I am scared

[redsunset787]

I am scared.  My psychiatrist at the Universiy (I went to the university because my internist put me on the drug but was not equipped to monitor it) prescribed 37.5 Effexor XR.  I took it for three days but did not take it yesterday, the 4th day.  I was previously on the same medication at the same dose two months ago but quit cold turkey because it made me nervous and my brain did not feel like me.  I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety, anxiety attacks and some depression.  I also have Crohn's  I called my doctor and expressed my concerns about going on this drug again since I had quit two months ago because I was not happy with it's results and because coming off was so difficult.  He said take it anyway.  After three days, I was so constipated and had to strain which caused my Crohn's to flare.  Then I had severe gas and diarrhea all day.  This morning I am confused and still have Crohn's cramps.  I do take diazepam 2.5 in the afternoon and 2.5 at bedtime plus last night I took a Simply Sleep with the approval of my pshchiatrist.  He will not see me again until May 12.  Meanwhile, I am a mess.  I am 72 years old.  This morning, Saturday, I am very confused, scared, shakey.  Does anyone think my state of mind this morning could be becuse of missing my 4th Effexor XR yesterday and how long does it take for that drug to get out of my body.  I cannot remember from the last time.  But the last time I took the drug longer than three days.  I took it for two months.  I thought that because I only took it three days that I would not have any withdrawal.

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  If a doctor reads this would you please comment.  Frankly, I am becoming hopeless.  My doctors are very patient disconnected.  

redsunset15

[velvetvenus]

remember the side effects, some of which go away, can last 2 or 3 weeks or so. but i agree you need a different psychiatrist, one who is closer, and that there are many different drugs out there and combinations of drugs. did you give the medicine time to work the first time, or for the 2-3 weeks or so for the side effects to minimize?  i know it must be hard with crohn's disease, i have severe irritable bowel and it is disabeling to say the least. god bless

[Paxiled]

You need a different psychiatrist.  This one isn't listening to you.  If you know effexor doesn't agree with you, and you know it's extremely difficult to quit, then why go back on it?  There are lots of other options.

[redsunset787]

mark2929, thank you for your response.  It has reassured me.  The worst part is that the university doctor is 75 miles away and he will not prescribe anything over the phone.  So I am looking for a psychiatrist closer to home.  I was very disappointed with my initial visit with him.  He told me that I probably would not see him with every visit, that he is only there for one year being a resident, and that he would turn me over to my internist after a few visits.  My internist is the reason I went to the university in the first place.  He also said that the university, that has one whole building devoted to mental problems, is so busy that they cannot continue to serve a patent on an ongoing basis.

redsunset15

[Mark2929]

Hi there. Sorry to hear about your problems. I am having some similar problems with coming off of Ativan this week after only less than a month on it. Dry mouth headaches, possible increase of chest pains, metallic taste in my mouth, very nervous, extremely escalated anxiety and crying for no reason.

What I have learned is that all drugs whether ssri or drugs like ativan and Xanax can likely have side effects if you quit cold turkey as we did. It might have been better to taper off. These drugs change the way or brains/bodies work and they become dependent on the medications. Cut off the supply suddenly and there will be side effects just like a drug addict quitting cocaine or heroin.

If I were you,  you were only on Efexor for three days so the side effects probably wont last long. Monitor them and if you feel really bad you can always go to the ER to get checked out.......... Perhaps try another ssri drug, different people react differently to ssri medications. I do know it takes a good 4 to 6 weeks for an ssri to have full effect and during that time you may get some symptoms as your brain and body adjust to the medication.  good luck!