I have posted here a few times before but on other sections, i currently went to the doctor and they told me i have severe depression, i suffered from it when i was younger too i probably never stopped. They put me on this medicine called effexor xr. I know nothing about depression nor the meds i am on. All i know is that nothing is working. I feel like i am losing my mind. I cry all the time, i am so stressed and i have absolutely no one to talk to. my mom doesnt understand. Me and my boyfriend are having major problems and i feel like i am taking everything out on my daughter. I dont have any friends. I just feel really alone. i know its my fault why my life is the way it is i just dont know what to do to fix it. I fight with myself to get up to go to work every day and when i finally do i go to work sit at my desk and dont talk to anyone. Then i go home and all i want to do is sleep. i hate my life. I feel like im crazy and no one understands me. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Are you seeing a therapist? If not, you should. Medication will help you feel a little better, it takes some time though. A therapist can help you through this and help you to feel better too.

How long have you been on the meds? It can take as long as 4 to 6 weeks to feel any changes.

I have been on the meds for about 4 weeks now, and i am having really bad side affects. I havent went to a counsler, i have thought about it but im not really sure if it will help. i just dont know what to say, and i dont want someone telling me i am crazy. I just dont know if they will understand how i really feel.

Well give it at least 2 more weeks.

A therapist wont call you crazy. Promise. However, I have tried them and have not gotten much satisfaction. Never really felt like they understood.

I think its better to talk to people with a condition similar to yours, like you're doing here.

Totally know how you feel though. I'm desperately trying to find depression support groups near me.

The only thing is i hate talking to people about my problems. i dont want them to think that i pity myself or something like that. I also have always had problems expressing how i feel. all i know is that i am tired of feeling this way and i really dont think that however long i give it the meds are not going to make me feel better.

I have been to the therapist, I found it very helpful. I think you need to feel comfortable with the person you are seeing. One of my friends went to see my therapist and did not like her at all. You won't have to worry about what to say. The therapist will lead the conversation. That's what they are trained to do.

HI,
Please know we are here to support you. If the meds are not working, I woudl call them back and see what they say. I was a single parent and all alone and decided to see how counselor and felt too that they would probably think I was crazy, but instead it helped a lot and it was also nice to have someone to listen and to talk out my problems with as my parents have never been there for me. It is extra hard when your family is not there for you, but please try to be strong, but think about counseling. I would not rule it out, but give it a chance to see if it helps you. It was actually better to have an unbiased opinion as I started to feel like I was gonna go crazy from not talking to someone except my five year old at the time. We are here to support and help you. Let us know how you are doing no matter how many times you want to write a day. We are here to listen and help each other. :wave:

thankyou all for responding. its just been really hard lately to even get through a day. i think i will concider a counsler i will check into it. hopefully something helps

Hi blue eyes,

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time right now. I think especially when feeling depressed, it's very hard to reach out for help or tell anyone else about it. It took a lot of courage to call and see your doctor, and to fill the prescription and start taking the Effexor. It's unfortunate that you haven't seen any positive changes come from it so far.

My suggestion is that you call your prescribing doc and fill her/him in about what is going on with you at this point. It doesn't sound like you were given a follow up visit, which by now, you should have.

What's your dose, and has it changed at all since you started it? What are you experiencing that you think is from the med? Also, if you don't mind me asking, how old is your daughter?

I have a 12 and 17 year old, but had a really hard time when the younger one was young.

i have been on effexor 75 for about 4 and half weeks and i have been having horrible side effects. my daughter will be 5 in july and i am 23. I have been shaking alot, i seem to be extremely itchy in the face and wednesday night i had a horrible anxiety attack to the point where i almost had to go to the hospital because i couldnt breath. I forgot to take my meds on wednesday so i dont know if its because of that or just because of everything else. all i know is i am starting to feel worse to the point were i dont even want to get up to go to work.

You CAN'T miss even ONE dose of Effexor!! That's like going cold turkey every time you do it! Effexor withdrawal is the worst and YES, missing a dose most likely caused your panic attack. A friend of ours, was taking off Effexor cold turkey and had a psychotic episode and had to be hosptialized. You have to wean off the drug, very, very slowly. Some people that advocate the use of powerful, non-specific drugs, have no clue who they'll help and who they'll harm, so pushing them is a very dangerous endeavor. They don't have to be around to hold our hands when we're suffering through withdrawal or any of the long list of other serious effects that these kinds of drugs can cause.

It definitely sounds like Effexor is not right for you and don't let a doctor convince you that you need to stay on the drug for weeks and months to see any good effect. Use your common sense and PLEASE, do not quit taking this drug cold turkey. You MUST be weaned off of it if you decide to quit taking it. To me, it's just very sad, even tragic, that people like you, who are already having a rough time, are put on a drug that will only cause you more trouble, often even worse. I'm so sorry that you had to learn about Effexor the hard way. Please, please, do many searches on any drug that you're thinking of taking. Look for sites where uses are talking about their experiences. It could save you a LOT of trouble and a LOT of suffering.

Good luck to you!!

Hi,

Being sick and seeing no improvement is very hard on you, I'm sure. I think you would notice an improvement if the drug was going to work, but I'm not a Dr. There are other AD's that may suit you better. Ask your Dr. and find out.

I had to try just one that didn't work before I was put on elavil. I was in horrible shape. I isolated myself, didn't want to talk to anyone in person or on the phone. I stayed in bed and only got up to shower. I had never felt so bad in my life. I called my Dr, which was very hard to do, and he asked me why I didn't call sooner. I didn't have an answer, but I wish I had done it.

The next day my sister took me to see my GP and my psychaitrist. That's the day I was put on elavil and my life changed. Elavil (amiltriptyline) is a very old antidepressant. It's a tricyclic. It has a sedative in it for anxiety also, so that's why it's taken at bedtime. I was on the med three days when I started feeling a little better. From then on it was a continous flow of good days. Going places, and enjoying my kids and taking them places I was afraid I would never be able to go. During the 20 years, I only had one set back and the Dr. took me off elavil for three months. It wasn't a bad thing. He went very slow and listened to me when I told him how I was feeling. A year later I went back on it. I have chemical depression and will probably always need a little something, as far as meds go.

Recently, lexapro was added and it's good for people like me because it treats anxiety and depression. I hope you find the one that works for you. You will be amazed how different you feel. Things will be better for you. Keep us posted. Take Care.......Connnie

I went to the doctor last friday about how I was feeling and they changed my meds to lexapro. I havent noticed any difference yet and i am still having anxiety attacks. they also recommended i see a pyscologist which i have an appt with on thursday. i still feel horibble and i just dont want to do anything. Hopefully this med will help with the anxiety i think that will help alot. Has anyone been on lexapro? what should i expect, side effects how long it takes to start working ect. thanks everyone for replying!

Counselling can be wonderful, sometime we hold so much inside and just to have that neutral person to talk too makes all the different.
Your not crazy, your not seeing little green people are you? Your depressed! Life has overwhelmed you and you need help. Sounds like you may need a different medication. Most people to not understand that depression is a disease...

nope no little green people, although the way i have been feeling it probably be better if i was then at least i would know i was crazy :) im just not hip on the idea of seeing a counsler. I guess i will see what happens. im just not sure what to expect. And i know i cant expect some med to work miracles but it would really be nice if it could stop the anxiety attacks and help me get a little more sleep.

You should expect the medication to work and if they don't get the doctor attention by telling him your not feeling any better! First time I went to my counselor I sat there about 10 minutes without saying much. She ask me some questions and after awhile I felt so relax I spilled my guts, IT FELT SO WONDERFUL! Now it's like going to see a old friend! Wow one that listens and don't judge! So their not true friends but OMG what a life saver they can be!

Well, I am practicing what I preached, I finally got an appointment with the therapist. I have to wait a few weeks, she's booked, but that's okay. I've seen her before and I hope she still has my file, it's been about 6 years since the last time I was there. I've not been myself for almost 3 years and just kept putting off making the appointment. I thought it would pass, but it just keeps getting worse.

I go see my counsler tonight im really nerves i just dont know why. I keep trying to talk myself out of going but i will go i know i need to!

hey dont worry everything will be ok i am experiencing simliar problems i want to cover of the medication which has been given to me but at the mo i dont think it is wise all i can say dony worry be happy :bouncing: