I am stressed very easily, nervous, have stomach aches and cry every day. Been on 150 mg for 2 weeks. Felt very blah, almost depressed the first week and a little more nervous the second. I pray that this works for me. The many weeks on Lexapro 20 mg did not help. I love my job of 20 years, but cannot work until I have improved. I have loved working with special ed children. I will not go back until I can be the good caring aide that I have always been. I want to work for about 5 or 6 more years. I am 57. I was afraid of effexor at first but now I pray it will be the medicine that helps me. I am taking good care of myself and having therapy. Before this happened I was upset about things in my life, (not work) but have resolved mostly everything. I just cannot stop this from happening to my body. But I guess these stressors sometime build up over years. I am trying to be patient and be grateful I can be off work to heal. Would love to hear positive comments of support from members that would share. Thank you very much!
How long will it take to notice Effexor XR helping for general anxiety disorder?
Question posted by Debbylynn on 13 Oct 2013
Last updated on 25 October 2018
34 Answers Page 3
I was on Effexor XR 150mg daily for many years. It was a miracle drug. Got rid of depression, anxiety and panic attacks. No side effects except weight gain. It will take 4-6 weeks to feel real benefit. It really helped me so much.
I have now withdrawn over 10 months as it is a very hard drug to withdraw from, but you don't need to worry about that now.
I am sure you will feel the real benefit soon. Good luck, and take care.
Hello Pansy,
That is a such a pretty flower. I like to hear when someone has been on Effexor XR for many years and it kept helping. Good for you!
I do have concerns about withdrawing because it is suppose to be so hard. My doctor feels I may take it the rest of my life. But if it stops working you sometimes have to move onto something else. He said by then they will have something else that works well.
May I ask, are you going off it because you don't need it any more? I understand some people open the capsule and take out one granule at a time slowly as they wein off. You are right I will try not to worry, but still am curious about what happens.
I look forward to feeling the effects of happiness again. And fully getting back into life.
I thank you for your kindness and hope your withdrawal will end ASAP!
Debby
Hi there: I have lost my appetite totally since I started Effexor 5 days ago. Did you lose your appetite at the beginning too or did you start gaining weight right away? Thank you!
I have a question. Why is Effexor so hard to get off of. Is it that the way u feel? Or is it a withdrawal feeling? Do u feel like your on drugs with this? I’m on it as well. But I’m only about 3 weeks in and if I have to get off I will.
I have a question. Why is Effexor so hard to get off of. Is it that the way u feel? Or is it a withdrawal feeling? Do u feel like your on drugs with this? I’m on it as well. But I’m only about 3 weeks in and if I have to get off I will.
Hi, Debby! Sweetie, I DO know what you're going through! I just turned 58 and I work in the veterinary field, so I too had great concerns for my effectiveness with my patients.
After trials on several other antidepressants I started Effexor. It took about 3wks to really start feeling the effects and after about 2mos I was almost completely back to the energetic, optimistic, calm and focused person I've always been.
For the record, I've had no problem with any side effects and Effexor is by far the best medication I've ever taken.
I truly hope you'll have similar results. Best wishes, WCV
Hello WIldcatVet,
First of all, the Sweetie made me smile, :)) thanks!
I thank you for your support and sharing that effexor is working really well for you. That is great! I believe my minor side effects are gone, except having less of an appetite, which I would love to keep. Hopefully I will start to notice some improvement in a couple of weeks. Today is day 16. I've got work covered and will keep taking care of me. I've not done much of that in my life. This definitely has been a eye opening, learning experience. Once I'm on track I hope to stay there for a long time.
Thank you so much! Wishing you the best to! Deb
Wildcat Vet how strong of a dosage were you taking and was it XR?
Hi Wildcatvet, when you say you were on several other antidepressants... how many? and what did you try? I am now on my fourth and it is Effexor and I started it today... say a prayer this works! I was on paxil for 14 years and grew immune to it. darn.
How long does it take for effexor to work
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Hi wildcatvet
How many mgs were you on and how long did it take you to feel better? I have anxiety and it's horrible in the morning. I've been on 75mg for 2 weeks now and take Valium when needed, which I dislike, I see my specialist on Thursday and worry he'll change the med as I was on prozac for 7 weeks which sent me to the hospital twice. Any advice would be appreciated
75mg twice daily. As I recall, it took about a month to really feel good but the improvement started sooner than that. If you're not having side effects that warrant changing your meds your doctor may have you stay on this dose for awhile longer or suggest you up the dosage.
Effexor is in a slightly different class of antidepressant/anxiolytic than Prozac so it may not affect you in the same way. I had no problem with side effects except for a slight headache the first couple of days.
Regards, Wildcat
P.S. Good luck at your appointment.
Hi Debbylynn I take 37.5 of Effexor XR plus Lamictal. I used to take more
of the Effexor but my psych cut it when I started the Lamictal. Together
they work very well for me. I don't remember how long is took for the Effexor to work, sorry. Usually say 4-6 weeks. Wish you well. My prayers are with you.
Thank you Kitty,
I'm going to stay patient and know I do need more time. That's nice that a very low dose helps you. I really appreciate hearing from such nice people. I wish you well too. Thank you!
So sorry your feeling this way! I was on your shoes about 3 months ago. Doc put me on effexor, and I gradually got back to myself. I work with children who have autism, so we're kind of in the same field. Hang in there, don't despair, and don't be afraid to call up doc and describe what you feel, you may need an add on, or higher dose eventually. Please keep in touch with update.
Karen
Thank you Karen. I'm glad it worked for you. Support from others that have positive news is encouraging. I will post again. Keep feeling well from now on.
I agree after years of problems this is one of the best i have every had and no
side effects I have been on at least 10 years and was on 300mg now down 150mg and doing just as well... hope all is going to work out for you as well as it has for many..Chuck.
I agree after years of problems this is one of the best i have every had and no
side effects I have been on at least 10 years and was on 300mg now down 150mg and doing just as well... hope all is going to work out for you as well as it has for many..Chuck.
Very sweet answer, kaw! Gentle, hopeful,kind...
Kaw06 how large was the dosage were you on? and was it XR? Curious because XR gave me headaches and other side effects...
I am on 225mg and yes, it's X-ray I had to look lol couldn't remember.
I am on 225mg and yes, it's XR I had to look lol couldn't remember.
Sorry to hear you feel that way too, ive been on 75mg for the past 6 years and it was doing great until recently, we moved interstate and leaving some very close family behind has caused me crying constantly loss of appetite and i could not understand why this was happening as i have everything wonderful in my life and i have just joined up at a gym thinking exercise would help, my last resort was to see a doctor who upped my dose to 150mg and im day 2 and cant wait for it to start working as i hate feeling this way. Hoping you feel better soon
Angela
Does anyone had the experience w/sensitvity to sunlight & easily sweating as a side effect w/Effexor (on 300mgs/day.) And... has anyone had their sex life wiped out w/Effexor? It was either sex or sanity. It was tough but had to choose sanity.
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effexor, effexor xr, depression, anxiety, nervous, stomach, disorder
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