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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tina on May 23, 2003, at 10:33:54
Effexor is taking away my panic quite nicely but the side effect is apathy. I can't seem to care what happens to me or around me. I can still get stressed about work but I don't care what the outcome. I watch myself ballooning in weight but don't care what I put in my mouth, relationships with other people are falling apart but I don't care to fix it and I can sometimes just stare into space doing nothing for hours. there's a voice in my head saying "what are you doing? why are you just sitting there" but still I sit and stare.
It's like I'm outside of myself watching and waiting for this other person I see to do something about all of this but she doesn't. Is this a normal side effect of this drug or should I change meds? I also have extremely itchy skin. I can't stop scratching to the point of bleeding.Is it time to get off effexor and try something else?
Posted by SLS on May 23, 2003, at 11:20:24
In reply to Apathy,,,,,blank stare, posted by tina on May 23, 2003, at 10:33:54
> Effexor is taking away my panic quite nicely but the side effect is apathy. I can't seem to care what happens to me or around me. I can still get stressed about work but I don't care what the outcome. I watch myself ballooning in weight but don't care what I put in my mouth, relationships with other people are falling apart but I don't care to fix it and I can sometimes just stare into space doing nothing for hours. there's a voice in my head saying "what are you doing? why are you just sitting there" but still I sit and stare.
> It's like I'm outside of myself watching and waiting for this other person I see to do something about all of this but she doesn't. Is this a normal side effect of this drug or should I change meds? I also have extremely itchy skin. I can't stop scratching to the point of bleeding.
>
> Is it time to get off effexor and try something else?
Hi Tina.What dosage of Effexor are you on? How long have you been on it?
When I first started Effexor, I experienced a foggy, stare-at-the-wall state that disappeared after a week or two. However, I would not characterize it as apathy.
When I took Lexapro, the apathy produced got worse over time, not better. Everyone reacts differently to the same medication. It is possible that you would not experience apathy with every serotonergic drug you take. Perhaps Zoloft or Lexapro would be valid alternatives.
Between the apathy and itching, it sounds like you would be better off with another drug. However, you must take into consideration the length of time you have been on Effexor. Very often, the side effects that appear within the first two weeks disappear completely. Effexor is a good drug that can help people for whom the SSRIs do not.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by daizy on May 23, 2003, at 11:23:48
In reply to Apathy,,,,,blank stare, posted by tina on May 23, 2003, at 10:33:54
Hey Tina, Im sorry your feeling like that, Its not very nice? I have that 'anhedonia' feeling at the moment too. Im not sure what to do, Have you tried incresing your dose?, or even decreasing it if you think it will help you 'feel' again. Im too afraid to just quit incase my anxiety comes back, I'd rather feel nothing than feel anxious all the time. Have you spoken to your doc about it?
> Effexor is taking away my panic quite nicely but the side effect is apathy. I can't seem to care what happens to me or around me. I can still get stressed about work but I don't care what the outcome. I watch myself ballooning in weight but don't care what I put in my mouth, relationships with other people are falling apart but I don't care to fix it and I can sometimes just stare into space doing nothing for hours. there's a voice in my head saying "what are you doing? why are you just sitting there" but still I sit and stare.
> It's like I'm outside of myself watching and waiting for this other person I see to do something about all of this but she doesn't. Is this a normal side effect of this drug or should I change meds? I also have extremely itchy skin. I can't stop scratching to the point of bleeding.
>
> Is it time to get off effexor and try something else?
>
Posted by nnyc on May 25, 2003, at 1:00:42
In reply to Re: Apathy,,,,,blank stare, posted by daizy on May 23, 2003, at 11:23:48
I know EXACTLY what you are talking about, I've been on Effexor for several years. I was prescribed it for depression, so I thought the apathy sprung from that. But just recently I've found posts like yours and others, and the fear that my depression had deepened despite meds may be wrong. And then the scratching- again I just blamed it on myself. Its more in the winter (drier air) and I'd do it while sleeping. I'd just partially wake wake up feeling itchy and in the morning I'd find red streaks where I'd scratched through my skin. But I'm afraid beyond commiserating and sending good thoughts your way, I'm not qualified to offer further advice. (My docs had me supplementing with various stimulants, which I'm fairly sure is a bad idea for anxiety.)
Posted by tina on May 26, 2003, at 8:14:49
In reply to Re: Apathy,,,,,blank stare, posted by nnyc on May 25, 2003, at 1:00:42
thanks everyone. It's good to know I'm not the only one. I've only been on efxr for a little over 3 months but the apathy and rash seems to get worse when I increase the dosage too. I'm seeing my doc this week and may ask for a med change. The side effects of this one aren't worth it. I don't feel any benefit from it.
thanks again
tina
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