Posted by Kaysey on August 13, 2001, at 0:39:38
In reply to Effexor - NEED INPUT PLEASE, posted by DP on August 12, 2001, at 15:24:40
> Hi everyone!
>
> Here is my story. I went to go see my doctor because lately I've mysteriously been getting quite a few panic attacks. My doctor determined that it was as a result of my eating disorder. Up to this point, I have been taking lots of diet pills, I was purging and at one point, I was abusing laxatives. He told me he wanted to put me on Effexor and some drug called Lorazepam for the attacks (used as needed type thing).
>
> My BIGGEST concern is weight gain (obviously) and sexual side effects. I would rather suffer than to take a drug that would make me gain weight. Also, not as important, is the sexual side effects associated with the use of antidepressants - I didn't want that either. I figured if the doctor was going to put me on an antidepressant (which I still do not fully understand why), then why not put me on something that has the least amount of undesirable side effects. I read briefly that Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that does not cause weight gain and doesn't have a negative effect on your sex drive. When I asked my doctor if I could try that instead, he would not prescribe it to me, saying that Wellbutrin is not for someone who has had an eating disorder.
>
> So here I am, sitting here with an unopened bottle of my Effexor (not XR), terrified of taking it because of all the negative posts I've seen. I literally did not see anything positive about the drug or its effects. Of course, everyone reacts differently to different medications and I am fully aware of that. I just wanted an ounce of hope that I will get through my tough time without doing too much damage.
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
> Jimmy
Hi Jimmy:
I have been on Effexor for 3 and one-half months. I have noticed no appetite increase or decrease on the med, although periodic hormonal carbohydrate cravings (that I would normally have anyway), seem to have increased occasionally.
I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here, but you said that your 'BIGGEST' concern was weight gain. At this point shouldn't your biggest concern be staying as healthy as possible? I certainly understand your desire to not be overweight, but I wonder if that doesn't take precedence over successfully treating your anxiety attacks.
I developed a panic disorder about 13 years ago, and I have always believed that it was a result of years of 'ups and downs' with an eating disorder. A combo of Prozac, lorazepam, and lopressor (a beta-blocker) worked for a while, but eventually pooped out. The effexor has been quite effective in treating both panic and depression. Plus, (and this is something I noticed with the Prozac as well), the anti-depressant effect removes some of the obsessive-compulsive behavior that is involved with eating disorder (i.e you really come to see that excessive dieting, exercising, etc. is truly not normal, healthy eating).
You mentioned taking diet pills--they can impact heart rate and cause anxiety in some people. In certain individuals, Wellbutrin can have a similar effect. That may be part of the reason that your physician was reluctant to prescribe that (in addition to your eating disorder history).
As others have mentioned, give the Effexor a real chance. It does take a while (and often varying dosages) for the true effect to take place.
Again, I am not trying to tell you what to do, and I hope you do not think I am being too intrusive. It is just that in many respects I can relate to your history, and am hoping that some of my experiences can be of benefit to you.
I hope everything turns out as well as possible
poster:Kaysey
thread:74801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74859.html