Effexor XR Success Stories?

[Mary23]

Hello,
I have been experiencing severe anxiety/ Social Anxiety Disorder for as long as I could remember. I am 23 years old and have never taken medication for my illness because my parents never approved of any type of meds. I recently moved out a couple months ago and decided to see a doctor because this anxiety is too overwhelming for me. Every social situation is hard to cope with. I blush, break out in rashes, my heart beats really fast, I get sweaty, if I try and talk to people my sentences don't come out right... etc.. I explained this all to my doctor and he prescribed me Effexor XR. For the first week I took 37.5mg, for the second and third week I took 75mg, and today is the second day of taking 150mg. I have not experienced any side effect which is a very good thing and I am already starting to notice a small difference. Less anxious and jittery. I have ready a lot about this medication in these forums but most people talk about how hard it is to get off of the medication but I want to hear about people who are currently on this medication and it actually helps. I talked to my doctor about what I have been reading about getting off the medication and he basically says that people who normally post in forums are the people who are still not happy. But any feedback about this medication or anything else I would appreciate it.. Thank you :)

[lauraface]

Hi Mary and everyone else... i also started taking eEfexor for my panic and anxiety .. i have only been on it for a week but i can see some slight positive changes already ... i still feel nervous and shakey at school (i am training to be teacher) .. and it ***** , but i am confident that this should work ... i used to take paxil which basically ****** me up royally, but my doc agreed we should try something new ...i still have suicidal thoughts but unlike with the paxil i don't want to die i am feeling a bit better and i want so desperately for this to work because popping benzoes for anxiety never works ,,,, i wish the world and the medical profession would realize that what we go through with anxiety, depression or panic is an actual medical disorder and it is not just something that is "all in our heads" if anyone experienced severe anxiety you know you cant eat or sleep or concentrate .. you cant breath properly .. and you basically don't function correctly ... i hate the stigma attached to medicated individuals as if we are crazy or people to be avoided as if we belong in an asylum or so something ... most of the time we are intellectuals who have lost our confidence through a brain chemical imbalance ... and that to me should be recognized as a physical illness ... it really ***** going to the doctor and complaining about mental pain because oftentimes they roll their eyes as if it is not a medical problem ... i just want all of us to get better and to be who we really are .. and not to let out pervasive thoughts ruin our lives. who is with me on living a good quality life and by which i mean one in which you can feel like the sun shines for you too, you can cross bridges and drive like everyone else, you cal sleep, you can eat, you dont have to rush to the bathroom because your stomach always hurts ...  all i am asking is that we can be free together ,,and stop feeling isolated .. I for one am sick of feeling alone in this world .. and maybe you guys feel the same ... so what if we have to take medication ... i know my parents would disown me if they knew, but in my opinion, if you are sick and not feeling well you take your meds ,,, and God willing, let us all feel better ... and never experience the ultimate fear, sadness and inferiority that may hold us back ... we are intelligent people, and we too deserve to shine .. thank you ... i hope you all read this
Laura

[Iwitchhazel]

Amen! U nailed it!

[kalmkidd]

and to orilo i agree. i was on it 8 yrs now and can not feel normal without so i will be taken it forever.. but by all means understand one little pill at night to make all my problems go away is not a problem to me at all.

[kalmkidd]

i take it as well and have for the past 8yrs off and on. i only take 75mg's once a day. i was on for7yrs and stopped it for one and honestly had NO withdraws at all. but my anxiety had came back so im on it again at 75mg's a day.. i feel great with it. i think in brief its a very good medication i have been prescribed 17 different medications and this is the only one that helped. good luck and if u feel ur ready to not take it go off slow and make absolute shore your ready cause the anxiety will come back harder like it did me.

[orilo]

Hi Mary. I have been on effexor XR 175mg for over a year and a half. It saved me. I take effexor for anxiety and panic as well and I am finally 'normal' again. My anxiety and panic came about slowly but once it manifested fully, it consumed me. When I started on the effexor it was awful, and this was not the first medicine I took. I was so depressed- and I have never experienced that before. I remember standing and looking out my window for hours at a time wondering if I would ever feel normal again. Well I do, and right now I will live for the moment, not for what MAY happen when I do decide to come of the medicine. If it means I have to take it the rest of my life- OH WELL. If it makes you feel better, hun you have hit the jackpot. Alot of people take various kinds of medicine and never feel better. I wish you the best. Good  Luck!!
Melinda

[val11]

I am 32 and had great success on effexor xr.  I recently found out I was pregnant and had to get off of effexor fast.  My withdrawal was aweful.  Just be careful if you ever decide to stop taking it and ween off of it very slow!!