Is Effexor for anxiety?

My doctor prescribed me effexor because I suffer from extreme irritably, mood swings and become very anxious. So anxious that at times I can't go to sleep or if I go to sleep I wake up in the middle of the night. I was only taking the effexor for a few months and then I stopped because my family scared me into thinking that I would never be able to get off of it. While I was taking it I was so relaxed and I slept through out the night. I loved it. When I stopped nothing happened. I was prescribed 37.5 mg, which my doctor told me wasn't addictive. Would I be okay with a low dosage like that? It also worked as a dietary supplement I lost weight easier when I was on it and when I stopped I gained it back. I am a depressive eater. When I was taking effexor I was 230 pounds now I am 260. I just called to see if my dr can prescribe it again. The side effects were dry mouth and fatigue. I also tried paxil and did not like it. I just really want to know that I will be ok taking this drug on a long term basis. Suggestions?

[cnote]

Effexor is for anxiety and depression. My Dr. might try me on it. Right now he's got me on Paxil 10mg and I'm not seeing too much of a change on it.

If you liked Effexor, had no side effects, and had no problem coming off... (which, you should always wean, even if you didnt have any problems stopping cold turkey), then talk to your Dr. about getting back on it.

That is if you are having anxiety again. Don't just take it b/c you want to lose more weight.

Hope this helped. =)

[Paxiled]

You've answered your own question -- you took it and it helped.  The worst thing about both Paxil and Effexor is they have a lot of side effects and are very hard to quit, but you didn't have that problem.  And no ssri or snri is addictive.  They can be very hard to quit because they alter how the brain normally works, but they're not addictive.  Not that that word really means all that much when you're talking about medication you need to function.

[shonsmom]

That helped a lot. Good Luck when you try it. I saw so many horrible comments about effexor but I guess everyone's reaction to meds are just different. No a perk was that it curbed my appetite but I wouldn't take it just for that reason. I am getting very anxious and irritable more and more. I think it's best for my health and I don't want my kids to suffer.

[shonsmom]

Thanks for your help! I'm gonna tell my family that I will be okay. I need it to function. People have all these myths that they believe to be true about certain medications.

[remar]

It's true that we are all different and respond to the same med differently. I did take Effexor for 5 years and it did help my anxiety.
So if anxiety is your main problem then this med should help you like it did before.
Make sure you go for regular checkups to get your blood pressure checked and things like that. I would recommend that no matter what med your taking. I hope you feel better soon. Take care. Remar

[AnxietyTed]

37.5 is the lowest amount is it not? I know it goes up to 300mg and some times above for certain cases. I'm on 150mg. That is a very low dosage that I wouldn't worry about especially if it helped!