I am stressed very easily, nervous, have stomach aches and cry every day. Been on 150 mg for 2 weeks. Felt very blah, almost depressed the first week and a little more nervous the second. I pray that this works for me. The many weeks on Lexapro 20 mg did not help. I love my job of 20 years, but cannot work until I have improved. I have loved working with special ed children. I will not go back until I can be the good caring aide that I have always been. I want to work for about 5 or 6 more years. I am 57. I was afraid of effexor at first but now I pray it will be the medicine that helps me. I am taking good care of myself and having therapy. Before this happened I was upset about things in my life, (not work) but have resolved mostly everything. I just cannot stop this from happening to my body. But I guess these stressors sometime build up over years. I am trying to be patient and be grateful I can be off work to heal. Would love to hear positive comments of support from members that would share. Thank you very much!
How long will it take to notice Effexor XR helping for general anxiety disorder?
Question posted by Debbylynn on 13 Oct 2013
Last updated on 25 October 2018
34 Answers
Effexor works relatively quickly... I will be honest- if, you only have GAD- & you don’t have depression. I would go a different route. Like buSpar it helped me for years then, pooped out
Sorry, my comment for some reason wasn’t posted as it was written. It was also, cut short. Sorry, if it’s misunderstood.
I was speaking about the difference between situational depression & clinical depression- and have anxiety. What helped & hasn’t for myself. As well as, suggestions what to try if, you haven’t had relief from and antidepressant. Like buspar, Vistaril, clonidine, Propranolol, Lisinopril, Minipress, & if, and extra boost was needed to add to your antidepressants/medication Deplin capsules helped me.
In my previous comment I explained each medication & my experience on Effexor as I said, “ if, it’s not for depression trying a different route.”
I started Effexor about ten days ago, and I felt a little better after just 3 days. I also take Buspirone 10mg 3x daily, and the combination has been great! The Buspirone was magical for my anxiety, and now I am waiting for them both to kick in fully. I also found the book "The Spiritual Side of mental illness" and that is helping me deal with my long-buried trauma issues. Best of luck to you!
I started taking Effexor about 10 years ago, and it started working within 2 days. My doctor then put me on Wellbutrin along with the Effexor, and I've felt absolutely great for all these years! I was on 225 mg. of Effexor and 300 mg of Wellbutrin. They both have been decreased recently but they still work.
Effexor and Wellbutrin are a good combo. Lexapro made me spacey and I gained 40 lbs!
Good Luck to you -- hope everything works out.
"Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve."
Venlafaxine (Effexor) | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Effexor worked really well for me many years ago — 150 mg. I went off of it because I thought it had pooped out. But I just might have had additional stresses. Cut to the chase: I’ve been on 100mg of Pristiq for three years but never felt like it was the best medication for me. I went through a bad couple of years and didn’t think it wise to change. I was put on a small dose of Klonopin as well for the past year (.5 mg). I am now weaning off of the Klonopin, which is a nightmare. But I also reduced the Pristiq to 50 mg and have added 112.5 mg of Effexor in 37.5 mg increments. I’m thinking that 50 mg of Pristiq and 112.5 mg of Effexor would be approximately equivalent to my previous 150 mg of Pristiq, since they are nearly the same drug. My psychiatrist says I should go off the Pristiq and increase the Effexor since “they are the same drug basically.” But to me, that sounds like a good reason not to risk withdrawal from the Pristiq.
I’m already going through side effects from increasing the Effexor and decreasing the Klonopin. My life has been so unstable the past three years — marriage break up, big financial loss — that I just want stability as quickly as possible. I feel like the fewer changes for the better. Thoughts on Pristiq and Effexor together or on the Klonopin withdrawal?
I’d like to offer up what I have done for my son who is 17 and has had a wild ride on Paxil (still weaning after 2 years) social anxiety. Explored options of genetic marker testing for anti anxiety and anti depressant drugs. Turns out Paxil is a big no for him. So sad to have wasted this time and watch him be a shell of his former athletic self. The testing I did through Life Extension Foundation reveals Effexor , Prozac and Luvox will work for him. Using Effexor to get off Paxil quicker and if it works for him I will shout it from the mountain top. These drugs should not be a crap shoot it’s painful when a therapeutic effect is not achieved and you have to keep going up and then come back down. Not so easy !
Has anyone out there cross tapered with Paxil and Effexor ? We have chosen an SSnI instead of SSrI as his urine neurotransmitter testing reveals very high serotonin level. Psychiatrist unconcerned about this test. She is impressed with the genetic marker testing which does not lie as it is based upon your genetic code for drug metabolism.
I am wondering how you are doing now? I was on effexor 37.5 mg for 3 weeks and have just uped my dose to 75mg 2 days ago. I am a mess. Shaky anxious constant thoughts of fear. This is my 3rd pill I'm trying and have been struggling since Dec 2017. I'm very discouraged. How long till most people feel better. I'm ready to give up
I just started taking effexor xr 37.5 a week ago and had some bad side effects. My Dr up it to .75 and no change. My worse side effect was waking up in the middle of the night and getting real nervous/panic attacks. The other day my doctor prescribed and very low dose of Klonopin to take before bed and WOW the next day, I felt great!! I'm starting to trust this drug and feeling better already. I'm only to take Klonopin for a week this is to help sleep and get use to effexor. I was on Paxil 10 years ago and I LOVE that drug! i did gain a little weight but i rather be fat happy then skinny and nervous/anxious. My question is I enjoy having a beer or two at dinner or at nigh. I'm going on a trip with my wife for our 20th anniversary next weekend. Is it okay to have a few drinks with effexor?
As everyone knows,medication works differently .One medication is not for everyone.
For me,who is Effexor XR only 2w,(37.5mg 1st week and 75mg 2nd week)I feel difference.I’m less anxious,much more motivated.My eventual dose will be decided in months or years,And as your question is years old,I hope you found medication which works for you.
I started effoxor & after about a month I felt like a new lady
I've been on it for over 2 weeks, I just started feeling better but herd it can take up to 4 weeks, hang in there and good luck to you
Hi Linda
Are you still on it and are you feeling better? How much are you on? Bianca
It seems to take about 2 weeks for most medications to kick in. I don't know that much about effexor but I wanted to thank you for the job that you do. That takes a very special person. Big Hugs
Hi
I am new here. I was on a low dose of Lexapro and Klonopin (just added 3 months ago) and the Lexapro seemed to have stopped working after10 years. I was just started on Effexor today 37.5 mg. after. I was diagnosed a few years ago with PTSD and have a thyroid disorder which is just coming under control.
I am very nervous about taking this but know I have to give it a chance. Today is day one and my biggest complaint is the shaking that started after about 5 hours. I was almost off the klonopin and now I had to take it because I was shaking so much. Does the shaking subside?
I hope this works. Thank you all for your time.
You are close to the same time of starting this med as me. How are you doing now?
Hi i have just started on Effexor Xr 37.5 mg started yesterday. I have been on this before started 2 years ago on Lexapro worked for awhile then stopped working. I then switched too the Effexor xr. Worked wonders was on 150mg then a year ago had a few issues and ended up on around 220mg im very tiny and this time last year I was a zombie just didn't care lost my job and was just completely out of it. After a month or so i decided to ween down. Got myself down to 75mg and i was my normal self again. After another few months July last year after weaning down i stopped I felt like I was happy and didn't need it anymore. Things were great so hard too come off tho. Once stoped the brain zapping was a good month or so too completely stop. Now I have just gone down hill single mum of 1 child who is 4 no family around and I work also. Im just depressed anxious stressed short tempted and my confidence is going i feel i cant communicate with people like i could.
Racing thoughts all day long and this tends too confuse me also. Its not fair too be like this with my trying too rase my child she needs a happy mum i want to do everything possible too get her out and playing about but on my days off its been impossible.I cant remember the side effects and because i swiched it wasn't too bad but Its day 2 of the Effexor xr and im so sick in my stomach. Dont want too eat feel like im on drugs my head wants too go but my body is so sore hot and exathsted my eyes are so sore and just cant remember how thos scattered feeling lasts for im so flat and can't be bothered too talk really. Today is Thursday and im back too work Monday I pray it isnt as intense or im not so tired and out of it still then...
Hi Summer: I'm willing to guess that you were previously on brand name effexor, and that this go round, you are on a generic version of it? Therein is where the problem lies. So many people go through this when starting back on something that previously worked, but, even though they try to tell us that generics are "equal", we hear this over and over when someone starts back on a "generic" of a "brand name" that previously worked for them. Sorry.
I actually had that problem with Lexapro they say that they are the same but i found a big difference with the brand and generic brand. But no on the same Effexor Xr 37.5 as i was before.
you're lucky!
Being patient is so hard. I take venlafaxine for depression and a little anxiety. Have done for a decade. Getting dose right can take time (and that's if it's working). Waiting for it to work also can take time and vary. Said to be 2 to maybe 4 or more weeks.
And yes, I've prayed to (and I'm an atheist!)
In meantime, have was used psychological methods alongside. Might make u feel more empower ed that you're not just relying on drug - that you have say in how u feel. And there's loads of psychotherapies incl self-managed
Do you best to accept that it's not true that there's nothing you can do about it. Myself, I feel that it's hard but not impossible.
At the moment 'acceptance' of how I am and feel (rather than trying to control it)is having some success for me.
Cheers
I'm sure that was meant to be a joke, but joking about being an atheist, but praying, is not too funny. I have an acquaintance who claims to be an atheist and he is full of himself. Not funny. If you don't believe in God, do you really claim to believe that meds can actually help?
I mean, "praying" that your meds can help will work for you? God is not to be mocked. Hope you feel better (anyway)
In replying to G Mc on praying. I have to disagree with you. In desperation I wanted to pray to something, but I have no belief in God. So, I tried googling (surprise) for praying for atheists and (surprise surprise) there was plenty of comment to consider. All, I wanted to do was speak to something or other (in the absence of belief in God), and I don't consider what I was doing was mocking in any way. It was just something I wanted for me personally. It felt harmless.
Of course, if there is a God and he/she has heard me, I don't think he/she will be too offended
Well that's a thought, yes, it makes sense. In AA, it is very important to believe in a "higher power", regardless of what, or who, it might be.
I am glad it gave you some relief. I have a friend who is an atheist.
He reads a lot and searches. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I just re-read your comments, and, yes, there is a lot to contemplate in life.
We are here in the support groups looking for experiences, good and bad, about taking certain meds, and advice and sharing of ideas.
Here is a quote from your comment:
" Do you best to accept that it's not true that there's nothing you can do about it. Myself, I feel that it's hard but not impossible.
At the moment 'acceptance' of how I am and feel (rather than trying to control it)is having some success for me." --- Quote from your post. Good thought. Thanks. G
Are you feeling better ? If so how long did it take? I've been on Effexor for 5 years it pooped out lexapro 9 months then back to Effexor . Oct of this year ( after 5 years of on it again) it pooped out. I went on lexapro for 2 months didn't work . They put me back on Effexor xr 6 days then now 3 days of regular release Effexor so 9 total- the dose I was on before this all began( did up dose of Effexor when it first happened and felt drugged only a few days of that I think I was afraid that it was a poop out and wanted to get the lexapro that worked before and feel better )I feel horrible still. My dose is only 37.5 but small doses have always worked for me very med sensitive.
Just saw your mail and want to respond but going out door just now. I'm a long time effexor (venlafaxine) user. Was switched off it decent ,((long story), and now back on it (just in middle of it). It has not been smooth, but I believe it's a drug that can work v well. Lots of factors. Like u I'm ' praying' for it to work
Reply to me, and I'll try to tell u more, but off out
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effexor, effexor xr, depression, anxiety, nervous, stomach, disorder
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