Posted by DebbieLynn on July 16, 2001, at 21:39:09
In reply to BLAYTON: Comments and questions for you here: » blayton, posted by Janelle on July 16, 2001, at 14:54:22
> Hi there,
>
> You expressed yourself beautifully here, and I can relate to your symptoms, as they describe my anxiety better than I ever could! It is so hard to put these kinds of feelings into words.
>
> Anyway, Effexor is the only so-called SSRI anti-depressant to be "officially" recognized as working on both GAD and depression.
>
> I'm currently on it and cannot stand it - if anything, the stuff is making my anxiety WORSE, and I had to cut back from 150mg to 75mg. I've posted about this several other threads on this board and gotten very helpful answers.
>
> My anxiety sounds very much like yours, plus I have other types of obsessive, racing thoughts that bother and prevent me from functioning properly.
>
> I do not know if this symptom - fear of one's own thoughts and continuous monitoring of one's own is one of the "official" (DSM) criteria for GAD, but it sure sounds like it could be.
>
> From what I've read here and keep hearing all over the place, it will take Effexor at least 4-6 weeks to kick in and "work." That amount of time with MINIMAL or NO results will let you know it is NOT really working. Waiting it out and being patient can be sooooooo difficult, at least for me.
>
> My questions for you are:
> 1) What Internet site did you find that phrase to describe your anxiety?? It sounds like a good site, one I'd like to see.
>
> 2) What is "CBT" - you said you tried that twice and it didn't work. The only thing I can think it might mean is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy??
>
> Thanks and good luck. Stick it out with the Effexor a bit longer if you can since thus far you're getting partial results. Just my humble opinions.
> -JanelleJanelle:
Sorry to butt in, but I have been reading your posts. I too am on Effexor XR 225mg. I have been on it for a total of 6 months, but at this 225mg dose for about 3 months. I have GAD as well, just like it is being described here. I also have mild depression, which sometimes seems to run hand in hand with anxiety. At 75 mg, my anxiety was worse also, and at 150 mg, it was even worse I HATED IT! I was also extremely tired. BUT...when I was bumped up to 225mg, I did not have any side effects with the increase. I started feeling the effects about 4 weeks on this dose, and MAGICALLY I started feeling so much better. Effexor has been a life saver for me. I find it actually hard to worry obsessively like I used to do. I am the queen of worrying.(USED TO BE the queen, not anymore! :)) Now I am much more laid back.Again...sorry to ramble...but maybe you should consider an increase.... ;)
P.S. The only problem I HAD when I started this dose was not being able to go to sleep at night. When I finally did, I kept waking up. I am also on 50mg of Trazadone a night (as needed)
Good Luck
Debbie
poster:DebbieLynn
thread:70320
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010714/msgs/70404.html