Effexor experience. I think it was great with my depression. I had a side effect that these rural folks (I am one of them) around here couldn't wrap their head around - thinking I was having some health issue and saw a neurologist and other specialists,, you name 'em.
It was "battery head". I found it on the internet and it described exactly what I was feeling. It lasted 5 months beyond termination from the Effexor. At the time I started taking it, it wasn't listed as a side effect. I called the pharmaceutical co. re: how long it would last. It varies.
I think one of the reasons that it is so hard to get the docs to understand is that I had difficulty describing it. It's like feeling the little synapses in the brain firing. Anyway, anytime I hear about Effexor I warn people about that potential side effect. It's my understanding it is rare. But if you get it, you need to report it. When I found the info on the internet about it, I sent it to every specialist I'd seen. btw, they couldn't find anything wrong with me thus I had more negative thoughts, etc. re: myself though I wasn't in the program at the time.
I was taking a large dosage. As I said it is rare, but it is something to watch for. It, to my knowledge, doesn't cause permanent brain damage or anything but it's like a brain tic.
Other than that starting a year or so after I started taking it, it was great. I continued to take it until I took that info from the internet to the pdoc. Probably about three years total and it worked great for the depression.
I take 400mg. of lamictal now and have side effects from it. It's weighing the options. benefits vs. side effects
Okay that's my story with Effexor, I loved it, but I couldn't live with it.