effexor and paxil

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
effexor and paxil
15
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 12:02am

Hi there,

I hope everyone had a nice holiday. If it was anything like mine, it was stressful.

I have been on effexor and paxil for a while now, and I think I am going out of my mind. I am forgetting everything, and it is beyond the rehlm of normal. I feel like my brain is floating in my head half the time, and I can't consentrate on anything.

My friend told me the other day that she went off the effexor for that exact reason. I am wondering if it is the combo of both, or possibly the effexor. I wish I could go off everything all together, but I know the anxiety would be much worse.

I was reading posts about something called "disassociation?" what is that? I think that is what I am experiencing. I can't even remember how to spell anymore, or why I open the fridge or go to the mail box. It's driving me crazy. UGG

Things are definatly stressful around here, and I can't lose my mind now!!

any advice would help.

thank you for reading.

xoxo, JD

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 3:20am

WB, Jolie. LTNS;)


I am sorry to hear about your distress. That is something holidays seem to bring too much of. Your fears of losing your mind come with the anxiety. Alot of members have reported it, but though it's difficult to deal with the thought, it doesn't happen.


I took 225mg. of effexor for 3 years. It was one of the best drugs for my panic. Since I never took a combination, I can't say what is causing your forgetfulness. Talking this over with your dr. would be a good idea.


As for disassociation, that term isn't used much on this board. Depersonalization, derealization & unreality are discussed. I have had those feelings that things aren't real. That everything is dreamlike & I am watching my life. It is very scary. It is common to anxiety disorders & is NOT caused by medications. In fact, many folks are prescribed meds for this feeling as it's hard to cope with.


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2004
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 9:13pm

JD I am sorry you are having a rough time now.

        
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 10:54pm
Knowing that many others have this exact same feeling has helped me so much, Amy. The unreality tends to make me feel very isolated & I think it makes the distressing feeling even worse. I do alot of scrambling to convince myself that I am NOT alone. That's the great thing about this message board. Glad that you & your ds can feel reassured by what our community posts. GL! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 11:09pm
Hi Jolie!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 8:09am

You may be right. I am under a tremendous amount of stress right now. My husband's business closed, and it's been so hard on everyone. I know it could be stress, however, the amount of memory loss is and "scatter brain" is way more than usual. It's so bad, I can hardly stand it anymore. I don't take xanax that often, so I don't think it could be that. I think it is a combo of meds and stress. It's literally driving me crazy. I can't remember a thing. I am seeing my doc tomorrow, so maybe we can figure it out, too.

He thinks it's because I haven't been sleeping. No sleep, combined with the stress, and meds could be contributing to it as well. Who knows. I just want my brain back.

Thanks for thinking of me. It is so nice to hear from you.

How are you??

xo, JD

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 6:48pm

I am doing better, thanks for asking!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
In reply to: jlvst
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 7:14pm

I don't know a lot about meds, but have suffered from insomnia and sleep apnea...my memory and concentration are shot if I don't get enough sleep. Anxiety & depression affect memory too. Hope your doc can help.

Hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Tue, 11-28-2006 - 8:16am

He is consulting for 3 months, and after that, I don't know what is going to happen. Hopefully this company will like him enough to hire him on. The amount of debt we are in is ridiculous, and it will take years to get out from under the mess. I feel so numb about the whole thing. I am resentful, sad and mad all at the same time. I can't kick this anxiety, no matter how hard I try. I am still obsessing over girlfriends and "kid stuff." I wish I could figure out a way to feel my age. I still feel like a child, but not in the good way. I am seeing my doc today, so I'll let you know what he says. I need to switch because I don't feel too comfortable with him. It's only taken me a year to figure that one out.

Oh well. This too shall pass.

xoxo, JD

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Tue, 11-28-2006 - 9:06am

(((Jolie))) I know how frustrating it can be when a business doesn't work out & you have everything staked on it.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Tue, 11-28-2006 - 2:38pm

Hi there,

Just got back from the doc, and he is going to ween me off the effexor. He says that is probably causing the memory loss. It was that or the weight gain from the paxil. I told him i would get my fat *$!* on the treadmill. My memory is what's killin me!

I hadn't been in a while, so it was a better session this time. I notice that when I am in the middle of my "cycle" I tend to get more crazy and insecure. I am going to try so hard to work out and do my yoga.

Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me.

xoxo, JD

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