Hi Scotter I'm not saying this is what happened, but could you possibly of had a panic attack simply because you took the new med? I know that I sometimes felt panicky after taking a pill because there was no turning back, the drug was in my system. I would always obsess over side-effects and this caused anxiety. Do you mind me asking, how was the effexor withdrawl for you? I've heard it can be hard one to get off, but i have to weight the benefits against the possible withdrawl. Good luck! Jen

I took Effexor XR (the XR means time-release, I 'm told) for a couple of years for anxiety and a bout of depression. I probably should have quit sooner than I did, but it worked pretty well. I had very few side effects, and those were mild. I quit them about six months ago. I recenly started having panic attacks again and am just starting on Zoloft (Still at half-dose). I had a bit of a panic attack last night after taking it, but I don't know if that's because of the medication or because the medication hasn't really kicked in yet (I started on it Saturday night, 25mg, up to 50 starting this weekend).

ive tried this medication about two years ago..im still on xanax,i have to admit to me the side effects were harsh i freaked out and stopped after 5 days,i had bad headache like hangover,and increased anxiety i want to try it again but i have a job and dont know what to do..all those meds feels like someone is operating on my brain..any input?

Good morning Amy! Yes, i do recall somewhat of a tingling sensation at times. This is most likely from the paxil withdrawl but could also be the effexor. As well, when you are anxious, sometimes this is a symptom of anxiety. Anxiety did increase for me when starting effexor, but then it settled right down. This is all normal, NO WORRIES! :) I'm sorry this is brief but I have to go run off to work!! Jen

Thank you very much for your post. I was worried about changing to Effexor especially because the last three days of my Paxil I was feeling great. I was wondering if I should just stay on it. But the first 4 days of the Effexor went really well as well. I am noticing now a change in anxiety but nothing that I cannot cope with for now. I just hope it calms down. I am feeling dizzy but I was with the Paxil so I am getting used to it. Dreams are really strange but kinda neat ha ha ha! I get tingling sensations all over sometimes has anyone felt this? Its not painful and usually doens't last too long but just strange feeling. Anyways, I thank you very much again for your thoughts I can't believe how much it helps talking to people that are going through the same thing. Thank you thank you thank you! Oh and crying is amazing it really does make you feel much better. I was crying all the time before I got put on meds and at when I first started takign Paxil. Amy

Hey Jen. I too find that crying helps. It seems to relieve some of the stress or something. So if I ever feel the need, I just let the tears flow.

Hi Amy! I was on Paxil for four years previous to this september. I had a pretty harsh set-back (I think the paxil ****ped out on me) and my doctor immediately put me on Effexor XR, at the 75mg dose (first few days at 37.5 and then up to 75) The only problems I encountered were weird dreams, dizziness, insomnia and increased anxiety. All of these symptoms were gone within 1 week. This could have been from the initiation of the effexor OR a Paxil withdrawl. I tried really hard not to dwell on what I was feeling, just resting assured on the fact that this was a chemical response within my body and that it would eventually calm down (I did a switch from paxil to celexa back to paxil in 2000 and I had only the minor problems I listed above, for one week) Within 2-3 weeks, I was already feeling a decline in my anxiety and panic attacks. And most importantly, I got sleep again! In fact, when I started Effexor, for the first few weeks, I slept A LOT! I'm talking 9-13 hours a day. I'd get 9 hours during the night, then withing a few hours of waking up, have another two hour nap. My doctor and counsellor thought this was just my body collapsing from the stress of the set-back and the tinkering with my meds. This only lasted a short time though :) Once I had established a steady level of effexor in my body, I was able to go back to work and function again :) I must admit (keep in mind this may NOT happen to you) I had another "breakdown" about one month after getting on the 75mg dose. I was back at square one, having intense panic attacks, approx. 3X a day, couldn't get out of the house, and would cry at anything! I called my doc and he fit me in as an emerg. appointment and he immediately raised my dose to 150mg/day. Withing 72 hours of this dose increase, i was feeling 90% better. It was amazing! I've been at this dose for about a month now and doing really well. I'm back at work 5 days a week and am working very hard on my exposure steps. I drove 30 min from home a few weeks ago! Yes, I was anxious, but I did it and the rush of sastisfaction was soooo worth the anxiety of the drive once I accomplished it! I believe Effexor XR is a great drug if you combine it with CBT, meditation and exposure work (ties into CBT) Also

Thank you for the info. I just started taking it today and so far so good. I was worried about it at first but then realized that hopefully it wouldn't be as bad as the paxil.

I think it worked well for me. I didn't worry any longer if I was going to panic or not. And the side effects were less obvious than with Paxil or Serzone. I thought it was the best thing I have tried for social phobia and panic with depression.

Well I have been on PaxilCR for almost a month now and haven't had much improvement. I had bad side effects for the first couple of weeks and my panic attacks were WAY worse (wasn't even able to leave the house) Now my Doctor has changed me to Effexor XR and I am to start it on Friday. Has anyone tried this? Has it worked? What can I expect changing from one to another? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Amy