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How Has Effexor XR helped you?

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Posted 5/22/2007 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
As a somewhat new member to this sight I have a question about a certain med I am currantly taking. I have just gone from 75 mg Effexor XR to 225 mg in 4 1/2 weeks time. Before taking Effexor I was on Lexapro for approx 6 months or so and it just didn't work for me. The difference I feel now is that I can actually get out of bed each day and even make the bed! I feel like my anxiety has lessened and the darkness seems to be getting a little brighter. For this, I am sooooooo thankful.

I would love to hear how Effexor has worked for others on this sight. and in what ways do you feel better/different? As I ask this question I realize that we are all different in how we react to anti-depressants, I guess I just looking for other experiences with this drug.

Thanks,

Pink

Posted 5/22/2007 10:42 PM (GMT 0)

sometimes several different types of antidepressants have to be tried to find 1 that works for you

everyone is different

as it happens, effexor did nothing for me but a laxapro type one helped a lot for my anxiety

I still havent found any AD that has helped at all with my depression

Posted 5/23/2007 8:11 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Pink

Effexor helped me a lot, after trying 4 other anti depressants, with no luck.  I now take Tegretol with it, as I was still getting horrible mood swings, and this seems to have helped balance me out tongue (welllll u know..)

Cognitive behavioural Therapy has also helped me greatly.

Hope your depression continues to improve.

Deb

Posted 5/23/2007 3:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Pink, I am glad that Effexor is helping you, we see so many people posting negative things regarding this medication.

I have been on several antid's over the years...Luvox, Prozac, Remeron, Zoloft and all of them had left me with the feeling of being over medicated or just plain having no feelings at all.  It's hard to describe.  I was on Zoloft for the longest time as it worked best out of them all but I was maxed out at my dosage and hit a extreme depressive state.  I was switched to Effexor Xr and eventually went up to 225mg also.  I honestly havent ever felt better.  I have real feelings and can cry when I need to, get mad when I feel it, and can express my thoughts which isnt something I was ever able to do before.  I always just felt flat on the others.  So I have had a very positive experiance with Effexor Xr.

Posted 5/23/2007 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank ya'll so much for the responses. It's just interesting to know what works for other people.
Today is a good day for me. I woke up feeling better than I have in a long time. I believe the effexor is really beginning to take effect in a bigger way :)
This morning during my doctor appointment, my doctor mentioned to me that I looked "brighter" and seemed more light hearted. This confirmed my feelings. Another thing, I am having lunch with a couple of friends in just a bit- and I haven't done this in several months - I can't tell ya'll just how HUGE this is.
Thanks again,
Pink
Posted 5/23/2007 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you Pink, great feeling to start feeling good again isn't it tongue
Posted 5/23/2007 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Well I will let you know. I'm about ready to go on this drug to take a very good job I have been offered from a boss I used to work for. I was able to get 8 months worth of Effexor samples from my sister who works in a DR's office. I do have a real prescription though and will be going into my DR because she wants to watch my blood pressure.

By the way have any of you had BP issues with this drug? I know it is a listed side-effect and even though I don’t have high BP now both my mom and dad have it and have taken BP meds for decades. That’s why my DR wants to keep an eye on this with me.
Posted 5/24/2007 10:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Drew

I've been on Effexor for a while now, and am starting to slowly wean off.  It has been the best AD for me after trying 4 others with rotten side effects.

I have never had high BP before, however I do now and have had to increase my BP meds and may have to again soon, even after giving up smoking.

But don't worry about it - just let your doc monitor you and if it becomes an issue, he/she will be able to deal with out.

Cheers

Deb

Posted 5/24/2007 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on effexor since march 2001 ...it kind of works and I am always up or down and every time they incease it feel kind of manic and then they lower it and feel depressed again so now they are putting me on a mood stabilizer and when I feel better they will ween me off of effexor

Posted 5/24/2007 10:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hi megamax

I know what you mean about the ups and downs.  Overall Effexor has helped me (after trying 4 others), but still having yucky mood swings, so I am now on Tegretol as well.  This has been wonderful for me - my mood swings have pretty much disappeared and I don't know how to describe it but say that I feel like I have turned a corner in my depression. 

I recently went through a personal trauma and not so long ago, I would have been an absolute misery with depression.  This time, I am so pleased to say, I was sad, and I cried, but I knew the difference - I knew I would be ok. 

It was such a wonderful realisation!  tongue   I have just started weaning off the Effexor very slowly (I don't care if it takes me 12 months lol), baby steps, I'm dropping 37.5mg a time and so far it's been 2 weeks.   My psychiatrist would like to see me drop 75mg in 6 weeks, but that's not going to happen lol - slow and steady when I'm sure, with fortnightly visits to my GP.

Best wishes to you.

Cheers

Deb

Posted 5/25/2007 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
about the blood pressure issues drew mentioned, I was on effexor and loved it.... I had great results for anxiety but not depression or mood swings. I had to stop taking it because my blood pressure was reaching stroke levels. even with a blood pressure lowering medication. So to all of those that are on this medication dont stop im not trying to scare ya cuz it is a great med, just please monitor your blood pressure weekly, Good luck and I pray for your continued success!!
Posted 5/28/2007 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I took lexapro which didnt work for me and was changed to effexor. At one point I did take 225mg and now take 150mg. It has helped me so much and my depression and anxiety are very much under control. So pleased it has worked for you.
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