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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jscottb on December 3, 2001, at 22:38:11
I have been on Paxil for almost three years. I began taking it for mild depression and social anxiety disorder and currently take 40 mg daily. I have heard much about Effexor and understand that in addition to blocking seretonin reuptake it also blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine. Is there an association of norepinephrine and motivation? Although I tolerate the Paxil very well, I just find it difficult to find inspiration at times about doing things I know would benefit me and make me more happy. I have heard about some unpleasant side effects of Effexor, such as anxiety. I actually tried Prozac once and could not deal with the anxiety in the first few days and quit taking it. Are there similarities of anxiety between Prozac and Effexor?
Posted by AnneL on December 3, 2001, at 23:19:09
In reply to Paxil vs Effexor, posted by jscottb on December 3, 2001, at 22:38:11
Dear jscottb,
My initial response was, if it's not broken don't fix it and then I got to thinking, hey if you do not feel that you are making a satisfactory recovery, then perhaps you should discuss other medication options with your doctor. After all, there is always the chance that you may be able to add another medication or change over to another medication, such as Effexor.
Having tried Paxil, very low dose Prozac (5 mg. really pathetic!), and Celexa, I can tell you that all 3 gave me anxiety. Do I really know if they caused anxiety? Or perhaps I was just really scared about trying these types of medications.
The end result is that I tried Effexor, but knowing that I get anxiety about potential side effects, including anxiety, my doctor prescribed a benzodiazepine (Klonopin) along with the Effexor.
I am happy to say that I am very, very pleased with Effexor (a remarkable recovery), have no anxiety and the only thing I experienced in my overwhelming rush to get off medications (because I was cured!) was a nasty, nasty day of what is termed "discontinuation syndrome" which was completely reversed by resuming my standard dose.
Having learned one of life's tough lessons, I am in no rush to get off of medication. And when the time comes (when and if), I will work closely with my doctor. The long and the short of it is this, have a very frank discussion with your doctor about the areas in your life which you feel could be improved. I also hope that you have supportive family, friends and hopefully a good therapist to help deal with the issues of living that we all have, whether we are depressed or not.
:) AnneL
Posted by Willow on December 4, 2001, at 17:23:58
In reply to Re: Paxil vs Effexor » jscottb, posted by AnneL on December 3, 2001, at 23:19:09
Jscottb,
When I had my first prescription filled for effexor the pharmascist explained that some of the initial physical side effects can feel like anxiety ( eg pounding heart ) is normal for the med and goes away with time. And yes it did go away and leave me with a blissful absence from what is described as "generalized anxiety."
BEST WISHES
Willow
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