Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

"I have been on 150 mg Effexor for 5 months now - slowly increased from 37.5 to 75 to 117.5 to 150. It has truly been so helpful for my GAD and health anxiety. I have been diagnosed with OCD in the past (Pure O), and I don’t know if that was an accurate diagnosis, but I will say that this has been immensely helpful for intrusive anxious thoughts and rumination. I do not have any lasting side effects, but it did make me a bit “spacey” and nauseous at first. Don’t let bad reviews scare you off if you have treatment-resistant OCD, anxiety, or depression. It’s worth a go! I tried Luvox, Anafranil, and Prozac with limited success before starting this, just FYI."

• sug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2021

Venlafaxine "At first, I was on the fence about starting this drug after reading the reviews, but I started it anyway. Biggest mistake ever! Brain zaps, nausea, feeling of floating, tremors, shakiness, agitation, mood changes, and I feel like I’m losing my mind! I’ve been trying to get off this drug for 4 months, and I can’t because of the awful withdrawal symptoms. I remember reading that I will probably have to open the capsule and taper down on the little beads inside to wean off this awfulness. Totally not worth the trouble, and I can’t wait to feel normal again! Please take this post as a sign and don’t start this medicine!"

• ram...
• March 22, 2016

"Effexor XR 75 mg a day worked wonders for me. I actually felt normal for the first time in years. I suffer from GAD and was a total basket case. When I moved to a new city and found a new doctor, I let him discontinue it and have regretted it ever since. I now have a new doctor and hope to get back on Effexor XR. Without it, I feel like I am completely losing my mind. I can't handle feeling this way."

• CjG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

Venlafaxine "I was on generic for Pristiq 50 mg for post-menopause hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. Lost my insurance, so changed to Effexor XR 75. No side effects and actually works better than Pristiq. I'm glad because it's a lot cheaper."

• Jo ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2023

Venlafaxine "When I started taking Effexor XR, I was in a terribly dark place mentally, barely functioning, not sleeping, etc. I was a mess. When I got diagnosed with anxiety and depression, I was very against medication, but along with talk therapy, I started 37.5 mg of Effexor XR. It honestly gave me my life back during a time when I felt lost. I stayed on the lowest dose of this medication for two years before weaning off of them. I guess my only advice with this medication is to just keep remembering to take it, and when it's time to stop, wean slowly."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2011

Venlafaxine "I've battled with anxiety for 10 plus years, was on medication 6 years ago for it, then stopped. I was having intense TMJ because I was constantly clenching my jaw as a coping mechanism for my anxiety. I finally decided to go on medication. My doctor first put me on Celexa. I felt actually MORE anxious, though it helped with my negative thoughts. I switched to Effexor. I started at 37.5 mg. I definitely feel a positive difference, and my jaw clenching has completely stopped. Now I am up to 75 mg. I just feel very blah, kind of numb, kind of 'dissociative,' like I'm not present in my own body. I feel better, but I want to FEEL. I am not sure if I should up my dosage and then I'll feel 'normal' or wean myself off."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

Venlafaxine "I started taking Effexor about 3 days ago. So far, it's been pretty crazy. I'm sweaty all the time, nauseous yet starving, and cannot stay asleep for the life of me. However, it is really helping with my anxiety. I suffer from dermatillomania, which causes me to pick my skin. I have noticed that I've been picking a lot less in just 3 days! My scabs are clearing up, and I'm not 'catching' myself picking nearly as often. I also feel calm and relaxed. The side effects seriously suck though. As I type this, my phone is about to slip out of my hands from sweat. I'm a 95 lb, 21-year-old, and I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life. It's also been making me dizzy. It's worth it to me though. If it will help me stop picking, I'll do anything."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

Venlafaxine "Being anxious is not being depressed. I was on Lexapro for anxiety after a traumatic event. I have suffered from migraines for years. The doc switched me to Effexor ER 75 mg a few days ago. I am already noticing a difference in my mood and haven't had a headache (a miracle for me). Still have a long break-in period ahead, but I am hopeful. Will keep you posted."

• Amb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2021

Venlafaxine "I've had anxiety since I was 12 and have tried half a dozen different medications, all with a degree of success, but I always built up a tolerance to them, and they would stop working. Effexor was the only medication that continued to work at 225 mg for 16 years until I decided I'd had enough of taking pills and got off them in a week with hardly any side effects at all. I did notice when trying to find the right dosage for me at 150 mg, I felt my mind become numb. I had no empathy, emotions, and felt like a zombie, but increasing the dose took me out of the fog, and I could function like a normal human being. I still have anxiety today and don't go out as much as I used to, but I'm happy with that."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2024

"I started taking venlafaxine for health anxiety. I was prescribed 75 mg/day starting on 37.5 mg/day for the first week. It wasn’t easy to start, I felt very agitated. My anxiety got worse, but I knew it would from reading reviews, so I pushed through. On day 5, I felt better, both in terms of anxiety and the horrible restlessness. On day 8, I moved to 75 mg, but after 3 days at that dose, I felt dizzy and horrible. I decided to go back to 37.5 mg and see if that was enough to manage my symptoms. It was. I’m now 2.5 months in to this low dose, and it’s totally changed my life. I wish I’d taken it a decade ago. The most enduring side effect was impaired sleep, but that’s improved over the last 2 weeks. If you’re scared of taking something for your anxiety (like I was), perhaps try a low dose. It worked for me. Best wishes to you and your healing."

• dee...
• April 25, 2010

Venlafaxine "I have been on it for about four years, during which my dosage has increased substantially. I can't help but think that tolerance forms with it, that the longer I'm on it, the less effective it's become."

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2017

Venlafaxine "I've been on Effexor for quite a few years now, taking 112.5 mg. I didn't have any problems with this med, but have been wanting to simplify my regime. So, 112.5 to 75 mg saw no real withdrawal or return of depression or anxiety. But, 75 mg to 37.5 mg, I cannot bear. I feel awful, irritable, nasty, and even aggressive at times. Imagine waking up every morning for 2 weeks being 50 shades of pissed! My personality changed, it feels like. Wondering if anyone has experienced this. It would appear that Effexor is effective for my anxiety."

• tay...
• May 4, 2009

Venlafaxine "Was in college when I treated. At high doses (approximately 225 mg), I was lethargic, cloudy-headed, and angry. The drug caused SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. It aggravated stress levels. But for my mom, this medication has given her life back to her, 'curing' depression, lowering anxiety, and inspiring creativity."

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

Venlafaxine "This is my third time taking Effexor XR (75 mg), and it has lengthened the time between depressive episodes, it was five years, and now it's 10 years! It really helps anxiety. I take it at night because it can make me sleepy. It does produce a spacey feeling for me that lasts a bit, but I can power through it as it doesn't seem to affect my thinking. I'm not depressed, but I have developed a severe generalized anxiety disorder. It is a pain to get off of, which is why I used a Prozac bridge last time and probably will again when it's time. Give it a chance - it's brought me back to life more than once."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2011

Venlafaxine "It really does work. Made me feel mentally sharp again. I was previously always anxious, but Effexor completely stopped my anxiety. Unfortunately for me, it came with severe sexual side effects: loss of sex drive, unable to climax, impotence. Male - taking 75 mg daily. Off to try Wellbutrin instead."

• MrT...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

Venlafaxine "Started Effexor XR in 12/2018. Started with the lowest dose and worked up to 150 mg capsule daily. Starting the medication, my BP was normal, I just had bad anxiety and at times panic attacks. I thought all was well and didn't think much of it, but each time I went to see the Dr., my BP would raise just slightly higher each visit. My wife told me I wasn't acting myself, so I decided to make an appointment, and my BP had gone from normal to 175/130. The Dr. immediately cut my dose to 75 mg a day, which had brought it down to the 140s over 90s. This medicine can make some people's BP go through the roof, and when you stop taking it, the withdrawal effects are terrible. When you're coming off Effexor, your BP can also run severely high along with dizziness, muscle/joint aches & pains, some chest discomfort, headache, and possibly brain zaps. While Effexor does work well for a lot of people, it did nothing for me except give me high blood pressure and nearly put me in the hospital. Always monitor your BP on this medication. Best of luck to you."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2020

"The venlafaxine has been absolutely a lifesaver. No more constant physical manifestations of anxiety. No more constant fight or flight mode and anxious jitters. The worst part is if you forget a dose or two, you get the withdrawal 'brain zaps' that are quite bothersome, but it's a reminder to take it and well worth the absolute improvement in quality of life."

• iam...
• April 10, 2015

"First off, everyone will react differently to each med, and the bottom line is that you have to try it for yourself. I've read horror stories about Effexor, but quite frankly, it's worked great for me, and luckily it was the first one prescribed. I had to build up to the 37.5 mg dose over 1.5 weeks; otherwise, it made me nauseous. After a few weeks, I felt fine, other than occasional hot flashes, and I had to take it at the exact same time every day. I was on it for about a year, then weaned off slowly and had no issues at all. I was fine for 4 years until I lost my job, then had to go back on for anxiety/panic attacks, this time at 75 mg. The only real problem for me was weight gain. I'm trying Cipralex now, but I don't like it; I will likely switch back and just deal with the weight."

• nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2023

"After months and months of looking at this prescription sitting in my drawer, I finally decided to try it. My anxiety was getting worse by the day, along with an overall low mood and intrusive, horrible thoughts. I never thought I would be one of 'those' people with anxiety problems, but 2 kids later, here we are. My doctor first tried me with sertraline, and after one pill, I swore never again, I could not lift my head. He then replaced it with citalopram, which made me think I was dying with chest pains. I have never taken medication, I almost refuse to take a paracetamol. My doctor suggested we try an SNRI, and immediately I came on here, read the reviews, and thought absolutely not! But things got so bad I just decided what is the worst that could happen. Here I am writing this just 6 days into starting venlafaxine 37.5 mg XR. Side effects have gone, which were nausea and a pounding headache, but not bad enough for me to throw in the towel after 2 days, my anxiety has decreased by about 70%!"

• EMH...
• September 3, 2016

"29/f with anxiety and depression, I have only taken this medicine once. I took it at night as prescribed by the doctor, woke up at 3 a.m. crawling out of my skin! I threw up twice, my pupils were dilated, I was sweating, shaking uncontrollably, and couldn't sleep. I imagine this is what meth feels like?! I started to have incredibly bad anxiety, bad thoughts and images, my brain felt like it was screaming. This medicine is awful. It's now 10 a.m., I'm still jittery, I feel super sick, can't eat, I feel awful."

• It...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2016

"My story; I hope it gives strength, and even though you feel like shit now, with the right treatment and dose, you will get better. In a nutshell; abusive relationship, court case, and bullying at work, which resulted in me resigning. Venlafaxine was given for 9 months, but felt like a zombie/emotionless. My 'genius' GP thought it would be good for me to stop immediately. Never do this - taper over a month, as I got discontinuation syndrome. I fell into a deep depression and felt mentally unstable, reporting to A&E twice. I was terrified and spent weeks just lying on the floor to stop me from topping myself (totally out of character). Sertraline saved me when the right dose was found. Try mindfulness to help with the tough times. You will recover."

• Bog...
• December 31, 2018

"I was on venlafaxine 300 mg for about 4 years. I also took pregabalin and sulpiride (antipsychotic) at the same time. When I started on the meds, I was in a very bad place, and I needed a chemical 'fix' to get me back on my feet. I believe that venlafaxine was a crucial part of treatment to give me room to work on other strategies with a therapist. I won't pretend that there were not nasty side effects because there were. This is not a medication for people with minor complaints, it is for people with serious mental health issues. I have recently come off the medication completely, but I would not hesitate to take it again if I need to. As it is, I am still seeing a therapist, and I use benzos infrequently when I get a wobble. I attempted suicide 4 years ago, now, in part because of venlafaxine, I am learning to be a much happier and healthier person. As for withdrawal effects, mine were not too bad at all."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2017

Venlafaxine "I was prescribed this medication when Celexa wasn't working. My doctor put me on 75 mg to start, and that night I took my first dose at 9:30 pm, and by 11 pm, I was a total wreck. I became super nauseous and began throwing up quite a bit. My body was restless, and my arms and neck were numb and tingly. I managed to get a bit of sleep, but the next morning was a write-off - I felt completely disabled and lethargic. I was so weak, I could hardly hold my cell phone. I could hardly walk, I was so dizzy, and the brain zaps were fierce. I immediately visited my doctor, and he prescribed me something else. 75 mg to start was way too strong for me. I can't believe the side effects I've suffered after one dose. My advice would be to please try another option."

• Ink...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2015

"Well, I started taking this about two months ago. While I know I haven't been on it long, I know I've been on it long enough. Not only are the symptoms bad, but they all are pretty much happening. I go days without eating because not only do I no longer want to eat, I can't keep my food down when I do. Sleep? Forget about it, I never can get any anymore. Dizzy, sweating, blurred vision, dry mouth, pretty much, you name it and it's happening to me. I will admit though, besides the side effects, the med did help. I have noticed that my anxiety has gotten better, and I can go out and be around people more than I once could. While it's been nice to actually be able to be around people again without me breaking down, I can't deal with the side effects."

• Mel...
• November 11, 2016

"I tried this medication for the first time for depression a few years back, and it really didn't agree with me. Woke up in the middle of the night in a complete panic, crawling out of my own skin, heart racing, sheer terror. I'm a nurse, and I know this drug works for some people, but if you are sensitive to side effects, I would be careful of this one as it is a combination antidepressant. Needless to say, I never took another Effexor again and really wished I was warned of how bad the effects of this one could be."