Stress Center Peer Support

I have had anxiety since I was about 13...im 25 now and I have been on medication for about 4 yrs and I feel like crap. Since being on effexor (300mg) I have gained about 75 pounds I dont want to get out of bed most days, I dont want to do anything especially since I have gained all this weight. I can't stick with anything either. I have gone to school three different times and half way through the program or a couple of months into it and I quit. At first Im soo into it and really want to go and then I dont want to get out of bed to go....I just rather stay in bed. Soo I thought that maybe I was doing this because I didnt really want to be in school, so I tried working.....and I had two different jobs and the same thing happened. I miss too many days cause I just hate it and I end up quiting about two months into it or end up getting fired.
I want to know is this the anxiety/depression that is making me just want to stay in bed or do I have no work ethic and pure lazy. Or could it be the medication...should I go off it???....and all the doctors I go to dont seem to know what to do or what is going on.
Im 25 yrs old and feel like I have wasted soo much time in bed, being depressed, and feeling like crap about myself....is this just life and nobody really wants to go to work and you just have to push yourself or their something wrong?

Hi Kelly-
I would like to suggest possibly speaking with your physician(s) again to ask if they feel that you should change meds. I know that anxiety/depression can cause lack of motivation, fatigue, etc so you are not lazy at all! You are more than likely dealing with anxiety and can not get motivated right now, but I think with the help of the program and to possibly change meds you will be back to normal. I know that Effexor can cause weight gain. I gained some weight taking that medicine also, but not a whole lot, but more than I wanted!
I think that once you get your medicine regulated or changed to something different, you will be more motivated to go to school, work, or whatever you choose to do.
Be encouraged, and know that you are not alone.We have all been through, currently going through, or have overcome--and so will YOU!
Blessings!

hey honey.

it sounds like you're cycling. i used to do the same thing. i failed every class i've ever taken because i stopped going a few weeks before finals.

there are effective medications for that sort of thing. also, i'm a big fan of b vitamins and fish oil. (i take a 50 mg b complex with all the b vitamins, and an omega 3-6-9 complex)

those have really helped my energy level and cycling. i also take paxil. the most important thing i'd say is get on some good vitamins after checking with your doctor and those will hopefully give you the energy to get some mild exercise. that is going to be the key for you.

it gets easy really quick.

good luck toots.

jeny