Anxiety drugs???

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Anxiety drugs???
25
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 9:15pm
Does anyone know anyhing about the anti-anxiety drug effecxor????? I was recently recommended to start taking it as a daily medication but am extremely worried about possible side effects. I hear that any side effect typically isnt something to worry about and only kicks in for the first week or so of treatment. What about the threat of seizures??? I dont want to end up having seizures?? Anyone know if this is something I should worry about? I have very frequent anxiety attacks that started two years ago at age 23. I am 25 now with masters degree and am trying to make something of myself in life. Unfortunately these frequent nasty attacks have been something I have been at war with and I am attempting to lessen their impact on my daily life. I realize psychological help is in order and I have pursued it for a bit and am intending on seeking such support in the near future. I need to get through this very challenging time in my life where my nerves seem irrationally amplified 300000 times above normal and my mind and body is experience much distress.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 9:21pm

hi there:) just wanted to stop by and offer some support.

Community Leader
Registered: 10-22-2001
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 9:37pm
My dd has been on a few different drugs.
You have to find what works for you if you want to go that route.
Usually it takes time for these medications to work and it sometimes takes tweaking the dosage.
The best thing is to educate yourself about different ones.
Talk to your doctor, or health care professional and keep track of any possible side affects you experience if you start on one and report this important information to them.
I think you all are amazing.
Nightangel
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 9:48pm
I am currently on Effexor and haven't been on it for long. I am weaning off of it and going to switch Lexapro. This weaning process is taking a long time because it is os bad. Although Effexor does work quickly and yes it does have side effects as all do, it does work well. I noticed its effect the first week and managed side effects with xanax. However, I personally wish I would have never taken it. My reason is that it is very very hard to get off of it. If I miss even one dose I get very ill and nauseated and dizzy with headsache....so bad that you never forget a dose again. I wish someone would have told me about discontinuation syndrome with this drug because it is not fun. I am having a tough time getting off of it. My dr. says Lexapro is so much easier to stop taking when I do feel I am ready to be med free and it works just as well for my anxiety and panic. I just do not want to be prisoner on a med because it is too unbearable to quit. So, I do not want to discourage yu from taking it because it does help a lot but if someone would have given me this advice I probably would have thought to ask my dr. if there was anything else I could try that was not tough to get off of if necessary. I have never heard of seizures with this med-tht might be Wellbutrin in high high doses.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 10:48pm

Hello! I am going to say *welcome back* as

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 11:50pm

Hi there

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 8:50am

Trying a new med is so scary! I'm doing it right now. Just started taking Cymbalta. I'm in the same boat. I feel for you! But, once we find the right meds for us, we will feel tons better and be able to live a normal life again!

Hugs!

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2006
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 12:49pm
I've been taking Effexor now for 2 months. I'm on a dose of just 37.5mg.. thats only one capsule! it took me 4 weeks tho to get to the full capsule. I have a fear of meds.. lol.. but my dr. worked with me on it and I broke open the capsules and started with just 10 balls and upped it by 10 a day until i reached a full capsule. that way...I felt NO SIDE EFFECTS!!! :) Im much much much less anxious and i havent had ANY big panic attacks.. each day is feeling better. I still have a day or two in there where i didnt feel right.. or felt anxious .. but not like it was! and I have xanax for those days. they at first wanted me to take two capsules.. but i feel ok with just one at this time. I've tried Zoloft too.. didnt like that AT ALL! the Side effects were REALLY STRONG. Good Luck and if you have any more questions .. just reach out.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 2:03pm

Welcome back!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 8:08pm
Yes I have posted on this board before but its been some time. Thanks to all of you for your support and helpful words. I started having panic attacks at age 22 one morning when I was sitting at my desk in an internship. It was a regular old day and all the sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks, I freaked out thinking my body was dying out of the blue, i started hyperventilating and things went numb and then I passed out on the floor. From feeling fine to waking up on the floor 5 minutes later....This is the evil that we all deal with at varying intensities. I ran back and forth to the hospital and doctor frantically trying to figure out what made me feel like the claws of death were on my shoulder. I wanted to get diagnosed and fixed before it was too late. It was a perfect example of the human will to live. It took me about a half year to finally believe that it was psychologically induced and once I did admit it to myself I was able to cope and fight through better. Unfortunately for me though I have had to fight these panic attacks which at times often hit me 2-3 times daily. Very rarely do I get a break where my panic attacks are absent. I know in my mind that these attacks are irrational and are a complete over-reaction but I cannot seem to stop it, its like they have a mind of their own. As I have made an effort in my life to set high goals and try to be successful in life I have found my journey to be awefully hindered by these "attacks" that strike at me and have choosen the daily med thing. I hope one day as i age maybe I will not need the meds. Its just starting up on them that is scary for me because I fear negative symptoms.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 10:26pm

I just can't even imagine having panic attacks 2-3 times a day again!

Sheri Ann

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