Venlafaxine And An Anxiety Med?

[Lela]

I've been on Venlafaxine for about a year now. I have to say it has helped me tremendously.

I was diagnosed with PTSD, Depression, Insomnia, Anxiety, and Social anxiety.

It had helped all of these things. But I'm looking to get on an anxiety med because even though it's helped I still have a lot of anxiety and paranoia. I've tried a bunch of different things. But have not tried controlled drugs like xanax ect. Due to my doctor not prescribing those.

Is there an anxiety med that works well with Effexor that also gives energy? I cannot have one that makes me sleepy because I lack motivation already.

 

[joeylittle]

Is there an anxiety med that works well with Effexor that also gives energy?

Whenever someone is looking for something to augment another med, specifically for anxiety or depression, and doesn't want to get sleepy - I want to recommend Wellbutrin.

If the anxiety you are dealing with is severe - it's probably not going to get you where you want to go. But, the meds that will are very likely to contribute to sleepiness.

Wellbutrin has a unique action (it's not an SSRI or SNRI), serves as adjunct to other meds really well, helps with mid-level anxiety and depression, and doesn't cause sleepiness or weight gain.

I take Effexor and Wellbutrin, actually. It's a decent combination.

For some, Wellbutrin will cause agitation. That's the problematic side effect.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I second what JoeyLittle said. I have never personally taken it, but my husband does. Before he started it, he was depressed, super anxious, and his ADHD symptoms were interfering in his daily life. His GP put him on the Welbutrin, and it took his depression away, calmed the ADHD to very manageable levels (according to him, and also based on my observation) and really helped the anxiety. He went from taking 2 Ativans a day to going through about 10 in a month.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

Also, I take Venlafaxine. It hasn't done much for me, but my psychiatrist insists that I should keep taking it. I've been on it about a year.