Effexor and apex

I was put on Effexor because of anxiety and panic attacks, and all I have to say is that this medication increased more so than it alleviated any of those symptoms. I was not even feeling very anxious at the time of my taking the first (37.5 mg) dose.

I took the capsule around 2 in the afternoon and by 4pm I had a severe headache. This was followed by nausea and strange thoughts. When I returned home that evening (last night) around 7pm I called my roommate a profane word (way out of character) and made her cry. We resolved the conflict, and I went to bed without any discomfort.

But I awoke around 3 am feeling strange sensations coursing through my body, anxiety, strange thoughts (again), and a sense of "overheating." I wanted to get up but I felt like I could not will myself to act, I felt as though I was in an "out of body" state. My paranoia and anxiety reached an apex at which I decided that I must not be "okay," and called my mother.

My mother assured me that I am okay and just that I must be on "too much stimulant, call the doctor tomorrow." I truly felt like I was having an awful hallucinogenic nightmare. I wanted someone to tell me that I would be okay because at certain points I had a fear that maybe I was having an allergic reaction to the stuff and might die.

Had I not researched online boards beforehand I would have called "911" no questions asked at the first onset of my symptoms last night. One of the scariest things I have been through in awhile. Still don't feel quite right, but the feeling is not as intense.