just got off oxy's. Taking Effexor for depression and Anxiety

[OttawaScott]

Hey everyone. I'm new to this site and am happy to get the opperatunity to ask a couple of questions. Any help or opinions are greatly appreciated.

I was taking 40 to 60 mg of oxycontin per day for a period of 3 and a half monthes. Putting it up my stupid nose to boot. I discovered the realization that I was becoming extremely addicted to this drug and decided to quit. After a quick taper down to swallowing 20 mg per day for three days, I began only taking 1 percocet per day for fiver days (hell days) and am now taking only 1 perc every 3 days and am feeling much much better physically. I took my last perc yesterday and will not be taking any more.

I however have suffered intense anxiety for years. Long before I had ever thought of taking oxycontin and it has intensified since i've quit.

My doctor has put me on Effexor XR for releif of my depression and anxiety symptoms. I just started my 37.5mg dose three days ago and will be starting my 75mg dose soon.

My question is can i expect any really negative effects other than minor side effects between quitting the oxy's and taking the effexor. And does anyone have any experience with effexor.

I am familiar with the potential withdrawal symptoms of trying to get off effexor also but to me, at this point it`s worth trying something for the depression and anxiety that ive delt with for so many years.

Thanks all.

 

[Cane2theLeft]

I think you'll have a better audience in The Dark Side forum so we'll try this over there.

TDS mods - if you'd prefer to send it back, feel free!



---->TDS

 

[Bojangles69]

Well effexor may or may not be a good choice and you won't really know for another month or two imo. As far as negative effects go I know when I switched from opium (pods) to lexapro there was an inbetween stage where I was intensley depressed for a week or 2. Because I was in a clinic at the time they told me to ride it out which I did.

Then after about a couple weeks the lex started to kick in and it seems all my problems went away at the time. I think effexor may even work better due to the mechanism of how it works in the brain somewhat appeasing opiate receptors (I think). Although the wds are much worse then something like lexapro. I won't lie though yes its possible you get side effects, some people get them worse then others and have to stop the medication, others don't get them at all and love it. It can really go either way. But I think its still a smart idea going from opiates to ssris/snri because many people tend to be thrown into an apathetic depression and they will sometimes definitely help for that. However, once I came off my lexapro a year down the road I noticed I was still quite apathetic. You weren't using opiates for that long so I think you're in a good situation overall, just give it another month or 2 and let us know how you're feeling.
There are also plenty of people on here who have been on effexor and can share their experience I'm sure.