Effexor and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nor...
• September 3, 2011

For Depression "I took Effexor XR 150 mg for a good 10 years for depression. Then, I switched to Zoloft due to what is considered a side effect of Effexor: elevated liver enzymes. On Zoloft, I felt more anxious than I did on Effexor, but not overly so. It was tolerable. I continued to have the same liver enzymes while on Zoloft. It turns out the enzyme issue is not related to the medication alone, if at all. I had a stressful life-changing event and felt very anxious. I know I felt much less anxious on Effexor, so I asked to be switched back, and I was. The doctor made a general statement that he wants me on what works best for me. However, I'm pretty sure he didn't buy my anxiety theory."

• Eli...
• November 25, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Eli...
• November 25, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for 3 years. The only side effects that have been bad were ones caused when my doctors advised me to increase the dose. This caused me to fall asleep in classes, gave me severe anxiety attacks, paranoia, and bipolar-like symptoms. After taking matters into my own hands and suffering through the horrible withdrawal, which felt like being hungover and having the flu at the same time, I am on a better dosage. This dosage has allowed me to continue living my life to an extent. I do suffer from the mild side effects and am afraid to sleep during the night at times due to the intense dreams that I have. Overall, more good than bad."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2016

For Depression "I had a lot of side effects on Effexor 37 mg-dry mouth, constipation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, ringing in ears, nausea, shakiness, more anxiety, and so on. I don't remember having all these with Lexapro or Zoloft a few years ago. At least not to the same degree as Effexor, and if there were any side effects, they went away after a few weeks. I switched back to Zoloft 25 mg, and 3 days in, I already feel better-no more feeling wired or jittery. Effexor is not the med for me. It did help the depression, but the crazy side effects aren't worth it to me. I do have a friend that's been on it awhile, and it works great for her."

• mcp...
• November 24, 2015

For Depression "I had been on Cipralex (Lexapro) for about a year when I noticed I was feeling too tired all the time for my liking. I asked about SNRIs because they tend to give more 'energy.' I got switched to Effexor and didn't have a good experience at all. I couldn't stop thinking about terrible things, I had bad anxiety, excessive sweating at night, and my heart would race too much too often. I had to get off after 9 weeks because it was not working for me at all. It made me really appreciate the escitalopram I was taking before. Clearly, different antidepressants work differently for others. I'm just sharing my own experience. Some may do really well on Effexor, unfortunately, I didn't."

• med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2021

For Depression "So I started taking this drug about 2 weeks ago and have severe depression and anxiety with extreme self-esteem issues, and I have been experiencing a lot of different emotions right now. I have a lot of down and depressing moments when I’m alone, to the point where I get panicked about how I’m going to react to certain situations, as I feel like I’m going to overreact to the point of snapping at people, especially my family and friends supporting me right now. I have also been having tremors in my legs, and my breathing can get out of control at times. Everyone taking new medication will always react differently, and it can take time to settle in, but I can honestly say if these symptoms persist, I will be going off this medication. I really hope it starts to kick in a few more weeks' time."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2016

For Depression "I was prescribed venlafaxine about 3 months ago for depression co-morbid with anxiety (mostly social in nature). During the first week, side effects included feeling 'strange'/'spaced out' and jaw clenching. I still have mild anxiety 'jitteriness,' some foul-smelling flatulence (!), and limb twitching/achiness. I don't really know if it has worked for depression, so I give it a modest rating. I do feel slightly better, but I don't know if I can credit the drugs because I made some significant lifestyle changes. As for anxiety, I do feel less hesitant in conversations and less obsessive over saying something 'awkward.' I think this is because of the drugs, but unfortunately, these social improvements haven't really translated into improved confidence."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2016

For Depression "I tried Effexor about eight weeks ago, for a few weeks. Terrible medication! Racing thoughts, my anxiety level went skyrocketing. Soon after I started using the drug, I started to emerge strong and badly violent obsessive thoughts, albeit I am usually a very kind, easygoing, and non-violent person. No, I did not implement these thoughts, thank goodness, because I understood them as obsessive thoughts, which were caused by the drug. I had no appetite and had to force myself to eat or drink. It was really scary. It took weeks to recover. I was suggested to try it again last year, I said absolutely no! Never!"

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2021

For Depression "5 weeks in on Effexor and up to 112 mg. Sleeping better. Fatigued through the day. Have to motivate myself to do things, but fine when I do it. Mental tasks are more draining. Exchanged anxiety for lethargy. Hoping this will lift as the weeks go on. On the whole, a positive for me."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2022

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for years. I got a new batch and I am having severe anxiety and major withdrawal symptoms. I stopped taking them and used some old ones I had as extra. No anxiety and no withdrawal. What is happening??"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2019

"Have been on Effexor for a year now for my anxiety, and would say it has worked for me. I am on 225 mg and still get some anxiety but can control it. I would recommend it, but only if SSRIs don’t work. I have taken Lexapro in the past but it would make me feel wired, and I did clench my teeth at night. Effexor was hard to start on until I got the right dose."

• IPl...
• July 10, 2017

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for a while now, I would guess three years. I don't know if it works or not, to be honest. The past few years have not been normal by any means. I had a lower back fusion in 2009 but bounced back fast and continued my life. Missed a year, though, of baseball. Then, while playing, I broke my neck, yes, my neck. That ended up also getting fused. My ill-advised comeback resulted in three shoulder surgeries and a broken arm. I didn't handle my dreams of being crushed well. Super depressed that I was no longer an athlete. I have bad, bad pain every day. I am married with two little kids, and I became anxious every morning not knowing if I could play with my kids or not. Still have bad anxiety and moderate depression."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor. I have tried many drugs but found that 'in my case' they are not necessary. I went for an ultrasound on my carotid vein. The doctors said the flow was in the normal range, but you could see that they were narrow. I went out of the country to have them widened. No more anxiety and depression. Drugs are cheaper and more profitable than minor surgery. I will return for stents."

• loo...
• October 22, 2007

For Depression "I noticed when I took Effexor and Adderall together, I got extreme anxiety attacks or panic attacks where my heart would just start randomly racing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2016

For Depression "This drug ruined my life. It made me delusional, paranoid, aggressive, short-tempered. As a result, I lost my partner, my job, and my house. Don't take it!"

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2015

For Depression "Would have been good for just depression, but I am suffering from anxiety too, and that seemed to get worse. So overall, didn't help. Might be good for just depression though."