Effexor XR

[deeschmee]

Starting this tomorow for depression 37.5 mg to start

Any feedback or experiences to share?

[Artemisia]

Nothing much to say, except good luck! Have you tried any other antidepressants?

Effexor XR worked well for me, but coming off of it was a pain. That said, I shouldn't have stopped Effexor. My depression returned a few months later. (There are people out there who don't need to take antidepressants for the rest of their lives;I'm just not one of them.

[llama44]

In my opinion, it's a good med. Very effective for me. It made me manic however and I gained a slight amount of weight and freaked out due to anorexia issues. But it is one of the best in my opinion. And you are starting on the absolute lowest dose, so that's good.

[Guest Christina]

In my opinion, it's a good med. Very effective for me. It made me manic however and I gained a slight amount of weight and freaked out due to anorexia issues.

I had the same issue with weight gain and I had been anorexic. However, I would never recommend Effexor unless you know, plan and are okay with being on it for the rest of your life. Understanding that these medications effects everyone differently, in my own experience, coming off of these SUCKED. And I mean sucked as in feeling worse than before I started on them. Mentally and physically. I do wish you luck though!

[The Emperor]

I started at a higher dose than you are, but it was a decent med. I'm on Pristiq now, very similar to Effexor.

When I started it I had pretty shitty start-up effects.like extra anxiety and this ridiculous zombified feeling where I felt I was braindead for quite a few weeks, would have gladly stared at walls all day long because my brain was too lazy to actually work. I lost ten pounds on it because it made food totally unappealing. Finally I came off it because it just wasn't doing anything for me.

That was my experience, YMMV and all that, I hope it works well for you! Good luck.

[deeschmee]

Well Ive been on about 5 different AD's(celexa,paxil,zoloft,amytriptaline,budeprion) and all made me a stupified zombie (may I borrow the expression!)

Wellbutrin flipped me right out and actually made me pass out cold. If this crap doesnt work I guess were gona try mood stabilizers.

I gave each one a month then couldnt take the side effects anymore...how long do you guys suggest?

[dancesintherain]

IT's been wonderful for me (though not alone--you can see the full list in the signature). It's what yanked me out of depression round 1 (2002) and did a fairly good job of getting me out of round 2 (2008/09). Very effective for me. I haven't had any noticeable side effects. But I didn't see the benefits for a good 4-6 weeks.

[SandDune]

Starting this tomorow for depression 37.5 mg to start

Any feedback or experiences to share?

Made me jittery as hell for the first week... but improved my concentration span. Did nothing for my mood.

[etkearne]

This was posted in the BP forum first, so, as another BP person who takes it, let me warn you to keep an eye out for an increased frequency of mood shifts. Not necessarily increased intensity, though. I feel it has destabilized me, doing more harm than good, so I am in the arduous process of coming off of it. Apparently, for some people, like me, it is very hard to discontinue this med. I was up to 300mg, and find it hard to get below 150mg without all sorts of odd effects occurring

All said, it is the most effective serotonin agent I have been prescribed.