What is wrong w/me?

[LisaAnn678]

I am weaning off Effexor and quit after one wk at 37.5mg.  I ended up in the ER with a MAJOR panic attack.  I am having all of the side effects, dizziness, flu-like symptoms also.  When I began weaning from 225mg Effexor I began 20mg of Prozac which I had taken several years ago.  I was 3 weeks into the prozac when all of these symptoms came on.  Does that mean that the Prozac isnt working bc I had such a big panic attack.  I have had 3 in the last 3 days and am living in fear of the next one.  Is it the Effexor withdrawl?  Is the Prozac not working?  I am also on 200mg Lamictal.  I do not think that I am bipolar.  Doc said that the panic attacks may be manic symptoms and so she told me to take zyprexa 2.5mg at night, stop the prozac and take 37.5 of effexor until she gets back in town.  She told me that she thinks that I am bipolar but I don’t understand why.  She said that she thought my panic attacks were manic episodes that manifest as irritability and panic.  I don’t get it.  I do have ups and downs but just like anyone else I think.  I have always done well with just an antidepressant but they always seem to poop out after a couple of years and that is why she put me on the lamictal.  She said that “poop out” could be another sign of bipolar.  Could the Lamictal be causing any of these problems.  Please help.  Im lost here!

[DLA]

In my first post I said Effexor caused me digestive problems, but it wasn't Effexor that did that.  It made me afraid to even walk outside.  I got so depressed I couldn't even talk to people and talking is what I love to do the most.  Took me quite a while to get rid of all the symptoms and go back to normal after I went off of it.

Think they need to check that one out more carefully.

[spin4god]

Hi
I was on effexor without anything else.  after being on it for a year, my depression became worse, i became suicidal, cutting myself....and also, manic in that i desired to do things i never wanted or even thought of before.  I came off effexor and it was the worst withdrawal I have ever had.  I still have bird beak grinding sounds in brain.ever so often, but when i was coming off of it, I had it every twenty minutes for two weeks.  Effexor is the worst; I think it should be taken off the market.  I was put on lamictal and so far I am doing okay with it and lexapro.  I take a low dose of everything; I told my doctor I want the low dosage and I will increase if I find it neccessary. Sometimes they just put you or increase your dosage and you don't really need it done.  I think you are probably suffering from effexor withdrawals; you pooor thing...ugh.  Just hang in there....it will not last forever.  Unfortunately, it will take awhile, though.  

spin

[Mercury6m]

yo, i had the worst worst worst withdrawal from effexor, so the panic attacks which i was having while on it (3 or more per day!) continued, along with full-on depression, fatigue, and strange electrical sensations which changed into this feeling like bugs were all over me..
it's definitely the effexor. when i hear people say it helps them i'm astonished--- it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. withdrawal lasted 2 months, until i went on wellbutrin.

[susieq87]

I have taken the effexor and felt the terrible withdrawal symptoms of taking it.  I should of done a taper but I didn't and I didn't go onto another mood stabilizer right away either.  So at least you have a backup plan.  It seems like it took a month to get the effexor out of my system.  It was rough.  Perhaps, that is what is happening to you.  Replacing it with something else is a good idea but it takes a couple of weeks to start working. I am not sure what Lamictal is as I haven't taken it.  At one point in my life I was on three medications but as time goes by the general idea is to see a therapist and you can get free therapy if you don't make too much money anywhere.  Ask you doctor.  Now I am only on one mood stabilizer.  There is no cut and dry definition for bipolar.  You definitely need to understand so please ask pointed questions.  The purpose of the mood stabilizers is to get you on an even kneel and I also have found they lose their effectiveness over time.  If it is not working with this doctor, find smeone you can talk to it is your life and health.

[DLA]

Wish I could help you out with the meds, but haven't taken most of them.  I did take Effexor for a while, but had to go off of it b/c of digestive problems.

But wanted to let you know that I completely understand the anxiety disorder.  I've ended up in the ER b/c of an anxiety attack before.  The thing with anxiety attacks is that if you start worrying about having one you will.  I have had them in the local grocery store, my bank, and at Wal-Mart.  Simply trying to go back into those places sent me into major panic attacks.  The first ones were brought on ramdomly, but after that I did it to myself b/c I was worrying so bad about having them.

Do what you can to keep yourself calm and to stop focusing on them.  Turn your attention some where else, do something else.  And when you're in one, try to keep in mind that's all it is and slow your breathing down and try to relax.  If you can do these things it will stop a lot faster.  I know it's not easy and it takes practice but you can do it.  I did.  I still have problems with anxiety, but have learned to control it enough that it doesn't rule my life.

Good luck to you.
Dac