I'm on Effexor for anxiety that I developed after a bad car accident, and general sleep and mild depressions issues.
I know all the horror stories you've read...I've read them too, and talked to my dr. about them. I really trust her, and she sd. there are far more success stories.
It has been great for me. I totally respect the other experience that was posted here, but for me personally, I feel CALM and in control, not numb (or overwhelmed and impatient, as previously). I've been able to gracefully handle a lot of situations that would previously have stressed me the heck out.
It hasn't hindered my sex life. I WILL say...I originally LOST weight on Effexor, but then gained it all back and then some. And from one time when I ran out, and thought I could handle going off cold-turkey....yes, withdrawels are the very devil. However, I cut back from 150 to 75 with no problems at all at one point.
I did have EXHAUSTINGLY vivid dreams that went on all night and left me feeling like I'd been in an Indiana Jones movie
in the morning. This got better when I started taking my meds at night instead of in the morning.
Overall, FOR ME, it has been a good thing, and I do NOT want to go back to what I felt like without it. However, for other people it's a nightmare. Good luck!