Venlafaxine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Effexor has been great. I had been on 25-50 mg of Zoloft for panic attacks and high anxiety, and it had worked for a few years. However, after I went off for 4 months and started experiencing them again, I encountered the worst morning panic with nausea, vomiting, and IBS for three months. I didn't want to switch, but it was getting so bad that I would have anxiety for most of the workday and was afraid I might have to miss work. It was fortunate that my cubicle was right next to the bathroom during that time! Finally, I told my PCP I was ready to try something else, and she prescribed Effexor XR. She advised me to stop the Zoloft and start 37.5 mg of XR venlafaxine. It was like night and day. I no longer experienced panic attacks, morning nausea, vomiting, anxiety, or IBS. It's been over a year, and I still like it. Initially, I took it in the morning, but gradually switched to taking it at night because I sleep better that way."

• GAD...
• March 22, 2019

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’m a 32 y/o female with GAD diagnosed 2 yr ago & ADHD. My doc felt it was more important to treat my severe GAD before ADHD. After trying Zoloft for 6 months, I stopped it. NO libido. Lexapro, same thing!! Plus I was super tired. First two days on Effexor XR were amazing. (Placebo effect?) Then days 3-10 were filled with a little more anxiety than normal. Had vivid weird dreams, would wake up once in the middle of the night to pee then it would be harder than normal to fall asleep. Also, jaw popping like I was grinding the heck out of my teeth for a few nights. Day 11-now, it's wonderful. I don't feel panic attacks or anxiety anymore. I feel normal and relaxed. No more headaches, muscle tension, or sleeping problems. I'm not short-tempered with my kids. I don't worry as much! I'm just chill. Oh, and I can still pour some tears watching my chick flicks. With the sex side effect 'O'... I can still do it, just takes a tad longer. I can live with that!! I can also drink beer with this."

• Bet...
• July 6, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Venlafaxine for four months and for the first two, I was a mess. Dilated pupils, extreme anxiety, feeling depersonalized, no appetite, still suicidal, terrified of what the future was going to hold. I was switched to modified release around six weeks ago, and the difference within three weeks is utterly incredible. I believe wholeheartedly that this medication has saved my life. Whatever chemical was missing from my brain is almost certainly present and correct now. Nothing else has changed in my life except taking the medication, and it is like I can finally experience it. Antidepressants don't change rubbish circumstances, but I had an awesome life I couldn’t enjoy because I was so anxious and stressed. Now I can relax and am not scared of the future but am excited instead."

• Hap...
• November 1, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "On 75 mg once a day in the morning, and I feel great! Before, I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store. Now, I have no anxiety at all and can live a normal, happy life. Effexor has given that to me. I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life, and that's fine with me. I tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. I tried Celexa, and that was awful-major headaches with that one. I also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hours a day, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Recently, in July, I went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

• 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."

• 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!!!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2013

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I started on Effexor XR 37.5 mg 12 days ago. Prior to this, I had been on Lexapro 20 mg for 8 weeks for extreme anxiety. The severity of my anxiety was so shocking on Lexapro after the 8 weeks compared to the commencement of Lexapro. I had heard so many people have success with Lexapro on review sites, but for myself, it was a nightmare. After 7 weeks, it felt like I was in a hole. My doctor took me off immediately without even reducing the amount, and within 5 days, I felt so much better with a significant reduction in anxiety. I still needed support, so my doctor put me on Effexor 37.5 mg, and within 5 days, I felt much better, then went to 75 mg. After 10 days on this, I am already starting to feel better, with anxiety problems only now and then."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder 10 years ago. I also struggled with panic attacks and depression. I could feel the positive effects of the medicine right away. Because of its immediate fix, I would recommend this to someone who has severe anxiety. The negative things I can say are that it is extremely hard to come off of. The withdrawal made me feel like I was crazy. I took myself off of it too quickly. I had hallucinations, tremors, and anxiety attacks. So make sure you use your doctor to wean off of it."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• January 27, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 8 years after suffering a serious mental breakdown. This medicine has given me back my life. Having said that, the UK government has recently told all doctors to prescribe the generic version. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I began suffering terrible headaches and anxiety again. After speaking to my consultant psychiatrist, I am now back on Effexor with all the nasty symptoms gone. There really is no substitute for the real thing."

• InT...
• January 13, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "My doctor prescribed this for my depression, bipolar disorder, and panic attacks. Within an hour of taking it, I couldn't keep my eyes open. Four hours later, I was wide awake, jittery, nauseous, and having the worst panic attack I had ever had. Needless to say, I didn't try to take another dose, even if my body had to get used to the medication."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• October 2, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took 225 mg of Effexor XR for about 6 years for MDD and was doing well until I started to notice a drop in its effectiveness. I then tried Lexapro (terrible) and Cymbalta. The latter worked well for about a year and a half, until, again, its effectiveness waned. My physician suggested that, since Effexor XR had worked in the past, I give it another shot. I've been back on 150 mg now for over a year and a half and am doing well on it. The medicine, along with talk therapy, has helped significantly. The side effects I experience are: increased sweating, dry mouth, and loss of libido. Also, missing a dose for more than a day is miserable, as it causes nausea, a 'disconnected head' feeling, and slight anxiety."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "About two to three months ago, I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety problems (extreme nervousness, nervous habits, and constant worrying). I took Cymbalta for about three to four weeks and absolutely hated it! It made me feel horrible, so I asked the doctor to prescribe me something different. He started me off on 35 mg of Effexor. I have to say, this medicine at first wasn't all that great either. For the first four to five days, I was extremely angry and annoyed about everything! I thought it was going to be hopeless, but finally, the Effexor got better, and now I'm on 75 mg a day. My mind is not constantly racing nearly as much as it used to. Every now and then, when I start to have panic attacks, I will have to take either 0.5/1 mg of Ativan to calm me."

• Fre...
• February 10, 2017

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I never write reviews, but I figured I had to share how truly life-changing Effexor has been for me. I've suffered with GAD and Major Depressive Disorder for quite some time. I was on and off of Prozac for about five years. When it stopped working, I began taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg. I started feeling better, more calm, less anxious. Last year, someone I had dated for years and had recently broken up with passed away tragically. I was a disaster. My dosage was increased to 75 mg, then 150 mg, and now 225 mg. Honestly, I don't know how I would have made it to where I am today without this medication. It has controlled my anxiety, my panic attacks, and my depression. I still have bad days, I'm still in mourning, but I finally feel normal."