"i was first prescribed effexor 13 years ago and was taking 225 mg. i was on it for a few years and stopped taking when i was pregnant with my first child. i was put on paxil (gained so much weight) and then zoloft. i took the zoloft off and on for years until it just wasn&#039;t working for me anymore. i was then put on welbutrin while still taking 25mg of zoloft. i quit smoking (had no desire to smoke) but then became suicidal. my doctor then put me back on effexor and i currently only take 75 mg. i feel amazing. yeah the side effects are bad, i&#039;ve gained weight (lost weight the first time i was on it), have sexual side effects, and get quite shaky/jittery if i&#039;m late on a dose. but i&#039;m finally the mom i&#039;ve always wanted to be."