Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 3)

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2013

"I started taking Effexor XR 150 mg 6 months ago after 8 years of no treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. I have to say this has worked great. I'm me again. I feel like I should have taken this 8 years ago when my problems first started. There are side effects, but I can live with them."

• tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2022

"I lasted 6 days on venlafaxine 37.5 mg dose, as it instantly crushed my libido. I couldn't think straight, but it worked somewhat on the time I was on it. The withdrawal from this stopped 1 day ago, and never in my life have I felt like this. I was the closest to a breakdown I've ever been, and I am a 27-year-old male. This stuff is poison, I beg anyone not to ever touch this. Literally, I have never taken a drug before that's brought me to my knees. I went on this for anxiety and stress, but this has crushed me mentally and physically. It destroyed my memory, the room is spinning, I'm sweating so badly, my body is in agony, it feels like I have horrendous flu, and I've never felt more depressed in my life or low. I don't know what this stuff is, but it has genuinely broken me. I cannot function on this withdrawal, I genuinely feel like going to the hospital. This stuff should be illegal. I don't know how this is allowed to be given out. Please do not take this stuff."

• Jay...
• April 19, 2017

"I started at a low dosage of about 30 mg (a little more), and that first week I felt high 24/7. I noticed immediately that my anxiety would not surface. It was like it was trapped. After that week, I went up to 75 mg. Slept a lot the first month. Always tired, going straight to sleep after work and sleeping all night. Never woke up tired though. It's been 2 months, and I think it's safe to say that I am stress and anxiety-free. The only thing I hate about it is the dry mouth all the time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2024

"This medication has been life-changing. I wish I would have tried meds sooner for my anxiety. The first 8 days were filled with brain fog, dry mouth, fatigue, but after that, it has been so great. I have energy now, no racing thoughts, and I am not irritable."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2020

"DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG, venlafaxine! I went on this medicine due to a temporary life event that caused a great deal of stress. Started at 75 mg and eventually moved up to 150 mg. I was not warned about any side effects or withdrawal. I had been on the med for almost a year and forgot to take it one day. By lunch, I was vomiting and felt horrible. It took about a day or two for me to start to feel better. I NEVER skipped again and was terrified of trying to come off of this medicine. I only stayed on it longer because I was afraid of the withdrawal. I finally worked with my doctor to try to come off of it. He was great and did what he could to make it tolerable. I still had to pull apart the capsules and take out a few of the balls each day. I felt awful: brain zaps, nausea, confusion, dizziness, memory issues, and headaches. If I had known how incredibly life-altering this drug is, I never would’ve started it. I have been 100% off of this drug for about 2 weeks now, and I still don’t feel close to normal."

• Oce...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 7, 2016

"While this medication calmed my stress, I wish I had never gone on it. I have been trying to go off it for two years. The withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. Brain zaps, anxiety ten times worse than before meds, isolation, low energy, extreme irritability, very quick to anger. No joy. I used to be a very happy and caring person. No more. I would never wish this on anyone else..."

• Jas...
• March 1, 2013

Venlafaxine "I started taking it about 3 months ago. It really changed things for me, especially with depression. Anxiety-wise, it has definitely made an improvement. The only complaint is that I think my libido is dropping. I started taking 150 mg per day a week ago. Anyway, if you are in absolute despair, I would recommend this medication."

• Rap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2020

"Been on venlafaxine for 7 yrs. After a long battle with severe anxiety and stress that led to long bouts of depression, I was finally prescribed venlafaxine modified release. Eventually settled on 150 mg, which slowly but surely started to work alongside my body, and I felt better. Missing 2 days or more was a nightmare and resulted in nausea, insomnia, jitters, and the horrible brain lag (the only way I can describe it). I'm now in a much better place in my life, and my doctor and I are decreasing my dose slowly. Long-term side effects I've had are a complete loss of any sleeping pattern combined with horrible night restlessness (feeling like all your skin is ever so slightly itchy), and now that my dose is being decreased, I'm noticing I'm having uncontrollable anger outbursts along with increased night tremors. If this drug works for you, the pros are greatly outweighed by the side effects. But those side effects can be debilitating sometimes. Take with extreme caution."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2012

Venlafaxine "About two to three months ago, I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety problems (extreme nervousness, nervous habits, and constant worrying). I took Cymbalta for about three to four weeks and absolutely hated it! It made me feel horrible, so I asked the doctor to prescribe me something different. He started me off on 35 mg of Effexor. I have to say, this medicine at first wasn't all that great either. For the first four to five days, I was extremely angry and annoyed about everything! I thought it was going to be hopeless, but finally, the Effexor got better, and now I'm on 75 mg a day. My mind is not constantly racing nearly as much as it used to. Every now and then, when I start to have panic attacks, I will have to take either 0.5/1 mg of Ativan to calm me."

• Cc2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2016

"I have been on this medication for 3 months, and it has given back my life! Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft didn't help with my depression or anxiety. After years of being on these types of medication, I must say this medication, 300 mg daily, has given back my life! I was an emotional eater. Since I have been on Venlafaxine ER, I have managed to lose 20 pounds. Downside, it does give me insomnia sometimes, I take Trazodone for sleep."

• Eff...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2023

Venlafaxine "My experience with Effexor XR is absolutely awful. I've had problems with anxiety in the past, but this drug has made it significantly worse. The side effects this drug gives you make it extremely difficult to even do basic everyday things like running errands. On this medication, I experienced lack of appetite, mood swings, and constant gastrointestinal issues. Not to mention the black box warning for suicidal ideation. If you're considering this drug as an option, do yourself a favor and do in-depth research."

• mum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2022

"Was prescribed venlafaxine in about May for severe anxiety. Before this, I was very severely ill and was tried on all sorts of antidepressants. The way I was feeling was that I was unable to go out of the house, as I had constant panic attacks, shakes, and IBS. I was just scared for my life, had suicidal thoughts, didn't want my children near me, but all this changed when I got put on venlafaxine. It has greatly improved my mental health. I started off on a 75mg dose, then, later on, went up to 150mg. Now, recently going through some stressful times, my anxiety has started to peak again due to stresses and strains of things in my personal life, so I have now been raised to 225mg. So far, so good, they have saved my life, and I'm getting back on track again to be the best mother I can ever be and not being afraid anymore and challenging myself daily."

• Ree...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2017

"4 weeks on 37.5 mg, and my irritability and anxiety are so much better. My horror week before periods is no more. The PMDS was well treated, as was the mild underlying anxiety felt during the rest of the month. Side effects for me were headaches for the first week, visual change (2 weeks), and feeling tired (lasted a few days). None of which would make me stop, given positive benefits."

• Aus...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2017

"I was prescribed Effexor 150 mg about ten years ago for anxiety and depression. I was experiencing a difficult time in my work life as a high school teacher, single parent, and also started drinking heavily. I gave up work and went to AA, and worked on improving my circumstances. With medication, CBT, and AA, my anxiety disappeared. In that time, I blindly took Effexor, nobody said to get off it. I took Effexor for the next ten years, going off once in 2009 by the suggested methods but eventually went back on because of anxiety. I decided to go off completely using suggested methods and was free of all meds in September 2015. I could cope with physical side effects, but mood, anger, and anxiety lasted another 9 months before I was free. I did this alone."

• old...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2023

"I am 75 and have always been anxious. A couple of events pushed me over the top. Thought death was the best option. Turns out I had severe anxiety and OCD. Tried a couple of meds but too many side effects. Started on 37.5 mg venlafaxine on Thanksgiving. Increased to 75 mg in early Feb., then 112.5 mg on April 7, and now to 150 mg as of April 14. I have a ways to go with both issues but am remarkably better. I feel at this point venlafaxine has saved my life. I am hopeful as time goes on, things get better as I have only been on venlafaxine 150 mg for a few days. Have never slept well and am sleeping better now, take the drug in the morning. A positive experience for me so far."

• Lpe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2019

"On venlafaxine, I had a big struggle to begin with, felt 'wired', and couldn't settle or sleep. However, once I changed to modified release, everything got much better. I would encourage anyone who struggles to begin with to persevere and change to slow release."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

"I was prescribed venlafaxine 37.5 mg for anxiety and mild depression and took it for almost 3 months. I could tell an improvement in my mood and how I felt within the first week. At this same time, I began losing my hair. Large amounts would come out when I would shower or brush it, and this continued the entire time I took the med. In 3 months, I gained 10 pounds, which could have been the result of feeling better, but my weight had never fluctuated that much in such a short time. I had more energy while taking it and slept less, and had no other measurable side effects. I actually did not want to stop taking it because of how much better I felt overall, but the hair loss finally drove me to stop. Withdrawal effects aren’t great, but were not as bad as I had prepared myself for."

• tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

"Lasted 4 days on this, far worse than any depression, anxiety, or stress. Extremely confused, no attention span, couldn't concentrate, lost all motivation, and even with the tiredness and life sucked out of me, I never slept once during the 4 days. Time practically disappeared and felt like a robot. Decided to stop yesterday and feel far worse than I did taking it. Headaches and even more anxious than before and sweating a lot, feel like I'm going crazy during this withdrawal, and it was only 37.5 mg. Research into the medication before starting this because the withdrawal is even worse than the side effects on the medication."

• mom...
• September 10, 2010

Venlafaxine "Effexor saved my life. I never knew what I 'had' could be cured. I'd tried other antidepressants, but they made my anxiety worse or vice versa. Effexor has given me back a will to live. It's lifted the fog of anxiety. I take 150 mg. My stress level and blood pressure are WAY down. Someone mentioned strange dreams, I'd like to second that."

• sno...
• May 17, 2010

Venlafaxine "I have been on Effexor for four days and have already noticed a difference in my mood. I am taking it for PTSD after a long battle with cancer. I became hypervigilant looking up cancer metastasis every day for hours. I did this for two years and realized finally that I had to do something to stop this behavior. I was certain that my cancer was going to kill me and I wouldn't be diagnosed quickly enough. This brought on deep depression and a constant fear. I isolated myself because I thought it would be better for me and family and friends if I just stayed away, that way, if I died, no one would miss me. Stupid, huh? I am so glad I finally asked for help. I can't wait for the pills to really take effect."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2009

Venlafaxine "I have found that Effexor XR is the most effective drug for my anxiety disorder and depression. I have had basically no side effects from the medicine, and it has helped control both issues. I have noticed withdrawals even if one dose is missed. I have been taking 150 mg daily for three years and overall am very pleased."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2024

"I started Effexor XR at 28M - my brain never shut off at night, and I was constantly worrying about things out of my control (or that stray thought of something embarrassing I did 10 years ago). It got pretty uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to do sleeping pills. I took it to help with sleep delayed by anxiety. It helped! By taking it first thing in the AM, even on an empty stomach, it not only helped my sleep, it also helped my overall mood and any potential anxiety and worrying throughout the day. I started with 75 mg, then 150 mg, and I kind of plateaued around there so I’ll be starting 225 mg tomorrow actually. I’m choosing to up my dosage over changing meds because when it worked for the first few months, it was the best I had felt in a long time. Despite withdrawal symptoms being an issue if you miss a dose (it does happen) it’s still 10/10 for the benefits it does provide."

• Kim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 17, 2023

"I have been on 150mg of venlafaxine (Effexor XR) for over 5 years. I had previously tried Prozac, Pristiq, and Lexapro. The venlafaxine worked so much better for me. I was having anxiety episodes multiple times per day, and had progressed to three full-blown panic attacks in one week. Those scared me enough to go to my doctor. That's when he gave me venlafaxine. It doesn't make me feel foggy or not present. At first, I was a little tired and had the weird side effect of dry mouth. Within one month on the medication, the anxiety was situation-induced. I no longer had anxiety on a day-to-day basis. For instance, presenting at work would stir up my anxiety. I don't like public speaking, but on venlafaxine, I could do it with mild anxiety. It has been great for me personally with anxiety and stress."

• Mer...
• April 24, 2017

"Male, 32 y. I was suffering from stomach complex pains, terrible headaches, and depression. 16 months ago, I was prescribed Venlafaxine up to 225 mg/day and Trimipramine for sleeping. It was very complicated, with ups and downs, but I finally got to a normal life. Since then, I have gained ~10 kg, but I think it's not bad for me since I was underweight before. My doctor suggested I decrease it gradually and cut it off. I was on 75 mg until yesterday, and today I didn't take it. In the afternoon, I was very irritated and anxious, but it could be the short-term withdrawal. I will update you if I can stay off medication. I wish you all strength and happiness."

• nab...
• December 15, 2008

Venlafaxine "I have been on Effexor for over a year, and my dosage has been 37.5 mg daily. The drug has worked wonders for me, but I have had some side effects of sweating, strange dreams, and dizziness when I forget to take it."