What is your experience with effexor?

Question

Have battled mild depression almost whole life and looking for relief. Some one said she was so happy she couldn't stand paxal and went off of it. I just want to enjoy the things in life and not be so tired most of the time. I tried zoloft and it was okay for a while and then I was tired of being tired. The tiredness hasn't gone away. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Zoloft is usually considered one of the more sedating SSRIs.  Prozac is one of the SSRIs that has activating properties.  Effexor effects serotonin and norepinephrine in ur body.  The increase in norepinephrine is where it gets its energizing properties from.  It is definitely worth while to try an antidepressant that well help u feel more activated during the day.

Answer 2

Effexor doesn't usually produce the fatigue associated with SSRI's like Zoloft or Paxil.  Atypical antidepressants like Effexor or Wellbutrin are considered "energizing".

If the fatigue was from your original depression, though, and not a side effect of Zoloft, keep in mind that it may take up to 6 weeks for the drug to help with your depression and fatigue, and even then the dose may have to be adjusted and more time taken to figure out how well it works for you.  This can take a lot of patience, but it's worth it to find the right drug at the right dose - and to not give up on a drug that is right for you.