Janene Bond
Hello fellow Lupie, The Effexor is an anti-depressant. It is to help you from being effected quite so badly by depression. With Lupus, depression and stress are probably the main triggers for a flare. The anti-depressants don't give you a "high", they help you have a general feeling of well-being. It helps protect you from upsetting circumstances and helps you feel a bit more confident in handling situations and circumstances more efficiently without letting things "get to you" quite so badly. If you are extremely upset it exacerbates the lupus symptoms and the pain medication doesn't work as effectively. So, that's the reason Lupies take anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety medication. Stress and anxiety are the top two enemies of a Lupie. I've had Lupus since age three and I will turn 50 next week. So, I've had lots of experience with Lupus. Note however, that I had classic Lupus symptoms for 46 years before I was diagnosed correctly. I have RA, Fibro and a whole pile of the regular tag-alongs of SLE. Also, depression is both a symptom and a cause of flares - that is why it is so important to try to keep your spirit at peace during stressful times. If you have any other questions I would be happy to help you with a good variety of web resources and personal understanding. Both my legs are now cripple and I'm bedridden without ankle to thigh leg metal braces and cane, or wheelchair so I'm on my computer quite a lot and I would be honored to help anyone, any way that I can. May God richly bless you. Sincerely, Janene Bond St. Louis, MO