Venlafaxine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "Let’s just start by saying, these pills were the worst!!! I could only take them for 7 days. Before I started them, I had a small amount of anxiety, after the 3rd day on them, I had full-blown anxiety attacks. I tried them at night at first but found out about 11 hours in that’s when the attacks started, so I tried in the morning, huge mistake. I was angry, freaking out, anxiety all day. Felt like I was crawling out of my skin. I’ve read some of these reviews, glad they worked for the few. My advice: do not take them, ask the doctor for something else, they were my worst nightmare."

• sav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2014

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Been on Effexor at 75 mg now for 7 weeks, still having really bad anxiety. It's only the diazepam that's helping at the moment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2020

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "On Effexor for 2 weeks, anxiety has increased when I take it. Hoping it will kick in soon. Not many side effects."

• Jus...
• June 19, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "In 2003, I had initially tried Remeron to deal with anxiety/insomnia, but after 4 months and going through major depression, I started on Effexor. I took Ativan to get me through the first few weeks for anxiety until the Effexor kicked in. It definitely helped me get my life back. My only problem is the weight gain - about 25 lbs. I have tried to wean myself down from my highest dose of 225 mg/day to as low as 37.5 mg, but had recurring depression and anxiety, so I have gone back up."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I took Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 1 month against general anxiety and major depressive episode after big setbacks in business and job. The first week, I had to force myself to take it with daily telephone encouragement from the doctor (GP). Headaches, nausea, sweating, and anxiety about taking the new drug itself. After 3 weeks, I did feel a bit better but had strong headaches and felt very tired still all day. I decided to reduce and phase it out over 2 weeks by taking out the little balls from the pill. To my surprise, this was much easier to stop than Paxil, which I had discontinued for 8 months (after long-term use). Now, without Effexor since 4 weeks; no more headaches or anxiety, feel more alive and productive without these 'numbing' drugs."

• Jun...
• April 16, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I have had panic disorder and depression for years, with suicidal ideation. Wouldn't leave my house! My new doctor started me on 37.5. The side effects were awful, and I almost quit taking it. Worsened anxiety, nausea, you name it-I had it. After a little over a week, it was gone. The doctor put me on 75mg. I noticed a difference on day two! Less anxiety, less depression. Weird sensation in my veins like I need to go run or something. After a month, I was on 150mg. I was almost living a normal life by then and actually leaving my house. Side effects are gone. Now I'm on 225mg. I'm a different person! I feel alive! Haven't felt normal in years! I'll always have a little anxiety, but it's manageable with coping mechanisms. This med saved my life."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "While effective in decreasing my depression, I developed almost every side effect listed (including anxiety, muscle soreness, unbearable joint pain, excessive sweating, severe memory loss, GERD, dysuria, brain shivers, hypothyroidism, loss of menstruation) and found myself on medications to treat each of them, ultimately using 19 prescription medications to deal with the side effects. If I could have anticipated the side effects and the expected difficulty of weaning off this, I would have continued to search for a better alternative."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was given a dosage of 75 mg for a month, then up to 150 mg. It has been the worst experience I've had with any medication. After 10 weeks, my new psychologist has started weaning me off. It will take 4 months in order to avoid the worse effects. Anxiety, suicidal thoughts, headaches, stomach problems... just a few of my side effects."

• Liv...
• September 24, 2018

For Anxiety "I’ve been on 37.5 mg Venlafaxine for 6 years. This prescription truly saved my life! I had such bad anxiety and panic attacks that wouldn’t go away with any form of relaxation or calming methods. This medicine took away my anxiety (which I still get anxiety at stressful times), just not as terrible as before. I like that I still have feelings and am not numb to everything. It changed my life for the better! I hope this review helps someone in need, it truly helped me and brought me back to myself."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started to take this med one week ago for my GAD. I'm feeling a bit 'lighter' in the head, but I also have a bit more anxiety, and I feel dizzy. I've read that this is totally normal, and I have been a benzo addict, so I had EXTREME anxiety when I was in rehab getting off that stuff. Now my life is looking brighter, and I have a lot of faith in this med. Just went from 37 mg to 75 mg once a day. I'm looking forward to sharing my experience here in one month :)"

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for 3 years. The only side effects that have been bad were ones caused when my doctors advised me to increase the dose. This caused me to fall asleep in classes, gave me severe anxiety attacks, paranoia, and bipolar-like symptoms. After taking matters into my own hands and suffering through the horrible withdrawal, which felt like being hungover and having the flu at the same time, I am on a better dosage. This dosage has allowed me to continue living my life to an extent. I do suffer from the mild side effects and am afraid to sleep during the night at times due to the intense dreams that I have. Overall, more good than bad."

• Sad...
• October 28, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I'm lucky enough to have shown side effects the first day! I started Venlafaxine at 6:00 am before work and experienced so much energy I barely knew what to do with it. This was nice considering I am always tired, but the energy came along with clenched jaw, dilated pupils, and no appetite whatsoever. When I got home to try to sleep at 10 pm, I was not able to. I had so much anxiety from thinking I heard things that weren't there. I was shaking from anxiety and being so abnormally cold. Woke up all night long and at one point was wet from sweat. Thanks to these early side effects and other stories, I only needed to take this drug one day to decide I need to stay away from it."

• Ker...
• September 20, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this medication for a while now, it was originally just for my chronic migraines, but it never ended up working for my migraines. However, I've had a history of anxiety, and Effexor seemed to solve my anxiety problems, so my doctors have kept me on it all this time. I've noticed if I go even a little over 24 hours since I've taken my last dosage, my anxiety comes back worse than ever, and I constantly throw up due to withdrawal... and that's only a day of not taking it!!"

• KE1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on Effexor for almost 4 weeks to treat dissociation/derealization that was caused by too high of dosages of Zoloft and Celexa. I went from 12.5 mg twice a day to 37.5 mg twice a day over 3 weeks. I had horrible headaches and blurry vision the entire time. By the third week, the dissociation was MOSTLY gone, but then I was having random panic episodes where I thought I was losing my mind and just didn't want to live anymore. The psychiatrist thought the extended release would ease that symptom, and it made it worse. I went from not wanting to live with dissociation to not wanting to live at all. I've been tapering off over the past few days, and I was awakened at 5 am this morning with HORRIBLE anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and my husband tried calming me down, but I barely felt like I knew or recognized him. Both my psychologist and the head of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic agreed I need to stop taking it immediately (take 1/2 of 25 mg if I experience 'brain zaps' or any horrible side effects), but this medication is NOT for me, and they're thinking no SSRI or SNRI chemically reacts well with me after trying 3 and having worse side effects than what I was taking it for. I haven't been out to eat with my husband in 4 months. Everything in the world now looks different, and I still have anxiety and blurry vision. As this medication leaves my system in the next few days, I pray my mind will get back to the way it was 4 months ago. Thank you, and I hope everyone going through anything horrible with Effexor finds relief soon."

• Taz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2020

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have had depression for over 30 years, and during that time, I took Paxil and Citalopram. The Citalopram was not effective anymore, and my psychiatrist prescribed Effexor XR. I had gone through withdrawal from Citalopram, which was difficult. However, when I was put on the Effexor XR, I was having side effects from the Effexor XR that were worse than the withdrawal from the Citalopram: severe shaking and nervousness, heavy sweating, and no real relief until 55 days of taking it. Then, all of a sudden, I felt really good for 9 days. After that, I refilled my prescription, and the side effects began again: nervousness, shaking, sweating, and the depression returned. I have to take an additional medication to calm my nerves, and this time, I also have restlessness. I know antidepressants can work well from previous experience, but Effexor XR isn’t the one for me."

• cd8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Horrific side effects and incredibly difficult to wean off of as well because of the withdrawal symptoms. When I first started taking it, I felt some relief, but it didn't last very long. I'd taken Lexapro and Zoloft in the past and felt that, over time, they were no longer helpful in treating my depression, which is why my doctor put me on Effexor. It took me a while to realize this medication was worsening my depression symptoms, and I didn't realize it until after a botched suicide attempt. I don't recommend this medication to anyone for any reason. Worst of the worst as far as I'm concerned. It'll trick your brain for a little while into thinking you're improving, but the depression and anxiety will come back and hit you ten times worse!"

• Nor...
• September 3, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took Effexor XR 150 mg for a good 10 years for depression. Then, I switched to Zoloft due to what is considered a side effect of Effexor: elevated liver enzymes. On Zoloft, I felt more anxious than I did on Effexor, but not overly so. It was tolerable. I continued to have the same liver enzymes while on Zoloft. It turns out the enzyme issue is not related to the medication alone, if at all. I had a stressful life-changing event and felt very anxious. I know I felt much less anxious on Effexor, so I asked to be switched back, and I was. The doctor made a general statement that he wants me on what works best for me. However, I'm pretty sure he didn't buy my anxiety theory."

• Jac...
• February 6, 2017

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "I took Effexor for about 2 years for my panic disorder, and it was a huge mistake! Effexor caused me to have violent outbursts, which I never had before the medicine, increased anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. I thought I was doing good on the Effexor, but everyone around me saw a complete change in me, and it was bad. Almost 1 month ago, I was sick for 3 days and was unable to keep my Effexor down from being sick, so without knowing, withdrawal began, which included manic behavior, crying spells, nausea, brain zaps, and a suicide attempt that landed me in a mental hospital, and while there, detoxed from the Effexor and put on new medicine. I know Effexor has worked for a lot of people, but I wanted to share my story so people will research before starting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "This drug, Effexor, literally saved my life. I was prescribed it for depression, anxiety, and panic! Side effects weren’t too bad taking 75 mg. Drowsiness, increased heart rate, increased tinnitus, nausea, bad nighttime sweating, increased anxiety at first, head felt a bit spaced out, and crazy bad insomnia. Most of these subsided after about 8 days. Dosage change amped it up again for about another week. If you can work through it, it’s so worth it! After three weeks, basically feeling like myself again. A little more time will tell if my anxiety subsides further."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Nat...
• February 26, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Been on Effexor XR for approximately 12 years! I regret taking it. Am on 225 mg per day, doctor wants me to taper down to 150 per day! It's a damn nightmare. I'm on day 2 of being on 150 mg, and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. I feel dizzy, nauseous, feel like my head is hot, feel very tense, very moody, and short-fused. I could go on."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been prescribed Effexor for over 6 years. Initially, it worked great. Now they have made me go on a generic version, venlafaxine HCl ER. The manufacturer is TEVA. And I have had major anxiety, hives, headaches, can't sleep, night sweats, just to name a few. I have heard from others they cannot take the generic form. However, when I requested the name brand, my insurance wouldn't cover it. In going to fill my prescription, it was going to cost $963 to fill. I was shocked. What is a person to do? Is there any help for those of us who can't take the generic format? And how do we find out what is actually in this to know what we are allergic to? Any help is appreciated..."

• knu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Started on Celexa 8 years ago. It was tremendously successful at 60 mg, so much so that I nicknamed it routine Xanax. Then the FDA directed a lower dose to 40 mg for senior citizens due to a small possibility of dropping dead from altered heart rhythm. So my shrink and I tried Zoloft (I felt zombified). Lost two doctors because they transferred to different departments, then we tried adding Wellbutrin to cover the side effects, but that simulated taking a strong stimulant, shaky and anxious. Was then carefully switched to Effexor SR. Once completely off Wellbutrin and Zoloft, and taking Effexor SR caps 150 mg, I'm now, after a few days, approaching the benefits of Celexa, with side effects decreasing or gone. Will ask for one more slight dose increase."

• Cat...
• February 2, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am ready to start this! I'm nervous about the side effects but so tired of crying all the time for small reasons? I work 11-7 a.m. and don't know when to start this? Mornings or nights? I hope it helps me? 37.5 for one month, then up to 75 mg a day! Any suggestions will help."

• Kel...
• July 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Trigger warning... So I have taken a lot of medications for my depression, such as Wellbutrin, fluoxetine, Lexapro, escitalopram, etc. None of them really worked, or I just attempted suicide before they even started working. Who knows, really. I have attempted suicide four serious times in my life. I've been in three different mental hospitals and even had to go to a juvenile facility. I was put there against my will after my last suicide attempt of stabbing myself. I self-mutilate. I have well over 5,000 scars on my body, big ones that needed stitches, but I never got stitches. I have a huge one down my arm from another suicide attempt (which did get stitches). I also have anxiety and dissociation disorder, etc. I am overall a very insecure, jealous person as well. Ever since this medication kicked in, I've been a lot better. I've only cut maybe twice since starting it."