Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Tom...
• March 29, 2016

"I can't take this drug anymore. I get all of the listed withdrawal symptoms while on the drug. If I go more than a few hours past the time I'm supposed to take it, I get really bad vertigo, and as someone else described it, 'Brain Zaps' seems to fit the bill. To hell with this, I'm going cold turkey and would rather be a stark raving lunatic than live in the half-life this drug has provided me with. I sleep endlessly, and when I am awake, I'm not awake. I'm numb."

• pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2014

"I started having disabling panic attacks in 2008. Was first put on Paxil CR. Stopped after 2 yrs because I was grazing on food and gained weight. In 2013, attacks came back with a vengeance after the death of my dad. Put on Sertraline. Love how it made me feel, so mellow but grazing once again. Gained 20 pounds in 6 months! Stopped that medication, now on Effexor for two months. Don't feel like grazing. Mood is pretty okay. In the meantime, found out I had an allergy to dairy, wheat, and sugar. Eliminated them and feel marvelous combined with Effexor. Exercise, proper food, and a good drug make all the difference. Good luck."

• ano...
• February 17, 2014

"My first dose of 37.5 mg, I experienced a surge of adrenaline, dizziness, nausea, sweating, jitteriness, and shakiness. Symptoms started 2 hours after the dose, lasting about 2-4 hours. Each day, the symptoms lessened and disappeared quicker. I have only been on this for 2 weeks, but I do feel more optimistic and upbeat so far, despite the side effects."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2020

"It has been almost two months being on venlafaxine for panic disorder and major depressive disorder. It has completely diminished my sex drive, and I have developed anorgasmia. Very upset over that. I still get panic attacks, but they’re very mild now, and they last for minutes instead of two hours like they used to pre-treatment. Basically, I can live my life again without the severe and frightening panic attacks anymore. I’ve heard the withdrawal symptoms are horrible even if you taper off. Hopefully, I won’t have to get off this and can still fix my sexual dysfunction."

• Bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2018

Venlafaxine "Been on this drug previously for about half of a year, and it didn't work. I became manic and had thoughts of suicide after I was increased to 225 mg. That first time, I was introduced with a starting dose of 37.5 mg for a week and then upped to 75 mg and had no side effects at start. My new doctor wanted me to try it again almost 10 years later after we tried Celexa and had no change. The doctor was out of town, and another doctor prescribed a starting dose of 75 mg and instructions to up to 150 mg in a week. Four days after starting, I started having tremors, dizziness, insomnia, and nausea. On the 7th day, I started the 150 mg and started vomiting, and tremors were way worse. Went back to the 75 mg the next day and asked the doc for a new med, he said to stick it out because the doctor who prescribed started too high. I realized I was stupid to be on it again in the first place. I quit them."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2021

"When lockdown happened, I developed severe agoraphobia. I'm talking unable to come out of my room, shower, or eat, kind of severe. I gradually got a little better through therapy, but I hit a wall and couldn't make it any further than a minute down the street for months. I started venlafaxine, and I've been on it for about a month now, and the difference was almost immediate. I'm so much happier, have much more energy, and I'm finally able to go places! I still have panic attacks while out, but hopefully with staying on these meds and therapy, I'll get a lot better! Side effects I got: nausea, waking up throughout the night, fatigue, dilated pupils, forgetfulness, hot flashes. All this gets better as you get used to the dose though."

• KSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

"Tried Lexapro and it made me feel so much worse (numbness, no temperature control, feeling all over weird, shaky) after basically waking up every day in a panic attack and felt like I was stuck in survival mode. Wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. My doctor gave me a doctor's note to take a week off of work and start venlafaxine, and it helped me get back to feeling myself. Appetite is back, sleeping great. I am on my 4th week now. Don't be scared to take it (I used to be completely against medicine). I take it in the morning, 37.5 mg. I would recommend it."

• mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2015

"I first took Celexa, but due to bad hot flashes from hormonal therapy for cancer, Celexa didn't really work for hot flashes, but it did for anxiety. With venlafaxine, there were no side effects, I felt good from day one, then upped the dosage to 150 mg. Hot flashes are better, the panicky feeling is there, but it keeps it controlled. It's my third week, so I hope to get better as time goes by. I am 35."

• Hea...
• July 22, 2011

"I began taking this medicine about 10 years ago. For changes in my condition, dosage has ranged from 37.5 to a max of 375 mg daily. This medication has been extremely successful in controlling symptoms enough to seek all sorts of recommended therapy. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks compounded by agoraphobia. Post-traumatic stress disorder was the initial diagnosis, the above-mentioned came later. Side effects at 150 mg daily and above have been significant weight gain and lack of sex drive. Lower doses offered the same side effects, although manageable. Lowering dosage to discontinue caused manageable discomfort."

• Rox...
• May 15, 2013

"Been on Effexor XR/Venlafaxine ER 75 mg for a number of years now to damp down the panic attacks I began having at 3 a.m. every morning (like clockwork) some time after menopause. Very effective at stopping the panic attacks once I got up to blood level (about 8 weeks). In between, took Lorazepam nightly until the Venlafaxine kicked in. Due to intense itching and some hives, as well as fatigue, on the Venlafaxine. I switch to 37.5 mg here and there for a day, which has helped. Killed my sex drive, however, and periodically have headaches."

• raf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2021

"I've had depression and anxiety for 12 years now. I am taking 75 mg daily of venlafaxine, and I feel my depression is way better. My anxiety can get better, I still feel. It would be helpful if people wrote what dose they are taking. I am curious to know at what dose do the panic attacks stop. Thank you!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2019

"I take alprazolam 1 mg two to three times a day in addition to 50 mg generic Effexor three times a day. The Effexor has made a huge positive change. I have tried four other meds to go with the Xanax, and they all pretty much did nothing. I guess the only drug that made me feel anything was Wellbutrin, but gosh I felt out of my dang mind on that stuff. Basically, for me, the Effexor is the perfect complement to the Xanax, and I don’t care if I have to take them for the rest of my life. The yucky part about the Effexor is that I felt like I had the flu for about three days when I started it. I also just felt off in general. But I did have that magic moment people speak of when you start to feel normal. The stuff may have saved me. I finally felt the most normal I've ever been. I suggest if your doctor is suggesting Effexor, take a few days off work when you start and decide if it’s right for you. It definitely works different than all other Xanax add-ons that I have tried."

• Loo...
• January 8, 2016

"Been on several antidepressants in order to cure my anxiety/depression/panic attacks over the past 4 years, and none yet has given me my life back, although some have improved my state to a bearable limit. I am now upping to 75 mg of Venlafaxine, but cautious because last time I did this, the side effects were scary. Hoping to maintain positivity and hope this works for me."

• hea...
• December 2, 2009

Venlafaxine "Effexor was given to me a few years ago for depression. The first time I took it, I felt extremely anxious and panicky. I ended up going to the ER. The doctor had to give me Ativan and Clonidine. My blood pressure shot up higher than it's ever been."

• Sou...
• August 15, 2016

Venlafaxine "My experience with Effexor XR vs. Prozac. 1) EXR eliminates all panic attacks. 2) Prozac eliminates all obsessive thinking. 3) Prozac made me sleep like a fat cat even though I rarely ate, and I gained a ton of weight when I was only 106 lbs to start. 4) EXR did not cause me weight gain (or loss), however, it made me very irritable, and I caught myself clenching my jaw all day. However, I had a lot more energy than Prozac. 5) Both meds I used over 12 weeks to make a fair comparison. 6) I saw a bio-identical hormones therapist to see what's going on. No clear-cut answers. So here is my thought. You're a normal person living a normal life with a normal energy level. You take Prozac, and wham! You're sleeping 10 hours a day..."

• Bef...
• November 18, 2015

"I was prescribed this medication at 21 for panic disorder 8 years ago. I was previously taking Zoloft, which I was given at 16. I think the Zoloft did enough, but also at that young of an age there wasn't much adventure I was seeking yet, so my panic attacks were controlled. I did still get panic attacks, and my life was still significantly altered. They switched me to Effexor 75 mg, and I gained 50 pounds in the first year. Panic attacks still present, just less frequent. General everyday anxiety lessened. Tried a few times to get off, but I can't get past 37.5 mg. Back on 75 mg as of last week. I hate the first few weeks. Nightmares, appetite full force, and generally lightheaded. It does calm the general anxiety down, though, but it's still a difficult life."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2021

"I tried Effexor after my Paroxetine quit working for me after many years. My anxiety had gotten worse, so I thought I'd try an SNRI instead of an SSRI. After a week or two, I found myself to be jittery and even more anxious. The worst of all, I developed nighttime hallucinations where I'd wake up and believe I saw someone standing over me, which was terrifying. I've had to sleep with a light on ever since. I talked to a psychiatrist, and he told me he would have never prescribed Effexor because it's the hardest drug to get off of, with the worst side effects of all the SNRIs/SSRIs. As someone who did really well on Paroxetine, I didn't do well at all on Venlafaxine."

• Jan...
• January 19, 2021

"I've been using venlafaxine for 2 months now. I never felt so miserable in my life. I've been not sleeping, horrible dreams, feel like my life is ending, not thinking straight, etc. I thought this feeling would go away, but it doesn’t, and every time I miss the dose, I feel much better and I sleep well. I just decided to stop before I damage myself even more. I need something better, not something that makes me slowly worse - I have a toddler to look after."

• Wre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2019

"Okay, so I've been on Effexor for about 2 years. I started taking it for panic disorder. However, the medicine ended up making me insanely depressed and apathetic. I'm currently weaning myself off it finally, I'd rather have panic attacks compared to feeling like this all the time. I'm down to 37.5 mg XR once daily and already feel SO MUCH better. Before weaning down, all I wanted to do was sleep. I had absolutely no interest in doing the things I love anymore or spending time with my family. I had no feelings anymore, good or bad. I felt like I was just barely existing and going through life asleep all the time. It was no way to live. For anyone who has anxiety or panic disorder, do not let your doctor put you on high doses of meds like this. I believe it helps with the anxiety, but the side effects and other consequences of taking this make it so much worse than living with anxiety, in my opinion."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2019

"Started venlafaxine 37.5 mg 3 days ago. I had been on Celexa 40 mg for 10 years, which worked great for my severe anxiety and panic attacks! Unfortunately, the Celexa just stopped working for me. My doctor had me do a direct switch (Celexa one night, then start venlafaxine the next). First day was okay, and days 2 and 3 have been really bad with anxiety and panic attacks. I’m hoping this will subside soon, and I start getting the benefits of this medicine. Has anyone else had this as well?"

• gor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2020

"I just was prescribed venlafaxine 75 mg to help my panic disorder. I am on day 5, and I have increased anxiety, because I am getting panic attacks every day. Thank God I have Xanax, so I take it as things go really bad, but I don't know for how much longer I can handle this."

• CLA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2023

"Decided to try an SNRI after having no luck with the SSRI Citalopram. I was prescribed the 75 mg extended-release capsules. No side effects other than mild sleepiness. The sleep disturbance and jaw clenching stopped, but it didn't alleviate anxiety or panic attacks. It didn't produce the mood or energy boost that I got with Citalopram either. I've had no luck with SSRIs or SNRIs but give it a try and see if it works for you."

• cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2020

"I had taken this venlafaxine for five days. After the fourth day, I was told to up the dosage, so I did... worst mistake. It caused me to have the worst panic attack in my entire life. I thought I was having a heart attack, so I went to the ER and was there for six hours. Then, two days after, I was down and unable to go to work or do anything except lay in bed in pain. Not worth it."

• Ran...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 29, 2021

"I had no side effects while starting this medication. I started off at 37.5 mg, and now I'm at 300 mg a day. I feel a lot better than I did back then. I wasn't able to leave my house for 14 months, and now I can. The 300 mg dose worked for years and still does. But it seems my body may have gotten a little too used to it, because my anxiety and depression are back a bit, but not to where I can't function. I was anxiety-free for 3 years on this pill, don't hesitate to try it!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 26, 2025

"I have been on 75 mg of Effexor XR for several years for panic attacks. I started it after I began having panic attacks daily that were destroying my quality of life. I lived in fear of having an attack, and that is no way to live. I would have to spend 20 minutes in the work bathroom fending off my panic attacks (doing breathing exercises to not pass out). Before this, I was on Lexapro, but it stopped working after so many years. My doctor had me switch to this (with the warning that it can be tricky to come off of). Well, my panic attacks stopped completely after about 1 month and NEVER came back. I can live life, drive, everything! I will say if you miss even one dose, you may feel like you are getting the flu and have crazy nightmares and night sweats. So it has to be taken every single day. You may feel miserable if you forget to take it. That never happened when I was on Lexapro. I make an effort to not ever forget to take it. This drug truly is a lifesaver for me!"