Venlafaxine for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2008

"I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for a year now, for depression. But within a few months I noticed a distinct drop in my pain levels - as in, not constant anymore. Since Effexor has been approved for FMS, I have been increased to 150mg to hopefully prevent the few flare ups I have now, and the last bits of chronic pain. I am so thankful for Effexor - it has really helped me get a life."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2016

"Hi I was on cymbalta for 6 weeks gained 17 lbs. I started back to 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. 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."

• Your...
• 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 ok 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 whether 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"

• 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 does 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 to pricey."

• Gini
• June 10, 2016

"I start with venlafaxine when I was diagnose with Fibromyalgia a month ago and I had the worst experience . My skin become very dry, my mouth and my lips where like burn and my lips start to peel, I start to have 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 & immediately noticed the dry mouth, headaches and burning pit in my stomach 24/7. Then came the blurry vision, urinary issues & by day 10, the most debilitating stiff & 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) & 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 Dr.'s nurse if this was true and she said yes, she experienced it herself."

• megas...
• 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."

• Cass
• 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. Doctor suggested weaning off Amitriptyline and taking Effexor in the morning. So I started on 37.5mg, felt a bit nauseas but it passed. Doctor then increased my dose to 75mg by that night after 8 years I was able to sit on a hard chair without my excruciating constant tailbone nerve pain. Its literally disappeared! My doctor then said to increase to 150mg and thats 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, wasn't from injury. I have read bad withdrawal experiences from Effexor but I don't care cause its helping my pain."

• Sick...
• 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."

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

"In the last year I had a diagnosis of myofacial pain syndrome, now its fibromyalgia. I am not convinced 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 225mg but now reduced in last week to 75 mg before I read of the withdrawal symptoms. So far I am fine but am concerned now that I might be overwhelmed reducing under 75 mg. Doing this on own since doctor said it is up to me."

• 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 dr says are a result of my body tolerating it and withdrawing. Now my CNS is so down regulated that I am very ill. Am trying to withdraw but the symptoms are horrible. I have been this way for 3 years. This med has ruined my life."

• Denigra
• 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...."

• 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 75mg. Only thing I found is I’m better taking it at night as makes me sleepy and a bit dizzy. Which has actually helped my sleep as well ."

• 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, heart is pounding, and I am on verge of going to the E.R. Thank God I took this on my day off of work, or I would never have made it through. This is terrible. I won't take again. I would rather 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"

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

"Day 4 on venlafaxine low dose. All I've dine is cry and felt more in pain in 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 effect but its driving me crazy feeling in more pain :( I'm trying to think positive and stay on them ATM its 50/50 any advice ?"

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

Effexor (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

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

• Yoha...
• May 7, 2016

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

• mjbar...
• September 14, 2008

Effexor (venlafaxine) "7 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."

• aunti...
• 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."

• mom-i...
• February 24, 2011

Effexor (venlafaxine) "This does not work for my real fibro pain."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I am finally sleeping through the night since I started taking this!"

• denis...
• April 28, 2010

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

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor was better for fibromyalgia when you could control dosage and take more if needed."

• Beaner
• August 7, 2018

"Causes drowsiness and extreme cotton mouth. 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."