Scared to take Effexor XR

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Scared to take Effexor XR
7
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 9:54pm
Hi i am new here. 34 year old mom of two. I have had a lot of anxiety and some panic attacks in the past few mos. and depression too. I have even had some Palpitations and tachycardias. had an echo done-might be mitral valve prolapse or just the anxiety- rsults not back yet. Anyways I was told to take Effexor XR but I haven't yet- that was almost two weeks ago. I am so scared too because I have the "what-ifs" like, what if I am the one person who has a sever reaction to it and dies or what if it makes my heart palpitate and I have a heart attack -kinda want to wait till my echo results are back first but my Dr.s reassure me I can take it. I always think I am that one special case that there really is something wrong and they missed it. I have had this anxiety problem since I had minor pneumonia in April and it han't gone away. I was sure at first it was from the antiboitics but then who knows?? I have felt better in the past few days as I have been reading some books on anxiety and I see that I have been full of anxiety forever but the fear all the time part is new. Any ressurance?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 11:37am

Hi! You are very welcome here. Please know that you are NOT alone. Much of what you have written is exactly how many in our community feel. I have had panic attacks for 36 years. Most of them *good* years. But sometimes I have been unable to shake the idea that I am a special case & the doctors haven't done the right tests to find what is REALLY wrong with me. I am just fine, BTW. I have had many heart tests & all are normal.


You can learn to cope better, by belly breathing, meditation if you'd like to try it & reducing stressors in your life. Take a look @ our *coping tips & tricks* folder below for some ideas. As for effexor, I took it successfully for 3 years. A normal dosage, but a bit on the high end. I had some dry mouth, sleepiness the first week & some trouble achieving an orgasm, but all in all, no effects I couldn't live with. I am terrified to begin a new med. Even an antibiotic scares me. I have actually started a new med in the doctor's office & sat in the waiting room until I felt comfortable enough to leave. I have had my mom or a gf stay with me each time I took a new med for 3 or 4 days, just until I knew I would be alright. As a nurse, I know that an allergic reaction is unlikely, but will usually occur in the first 20 to 30 minutes. I always use that sort of positive thinking to help me. Each time you take it, it will get easier. Honest!


You will find that many of us suffered anxiety/panic after a major life change, such as illness or loss. Throughout my life, real illness has always been a trigger. Just need to be kinder to myself & keep my stress level low. I hope you can do that for YOU!


Please continue to post & let us know what books you have found helpful. That is a great way to keep the anxiety in perspective by reading about it. We care & want you to feel better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 12:39pm
THANKS so much. You made me cry because it is so reassuring to know that other people are "weird" about these things. I too have though of taking when I am at a Dr.s office but I guess it is not necessary. I think soon I am going to be brave and Just take it. My Dr. told me that I definitely need it and this fear is part of the anxiety that will be cured soon if I take the drugs. Did you get shaky or have a rapid heartbeat when you took it? It is genetic- my mom is very nuts( in a sane way) and her sister had panic attacks years ago. I just want to have energy to be a good moom and not feel like everything is so hard when school starts again ( 3 and 7 year old girls). The idea of meet the teacher and buying school clothes my daughters bday coming up and making lunches stresses me out and I don' know if that is abnormal so then I feel I can't handle anything and I am not like the other moms.. I do stay at home and then work at night from home and I am quitting that soon because I hate working when I feel like taking care of the kids all day and driving them around is exhausting. Guilt for feeling my life is too hard when I am sure it is so easy compared to others and I always have to compare myself????
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2006
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 2:56pm

I have taken Effexor XR 150 mg for about 6 months now and it has been a life saver. My job is high stress and before I would find a corner to shake and cry when things got too tough. Now it is no big deal. I can deal with things I could never deal with before. Also my daughter who is 2 is so much easier to have fun with now. I don't sweat the small stuff. The other day the day care teacher was upset over my daughter having an accident (she is potty training). Instead of having a panic attack and breaking down, I was able to let the teacher and her superior know that how she reacted was not acceptable which I couldn't have done before. However, I do think you may want to wait and make sure your heart is okay if that is what the doctor recommends. I just wanted to let you know that Effexor has helped me and hopefully give you an option to consider.

Best of Luck
Mekell

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 6:15pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 6:16pm

Welcome, Mekell - and thank-you so much for sharing your personal experience with Effexor.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 6:29pm
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 6:43pm
When I take any new meds I get shaky & have a rapid pulse. I can never figure out @ first if this is the med or good old anxiety. It passes in a few days, so probably anxiety. Let us know how you do with the effexor. (((hugs))) jan