Hello. I am new to this site. I have generalized anxiety disorder and major depression. I am 36 and a single mom if three. I have been hospitalized 4 times in the past 2 months for depression and anxiety. I was only on a couple medicines for a short while then celexa for four weeks which did not help me. I am now on effexor 150 and geodon 60 mg daily. I feel effexor has pulled me out of the deep depression. I was in but I am still not good. I have no apetite and I do not really want to go anywhere and I still feel down. I worry constantly if my medicine is working or not. I cannot stop worrying about this. I am suppose to go back to work in a few days and the doctor recommends it. I have been on effexor for 2 weeks. Please any positive feedback? Thanks!
What kind if effects will I notice when my effexor works and how long will it take to work?
Question posted by Shellbell123 on 1 Nov 2014
Last updated on 18 February 2020 by CelestialWolf
9 Answers
I am on 110mg of EffexorXR, I have Severe Major Depression and before Effexor, I was in a "permanent" hellhole. I have tried so many meds and none of them helped or made me worse, which made my pain even more unbearable! Since Effexor, I feel like the Depression has lifted and I can do things again and I feel like I can cope with my suicidal thoughts much better. This medication changed my life, or in other words, saved my life.
Thank you everyone for your answers And support! I have now been on effexor 150 mg for 5 1/2 weeks now. I did go back to work and it was horrible the first day. But it's gotten easier. I still have lack of interest in things though. I have also moved to day shift which is another change. My mind still worries ALOT though... I haven't even been to a psychiatrist since I started this because I had to let the other one go for a few reasons and to get into a new dr takes forever.. I go dec 1 st.. I have been working really hard and trying to hang in there a lot of times I just feel stuck.. Like when I'm at home like I don't know what to do with myself.. And I don't think this has helped my anxiety this far a lot... so maybe an increase in dose? I don't think geodon is helping for my worry AT ALL. Again, any positive feedback is appreciated and thank u so much!!!
Glad you are managing at work, and it is getting easier. Are you a nurse, as you say you work shifts? Let us know how you get on with new doctor.
Yes I am a nurse.. Thanks for the reply.. Will let u know about the new dr. I think I need some adjustments in my medicine.
Thanks
Shellbell. Just wondering how you are doing.
Ok. I feel that 6 weeks is where I only started to notice some improvement. For most folks it can take up to 3 months at a certain dose to see if that dose is high enough for them. We are all different. For me, I have gone up to 187.5 just now because of not completely feeling normal still. Dosage is the key here with Effexor in my experience with it. It was working g at 150 but not enough to resolve anxiety. And I was still feeling down some days. I will give this dose at least a month. If you can't go back to work, I'd see if you can get more time off. I had to quit my job due to the severity of my break down. I'm only now, 2 months later able to work part time. Depression and anxiety and med management is a long haul for recovery. Don't get freaked out if you do to feel 100% in 6 weeks. My pfoc( who had decades of experience) says that 6 weeks isn't very long to determine drug effectiveness.
Now, if you feel NO improvement in 6 weeks of course talk to your doc. But hang in there. If you want to increase the dose, discuss with doc. I had to go up very slow with med because I'm sensitive to it. I'd have increased anxiety and depression when I attempted to go up too fast. You may do just fine tho. You'll get better, but work with your doc and don't take what any of us say on this forum as your truth. Only what your doc says.
Mmei,
Effexor is the fourth med I’ve been on for a 3rd recurring anxious depression that has lasted 2 years with little relief . Every med I have taken, with every increase or decrease I have suffered increased anxiety and crying spells . Started on Effexor at 37.5 and have worked slowly up to 150. I found a tiny bit of relief on 112.5 for two days at the end of three weeks before increasing to 150 . I have been on the 150 for three weeks and I have gone from increased anxiety, to feeling like I am on speed, to the last couple days feeling more depressed with sobbing . I am so confused ... is this going to start to even out after I have been on it longer or is it a sign that I am on too much ? It is so hard to tell what your correct dose is . Any input is appreciated .
I was on 150mg Effexor for years and it helped me a lot. It was just a horror to withdraw from, but that is another story.
Give the medication at least 8 weeks to have any effect. You may feel worse before you feel better as your body gets used to it. With anti depressants I found I did get "down" from time to time, and was always worse in the mornings.
Give the Effexor time, and you will feel better soon I am sure. Not easy to work when you feel like that. Perhaps your doctor could give you some more time off. Even when on anti depressants I found working tough going. I am sure you will feel benefit soon.
Keep us updated on how you are.
For me, I had to stay on 150mg for 6 weeks to even start to notice a lift in my major depression. The anxiety piece is better, but according to my pdoc anxiety can take longer to resolve. Up to 12 weeks before a pdoc will decide if a certain dosage is enough for you. If you have noticed some improvement on Effexor, I'd either give it more time or ask you doc to increase your dose. I'm going to increase mine to 187.5 this week because I still have the risidual anxiety that I want resolved more. Anxiety can make anyone feel depressed if not well controlled or resolved. All of us respond differently. For me I had to increase slowly over 9 weeks. And stayed at 150 for 6 and 1/2 weeks. Talk to your doc. You may need an increase. I don't think 2 weeks is long enough to feel more benefit. Drug still has a lot more it can do.
The Effexor is great stuff, It changed my life. I use 300 mg daily. How it worked for me was I just woke up one day and I felt ALIVE... READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD. There is also a good old one. I don't know if my spelling is correct but it is called Pamalore. Great stuff too. Only down fall is it makes you hungry.
How long on the antidepressant did u feel better when u woke up
I know it might be hard for you to return to work, but it is probably the best thing... one day at a time. Life can be overwhelming, try to be thankful for what you have (? beautiful kids), and remember ... things always work out.
Effexor worked for my daughter (anxiety depression, suicidal), I think you should stay with it, it can help, but can't cure, reach out as you are now and i hope people are there for you :)
I am so sorry you have been through so much. I remember it was very hard for me to go back to work after a spell in a psychiatric hospital. Effexor was the best anti depressant I ever took. I was on 150mg daily and it took away anxiety and depression.
Hopefully you will feel the benefit soon. Takes a few weeks to start working. One day you will realise you are feeling much better.
Keep in touch and let us know how you are feeling.
How many weeks on antidepressants did your daughter thoughts go away
Pansy 404,
How long did it take for you to feel
Better on the 150 . I have been on that dose for 3weeks now and I have gone from feeling like I am on speed followed by depression with sobbing . Will this get better ?
Well, if you have no change at all after 3 1/2 weeks I would have you go back to the Dr and see what he recommends.
I don't remember a moment that was oh its working now. You just realize one day that you do feel better. It can take 4-6 weeks to reach peak effect.
I know what its like struggling to go to work when you feel like that, but it really makes a difference in how you feel to get out with other people. And one trick is to fool your body. Smile, smile at every one you see. Smiling actually does help lift depression.
I’ve been on 75 mg for just 3 weeks, doctor switched me without weaning from many years of Lexapro 10 mg. I feel horrible in the mornings and until about 2:00 PM. Nauseous, shaky hands, muscle twitching and very, very depressed and anxious. I take 0.25 mg Xanax to sleep, or I wake up every hour all night and watch the clock, dreading having to get up and face another day. Will this really get better? I don’t have an appointment with a psychiatrist for 2 weeks and I’m totally miserable.
Related topics
effexor, depression, anxiety, disorder
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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