Effexor for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2018

"Horrible experience that I feel left me permanently damaged. Prescribed 37 mg for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Every symptom it was intended to treat got worse. I got so drowsy that I fell asleep through a 12-hour work shift as a caregiver, the client had a fall and I did not wake up. I could not open my eyes no matter how badly I tried. Detoxing was worse. Unbearable body aches that made me more depressed than I’d ever been because nothing relieved it. The brain zaps made me break down into a full panic attack, crying every time because they were so painful and agitating. I’m 3 weeks off of it and having bizarre behaviors that I NEVER had before, even in my worst depression. I’ve had to give up my car keys due to bad impulses when driving suddenly, with no warning and for no reason, I am unable to work because of my mental state that is NOT going back to baseline with time."

• PSS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2018

"Effexor has destroyed my life. It's given me PSSD (Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction). It basically chemically castrated me. I experienced the sexual side effects while on the med. Stopped meds under Dr. advice. Sex drive never returned, and it's been 13 years. This is purely the worst drug that has the potential to destroy a person's life forever. STAY AWAY. DON'T RISK THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS THAT WILL LAST FOREVER WITH NO CURE."

• Dep...
• February 22, 2016

"I wish somebody had told me how addictive this drug is before I started taking it. Had I known how bad the withdrawal symptoms were, I probably would never have gone on it. (Although that might be a good thing, as I need(ed) to be on it.) It has definitely helped. The worst thing is having to take it...literally. It's a full-out physical addiction. If we go somewhere and it doesn't get packed, I'm in trouble. It's not something to be taken for short-term or seasonally. Other than the withdrawals, the main side effect is sweating. I shower every morning, and by mid-afternoon, I have to put Kleenexes or some sort of absorbing pad in my armpits! In the past 17 years, I've also been on Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, and one other."

• Tin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2015

"I took Effexor for many years. I believe I was becoming resistant to it because it wasn't addressing my depression anymore. I tapered off as slowly as possible, and I can safely say it is the worst withdrawal I have ever had in my life. Nausea, dizziness, sickly feeling, huge brain zaps, lethargy, headaches. It was horrible. I am so glad to be off of it. My new medication, Wellbutrin and Lexapro, are much better at controlling my chronic major depression. I will never be off drugs, but I would never take this drug again."

• B-i...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2021

"I took Effexor for a number of years some time back. I recently started up again. I can say it balanced me out. Right now, I'm dealing with 'COVID fatigue.' I work from home, but I'm exhausted by the end of the day, and I shouldn't be. Here's a tip for getting off it: go down in dose for two weeks. Half the dose again for two weeks. Repeat until you're down to the lowest dose (37.5, I believe). Get some empty capsules (or empty out the capsules from an OTC supplement) and put half of each of the Effexors into those capsules. That's the lowest dose you'll get. I was able to wean myself off Cymbalta that way, and I was up to 60 or 90 mg/day. It took some time, but I had virtually no withdrawal."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2023

"So far, so good. I’ll repeat here what a number of people have written because it is so important: Do not rely on reviews to make a decision regarding taking any drug. The only good way to discover if a medication is for you is to try it. Just start at the lowest dosage possible and for this drug, it is 37.5 mg. Starting off taking it every other day is also a good way to test the waters. For me, I am just coming out of three years of hell, and finally, there is hope. The only side effect for me so far is an increase in dreaming and the occasional unpleasant but tolerable nightmares. However, I have used various methods to lift the depression and do not believe the Effexor alone is responsible for the improvement. To maximize chances of success, don’t expect this, or any other drug, to take care of everything by itself."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2016

"I have been on Effexor now for almost 6 months. I take a combined dose of 75 mg and 150 mg at once (225 mg). I started at 150 and was given the 75 mg a few days later to help with my anxiety. The meds do make me 'numb' to emotions, and they do help with my depression and anxiety. I have good and bad days. Sometimes my meds will make me sick to my stomach, I often feel dizzy and feel brain zaps and 'electrical' zaps down my arms and fingers. It often takes away my appetite, and I have lost weight. I often struggle with constipation too. And sometimes, it makes the voices, depression, and anxiety worse. Compared to other meds in the past, Effexor is better. On good days, I feel better and turn from a realistic viewpoint in the world to a more positive one."

• Dan...
• August 19, 2015

"Increase dose more slowly than the doctor says. I was convinced I was actually in hell for a week after increasing my dose for one single day. It helps my situation, but it ruins my memory, kills motivation, kills desire or will to do anything. A cool and crisp morning loses that good feeling, and your sleep sucks, causing you to be tired all day. I would recommend taking a dose only on days you feel awful. Maybe 15 mg. I regret taking this every day. The withdrawal is worse than alcohol, tobacco, and other SSRIs combined."

• Eli...
• November 25, 2014

"When I first took Effexor, I was in the first few days a bit jittery, but then I felt like I hadn't felt in years or ever. It was such a godsend. Then, with doctor's advice after approx 12 months, I went off it. I went on it two more times, but my dose was higher and higher-no real help to me. Then, the third time, I went off my head on it. The anxiety was woeful, so severe. I phoned up the helpline for mental health and got the usual spiel-give it time, yes, it can cause that, speak with your doctor, and so on. I read how this can happen, then whamo, it works. But I had already been on it before and never had such side effects. It was horrible and scary. My personal experience is two opposites: good and horrible."

• Cos...
• December 7, 2015

"I stopped taking this medicine briefly, for around 5 days, due to the 'speed effect' and had to go right back on it, due to brain zaps! I was (and still am) only taking 75 mg daily (once in the am). I take 1 mg of Xanax daily, but if I take it AFTER the Effexor, it won't work. I decided to switch it around and take it BEFORE the antidepressant, and it works a LITTLE better, but not much. I used to take it early in the afternoon and was up all night. Now, as long as I take it before 1 pm, I sleep fine. I've been taking it since January of 2014 and have noticed me being much calmer, still anxious at times, but much better than before prescribed to me! It DOES cause weight loss, drowsiness, and fatigue if I take it while lying down."

• dgd...
• May 5, 2016

"It took 3 years to figure out that it was the Effexor that was causing my constipation. I was given more prescriptions to counteract, but that just didn't work, it actually moved me to beyond the other end of the spectrum. After forgetting a dose and experiencing withdrawal symptoms, I immediately wanted to get off, but because I really didn't have any other options, I just continued on. I have tried many other different medications to help cope with depression and anxiety, Effexor seemed to work on the brain, but what it did to my guts is far worse. Multiple imaging, ER visits, unnecessary surgery, and even a trip to the Mayo Clinic to figure out why I couldn't poop. To me, Effexor is poison."

• Jon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2022

"Very strong for major depression, but effective. When you are ready to come off, one should be hospitalized, in my opinion. If not, when the doctor tells you to wait three days before starting a new medicine, don't go straight onto it."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2018

"I was prescribed 37.5 mg of Effexor at the beginning, then to 75 mg, then up to 150 mg. At that time, I started having nausea. My dose was raised up to 225 mg, and there it got really bad. Strong nausea, vomiting, brain zaps, anxiety so strong I could rip off my skin with my hands, stomach problems. I wasn't suicidal for a long time, until now. I thought my harsh past was the worst time of my life. No, this is so much worse. I was not able to see my psychiatrist, so I had to deal with it alone. I lowered the dose, but I still had all these effects. Right now, it's a day I'm off. I'm feeling brain zaps, a fever feeling, can't do hard work, can't walk fast, difficulty eating and digesting, and anxiety. I've read some people responded well to this antidepressant, but if you are about to start taking this, don't. You either take it and it works, or it will bring you down, it's not worth it. Stay away from this, please."

• Joy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 26, 2021

"I was prescribed Effexor after taking Prozac for anxiety and depression. Prozac made me more suicidal and depressed, hence why I switched. Effexor 30 mg is by far the worst medicine I have ever taken. I had terrible night terrors, I sweated a lot for no reason, I sleepwalked a lot, I was angry all the time for no reason, no sex drive, and when I did have sex, I could never enjoy it to completion. This medicine made me feel crazy. I'd give it a negative 10 if I could. I ended up back in the mental hospital, and the doctor suggested I take more!! I completely stopped taking it one day cold turkey, and I am finally back to feeling myself. Avoid at all costs!!"

• Pur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2017

"I have fibromyalgia, and the doctors also diagnosed major depressive disorder. After a few attempts, I was prescribed Effexor, but I was never warned of the side effects or the horrible withdrawal symptoms if you ever want to stop. Research it first, I wish I had. I could not get my prescription for 4 days once, and I felt like a drug addict, throwing up, sweating, headache, chest pains. It was severe. I think dying would have been a welcome option at one point. All because I had not realized I was out of refills. Anything that severe is not safe for your body. Now, I am stuck on a medication that has made me feel worse until I can slowly wean off that, it may take a year plus because it impacts your entire body when you cut back slightly."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2016

"On Pristique for two years with good results, then started getting really depressed. Doc prescribed 150 mg of Effexor for six weeks. I didn't feel any better and was having horrible nightmares and constipation. I was so disgusted, so I weaned myself off over a period of six weeks. I thought I was going insane, the nightmares increased, and I was jumping out of bed during the night with leg cramps, was nauseated and dizzy. When the dizziness got so bad that I fell down, I went to the ER, and they told me that was withdrawal symptoms and to go back to the doc. Now I am down to 37.5 mg a day. Nightmares not so severe but have terrible leg cramps. Hope to be off after one more week."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2017

"Makes me very fatigued. Almost zombie-like. I have a hard time concentrating on anything. Hoping it just takes some time to get in my system and work correctly. If not, going to see if I can get in something different."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

"I've taken Duloxetine for years for major depression/osteoarthritis, but it never did much. My new psychologist wanted me to go off Duloxetine and try a different A.D. (Pro-tip - Duloxetine can be titrated off of QUICKLY (within 2 weeks) if concurrent, temporary therapy of low-dose Prozac is performed at the same time. 10mg Prozac is sufficient to prevent brain zaps and withdrawal syndrome from Duloxetine). I started with 75mg of Venlafaxine the first week. I didn't feel quite right, but not so bad that I felt I needed to report anything. After one week at 75mg per day, I began taking 150mg, a doubling. One day at 150mg was nearly the end of me. Immediately after it 'hit,' I became hostile, aggressive, suicidal, and unable to calm down."

• Noa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2022

"First week took Effexor 37.5 mg, second week 75 mg, third and fourth weeks 150 mg. Starting fifth week with 225 mg. So far still depressed, but Cymbalta took 8 weeks to kick in then was only good for 9 months, so I just have to be patient. No side effects so far. Will give another review when it kicks in."

• Tan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 13, 2023

"The only way for me to describe this is to look at depression/anxiety as if there is a veil over you. The veil still allows you to see but is always there. Anyhow, I checked into a 90-day mental hospital for soldiers, and that day I was literally a lump of flesh that couldn't see past the moment I was in and basically lost all of my give a damn. I was given Effexor the first day and mirtazapine at night to help with sleep/night terror. Moving ahead like three days, and that's where it felt like the dark veil was lifted off my eyes and chest. At first, because it had been so long, I felt mentally okay when I woke up. After about a month, I was able to actually stay focused all day without any sort of symptoms. I am not saying this medication will make all of those bad thoughts stop, it suppressed them enough to make the time I am awake tolerable. I am starting to taper off them. I had a period of time (4 weeks) to be exact. These medications work, however, getting off them is tough."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2018

"Within the first week of trying Effexor, I noticed it made me go to the bathroom excessively, and I lost all of my sexual sensation. I did stay on it for another month to see if these symptoms would level out with time. They did not. So after 8 weeks, I am back to the drawing board to see if something else can work better."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2015

"Don't take it. Your emotions become dull and feel fake. Even your laughter feels fake. Your sleep becomes horrible. You overeat because you don't care anymore. The first week you feel like you're on meth. It feels great. Then it wears away and you become a dull and empty mess with memory problems and no motivation to do anything, including getting off of the medicine. It's easier just to take it. I'm in my second week of withdrawal. I would just take 8-10 beads when I would get dizzy, and it would go away. ez-pz. My depression did come back even worse. Maybe it's my mind's way of telling me I'm not doing anything to make my life better. Maybe I should change my life instead of taking a pill, especially this pill."

• Mjd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

"I wanted to share my experience with Effexor (Fluoxetine) for anxiety, panic attack disorder, and depression. I'm a 28-year-old girl. I have been taking Effexor 75 mg for years but no results at all. Then my psychiatrist augmented the dose to 225 mg, which works greatly now with all my disorders. I'm also on 100 mg Sulpiride, which blocks perfectly black persecutive ideas and helps reduce my anxiety too. But here is the problem: I faced an important lack of libido and anorgasmia and a delayed period due to the high dose of Fluoxetine probably. But after months, I'm taking an infusion of Fenugreek seeds. I'm not drinking every day but at least twice in 28 days, and it really helped with the side effects of Effexor."

• Sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2022

"Many years ago, I took Effexor with wonderful results. After ineffectiveness, the doctor switched me to Paxil, which helped for 5 years. That too became ineffective and put me back on Effexor. An absolute nightmare! The doctor has been weaning me off for about 2 months, and I have constant lightheadedness, no energy, and very sad. I have never had withdrawal symptoms like this. I can’t wait to be off of this medication and to be reintroduced to another medication. I've been on about 5 different ones in 6 months! Really can’t wait to try something that works! My life has been close to hell! Never again."

• Mrs...
• August 21, 2020

"I took this Effexor medication for major depression and anxiety for 10 years. When my mother died, I was under so much stress, not thinking straight-I decided to go off Effexor and straight onto Zoloft (as I thought it had stopped working), and in turn, I ended up with my first panic attack, mania, and later a psychotic break (the whole time I did not understand what was happening to me). It was the scariest experience of my life. It landed me in a psych ward for days, where I was almost attacked by another patient twice (you never want to go). It's dangerous, and I was given strange drugs/injections, which made my reaction more horrifying. I couldn't communicate that I stopped Effexor because I couldn't remember. I was treated horribly. Once out, I was put back on an SNRI, and then my brain started to work again. If I had known this reaction was possible, I wouldn't have started it. I nearly died and need therapy due to the trauma."