The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
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Reviews for Effexor XR to treat Anxiety and Stress
Anonymous user said:
User Rating:
9.0
I have been taking Effexor XR for almost two years and I love it. I take it for anxiety, stress, and depression. I have taken Wellbutrin and Paxil and found a little relief but nothing compared to Effexor. After 10 years of emotional eating I have started losing that weight, 40 lbs in the past year and I haven't dieted, I still eat the foods I love but now I stop when I'm no longer hungry and I feel no guilt when I eat a cookie or two or go out for an indulgent dinner. Another plus, I actually want sex now. For years my anxiety kept me from having any desire but now I can't get enough. YAY!
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I was prescribed Effexor XR for the treatment of anxiety and slight depression. The bottom line is this, it made me more calm but at the expense of too many side effects. It wasn't worth it to me. It made me more calm almost clouded my mind. I was sleepy throughout the day and had no energy. But if I took my second dose too late in the day, I couldn't sleep at night. I also sweated profusely more often, typically within a couple of hours of taking the medicine. Perhaps the most profound side effect I experienced was the inability to achieve ejaculation. This was NEVER a problem in my life until I began taking Effexor. My doctor has now switched me to Wellbutrin. Hope it works.
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This drug has worked for me for the last year. It actually started working the first couple of days I used it and then I titrated up to a dose twice a day and it has enabled me to be on a more even mood throughout the day. Just be careful when the doctor mixes it with other anxiety medicines or depression medicines. You could be susceptible to serotonin overload, I mixed it with a high dose trazodone for sleep issues and found that it made my anxiety worse and more apparent to people, so I switched to Limbitrol which seems to work well with it and don't forget, if you stop these drugs don't do it cold turkey. I stopped trazodone and went into withdrawal symptoms that triggered a major seizure for me!
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I am amazed at how this medication changed my life. I often compare myself to a duck in water, where the problems just glide right over me, which never used to be the case. Issues that may have cause depression or anxiety in the past are now handled without confusing emotions. The only reason I give it a 9 are the horrific side effects if I miss even one dose. Strange nightmares, shaking, confusion and even an odd ability to sleep for more than 10 hours straight. Does it deter me from continuing with this medication? Absolutely not.
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This medication changed my life. I'm sorry I waited so long to admit I needed it. It's wonderful to be able to cope with all of the daily challenges of life and yet still feel happy to be alive. If you're feeling out of control, don't waste your life out of fear of asking for help. Side effects like loss of sexual drive are minor compared to the benefits.
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I have found that Effexor XR is the most effective drug for my anxiety disorder and depression. I have had basically no side effects from the medicine and it has helped control both issues. I have noticed withdrawals even if one dose is missed. I have been taking 150 mg daily for three years and overall am very pleased.
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gbdill said: 
Lizardoli said: 
