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Reviews on Effexor

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Posted 9/13/2019 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, It’s been a while since I’ve been on here!

Does anyone have any experience on Effexor for treating anxiety?

I was prescribed Effexor and nervous in starting it

Post Edited (roxy8820) : 9/12/2019 9:43:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/13/2019 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Roxy and welcome back!

I don't have personal experience, but have heard many similar feelings expressed from members who are trying a new Rx for the first time and have concerns.

While there can be some unpleasant start up effects for some people, not everyone experiences them. Also they are temporary and often end up being a small price to pay for a medication that after a few weeks, can give you years of benefits.

This is of course a personal decision, but consider your quality of life with anxiety. Is the possibility of some side effects more uncomfortable than the other option of living with the anxiety as is? Of course only you can answer this, and I am not trying to sway your decision...just giving you something to think about. smile

I wish you the best with your decision...keep us posted so we can keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 9/13/2019 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi mate. Better for depression than anxiety......however we all different and your dr is ya best bet....unless a psychiatrist...better bet. Effexor is very stabilising....long shelf life before ir poops....
Done it twice!!! Two terms of office! Give it a go..
All trial and error.

Keep 💪 HT
Posted 9/13/2019 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat.

I def agree, thank you so much 😄
Posted 9/13/2019 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello HT,

thank you for sharing your experience.
Well I’m a little confused, I went to the doctor today for my anxiety. And she explained that this medication is specifically for anxiety. After researching the medication it turns out it’s an antidepressant. The doctor never explained I was getting an antidepressant. So I’m a little hesitant in taking it.

I’ve taken Lexapro in the past for anxiety/depression and it’s helped. I’m terrified of trying new medicines.
Posted 9/13/2019 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I took 375mg for a few years straight. The only reason I switched was because at that time it was going generic and I wouldn't of been able to get the brand name with my insurance so I switched to Pristiq. I have been on that since 2010.

Effexor is an SNRI. It does have anti-anxiety properties but it is also good for depression. It is kind of uplifting so maybe it wouldn't be as good for anxiety. I have taken Xanax for years now so I am really not sure how much it helped me with anxiety. I think it is worth giving it a try. Being it is SNRI, it had less side effect for me than an SSRI.

Let us know if you try it and how it works for you. Often these types of medications take longer to work. Though it may help with the anxiety quicker.

Best wishes...

Hugs, Karen...

PS I took Effexor for about 15 years before I switched.
Posted 9/13/2019 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome back.

I used to take Effexor a few years ago and found it to be an effective medication for both anxiety and depression so worth giving it a go and see how you get on. I did not get many side effects apart from night sweats but these stopped after a couple of weeks.

The only negative is that when you decide to come of it, it’s one of the harder medications to discontinue so a very slow taper is required.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 9/14/2019 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Prescribing antidepressants for anxiety is common practice. If you have been on an SSRI in the past, you have already been on an A/D.

An SNRI is just in a different family of antidepressants. I think you can trust your doctor in that he/she feels based on your history, and current needs, that this is the best med to try at this time.

Again...best wishes on making your decision. smile

S.C.
Posted 9/14/2019 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all!!

You’re experiences with this medicine does give me relief. I had read up on it (which is not the best to do) and kinda freaked out when I read how difficult it was to come off of it.

Was it hard for you to come off of this medication?

To be honest I am not too sure what the difference is between SNRI and SSRI. I have taken Lexapro in the past several times and each time it worked out great for me. But I am just so terrified of these medications, not knowing how it will affect me.

When I would start Lexapro sometimes it would increase my anxiety and make me feel foggy. I never had trouble getting of lex.

The doctor that prescribed me Effexor was not my usual doctor, I had made an appointment with a clinic and she is the one who assisted. I was feeling very anxious that day and I just wanted to go in to see if i could get something to relive my anxiety like klonopin but instead I got Effexor...I do have an appointment on Monday with my normal doctor and I’m going to see what he thinks about this.
Posted 9/14/2019 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad you are seeing your regular doctor. I didn't realize a different doctor was prescribing. It will be good to see what the regular doc has to say.

Doctors sometimes don't want to prescribe benzos like klonopin or even Xanax. I guess it is because they can be addicting. Your doc will know the best thing to do.

I hope you are having a nice weekend.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/14/2019 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I too an glad to hear that you'll see your regular doctor on Monday.

It will be interesting to if he concurs with the clinic doctor...or if he'll want to go in another direction.

Let us know what you hear, okay?

S.C.
Posted 9/15/2019 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I will def reply to let you know what my doctor thinks.

I’ve held off on taking Effexor until I see him. At this point I’m not too sure whether I need to be on an AD. For the most part I feel fine, it’s mostly in the a.m. that I feel a bit anxious on edge and have a hard time focusing. Which that is a big problem of mine. I focus too much on the anxiety and make it worse. I myself make my anxiety worse.

I’m going through a separation so that alone is what triggered my anxiety. I have my moments of feeling depressed but of course these are all part of the process of separating.

I am so grateful to have found this site years ago when I first started Lexapro. It really did help tremendously to talk to people who understand.

Thank you all! Hope you’ve had a great weekend
Posted 9/16/2019 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Do you do any breathing exercises for the anxiety? That often helps. Meditation helps too.

Also therapy can be a great support and help to sort things out. I am sorry you are going through a separation during this time. I hope things work out and get better.

Keep hanging in there, I hope you have a good weekend too. Well it is actually almost over now. Take care and have a good week.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/17/2019 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hello guys so I’m back with an update.

I went to see my regular doctor today and I explained I was going through some stress and for that reason my anxiety has been triggered. I explained I went into a walk in clinic last week to get some sort of med to relieve my anxiety and how they prescribed Effexor.

He explained Effexor is more so for someone who’s depressed which I’m having more anxiety. I do have my moments of sadness as I am going through a separation. But overall it’s the anxiety that gets me! He said if lexapro has worked for me in the past then why switch it? So he wants me to try lex and also prescribed clonazepam.

I have yet to start lexapro. I forgot to ask him to write “brand name” on the prescription or thinking if I should give the generic a try. These medicines scare me 😩
Posted 9/17/2019 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
R.,

Only the inert compounds in a generic Rx differ from the name brand. So unless you just happen to have some reaction to part of what makes up the 'filler' component of the non brand pill (highly unlikely) you will not note a difference, as the actual medication base is the same.

Try your best to trust your doctor if you decide that medication is something that you could benefit from. We are here cheering on either way you decide to go.

S.C.
Posted 9/17/2019 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much S.C.

I’m willing to give it a try and pray that it works for me once again as it has done each time in the past. I just get soo nervous when I have to start lexapro each time because sometimes it would increase my anxiety. But three years ago when I last used lexapro I did not get that increased anxiety which I was so thankful for. I mostly a little foggy. I don’t know if it’s because I’m older now so my body can tolerate it better. When I had first used lexapro I was about 20 years old so maybe my body was just more sensitive to the med.

At this point I def need the help of the medicine to get through this tough time in my life. The mornings are my biggest enemy as that is when I feel the anxiety and all emotions the most.

I know I’ll be out of this and I’ll be okay.

Post Edited (roxy8820) : 9/17/2019 10:23:13 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/18/2019 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, increased anxiety when you are already anxious is of course something no one welcomes. :/ It is such an ironic side effect...

….but one that is temporary, and can be lessened with coping skills, so be sure to be ready with a good self help regimen to help get you through...and of course your benzo if/when things are really challenging.

We are cheering you on...post as needed!

S.C.
Posted 2/1/2020 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Most antidepressants are also prescribed for anxiety and depression and panic attacks. I was prescribed zoloft which is an SSRI or anti depressant but I dont have depression and it was the best thing that has happened.
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