Hello Jeff,
I took Effexor for 6 months. The best way to describe its effect on me would be to say "I felt like I didn't care" while on it. Normally, I would become very emotional over the tiniest things, but with Effexor, that didn't happen. In fact, it was difficult for me to feel much of anything. So there was a "trade-off" in my case. I didn't feel as sad (which was great)....but I also didn't feel anything else either. Not happy or excited....just sort of "flat."
For awhile, I welcomed the numbness and feeling unemotional. Hey, it was better than feeling awful! But, with time, it bothered me that I couldn't laugh, couldn't cry watching a sappy movie, etc. My pdoc adjusted my meds, lowered the dose, but the result? Well, I became depressed again. Now I've moved on to another medication, Cymbalta.
I hope the new meds help you. On a brighter note, Effexor was the first thing I'd ever taken to actually "work" at lifting me out of a depression. I just wish it would've allowed me to feel the "good stuff" too, so to speak.
Smiles,
Jenna