I haven't tried Effexor, so I can't comment on that. I'm taking Zoloft and it seems to help me.

Susan

Susan , thank you for your reply !! I am going to give this a shot and if it doesn't help then Zoloft is my next option.
May I ask if you got anxiety or panic attacks ( and slight depression ) before the Zoloft and also did it seem to lessen any of your fibro symptoms ?

Thank you so much for you reply ahead of time. Blessings , PJ

I have anxiety and depression, I guess. I don't have panic attacks. I've been on an anti-depressant for so long that I didn't know how I would do without it, so I went off of Zoloft recently and have been without it for a month. I felt real edgy and would get frustrated easily, and I felt heavy like I was trudging through water. I was also really down and getting hopeless, so I started back on it just this week. I feel lighter, more at ease, and more like myself, so I guess I really do need it. I think it helps with the fibro symptoms because maybe it helps to keep you moving more because you're not so down. I hope that helps.

Susan, thank you for sharing your experience with medication with me.
I have tried a couple other anti-depressants but my family told me I didn't seem like myself, my brain didn't work right and I felt agitated and edgy. So I stopped taking them. But my anxiety and depression are getting worse. The doctor said that Effexor is a different class from the other ones that I tried so I am hopeful it works. It's only been a few days but I think I feel better. I was getting 3 hrs sleep a night and I've been sleeping better the last 2 nights. And, the pharmacist said that it does help lessen fibromyalgia symptoms for some people. That would be wonderful.
I know it doesn't seem like much but even a few days of relief from the anxiety/low mood is worth it.
I really appreciate you responding ! Gentle hug and keep me posted on how you are feeling ! Blessings, PJ

I am going to have to remember zoloft the next time I talk to my dr, I have been through so many meds, and it doesn't seem like they are very effect. I have always been an edgy person, but the only one that lasted the longest for me was prozac. I took it for years, but it never helped with anything other than depression. I took a few different meds for my anxiety, which I get a lot. I wouldn't sleep no more than 2 hours of very broken sleep for years, and they say that is my major problem. I would look into Tai Chi to help with the anxiety and the fibro, it gives some serene calmness to the day, and it helps with the stretching us fibro sufferers don't always do.
I hope the meds help you, and hopefully it gives you some relief from the fibro. Even a few mins of relief would be amazing. Anxiety and depression is very hard to get under control, especially for those who suffer from things like fibro. I know my stuff has gotten worse over time, and I always seem to have to change my meds for something that is stronger because they lose their effectiveness the longer that I live with fibro, anxiety, depression, and little sleep.
Good luck and I hope it all works out, I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you! Thank you for your posts, it helps me see that I am not alone.

Effexor worked great for me until I started getting tachycardia and had to get off it. I hope it works for you.

Works okay for me. I don't want to try anything else because it is hard changing. What is tachycardia Bluesky?

I took effexor in college and i remember it stopped working after awhile but the withdraws to get off it were awful, i had to leave classes for a few days i was just sick going off it. I am on remeron for an antidepressant with rexulti and prazosin for nightmares and klonopin and it works great for me. Remeron is an old antidepressant. I hope it works well for you :)