User Reviews for Effexor oral

I took effexor for about a year, starting at 225mg. It help me immensly in the beginning to slow down my head and let me concentrate on getting better. After about 6 months when I was more stable (not suicidal) and feeling level, I decided to start weaning off. The reason I chose to decrease my dose was because along with making me calmer and more level, I found it also took away my personal creativity and the ability to think fluidly. I found myself having a hard time articulating and it drove me crazy. Physically the only negative side effect I had was a strange feeling when I turned my head to fast, like what I had just looked at and turned away from was trailing me in my side vision. I am off effexor now and am doing well. Being on it helped me slow down and get the help I needed (talk therapy), though I am happy to be off it, as I feel more like me how I am supposed to be with no pharmecutical help. Read More Read Less

It's not working as well as I hoped it would. I still have some anxiety times and when the medicine is increased I suffer from heart palputations.

hELP WITH PANICK ATTACKS, BUT NOW i HAVE FIBROMYALGIA WHICH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DO MUCH, STILL HAVE STIFFNESS, PAIN AND SLEEP PROBLEMS

Take 37.5 for hot flashes from tamoxifen. It is like night and day, no more hot flashes. Definately take with food or will get an upset stomach.

has been very effective for me however, I am feeling alot of sadness and am picking fights with my husband and I dont know if this is because of my depression, bipolar disorder or if because of the state of our relationship is just making me act out

I've suffered from depression all my life and have only been treated for it for the past 5 years or so. I was originally put on Celexa and it worked for most of this time but now its not working much anymore. I was just switched to Efexor XR 3 weeks ago and my depression has gotten considerably worse all of a sudden because of it. I will be continuing my search for a new med at my next Dr app a few days from now.

This didn't help my depressions at all. I only took one 75 MG pill a day, so I quite taking it after 2 or 3 months and I feel DRUNK, dizzy can't concentrate, ears buzzing. I HATE this stuff. NEVER helped and I feel like DYING now

I have tried several types of anti-depressants for years and the most I got of them was sleep (zoloft, etc.) When my doctor perscribed effexor I thought another pill thats not going to make me feel better, but I was wrong this medication has changed my life. I call it my happy pill. I am a very sensitive person and emotional to, but this pill helps me stay a float. I use to fall into depression where I couldn't eat only work go home and sleep, sometimes having to take off from work because my emotions were to high. I haven't gone through a spell like that in years and instead of losing weight now I have gained and have to start exercising to manage my weight. I tell all that effexor works.Read More Read Less

no significant change in mood makes me more depressed at times. no help for b.p.d.

THE MEDICATION DEFINITELY INCREASED MY MOOD WHERE I WANTED 2 GET UP AND OUT EVERYDAY WILLINGLY. I CALLED THEM MY HAPPY PILLS BEACAUSE IT MADE ME LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT DAY. AS FOR SIDE EFFECTS...COULDN'T KEEP AN ERECTION AND EJACULATION WAS OFF AND WEAK. MADE ME LOSE INTEREST IN SEX TOTALLY. ISOLATED DIZZINESS THROUGHTOUT THE DAY. NOT SEVERE BUT NOTICEABLE CONSTANTLYHEAD JUS SWOOSHING AROUND. I OFTEN LAUGHED ABOUT IT BUT IT REALLY WASNT FUNNY I DID EXPERIENCE SOME SLEEP PROBLEMS BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE PILLS. SOMETIMES I'D BE UP FOR OVER 24HRS. TIRED BUT WON'T SLEEP. THAT'S KINDA CRAZY TOO. ONE LAST THING WHICH IM NOT SURE IF ITS RELATED TO THE DRUG OR NOT IS SEVERE MUSCLE CRAMOS IN MY LEG. IM NOT ON ANY OTHER MEDICATION BUT I JUST FIGURED I WAS GETTING OLD AND SINCE I DON'T EXCERSIZE REGULARLY I THOUGHT THAT WAS MY PUNISHMENT. THEY WOULD HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH MAYBE BUT WHEN IT HIT IT WAS BAD-SEVERE CRAMPS IN THE LEG, THEY HURT. INTERIOR THIGH AREA.Read More Read Less

At 37.5 mg this medication has eased my hot flashes somewhat (due to tamoxifen regimen). However, I have nausea constantly. I've only been on it for a few weeks, so I'm hoping the nausea will ease. I'm not sure I'm happy with the tradeoff.

Prescribed for depression due to Fibromyalgia. Began with Zoloft which with time lost effectiveness. Have taken Effexor for years. Dose increased to 75 mg 2 years ago. Keeps my emotions in check.

My stomach gets upset after eating meat. And most be close to a bathroom. Changes in bowel habits

Used to prevent migraines. Tried all sorts of other medicinal options, but this one worked extremely well. Had 12 migraines the month before starting Effexor XR 37.5mg. Had 0 the next month. Side effects of dizziness, loss of concentration, and constipation are minimal, and therefore manageable.

I have had anxiety problems for the past 3 years and I thought it was about time to try something as anxiety has been taking over my life. I was given 75mg for 14 days to start under close monitoring. I took it the first day after breakfast and felt a bit "out of it" for the first few hours. However, on the 4th hour I had an extreme panic attack and had to leave work. I felt dizzy, tired, hot/cold, dry mouth, anxious, shakey, pupils were huge... I got home around lunch and vomitted all afternoon with the company of a bad headache. Also, I have not had an appetite all day as I still feel quite ill. I will not be continuing this drug and will not recommend it to anyone from my own experience and others that I've witnessed and read about.Read More Read Less

I was suffering from clinical depression that started when I was being treated for HEP C. About 8 months into the treatment I would awaken everyday with feelings of hopelessness and a wish to simply not exist. The doctors said I needed to see a psychiatrist and get treatment for this severe depression. I tried several anti-depressants including Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft with no success. I finally tried Effexor and it worked! I lost the feelings of hopelessness, I found I was able to smile, I regained some energy and generally felt better. At the end of the HEP C treatment I stopped the Effexor treatment also but after a couple of months the depression returned and was quite disabling. I ended up taking Effexor again and the depression subsided. I have been taking Effexor in doses of 150 mg to 225 mg for the past 5 years and have been able to return to work, enjoy my family and life in general. If I stop taking the Effexor I find myself slipping back into depression after just a few days. I am taking the time to write this to provide a note of encouragement to people who have not found a way out of their depression. As I said, I had to try several before I found something that worked but I kept trying. I also use diet and exercise and therapy and prayer and meditation. I need them all to stay in the light. I still have days when I awaken with my head in a negative space but with the help of the medicine, doctors and prayer and helping other people worse off than I am I find life is usually pretty good and often downright great! Read More Read Less

Taking this for depression and anxiety. My anxiety attacks stopped almost immediately. I still get depressed, but only now usually before my monthly cycle which is common for women. I have more energy and way more patience. I too have the "zaps" when I miss a dose. The major downside for me to this med. is the weight gain. I've gained 17lbs in 3 mos. However I must admit my diet is not good so that probably has alot to do with it. I'll see what happens once I start exercising and eating right.

what kind of over the counter drug i can get besides sy john's wort for depression

GOOD: I had quit smoking than began having alot of anxiety. It helped me cope with a control freak supervisor. BAD: Whelps on stomach, skin irritated by clothing. Bad taste and film in mouth and bad breath. Had nightmares, maybe from my supervisor. Decreased motivation.