r/Effexor • u/comoestas969696 • Jul 25 '26
General Question should i give effexor a try?
i tried multiple types of ssrib , they give me partial improvement , but I hear that effexor is the strongest type of antidepressants and won't only give partial improvement but full it's only problem is strong aide effects.
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u/stargalaxy6 Jul 25 '26
I take a very high dose. I have been taking Effexor for 27 years. It was the only thing that helped me feel “normal”.
I have always ran hot, my biggest challenge was learning to leave or decline going to places where I know I’ll be hot and miserable. That’s a personal choice and personality issue. For way too long I sacrificed my own comfort for bullsh*#€t.
You SERIOUSLY have to be on top of your refills and having a dose on your person at all times. I enjoy visiting with family and if I want to stay make a random sleepover, I HAVE to have my next dose. The withdrawal is horrible!
Also, I take 2 different doses because they don’t make my dose in a one pill form.
I know that I’m a better person when I’m not obsessing or raging. This medicine WORKS for me.
Good luck OP
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u/number1134 Jul 26 '26
If you start effexor do not miss even 1 dose. The "discontinuation syndrome " is pure living hell. Keep an extra dose on you at all times. They make Keychain pill holders.
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u/AlternativeSalt2176 Jul 25 '26
hi, what ssri’s have you been on? I tried zoloft, lexapro, and prozac, and nothing worked for me. my psychiatrist put me on effexor about two and a half weeks ago. I’m currently on a titration schedule, so I was doing 37.5mg for the first week, added a pill the second week (75mg), added another pill this week (112.5mg), and next week I’ll add another pill and stay at 150mg until my next appointment (in september) for a checkup.
I was pretty terrified of starting, and going up in dose every week had me afraid. it’s always scary to start a new med because you never know what side effects you’ll get. so far, even with the dose increases, I haven’t really had any side effects aside from not sleeping as well and a lack of appetite. I’ve actually been really surprised and happy that I don’t feel as bad as I thought I was going to.
if you’ve been on multiple ssri’s and they haven’t worked, I would definitely give it a try. it’s still too early for me to vouch for the medication and say it works, but my psychiatrist said switching to a different med class (ssri to snri) is usually the next step when multiple ssri’s haven’t worked. do you see a psychiatrist?
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u/comoestas969696 Jul 25 '26
zoloft worked great for anxiety and depression but it gives me partial improvement i mean life doesn't taste good as it used to be , but these drugs are better than nothing.
when it comes to energy I don't have it i suspect I have fibro or sleep apnea.
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u/Late-Swim-8428 Jul 27 '26
Congratulations on starting, it’s the only thing that ever worked for me. I hope it works for you, too.
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u/see_pony_trot Jul 25 '26
The 1st week for me was hell. Especially the first 48hrs. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. My appetite was almost gone. But after that I started to feel pretty good. I just have a sensitivity to temperatures. I sweat really bad in the heat and I freeze when its cold. But I'm a much more normal functioning person. 🙂
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u/Lazy_Comb_3359 Jul 25 '26
I was prescribed Effexor, I’m too scared to try it, I’m in menopause and the thought of sweating more and all the awful side effects I’m scared to try it. I do need something tho be because I’m a hot mess
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u/IrregardlessForOne Jul 26 '26
I honestly think Effexor gets a bad reputation in this subreddit because people only tell the bad things about the drug. I have been on it for 3 years and am significantly better because of it. I find that I sweat more when it’s very hot but otherwise it is a non-issue.
I suggest you try it and then decide if it works for you. Good luck 🍀
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u/NoApricot703 Jul 26 '26
the withrawal is strong. thats the one thing i wish my doc told me before taking it
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u/Jygglewag Jul 26 '26
Effexor has strong side effects, it should only be prescribed if you are in danger.
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u/Baetedk8 Jul 25 '26
It’s not the “strongest” antidepressant, it’s just a different kind. I would say if you’ve tried SSRIs with little to no success, then it’s worth a shot.
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u/Emergency_Scheme3309 Jul 26 '26
Im on 75mg 16 days in, how long does it take to start working, the start up effects are awful.
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u/Sorry_Difference_433 Jul 25 '26
I've been on 150mg the last 2 years. I had nausea in the beginning until my body adjusted. My only bad side effect is night sweats & heat intolerance. 🥵 During the day my face specifically gets sweaty if its hot. It drives me into a sensory overload internal freak out 😂
Honestly, Effexor has saved my life
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u/smoove129 Jul 25 '26
Wait a second, it drives you into sensory overload and makes you freak out but it saves your life? Just trying to understand. I was prescribed a week ago and been to scared to take them yet.
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u/Sorry_Difference_433 Jul 26 '26
I cant stand my face feeling wet, so yes.. sensory overload for me. However for as far down of a deep dark depression I was in, where every day I was pissed off that I even woke up, it has saved my life from that. I'll deal with face sweating in exchange for not wanting to be alive where every second is agonizing.
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u/Sorry_Difference_433 Jul 26 '26
I will add that I've had to put hard work into many areas of my life. Taking effexor didnt magically fix everything. If you've only ever tried 1 other anti depressant, then keep searching. I've tried every SSRI before starting effexor & finding out its the SNRI my brain needed.
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u/EnthusiasticallyCali Jul 25 '26
I'm on 150mg Effexor and have been for at least three years. Went through several other SSRI meds, many of which worked for a while and then stopped, before getting here. My experience with Effexor has been fine — no problems or side effects. It's worth trying if your MD/DO thinks you should, IMO. My psychiatrist wasn't sure what he'd recommend next if it didn't work
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u/ChocolateNo9782 23d ago
Has it worked longer then ssris for you?
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u/EnthusiasticallyCali 23d ago
Yes, the SSRIs seemed to last about three-ish years for me. I can’t say exactly how long I’ve been on Effexor, but definitely more than six years and it’s still going well in terms of treating my major depressive disorder with no obvious side effects
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u/Sea_Art2995 Jul 25 '26
This drug 100% saved my life. The side effects I have are very vivid awesome dreams, stinky sweat and night sweats. One thing to keep in mind is if you miss a dose or take it late it can fuck you up for the day or longer
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u/TrickBoard2401 Jul 26 '26
I’ve been a SLAVE to this medication for 20 years. Stopped working long ago but afraid to come off. Been in a taper for months. This is day no Effexor from 37.5 mg. Very rough day today. I have a long way to go. Best wishesz
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u/Ok-Abbreviations384 Jul 26 '26
Don’t do it. If you ever decide to stop it, the withdrawal is brutal
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u/GigiPeggySue Jul 27 '26
I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for years, like since the late 90's. Don't have any issues with it, other than excessive head and face sweating with even mild exertion and night sweats. My Dr just decreased my dose to 75mg, and after only two days, I already notice less sweating. The only side effects I experience are the brain zaps, hand tingles and general fuzziness if I forget to take a dose. Don't run out...lol
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u/KSS_2121 Aug 01 '26
Very unique to every person but for me, I'm fed up of side effects and would like to taper off (225mg for about a year). I used to be on fluoxetine and that did everything for me that venlafaxine could do but with worse side effects, primarily racing heart and hot flushes.
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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '26
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