I have taken Effexor XR for about 5 years, which followed a course of
Paxil. The
Paxil was preceded by a course of Zoloft. The anti-depressants were given to me because I have a physical disability with chronic pain, and anxiety that began at the same time as the pain. Anxiety was the worst, but as my life tanked from inability to do many things, the depression grew. Zoloft did not help much; I gained 60 lbs. on Paxil. When switching from Paxil to Effexor, I lost about 20 of the 60lbs.