine.

Good luck with whatever you choose ... oh yea ... don't always believe what someone says, just because they are a doc ... that will most certainly kill you before your time.