Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression User Reviews

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2024

Venlafaxine "I have struggled with postpartum depression for the last 8 months. Originally, I tried Zoloft and it made me feel so much worse. Effexor has saved me and been such a blessing. I've been taking it for a little over three weeks and my depression is gone. I did have side effects that are starting to fade, such as nausea. I'm on 37.5 and my doctor is going to up my dose in a few weeks. Don't let the negative reviews frighten you, this drug really works."

• PPD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2020

Venlafaxine "My doctor told me Effexor is supposed to help with anxiety and depression. It didn’t help with my anxiety. I first started experiencing side effects when I was a little late taking my dose. Turns out that the side effects are actually withdrawal! It feels like I’m being electrocuted briefly, then I immediately get vertigo and a sharp headache until my next “zap,” which can occur every couple of minutes! The only thing that helps is taking more of this drug! I’m trying to come off of it slowly, but it will take at least 3 weeks, and the withdrawal symptoms just keep getting worse and more frequent! Right now I experience the zaps every 45 seconds all day long, and I’m only in my first week of trying to come off of it! I would never recommend anyone take this medication, rather, ask your doctor for an alternative as the side effects are making my anxiety worse since I literally feel like I’m getting “zapped” constantly, and it is a scary feeling!"

• Lyn...
• December 11, 2013

Venlafaxine "I have my life back, thanks to this. I had two children and felt anxiety taking over my life. Never happy, angry, sad, and depressed. Now my friends and husband say I'm back to being me, and my kids feel the difference, too. I'm more patient, attentive, and generally a nicer person! I don't look forward to coming off the 75 mg tabs I'm on, but will think about that when the time comes."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2017

Venlafaxine "At 3 months postpartum, I started experiencing slight symptoms of PPD. I handled it and worked myself through it, thought I had it under control until I found myself uncontrollably crying, panic attacks, insomnia, excessive anger, lots of feelings of self-worthlessness. My doctor first prescribed me Zoloft at 5 months postpartum, for 3 weeks, I had no luck. She then switched me to Effexor XR 37.5 mg, as they say, the 'light bulb' came back on after 2 weeks. I have had very bad anxiety since I was 14, I am now currently taking Effexor XR 75 mg daily and am at 7 months postpartum. Depression, the horrible self-feelings I experienced were not anything I have ever felt prior to this experience. Effexor changed my life!"

• Mel...
• June 5, 2020

"It’s funny because a lot of these comments below are similar to how I felt during pregnancy. I think this must do something to your hormones, however, I did not have any negative side effects from venlafaxine except constipation initially (nothing a natural calm couldn’t help). If I don’t take it on time, I don’t have any side effects either. I will say that I have tried and been allergic to multiple SSRIs, and I’m not really much of a meds person, but I’m going to stick with this for the year to re-balance myself. I do feel a lot of tiredness in this fourth month of taking it, and I bruise a bit easier. I’m not sure if my tiredness stems from the circumstances happening right now or the medicine. I am on the lowest dose of 37.5 mg. My libido has returned (after almost two years), which is a major plus, and while I only lost a few lbs, I look thinner overall."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2009

Venlafaxine "I started the Effexor XR 7 years ago after dealing with 2 years of postpartum depression. I finally stopped being stubborn and went to the doctor. It started working right away, but believe me, don't miss a dose or be late with one when you first start taking them, your body will not like you. I was off of them for many years and was doing well. Recently, due to stress, I have gone back to my old moody self and having blow-ups and am back on them, and again working right away. You feel much calmer, and once you get through the time of your body getting used to them, you are clear-headed and happy. Don't let the first few days discourage you."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2016

Venlafaxine "Was taking two 37 mg per day, but it made me nauseous, so I kept missing the second dose and it wasn't working. Now taking 75 mg slow release per day. Was completely spaced out for a few days... zoning out! But after 10 days, I feel great. Loads of energy. Depression easing off. Impressed, but hope it lasts. Side effects were dry mouth, but this has now gone. Sex drive has also plummeted, but I do have a baby, so it could be down to that. In any case, I'd rather have my old self back than a sex drive, so not too bothered. Have tried Prozac and citalopram in the past until they stopped working. I'd say this is just as good, if not better. Fingers crossed."

• Mom...
• April 4, 2010

Venlafaxine "When I had my first son in 2004, I developed postpartum depression within two days of giving birth. It was the most horrible manic thoughts, racing heartbeat, clenched jaw, and burning sensation in my upper body. I thankfully was able to care for my son, but I was sleep deprived for 8 days... which turns your head into mush. I can't really remember the first 2 to 3 months of his life. I went to my primary doctor because of all of this, and they put me on Effexor, it really worked. Within one month, I was feeling so much better, and I haven't missed a dose since. I continued to take Effexor in my second pregnancy, and I had a great pregnancy, birth, and continue in 2010 to take it every day."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2009

Venlafaxine "I returned to work after having my second child at the end of April. By the beginning of June, everything was falling apart. The job I had worked so hard to attain, my relationship, my friendships...nothing seemed to be going well, my two beautiful boys were the only thing keeping me remotely together. I was asked to take a leave from work. I started with Zoloft - terrible! I clenched my teeth all day long! Moved to Cymbalta - all I wanted to do was sleep, with two very active boys, naps are just not an option. I started taking Effexor XR two weeks ago now. Love it!! The only side effect I'm noticing is short-term memory loss, but hey, my sex drive finally came back!!! Yeah! That alone does help a lot with my depression."

• 2nd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2016

Venlafaxine "After the birth of my second child and moving states away due to my husband's job change, I had HORRIBLE anxiety, what I thought was ONLY anxiety. I wouldn't leave the house for weeks on end. Finally, six months later, my husband and I agreed that I needed to seek help. Being on medication was not something that I wanted, but something that I may need. At my first appointment, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I was started on 37.5 mg of Effexor and 0.5 mg Klonopin! I'll admit! The first week, ish, was hell, as it should be... For anyone to take a new medication to treat this type of issue, it's going to be tough. After those couple of weeks, I noticed a good change. Then it leveled out, and I now take 75 mg, this medication is working so well!"

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2010

Venlafaxine "After dealing with PPD for over a year, I began taking Effexor XR about 3 years ago. I'm sorry that I waited so long! I had been dealing with panic attacks, inability to sleep restfully, and various other issues during my daughter's first year. After taking Effexor XR (initially, I was tired and feeling sort of sluggish) for about 2 months, I felt 150% better! I was moving around a lot more, wanted to be out and about, playing with my daughter more. It was a miracle for me. It also took my mind off of dealing with depression and focusing on being able to function. Actually being able to feel BETTER and to deal with things that had been seriously affecting my overall happiness all along. It gave me the strength to make life changes."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"Effexor saved me. I am on it for severe insomnia, rage, and unbelievable anxiety. Been on it now for 20 years (since kids). I’ve tried to decrease my dose, but symptoms return. I’m lucky also to not have issues when I try to wean off like most people do. Has been a life saver for me."

• Ann...
• December 14, 2009

Venlafaxine "I've been on and off Effexor since 2004. Mostly taken for postpartum depression. I also have BPD and used it for only 6 months. I found that Effexor made me numb. It makes sense in the beginning, but I want to learn how to deal with my emotions, and after about six months, I start getting withdrawal symptoms because it is no longer working, even though I take as prescribed. That is what I hate the most, the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. I found working out aggressively, like at least 1.5 hours a day, gives me better results than this. It took two weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to subside, and I was on the lowest dose."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2011

Venlafaxine "After a year of having my daughter, I had postpartum symptoms and went straight to the doctor because after my son, 5 years earlier, I waited and it was truly a nightmare, the worst thing that had happened to me. Effexor really helped then but took longer to work because I was so sick. Effexor is a lifesaver and this time it worked right away.... I didn't wait so long."

• Lea...
• March 17, 2014

"I was diagnosed with postpartum depression after the birth of my 3rd son. I'm on venlafaxine for the 2nd time. The 1st time I disliked it because it seemed to have weird side effects. Now, I'm almost 3 weeks into it, and I feel like a million bucks! My depersonalization seems to be so much better, my mood is better. I'm playing with my kids more than I have been. Starting to care about myself, have motivation to work out, more patient, and able to handle my kids again! Venlafaxine gave me my life back. Not looking forward to tapering, but that's a long way down the road. I've found taking it at night is the best. I don't seem to have any side effects besides weight loss, but who is going to hate that!"

• Mel...
• March 19, 2020

"I started taking this venlafaxine (37.5 mg) 3 weeks ago. I haven't taken any meds for 10 years because of bad side effects in the past: Wellbutrin: seizure, Lamictal: rash, Lexapro: face swelling. After having a baby, I still didn't feel 100% mentally at the year mark--mostly a lot of irritability that I was aware was irrational, but I was unable to quell. I didn't gain any weight beyond baby weight during pregnancy, but 6 months postpartum I suddenly gained 20 lbs. Blood work all came back fine, though. I had none of the side effects, except my appetite has lessened (almost feels as if it's balanced now), and there is a bit of constipation once in a while despite my drinking tons of water, but I took a stool softener and it worked fine. This is the first time a medication has worked for me. I plan to be on it for a year before weaning off. Hoping it balances everything out again. It's been really helpful. My libido has also started to come back again. I think my weight will start to go down as a result as well."

• AST...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2022

"This medication has been life-changing. I had two pregnancies back to back, which took a drastic toll on my mental health. Postpartum, I was angry, sad, emotional, depressed, and demotivated. I went from being a driven, happy person to an empty shell. Venlafaxine has helped me so much. I experienced a little bit of nausea in the first week, lost a few kgs, but other than that, no side effects. I'm back to the person I used to be. I'm active, I've become extremely productive, my mental clarity and ability to focus are the best it's ever been. I used to be tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I got, I was exhausted and couldn't make it through the day without a two-hour nap. I now wake up early and no longer feel exhausted. I'm so happy with this medication."

• Wor...
• October 20, 2009

Venlafaxine "I am a mum of two. Been depressed in the past but felt fine after the birth of the first baby and the following three years. Developed depression, anxiety, and mania after the second baby, almost immediately. I am now in the hospital (mother and baby unit) with a 9-week-old daughter. I'm on Effexor XR 375 mg and experimentally with Seroquel (too sedating), Abilify (not effective), and now lithium. Effexor is causing mania-like symptoms, and I have been taking it for 4 weeks. The introduction of another medicine will hopefully counteract this. Overall though, Effexor has definitely reduced my lows from a 1/10 to never dipping below 5/10. Fingers crossed I can get out of here and back to normal soon."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2018

Venlafaxine "Been taking this medication about 3 months. Start on 75mg, now on 150mg. I'm very stressed, my depression is not under control. I'm worse, in fact. I've no energy, I'm always sleepy. I've started to shake and have hot sweats. I don't think this is for me."

• Dep...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2021

Venlafaxine "First week was a nightmare, and if you miss doses, it’ll hit you hard with relapse. Take your doses on time, and you’ll be good. Side effects were sleepiness, moodiness, orgasm not as strong. Pretty good for OCD/depression."

• kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2015

"It helped with my anxiety, but to the point that I didn't care and started taking risks. I had major mood swings, was full of rage, and started self-harming again for the first time in decades. I've had to be weaned off it to start another medicine."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2016

Venlafaxine "I was on 37.5 mg for a week and had planned to up the dose to 75 mg. I could tell it was helping with my postpartum anxiety and depression, but the side effects were terrible for me. Extreme fatigue and vomiting. Not good with two small children. We switched to another medication."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2014

Venlafaxine "Effexor XR worked great at treating my postpartum depression - within 6 weeks of taking it, it was gone. I did have a lot of problems eating on this, though, which was the reason I stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2011

Venlafaxine "My depression went away pretty quick. I was able to continue to nurse my newborn son. I took it for about 10 or 11 months, it was so hard to stop taking. I had to split caplets up to cut myself down."