TREATMENT DATABASE
 Effexor is chemically unrelated to the other antidepressants and has a unique mode of action, blocking serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine reuptake.
USES IN ME/CFS: Many patients report that Effexor worsens anxiety, and, paradoxically, depression. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, including dizziness, nausea and headaches. Dr. Jay Goldstein commented that, while Effexor may have been marketed as "the best thing since sliced bread," his experience taught him to view it simply as another alternative treatment, rather than the most effective antidepressant (CFIDS Chronicle, Physicians Forum, Fall 1993). Dr. Goldstein reported nausea and hypertension as possible side effects.
| Rating | Side Effects | Reason for Treatment | Dosage / Duration | Age | Sex M/F | # of years Ill | Additional Comments | Illness Severity | Date Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Anxiety, hypertension | chronic fatigue syndrome | 3 day 30 mg 1X day | 47 | Female | 3 | It really helped my fatigue and sleepiness, but I had to go off of it because of high blood pressure. | Moderate/Severe | 12/22/18 |
| 5 | None that I can remember, so if I had any they went away quickly. | Since I had been sick for 2 years with an unknown autoimmune disease, the doctors were afraid depression would set in. I was finally diagnosed with CFS/Fibromyalgia. | 5 year 75 mg 1X day | 58 | Male | 7 | This medicine reduces anxiety and helps a little with the pain. | Moderate/Severe | 08/14/19 |