"as with all antidepressants, i tend to peak after about 5 years and my medication begins to lose its efficacy. this is the third time i have had effexor prescribed, and each time the results have been better than with any other antidepressant. i actually enjoy parts of my life and sleep like a baby, which is a true blessing, because i have fibromyalgia and the accompanying insomnia so common with fibromyalgia. several years ago my brother-in-law was having trouble with his depression medications so i told him to ask his doctor about effexor. he has gone from suicidal to a fairly happy fellow. this medicine has literally been a life saver in our family."