Effexor

[cynthia1]

Hello all, brief history. I have severe GAD, meaning I've spent hours freaking out for no good reason. Im a hypochondriac, to the point I determined see several times I was going to die from a disease I didn't have and spent the day crying and rewrititing my will. I've also suffered from horrible intrusive thoughts.

My panic attacks sometimes last minutes and sometimes last hours. I currently take a benzo PRN for that. If I wake up shortly after going to sleep I'm guaranteed a panic attack. The worst are the nights that when I get almost asleep I panic wake up have to calm myself and when I get almost asleep again the process start over.

I'm also angry most of the time and extremely jumpy, like if my husband walks in to the room and startles me l my heart pounds, I scream and it sets me on edge.

So now that I've explained what's wrong with me my questions for those that have taken it is does effexor sound like a good choice. I took Zoloft which worked ok, it killed the panic attacks but I was still jumpy and had heart palpations a lot. About 6 months ago I switched to Prozac and I can feel my anxiety getting worse.

My doctor gave me effexor to try and said to just start with the effexor the next day. Being that Im afraid to take pills to being with I looked up side effects and noticed that you should mix the Prozac and Effexor because or seretonin syndrome. So I asked the doc if I could taper and he agreed and now I'm completely off the Prozac. I'm basically ok but I know that Ill go back to having panic attacks soon so I need to start taking something. I cant go back to a constant panicky state.


I'm wanted to try Lexapro but heard that there are heart issues and one of my big anxiety worries are heart issues. I'm certain taking something that could maybe cause heart issues would just make me freak.

I have the effexor but I'm wondering about its effectiveness with specifically anxiety. I've read the withdraw is terrible and don't want to start it if I'm going to have to switch. I know nothing is guaranteed so I guess I'm looking for reassurance or opinions advice anything.

Thanks

[superchick22684]

Cynthia1,
I was on Effexor several years ago. I've also been on Paxil,Lexapro and Cymbalta. I just started taking Cymbalta again about a month ago after having been off meds for several years. Effexor worked really well for my anxiety. Meds effectiveness differs on a person by person basis though so there's no way to say that its going to work for you. In terms of withdrawal, I don't remember having any side effects from going off of the Effexor but my doctor tapered me onto a different AD while tapering down the Effexor. Best of luck to you with your meds.

[RealisticTrain]

Hello,

Effexor belongs to the SNRI class of anti-depressants, working on both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. This, in theory, should do a better job against anxiety than SSRI's. In practice however, they have all had similar levels of success.

Generally your doctor will start you on SNRI's after he feels that SSRI's might not be working, in hopes that the extra receptors Effexor hits could be the key to your anxiety. Again, there is no way to know for certain. With Effexor you might see results in as early as two weeks...depending on how you react to it. Remember that side effects are strongest when first starting on a new medication. But stick with it. The biggest problem people make is giving up on a medication too early. Hope this helps
Source: I am a psychiatrist resident