Posted by Tammi on January 15, 2004, at 12:09:50
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Gerri_mww on July 8, 2000, at 13:37:35
> > I know that we all react to things differently, but most of the things I have read here have scared me. I took my first dose of Effexor XR 75 mg tonight. The label said that I cannot operate heavy machinery with it, so I took it at night. My doctor told me to take it in the morning. Should I have done that? Do you get better results that way?? I am just wondering if I should deal with my symptoms without this medicine. Yikes.
>I have been taking these meds for about 4 years now. I have extreme panic attacks and anxiety. I started off on Zoloft and am now on effexor xr and have been the last year. It really does help me I think. It has been so long I am confused. I am not sure if I am okay or if the medicine is what makes me okay but I have decided to get off of it. I go to the doctor today. I am scared to death about stopping, I am so afreaid that I will have another panic attack. I haven't had a full blown attack since I started the medication. Sometimes some mild anxiety. I also know the withdrawals are awful. I get this wierd thing with my eyes where it feels like I am not seeing right and I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach. Knowing these withdrawls from the last time I tried to stop I am still going to try again. I know your doctor told you to take the meds in the am but sometimes it is better to take it at night. It has a tendency to make you sleepy. If you have trouble sleeping at night then taking it at night will help. It doesn't matter when you take it as long as you take it at the same time everyday. Hang in there with it, it really does help if you can stick to it. I just don't want to face the chance that I might have to take this the rest of my life. If quitting makes me have panic attacks then I will start taking it again. Good luck
> Jennifer, I haven't read any posts past this one so if this reply is outdated for you, forgive me. Anyway just wanted to say you should take the med in the am like the MD (and others who answered this post ) told you. I have been on Effexor for a couple months now and I just started taking 225mg in the am. I had started on 75 and then increased to 150 when the effects of the 75mg started to wain. I have been on 225mg for about three days now and today I noticed "the change". I actually found myself doing things and *wanting* to do things instead of just xoning out (I have inattentive ADD--couch potato syndrome..LOL). I actually am looking forward to getting some housework done today (and I haven't done that in years!!!--I have lots of pathways to get around but LOTS of clutter). Please do not react hastily to this med. I, too, was very apprehensive at first. I have extreme panic attacks and could talk myself into dying if need be, but I decided to realize that my fears were in my head. Even some over-the-counter meds have warnings about operating machinery. This is a way the company protects itself against any liability. Years ago if someone had an accident they blamed it on the cold med they were taking so now companies put this warning on all products (also they warn against stomach upset i.e. take this with food--- just in case you are sensitive to the meds and it makes you vomit---this way they are protectig themselves).
> Tell us if you are continuing with the effexor. I hope to read that you are. For me it is turning out to be a great asset in my life. I am sure as time goes on I will again need to increase the dose (I have heard that for ADD patients most times we need the very maximum of dosage to have an effect---which will be normal for me as I usually have to take double the dose of any meds).
> Good luck in your treatments and remember needing med to help you control something isn't a bad thing. I know even by trying to re-train myself I would never be able to live a normal productive life without the help of meds to help me gain and keep control.
>
> Gerri
poster:Tammi
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040114/msgs/301185.html