"i have been on effexor xr (now the generic) for 18 years! i suffer with anxiety and panic. i went as high as 150mg and then stayed at 37.5mg for years. when break through panic comes in i up my dosage to 75mg then taper down again. i have tried to go this medication but my panic just comes back. i thank my lucky stars that there was a medication out there to help me with functioning in the world. i am 54 and i plan on staying on this medication until i am 104!"