Venlafaxine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2018

"I am a long-time generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic sufferer. I went on Effexor XR since Celexa stopped working for me. I love it. I feel better, I feel more motivated. I've lost 25 lbs because I am now out walking and just living my life with no worry or anxiety anymore. I still have a little, but nothing like it was. My husband says I am so different for the better. We are so happy since I took it. My husband jokingly says 'thank you Effexor.' I have to agree. It works for me."

• Tra...
• December 11, 2015

"I'm a 26-year-old African American woman, and I'm so glad that I found Effexor (Venlafaxine, for me) because it has really helped me manage my anxiety and depression. It's not common to talk about medication in the Black community, so if you're reading this and think that the drug might help you - just give it a try! My therapist said that Effexor really tends to help young women. I have been on the drug for 16 months and went from 75 mg to 150mg. I just checked in with my prescribing psychiatrist today, and I figured I would take some time to write reviews for people who haven't made the jump to medication. I also use Beating the Blues CBT online tool - it's free at my job! The combination, plus eating healthy and working out, works!"

• Ric...
• December 15, 2016

"I have had terrible anxiety-driven depression my entire life. Effexor is an amazing medication. I waited until I was in my late 30s to do something about my anxiety/depression because of the stigma and fear of taking anything that might make me go crazy (the anxiety talking). I was a fool to wait so long. None of my fears materialized. As soon as I started the medication, I began to feel better and better. I was also prescribed Klonopin to act as a bridge to get through the anxiety until everything began to work and fall into place. Do not wait hoping things will pass! I was convinced I was the worst-case scenario, and I got better. Just do it and get treated."

• Mel...
• August 9, 2015

"I was on this medication for 2 years and I felt great. No anxiety. I weaned off over 3 months and have totally been off for 3 months. All my issues came back. Just started back today, fingers crossed it works again. I should have never stopped taking. It was a life changer."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2012

"I am 18 years old and started Effexor 3 months ago for anxiety. It has given me my life back. I used to have a hard time even leaving the house, now I enjoy life. I haven't been this happy in a long time. I don't think I would ever quit taking it. The first week, I had the shakes, felt nausea, had headaches, and had no appetite. The side effects went away and now I don't have any at all. I am so grateful, it's changed my life for the better."

• EIR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2019

"I have been on Effexor XR 75mg for the past 4 months now for social anxiety/GAD. A sense of calm and relaxation has come over me. I have days where nothing seems to faze me and I couldn't care less attitude. For me, this is a good thing as I used to worry constantly about small, stupid things. I think this is called 'emotional blunting'. I also seem to look people in the eye and maybe give them a smile. This drug takes a while to kick in so I would suggest maybe sticking with it. I also take Mirtazapine 15mg at night."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2011

"I started taking Effexor about a year ago. It has made an incredible difference to my life. I was extremely anxious, waking at night in a sweat (possibly also the onset of menopause) and struggling to go back to sleep. I was also depressed and found myself often crying for no reason at all. I started very slowly, increasing the dose every 2 months. I cannot recommend Effexor enough. I feel that it has turned my life around. I did not gain weight at all, which was a big concern. I did feel quite lethargic at first, and it took a while to get any sex drive back. I am still not back to my usual sex drive, and reaching orgasm is harder. I still feel my decision to stay on Effexor has been the right one. Hope this helps. Good luck."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2022

"Effexor is by far the worst medication I've ever taken. If you miss a single dose by a couple of hours, you're done for the rest of the day. It also took me 4 months to get this out of my system. NEVER AGAIN!!"

• anx...
• May 9, 2016

"I've had anxiety/panic attacks and depression for over 20 years now. My anxiety was so bad I had to be homeschooled. I've taken Prozac, Paxil, and neither worked and had bad mood swings on Paxil. My doctor suggested something newer, it was Effexor. He said he has had good results with it. So I tried it, heck I would've tried anything to make my anxiety go away. I was on Effexor (75mg) for 10 years, and it worked for me. No side effects except being tired at first. No more anxiety/panic attacks or depression but maybe a very few short episodes. I was happy and enjoying things I was held back from for so many years. Effexor changed my life, literally. If I did miss a dose, I felt tired, depressed, and the 'zaps.'"

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 21, 2012

"I love it. It's so much better than the other 2 I tried that made me feel like a zombie and had side effects. Effexor XR has helped me and still does help me to not have the anxiety/panic attacks that I was experiencing before. It's the best by far. I highly recommend Effexor XR for anyone with bad anxiety & panic attacks. It's absolutely the best."

• Can...
• April 1, 2016

"I don't normally review anything, but this time I thought I should, especially considering most people only tell you the negative experiences of a drug. I really didn't know my anxiety was bad until now. I know I had bad 'nerves', is what I call it, and I'm normally on edge and get paranoid about almost everything, especially my relationships. I got so used to being anxious that it became normal to the point that I forgot what the other side felt like. Strange but true statement. Effexor has allowed me to handle just about anything thrown at me. Yes, I get a little anxious but overall I'm okay. I did have bad gas and a headache, but it got better, totally worth a try."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2012

"I have been on Effexor XR for about 3 months now (75mg), and it's done a great job of controlling my anxiety. For the first couple of days, my anxiety skyrocketed, but I supplemented with Ativan to help with that. Then on the third day, I woke up and felt totally normal. It does make me a bit tired, but I also sleep better - and I do have very vivid dreams at times (not scary, just vivid). It also makes me a bit apathetic, but it's better than living in a constant state of anxiety. I'd had bad reactions to Lexapro and Zoloft, so I was happy to find something that worked. I hope to come off someday, but for now, it's giving me what I need."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 6, 2019

"I have taken this drug for almost 10 years. Dosage has varied from 37.5mg to 225mg. It is very effective for my depression and anxiety. Right now, 75mg is working well. You need to taper slowly off this med. Continue getting your regular dose, open the capsule and remove 2-3 beads at a time, each week. It might take a year or more, but you won't feel the physical withdrawals (much). This method has helped me find the right dose for me, for now. Taper down very, very, very slowly."

• Nan...
• December 3, 2016

"I have been taking Effexor XR for about 12 years now. I have spent my life fighting debilitating anxiety and depression. I would have panic attacks, horrible downward spiraling thoughts, extreme negativity, physical symptoms such as shaking, and could even lose touch with reality in severe episodes of depression. No amount of behavioral therapy and monitoring of a diet, exercise, or treatment plan would make a dent in my anxiety. Within weeks of taking Effexor XR, I finally had a chance to understand what it is like to live without terrible anxiety. I haven't really experienced any negative side effects, except perhaps hot flashes and night sweats. Life is finally manageable. I am thankful for every day I have, now, thanks to Effexor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2013

"Works well to stop my anxiety. I can participate in life again and I am doing things that I used to do. Started with 75 mg, started to become more effective at 150 mg. Some side effects but they are getting better with time."

• Hel...
• May 5, 2015

"I've been on Effexor for anxiety for about 15 years. It changed my life. I tried Wellbutrin first, but it made me even more anxiety-ridden. For a brief time, I felt like the Effexor was not working as well so I switched to Pristiq. Pristiq increased my anxiety so after about 6 months I switched back. Within 3 days, I felt almost completely better."

• ale...
• August 6, 2012

"I took Effexor XR after I gave up on Lexapro (it didn't work for me, I waited for a couple of months). I started at 75 mg and 10 days later increased to 150 mg. I have been at 150 mg for about 5 months. I feel that I am at a stable point, so I don't want to change anything for a while. My doctor said to start weaning off, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I had gone through a gut-wrenching episode in my life that lasted for about 4 intense months of sleepless nights, hot sweats, heart palpitations, heavy chest, lack of concentration, and sadness. I felt as if I was at the doctor every other day trying to figure out what was wrong. My anxieties were so bad that I felt like exploding. Thankfully I waited it out, and Effexor has helped."

• Hud...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2016

"I have taken Effexor for twenty-five years. I take 75 milligrams at night. I sleep like a baby even though I am 70, and most women my age have some sleep issues. I was actually diagnosed with adult ADD and prescribed the medication for that. I also had anxiety, a hair-trigger anger problem, and no social filter. My psychiatrist didn't tell me all that, just that I had ADD. I could accept meds for that. The Effexor started to work within a week, and I would not be without it. I like myself a lot better today than before Effexor."

• LOR...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 27, 2018

"Effexor is the best thing ever. I suffer from depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia. I've been on other medicines and never felt as good as I do now. Now life isn't always a bed of roses, but I can deal with things way better than I used to, and I'm happy. People need to realize it takes time to get into your system to work, and for about 3 weeks, you may feel effects. But don't give up."

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2021

"Have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for the last 4 weeks. Was prescribed it for depression, irritability, anger, and anxiety. Like many of the reviews, I was apprehensive about taking it, as many of the reviews were negative, but 4 weeks in, I am starting to feel more normal again. Considerably less irritable and angry. I have noticed some emotional bluntness, but it's welcome over how I felt before. The first two weeks, I noticed increased irritability, occasionally, I still feel hot flashes or like my body is overheating. I have noticed my anxiety has improved, and I'm having less difficulty doing things like public speaking. I notice I'm laughing and smiling more, which is a positive step."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2019

"Effexor has been a lifesaver for me! I tried Zoloft first because that’s what worked for a lot of my friends. Zoloft made me very sick, so I was switched to Effexor XR, and I feel amazing!! I had been living my life after having kids, but sick to my stomach 24/7 and having major anxiety attacks. I’d have to leave work, but no more. I still get anxious here and there but am able to cope with it now! Effexor isn’t for everyone, but it worked and still works for me. The only thing I can say is a downside to it is I don’t always sleep as well as I did before starting it, but life could be worse."

• soc...
• September 14, 2015

"After dealing with social anxiety every day, avoiding situations, and constantly being tense, I decided that medication was the choice for me. Effexor is the second drug I have tried. This medication has improved my social anxiety in a way that I never thought was possible. I enjoy talking with people and can't believe almost all of my anxiety has vanished. I have read that Effexor can be a slight stimulant, and I do notice this is a big reason I am more talkative and confident. NEGATIVES: My memory is way worse than it's ever been. I do not concentrate well when people are speaking, and retaining the information is difficult. My worries are gone, but so are my thoughts about everything. I feel foggy. No other side effects."

• thp...
• April 26, 2008

"I started taking 75 mg Effexor XR four weeks ago. I used to be extremely manic, impulsive, restless, aggressive, destructive, and all-round volatile. I'm back to being a bubbly, happy, normal twenty-year-old girl. I sleep soundly every night for 8-10 hours and wake to the alarm the first time it goes off (both are firsts in my life). I can concentrate in school, and I have hardly any anxiety. I do tire easily, and I have lost about 20 lbs (I was a normal weight to begin with)."

• Ash...
• September 29, 2017

"I was prescribed the Effexor XR for acute depression and anxiety after a death in the family, and only took it for a month, but it made me sane and able to face every day as a teacher without crying randomly throughout the day. That was 2 years ago. I was prescribed it again for the same thing when my fiance passed away. I thought I was ready to stop taking it after 3 weeks, but I found myself fighting back tears over small incidents like breaking a pen or a student asking me a simple question about the material. I started taking it again and it's been a lifesaver for me. I can still take the time to reminisce at night and grieve, although the tears seldom come. If you aren't on it long then the withdrawal isn't bad at all. Hope this helps! :)"

• Ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 30, 2018

"I have been on and off this medication for years, it has been the one that has worked best for me always. I will start to feel I need more and try something else, but I always come back to Effexor XR. I take 37.5 mg. I have NEVER had a zap or cried when going off the medication or forgetting a dose, although I am on a low dose. It is what makes me feel the closest to normal of all the medications I have tried. I do have to say that Paxil was the first medication I ever tried, and it totally removed all anxiety, which was what I needed at that time, but I put on 40 lbs with it and have struggled with that weight ever since. I have come to understand that we all need a wee bit of anxiety in our lives, or else what would be the catalyst to get out of bed or work out or be a better person? But when the anxiety becomes unhealthy, some of us need the help that only a medication can give us."