Originally started by Chavra

œPlease record your positive experiences with Effexor. We want to know about your relief from depression and anxiety (and other conditions).

Please post something if you have been helped, to encourage those who are new to the drug.  More and more people are being prescribed Effexor as alternatives to standard SSRI's they need to hear your positive experiences!

Maybe the majority of people on Effexor get well and they don't hang around this forum because they are so high on life??
Chavra


NOTE:  this post is taken from the Effexor Success Stories from the old forum which you can still read at www.depressionforums.com.  A lot of the posts you will see marked as being œPosted by: Guest?, this is because we once a month do a ˜clean out™ of members who have only made a few posts.  Some people only come here to ask one of two questions and them don™t come back.  There is nothing wrong with that.  But it would mean that DF would have hundreds of registered users who never use the place.   So those posts with ˜Guest™ are those users who only made a few posts.  

Eileen

Posted by: Orso on Jan. 12 2002,21:04

Sorry, I've been away for a few days - just want you to know that Effexor is the 1st AD that has significantly helped me.  Sleep, appetite, concentration & mood are much improved.  My boyfriend noticed the improved mood & that's great because I can always just be myself with him.  I had sideffects with Wellbutrin (headaches, vomiting) & Zoloft (nevermind!  it was digestive) but not Effexor.  I had a memory problem but it's OK now with an increased dosage.

Good luck with it.  If it doesn't work out well for you, there are other ADs & everything depends on your personal biochemistry.  

Take good care,  

Posted by: firelizardee on Jan. 13 2002,00:15

On the whole Efexor has been good for me.  but this is the first time I've also had talking therapy at the same time. But this is the worst depression I've ever been through so its difficult for me to say 'yes its a sucess'.

Each of us are different.  And as we all know  drugs don't make us happy, ADs make is easier for us to get better if its not just a case of inbalenced seratonin levels.

I've been on at least 5 differnt ADs over the last 20 years, Efexor is th eone that I've been on the longest.  I am not too hopeull at present that its going to be effective, but that is because I have serious problems apart from depression.

To folk taking or thinking about taking Efexor I'd say: Good luck, your dr is recommending a drug that is fairly new (first licensed in 94) and one that has helped folk that other SSRIs haven't helped (I'm allergic to Prozac - yes one of the few).

It has helped me in conjunction with therapy.  Whether I get 100% well I donn't know, maybe I never will but then I've been suffering from depression for about 25 years and thats most of my life.

Take care
Eileen

Posted by: Guest on Jan. 13 2002,12:45

Hi Charva.  Effexor was good for me when I needed it most.  It was a med that showed effectiveness almost instantaneously for myself.  I know everyone is different.  But, now after a little over a year of it, I am experiencing side effects and am trying to get off it. But, It was there when I needed it most, and did it's job.      Now, though, the side effects are outweighing the good stuff.  Onward and upward!!!!

Posted by: Guest on Jan. 14 2002,15:53

I have had a lot of success with Effexor.  After trying Paxil, Zoloft and Webutrin - Effexor has worked the best for me.  When I was 12 years old I was in a terrible car accident and suffered a severe head injury on the left side of my brain.  I am now 37 and have finally found a good pysycho therapist who understands my condition and has worked with me to find the right AD and dosage.  When I started on Effexor I did have some side effectsl like constipation, wild dreams, and jerking at night when I went to bed.  Most of those have subsided and I feel the most "normal" that I ever have since the accident.  My only problem is sexual disfunction in that I can't have an orgasim.  I never had a problem before the Effexor but now I don't have the blood flow necessary for an orgasim.  My docotr gave me a perscription for Viagra but that doesn't work.  Does anyone know of anything else I can use?  I really miss my healthy sex life.  Thankfully my husband is understanding of the situation.  This is really disheartening because other then the sexual disfunction Effexor is the answer for me.    

Posted by: Guest on Jan. 15 2002,20:59

Not everyone has bad things to say about Effexor,
    I started to take Effexor in August of this year from effects of my head injury, sustained 1-1-1998. I had fairly disabling depression, mood swings, most of the symptomatic results that follow traumatic brain injury. I experienced side effects for perhaps the first month, but they were short-lived next to the vast improvement I have witnessed. I am now able to work and keep my job, and I like myself again. The only problem I experience is the late-night blues, when I work a late shift, I can tell when the medication is fading because I get very sad for no reason. Fortunately, I have some supportive coworkers and with time I have adjusted to this medication very well. I know medication effects everyone differently, but I would tell you to try it patiently and the best will work out.
Mike

Posted by: ariane on Dec. 18 2001,15:51

Hello!
I'm taking Effexor XR 75mg/day.At first I was really scared to take this medication because of what I have readed in this forum(sides effects, going off Effexor) but now I feel so good!!! I'm really proud of my self and never felt that good in a long time. I don't have anymore s/e, my sexual life is still the same ( really good!!!), I don't have any panic attack like I use to have for the past 10 years.
All I wanna say is that every medication is different on each of us, Paxil was very **** for me and Effexor is THE ONE!
Before you take a decision about stopping you're medication,
or being affraid when it's gonna be time to stop it, enjoy the time you have felling good and take it a day at a time.

I wish you all the best and the courage to go trought you're
problems, it takes time but really worth it!

Merry Christmas to all of you


Posted by: firelizardee on Dec. 18 2001,20:15

Ariane

Congrats on you getting better.  Thanks for coming on and telling us your success story.  Please keep coming to the forum and posting replies.  There are other areas  you might be interested in.  

If you have a bad day, Depression Central is a great place to get support or give support.  

How long have you been on effexor and when did you start noticing the benefits?

Best wishes.

Eileen

Posted by: Guest on Dec. 18 2001,20:17

Ariane,
Your post was exactly what I needed to motivate me to try Effexor XR. In June I was diagnosed with depression and put on Paxil. After horrifying side effects(drymouth, tremors,lightheadedness,nauseated etc)for a couple weeks I started to feel better. The effectiveness started to decrease and my dose was increased.
In August I was concerned about the negative sexual side effects of Paxil. It was decided to try Wellbutrin. That seemed to work for a while and then I needed the dose increased. This started a month of h**l. I lost 20 lbs (which I didn't need to)because of the nausea and vomitting. So I was told to go off the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and start Effexor. That was 3 weeks ago and haven't been able to get my courage up to try another antidepressant!
I was trying to convince myself that I can do it without any meds but I know I am fooling myself. So thanks for the positive encouragement and I'll post in a few days to let you know how I'm doing.

Posted by: Sherry on Dec. 30 2001,23:41

Like you, Effexor XR was what turned my life around.  I suffered depression for over 2 years.  Maybe it was denial, but on February 1st, 2001, I made a doctor appointment that truly made me "different" and better. :-)  Side effects were minimal and I was taking 150mg a day.  Nine months later, I have weened off and have been pill free for 3 days.  Now I am having side effects from not taking any meds.  I don't like how I'm feeling in my head, but I have to believe that I'm just going through a withdrawal and soon I will feel like my old self again.   My head kinda feels "dizzy," or kinda like it has butterflies in it.  I just woke up from a late afternoon nap and feel crummy and the head feelings are still there with ringing in the ears.  I might call my Dr. tomorrow just to check in.  He never mention this withdrawal to me.  I think he needs to hear about them.  I hope it goes away soon.

Best of luck to you!  

Posted by: Guest on Oct. 31 2001,16:31

i have suffered from GAD/anxiety/depression most of my adult life...i am now 38 years old, married for 13 years, and have two children...i have been a teacher of emotionally/behavior/and learning challenged children for 17 years...i now teach EBD/SLD/MIMH middle school aged adolescents...(very trying)....i've tried every antidepressant known to mankind over the years, as well as benzos such as ativan, xanax, valium, all with no avail (excpet addiction to benzos)...i have also tried buspar several times...no success...i had just about given up, when my OB/GYN suggested effexor xr....what a blessing it has been for the last 6 weeks to feel whole and human again, without the obsessive worry and depression...i feel like me again, and actually love life again!!  i have not had a panic attack yet, and do not feel so anxious and frustrated all the time as in the past...effexor xr has been wonderful for me, just ask my family, friends, and students...the difference in my behavior and emotions are incredible, and people see the difference...i still have the same problems,  but deal with it so much better now...
just a positive word for effexor xr...i hope someone else out there can experience the success i've had...only take one 75 mg dose per day, and no other medications have been needed, as in the past...

the worst i've experienced is headache...but a small price to pay to feel good inside!  at first, i started out with a 37.5 mg dose, and worked up to 75, and have found a comfortable level for the moment...i did have severe dry mouth and clenched jaw at first, but those side effects went away after 2 weeks...

just wanted to share...good luck to you all.


Posted by: WildBillinOTown on Oct. 31 2001,17:13

I have a friend that takes Effexor and loves it.  I asked my doc about it and he said it is not approved for treatment of OCD.  I am not so sure...

Posted by: Guest on Oct. 31 2001,17:15

i suffer from generalized anxiety and depression, so it's a perfect choice for me, so far!

Posted by: firelizardee on Oct. 31 2001,19:32

pdbrantley
Well done and thanks for telling us about a success story.  I hope it continues to work for you.  We do need to have a few more success stories about effexor.

Take care and keep posting we need you here!

Eileen


Posted by: Cali D on Nov. 09 2001,02:35

I have been on 150/mg of XR for about 8 weeks now...and I am happier than I have been in years.

Sometime a week or two ago, I seem to be on a streak of great days.... no real reason, but life is just good again.

I give 2 thumbs up to effexor.

Posted by: wassah78 on Nov. 09 2001,10:41

I have been on 225MG of Effexor the past 6 months, and I cant say that I notice a diffrence.
Am I supposed to 'feel good' like other people
seem to?

Posted by: Guest on Nov. 09 2001,16:13

I too am amazed at how wonderful Effexor has been. I'm now on 75mg XR. I've tried Celexa, Zoloft, Serzone, and a couple of others that I can't remember, but this is the first one that doesn't make me feel like an lethargic lump. I do have dry mouth, jitteryness, and some leg cramps, but so what! Compared to the intense sadness I'd endured for 16 years, nonstop, it's worth it. For the first time I can remember, I actually feel like there's hope for me. I'm not ecstatic "happy", I just feel optimistic about life now rather than doomed to live in the pit of sorrow I was in for so long. I'm not out of the woods as far as my issues go, but now I can see that a lot of my ways of thinking need to be dealt with. I sincerely hope everyone finds something that works.

Posted by: hnojames on Nov. 09 2001,17:02

I have been taking effexor xr for two months. My life, sad to say, has not gotten any better, but I am now far less reactive and emotional about the things that would make me suicidal before.  I am dealing with things that I know would keep me up nights before, now I am sleeping like a baby. I have all good things to say about effexor.    

Posted by: BlueGirl on Nov. 17 2001,08:51

I just wanted to say congrats to everyone that is having success with Effexor.  I hope to find a drug that does for me what Effexor has done for you.  

Posted by: firelizardee on Nov. 17 2001,22:31

charles
the quote 'what is one mans meat is another mans poison' - what works for other people may not work for you.  I'm sorry it might be that you are not one of the 70% of folk who are helped by Effexor.

Some people are helped a little by the antidepressants they take, but may also need talking therapy.

Take care.  
Eileen

Posted by: Galena99 on Mar. 01 2002,17:10

I've had such a wonderful experience with Effexor.  My mother even noticed a difference.  I have social anxiety disorder and I hate talking/ being in public.  

She came to visit me at college during the first few months and I didn't really introduce her to anybody, and I was just not in any mood to.

The second time she came (with the rest of my family) I was soo much more "myself" and introducing everyone, going crazy and all that fun stuff.  

She said that this is such a difference from the last time she saw me at school.  

I'm soooo thankful and glad for this!

Posted by: Guest on Mar. 09 2002,17:54

When the doc first put me on effexor, I came here to learn more...and boy was I scared after reading some of the posts!  Even though I was scared, I started taking it.  The first day, I was very nauseous, and I started thinking "Oh God...here come those side effects I read about!"  But, I took it the second day with no ill effects.  While I wasn't expecting instant gratification, it seems to be helping already.  It's only been 4 days and I have a noticeable improvement in my demeanor and still no side effects.  I am definitely more level in my emotions whereas before I'd swing constantly from being a total b*tch to crying endlessly.  I find myself thinking more rationally as well (as opposed to jumping to conclusions which would upset me even more).  I truly don't think it's a "placeabo effect" either...there is a definite difference in me.  If "mind over matter" worked, I would have been well long ago!  

You know, several months ago, my doc put me on Wellbutrin, and after 8 weeks of taking it...nothing.  I could have been taking aspirin for all the difference that I felt, good or bad.  So, I tried to go without and solve my own problems one more time.  When I again was able to admit I needed "help", my doc prescribed effexor. Effexor definitely seems to be working for me...I now see light at the end of the tunnel where there was once none.  For the first time in a long time, I actually feel hope and a little bit of enthusiasm which was lacking in my life for a long time.

Granted, its only been 4 days, but as long as my blood pressure remains normal, I think effexor is the one for me!

Posted by: Guest on Mar. 09 2002,20:20

I've been on 225mg of effexor for depression and anxiety for about 5 months now.  I am not, nor have I ever experienced any side effects.  It is a wonderful drug, and along with my xanax has kept my anxiety free for the majority of the time. The only reason I had any problems with mania and depression was because I took amphetamine and sparked a mania on my own (that was stupid).  If I hadn't done that the effexor would have proven faithful all the way through.  

Posted by: Guest on Mar. 10 2002,18:47

What a bummer!!  While I feel much better on effexor, I woke up today (Sunday...my 5th day) with a very swollen face.  Argh!  Seems I'm probably allergic to effexor...one site said this is to be considered a medical emergency, and that I should seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY.  So, I called my doc who wasn't on-call, but a different doc called back to say take antihistamines and call my reg doc in the morning, and, of course, stop taking the effexor.

I'm totally devastated by this development...I was feeling so much better on effexor, but unless there is another reason for the swelling (which seems unlikely), it looks like I'll to go off of it.  This sucks...I was so hopeful.

Posted by: firelizardee on Mar. 10 2002,23:13

at least you recognise the possibility that you might be allergic some people don't associate rashes, or swollen face, chest pains, difficulty in breathing with the effexor.

I hope it goes ok.

eileen

Posted by: Guest on Mar. 14 2002,11:31

Good news!  It seems I wasn't allergic to the effexor...it was a reaction to something else.  Yahoo!!  I went to the doc the other day and he said to stay on it, my heart rate/BP was fine, no weight gain, etc.  I'm so relieved because I have been feeling so much better.

I just upped my dose to 75 mg yesterday, and I was waiting to see if I would have any side effects due to the increase.  But, I had no ill effects whatsoever.  I was a little bit "wired" yesterday, but I think that was due more to the anxiousness of doubling the dose and waiting for any side effects.  I have noticed that my hunger has diminished.  So far, the only negative side effect I've experienced was dry mouth, and that went away after 4 days or so.  

You know, my moods have leveled out considerably, but I still cry every once in a while (but now only over things truly worth crying about).  Now, though, at least those episodes don't graduate to all out sobbing and despair.  That in itself is such a great relief.  Plus, I probably have a touch of PMS...I guess even effexor can't overcome PMS!  

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement!

Posted by: Guest on Mar. 14 2002,14:48

Mentallysound, I am currently "journaling" if you will in the effexor side effects thread.  So far I am doing well on Effexor, but I guess I'm still a little skeptical about my success.  Which is why I haven't posted a "success" story in this thread.  My last post was on yesterday afternoon about how things are going, in a word great.  
I think I documented my doc's answer about the PMS issue.  It wasn't the most positive.    For me, it is still very much there, the best change if you will, is that the mood DIP I would experience doesn't last the rest of the month anymore!  
Good luck with your treatment, I think you're on the right track.  Remember to bring up anything that seems to be out of the ordinary with your doctor.