I am one of those who have responded well to effexor. I have taken this med for 7 years now , and it is by far the longest I have been able to take a med with positive results.

I have a particularly severe, at least for me, form of treatment resistant clinical depression with psychotic features. For me, that means I can go from zero to suicidal, really crazy suicidal , in no time at all! For that aspect Effexor as been a life saver for me!

I currently take a very high dose of 600 mg (I have been on that dose for 4 yrs)....along with welbutrin, provigil and my anti-psychotic, clozaril.

I know the feeling of floating through life and Prozac was the med that did that for me........I HATED it!!!! But we are all different, and how meds make us feel are different also!

The only thing that I feel VERY STRONGLY about, is NO anti-depressant is a "HAPPY PILL" for someone who suffers with this illness. To refer to any medication as a "happy pills", in my book is to cloud the picture of how devastating this illness can be to a person and their family, along with adding to the overall stigma associated having this illness and asking for help.

I am sorry for the above rant, and it was not directed to anyone.....it just is a very personal thing for me and others I am sure, so thanks for listening .