Posted by Mr Cushing on December 9, 2002, at 12:26:14
In reply to I've just started on Effexor. , posted by PeterJG on December 9, 2002, at 8:49:24
I was only on Effexor at 75mg per day for about 3 months. So I don't know how well it pans out in the long term. But I found it was amazing for getting rid of my anxiety/panic attacks if taken cautiously. Caution was needed, as it eventually turned out, because I was Bi-Polar and well, Bi-Polars aren't supposed to be taking anti-depressants by themselves or it could lead to hypomania or rapid cycling.Anyways, Effexor will most likely make you feel horrible for about 10 days or so. If you feel "anything" out of the ordinary that you feel that you could actually live with, don't worry about it. There are so many possible side effects to this drug that I don't feel like listing them, but they almost all disappear within 2 weeks to 1 month.
I'm not sure how well it works for depression because I was on the opposite end of the spectrum when I started on it (manic). I do know, however, that it made things at least semi-bearable untill we got the full diagnosis down pat. I wasn't freaking out anymore every day, that's for sure.
Anyways, if it doesn't work for your depression, don't give up because there are like billions of other drugs out there that could help. You can also switch from Effexor to many of them without too much trouble or too long of a "dry-out" period.
I think the key to remember now though is that if it doesn't work there are many other drugs that can, and that for whatever medication you do take (Effexor currently) to give it at least 4-6 weeks to see what it can do for you. If you give up too soon on any of the medications, then they most likely will not work.
poster:Mr Cushing
thread:131090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/131109.html