Does anyone know if Effexor will work for depression?

Hi,

I hope you are well.

With regards to"taking a break", and then asking if it is too long , are you planning on starting this new med on your own? Because if you do, you would be making a very big mistake, there are many factors that have to be consired with your Doctor, so before you decide to self medicate talk to a Spysichiatrist ... from a caring individual

Yes Effexor is used to treart depression

ALL OF THE LISTED BELOW HAS TO BE SUPERVISED BY A DOCTOR (THAT YOU TRUST)... OK

What Is Pristiq?
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate) is a prescription medication used to treat depression. It comes in an extended-release tablet, meaning the medicine is released slowly into your body over time. Because Pristiq is long-acting, it is taken just once a day.

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How Does Pristiq Work?
Pristiq is part of a class of drugs called
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs for short. SNRIs act on specific chemicals within the brain known as serotonin and norepinephrine. These are two of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.

As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin or norepinephrine. The chemical then enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin or norepinephrine reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell, and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin or norepinephrine that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."

Normally, this process works without any problems. When the levels become unbalanced, however, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression. Pristiq helps block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine so more remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the chemicals a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.

Effects of Pristiq

Nausea
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Increased sweating

Other common side effects

Constipation
Fatigue
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Insomnia
Irritability
Abnormal dreams
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Decreased sex drive (libido) in men
Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED).

Pristiq Side Effects to Report

Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
Hostility or aggressiveness
Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
Restlessness or inability to sit still
Extreme elation or feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
Other unusual changes in behavior
Signs of serotonin syndrome (a rare but dangerous problem associated with certain medications), such as:

Confusion or other mental changes
A rapid heart rate
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Hallucinations
Blood pressure changes
An irregular heart rhythm
Overactive reflexes
Fever, sweating, or shivering
Shakiness
Agitation
Seizures
Coma

Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
Seizures
A high fever
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Easy bruising or bleeding
Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia)
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:

Unexplained rash
Hives
Itching
Unexplained swelling
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Less Common Pristiq Side Effects

Yawning
Hot flashes
Delayed ejaculation
Lack of orgasm
Nosebleeds
Increased LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol).

When and How to Take It
General considerations for when and how to take Pristiq include the following:

The medication comes in the form of an extended-release tablet and is taken by mouth once a day.

You can take Pristiq with or without food.

Be sure to swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew them.

Pristiq should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.

For the drug to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Pristiq will not work if you stop taking it. Do not stop taking it without your healthcare provider's approval.

Dosing Information
The dose of Pristiq your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

How you respond to the drug
Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you may be taking.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

I found Effexor to be a wonderful anti depressant for me, didn't get it for 2 days and started crying while reading a Danielle Steele book, so know you have to wean off of it. BUT, and this is documented, so check it out for yourself, it causes extreme weight gain in most people and even after you quit taking it, the weight does not come off for a long time, it's a strange thing, lots of a/d cause a bit of weight gain, but Effexor causes ALOT of weight gain, as i said, in "most" people, and after quitting, you're looking at a year probably before getting back to your normal weight. So, if you are skinny and need a few pounds I would highly recommend it. If you are overweight and gaining more would be detrimental to either your physical or mental health, I'd definitely look into something else. Don't know about Pristiq from personal experience, but you got quite a bit of info on it, so i guess it's up to you.

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Have you ever taken Paxil? Can add a little weight, but nothing like the Effexor and it worked great for me also for a couple years. Good luck.

Hi, I know how it feels. You take 2 steps forward and 3back. I know it is very hard to not let things get you down but in the world the way it is there is so much negetive things around us that people with disorders and depression it is so hard to handle everything. Pills work for somethings but I don't think they can for everything. I find for myself. Learning what triggers things inside you and knowing what you are able to do and what you can't do has helped me. I have good days and bad and it will most likely be that way all my life but if you can uncover what it is in you that hurts so much i think you can deal with life a lot better. I do not even watch the news anymore. I try to stay away from negetive things and people. I can't be around a lot of people because I have very bad trust issues. Find someone that can help you find out where all the hurt you have is coming from. Write your feelings each day in a book.

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Wait a few weeks and go back and read what your wrote. Learn to know yourself again. It can happen. I wish you only the best and I am here if you need to talk. I know it is hell but you are not alone . Take good care of yourself