Effexor and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2010

For Depression "I was given Effexor XR for depression. I had the usual side effects at first: dizziness, nausea, weird dreams, and tingling. I was able to beat most of these by taking the medication at the same time every night. The downside was if I was late by a few hours taking it, the dreams and tingling feeling returned bad. I was started on 75 mg, and that worked for a few months, then the dosage was upped to 150 mg. This worked for a few months as well, then I hit rock bottom again and the dosage was upped again to 225 mg. Unfortunately, this only worked for a few months. A year after this, I was given it again, this time, it only worked for a couple of weeks. This was not the medicine for me."

• Eri...
• November 22, 2016

For Depression "If you are thinking about taking this, do not do it. Ask your doctor for something else, anything else. Effexor is horrible. I was put on it due to depression and generalized anxiety. Within the first few weeks, I was emotionally numb, I wasn't sad anymore, but I couldn't feel happiness. Six months later, while still on this, I became suicidal and self-harming, my heart rate started increasing due to my anxiety to the point where I was hospitalized. After that, it was decided I was to come off it, now coming off it is even worse than being on it: shaking, dizziness, headaches, puking, sweating. I've only been off it a week, and already I can feel my mental health calming down. Avoid this drug. Please. For your own safety."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2009

For Depression "After I started taking this medicine, I got Restless Leg Syndrome - when I went off of the medicine, it went away. I was always tired while taking the medicine. When I quit, I got dizzy twice and fell within the first week after I stopped taking it."

• nrd...
• December 30, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "Someone here said: dizziness and 'brain jolts' = YES! This is what happens if I miss a dose. Add to the dizziness, nausea, and irritation. I want to go OFF this medication - and feel trapped. I have gone to 37.5 mg, but my doc has suggested I go to a psychiatrist to get recommendations on how to go off this medicine without the horrific side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2017

For Depression "I suffer from severe anxiety and mild depression. I had no idea how this was ruining my life. I was so nervous to try medication but finally got to the point that I was desperate. Tried Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Celexa. Felt awful or had such strong side effects that I couldn't continue them. Finally tried Effexor at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks were absolute hell. So sick and emotions were all over the place. I was about to give up on it, but my doctor suggested 75 mg. Wow! What a difference. Still have the side effects (nausea, constipation, some dizziness, loss of appetite, brain fog) but hoping those go away as I'm only on week 3 now at the new dosage. Mentally, I'm already feeling better! Not sure how much for my anxiety, but definitely for depression."

• rb1...
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "Went on Effexor Aug 2015 through Oct 2015, improved depression, however, did not really feel any joy either. Effexor helped with diet, appetite declined, which I was happy with, as it allowed me to lose weight. Effexor/Venlafaxine did cause me to get angry and acquire a bad temper on occasion. The primary problem I had with Effexor/Venlafaxine, though, was that it caused terrible constipation. No matter how good my diet was, it didn't matter. I ate steamed vegetables and fruit, with occasional lean meats, and cut out junk food. I took psyllium every day, added Miralax, and drank plenty of fluids. I had no choice but to come off the Venlafaxine, bowel movements came back about 5-6 days later. I did have minor withdrawal with dizziness."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Aur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2017

For Depression "Tapered off generic citalopram 40 mg after 12 years, just didn't work anymore. Then tried Effexor after reading great reviews. I took 75 mg a day, and into the 3rd week, I had severe pounding migraines, pressure behind my eyes, nausea, dizziness/brain zaps that were constant, crying fits, insomnia, but vivid active dreams when I did sleep, body chills, leg twitches, and severe terrible neck soreness. All these symptoms were happening at the same time, and a few times I had hard pounding fast heartbeats that I almost called 911. I think it may have been moderate serotonin toxicity. If you start this med, start at the lowest possible dose. It shocks your body. Doc wants me to try Prozac but will talk to my psychiatrist first. Bad withdrawal symptoms too."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• MeF...
• October 11, 2016

For Depression "Venlafaxine made me dizzy, gave me nausea and diarrhea. My anxiety increased because of the severe stomach distress this medication caused me. I felt all around lousy. Took medication for 2 months hoping the symptoms would subside. The problems just got worse."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have multiple health issues and am very anxious about them. Have been on and off Effexor 75 mg twice now (going off when felt better) over 3 years and just started again with anxiety about upcoming surgeries. Going on, I experience nausea and can only eat dry biscuits for about 2 weeks. Going off them the first time, no withdrawals, the second time was suicidal as I stupidly went 'cold turkey' - not recommended. Pupils dilated and some dizziness and sexual dysfunction (I think due to MS though), otherwise great. Day 4 now and already feeling less 'freaked out' about everything, but complete loss of appetite this time - not a bad thing after the summer indulgence. Have experienced insomnia this time, which I had not previously. Female, 37."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on 150 mg for 1 year now for anxiety. I have previously taken Paxil as well for years, but it seemed to have stopped working for me. Although Effexor has helped with anxiety (not a 'cure'), if I miss 1 dose, I experience the worst side effects: dizziness, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, headache. It has also significantly decreased my libido. I will be trying to come off of this and probably switch to something else because of this."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on 150 mg for 1 year now for anxiety. I have previously taken Paxil as well for years, but it seemed to have stopped working for me. Although Effexor has helped with anxiety (not a 'cure'), if I miss 1 dose, I experience the worst side effects: dizziness, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, headache. It has also significantly decreased my libido. I will be trying to come off of this and probably switch to something else because of this."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2010

For Depression "I am into day 4 of taking Effexor. I have been extremely nauseous, dizzy, and sweaty. I can barely eat and have lost water weight. Mood is great otherwise. I am told the nausea goes away."