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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Annie S. on September 28, 1999, at 7:45:02
I am being treated for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with 75 mg. Effexor XR, and was wondering if anyone else posting to this board has this experience or any experience with anxiety? I felt so great for the first month on Effexor XR. I was able to concentrate and felt so focused. But it seems that I'm back to having to constantly be on the go. Can't sit still, can't read a book, can hardly read the postings on this board. Waking up two or three times a night, etc. I have a doctor's appointment next week and my thoughts are so disorganized that I'm not sure what to tell him about how I feel.
I have learned so much from reading this board although it seems to mainly be a discussion for Depression. It has helped me understand that having a mental illness (any mental illness) is not something we choose to have and not something we can simply wish or will away. I thank you all for that.
Annie S.
Posted by cindy on September 30, 1999, at 10:53:01
In reply to Effexor for GAD (Anxiety), posted by Annie S. on September 28, 1999, at 7:45:02
Hi,
Not sure of your dosage, but you may want to consider cutting back. Perhaps the reason you felt great the first month was due to the Effexor initially taking effect. Typically, maximum therapeutic effect may not be reached for up to 8 weeks or more. So, you may not be getting the full effect, which is more than you'd like. By the way, I took Effexor for anxiety for about 4 weeks, but without any significant benefit. The drugs I've found to be most beneficial are Klonopin (Clonazepam) at 2.0 to 4.0 mg/day and Phenelzine (at 60 mg/day). The SSRI's and others, like Effexor are generally only partially effective in treating anxiety, and seem to exert much of their effect, indirectly, through the action of allopregnanolone on the GABAergic system.
So, what this all means is you might want to reduce Effexor if it works for you. If you can't get it to work for you by itself, you could consider an augmentation strategy which includes pindolol. It has been found to potentiate the action of anti-depressants. Lastly, you could also augment effexor with low dose Klonopin (Clonazepam) or try an alternative drug.
Good Luck
This is the end of the thread.
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