Question for anyone diagnosed BP2 (Effexor/Prozac)
Posted , 2 users are following.
Diagnosed with GAD.. So far I've been on 5 drugs trying to get straightened out, Effexor being the 5th and most current. Celexa (worked first time), Celexa (completely opposite reaction), Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft, and now Effexor.
I'm noticing similarities in Effexor that I started to notice in Prozac at right about the same time (month in). The main side effect that's driving me nuts being agitation. I notice if I even have so much as a cup of coffee, it feels like I'm on speed, my eyes get huge and I'm hyper focused yet feel all over the place (if that makes sense?). Then I get bouts of this crazy agitation. I haven't actually lashed out or anything, but it's like I have to control myself from boiling over in anger. These are the only 2 drugs this has happened to me on. Is this common in GAD or possibly early signs of BP2?
(And this post is not in any way me just hoping it is GAD.. I feel like there is something more going on at times and just want some clarity.. I have sympathy and a ton of love with everyone dealing with Mental Illness.. It takes a special breed of warrior.)
0 likes, 8 replies
Timmie25 onward
Posted
It seems like I've been on just about everything there is except prozac. But effexor is suppose to help with GAD. It did the opposite for me. Like you it made me hyper and I could not stop bouncing my leg when I sat. I had panic attacks and was easily agitated. I just recently stopped taking it. The bouncing leg has stopped and I don't feel hyper but of course the anxiety is there just as bad as before.
mari34228 Timmie25
Posted
That's interesting Timmie, I developed really bad jigging feet (mine is mostly when I am trying to rest/sleep) when I was put on sertraline two years ago, and I've had it all through the citalopram and now the duloxetine. Weaning off the dulox and not intending starting anything else (have had it with medications) so hoping that my bouncing will stop too!
onward mari34228
Posted
I too have a variation of the same problem since starting Effexor! Terrible restless legs when trying to sleep! My doc said something about either the serotonin or norepinephrine causing it by trying to start too high too soon, but either way didn't like the sound of it. We're currently trying an experiment with dosages on the Eff. and if this doesn't work, off it I go and the search continues! Wishing the best to you both.
mari34228 onward
Posted
Oh! The doc I told never said anything, just looked at me!! Think she thought I was just loony anyway with all my different complaints! I'll be interested if you do find out whether it might be BP 2 or not. I don't seem to respond appropriately to anti-depressants either and I can relate to descriptions of BP2.
Best wishes X
Timmie25 mari34228
Posted
Mari , I've had it with meds also. 10 years of trial and error. I'll stay on lamictal because I think it's responsible for me not having mood swings as often but it does nothing for depression. New psychiatrist wants me to take seroquel, buspar and pristiq. I've taken seroquel and buspar before, not on them any more so they either didn't work or side effects were bad. I really Dont want to take pristiq because i think its very similar to effexor, its in the same class and almost has the same generic name. But i have major depression (bipolar depression at that) so I don't know what to do. I have a psychiatrist who's pushing meds at me and a therapist who is against meds. I don't like meds either but I hate feeling this way! Ugh.
onward Timmie25
Posted
I've heard great things about Lamictal.. I talked to my doc just today about the mood swings and he said Pristiq can be even more activating than Effexor (just a heads up).
Timmie25 onward
Posted
Thanks fellow sufferer for the heads up! She's not going to like it when I tell all three of the things she wants me on I don't want to take.
onward Timmie25
Posted
Hey at least you've got the courage to. I've put my trust in doctors too much before when my gut was telling me else wise, just to end up even further down the rabbit hole of side effects from a med that I don't agree with.