Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• zmb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2014

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I'm taking this and Remeron for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Nothing else has worked. I was on Wellbutrin for 2 years but it quit doing anything and after 4 medicine changes my doctor put me on this. Within a week I was not sulking around, I had energy to get off the couch and shower, and actually found I could laugh again! My husband has noticed the difference in my mood as well. I am having horrible sweats at night, and a little blurry vision along with nightmares/weird dreams. But I'm hoping that might fade some as I take it longer. I'm willing to deal with the side effects at this point as I'm getting myself and my life back."

• Mrs
• August 21, 2020

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I took this Effexor medication for major depression & anxiety for 10 years. When my mother died I was under so much stress, not thinking straight- I decided to go off Effexor and straight onto Zoloft (as I thought it had stopped working) and in turn I ended up with my first panic attack, mania, and later a psychotic break (The whole time I did not understand what was happening to me). It was the scariest experience of my life. It landed me in a psych ward for days where I was almost attacked by another patient twice (you never want to go)..It's dangerous and I was given strange drugs/injections which made my reaction more horrifying. I couldn't communicate that I stopped Effexor because I couldn't remember. I was treated horribly. Once out I was put back on an snri & then my brain started to work again. If I had known this reaction was possible I wouldn't have started it. I nearly died and need therapy due to the trauma."

• Still...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Took it for about a week and started feeling great. But within a few days my blood pressure increased, I started getting migraines so I had to stop. THE WITHDRAWAL WAS HORRIFIC. So dizzy I could barely walk. Headache 24/7. And the BRAIN ZAPS were unbearable; always came out of nowhere and left me feeling dazed and afraid for my sanity. Not worth trying it, IMO. When you try to get off of it, God help you. You’ll regret ever hearing the name. I can’t believe this medication is legal!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Been off and on Effexor XR for 7 years. Every time I come off this drug – which takes me 3 months to fully come off at 112.5mg – I crash and burn hard after 6 months off. Then once again, I find myself having to go back on and fight through all the physiological setbacks and side effects again that come with coming off and starting back on again. I've tried eating healthy, coupled with exercise and keeping myself busy, but honestly it wasn't enough. When something's not working right in your brain chemistry, no matter how many things you try aside from medication, you know it's time to recognize that medication is the only way to cope fully with the debilitating effects depression has on a person. Even though there are side effects initially, most go away. For me, I still have restless legs at night, urinary retention, lack of libido, and some off days here and there, but I know now that I need to stay on this drug for the rest of my life because it's better than misery and death."

• triiv
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2014

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Though I could only check the MDD box, I also suffered from anxiety attacks and social anxiety. There were also several other problems that effexor XR seemed to control or help control. Depression is painful emotionally, mentally and physically, without the some kind of relief I would have been institutionalized. For maximum effectiveness, counseling by a person trained in all aspects of the disorder is the only one I found to help bring me back to a realistic understanding of how to heal. Interestingly, I found several psychiatrists that attempted counseling and were totally inept in their efforts."

• Jeff
• October 11, 2018

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Psychiatrist started me at 37.5mg going up to 150mg. Was on that dose for 2 months with no positive effect but a muscle ache which my psych didn't think was the drug (but it turned out to be the drug causing it). He made me go up to a 375mg dose over the next month (despite feeling worse with every increase) which made my muscle ache unbearable. Couldn't get out of bed due to pain, desperately wanted to sleep to get away from it. Tapered down and by 75mg had no muscle ache whatsoever but suffered horrible nausea, brain zaps and shakiness from withdrawal that I am still feeling very strongly after being completely off the drug for 1 and a half weeks. My brain feels like mud. In future, if I think a drug is causing bad side effects over 2 months in I am going to go off it because of this terrible experience. My depression is significantly worse than it was before I started Effexor."

• happier
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I began taking Prozac in 2003 after several major losses in my life. It worked great up until 5 years ago, and so my doctor switched me to Effexor; I started out with 37 mg. and worked up to 150 mg XR. This dosage works well. I have occasional "break through" depression, but it doesn't last real long. It's usually when I'm having a lot of additional stress. The only downside of both medications is that both of them made me unable to have orgasms. I hate that part of it, yet I'm much more balanced by taking it. I'm 65, so maybe that's kinda normal? But I still hate that part!"

• Zilla
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor has finally made me feel like myself again... Can't remember the last time I was me, it's been at least 7 or 8 years. Tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Zoloft with no relief and bad side effects. Celexa worked so-so. Effexor has given me my motivation and happiness back. Only side effects for me are night sweats and slight headache/dizziness if I forget a dose...worth it in my opinion to be me again! Don't forget counselling/ therapy too... Didn't feel the most helpful most days (I cried every time I went) but I can tell my maladaptive thought patterns have changed."

• bucke...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Okay, if you're reading this and scared to try this because of negative reviews of people who have taken it like twice do not be swayed. I have taken effexor for over 3 years now and I genuinely don't think I could live without it. I used to stay up ALL night because of unending panic attacks, and barely slept for months. I tried ambien and stayed up through that (traumatic let me tell you). My psychiatrist put me on this after a HORRIBLE time with prozac and it calms me so much. I can sleep now and I no longer feel like the world is trying to kill me. Side note I also take wellbutrin XL 150 during the day. It also has helped so much with my depression."

• anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2020

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor XR is a miracle drug for me (I have MDD) in the first couple of days I got super sleepy, since then I feel great. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I have depression, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. Effexor XR makes me feel normal, and it keeps out all the unwanted thoughts. The only side effect I have is excessive yawning lol! -and I'm 6 weeks postpartum and the medication is still amazing in helping with that too."

• 14902...
• April 24, 2015

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "It works wonderfully. I've tried many antidepressants and they all left me feeling, not sad. But I still felt lethargic and hopeless. Effexor gives me motivation and drive. Helps me get out of bed in the morning and off the couch during the day. And it started working within the first week. The ONLY drawback I've found is it really decreases my libido and you CANNOT miss a dose. It will really ruin your day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I had been off all meds for 10 yrs when I had a major relapse and knew it was time to medicate again. Effexor is hard to get on, lots of dizziness and exhaustion. Also if I am late taking it I feel awful. Headaches, anxiety, mood swings. Don't ever miss a dose!! I can't stress this enough. Withdrawal hits hard and fast, even within 12 hours. Sweats, chills, headache, dreams, whole body pain. HOWEVER it does help me get through the day. I have suicidal depression and clinical anxiety, so for me it is worth some struggle to stay with Effexor because it does give me relief. It calms my brain, allows me to get moving with my day, and not have the threat of my own self-destructive tendencies."

• hugoboy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2016

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I can't use the explicit language to describe my time with this, IMO, rat poison..Started at 37.5 ,then 75,eventually 225.Naturally, Dr's always say-"You've got to give it time to work!"..SURE DOC!..Want you to all know I'm no rookie at this, having battled depression for 23 years, and taken over 30 different meds, and certainly, THIS DRUG WAS BY FAR, THE WORSTTTTT..I refuse to believe that this drug was allowed to be given to humans.Getting on it, I became practically more dead, spending 20 hours a day in bed,, suicidal ideations one after another, crying, not eating, hopeless even more and every other negative symptom you can name associated with depression.Getting off is YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE-FOR ME?.3 ENTIRE MONTHS!=BEWARE!!"

• Lacey
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I also have social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.... I took the drug, however, for severe (bipolar, it was later found out) depression. It gave me my life back, and in a better form - seeing the world for the first time without being heavily compromised by (mostly social, at the time) anxiety. For years, I was much better. Then I was drinking heavily, and in combo with this intense drug (Effexor), I had some mania. I still was kept on it for years but with a mood stabilizer added in. Effexor still really helped me live my life. Then I built up a tolerance to it; I no longer use it. What it did also seem to do, the Effexor, is ruin my memory. I've had memory problems ever since I first started taking it, and they haven't gone away since stopping it (they seem to be permanent). So it was a very double-edged sword. In very severe cases of depression or social anxiety, I think it's a potential wonder drug, that the benefits outweigh the risks. :)"

• Nene
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2018

"I've been on Venlafaxine 150mg for my Major depressive Disorder and Anxiety IT HELPS TREMENDOUSLY WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION MOOD SWINGS!!! I've been on 150 mg for about 9 months now and my dr recently upped my dosage to 185.75mg and I and relaxed no negative thoughts run through my mind and I am calm. When I mean relaxed I mean my mind and soul and body are at one. It takes time to work so if your Dr has given this medication to you take it with on a daily schedule they have given you same time every day and I promise you will notice a positive difference!! It might not be for everyone but it deff is helping me!! Sending love to all fighting depression and anxiety and anything else in they life at the moment or was for a long time and is seeking help.... I'm with you all hugs and kisses love Nene"

• PSSDF...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2018

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Effexor has destroyed my life. Its gave me PSSD (Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction) It basically chemically castrated me. I experienced the sexual side effects while on the med. Stopped meds under Dr. advice. Sex drive never returned and its been 13 years. This is purely the worst drug that has the potential to destroy a persons life forever. STAY AWAY DONT RISK THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS THAT WILL LAST FOREVER WITH NO CURE"

• Nicolas
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "By far the best antidepressant that I have taken, the only one that worked well overall for my anxiety (social, generalized) and depression). Zoloft lifted my mood and reduced my anxiety but had me up and down all the time until it made me feel extremely tired after 3 months. Cymbalta stabilized me but did very little things for depression and social anxiety (worked well for generalized anxiety), Wellbutrin did almost nothing. With Effexor XR I had no side effects at all. I take 225mg Effexor XR along with 150mg Lyrica and 20mg Prozac."

• Alexa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Out of all the serotonin based drugs that literally have nothing to really do with true clinical depression; this is the better of the SSRI and SNRI class. Not anywhere as dangerous and toxic as Cymbalta; although this medication is something I want to warn everyone about: Effexor very quickly makes you its slave. Probably by purpose it has a very short half-life which makes even missing one dose produces horrendous withdrawal effects I would have to say are just as bad as abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal (which is documented to be as bad as kicking heroin!). I will admit I do think it did help me but I have to stress even the XR release only has a 24 hour half-life. So 8 AM rolls around; you have no choice."

• Jess
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2018

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Horrible experience that I feel left me permanently damaged. Prescribed 37mg for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Every symptom it was intended to treat got worse. I got so drowsy that I fell asleep through a 12 hour work shift as a caregiver, client had a fall and I did not wake up. I could not open my eyes no matter how badly I tried. Detoxing was worse. Unbearable body aches that made me more depressed than I’d ever been because nothing relieved it. The brain zaps made me breakdown into a full panic attack crying every time because they were so painful and agitating. I’m 3 weeks off of it and having bizarre behaviors that I NEVER had before, even in my worst depression. I’ve had to give up my car keys due to bad impulses when driving suddenly with no warning and for no reason, I am unable to work because of my mental state that is NOT going back to baseline with time."

• Kano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2020

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "The best ad for my depression. Only thing was that it made me a little bit numb and I didn’t have many emotions. But otherwise my suicidal thoughts were gone. Also helped with a lot with my insomnia, although I had strange dreams quite often. Have tried taking other antidepressants, I think I have tried every SSRI and SNRI, but effexor was the only one that didn't give me intolerable side effects. I CANNOT tolerate any other medication. Didn’t work well with my social anxiety and GAD, but helped a lot with my depression. The withdrawal was so bad though, I struggled for almost a year to get off of this medication and now I have to get back on it."

• lasth...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2015

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I have been through the gamut of antidepressant meds. Celexa, Lexapro, cymbalta, Zoloft, fetzima and several others over the last 13 years. My doctor kept leading me away from Effexor because of the bad withdrawals it has. This drug is working pretty well so far. My insurance lapsed tho once. I went without meds for 4 days and I was on a high dose. She was right about those withdrawals. The worst I've ever had. Severe nightmares, sweats, extremely low energy, brain zaps, every noise would set my head in a tailspin. I've had pain med withdrawal and benzo withdrawal and nothing compares to coming of this med. Thankfully my insurance kicked back in and after a day and half I was starting to feel better again. It works. But not w/o risks"

• stan
• November 17, 2015

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor worsened my depression. Made me feel exhausted all the time and impossible to be able to wake up in the mornings. I was unable to concentrate. My mood worsened and my motivation to do anything lessened. My depression got worse every time they increased my dose."

• Breezy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I switched to this from Prozac after trying many different SSRIs. Some didn't do anything, some helped quite a bit. Effexor XR being an SNRI made a world of difference compared to Prozac. At first I did get some mild headaches and was a little jittery, but once I got used to it after a few weeks the side-effects abated. Just stick with it and don't let the side-effects at first deter you."

• Jackie
• January 30, 2020

"I have been depressed on and off for years. Tried several other things Zoloft, wellbutrin etc. Nothing worked. Effexor is a miracle. But I will say the first week isn't the greatest. I felt like deadweight, no motivation etc. I got off of it for a few years because I didn't want to take something my whole life. And my depression came back. So this time I started off with a low dose. Breaking my 25 mg pills in half. Then after few days going to 25 mg etc. And I feel fabulous. Not zombie like. Two side effects for me I can drink alcohol but I puke like crazy if I have one drink. And it takes forever to orgasm. But guess what my health for my children and me is more important. Give Effexor a try if you're depressed. But tell your doctor to start off with a low dose. I can't imagine starting at 75 mg . That's way too high. This is the only med that made me feel me again. I'm back to myself, but I still have emotion, I don't feel like I'm high or loopy."

• Conce...
• August 17, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I just wanted to let you all know my current situation in regards to this medication. I have taken Effexor XR for 12-13 years. The overall results have been good. I just wanted to share this experience. I had a MIR for chronic abdominal pain 18 months ago. The MIR discovered a shadowing on my lungs. This shadow was caused by the Effexor XR. This shadow is what we experience while on this medication as a shortness of breath. I did furthur research and the Effexor XR does contribute to lung conditions that cause shortness of breath and difficulity in breathing while exerting yourself. I have undergone several MRI's showing different levels of this lung shadow. I am currently seeking other treatments for my depression."