Venlafaxine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• Fer...
• September 22, 2016

Venlafaxine "So, I was 18 years old, perfectly healthy and in good shape, but I was severely depressed and had some emotional issues. So I went to therapy (good decision), but she told me that I was supposed to take something for my mood, so I started Effexor, and have almost no side effects from it but also didn't really improve my mood. So I went to the highest dosage since I didn't have side effects, and after 8 months on it, I just went cold turkey (I know) and basically I had over 100 side effects. Ever since, it's been over a year and I still have side effects. I could not sleep for days, I went hypomanic, and much more. To this day, I feel pain and numbness in my body and severe coordination and cognitive problems. Nothing seems to get better."

• got...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2016

Venlafaxine "Stay away from sharp objects! 2 months on 37.5 MG Effexor - feels like my attention is limited to a single train of thought. I can't do more than one thing at once without risking personal injury. Clumsily shredded myself bloody more than ever in my life while on this med. Doors and fridge cut my feet open because I literally cannot pay attention to the fridge door if I'm looking at the contents of the fridge or don't see the screen door closing on me while carrying something in from outside. Haven't been cooking much, but the one time I tried, I burned green beans in the pan. It makes me sleep 16 hours a day. If I get up before 2 pm, I can't trust myself to drive. Two close calls were enough. Social anxiety is worse than before. Only 37.5 MG! Need a change."

• Ahm...
• August 4, 2016

"I had taken alventa 75 mg for 4 months and yet had anxiety and an elevated heart rate. But my sleep is good."

• Lil...
• May 1, 2016

Venlafaxine "So I started Effexor XR tonight for my anxiety that I deal with, and let me just say NEVER EVER AGAIN! For two hours I felt fine, went to bed, and suddenly was awakened by intense nausea. So I sat up to wake my child's father (who stayed the night since we didn't know how this new med would affect me), and as soon as I sat up, my stomach came up. There was no wait time. It's been five hours since I took it, and I've been up throwing up for the last 45 minutes. Not taking this crap again. I would honestly rather be dealing with a panic attack at this point rather than this. I can't even blink my eyes without vomiting crap!"

• Ten...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2016

"This medication is a selective reuptake inhibitor for both serotonin and norepinephrine. I found it to increase my anxiety by a million due to the norepinephrine release. I don't understand how in the world this works for anxiety... it didn't for me. Good luck, and for those it works for, God bless."

• Der...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2021

Venlafaxine "My first experience with an antidepressant was terrible. I was on Effexor XR, and I only lasted 6 days! It made me calmer, however, anxiety increased. Plus, when sleeping, I think I'd clenched my jaw! Never again. I will ask the doctor for Endep."

• Hai...
• March 1, 2021

Venlafaxine "I had some severe anxiety after everything that went on with COVID and my partner being in constant suicidal depression. My GP offered the medicine as a way to get through the tough time, and it kinda did, but not without some major downsides. It did lessen the anxiety, but it also got rid of any kind of drive I ever had (sex, motivation, creativity), so my depression got much worse in the meanwhile. It felt like nothing mattered anymore. I didn't care. I gained 8-10 lbs in the 2 months I was on it (I was losing slowly beforehand), and I got NOTHING done aside from the bare minimum while I was on it. My sleep was also heavily disrupted/unrestful, more so than usual. I was on the lowest dose for such a short amount of time, yet the withdrawals were pretty bad (zaps, dizziness, nausea) and lasted several days. I've been off it for almost a week now, and yesterday was the first day where I felt like taking care of myself since I'd started it."

• Max...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

Venlafaxine "Put on lots of weight on this tablet. Apart from that, it’s pretty good."

• Be...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2019

"I've been on this drug for 3 years. Was put on it by a psychologist for insomnia issues, which she diagnosed was due to anxiety (I beg to differ). When she prescribed this medicine, I stupidly didn't look into the reviews, had no idea how strong it was. I went from 75 mg to 225 mg. It made me lose connection with happiness and sadness. As a natural extrovert, I became shy and almost dull, had no emotions. Coming down to 75 mg was easy, but from 75 mg down was hard. I kept getting withdrawal - anxiety (which I never had even before the tablets), feeling very low. I persevered by taking 75 mg and 35 mg on alternative days. I've now been on 35 mg for a couple of weeks and have gotten really sick with a cold/flu. I'm certain it's lowered my immune system. Hang in there if you're in the same boat. My sex drive has also been messed up almost since I started this. I can't wait for it to go back to normal. Please tread very carefully with Effexor."

• Lev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2019

Venlafaxine "Suffered from anxiety from a kid. Didn't get diagnosed until I was in my 30s. Was on Celexa for a couple of years, but found that it never really kept the episodes away. Doctor decided a switch to Effexor might help. The electrical shocks and the way it made my nerves feel was something else for a good month or two before it started to calm down. Always feel on edge with this drug at 75 mg. Don't miss a dose or go too long between the 24 hours, or you'll notice weird head episodes. I found taking it before bed was the best way for me. At one point, the doctor thought it might help going up to 150, but that sent me to the hospital with serotonin syndrome, lasted 2 days. After 3 years, I started having shaking and dizziness symptoms similar to someone with MS or Parkinson's, along with other neurological issues. Noticing the symptoms are worse close to the time of needing to take the next dose. Looking to get off the medication this year."

• Bro...
• May 24, 2017

"I started taking Effexor XR about 10 years ago. For those last 10 years, I have struggled with IBS-D. I would like to go off this drug, but it has terrible withdrawal symptoms, and I've read the withdrawal can last for years after getting off this drug. When I read that people were taking the medication I think is causing my IBS to treat their IBS, I was shocked. I'm glad if it works for them, but I wish I had never taken this drug."

• All...
• March 1, 2017

"I was on Effexor a few years ago and got off of it because I was doing much better, but now I am starting to get back on it. I'm on 37.5, and it's day 8, and I feel awful. Super anxious and can't eat, the thought of food makes me want to puke. I'm really scared. Has anyone had this, and does it go away? I don't remember having this the first time around :("

• Nde...
• May 18, 2016

Venlafaxine "I had been struggling with OCD and anxiety and rage issues for a very long time. I decided to get help after my daughter was born. I was put on a myriad of different pills until Effexor. It calmed me down, and my OCD is almost non-existent. But miss a dose and you will be sick like you've never felt before! Think of the worst flu you ever had... it's kind of like that but worse. And all the anxiety comes back in full force. It has really helped me to function, but I would never have gotten on it if I knew how bad it was to get off it. Try everything else before taking this. It will help but at what cost?"

• And...
• April 27, 2016

"Just started taking venlafaxine for my anxiety. It made me very ill, I was nauseous and vomiting for 2 days. I stopped taking the pill and felt 100% better. I think everyone reacts differently to certain medications, if you are someone with a sensitive stomach, just be aware you might have this reaction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2016

Venlafaxine "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety while I was home from college over winter break. I took it one day, and I felt good, but then I couldn't sleep for the following entire next day, and then it made me feel completely sick, so I didn't take another one the next day because I wanted to be able to fall asleep. Five days later, I tried to take it again to see if I would be able to fall asleep, and that time I wasn't able to fall asleep the next two days, and I felt extremely sick and like my brain hurt so bad the next day after taking it. It's been over a week now since the second time I took it, and I feel like I hate my life. I've never been so depressed and anxious. How long will this last? Major regret."

• SD-...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2015

Venlafaxine "I was put on this medication for anxiety and depression as I had previously been on Lexapro 15 mg for 3 years and had consistently had an insatiable appetite. I saw a psychologist specializing in perinatal depression as I changed while pregnant. I started on 37.5 mg of Effexor but needed to constantly increase to 75.5 mg then 112.5 mg. My biggest complaint on this medication was extreme aggression. I would get so angry I doubted my ability to not harm my children. I obviously saw my doctor, who has taken me off it. Withdrawal was okay until back down to 37.5 mg. Please don't take this medication, try everything else before this. The side effects of withdrawal are awful. I've just got off it and switched to Zoloft, and the 2nd day in, already feeling better."

• ada...
• July 24, 2014

Venlafaxine "I'm 19 and have suffered with anxiety for three years or so. Previously, I had been on Prozac and Lexapro, which were both hellish. I began taking Effexor XR two months ago and started feeling better two weeks in, but out of nowhere, the medication not only ceased to work but actually made my anxiety a lot worse. I have horrible agitation, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Pity I could really do with an antidepressant that works!"

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2011

Venlafaxine "I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for almost 4 years now. It really has been the best thing for me. I tried almost everything, and this has definitely been the best. On the downside, if you begin taking Effexor, just plan on taking it the rest of your life. Doctors fail to tell you about the withdrawals and horrible discontinuation syndrome. I am pregnant now and having an extremely hard time getting off."

• Mel...
• April 20, 2021

Venlafaxine "So Effexor XR has been sitting on the counter for a month. I’m currently on Zoloft, and it does nothing but make me worse. I have to live off Xanax because my anxiety is so bad. I can’t even leave the house without Xanax. I have read some good and bad reviews about Effexor. I do believe I am going to give it a try finally. I hope it helps me. I’m tired of living this way. Every day I wake up with anxiety, can barely work, had to get Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) just to make sure I don’t lose my job due to the way I feel. Effexor XR 37.5 is what I’m starting, wish me luck."

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine "Female (45) taking Effexor for about 6 months. I used to be on Celexa, but my anxiety was getting worse. I didn't have any problems getting used to Effexor like others have. After having been on it for 6 months, I'm back to having severe anxiety, so I'm being switched to something else. Weaning off hasn't given me the same problems other people have. I'm not working right now, though-if I were working, I'd probably notice the withdrawal symptoms much more than I do. I've noticed sweating, feeling dehydrated, and an achy feeling all over."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2018

"I've been on venlafaxine for 1 day, and normally I'd suffer through the side effects, but because of my anxiety, I've lost so much weight already. I can't not eat anymore, I'm only 105 now. I'm super nauseous, I can't sleep (can't stop thinking), and I'm extremely tired. I do feel like this medication will help me with my problems, but at the state I'm in, I can't do it..."

• GYa...
• May 18, 2018

Venlafaxine "I have taken sertraline before on and off, but when I get better, I stop the medicine. First time 50 mg and then 100 mg. I have been depressed five times, but now I've been taking sertraline since January, and it doesn't work. My doctor recommended I switch to Effexor 75 mg capsules. Please wish me luck. I’m a mother of two, and I need to function."

• poo...
• November 2, 2017

"This medicine worked very well for my anxiety. I took it for 4 days, but as a newlywed, the side effects were too much. I had no sex drive, and it woke me up at 3 a.m., and I couldn't go back to sleep. I stopped taking it as soon as I realized these two issues. I was on the 37.5 dosage."

• app...
• March 1, 2017

Venlafaxine "Average - not satisfied - symptoms continue."

• Bow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

"I've read that this stuff isn't as bad as some of the others. This is my first time on anxiety meds, and I'll admit, I do not like it at all. The only pro for me is it helps me sleep better at night. But there's been more cons for me. It makes me nauseous with hunger, which makes me more irritable. Once every few days, I'll be sent into a tunnel vision spell, which varies in its length of time. And it's reduced my ability to perform well in bed. All in all, it's not the worst of the side effects, it still feels like hell to me, so I'm going to work on getting off of them."