Aa
Anyone?
Ok so i went to the Dr for anxiety and he put me on Effexor and i have had horrible side effects for 3 days... i called him and he said he would put me on pristiq, well i looked online and they are pretty much the same med, Why would he put me on the same med? I am really confused and upset about this. This anxiety has taken over my life to the point i don't drive or go anywhere alone, I need some help or suggestions please???
I think you did the right thing by refusing Pristiq. They can not guarantee that the samples won't run out. Have you given Lexapro a try? I'm getting ready to start back on it after getting of Zoloft. I did terrible on that med. Some people do very well on it though. I see that you did not. Like the above posters have said, there are other meds to choose from to help your anxiety. You might do well on Prozac. I would ask to be started on a very low dose though. All of us here do understand how confusing this can be. Hang in there, okay. You seem to know your body very well and if I were you I would not let the Dr push a med on me that I did'nt want to try.
Well i called the pharm and the med is gonna cost 2 much $$ so i called my Dr and told them, She said well we can just give you samples. I said well what about when the samples run out and she said o they wont. I said well i just want to be on something else bcus i don't want to depend on someone to give me med. I told her maybe a low dose of Prozac. Have yall had luck with panic disorder and Prozac?
When the doc starts pulling out samples, you need another doc. Sorry, just the way it is. He has the samples because the pharmaceutical rep gave them to him to sell a patented medication to you, but that doesn't mean it's the right one for you. That takes discussion, and the doc needs to know the difference between the meds.
How do i talk to my Dr about this? I have tried Zoloft and Welbutrin and buspar. The thing about all of these meds is i started the Welbutrin the day after i quit the Zoloft so it could have been withdraw from the Zoloft. He just want me to come by and pick up a sample of the pristiq and then let him know how it goes. I wont get to see him. I am so confused i don't know what to do. I don't know why he would put me on something that is stimulating?? I am getting upset about this bcus hes not the one taking all this crap i am!!
Nursegirl speaks wisely. As to your question about Pristiq, well, this is a pharmaceutical issue. Pristiq is to Effexor as Lexapro is to Celexa, meaning it's quite similar to Effexor but missing some of the elements so a new patent could be had. Theoretically, Lexapro was thought to be easier to tolerate than Celexa when the same thing was done with those two meds, but whether that's true or not is unclear. I would think the same is true for Pristiq, but since you're still dealing with an snri, meaning it targets not just serotonin but also norepinephrine, which is basically adrenaline -- that's why it's stimulating for most people and not usually used when the primary problem is anxiety unless everything else didn't work.
Well I did stick it out with the Zoloft for 29 days and I lost 17 lbs so I stopped. I was very weak and dizzy and just couldn't take it anymore. I was starting to feel the same way with this med so I stopped it b4 it got 2 bad. I don't know why he is giving me things like Effexor or pristiq???
I am just confused and I don't know what to do. I really wish I knew what to do next. I have become such a homebody considering I cant drive. I don't know what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks everyone!!!
I am just confused and I don't know what to do. I really wish I knew what to do next. I have become such a homebody considering I cant drive. I don't know what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks everyone!!!
I wouldn't recommend Paxil, as like Paxiled stated, it's one of the more difficult ones to tolerate (as is Effexor). The SNRI's (like Effexor, Pristiq, Cymbalta) are really most optimally used when depression is the primary issue, as they tend to be very activating, which as you can imagine, can exacerbate anxiety.
The SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, etc) are much more appropriate for anxiety treatment. While they are indeed classified as an anti-depressant, they are THE most commonly Rx'ed first line medication treatment for people with anxiety disorders, aside from the anti-anxiety meds (benzodiazepines). I would guess that perhaps you were dealing with some side effects on the Zoloft (which is common during the first few weeks, many times you have to feel a little worse before you feel better)...and rather than the doctor brainstorming with you, maybe adding an anxiolytic, like Ativan or Xanax, to help with the initial side effects, you were just taken off of it. How long were you on the Zoloft, and at what dose? Zoloft happens to be the most frequently Rx'ed SSRI for anxiety disorders, because it has a pretty good track record, both for effectiveness, and ease of tolerating the med for most people.
My opinion would be to try another SSRI, along WITH an anti-anxiety med during the initial few weeks when there may be some side effects. If you can "tough it out" for about 6 weeks, you'll be able to determine whether or not the med will work for you. You may indeed be a little sensitive to meds, so starting out at a low dose, and being slowly tapered up is also a good idea. That will help minimize the side effects. It will also add some time onto your overall adjustment period, as each time a med is increased, there is a period of adjustment while you wait for the med to become effective. It seems like a lifetime, but really, a few months isn't a huge amount of time in the grand scheme of things.
It's important to note that while all SSRIs are in the same class, they are NOT all the same. They actually all vary quite a bit in their exact make up and mechanism of action...therefore, just because you did poorly on one doesn't mean you would do poorly on another (and vice versa).
My personal (unofficial) recommendation would be to try either Lexapro or Prozac. Prozac actually is very high on the list of SSRIs that are easier to tolerate, side effect wise, but also it tends to be less effective than a lot of other SSRIs, so higher doses of Prozac are often needed to acheive the same level of effectiveness one might see with a different SSRI. Obviously, everyone is different, I'm just sharing the "norms", and the most commonly reported stuff with these meds.
Therapy is a MUST. You could find a med that takes away your symptoms 100%, but the REAL work happens in therapy. Meds really only control the symptom, they don't fix any problems or change the way we think or react.
It seems like the p-doc was perhaps following your lead when the SNRIs were Rx'ed? I would bet that you have expressed some level of concern after the Zoloft that may have led to you expressing concerns over all SSRIs? I think another heart to heart is in order with your doctor. If you feel the doc isn't listening to you, or is listening to you TOO much (lol...both are bad)...do not hesitate to seek another opinion.
Whatever you decide to try, PLEASE remember that it is SO important to give all of these meds (ADs) ample time to work. No doubt the initial side effects can stink...but there ARE things you can do to help minimize those side effects, and really, they ARE pretty short-lived, with most people seeing a big improvement around the 2 week mark. If you start experiencing side effects with the next med, keep the line of communication open with your doc, and try to trouble shoot your way through it, versus having a knee jerk reaction to want to throw the towel in.
Best of luck...hang in there, let us know what you decide!!
The SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, etc) are much more appropriate for anxiety treatment. While they are indeed classified as an anti-depressant, they are THE most commonly Rx'ed first line medication treatment for people with anxiety disorders, aside from the anti-anxiety meds (benzodiazepines). I would guess that perhaps you were dealing with some side effects on the Zoloft (which is common during the first few weeks, many times you have to feel a little worse before you feel better)...and rather than the doctor brainstorming with you, maybe adding an anxiolytic, like Ativan or Xanax, to help with the initial side effects, you were just taken off of it. How long were you on the Zoloft, and at what dose? Zoloft happens to be the most frequently Rx'ed SSRI for anxiety disorders, because it has a pretty good track record, both for effectiveness, and ease of tolerating the med for most people.
My opinion would be to try another SSRI, along WITH an anti-anxiety med during the initial few weeks when there may be some side effects. If you can "tough it out" for about 6 weeks, you'll be able to determine whether or not the med will work for you. You may indeed be a little sensitive to meds, so starting out at a low dose, and being slowly tapered up is also a good idea. That will help minimize the side effects. It will also add some time onto your overall adjustment period, as each time a med is increased, there is a period of adjustment while you wait for the med to become effective. It seems like a lifetime, but really, a few months isn't a huge amount of time in the grand scheme of things.
It's important to note that while all SSRIs are in the same class, they are NOT all the same. They actually all vary quite a bit in their exact make up and mechanism of action...therefore, just because you did poorly on one doesn't mean you would do poorly on another (and vice versa).
My personal (unofficial) recommendation would be to try either Lexapro or Prozac. Prozac actually is very high on the list of SSRIs that are easier to tolerate, side effect wise, but also it tends to be less effective than a lot of other SSRIs, so higher doses of Prozac are often needed to acheive the same level of effectiveness one might see with a different SSRI. Obviously, everyone is different, I'm just sharing the "norms", and the most commonly reported stuff with these meds.
Therapy is a MUST. You could find a med that takes away your symptoms 100%, but the REAL work happens in therapy. Meds really only control the symptom, they don't fix any problems or change the way we think or react.
It seems like the p-doc was perhaps following your lead when the SNRIs were Rx'ed? I would bet that you have expressed some level of concern after the Zoloft that may have led to you expressing concerns over all SSRIs? I think another heart to heart is in order with your doctor. If you feel the doc isn't listening to you, or is listening to you TOO much (lol...both are bad)...do not hesitate to seek another opinion.
Whatever you decide to try, PLEASE remember that it is SO important to give all of these meds (ADs) ample time to work. No doubt the initial side effects can stink...but there ARE things you can do to help minimize those side effects, and really, they ARE pretty short-lived, with most people seeing a big improvement around the 2 week mark. If you start experiencing side effects with the next med, keep the line of communication open with your doc, and try to trouble shoot your way through it, versus having a knee jerk reaction to want to throw the towel in.
Best of luck...hang in there, let us know what you decide!!
Thanks Paxil, i am not in therapy. I know i need to be but cant really afford it right now. Have you ever heard of Pristiq? I am starting to think i may be allergic to all of these meds. I have never tried paxil or Prozac and was kind of thinking of asking about them...
Just to add, wellbutrin and effexor are for depression primarily with anxiety a secondary issue. If anxiety is the main issue, both of these are stimulating anti-depressants that wouldn't normally be given to someone suffering primary anxiety at all unless everything else hadn't worked. Zoloft, on the other hand, does seem to be good for anxiety, so in this case it looks like your primary doc was on a better track than your psychiatrist assuming depression isn't your main problem. This is all besides the fact that Effexor and Paxil (and snris in general) are some of the most difficult meds out there to take and to stop taking once you've been on them awhile. When you don't trust your doc, get a different one -- unfortunately, my experience is that most are not well informed about these meds, though psychiatrists are more informed than general docs in general. Most of the psychiatrists I've seen told me nothing and seemed to know nothing about meds at all and had no curiosity to find out. At any rate, I hope you're also seeing somebody for therapy to see if you can get to the bottom of the why of this or at least learn some techniques to help you relax. Good luck.
Well this is a psychiatrist that gave it to me... I told him I was sensitive to meds and he put me on 37.5 of Effexor because my reg Dr had put me on Zoloft and it made me sick then he put me on Wellbutrin and that made me sick 2. So I went to the p doc and he tried the Effexor and I took 4 pills and I have been dizzy and feel like im gonna throw up. I also feel very shaky. I went to him bcus this has taken over my life in a way. I cant drive alone anymore and I cant go anywhere alone anymore. I had a panic attack while driving about 8 months ago and I have been in a state od panic ever since. He said my amygalda or whatever its called is stuck on high. I have been thinking about hypnosis. I don't know what to do. I am scared to take the Pristiq bcus I have such bad luck with these meds. Do yall think I just shouldn't take any or what? I really need help and advice!! Thank yall so much for answering!!!
Thank you Greenlydia. I wanted to give my opinion about Effexor but when I have some people are not happy about it. In my opinion, it can have a great deal of side effects. You gave this poster great advice, as always. I could not agree more with everything you said. What kind of Dr puts a patient on Pristiq after only 3 days on an AD? It makes no sense.
Like remar, I'm a little surprised he would put you on Effexor. And then, after just a few days, on the Pristq.
As remar stated, it can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks for some SSRIs to really kick in, but Effexor is rather well known for nasty side effects. I've been on quite a few SSRIs and have had a fairly easy time with side effects........UNTIL they put me on Effexor. My experience with that was frightening!
I am strongly against GPs handing out psychotropic meds to begin with. They are powerful drugs and most GPs only know what the drug rep has told them. Plus, most GPs only know about psych issues from their one rotation during med shcool. Sorry, but when and if I'm going to be taking drugs that affect the chemicals in my brain, which is nothing to sneeze at, I want someone with a lot more knowledge prescribing me the stuff. I'm also not thrilled with the idea of being treated with an antidepressant for my anxiety when I'm NOT depressed! IF IT'S NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT! It's true that sometimes those two issues go hand in hand, but I believe the doctor should treat ONLY the issue you're dealing with at the time of the exam. In your case it was anxiety. In my humble and totally non-medical opinion, he should have put you on a trial of a short term anti-anxiety med like Xanax which reaches efficacy immediately. There are many other options he could have tried as well before bringing out the big guns.
This is strictly my opinion, but if it was me, I'd have a sit down with my doctor and tell him I want off the Effexor (which will be no problem since you've only been on it a few days) AND the Pristiq and request a trial period of JUST an anti-anxiety medication. If he gets all up in your grill about what YOU don't know, tell him YOU KNOW enough that you're going to find a new doctor.
The other really good point remar made was that you went to this doctor obviously in a pretty bad state of anxiety and he gave you something that wouldn't help you for WEEKS. What about right NOW? He could have so easily written you a script for something that would stop your anxiety within 20 minutes of taking it. Stopped it dead in it's tracks. That just begs the questions from me of why the hell didn't he do that?
As you can see, I've got some issues with GPs and these types of meds, but I've got over 40 YEARS of experience of being put literally through hell for nothing.
I wish you a lot of luck. If you decide to stick with this doctor and are still having problems with medication a month or two down the road, please see a p-doc and have him/her prescribe for you.
Peace
Greenlydia
As remar stated, it can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks for some SSRIs to really kick in, but Effexor is rather well known for nasty side effects. I've been on quite a few SSRIs and have had a fairly easy time with side effects........UNTIL they put me on Effexor. My experience with that was frightening!
I am strongly against GPs handing out psychotropic meds to begin with. They are powerful drugs and most GPs only know what the drug rep has told them. Plus, most GPs only know about psych issues from their one rotation during med shcool. Sorry, but when and if I'm going to be taking drugs that affect the chemicals in my brain, which is nothing to sneeze at, I want someone with a lot more knowledge prescribing me the stuff. I'm also not thrilled with the idea of being treated with an antidepressant for my anxiety when I'm NOT depressed! IF IT'S NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT! It's true that sometimes those two issues go hand in hand, but I believe the doctor should treat ONLY the issue you're dealing with at the time of the exam. In your case it was anxiety. In my humble and totally non-medical opinion, he should have put you on a trial of a short term anti-anxiety med like Xanax which reaches efficacy immediately. There are many other options he could have tried as well before bringing out the big guns.
This is strictly my opinion, but if it was me, I'd have a sit down with my doctor and tell him I want off the Effexor (which will be no problem since you've only been on it a few days) AND the Pristiq and request a trial period of JUST an anti-anxiety medication. If he gets all up in your grill about what YOU don't know, tell him YOU KNOW enough that you're going to find a new doctor.
The other really good point remar made was that you went to this doctor obviously in a pretty bad state of anxiety and he gave you something that wouldn't help you for WEEKS. What about right NOW? He could have so easily written you a script for something that would stop your anxiety within 20 minutes of taking it. Stopped it dead in it's tracks. That just begs the questions from me of why the hell didn't he do that?
As you can see, I've got some issues with GPs and these types of meds, but I've got over 40 YEARS of experience of being put literally through hell for nothing.
I wish you a lot of luck. If you decide to stick with this doctor and are still having problems with medication a month or two down the road, please see a p-doc and have him/her prescribe for you.
Peace
Greenlydia
O and im on 37.5 a day for 14 days and then 75. I am just starting to think I don't need this kind of med.
Well he also gave me Xanax to take. I have only taken it a few times, I took Zoloft a while back and couldn't handle the side effects so I went back and he put me on Effexor. I have been more shaky and anxious and upset stomach... the same thing happened on the Zoloft. I don't want to be on this med any longer bcus of the bad experience I had with the Zoloft. I have been looking and the pristiq is almost just like the Effexor, I don't know what to do!?!?!?
Is this your first time being on meds for anxiety? Do you also have depression? They say it can take up to 6 weeks to start feeling better. The first few days are the hardest when starting any of these meds. What dose were you started on? If you are really feeling bad you can always ask your Dr to try you on something else. I can only give my personal opinion. If it were me, I would not start someone off on Effexor. And why is your Dr wanting to start you on Pristiq when you've only been on this med for a few days? Maybe the Dr can give you something short term until your med does start working. An anti anxiety med.
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