Posted by Hayduke on October 2, 2004, at 18:27:31
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on Effexor 150mg for about a month and half now, and can unequivicably say that it has helped me.
Some background info: I am a biology doctoral student who has suffered from depression on and off for about ten years. Soon after entering grad school a year and a half ago, I went into the most severe depression of my life. I completely lost interest in my research, and came very close to getting kicked out of grad school because of an inability to do my work. I resisted going on meds because I had previously found non-pharmacological ways to help myself, but out of desperation I finally went to the health center at my university and was prescribed Effexor. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be very helpful, due to the lack of effect of a few SSRIs that I tried ten years ago.
Well, the last few weeks have been absolutely amazing for me. I keep asking myself if it is just the placebo effect, but I've concluded that there is simply too stark a difference to be that - it's like night and day. I have regained the confidence, clearheadedness, and interest in life that has been lacking for over a year.
I seem to have avoided many of the side effects that other people experience. The only side effects for me have been jitteriness (which has subsided somewhat, though not completely), dehydration, and the sexual stuff (not a complete inability to orgasm - it just takes longer). I am also having the most vivid dreams of my life!
I know I sound like a walking advertisement for Effexor, but I have read so many disaster stories about it on this website that I just wanted to add my own positive experience.
poster:Hayduke
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041002/msgs/398350.html