Posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » Scorch, posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
I started taking Effexor XR for anxiety in November of 2001.I started at 37.5, then 75, then 150, but 150 was too much... I felt sleepy all the time. The anxiety was greatly reduced in a very short time after the very first dose(I felt positive effects within hours, even though the shrink I work with tells me this doesn't happen.)Besides considerable relief from the anxiety, I also experienced delayed orgasm and intense and realistic dreams that stayed with me after waking (I rarely remembered my dreams on awakening before Effexor.) None of these effects were unpleasant. For the first several months I would be somewhat sleepy for an hour or two after taking it in the AM, but this was well worth it. A friend of mine had some unpleasant side effects coming off of Effexor and warned me to come off slowly. I started coming off in February and took 37.5 for 4 weeks. 48 hours after my last dose I became very dizzy and disconnected... also strange electrical sensations in my head and face. I then took 37.5 approximateley every 2 to 3 days when the effects became almost unbearably severe. My last dose was 5 days ago and I can tell you that the last 72 hours have been hell (my wife would agree.) I have been extremely irritable, moderately depressed with near suicidal dips at times. I have experienced more road rage today than I have in the last several years. But little to no anxiety... perhaps Effexor has converted my anxiety over to anger:) I am determined to get through this to see what life is like on the other side. My hope is that this is all just withdrawal effects and I will pull out of it soon. I really don't want to be dependent on medication, but I don't want to live like this either.
poster:aleks
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223932.html