Effexor and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2009

For Depression "I've been taking Effexor for 5 years now for depression. As far as my mood goes, it works wonders. I'm a completely different person, and it's awesome. As far as side effects go, I have had some sexual ones, concentration issues, and short-term memory problems. I'd rather deal with those than the depression, though, and if I forget to take one or can't afford to get them right away, all hell literally breaks loose. I get dizzy, emotional, and aggravated. All I want to do is cry and sleep."

• Dru...
• November 26, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "It works well. I did gain weight with it since it does affect the regions of the brain associated with this, but I simply try to stay fit by exercising (which helps my condition as well) and eat healthy foods. Be religious in taking your daily dose, though! The side effects are quite debilitating. This includes being completely useless for anything, sleeping, really weird dreams, and the vertigo described (quite accurately) here as an electrical zapping sensation. Any time you move your head or eyes, it feels like a bzzzzt. Also heed the warning of interaction with alcohol. ONE very occasional glass of wine or beer, but that's it! Mixing this medicine and any alcohol beyond the occasional drink and you'll get seriously messed up."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I have used a few different antidepressants over the years, but when I started getting panic attacks, my doctor put me on Effexor. It works well for me. Missing a dose is the worst thing, though. If I wake up in the morning feeling hung over, dizzy, and useless, I know that I forgot my pill the day before. It takes several hours after taking it to begin to feel better. I recently switched to taking it at night because then, if I miss a dose, the horrible side effects will come at night and I can just take a pill and go to bed, but I am finding that if I don't take a sleep aid, I am up after 3 hours (like right now) and end up having to take a nap the next day. I am thinking that I better go back to taking them in the morning."

• 911...
• December 21, 2015

For Depression "I was given Effexor after Lexapro stopped helping me. I was on it approximately 1 year. But what I know now, that I wish I would have known then... the withdrawals are horrible! I am dizzy all the time, feel like the room is spinning. The pharmacist said this could last up to 3 months. I went off of it very slowly! I have been without it for about a month now. I have never been an addict of any kind, but I feel like one with this. I know that taking more will make these side effects go away, and I think about this pill all day, every day. Please research before you start this medication. I would not wish this on my worst enemy!"

• 911...
• December 21, 2015

For Depression "I was given Effexor after Lexapro stopped helping me. I was on it approximately 1 year. But what I know now, that I wish I would have known then... the withdrawals are horrible! I am dizzy all the time, feel like the room is spinning. The pharmacist said this could last up to 3 months. I went off of it very slowly! I have been without it for about a month now. I have never been an addict of any kind, but I feel like one with this. I know that taking more will make these side effects go away, and I think about this pill all day, every day. Please research before you start this medication. I would not wish this on my worst enemy!"

• Hel...
• March 13, 2017

For Depression "Started Effexor 75 in October, started feeling fantastic besides dry mouth and a bit of nausea. Doctor upped it to 150 mg in November. I felt like a whole different person, I got my life back, but due to some side effects of the drug causing constipation and facial twitching in my lower lip and body jolts, the doctor tried to wean me off 150 mg, taking one pill every second day. It was too fast, too soon. Wow, just as well I didn't do it cold turkey. Brain zaps, crying, feeling lost in my own body. Scared, tremors. It has been almost two weeks with no Effexor, and I have got vertigo, felt like I was going to die. Today, I started taking 150 mg again, and I already feel a difference. This could be my drug: huge difference in mood, zapping gone, and dry mouth is back. I can live with that."

• Sar...
• June 26, 2017

For Depression "So this drug really helped with my depression, but it also has some bad side effects. Please, please, please never skip a dose of this stuff. You will feel like absolute trash. As long as I take it every 24 hours, it works perfectly for both my anxiety and depression, but if I miss a dose, the side effects are awful. My whole body feels like white noise, my limbs buzz, I'm dizzy and nauseous, and can barely concentrate. Also, I don't know everyone else's experience with the medicine, but I used to be on the 150 mg dose, and let me tell you, I couldn't orgasm no matter how much I wanted to, and it sucked. I know it was the medicine's fault, 'cause when I lowered my dose to 75 mg, I could orgasm again. The medicine ridiculously lowers my libido."

• aca...
• December 10, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Zoloft, Lexapro, and Effexor. Effexor has been the one that worked for me, the other two were nightmares. I took Effexor during a particularly bad time after high school, and it saved my life. I had wanted to die back then. Just recently, these past couple of years, I've noticed my depression creeping back, and the death of a family member has added some anxiety in there as well. I told my doctor I needed something, or I was gonna spiral downward. I am taking the lowest dosage, 37.5 MG, I believe. It's been two weeks, and I've had some expected side effects: nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, and a little bit of dizziness. Nothing terrible. Within three or four days, I noticed a change. It's worked for me, and I'm glad I'm back on it."

• Liz...
• October 26, 2012

For Depression "First time writing on here. Been on Effexor (instant release tablets) over 4 years. Average dose I hovered around was 400 mg/day. At first, I liked how it made me WANT to get out of bed in the morning, upped energy levels, and didn't turn me into a zombie. After a few months of this, I started getting a 2-3 hour block in the day when I'd have indirect, immobilizing anxiety. Thus, my doctor threw Wellbutrin at me, which did tone that down for a while. Then, very slowly and without me attributing the following behaviors to the Effexor, I started to: take the first half of the day to 'get going', get dizzy 80% of the time and always out of breath, binge drink for a few month-long chunks on end, not sleep, lose weight, become rather apathetic over more and more."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2018

For Depression "I was put on Effexor 75 mg for the first week, then 150 mg after that. It made my depression worse, I felt worse than I had in years and almost cost me my job. I slept for almost 20 hours a day, was dizzy, and overall felt like a zombie. I had to quit after less than two weeks, the side effects were so severe. This drug is nicknamed 'SideEffexor' for a reason."

• jme...
• July 31, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Effexor for about two years. Previously, I was taking Lexapro and went off it for a short period of time. I returned to my doctor, and he prescribed Effexor, 75 mg/day. I experienced improvement with my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Like everyone else, I feel it (dizzy, hungover-like symptoms) when I miss a daily dose. I experience constipation and don't sleep as deeply or through the night like I used to. These side effects are on the list for this medicine - so, no surprises here. I give this a rating of 9 because it is very helpful to relieve the symptoms of my depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. And, it helps to control my moods so I can better manage my emotions."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Pet...
• February 21, 2017

For Depression "My doctor prescribed 37.5 mg to me. I took one at 3:00 p.m., and by 7:00 p.m., I was feeling dizzy and nauseous. I actually was able to fall asleep but woke up several times during the night with horrible nausea, shaking, anxiety, weird dreams, and a lot of gas! Thank goodness I had Zofran for nausea, or I would have thrown up. I also had to take an Ativan for the anxiety and Imodium for diarrhea. It's now 5:00 p.m. the next day, and I'm just now feeling better. I know others who use Effexor and love it, so it does work for some... just not for me. I called the doc, and she quickly switched me to something else."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2016

For Depression "Please everyone make sure you are emailing Pfizer. They need to be making increments of 5 mg so that people can wean themselves off easier. They are aware of the withdrawal from Effexor yet have not made smaller increments, so people have to figure out ways to do it themselves. I was on 150 mg for 4 years. I attempted to go off by decreasing by 37.5 mg every 2 weeks. I was suicidal, exhausted, dizzy, and felt like my brain was being electrocuted. Within 2 days of taking my previous dose, the symptoms went away. My next attempt to get off was much slower. I decreased by 5 mg every month. I had to take my pills out of the capsule, shave a little off the pill, and put it back in the capsule. To get any kind of accuracy, you have to buy a scale."

• kma...
• January 4, 2012

For Depression "I have suffered from MDD, GAD, SAD, OCD, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD for the past 25 years. I have tried several other SSRIs and was recently switched to Effexor XR. I was prescribed 37.5 and was to build up to 150 mgs. The side effects were so severe I could not get past the initial dose. I took it for the past 6 weeks, and it abruptly quit working. I could not tolerate increasing to 75 mg. I will be switching to Celexa. The side effects include tachycardia, sweating, hypostatic, extreme blurry vision, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and weight gain of 5 lbs. I experienced 'spatial disorientation' where I would get waves of vertigo. I had great depression relief for about 3 weeks, but the side effects were too numerous to tolerate."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• MAD...
• August 23, 2011

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor for 4 weeks. The side effects have been miserable. I have tried taking it in the morning and at night, but I'm always tired and dizzy. Sometimes I even feel like a zombie. I must say, the only good thing about Effexor (for me) is it has decreased my anxiety, unless I skip a day... then watch out and get out of my way. The comments regarding withdrawal scare me. Please tell me this gets better."

• mmf...
• June 23, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for 4 years. My doctor at the time told me I was depressed, but since then I was tested for severe sleep apnea. I have tried unsuccessfully 3 times to get off of it. I was taking 150 mg. One doctor told me to start taking the 150 every other day, then eventually stop. Horrible side effects: dizzy, irritable, bad dreams, sleepy, and general flu-like symptoms. I wish I had been told about the possible withdrawal symptoms at the time my doctor had given it to me. Effexor gave me sweats, and I've gained a ton of weight. My new doctor has me on Wellbutrin and is slowly lowering the dosage. I'm on 37.5 right now, and so far, so good."

• Map...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2020

"Awful experience. Only took it for 6 days after GP prescribed it for nerve pain. Massive continuous headaches, vision affected, couldn't focus my burning eyes. Constant nausea and dizziness. Sense of taste affected. Very difficult to think coherently. Made me miserable with pain and new symptoms. Avoid at all costs. It took weeks for the side effects to subside, vision improved, but not as good as before taking this medication."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 29, 2016

For Depression "This med worked okay for me, but then I got used to it, and I have to increase it. I personally think that my body builds up a tolerance to it. If I take these meds late, I get terrible night sweats. Coming off these meds was terrible. A GP advised me to go 'cold turkey,' and I had nausea, vomiting, so much crying, felt hot and cold, and dizziness. I also had some really bizarre dreams when coming off these meds. This med, along with Cymbalta, is hard to come off of."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2009

For Depression "Just finished coming off OxyContin after 6 years of use. Took Effexor 75 mg throughout. Now a member of NA and tried to wean myself off - horrible side effects from the withdrawal, dizziness, panic attacks, severe depression, and social withdrawal. Went back on at 75 mg and now feel that the drug is pretty hard to get used to again. Can't seem to win."

• Dan...
• September 12, 2011

For Depression "I was only on venlafaxine for a few weeks, and it didn't help much. Then I read all these reviews about the weight gain, blurred vision, and terrible side effects. So I decided to stop taking the medicine since I had the lowest dose possible and had only been taking it for a short, short time. The withdrawals are almost unbearable. I cry for no reason. I can't sleep, I vomit every day, and I can't judge distance with my eyes. I feel like my eyes are just floating in my head. Every time I stand up, I get severely dizzy and feel like I can't move."

• 51...
• October 8, 2015

For Depression "I was put on Effexor for depression and anxiety. (Was on Paxil for many years.) I told the nurse/practitioner I felt pretty good but always wondered if there was 'something better.' After starting on Effexor, I did have vivid dreams, and headachy, nausea, and dizziness, and was unable to have an intense orgasm (always fell short). The big problem came when I ran out of pills, and they wouldn't refill until I saw a nurse. So without my pills for 3 days... OMG! Terrible withdrawals... dripping with sweat, terrible headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, to feeling hopeless and extreme dizziness. Awful!!! Don't run out! I was terrified of going off the pill (switching to Wellbutrin). Day two on half a tab, and so far so good! :) Effexor may have its place... just not with me! :) You need to wean off them slowly!!!"

• 51...
• October 8, 2015

For Depression "I was put on Effexor for depression and anxiety. (Was on Paxil for many years.) I told the nurse/practitioner I felt pretty good but always wondered if there was 'something better.' After starting on Effexor, I did have vivid dreams, and headachy, nausea, and dizziness, and was unable to have an intense orgasm (always fell short). The big problem came when I ran out of pills, and they wouldn't refill until I saw a nurse. So without my pills for 3 days... OMG! Terrible withdrawals... dripping with sweat, terrible headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, to feeling hopeless and extreme dizziness. Awful!!! Don't run out! I was terrified of going off the pill (switching to Wellbutrin). Day two on half a tab, and so far so good! :) Effexor may have its place... just not with me! :) You need to wean off them slowly!!!"

• Kit...
• January 24, 2016

For Depression "I'm only 18 years old, and I have been put on some of the worst drugs ever. From Zoloft, Concerta to Venvanse to Prozac, and now Effexor. Effexor was actually a little bit worse than Prozac for me. Both of these drugs made me quit having regular periods. But, especially with Effexor, I had cramps almost the whole month rather than just the week of my period. I craved food less, and I found it difficult to stay hydrated. I have nightmares almost every night. I've been on drugs since I was 13. Effexor makes everything difficult to remember. I've attempted to go cold turkey, it does not work. The dizzy spells, muscle spasms, and stomach cramps increase. When they wear off, I find myself having more panic attacks and depressing thoughts. I'm only on the 75 mg."