I have been on Effexor for about a year now and it has helped me tremendously. At first there were mild sexual side effects but that didn't last more than a week or two. After trying several different meds, I am happy to have finally found one that works so well.

colorado74

Grand Junction, CO

I've been taking this medication for the past six months and I no longer have panic attacks.  Right before a meeting at work, my heart would race and I would begin to sweat but not anymore.  I'm more relaxed and handle stress a lot better.  Wish I had talked to my doctor about this years ago.

citdiane

Pittsburgh, PA

I have been taking Effexor xr for over 3 years now. I have severe anxiety disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorder and recently dignosted with bi-polar depression. Effexor had me lose almost 50 pounds when I started it but when another med was added I gained almost all back. I felt great until it was time to up it. At a high level I lost my memory, concentration and some other little things. Back down to 150 mg plus other meds and I believe I am where it needs to be. I believe in this med although it is pricey if you do not have insurance.

jkresl

Omaha, NE

I was taking Prozac and Wellburtrin for depression but I was having more and more aneixty. My doctor suggested I take Effexor. That it would help with the aneixty. I took Efferor for 18 months. After a year I noticed I felt agrraivated and angry all the time. I was irriatable. Then I missed a few days of taking the pill. I got very sick with nausea, vomiting, terrible headaches. I decided it was time to get off of this drug. It took 3 months of tapering down to smaller doses. Finally I got down to taking half of a 25 mg tablet once a day. I broke that in half for a few days and then stopped taking it. I was sick for 3 weeks. I had trouble working and taking care of my kids. My body was physically addicted to this drug. My doctor did not mention that it was hard to get off of Effexor when she suggested that I take it. I was angry at myself for not investagating for myself. I would not recommend this drug. There are many other anti-depressants out there.

sleepymom72

Drexel Hill, PA

I've been on antidepressants since about 1994.  During that time I've been on several different ones and have found that Effexor is the most effective (for me).  I feel 'normal' with Effexor; I feel appropriately sad when sad things happen, not like the bottom of the world has fallen out and taken me with it.  I've found that it doesn't have many side effects as long as it's taken at about the same time each day.  I can go a couple of hours later than usual if needed, but much past that, I start to feel light-headed and sick.  Taking the Effexor quickly returns me to normal.  My initial dosage was very small, but through the years my doctors and I have had to gradually increase my dosage until now I'm taking 600 mg daily.  That's the absolute maximum dosage.  I've been stable at that level for about two years now. 

Lookingpast

League City, TX

I have been using Effexor for the past four years and have found it to be highly effective and not surprising very addictive.  I have had problems with depression and anxiety since early childhood as a result of constant and faceted abuse in the home. My life has been froth with all types of psychiatric counselling, both in and out patient, but I have found that I function much better with Effexor than any of the other medication heretofore prescibed by or recommended treatment program ever before.  Although when I am out I find myself having symptoms of detox, shaking,upset stomach, headaches, flights of thought, and body tremors (thank God not all at once - picture that in Kodak).  But after going a few days without Effexor the withdrawal symptoms become tolerable but not a happy camper.  The draw backs of the addiction do not overshadow the effects it provides when taken as prescribed.  I am normally a happy, content, down to earth, alone but not totally lonely (I got a cat), racing into "Elderdom" Black woman when I am on my Effexor.

iciefarn

Martinsville, VA

I suffered from depression most of my life and took many different medications to help with the symptoms. Effexor was one and the last medications I ever took for my depression. I took the medication as directed but within a couple days of starting the medication I began to suffer from sever migraine headaches which increased my depression. By the end of the 2nd week of taking Effexor I became suicidal and needed to be admitted to a hospital for 1 day. Needless to say, I realized that sometimes Medications can do the oposite to some people (myself being one of them), instead of it controling my deperssion it made it 100 times worse. I was being monitored closely by my doctor (weekly) but even that didn't stop what transpired so I am adding my review with a word of caution, only use this medication if all else has failed and be aware of ALL the side effects, let your doctor know if you show any signs that your depression is worsening and be very careful.

Lynx101

Algonquin, IL

This product gave me serious withdraws if I didnt take it exactly at the same time everyday. Even within 30 minutes before I was scheduled to take it I would start getting dizzy, sick and headachey. Trying to quit this drug was hard!!! I started taking it again just because it made me so physically ill trying to quit. While on it my symptoms got so much worst. Before I was sad and depressed daily but after I thought about ending my life DAILY. I would not recommend although everybody is different..

nopenopeno

Kingwood, TX

i'm 2 months sober as i write this.  things are going okay and my therapist has me on 150 mg of effexor with 30 mg propranalol.  i have had some suicidal thoughts in the last 2 weeks, but i don't know how much of that is situational.  without these meds, therapy, and AA, i'd probably have died by my own hand by now. i hope all of you who are suffering right now receive the help you need.

perkymerk

Rochester, MN

After a personal crisis was resolved, I became extremely distracted and depressed.  Even the smallest dose of Effexor was helpful in clearing my head and allowing me to focus.  I was very slow in increasing the dosage and at each increase got an immediate boost in clear thinking (banishing the fuzziness) but it took 300mg to hit an effective dose.  At the effective dose, I can hold negative thoughts at bay and feel normal.  

Trissa

Elkins Park, PA