Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• Scr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2015

"46, Male, No previous mental illness. SYMPTOMS - Racing thoughts and worry causing panic attacks, fluttering heartbeat, insomnia, and mild depression. SIDE EFFECTS - Nothing terrible. Dry mouth, made some bad habits worse, like grinding teeth, gnashing tongue, chewing inside of lips. Increased libido with delayed, but intense orgasm. Loss of appetite, lost 11 lbs in a month. GOOD EFFECTS - Completely took the edge off of everything. No racing thoughts, no panic attacks. I am able to focus on tasks better. Made me very agreeable with family and friends. I seem to love my GF more. Things that irritated me about her don't anymore. So far it's been a good drug with no adverse qualities worth worrying about. I took Zoloft first, it made me suicidal"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2012

Venlafaxine "This medicine has helped me overcome my addiction to alcohol. I was self-medicating for years not knowing I had underlying anxiety and depression. Now that I am taking this combined with regular AA meetings, I no longer have any desire to drink alcohol. It's been a miracle, and I am starting to become the person I once was."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2019

"I've been on venlafaxine for 2 years at 225 mg. Amazing medicine. I don't mind withdrawal because I'll never quit. It's smoother than other SSRIs, has a small half-life, so you can easily sleep at night. Don't read all these horror stories. The side effects for me lasted a maximum of 4 weeks, so take time off your schedule. My advice would be to take 75 mg in the morning and keep one in your pocket to use as needed. Keep in mind that after 150 mg, it works as an SNRI, so you will have a boost of energy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2012

Venlafaxine "Effexor saved my life 2 years ago. I was extremely stressed, anxious, and feeling as if suicide would be the only way out. This turned everything around. I have gotten two promotions at my job, my social circle has increased tenfold, and I always feel on top of my game. I have gained 20 lbs but probably because now I actually go out and do stuff. The withdrawals do suck at first if you forget a dose. I was scared to try it at first but I'm glad I did."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2022

"Have suffered horrendous anxiety for years. Tried every type of medication to no avail. I currently take propranolol to help heart rate and shakes, but had a bad few years where even this wasn't helping. Was put on mirtazapine (highest dose) for a year, this only helped my appetite, so I then became housebound with agoraphobia. I was at my wits' end until I was given 75 mg twice daily of venlafaxine. Now, at first the side effects were nasty, very nasty. I'd feel extremely nauseous, yawn every minute followed by gagging sensations, and completely lose my appetite. Also, when I went to bed, I'd shake, sweat, and feel very agitated. This lasted for about 2 weeks, and then all of a sudden they disappeared, and I feel amazing. Nerves have gone, and I honestly feel like a new man. I don't even have brain fog anymore. It's like somebody went into my body and took control. Best drug ever. Highly recommended for anxiety and depression."

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

"I am so excited about my initial experience with this drug. For the first time in 13 years of treatment for anxiety (GAD & social), I have experienced an extended period of relief. I took an SSRI for most of the past decade, and it seemed somewhat helpful but never really gave me sustained relief. I am now at 6 weeks on Venlafaxine (75 mg for 12 days, 150 mg for 30 days, now at 225 mg), and I am feeling much calmer. Most exciting, I still get panicked thoughts, but don’t seem to have the associated fear feelings. I am so hopeful that this will last! Side effects are very noticeable but bearable: headache, some nausea, minor dizziness, a dry mouth, and frustratingly slow urination. I hope those will go away with time, but I’ve been on the 225 mg for a week, and they have been consistent. If it means I can live without the constant struggle with fear, then it's worth it."

• fee...
• September 1, 2010

Venlafaxine "I've been taking Effexor for about 20 months and it's my MIRACLE! I'm 34 and began taking medicines since I was 18. I tried Paxil, Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin, and finally Effexor. I am so genuinely happy and jubilant, I just can't believe it. I'm sure part of it is maturity, life experience, and such but WOW. I plan to continue taking it forever as my anxiety is not situational in some cases. I have a chemical imbalance that will require medicine forever so this is the one! I've never been happier!"

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2015

"This medication gave me back my life. I take 75 mg twice daily of the XR, and for me, it's the perfect dosage. I wake up every day feeling hopeful and great. I used to suffer horribly with stress and anxiety, it was crippling. Thank goodness for this medication, because other meds didn't help, but this medication did."

• kns...
• February 9, 2010

Venlafaxine "This drug worked within a few weeks to alleviate panic attacks, stress, and anxiety. I still get stress and anxiety but not about everything like before. The overwhelming stress and anxiety I had before taking the drug caused me to be depressed as well... crying a lot, etc. It helped with that too. I am able to cope better and don't emotionally eat causing me to lose 25 lbs pretty quickly. I have been on 75 mg for almost 2 years now and don't plan on going off it anytime soon. The only thing that is a little scary is when I miss a dose, there are almost immediate side effects. I get cranky and get weird electric-like zaps in my head (hard to explain until you experience them)."

• mag...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 10, 2023

Venlafaxine "Initially, 20 years ago, Effexor XR pulled me out of despair and intrusive thoughts. Twenty years on, and for some time before I realized, I have had no motivation or energy while on this drug. I have tried to come off it with my doctor monitoring me, but the withdrawals are so debilitating that I had to go back on them each time. They have sucked the life out of me. While I am not depressed, I have no energy, no motivation, and I don't enjoy life fully or love fully. I am a completely different person now. I used to be full of life, energetic, and on top of my daily chores, but now I have trouble getting out of bed. I've dealt with all my issues through counseling, and they don't bother me anymore, but the tablets have taken a lot from me. I am determined to get off them, even if it means going through severe withdrawal to get my life back."

• Eat...
• June 21, 2015

"I've never taken another medication for my depression (which usually manifests itself in anxiety), so I can only compare it to not being on medication. It has, overall, changed my life for the better. I suffered for over ten years before I finally sought help, and I haven't had a panic attack since I began taking it. Also, I no longer feel sad for reasons I can't explain, and, in all other ways, am still myself. The only problem: a significantly lowered libido. It doesn't bother me that much, but it certainly bums my boyfriend out. However, I believe that my anxiety and depression were more detrimental to a healthy relationship than the lowered libido is."

• bis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 15, 2018

"Weird drug. I think it helped at first and really eased a lot of the really dim days initially. I continued to take it over the course of several years, and in hindsight, I don't think it was quite right for me. I became a bit out of character, high-strung, and weird. Maybe slightly bipolar but possibly a reaction to very difficult times and lots of change. Some of my worst periods of mental illness were on this stuff; my doctor had me on 300 mg+ at one point, things were very flat, dysphoric, and my adrenals were certainly working. I was a bit suicidal and a little detached at points. I eventually ditched it, experienced some lack of energy, brain-zappy withdrawal for a while. I spent a few months drug-free, then found meds I suit a lot better. If you're still feeling depressed/despaired and it seems like your perception of the world has become cold/weird and you're agitated, I strongly advise you to speak to your doctor and try something new."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2013

Venlafaxine "I started on Effexor XR 37.5 mg 12 days ago. Prior to this, I had been on Lexapro 20 mg for 8 weeks for extreme anxiety. The severity of my anxiety was so shocking on Lexapro after the 8 weeks compared to the commencement of Lexapro. I had heard so many people have success with Lexapro on review sites, but for myself, it was a nightmare. After 7 weeks, it felt like I was in a hole. My doctor took me off immediately without even reducing the amount, and within 5 days, I felt so much better with a significant reduction in anxiety. I still needed support, so my doctor put me on Effexor 37.5 mg, and within 5 days, I felt much better, then went to 75 mg. After 10 days on this, I am already starting to feel better, with anxiety problems only now and then."

• Hap...
• November 1, 2011

Venlafaxine "On 75 mg once a day in the morning, and I feel great! Before, I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store. Now, I have no anxiety at all and can live a normal, happy life. Effexor has given that to me. I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life, and that's fine with me. I tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. I tried Celexa, and that was awful-major headaches with that one. I also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hours a day, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Recently, in July, I went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

• Mar...
• November 11, 2011

Venlafaxine "I am so thankful for this medication. At first, I was terrified to take any medication since the only pill I've ever been prescribed is birth control. Being a military wife with a one-year-old daughter and relocating and being away from my family, anxiety hit me hard! I would lay in bed thinking that I would NEVER feel normal again. I was prescribed Effexor XR 37.5 mg for the first week or so, and I did not have any side effects from it and actually felt better within days! Now I am at 70 mg and I feel great. No panic attacks, no anxiety! If you were like me a couple of months ago, sitting here wondering if you should ask your doctor about trying this medicine, GO FOR IT! You can and will feel normal again."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2012

Venlafaxine "I was prescribed this medicine after being hospitalized in a mental facility. I was previously taking Zoloft and Wellbutrin, which stopped working for me, and the increase in dosage led to an increase in depression and anxiety. I have to say Effexor beats any anxiety medicines I have ever taken. This medicine makes me feel normal. The only downside is the side effect your body has if you miss a dosage. I began to feel light-headed and very emotional if I miss more than one dose."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

Venlafaxine "Before I started taking Effexor, I would get severely depressed, anxious, and my brain wouldn't stop. I have been on Effexor now for 4 weeks, and I feel good. I don't feel so anxious or down on myself. Even people around me have commented, and they don't know I am taking pills. The side effects I do feel are as follows: nausea (went away after 2 weeks), loss of appetite, no sexual desire, and blurred vision. Sounds like a lot, but I'd rather deal with these issues than be on a constant downward spiral."

• mel...
• September 18, 2016

"I've been taking 75 mg of Effexor (the generic one, vena something) for about a month now, and I love it. After several years on Wellbutrin, this is so much better. Wellbutrin, I think, made my anxiety much worse. I was only on 150 mg of it. When my doctor gave me 300 mg of it, I had a horrible reaction and was moody and mean and awful. Effexor is such a relief. It helps so much. I feel better than I've felt in years, seriously. I started working out, I'm less over-emotional, I'm not depressed. I don't fly off the handle when I'm upset now. I feel like I can finally deal with things better. I also suffer from severe PMDD, which makes me a miserable and angry person for two days a month, and Effexor has helped tremendously."

• Cus...
• June 14, 2017

"I have been on venlafaxine now for two years. In that time, I have stupidly made attempts on my life. After trying citalopram and other antidepressants, I have to say venlafaxine has given me control over my anxiety instead of it controlling me. The only way I can describe it is the drug has opened a door. It's taken all this time to appreciate it because it's frightening to step outside your comfort zone. There is no magic pill, you have to try yourself, but I've found venlafaxine has given me those opportunities to better myself that I just didn't have before. It's a very good tool but isn't a quick fix."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

Venlafaxine "I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder 10 years ago. I also struggled with panic attacks and depression. I could feel the positive effects of the medicine right away. Because of its immediate fix, I would recommend this to someone who has severe anxiety. The negative things I can say are that it is extremely hard to come off of. The withdrawal made me feel like I was crazy. I took myself off of it too quickly. I had hallucinations, tremors, and anxiety attacks. So make sure you use your doctor to wean off of it."

• jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2015

"I really love the outcome of venlafaxine ER, and I'm currently on 225 mg. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with dysthymia, and it's helped a whole lot for me. It's helped me make a positive turnaround and meet the love of my life. I would definitely recommend Effexor (venlafaxine). I feel like a new person."

• Cyb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

"I forgot to take venlafaxine 225 mg for 5 days (not out of neglect, but because of severe bone socket pain after the removal of my teeth). What followed was horrendous, to say the least. I was urinating uncontrollably and had diarrhea that I couldn’t hold onto. I was so physically sick. As I was consumed with getting the pain in my mouth eased, I totally forgot my important meds. Please don't ever do this. I lost all my confidence that had built up over many months."

• Byr...
• February 12, 2019

"I can't rate this medicine just yet because it's only day 4, but after the first few days of nausea, headaches, and a foggy feeling, I smiled and had good thoughts today. I know it's way too soon, and I'm only on 37.5 mg so far, but I have a good outlook on this medicine now. I see my therapist on Monday, and I'm hopeful for the first time in a long time after battling this for 11 years. They started me on buspirone 15 mg, and it did absolutely nothing. I started lashing out and hated every moment of it, so after 2 months I tried 20 mg Celexa, and again nothing, but I was hyper the first few days, then went to lashing out again at everything. I couldn't drive to work without freaking out the entire 15 minutes. I was supposed to try Pristiq, but my insurance wouldn't cover 400.00 and said they would cover Effexor/venlafaxine. I'll update in a month again, but give it a try."

• Dro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

"Given venlafaxine at the lowest dose of 37.5 mg for 5 weeks. Very manic feeling followed by very sleepy. After 5 weeks, decided to come off them. VERY, VERY difficult, brain zaps, mania, anxiety through the roof and couldn't settle down. If you are taking this drug, beware: missing a dose is very, very bad on your body. Now a week off it and am taking diazepam to remain calm during bad moments. Would NOT RECOMMEND."

• Rid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"This drug venlafaxine was a nightmare for me. Problems started after the first dose. The expected dry mouth, but also severe nausea. After the second dose, the nausea was the most extreme I have ever experienced, and I began to vomit. Completely killed my appetite. Unable to sleep and spent the second night pacing, suffering anxiety attacks and taking Gravol. Day three even worse--another night of no sleep and a day of throwing up. Day four added diarrhea to the mix. Called Dr and said I would rather deal with the anxiety I had before starting. Just a horrible experience."