Scared to take Effexor XR
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Scared to take Effexor XR
| 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?

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
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
Hi & welcome!
Sheri Ann
Welcome, Mekell - and thank-you so much for sharing your personal experience with Effexor.
Sheri Ann