3rd week on Effexor

[darlarae]

So, I’ve been on Effexor for just a bit over 3 weeks now.

Things are slowly starting to come back together in my life after a few months of horrible depression. But my anxiety is still really bad.

I’ve been prescribed Xanax to help but I’m so scared that I’ll become dependent of it. And I know that’s not a good thing. I’m on .25 mg of Xanax and sometimes I even cut those in half. I try my hardest not to take them though...

After not having a job for a few months I am starting a new job. I am so happy about it but I am extremely nervous. I’m trying not to take Xanax right now and just work through my panic. But I’m getting bad symptoms. Jittery, chest pains, tingling in my fingers. I don’t want my new job to think I’m crazy...

Anyways, I guess what I’m trying to ask is, will Effexor start helping with my anxiety? It has helped with my depression so much but it’s goinf verrrrrry slowly when it comes to helping with my anixety....

[acsmith8213]

Hey Darlarae,

I am on Effexor (150 mg) and it took a few weeks to help with not only depression but anxiety as well. I'm about 6 months into my starting Effexor and have been doing well on it for a couple of months now. I only take Xanax when I need it now which is very rare. My advice is if you can work through the anxiety that is better but do NOT go without anything you need. I will sometimes go to the restroom so I can be alone and breathe. If that is not an option, then I will see how many different items I can count up to ten. It gives your brain something else to focus on. Sometimes it takes a couple of times counting to refocus and "chill" but it has seemed to work for me. Hang in there, it'll happen for you.