I first remembering feeling depressed when I was about 15 I remember writing in my diary that I wanted to die. I am now in my 40's and I really dont know what has kept me from committing suicide. I guess its the not wanting to hurt other people, but sometimes the pain is so bad that I go to sleep hoping that I die in my sleep. For the last 2-3 years I have tried different meds. Prozac, Paxil, Celebrex, Zoloft, Lexapro. None of these worked for me, although I may not have stayed on them long enough, or been prescribed the correct dosage. I recently went back to the Dr and explained that I felt all the meds I tried are SSRI's and they didn't work, so why couldn't we try something different. She prescribed Effexor XR 75mg once a day and .05 mg klonopin, but I'm only suspose to take that when I feel very anxious. Today is day 14 for the Effexor and I really dont feel like it is working. I dont have any side effects except for a decrease in appetite. I am just wondering... should I give this medicine some more time to work? I was suspose to go back and see the Dr a week after I started taking the meds, but I wanted to give it sometime to see what would happen. Anyone have any advice? I hope I can also be of help to some of you. Thanks in advance for your replies.

effexor takes three to four weeks to kixk in. Another idea would to use combos/cocktails for better results such as effexor and wellbutrin, or effexor and lithium. Anyway give some more time and hopefully all will work out

take care
trg247

Thanks for the reply. I just wish I would start feeling better. Every night I just wish I would fall asleep and not have to face another day. Depression is such an ugly feeling. I dont think anyone truly understands when you try to explain to to them unless they have experienced it themselves.

Most people only experience depression on a small leve ie. their friend moved away. It is very difficult to describe what depression is. I have had it for forever and there is no way I could, at least in a way where people can see it. I think one of the better descriptions is life is like a mountain and happiness is at the very tip. A depressed person would slowly climb up that mountain, the depressed persons friends and family quickly reach the tip but the depressed person still climbs. As night falls everyome slides down to the bottom

take care
trg247

Neither Effexor or Klonopin are safe to take on an as-needed basis. You said that your doctor told you to take them when you feel anxious. Taking them intermittently, would bring on withdrawal symptoms everytime you go off of them. If you've learned anything about Effexor, it's that you don't want to miss even one dose. It can be a bear to get off of.

I think that Schupp was referring to taking the klonopin on an as-needed basis, not the effexor. :)

Schupp, 75 mg at the 2 week mark didn't seem to help me, either. It was only after several weeks and gradually raising it to 100 mg and now 150 mg that I'm noticing a definite improvement in my depression. 75 is considered a low dose, and in any case it may take several more weeks for you to notice any positive effect.

Good luck!

Oops - should read " Hyundai was referring to......."!

Hyundai, I just want you to know I'm in the exact same situation. I can't find the right med either and I've been depressed on and off for 25 years.

I wonder if I'll ever feel right. I'm going to have to make another doctor appointment Tuesday because the increased Lexapro is not pulling me out of this depression.

I pray my dr. has another idea...I've tried just about every med.

Hang in there!

Salty

I've been dealing with depression all of my life just about and have wished myself dead many times. I don't anymore cause I got two boys that I live for and two cats. :) But I've been on anything and everything and the only thing that worked for me along the way is the Effexor. Give it a good two months to kick in and to get going through your bloodstream. I started at 38.5 and moved all the way up to the maximum dosage of 300mgs. Finally at that is where I've stopped off and am happy most of the time with little bouts of depression every once in a while.

Keep on trying. I know it sucks to be a guinea pig, but when you find the right dose, you'll be glad that you got there!

TammyShell

I'd say give the Effexor some more time. Like Guinea said, it can take several weeks. If it still doesn't work, you can try a combo. Maybe Wellbutrin and some other drug, since Wellbutrin can be a very effective antidepressant but can cause anxiety/irritability. Also, don't be afraid to try some of the older antidepressants such as Tricyclics or MAOIs. They have more side-effects but can be more effective.

Good luck!