Venlafaxine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Hel...
• May 5, 2015

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I've been on Effexor for anxiety for about 15 years. It changed my life. I tried Wellbutrin first, but it made me even more anxiety-ridden. For a brief time, I felt like the Effexor was not working as well so I switched to Pristiq. Pristiq increased my anxiety so after about 6 months I switched back. Within 3 days, I felt almost completely better."

• ale...
• August 6, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I took Effexor XR after I gave up on Lexapro (it didn't work for me, I waited for a couple of months). I started at 75 mg and 10 days later increased to 150 mg. I have been at 150 mg for about 5 months. I feel that I am at a stable point, so I don't want to change anything for a while. My doctor said to start weaning off, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I had gone through a gut-wrenching episode in my life that lasted for about 4 intense months of sleepless nights, hot sweats, heart palpitations, heavy chest, lack of concentration, and sadness. I felt as if I was at the doctor every other day trying to figure out what was wrong. My anxieties were so bad that I felt like exploding. Thankfully I waited it out, and Effexor has helped."

• Pap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

Venlafaxine for Social Anxiety Disorder "Bodies and brain chemistry change from person to person, so try not to generalize with chemicals. In my personal experience, I've experienced improvements in depression after a month on Effexor 37.5 mg, then upped to 150 mg. It wasn't until my dose got to 300 mg, which I'm on right now, that I feel a lot less anxious and capable of trying small talk, making eye contact, and getting into the social game without feeling awkward and inept. Don't know how I'm going to come off this, maybe I won't."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Effexor has been a lifesaver for me! I tried Zoloft first because that’s what worked for a lot of my friends. Zoloft made me very sick, so I was switched to Effexor XR, and I feel amazing!! I had been living my life after having kids, but sick to my stomach 24/7 and having major anxiety attacks. I’d have to leave work, but no more. I still get anxious here and there but am able to cope with it now! Effexor isn’t for everyone, but it worked and still works for me. The only thing I can say is a downside to it is I don’t always sleep as well as I did before starting it, but life could be worse."

• Ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 30, 2018

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been on and off this medication for years, it has been the one that has worked best for me always. I will start to feel I need more and try something else, but I always come back to Effexor XR. I take 37.5 mg. I have NEVER had a zap or cried when going off the medication or forgetting a dose, although I am on a low dose. It is what makes me feel the closest to normal of all the medications I have tried. I do have to say that Paxil was the first medication I ever tried, and it totally removed all anxiety, which was what I needed at that time, but I put on 40 lbs with it and have struggled with that weight ever since. I have come to understand that we all need a wee bit of anxiety in our lives, or else what would be the catalyst to get out of bed or work out or be a better person? But when the anxiety becomes unhealthy, some of us need the help that only a medication can give us."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2014

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Switched to Effexor XR after having severe anxiety side effects with Prozac 20mg. With Prozac initial side effects, I didn't sleep for days, constant, ceaseless agitation and restlessness, ended up in ER for psych evaluation which has never happened to me before. Doctor switched me to Effexor XR 37.5 mg and on the second day I noticed that after taking the pill in the morning, by the afternoon I was much calmer, almost drowsy, which was an enormous relief after two weeks of severe anxiety. After two weeks on Effexor XR I'm doing much better; much less anxiety and worry. The PM drowsiness has gone too. I hope to stay on the low dose."

• mil...
• June 7, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I was having about 10 to 12 hot flashes a day. At night, it was unbearable. My OB-GYN told me about the medication and started me on 37.5 mg per day. In three days, I was not having any hot flashes at all, it was great! Four months later, my hot flashes began again, so he upped my dose to 75 milligrams. This worked for the hot flashes yet again. The only issue is, I went out of town for the weekend and forgot to take my meds with me. I missed 3 days on the medication, and the withdrawal symptoms hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt jittery, had a severe headache, I felt drained, and my body felt flu-like. Don't miss doses!!!"

• SLi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "Please, please, please take my advice. If Effexor is working for you, don't quit! I took Effexor for 8 great years (anxiety and depression). Tapered and quit. Started again two months later to be on the safe side while going through a stressful period at work. Within 24 hours, my life fell totally apart. Anxiety and depression through the roof. 18 months and 4 AD's later, I am still a wreck. Losing hope."

• ssh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again... Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed, and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it - had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered with GAD and panic disorder since age 6. Effexor XR has been a miracle for me since I began taking it 2 years ago. I was having such bad anxiety I could no longer function normally and had thoughts of not being here almost daily. I felt like I was going to die and had been to the emergency room with my entire body shaking uncontrollably and not having slept for 5 days in a row. Amazing medication is all I can say for me. I have been increased to 225 mg from 150 mg during a difficult time recently, and again it was wonderful."

• Laz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "This medication Effexor was a lifesaver for me. I took Prozac 20 mg. It worked for a week or two, and then I had to raise the dosage until I got to 60 mg. My depression was treated, but my anxiety was not. I kept having anxiety attacks every now and then. It depends on what form of anxiety you have. Prozac helped with not panicking in stressful situations but did not help with my fear thoughts. With norepinephrine, things drastically changed. Though, when I raised from 37.5 to 75 mg, my anxiety went way up. If you want to start at 75 mg, make sure you take half and the other half at least after four hours until you build up tolerance. Hope it helps you too!!!"

• Swe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I went through a full hysterectomy and ovariectomy in my early 40s due to positive BRCA2 breast cancer and double mastectomy at 30 years. After the hysterectomy/ovariectomy, the hot flashes and night sweats hit me like a Mack truck. I was exhausted and gained a quick 40 lbs. Surgically induced menopause makes these symptoms unbearable. My doctor recommended an antidepressant (Effexor), but I was totally against it as I did not want the stigma of depression on my medical records. I eventually gave in and, OMG, what a relief it was almost instantly. I have unfortunately had my prescription run out on 2 occasions, and the hot flash symptoms are back within 2 days, along with jitters and a bit of anxiety, among other issues! This stuff is a lifesaver."

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRIs and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30 mg, and half an hour after taking it, I started to feel really weird-terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day, they moved me up to 75 mg, and the headache went away, but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have), and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time, sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRIs and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30 mg, and half an hour after taking it, I started to feel really weird-terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day, they moved me up to 75 mg, and the headache went away, but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have), and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time, sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• GSt...
• September 7, 2017

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "It has changed my life. I've been on Effexor (75 mg) for almost 2 months, and it's hard to realize that your life was a mess before Effexor. It took away my physical pain and my anxiety. The first few weeks felt as if a veil was pulled out, and then I was able to feel me again and to see everything around me in a new light, a calmer light. And I realized I was not a choleric (bad-tempered or irritable) person but a pretty laid-back one."

• Pop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Not perfect but pretty close. Switched from Paxil (no emotions) -> Wellbutrin (aka severe anorexia) -> Effexor. Basically, all medications were pretty decent at anxiety coverage. I found Paxil to be the best without thinking of anything but anxiety attacks. Wellbutrin to be the least effective. Effexor was somewhere in the middle while still letting me enjoy life with an occasional anxiety attack. Since I've been on Effexor, I've had maybe 3-4 small anxiety attacks in the span of 2-3 years."

• tqu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2015

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "You have to get through the uptake before judging. I am taking 75 mg of XR, and it took 12 days for the nervousness, hot flashes, complete loss of appetite, and weird nerve sensations to subside. I now feel great and have a sense of calm and happiness that I did not have before with GAD and mild depression. I don't worry as much. I'd give this drug a ten (10) if it wasn't for the delayed ejaculation (I'm 47) during intercourse. Ativan helped get me through the uptake. Buspar (hot flashes, dizziness) and Mirtazapine (weight gain) did not work for me."

• The...
• September 1, 2015

For Hot Flashes "This worked great for my hot flashes when nothing but HRT worked. My doctor said I had to get off the HRT, so I tried this, and it is great. The first couple of weeks, I felt a little jittery, but my body has adjusted, and I don't have that problem anymore."

• Jul...
• August 19, 2015

For Hot Flashes "I started taking Effexor to counteract the hot flashes caused by Tamoxifen. This was truly a miracle cure for the hot flashes. Literally, I took the first dose of Effexor, and the hot flashes were completely gone within an hour. I continued taking the medication for 4 days with not a single hot flash. It was amazing! But I had to stop taking it because I slept about 10 hours in 4 days. I constantly felt nervous, anxious, and unable to relax. Sleeping was almost impossible. Sadly, I chose the hot flashes over insomnia. Very disappointed."

• Jul...
• August 19, 2015

For Hot Flashes "I started taking Effexor to counteract the hot flashes caused by Tamoxifen. This was truly a miracle cure for the hot flashes. Literally, I took the first dose of Effexor, and the hot flashes were completely gone within an hour. I continued taking the medication for 4 days with not a single hot flash. It was amazing! But I had to stop taking it because I slept about 10 hours in 4 days. I constantly felt nervous, anxious, and unable to relax. Sleeping was almost impossible. Sadly, I chose the hot flashes over insomnia. Very disappointed."

• ree...
• March 28, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor helped me see the reality of my life when I couldn't. I took Zoloft for a while (up to 150 mg), and I felt more numb than 'happy'. When I switched to a family doctor from my psychiatrist, they recommended Effexor XR; I've been taking 75 mg a day for the past four months, and my life has done a complete 180. No depression, very little anxiety, and I finally have confidence. I have more friends now than I ever did, a wonderful new relationship that I could never have foreseen myself happening, and I'm performing really well academically. The best decision of my life was taking Effexor-I can immediately see a difference in my thought processes when I forget to take it for two days at a time."

• T L...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2018

For Migraine "I have been using Effexor XR 75 mg for over 1 year. I suffer from migraines, hot flashes, and anxiety. It has helped with all of these issues. It dulls the pain of the migraines and has made it to where I can function pretty close to normal. Hot flashes are less. It is the best med I have ever used for anxiety as well. And I have lost 25 lbs. I love this medication. It has changed my life!"

• Ace...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 19, 2019

Venlafaxine "This drug literally gave me my life back. I was at the lowest point ever. I barely made it to work, the thoughts of everyday activities, such as showering and cooking, made me extremely anxious. I was sick to my stomach most days and was unable to sleep well due to waking up through the night with my heart racing in a full-blown panic attack. Currently taking 150 mg daily, and my energy level is back to normal, and I am able to function as a normal human being. So thankful!"

• Ano...
• March 23, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6 months now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and social anxiety. My social anxiety is basically gone. I still get a little bit of anxiety but it is way better than it used to be. However, if I forget to take it, I get very bad withdrawal symptoms. But, I consider it worth it."

• ODa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I was on the estradiol 25 patch for nine years after a complete hysterectomy. Concerned about breast cancer, my doctor put me on venlafaxine 37.5 mg to help with hot flashes plus anxiety after my son passed away. The effect was unbelievable. Minimal hot flashes, and my grief and sadness were not nearly as bad as before. It was immediate. I was nauseated for a couple of weeks at first, which passed. I also had anxiety for about two weeks, which has passed. It has done wonders for me. I suggest that you not give up on it at the beginning because after about a month it really calmed me and helped with both situations that I needed help with. Hope this helps. Did not increase my dose as of yet... four months."