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Topic: How well does Effexor work for panic disorder?

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  • Posted on: Aug 29, 2007 06:05 am
Montgomery, Al
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 935
stacey2930 wrote:
I have anxiety issues and my Wellbutrin isnt helping. I have toyed with the idea of taking Effexor but have heard so many negative things on the net. What much are you taking and does it help with anxiety?
Posts 1 - 16 (16 total)
SWANKETTEGA…
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 170
Aug 29, 2007 07:15 am SWANKETTEGAL wrote: Don't give up.........I had to try several before I could tolerate it...Wellbutrin nearly killed me.........my pharmacist told me not to take Paxil........I am on Effexor 37.5( the lowest dose ) and in about a week I became human again..................Give it a try...I love it.
Motherbeart…
TX
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 117
Aug 29, 2007 07:53 am Motherbeartosix wrote: Zoloft is helping my panic disorder, but if I go on Tamoxifen, I won't be able to take it.

Considering how panic disorder really destroys the quality of my life (and those around me ), this is a huge factor for me.

I hope you find something that works for you!
stacey2930
Montgomery, Al
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 935
Aug 29, 2007 08:49 am stacey2930 wrote: Panic can be so debiliating. I struggle with agoraphobia as well. Most people dont know though because I function pretty well. I work full time but things like riding elevators or any area that I feel trapped in my anxiety goes through the roof. The Wellbutrin was great for depression and increasing sex drive but it's not effective for anxiety. The reason I hate getting off of it and trying an SSRI is the diminished sex drive it causes. SO I have to weigh the benefits... No panic on Effexor and no orgasms verses panic attacks and great sex.....
Motherbeart…
TX
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 117
Aug 29, 2007 06:39 pm Motherbeartosix wrote: "No panic on Effexor and no orgasms verses panic attacks and great sex..... "

Dare I say? The choices in our lives sometimes really do suck, huh? Zoloft is a real libido killer for me compared to Wellbutrin, but Wellbutrin didn't help my panic at all, either!
EachDay
In the Moment
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 431
Aug 30, 2007 05:25 am EachDay wrote: I like effexor...I'm on 37.5 mg. a day and have been for a few months. Not only did it help with the panic, it reduced my hot flashes.
Sex life? Well, for me, right now, that's not an important issue..I know it is part of a healthy, full, well rounded life. But I've been married a long time and I'm more of the mind right now that closeness, and finding other ways to bond, establish intimacy and love are at the top of the ladder than sex as an activity.
The choices we have to make on this breast cancer journey are sometimes the worst...but for me it's been how I've chosen to "look" at them that has helped.
Best of luck with your decision.
stacey2930
Montgomery, Al
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 935
Aug 30, 2007 09:27 am stacey2930 wrote: EachDay,
Thanks for your message. I understand what you mean about the sex issue. Breast cancer took away two years of my life through constant worrying, obsessive thoughts, constant rumination about my diagnosis. For a long time sex was not important and my husband was supportative and understanding through it all and patiently waited until I "was ready" to reconnect sexually. Dont get me wrong I love to cuddle, hold hands, bond but I dont think I was taking my husbands feelings into consideration, I was totally self absorbed. I am hoping if I choose the effexor it wont affect my desire for sex. I am still fairly young "45" and I'm not ready to give that up yet. I guess that will happen sooner or later anyway my hubby's 10 years older and we all know what happens to the majority of men when they age Stacey
EachDay
In the Moment
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 431
Aug 30, 2007 11:46 am EachDay wrote: I love that you are putting your husband's feelings into this, especially when he has been so supportive of you. I have come to feel with all of this that there's no "time line"...that while part of us might feel ready to go back to the "old" us, another part isn't playing with the same deck just yet. And it's frustrating trying to get all the parts working together. Add in age, and some of us being put into early menopause with chemo (I'm in that bracket), everything just seems to be a new "normal" and it's going to take time to adjust and get used to it. That to me is where love comes in and hopefully relationships can withstand that and regenerate themselves into something that might have to take all of this into consideration. Aside from lack of sex drive, there is dryness and other issues that go hand in hand with this. It's difficult and I so admire you for wanting to find something that will help both you and your husband.
stacey2930
Montgomery, Al
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 935
Aug 30, 2007 01:16 pm stacey2930 wrote: EachDay, I love what you put down for Location on your member profile "In this moment" that's great. We should all live the moment. It's so difficult to do at times. My mother practices the Buddist religion and she would alway use that phrase "live the moment" I can tell your a deep thinker, philosophical.....
HildaROTB
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Aug 30, 2007 01:44 pm HildaROTB wrote: I have been on effexor for 3 weeks ......taking 75 now. It helps with the hot flashes and I am still enjoying sex....so side effects vary from person to person....
H
stacey2930
Montgomery, Al
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 935
Aug 30, 2007 05:30 pm stacey2930 wrote: Hilda, do you take it for panic or hot flashes? Im going to call my onc tomorrow and see if he'll prescribe the lowest dosage.
EachDay
In the Moment
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 431
Aug 31, 2007 04:30 am EachDay wrote: Thanks for the nice words...this is one thing I learned from cancer. I wish I had had the common sense to know this before ~ I think of all the time I wasted thinking ahead.
HildaROTB
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Aug 31, 2007 09:18 am HildaROTB wrote: I started taking it for the Hot Flashes but I do feel calmer too.
Take care,
Hilda
chemosabi
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,820
Sep 1, 2007 04:18 am chemosabi wrote: Remember that the underlying cause of anxiety/panic attacks is depression. I have panic attacks all the time since being diagnosed with bc. Especially if I need to go to a social gathering.

There are lots of antidepressants/antianxiety medications out there. Sometimes you have to try a few of them to find out which one is gonna work the best. Im on Celexa and I have Xanax to take when I need it.

Good luck and hope your feeling better real soon.

Nicki
hi5
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 424
Sep 1, 2007 07:25 am hi5 wrote: I started Effexor a year ago for anxiety. I find it has helped quite a bit
joeysmom
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Sep 1, 2007 09:30 am joeysmom wrote: Do anybody know where Lexipro stands on the issue of negating taxoifen. I can't take effexor as it makes me cry????
Lcm
HildaROTB
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Sep 2, 2007 10:24 am HildaROTB wrote: The 75 effexor XR caused me to have a panic attack..it made me wired and unable to sleep. The doc put me back to 37.5 but I'm not sure if it will stop the hot flashes.
Hilda

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