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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Curiosity on July 25, 2004, at 14:26:38
Hi! My doctor has just given me the starter kit for Effezor XR. Starts at 37.5mg and then by week 4 I will be at 150mg. I'm not sure that I should start taking meds. Since my early teen years I have battled insecurity, which in those years led to depression and suicidal thoughts. I am an extremely sensitive person. Some times this is good, as I really appreciate all that is around me and care very much for others. My connections with others are not on a superficial level. However, this personality trait also has it's flaws, as I am very driven to always be at my best as I don't want to offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. (Must get perfect grades, must have a clean house at all times, must always say the right thing.) The result has been anxiety these past few years. Sleepless nights, some panic attacks, and WORRY to the point of obsessing. In my heart I am a happy, kind, caring person. I just find it increasingly hard to pursue dreams. I get stuck with the obsessive self doubt and then the anxiety (especially social anxiety)kicks in and I just move in these ruminative circles that at times lead to hopelessness. Blah, blah, blah....Sorry to babble, I just want to get the best advice for my situation. Is Effexor XR the right choice for my situation? I'm not reclusive. When I feel insecure, I go out and act social. When I feel anxiety, I breathe slowly and know that it will pass. Truth be told, when I have a single whisky and coke is when I feel the most like me. The social inhibitions go away and I have no anxiety or worry. I become greagarious and my true inner soul presents itself to others. I meet people, share stories, and it's just a kick. If only I could capture that in a pill. From what I have read at this site, I am very confused. I'm very concerned about withdrawal from the medicine when that point comes. I also am afraid that the pills will not allow me to feel like me. My doctor said that the Effexor XR can be used as a short term measure to help me calm down the anxiety, so that I can retrain the physical reactions that I have to certain situations and that eventually I will be able to go off of the medication . I know that everyone is different in their response to medication. I guess I just am afraid of making my situation worse. Maybe I just need a couple of months without the demands that I perceive my life imposes on me, but that seems impossible. Hmmm....What to do????? Any opinion or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Posted by Colleen D. on July 25, 2004, at 14:45:05
In reply to Thoughts on Effexor XR for Anxiety and OCD???, posted by Curiosity on July 25, 2004, at 14:26:38
I wondered the same thing too but went ahead and TRIED the Effexor and it has been the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. It may or may not be "the magic pill" for you but you won't know that until you try it. Best of luck to you!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by mike lynch on July 25, 2004, at 15:05:28
In reply to Thoughts on Effexor XR for Anxiety and OCD???, posted by Curiosity on July 25, 2004, at 14:26:38
That's amazing cause it's the same problem I have to...with the social anxiety issues and stuff...I actually ignored the problem for a long time and then took Paxil when I was depressed and I noticed out of the blue I was socializing more...connecting with people more and just fitting in durring social occasions a lot more...it was quite a change to how I was before as I would only talk to people I was really close to and everytime I was in a group of people I would always feel left out...when I was on Paxil I felt like everyone else..I'm not sure about Effexor but if it's anything like Paxil it should work pretty good...
Posted by Sad Panda on July 26, 2004, at 10:51:08
In reply to Thoughts on Effexor XR for Anxiety and OCD???, posted by Curiosity on July 25, 2004, at 14:26:38
> Hi! My doctor has just given me the starter kit for Effezor XR. Starts at 37.5mg and then by week 4 I will be at 150mg. I'm not sure that I should start taking meds. Since my early teen years I have battled insecurity, which in those years led to depression and suicidal thoughts. I am an extremely sensitive person. Some times this is good, as I really appreciate all that is around me and care very much for others. My connections with others are not on a superficial level. However, this personality trait also has it's flaws, as I am very driven to always be at my best as I don't want to offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. (Must get perfect grades, must have a clean house at all times, must always say the right thing.) The result has been anxiety these past few years. Sleepless nights, some panic attacks, and WORRY to the point of obsessing. In my heart I am a happy, kind, caring person. I just find it increasingly hard to pursue dreams. I get stuck with the obsessive self doubt and then the anxiety (especially social anxiety)kicks in and I just move in these ruminative circles that at times lead to hopelessness. Blah, blah, blah....Sorry to babble, I just want to get the best advice for my situation. Is Effexor XR the right choice for my situation? I'm not reclusive. When I feel insecure, I go out and act social. When I feel anxiety, I breathe slowly and know that it will pass. Truth be told, when I have a single whisky and coke is when I feel the most like me. The social inhibitions go away and I have no anxiety or worry. I become greagarious and my true inner soul presents itself to others. I meet people, share stories, and it's just a kick. If only I could capture that in a pill. From what I have read at this site, I am very confused. I'm very concerned about withdrawal from the medicine when that point comes. I also am afraid that the pills will not allow me to feel like me. My doctor said that the Effexor XR can be used as a short term measure to help me calm down the anxiety, so that I can retrain the physical reactions that I have to certain situations and that eventually I will be able to go off of the medication . I know that everyone is different in their response to medication. I guess I just am afraid of making my situation worse. Maybe I just need a couple of months without the demands that I perceive my life imposes on me, but that seems impossible. Hmmm....What to do????? Any opinion or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
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Hi,You have a very familiar story. Effexor could be the med you are looking for, but it's a bad drug to quit. I would suggest you try an SSRI like Zoloft or Lexapro first or even good old Prozac. These drugs do different things for different people, so ultimately you have to try it to see. For me Effexor hasn't dulled my mind or made me feel flat, but it does produce a bit of apathy.
Cheers,
Panda.
This is the end of the thread.
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