Venlafaxine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Faithy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2016

"Started out on 300 mgs 1 x per day. Can't say it helped or didn't. The dose was lowered to 75 mgs at one point to see if it was the reason for my memory loss. Supposedly I had an acute stroke with partial blockage in my neck. I have been on it 15 years doctors recomendations. Last 7 years have been on 150 mg's 1 x per day. Mind comes and goes. Sometimes I can't remember my husbands name. I had no visual signs of stroke. They said it was an old stroke I never noticed. I also take xanax 2 mgs per day. Gabapentin 300 mgs per day. Geodon 40 mgs per day. Bisoprolol 10 mgs 1 x a day. Diabetic. Take insulin. Anxiety is gone. I do need to figure out what is causing my memory to come and go. Wondering if anyone else has this problem on Effexor ER."

• STM
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2021

"I've been on this drug for almost 6 years, starting at 75 mg and going up to 300 mg for the last 3 years. In my experience, the withdrawal effects do far more harm than any benefit from this drug compared with other anti-depressants/anxiety meds. Missing just one dose wreaks havoc on my sleep - night sweats, vivid dreams & nightmares, and extreme difficulty waking, like can be in dead sleep for 15+ hours. Within less than 24 hrs of a missed dose I get brain zaps (terrifying and unpleasant), body aches, and feel blurry/confused. Worst of all (even worse than brain zaps, which are awful) is the deep depression that comes with missing even one dose. Have been tapering off this drug with the help of a new doc and the effects aren't as severe but definitely still have a long way to go. Am writing this review in the hopes that it will help someone else considering this drug be more informed about how hard it is to withdraw than I was! It may not be this severe for everyone, but be cautious!"

• Withd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 6, 2023

"I was prescribed Venlafaxine on the day it became available in 2004. I had sustained a right prefrontal lobe trauma in 1994. Ten years later, I was so depressed and angry due to the TBI. I also suffered from PTSD due to work conditions. Venlafaxine calmed down my anger and depression immediately. Working with teenage males, I would tell them, 'You're lucky I'm on meds, or you would see another person!' RISK! Venlafaxine is not a benzodiazepine. It shows up in your urine if you have to submit a sample for work or legal issues. Withdrawal from Venlafaxine must occur slowly (gradually decrease mg) and under the care of a doctor. Withdrawal is wicked! All nerve endings are buzzing. A person brushed against my coat and I thought I was going to jump out of my clothes. I felt electrical, gastrointestinal pain and overall, had a miserable experience. Whereas this medication worked for me, I suggest seeking out another and avoiding all benzodiazepines (Xanax + others)!"

• Taurus
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 5, 2022

"Venlafaxine has done wonders for me (Bipolar 300mg daily, in addition to Seroquel 300mg daily). Major drawback, however, is the withdrawal symptoms. I was addicted to opiates over a decade ago and I would argue that it's worse withdrawing from Effexor than it was opiates (completely different experience - electrical shocks in my legs with each step I take, feeling as if something is crawling inside me, etc.,). My Mom is prescribed it, too. A couple of years ago, she decided to stop taking some of her prescriptions to save money - she was freaking out. As soon as she took one, within twenty minutes, she felt better. I live 30 miles from any pharmacy so getting there to pick them up has been an issue in the past. When I start getting low, I almost panic and make arrangements ahead of time. Because of this, I worry that I'll never stop taking it."

• Jen
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2022

"Venlafaxine makes me very hyper, restless and manic. I've gone off it once, I have never felt so physically ill in my entire life. It is awful. I'm on 375mg a day, as a bipolar and ADHD . No idea what they been thinking. I'd stay away, unless you really want a manic relapse."

• qwert...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor is the only medicine that helps my depression. Only side effect, was sexual dysfunction but now that is completely gone. I take 187.5mg a day."

• SLP...
• July 6, 2013

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Worked within one week. Took years ago, stopped, recently placed back on it, 75mg with Lamictal 100mg. Life back to 75% normal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 28, 2012

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Very difficult to stop taking it"

• svert
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 15, 2013

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Great miracle."

• tighab
• April 8, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "It caused a severe reaction for me. I started going into hyper-mania with racing thoughts, anxiety, trembling and upset stomach."

• Ms J
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"Saved me from severe insomnia anxiety rage and mania."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2009

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I'm on Effexor 150mg. I was on 75mg but my doctor upped it as I was still not feeling good. Feel better now but don't advise coming off yourself as the coming down effects of it aren't good."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "In my case it triggered a manic episode, so I'm no longer on it, but a family member takes it for clinical depression and has seen wonderful results."

• Nayski
• May 7, 2009

Effexor (venlafaxine) "This medicine saved my life."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "This is the best medicine I have been on in years. It gives you a continued feeling not a low or uncaring feeling."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2011

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I take Effexor 2 x daily. If I don't take it then all I get done in a day is crying. It has worked very well for me."

• bipol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

"I have rapid cycling bipolar and this along with metazapine has been fantastic. The only side effect I have recognised is weight gain but this was minimal."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have tried Effexor XR no good for me. I found it to be nothing but a sleeping pill."

• Zak
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2020

"Excellent drug"

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Its very good. Your day will be started off on a good track."

• vics
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 8, 2018

"I took this for severe mood disorder/bipolar"

• drugc...
• June 25, 2010

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Made me sleepy but, as I've been on it for years, it doesn't have that effect on me anymore. No other side effects. Also, helped with my trichotiliomania."

• Dizzy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2015

"Started it in March 2015 . Decreases my appetite , withdrawal over 3 days ..terrible . Feels like my head is swimming . Sense of well being has noticeably improved ."

• waudet
• May 14, 2009

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I have a patient who was a wreck until he was started on Effexor. He has to take a large dose, but it works."

• ert
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2017

"While effective for bipolar depression,this drug gave me constant daily migraines, that does not respond to any medication, that was agonizing pain. Couldn't tolerate this any more."