Effexor for depression and anxiety

brittandherboobs

hey all, just wondering if anybody has experience taking Effexor for depression and anxiety? A happy coincidence for me is that it will apparently also help my hot flashes but that isn’t why it was prescribed. I’m nervous specifically because I’ve never been on an antidepressant... though I probably should have been started on one long ago. Will it make me feel drunk or spaced out or “high”? I’m afraid it could make me emotionless or “flat”...

Cowgirl13

Many women on this forum take effexor for depression and it has really helped them. It won't make you feel drunk or spaced out unless you are not taking the correct dose or you should be taking something else. When I first started taking antidepressants it was like I 'got my life back again'. Can't say enough for how they have helped me.

Salamandra

There's often an adjustment period to antidepressants. Depending on the drug, for me that's involved things like diarrhea to body aches. The doctor should give you an idea of how long you should give it. Sometimes some people feel flat on certain antidepressants. There's really no way to know for you except to try, and if the first one has intolerable side effects that don't go away, there are many more to be tried. Kind of like the birth control pill.

alissat

I was on Effexor before I was diagnosed for anxiety. It definitely got me thru being diagnosed & treatment. Without I would have been a total basket case. I’m not currently taking it, however I can tell you it definitely helped with my anxiety, mood swings, hot flashes & night sweats. Some downsides for me were weight gain, constantly feeling hungry (craved carbs/sweets) & feeling flat. You just have to weigh pros & cons & decide what’s best for you. Best of luck

LaughingGull

I was also on Effexor during diagnosis and treatment, and it definitely helped me with moods and terrors. I didn't feel emotionally flat at all, and definitely didn't gain weight. I took it for about 10 months, and then weaned off it. It was initially prescribed to me by my oncologist. However, after like 6 months, I had a consultation with a psychiatric oncologist. My take was that, same as you would prefer to talk chemo with the oncologist, and surgery with the surgeon, it made sense to discuss psychiatric medication with a psychiatrist. This was very, very useful. He gave me advice about how and when wean off it, what to expect, etc.

The questions you have are relevant and natural for someone who has never been on antidepressants -that was my case, too. I recommend that you consult with a psychiatrist.

Best,

LaughingGull

nopink2019

I tried a couple of older medications for depression several years ago, 1 made me hyper and another crashed my BP. Just gave up on antidepressants (was seeing my GP, not psychiatrist like I should have). After exhibiting depression at an ONC appt, she suggested I try Lexapro. 3rd time's a charm! So try Effexor and keep in contact w/ONC about side effects. Different dose or drug may be warranted, but when you find one that works, it is great. Good Luck.