Different Question About Effexor

I realize there was already a thread on effexor, but my inquiry is totally different. I generally post on the anxiety board. Effexor is used for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), as well as depression. Anyone here found it effective for their anxiety issues? I would like to hear from you. I know it's helped a lot of folks with it! Victoria, how much has it helped your anxiety overall? I saw that you have anxiety too.
janet

Thank you C-gal.
I'm not on it yet, but may try it soon as the paxil doesn't seem to be helping. I was on zoloft for 12 years and it stopped working. Paxil is a SSRI like zoloft, so effexor may be a good choice for me being a different kind of AD.
janet

Hi Janet-lee

I hate to say "take it" or "don't take it" as everyone reacts differently.  I am on Effexor XR and have been for nearly 18 months.  It was good at first and helped me get my anxiety and depression under control to a point where additional CBT was able to be effective.  However, I have also had some pretty nasty side effects :(

I started off on Arapax, which gave me nasty side effects, followed by Zoloft - same result (only worse), and then the Effexor.  As I am very sensitive to meds I started on 37.5mg a day and gradually worked up to 300mg a day, which is a fairly high dose.  Once I was coping pretty well, I started to reduce my dose (under doctors supervision).  I went back to 225mg, however started getting some more side effects and increased anxiety and depression, so doc put me back up to 300mg but got more side effects, including really bad urticaria.  I had recently seen an allergist to determine what was causing all my rashes and itches without much of a result.  So, back to 225mg (the med see saw is sooo much fun) and interestingly my urticaria has reduced too.

Sorry to waffle on - but this is just a very small example of how Effexor might affect you - and it could very well be that it won't.  However I know you were concerned about high BP and for someone who has always had good/low BP I am now on BP meds too.

I hate taking any meds and my ultimate goal is to get off all of them eventually - however they certainly do have their place in our treatments.

I would suggest you discuss all the pros and cons with your doc (preferably a psychiatrist as they are the "experts" in this area) and weigh them up carefully.  There is no guarantee with any med so if your doc suggests it and you trust him/her, follow through.  Just make  sure they are monitoring you closely.  And remember that some side effects may be very short-lived as your body adjusts.

Good luck - sorry this is so long lol

 

I can't anticipate how things will work for you, but Effexor was a wonder drug for me, not only for my depression but for my anxiety, panic attacks, and ocd. My girlfriend used to have such bad anxiety her legs shook at every table we sat at so much so that the table moved up and down. She couldn't leave the house. She couldn't be alone. I have never seen such bad anxiety. She is like a whole new person now. She goes out alone, stays home alone, enjoys her alone times, and she doesn't shake anymore. I hope if you do try it that it works as well for you. You asked about our experiences with it. Well this is mine. I can only hope yours is as good. All the best in your search for a medication that helps.

Frassy, that was very encouraging info! Thanks for sharing it!!!
Els,
It's good to hear from ya! I hope you continue to get better with your anxiety issues. I went to CBT appt. today. It went okay.
Take care!
janet