Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,

I just had a meeting with a psychiatrist to evaluate my medication. I have been taking Zoloft 100mgs for almost 5 weeks now, and it seems to be working a little, except I do get random bouts of anxiety here and there. The psychiatrist I saw today said she was going to switch me onto Effexor XR 150mgs, because she believes it will help the anxiety more than Zoloft will. I was just wondering if anyone else has taken this, and if it helped with your anxiety, and how well?

I'm just a little apprehensive about taking a new medication and need some reassurance.

Thanks

I took it for two years and loved it. I thought I was great so I quit about four months ago and the anxiety came back. I am now trying cymbalta b/c effexor did make me gain weight. Other than that it was awesom.

Thanks. I hope it works well for me as it did for you.

Effexor is really good for anxiety. Completely knocked mine out. I took it for 7 years. I did gain some weight and it is highly sedative at lower doses but if nothing is working for you it should be good for you. Be aware that is one of the most difficult medications to discontinue. I had to slowly step down over many months.

Thanks Jannacle.

I have to get off of zoloft now, and the pharmacist said I should ween off of it before starting the Effexor. I guess the withdrawls are bad on zoloft as well.

So was the weight gain from increased appetite?

I had to get off of zoloft as well .
I just switched from zoloft to effexor at once & no problem didnt feel any widraw effect.

I'm on Zoloft 150 mg once a day and am doing well, started with 50 and have gradually worked up to the 150. Im very sensitive to antidepressents, so it has been difficult to find just the right one. My best friend has been on Effexor xr for several years and gets along great. She, too has put on weight, most of them do, she says that you crave the "simple carbs", so it is hard to stay away from them. When I tried Cymbalta it added weight on me. I really think that is a side effect that most have, but it is better than the altenative. Be patient, it takes time. Hope it works for you. Hugs, ^j^

I started on ZOloft in July I was on it before but this time did nothing.Doc switched me to Effexor XR in Jan on 37.5 now up to 150 2 wks ago.My big problem is when I wake up in the morning "not good"As the day goes on Im ok.Will this pass?Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks everyone for the replies! I just started the Effexor today, and so far no scary side effects I did however fall asleep for a couple hours :p

LPN, I always wake up feeling bad, and it usually improves as the day moves on as well. A lot of people on here say they have hard times in the AM, so I guess it's just common with anxiety. Who knows... Hopefully it will pass once we get control of our anxieties.

The withdrawls from most meds are that bad it's just good to take it slow with any psychtropic drug. Effexor is different because it works on both Serotonin and Norepinephrine.

I think the weight gain was caused by the fatigue and I did crave cabs a little more. It definately worked better than anything else for my anxiety and depression. I thought that I wa "cured" until I started lowering my dose, but I decided that I would never get over my anxiety etc. until I dealt with it and
I couldn't deal with it if it wasn't there.
I still take a low dose of Celexa because I am a parent and I want to be able to be there for my kids while I work through this.