Posted by Bill L on February 26, 2001, at 9:14:55
In reply to Doesn't Look Like Effexor is going to help me., posted by Laurie on February 24, 2001, at 15:02:14
I agree with danf that you need to give it some time and maybe it will work for you. Effexor is effective against anxiety.
Kava kava is an herb that is very effective in relieving anxiety. It should help within about 30 minutes after taking it. It becomes even more effective after you take it for a couple of weeks. I'm not aware of any side effects but check with your doctor. Since you do not have depression, and since Kava is relatively safe, maybe you should try it if your doctor says it's ok to take with Effexor. You should take the standardized kava preparation from a reputable company. I forgot the recommended dose but you can find out by doing a search on " Dr. Weil kava". I would follow Dr. Weil's dose recommendation. Once again, get your doctor's ok first to see if you can take it with Effexor.
> I just want to say, thank goodness for message boards like this. From people with the same problems or similar ones, I have learned a lot! :) Now my problem:
> I have an inherited autonomic nervous system disorder. (The fight or flight response.) I don't handle stress well, caffeine, medicine, etc. I tend to over react to things. I have had panic attacks before. I went to the doc yesterday to get something to help with my nervousness and stress at work. I'm not really depressed. I've been depressed before (usually just PMS) but it lasts a day or two and not a deep depression. I really just wanted something slightly sedating; something that I could take as needed. She gave me samples of Effexor XR and told me to try it for a week and call her back. I took one 37.5 mg. this morning. It makes me feel just like Zoloft did. Sleepy, zombie like, and jittery on the inside. Stomach a little upset too, headache and my head feels heavy. Anyone else with these side effects? I drank a glass of wine and the jitteriness has gone away. But I still feel like a zombie. I felt this way with Zoloft so I stopped it. I'm calling her on Monday to tell her I can't take it either. I asked her if it was an anti-depressant, she told me it was an anti-anxiety med. Everything I've read on here and elsewhere has told me its mainly used as an anti-depressant. Why give me an anti-depressant when I'm not depressed? I just get nervous and upset easily (caused by the disorder). I would like to take something with no side effects, or hardly any, and just feel calm when my boss upsets me! LOL Actually its really not funny...I shake and tremble, my blood pressure goes up, & my heart races and I get dull chest pains. I am 34 years old. I took Xanax (or is it Zanax?) once, no ill side effects, about 6 days worth but I made it last a long time (like a couple of months), by taking it only when I needed it and breaking it in half! And it worked really well for my anxiety and stress. That was 2 years ago! And I haven't taken it since. But she told me she didn't want me taking it because it can be addictive!?? By the way, this is a different doc than the one who gave me the Xanax. I don't do well with these anti-depressants - I feel like a basket case on them and low energy. Can anyone help me or have any suggestions? I'm sorry if I rambled (another side effect it seems! LOL)
poster:Bill L
thread:54756
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/54884.html