Effexor- Best SSRI/SNRI?

So I have tried all of the SSRI's. My doctor now wants to put me on Effexor, because she has had good results with patients she says. Does anyone think that this is probably the most powerful of the SSRI/SNRI's? I am just sick of going through the SSRI merry-go-round, as none of them have done anything for me. Remeron didnt do a damn thing either. Im thinking MAOI's are the only think that are going to help my social anxiety/depression. Anyone had success with Effexor?

Effexor was helpful for me. However, I got a much better effect when it was combined with Klonopin.

Cymbalta is supposed to be the better of the two simply because it starts the NRI action sooner and in lower doses than effexor.

Im taking Klonopin right now, so hopefully it will be a good combo.

Excellent, ill have to ask my doc about that.

to tooker
effexor is different to the SSRIs so try it, it may work for you
no antidepressants are stronger, it all depends on the dose, with effexor, the usual range is from about 75 to 300

You mean no SSRI/SNRI's are stronger right?

The best med, is the one that works for you. What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa.

I'm on effexor, for depression I thought Wellbutron worked better (for me).

To be honest,

Effexor was HELL for me when I was withdrawing from it... (twice) but it works BEST for me out of all medicines so far.

I used to think Zoloft was the best, but now with Effexor AND Klonopin has "stabilized" my anxiety/depression. Yes, it's still there, but it's more stabilized and I can function.....

I'm not certain if I am correct on this one... Anyone correct me if I am wrong?

Paxil is supposedly to be the MOST potent antidepressant.. and on the bottom.. Prozac is he weakest antidepressant....

In order that I know from most potent to weakest for AD's.

Paxil
Effexor/Cymbalta
Zoloft
Lexapro/Celexa
Prozac

Others might know more?

SeattleGuy35

I disagree, try taking effexor and remeron together at any reasonable doses. It doesnt matter if you're responding to the meds because your brain is getting assaulted by such a massive amount of neurotransmitters you can barely remember your own name. Sort of like living in a dream.

I disagree, try taking effexor and remeron together at any reasonable doses. It doesnt matter if you're responding to the meds because your brain is getting assaulted by such a massive amount of neurotransmitters you can barely remember your own name. Sort of like living in a dream.[/quote

Or how about an MAOI such as Nardil or Parnate. From what I have heard, they are the strongest anti-depressants out there.

No do not take MAOI's unless you are prepared to restrict yourself from certain foods and medications and do not mind putting on weight.
The doctors, even the many psychiatrists i have seen all said "no way" when i asked about various types of MAOI's because of their side effects. They are not a magic pill, and okay they work for some people but i would definitely try SNRI medications first.



Effexor for me is a 3/5 because it reduced anxiety and depressive feelings and helped immensely but there is always a draw back and catch on any med and this medication has one as well and i know coming off it is meant to be awful :/ but i could not be on it for the rest of my life anymore like i thought i could, its just not good long term

Effexor was useless for me at the 225 level even when combined with maxed dosage wellbutrin and a Benzo. Discontinuation of effexor was hell to deal with too so be prepared for it when it comes like others have said.

But others have had a lot of success with it so hopefully you do as well good luck.

Thank god Effexor didnt work for me or else i would of have gone thru hell getting off it.

I've been offered Effexor XR 3 times so far and flat out rejected it every time. I can't be bothered to go through withdrawals every day I miss a pill by as little as 2 hours, screw that!

You hit the nail on the head. When I was on those two that's exactly what it was like. A total slow motion bubble of liquid like dream state. In an unpleasant absent minded way. If it were positive on the other hand that would have been cool.

As for Effexor, I say it's ok. For many it's a miracle drug, for some it sucks. For me 40mg Paxil was stronger, 200mg Zoloft was more activating, Effexor is just in between. I'm on 225 and I feel blah, 5 months now. But a bit less blah than I did without it. I need to try 375mg before I give it the proper rate.

Wellbutrin was the most activating of them all. Combined with an SSRI to balance the negative effects.

If I was to try meds again (not likely) I think I would like to try effexor but I heard it can actually increase anxiety and is a ***** to withdraw from.

But as other are saying the best med is the one that works for YOU and everyone reacts differently to these things. Its trial and error really

For me Effexor XR (Efectin ER) was good for depression and GAD on 150mg, but for SA and panic attacks did nothing. Better for SA and panic attakcs for me is paroxetine currently 30mg.

Tried effexor..found it very anxiety pvovoking. I gave it a few months and quit. I didn't like the effect it was producing. I tried celexa..it reved up my anxiety alot and after 4 months of no benefit and increased anxiety I gave up. Tried paxil for a week at 10mg couldn't handle it. After being on a certain med for a few weeks you can see how they are working for you and tell if there right or not. I have started zoloft last week and today is day 7 on 50mg.. can't seem to notice any side effects yet. My sleep has majorly improved and I had a bit of increased anxiety the first 4 days. It's only today I actually got a couple of "breaks" you could call it from the anxiety. So I think in time the zoloft will be of much help. It's the only ssri that I still feel my self on. It's like I'm not being medicated at all. I yawn a bit for the first couple of hours after taking it but nothing serious. Sex drive was a bit low for the first 3 days and now it's the same as before. I feel this is the one for me. effexor,celexa,zoloft and other antidepressants will affect you differently. Effexor increases serotonin and noradrenaline, celexa increases serotonin, and zoloft increases serotonin but also has a mild dopamine increasing effect. they say the reuptake ability of zoloft isnt involved in its AD effect but I definetly think it plays a major factor.

Effexor helped with depression but increased anxiety and my SA. I had to take 3mg of klonopin with it for anxiety support. I didn't want to be on 2 meds for social anxiety and depression so I switched to zoloft. It has allowed me to cut my klonopin dose to 0.5 mg a day...amazing