Venlafaxine for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jte...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2013

"I take 4-75 mg pills 2x a day. So I am on the maximum dosage. It has done wonders for me. Through my doctor's office, I get a discount on medication, so this is super cheap for me since I don't have insurance at this moment. I was on Cymbalta, and it worked exactly the same but was WAY too pricey."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2016

"I was on Cymbalta for 6 weeks, gained 17 lbs. I started back on Effexor. Have lost 4 lbs in a week of coming off Cymbalta and going back on Effexor. Cymbalta made me retain fluid. I was miserable on Cymbalta. The rheumatologist wanted me to try Cymbalta, so I gave it a try for fibromyalgia. I went through a little electric feeling for about 3 days coming off Cymbalta. Can anyone tell me what else is good to take for the fibromyalgia pain? Effexor seems to help some, but still having some pain."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2021

"I suffer from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, anxiety, and depression. I have probably been prescribed almost every available drug for chronic pain. You name it: Lyrica, Cymbalta, Amitriptyline, and they didn't help, and I had bad side effects. The doctor suggested weaning off Amitriptyline and taking Effexor in the morning. So I started on 37.5 mg, felt a bit nauseous, but it passed. The doctor then increased my dose to 75 mg. By that night, after 8 years, I was able to sit on a hard chair without my excruciating, constant tailbone nerve pain. It's literally disappeared! My doctor then said to increase to 150 mg, and that's what I take now daily. I also eat less now, my other joint pain is still there, but my main pain, tailbone, is 90% better. I have had chronic pain for many years, and the tailbone nerve pain came from nowhere 8 years ago, it wasn't from an injury. I have read bad withdrawal experiences from Effexor, but I don't care because it's helping my pain."

• You...
• May 20, 2015

"I have cPTSD, serious depression, anxiety, and I also suffer from fibromyalgia. I will never get off of Effexor because it works, and the withdrawal symptoms scare me to death. I would only suggest Effexor as a last resort and only for someone with long-term issues because of the withdrawal problems. Effexor is a lifetime commitment, but it works, so that's okay with me. I did try other medications, and honestly, the one thing I have learned to test if an antidepressant is going to work is if, after a week of taking it, there is sexual dysfunction or not. I wish it helped me more with the fibro, but it is so worth it for the anti-anxiety. I can buy 90 days of generic at Costco for under $40, and that is cheaper than my insurance copays."

• Gin...
• June 10, 2016

"I started with venlafaxine when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a month ago, and I had the worst experience. My skin became very dry, my mouth and my lips were like burned, and my lips started to peel. I started to have a rash on my arms and legs. It was difficult to swallow. I was miserable."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2017

"I began on a low dose of the ER 37.5 and immediately noticed the dry mouth, headaches, and burning pit in my stomach 24/7. Then came the blurry vision, urinary issues, and by day 10, the most debilitating stiff and painful back you can imagine. I knew it had to be related to the meds since this is NOT a Fibro symptom (at least for me) nor did I do anything to injure myself. Before I discovered it was the meds, I had gone to a walk-in clinic (or hobble-in clinic) and was given muscle relaxers. Nothing worked. Not ibuprofen, hot or cold compresses, or muscle relaxers. After researching further, I found that this medication can cause severe muscle stiffness. I then asked my doctor's nurse if this was true, and she said yes, she experienced it herself."

• meg...
• October 6, 2010

"I like venlafaxine, although I think Cymbalta helped more with the pain of my fibromyalgia. I'm hoping venlafaxine will start helping with the pain in the next month or two. Side effects are little, and I tolerate the medicine well."

• Aun...
• June 27, 2011

Venlafaxine "It worked on the fibromyalgia pain, but it caused my brain to malfunction. I couldn't think, I became forgetful. I got 'lost and confused' in my own house. My head felt as if it was full of cobwebs, and I was walking in a fog all the time. I'd wake up as tired as I had been when I went to bed unless I drank a few beers or had a couple of glasses of wine. I am now in pain and depressed. Trying to locate a natural [herb/spice] for fibromyalgia pain and subsequent depression."

• Kay...
• August 4, 2021

"I have had fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis since I was 32, I’m now 45. I’m allergic to some of the medications, and others like duloxetine have done nothing. I found out about this medication through a support group. I’ve only been on it for 5 days and woke up this morning feeling normal for the first time in years. I’m not tired, and the pain has completely gone for the first time ever, I’d forgotten how it feels to be normal. Also, my mood was completely different and felt like my old self. Fingers crossed this continues. This is on only 37.5 mg and about to go up to the recommended dose of 75 mg. The only thing I found is I’m better taking it at night as it makes me sleepy and a bit dizzy, which has actually helped my sleep as well."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

"I don't often tolerate SSRIs well, but was really hoping this med would be different. It wasn't. It was worse. Like the Cymbalta, I have severe motion sickness (it's the worst if I yawn), and like the fluoxetine, I have an intense burning sensation-all on day 1. I also have worse insomnia, heart palpitations, and a headache. I already get burning pain from the fibromyalgia and small fiber neuropathy, but this is much worse. Needless to say, I'm not staying on this one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2023

"Was prescribed Effexor for muscle pain related to allergy. I did not have anxiety or depression. Continued taking for 20 years, not knowing it was a powerful antidepressant. It stopped working in 2019, and I began having massive panic attacks that my doctor says are a result of my body tolerating it and withdrawing. Now my CNS is so downregulated that I am very ill. Am trying to withdraw, but the symptoms are horrible. I have been this way for 3 years. This medication has ruined my life."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2017

"Started 37.5 Effexor 2 weeks ago. Haven't really noticed any decrease in my pain level from fibromyalgia. Feel very foggy, drinking more coffee in the morning to clear my head. Not sleeping well at night, 3-4 hrs a night at most. I've noticed a huge change in my vision, eyes are extremely dry during daytime when wearing my contacts but continuously watering at night. I don't think this medicine is for me. Contacting doctor about stopping. Very concerned about the withdrawals I'm reading about...."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2015

"In the last year, I had a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome, now it's fibromyalgia. I am not convinced the HMO doctor knows. Other than pain, I have a variety of other symptoms, just none are mental health related. I have been told to take up to 225 mg but have now reduced it in the last week to 75 mg before I read about the withdrawal symptoms. So far, I am fine but am concerned now that I might be overwhelmed reducing under 75 mg. Doing this on my own since the doctor said it is up to me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2021

"I just took my first dose of 37.5 mg, and I cannot stop throwing up. I feel dizzy, my heart is pounding, and I am on the verge of going to the E.R. Thank God I took this on my day off from work, or I would never have made it through. This is terrible. I won't take it again. I would rather have my fibro symptoms any day over this, and that's saying a lot. So disappointing. I really had high hopes that this was gonna help."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2021

"Day 4 on venlafaxine low dose. All I've done is cry and felt more pain in my jaw, shoulders, knees, and arms that I can't lift properly. I've even started picking my skin, also feels super dry, headaches all day, and my body feels detached from my brain. I'm not sure if all these are side effects, but it's driving me crazy feeling in more pain. :( I'm trying to think positive and stay on them. At the moment, it's 50/50, any advice?"

• Glt...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 26, 2013

Venlafaxine "They'll have to pry my Effexor out of my cold, dead hands! It helps so much with my fibromyalgia pain as well as my anxiety."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2008

Venlafaxine "Fantastic for anxiety. Has enabled me to function normally. I spent 15 years in a constant state of stress. This really worked for me for fibromyalgia. Can't believe I'm pain-free after 20 years."

• Yoh...
• May 7, 2016

"Been taking this RX for a week, it was prescribed for back pain and possible fibromyalgia. My pain has improved 50%."

• mjb...
• September 14, 2008

Venlafaxine "Seven years ago, my hip pain was so intense I could hardly get up in the morning. I have tried Cymbalta but went back to Effexor XR. It does the work for me."

• aun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2012

"I am satisfied with this medicine, except I have been very constipated since being on it."

• den...
• April 28, 2010

Venlafaxine "Although venlafaxine doesn't get rid of the pain, my life has improved immensely now that the depression is controlled."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2010

Venlafaxine "I am finally sleeping through the night since I started taking this!"

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2009

Venlafaxine "Effexor was better for fibromyalgia when you could control dosage and take more if needed."

• Bea...
• August 7, 2018

"Causes drowsiness and extreme cottonmouth. I’m currently on the 6th week, and it seems like I should have noticed results by now. Maybe I need to go up on dosage."

• mom...
• February 24, 2011

Venlafaxine "This does not work for my real fibro pain."