Effexor XR for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Claudia
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2022

"I had several severe depressions in my life — between the ages of 20 until 50 — and only took a drug once at age 24 and it didn't help. At 50 years old, I found a good psychiatrist who recommended Effexor XR. I didn't want to take medication, but he said he couldn't treat me without it. It took about a month for me to respond, but at about the 4-week point, my depression miraculously lifted. I had no bad side effects, although I remember being sleepy at work, so my psychiatrist told me to take it before I went to sleep instead of in the morning. I have been on it for 20 years and, for me, it was a lifesaver."

• No Ni...
• April 1, 2013

"I suffer from depression and anxiety. For the last 20 years, I've had counseling and been on many antidepressants; Prozac, wellbutrin, Paxil, etc. Effexor is the first medication that has noticeably helped. I was worried after reading all the negative reviews, but tried it anyway. I noticed a change after the first week, and it has gotten better ever since. Been on it for two years now and all is good in the world. Very rarely get sad, unless there is a reason for it (death, break up, pet dying) also I used to have anxiety talking to more than one person at a time, now I can talk to a room full of people with little to no anxiety."

• Billy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2017

"The positive: it has an almost immediate effect, from Day One there's a lift in mood. Effexor XR Also gives a feeling of energy, both mental and physical. I've also noticed a significant decrease in my social anxiety, I can talk to anyone without feeling nervous - this 'extra' effect began, again, on Day One. The negative: slight feelings of nausea with a definite decrease in appetite. I don't really enjoy my meals as much while on Effexor. I've also noticed a form of a insominia since starting - early awakenings and not being able to get back to sleep."

• holz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

"After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRI's and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30mg and half an hour after taking it I started to feel really weird- terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day they moved me up to 75 mg and the headache went away but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have) and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• Little...
• June 28, 2013

"I HAD BEEN ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT MEDS FOR DEPRESSION & ANXIETY. STARTING WITH PAXIL, PROZAC AND OTHERS I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAMES OF. I STARTED EFFEXOR A YEAR AGO AND IT CERTAINLY WORKS FOR ME, FOR BOTH DEPRESSION & ANXIETY. REMEMBER TO TAKE IT EVERYDAY. ALL SSRIs CAUSE SEVERE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. IF YOU WANT TO DISCONTINUE USE, TELL YOUR DR. COLD TURKEY IS NOT ONLY DEBILITATING IT IS DANGEROUS. I AM SO THANKFUL I HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED EFFEXOR. FINALLY RELIEF FROM THINGS THAT ARE NO BIG DEAL! WHERE AS BEFORE IN MY HEAD, IT WAS SO EXAGGERATED. I LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED, I WISH THIS WAS AVAILABLE IN MY TEEN YEARS. I AM ENJOYING LIFE AND AM EXTREMELY HAPPY!"

• MEL
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2018

"It saved my life!! I've been on 150mg XR for 20 plus years and I can not find words to adequately describe the benefits of this medication. It's been so long, I really don't remember if I suffered any ill side effects when I first started or not. I will say that I had the bright idea several years ago to stop taking it.. cause I thought it may help me loose weight. WITHDRAWAL WAS HORRENDOUS and I decided weight gain or not, I was taking it. Quit eating like a pig, started walking, kept taking Effexor, lost my extra weight and wasn't depressed. I highly recommend this - try it. The pros far out weigh the cons in my book."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2019

"I found out I was pregnant and was a little surprising as I’m almost 41. Intially I was ok and happy but within a week spiralled into suicidal thoughts and wanting to terminate the pregnancy. Prior to finding out I was pregnant I was not depressed or anxious- life was great. After almost three weeks of feeling like I was loosing my mind and trying all the natural things I could- acupuncture etc. I decided to try Effexor- I been on it once before 6 years before, I knew it worked but the last thing u want to be on when pregnant. I started on 75mg as I was running out of time to make a decision. I endured the worst side effects for 5 days and on the 6th they decided to change back to 37.5 mg. I’ve been on that for almost a month now and that’s the right dose for me. I’m happy and excited about the pregnancy and I feel like myself again. Full of energy and thinking clearly. My sleep is a little bit interrupted but it’s nothing. The best decision I could have made!"

• Emily...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 22, 2020

"Withdrawal is the worst. These drugs rob you of life's pleasures for sure. Only take the drugs after you try nutrition, exercise, meditation, any great behavioral techniques. Take it to stay alive only. Pray unceasing for another method that helps more. I moved away from a violent area which helped me greatly. I am well and happy now in Oklahoma."

• Happy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"This is rubbish, don’t take it. I was feeling bad after going through some difficulties time in my life and thought I was depressed because I didn’t seem to be as happy as I was before so I went to a dr and she told me I had depression and prescribed the Effexor 75mg with sleeping pills. She told me I need to take Effexor for 6 months but first with sleeping pills for two weeks. I took only 2 pills for 2 days! It was awful I felt like a zombie I couldn’t function or think or concentrate or feel. Nausea and slurred speak, extreme fatigue. I stopped the medicine after the second pill. I immediately felt better, meds are not for everyone. It would have been a life mistake to take this med for me. "

• sshul...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

"Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again...Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off of this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it- had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE"

• daisyp
• July 22, 2013

"I was taking Celexa for 2 years for my depression. It was not working well enough for me. I managed to just live life day by day, and roll with the punches. I suffer extreme anxiety disorder and extreme panic attacks up to 8 times a day. Several caused me to call 911 thinking I was having a heart attack. With all this said, my GP and I talked about changing my medication. I had heard of Effexor, I researched it, and thought why not! I felt that life WOULD NOT get any better then what I was living at that moment. 2 weeks after Effexor and some major hot flashes, I was looking at things different. I actually feel really good and hopeful. Now my smile is not fake and the anxiety has subsided to a minimal. No panic attacks. I am happy!"

• Veggi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2020

"I have been on Effexor XR for about ten years. I am moderate bi-polar depressive (per two doctors). I went off the medication after about two years - long time ago. Was okay for a while, and then my depression came roaring back. My doctor put me back on with 25 mg first, 50 mg and then 75 mg per day. Also taking lithium carbonate - three pills per day. I feel better 95% of the time. Some days, I feel the lows, but they are not as bad."

• Mary...
• October 24, 2013

"I entered the beginning stages of menopause and my mood changed dramatically. I was getting very concerned as I had never felt so sad and hopeless. I could not stop crying and things that normally I would not let bother me were becoming huge issues. I did not recognize myself. I am known as glass half full kind of person so the change was dramatic. I was put on 35mg of Effexor and wow - what a difference. Surprise, surprise my hot flashes stopped, ( I have since read it helps with that) mood back to normal and strangely my joints don't hurt so much and I have more energy. The few negatives are I yawn a lot and though I still enjoy sex I can not have an orgasm. I consider both minor due to feeling so much better."

• Steph...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

"I was put on a starting dose of 75 mg Effexor XR and worked my way up to a dose of 150 mg. I couldn't sleep and my mind was racing. I wasn't myself at all. Back on 75 mg now and I feel better than that but still depressed. Switching meds soon I hope."

• Alex
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2019

"I’ve been on Effexor for about a year. I take 75mg ER a day for depression associated with bipolar disorder and anxiety/panic attacks which were at such a high level that it led to pseudo seizures. I have had amazing results. I had my first winter without a major depressive episode and the episodes that I have now are nowhere near as intense. My anxiety is at all time lows as well and I am able to hold a job for the first time. This is all in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. But the withdrawal symptoms from missing a dose are HORRIBLE! You get brain zaps which are similar to vertigo and flu like symptoms such as aches/pains and upset stomach. This is in addition to your depression and anxiety levels sky rocketing. When I first started the med I had some nausea and dry mouth for a couple of weeks but it passed quickly. Overall, I have had amazing results."

• Erik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2015

"One of the best responses I have had to any anti-depressant medication. At 150mg and I have suffered with depression for over 20 years. Within a week I noticed a drastic improvement in my mood. Has far surpassed Prozac, Lexapro and Cymbalta. Definitely recommend trying to someone suffered from depression, MDD, etc."

• Regul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2015

"Effexor has been the most effective antidepressant for me. I've tried 5 SSRI's. Effexor doesn't make me lazy or spaced out. I feel it helps my cognitive functioning, as well as focus, motivation and memory. I will go off effexor for periods of time, plenty of time for my brain/body to reset, but I keep finding it better to be on Effexor. It's helped me to not be so negative, irritable and just miserable overall. I can feel its slight pain killing effects as well. It keeps me doing things instead of laying in bed ruminating negative thoughts. Side effects for me are constipation and lower libido. Miralax fixes the first one. As for the second one, before Effexor I wasn't socializing at all anyways, so the I can handle that side effect."

• Brandy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2014

"This medicine literally saved my life. I toook 75mg and the first day I took it, I noticed a difference in my mood. I woke up in the morning and actually felt like getting out of bed. I smiled and enjoyed being around people and was in a pleasant mood. I was getting my life back! The only side effect I noticed was that I was pretty nauseous the first week and lost my appetite. But, it wasn't bad at all! I stopped taking the medicine suddenly when I found out I was pregnant and the only side effect I noticed when I stopped was being dizzy for about a week. But that could've been because I was pregnant too. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage, and started taking Effexor again. Looking forward to being happy again."

• Isabel
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 21, 2018

"I had suffered for years with anxiety/depression back in the 80's and 90's, back then there was very little medication to help. In the late 90s my doctor put me on Prozac which helped profoundly until it stopped working after 10 years. Then Effexor XR was introduced, this medication was a godsend and I still take it daily for the last 18 yrs, now I'm able to concentrate when I read and enjoy a happy and fulfilled life!"

• Peter
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2022

"Horrible drug!! Worst drug ever taken. Wanted to beat the therapist for ever given me it. Horrible drug. Wish all those on it a safe quick departure from it. Crazy it is legal to sell this. Horrible drug!"

• krazy...
• August 19, 2013

"I am a 23 year old male suffering from extreme MDD and GAD i have been taking 150 mg of Efexxor XL and 15 of Remeron for two months. I have tried Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin XL, Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac and this is by far the best medication! I have been lifted from the darkness and have had no side effects including sexual dysfunction. Yay!"

• janes
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 26, 2013

"Been on this for over 10 years. I take 2 different doses every morning - 75 mg and 37.5 mg (which was added about 3 yrs ago). While no drug is perfect, it has saved my life - both figuratively and literally. I've had great success with this medicine. Be forewarned though about missing a day: loopy feeling, lightheaded or a weird feeling in your head (not pain), like a short buzzer effect. Over the years, if I missed a day, I actually did not feel comfortable driving. If you miss 2 days you'll experience heart palpitations and will definitely feel bad. These are the reasons why this medicine should never be suddenly stopped. The dose should gradually be lowered. Conversely, the medicine should be started on a low dose, working up as needed."

• NotDe...
• September 28, 2015

"After a suicide attempt that landed me in the hospital's psych ward for three weeks, I was put on Effexor XR and Lamotrigine as a mood stabilizer. This combo has changed my life. It took a few months to get the dosage right (yes, MONTHS), but I'm coming up on two years since I've been hospitalized with little to no problems. I'm 21 and finishing my post-secondary education, hold a part-time job, live on my own, and have loving and supporting relationships. I never thought it would get better until Effexor came around."

• Abi
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

"I’m on my fourth week of Effexor @ 75mg dose now and it just started to work for me, so far so good. I’m on 75mg ,my sex drive is back on the fourth week and have not issues ejaculating. I take zinc and vitamin d with it. Male 45 years of age"

• pealove
• May 23, 2016

"I suffered depression and anxiety at a very difficult time in my life 5 years ago and have been on efexor 75mg since then... it took the edge off highly stressful situations and helped me to cope in a calm and positive way :) Life has been good since then, even though family problems have endured (thankfully to a lesser extent)... side effect of nausea was to be expected during first few weeks but after that no problems at all... effexor has been a wonder for me... :):):)"