Severe Panic Attack with Effexor?
- Posted:
- 4 Feb 2012 by stew12
- Topics:
- effexor, panic disorder, nausea/vomiting, anxiety and stress
Details:
This morning I was prescribed Effexor--- 75mg twice daily. A half hour after taking the first dose at 10:00 a.m. I got a tidal wave of nausea and felt like I had been slipped a hit of acid (no better way to explain). I was sick to my stomach, losing control of the world around me and totally freaking out. (Luckily, or unluckily) I was in my boss's office at the time and she watched it all unravel. She even asked if she could call an EMT. She ended up taking me to my doctor's office where it was decided this was not a reaction to the Effexor but simply and only a panic attack. I was given Ativan and sent home. While the effects dissipated throughout the day, I took the second dose at 3:00 p.m. and while it took several hours this time, am finding myself in the "jr." version of this morning's episode.
I don't want to quit, I realize meds have side effects when you first take them, but this seems really unusual. Also confusion that the reaction was so quickly dismissed by my doctor and to a lesser degree the pharmacist.
So my question is, is creating panic attacks an initial side effect of Effexor? I'm taking it to *stop* anxiety disorder and depression.
Added 4 Feb 2012:
Correction, 75mg daily *total* split into two doses.
4 Feb 2012
I would give it more time. I am also on Effexor/venalfaxine and it should pass. It has worked wonders for the depression. The anxiety should subside. I have had some issues while on it, but im almost positive that it should all pass. Give it at least 4 weeks minimum. Keep us posted, and God Bless!
4 Feb 2012
Hi, newest antidepresant now are available but you should wait for at least 3 -4 weeks. If not better consult your dc. I say Prosac is one of the better,Im not recomening you prosac at this moment, wait to see if Effesor works for you.
Regards;
Alcon
4 Feb 2012
Hello stew12. In an answer to your question does Effexor help to create a panic attack? Yes. Increase of anxiety levels are a common side effect when beginning on Effexor. They most always subside and disappear once you've been on the drug for awhile. Good health and wishes to you,pledge
4 Feb 2012
Hello friend,
I have to agree with Pledge. I am a effexor patient myself, this is a normal effect when first beginning the Effexor. You should give it some more time, the panic attacks should subside. If not go back to your doctor but I think they will go away soon.
5 Feb 2012
The immediate effect seems unusual, but who knows. We are all different with meds. I was on Effexor xr at 150 mg. I discontinued due to increase in panic attacks. Maybe your body does not like the immediate release version? I believe 150 mg was too much for me. Withdrawal from Effexor was not great and I was only on it for 1 month.
5 Feb 2012
Dear stew12,
You have allready received allot of great advice. There's nothing more I could add, except that my teenager son too it for a few months, and me as well to. You really have to be patient with this medication, and give it time, to work, or dont, like I did, and end up back to drinking. I don't drink now. Haven't in almost six yrs. now. But please be patient with it, or whatever they put you on. And you will be surprised and feel great that you did it. I'll pray for you, that you will find the way to go about this. You are not the first, and won't be the last to walk through what you are walking through. But we are here for you. We support you and encourage you. May God Bless You. Ruth
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
Hi. I stopped Lexapro last week and started on Prozac generic (20mg). Starting yesterday, I've been experiencing nausea, severe irritability, ...
2 answers • 29 Sep 2009 • 
G'day..I've been on Effexor XR 150mg a day for some 10 years,I have severe agoraphobia and panic disorder.Originally the dose worked well ...
10 answers • 21 Nov 2009 •
I am currently prescribed phenergan(for relief of nausea & vomiting), tramadol(for migraines), and klonopin(for severe panic/anxiety attacks ...
4 answers • 15 Jun 2010 •
Worse than me. I.am so deeply depressed. I don't know how to handle it. I have got myself in a bit of a mess and can't climb out. Since I ...
17 answers • 22 Sep 2011 •
... when they just didn't fix the attacks. I got it bad with tunnel vision, heart attack feelings at night, etc. I want normal. Now I go by the ...
2 answers • 13 Mar 2012 •
stew12
nenag
pledge
papasam
babyr0525
Thank you for taking the time to answer! Having had anxiety all my life, I am no stranger to panic attacks or anxiety in general. But today's reaction was positively debilitating. I ended up missing an entire workday and falling completely apart due to this reaction. I have not had a real panic attack since I tried Wellbutrin several weeks ago--- prior to that, I had not been on meds for about four years. I honestly feel like I had a reaction but it's frustrating because I have read so many good things about Effexor's ability to alleviate anxiety.
FWW, I was on Celexa for more than a year and while it worked wonders I eventually became a fat zombie with missing sex organs.
No problem, get some rest and take it easy. Keep us posted. Good night
I agree with nenag. I would give it more time. I am also on effexor and it took a good 4 wks for it to really start working. When i first starting having anxiety attacks my doc put me on lexapro and I had a very bad attack the first day I started on it. It sounded very similar to the one u described. Hang in there it will get better with time.