"this medication has helped me immensely!  i tried lexapro, but had too many negative side effects.  effexor took about 6 weeks to fully work, but it really brought me out of the depths of my anxirty fuelled depression.  i finally feel myself after many years of living in the fog.  the side effects for the first 2 weeks for me were: insomnia, increased anxiety/depression, hot flashes, and nausea.  these all disappeared after the initial 2 weeks and it&#039;s totally worth getting through that rough patch.  once effexor started working i thought, omg! i&#039;m back!  my body is dependent on it, though.  if i miss a dose, i get dizzy and nauseous.  just know you must wean yourself off and not go cold turkey so you don&#039;t feel sick."