Venlafaxine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ada...
• July 24, 2014

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I'm 19 and have suffered with anxiety for three years or so. Previously, I had been on Prozac and Lexapro, which were both hellish. I began taking Effexor XR two months ago and started feeling better two weeks in, but out of nowhere, the medication not only ceased to work but actually made my anxiety a lot worse. I have horrible agitation, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Pity I could really do with an antidepressant that works!"

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety, and it has worked wonderfully. I have no panic attacks, my constant level of anxiety is gone. However, I think it has worsened my depression slightly. Everyone responds to this medicine differently, I guess, and I am more than willing to deal with minor depression if it means my anxiety is gone. This medicine has been great."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2022

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I used to be a person with extreme anxiety. For over a decade, I always had to rely on Xanax bars and/or Klonopin. Until my Dr. prescribed me Effexor 37.5 mgs, now almost four months later, I'm on 150 mgs, and Effexor has almost completely taken away my anxiety while at the same time has helped control my stress, agitation, and depression. I thank my Dr. for prescribing me Effexor, it has changed my life for the better."

• Tor...
• September 27, 2018

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was taking Celexa for anxiety, and when that stopped working effectively after three years, my doctor put me on Effexor. I cannot express enough how much I disliked this drug. I took it at a high dose for a while and decided to cut the dose in half because I just felt “numb.” And then I crashed. I felt so many emotions in one day, I felt like a different person. All of my personal relationships were failing because I was just pushing people away. I’ve never felt depression before, and I constantly felt alone in the dark with no light in sight. I honestly had no care in the world if I lived or died. So I stopped altogether. I would rather feel my old anxiety than any of the negative emotions I felt on Effexor. By day three with no meds, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m now at a week clean, and I’m starting to feel like me again. I will never touch this medication again."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2019

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed this for hot flashes. My doctor didn't tell me 1) Don't take this later in the day; it can impair your ability to fall asleep. For months after starting it, it took 2-3 hours to fall asleep nightly. I did some web research on my own and learned to take it no later than early afternoon. When I told my doctor, she said, 'I'm sorry I forgot to tell you about that.' While traveling, I ran out and didn't take the medicine for two days. I got home from my trip, felt very depressed; I was crying for no reason. My friends picked up my refill (I felt so bad I didn't even want to leave the house), and I felt better once I resumed taking it. Once again, my doctor failed to provide critical information. I am weaning myself off of it and am now at the point where what used to be one day's dose is now split into 5 days' doses; I step down to a lesser amount in a gel capsule every 10 days. I will probably be done within a month. No withdrawal side effects at all now."

• App...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2023

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on 150 mg of Effexor for anxiety, depression, and ADHD for 8 months. It was great at first. I no longer woke up at dawn with anxiety attacks and could finally go to work, it also helped my anxiety when starting Ritalin. After a while, I started to feel very unmotivated and just numb, with no emotions. My sex drive went away, which before was super high, and I also couldn't orgasm, and if I did, it felt not as great. I stopped this medication because after missing just one dose, I had terrible vertigo to the point where I couldn't even stand without feeling like I was going to fall or throw up. I also got nausea and anxiety, along with tremendous fatigue and brain zaps, which I despise so much. Weaning off this medication now, and honestly, it's torture."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "This was the worst of all medications I have tried for anxiety and depression. This antidepressant made me more depressed than I have ever been in my life and made me suicidal. I tried it for 6 weeks and now am in the process of weaning off this dirty drug. Poison."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I spent several years taking Citalopram, which I found to be very good until it stopped working. I was then prescribed Venlafaxine. I started off on 225 mg daily, but it was not controlling my anxiety and I became depressed on it. I was then told to up the dosage to 300 mg daily by my psychiatrist. Several months on, and I can firmly say this medicine has turned me into the same state I was in prior to ever taking any medication. My anxiety has increased, and I now suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts which I never had before. I have had no appetite, which can be a side effect for some people. I have lost a lot of weight. Food and drink taste strange, my skin has developed pimples."

• Fee...
• March 19, 2023

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed this medicine for hot flashes. I have never been on an antidepressant before. I’ve been standing on my feet working as a hairdresser for 32 years. I have aches and pains, which I’ve always been trying to be on top of, but one of the first things I noticed when taking this medicine was that my physical pain went away. My hot flashes probably went to half as intense, and the terrible drop of mood in my head went completely away. I’m only on day four. My first two days were difficult, I have to be honest, I felt sedated and depressed, but once I got one good night's sleep, it was like a whole new planet I was living on. It’s raining, and I had enough gumption to get dressed and go take an hour-long walk out in the rain, and I was damn near skipping. I’m only on 37.5 mg, and so far, so good!"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR with breakfast in the middle of December for my depression after being on Celexa for many years. I'm a 44-year-old female, and I was told to just switch over. I was dizzy, spacey, and sleepy for a couple of weeks, a lot of gas, bouts of stomach upset/poops. I struggled with bad anxiety during the first 10 days, and then that leveled out. I lacked motivation, although I knew what I wanted to WANT to do, just had no focus. My PMS was worsened at the beginning of February and again in March. Completely drained, like fighting a tranquilizer. In April, mind wandering between past and present sadness. I was then bumped to 75 mg daily, and I'm at day 7, it's been a long week. Day 5, I had really bad anxiety-fearful, I felt paranoid for a few hours for no reason. Then at 7 pm, a surge of energy for a couple of hours, sleep wasn't good. Day 6, I was teary and felt hopeless. Today, I feel chill, not so spacey. Probably my best day, my appetite is okay, smaller, frequent meals plus a few snacks. I feel that this medication is good."

• tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Lasted 4 days on this, far worse than any depression, anxiety, or stress. Extremely confused, no attention span, couldn't concentrate, lost all motivation, and even with the tiredness and life sucked out of me, I never slept once during the 4 days. Time practically disappeared and felt like a robot. Decided to stop yesterday and feel far worse than I did taking it. Headaches and even more anxious than before and sweating a lot, feel like I'm going crazy during this withdrawal, and it was only 37.5 mg. Research into the medication before starting this because the withdrawal is even worse than the side effects on the medication."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2009

Venlafaxine for Fibromyalgia "I wouldn't try this or Lyrica again. I have had fibromyalgia since before the doctor knew what it was. No drug has been worth taking because of the side effects. They eventually lose some effectiveness, then the doctors want to up the dosage or give another. I've gained 100 pounds. I'm sick all of the time. The depression does not go away. I think the added weight is worse on my body than the original symptoms."

• fas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 23, 2024

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on venlafaxine for my dysthymia in combination with major depression for 12 years. I gained a lot of weight and still had some bouts of depression every 4 years, but at one moment, I decided to taper it off after being almost depression-free. Tapering went smoothly, but after 4 weeks, all hell broke loose, and I went into a deep, deep depression like I never had before. I decided to try Celexa, but after 11 weeks, I am still spiraling down, 24/7 anxiety, burning body, and very little sleep...also a lot of suicidal thoughts. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist soon and will go back to Effexor...what a fool I was to quit. I vow that if it works again, I will take it for the rest of my life. I used to take 75 mg, maybe I have to raise that a little to prevent depressive episodes."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor XR has saved my life twice. The side effect was major weight gain, but, sad as that was, it was worth it after trying several other drugs that did not work. The withdrawal is tough, but done easily if you just keep reducing your dose. The first time I went off of it was cause it was making me depressed again, even at the smallest dose. But, 3 or 4 years later, when I once again sunk into a deep depression, it was the only thing that could get me out. I've been on 150 mg for one year."

• Mer...
• April 24, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Male, 32 y. I was suffering from stomach complex pains, terrible headaches, and depression. 16 months ago, I was prescribed Venlafaxine up to 225 mg/day and Trimipramine for sleeping. It was very complicated, with ups and downs, but I finally got to a normal life. Since then, I have gained ~10 kg, but I think it's not bad for me since I was underweight before. My doctor suggested I decrease it gradually and cut it off. I was on 75 mg until yesterday, and today I didn't take it. In the afternoon, I was very irritated and anxious, but it could be the short-term withdrawal. I will update you if I can stay off medication. I wish you all strength and happiness."

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2017

For Hot Flashes "This drug did help with hot flashes, but BEWARE! It's horrible if you miss a dose or when you need to get off of it. Brain 'zaps,' dizziness, crying jags, depression, and more can last for months, even when you wean off according to directions. The withdrawal is horrendous. Please be very thoughtful before you decide to take this drug."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Trying Effexor was the worst decision of my life. I was on Celexa for about a year and noticed it becoming less and less effective, so I talked with my doctor, and he convinced me to try Effexor. The first few months, I experienced nightmares, cold sweats, grogginess, lack of motivation, and memory loss. After 6 months, I wasn't even the same person anymore. I had no emotion, no sex drive, and completely lost all hope. The only reason I stayed on it was because I knew the withdrawal was so miserable. A couple of months ago, I had an incident where I attempted suicide and had no choice but to switch medications. It took me about a month to get off the Effexor, and the withdrawal was absolute misery. Please, if you have a choice, do NOT try Effexor."

• luc...
• August 21, 2010

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've never been so happy in my life. It's not a fake, life is strangely perfect happiness. It's not the 'I'm in my head, three feet away from everything and no one knows me' feeling I've gotten from previous antidepressants. I feel balanced and for the first time in my life (I'm 28, female), feel like I am actually coming from a well-grounded place. As others have said, when a dose is late or missed, the effects are pretty awful. The longer I've been on it, though, they are getting less intense. The first few times I was late, I became very quickly, extremely depressed, lethargic, dizzy, nauseous, and irritable. I was having shooting, lightning-like feelings in my brain that would cause me to stop dead in my tracks and look pretty crazy."

• Doo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started on 150 mg of Effexor after Zoloft didn’t work, then went up to 225 mg, and this medicine, after 6 months, made me more depressed. All I wanted to do was eat, sleep, and do nothing. I had outbursts of crying, had nightmares. I have PTSD and MDD. My doctor is changing me over to Wellbutrin. Hopefully, it will work."

• Syd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Took Effexor XR for anxiety and depression. This was not the drug for me, even though trying for months. My anxiety and depression worsened and brought in suicidal thoughts. I couldn’t eat or sleep without taking something to help, I would get brain zaps. It 100% made me so much worse and turned me into a different person. If going on this, make sure you keep a diary of how you feel each day, use family for support to help if you can. If it doesn’t feel right, speak to your doctor. I would hate for anyone to suffer as much as I did because the doctor kept saying, “it’s meant to get worse before it gets better.” Seek second opinions if it doesn’t feel right. I will never touch that again."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I began taking Effexor XR 150 to treat anxiety/depression. The medication gave very few adverse reactions initially. I did notice benefits until the end of my second month. There was a mistake with supply, and I had to go 2 days without. Within 2 days, I was in full-on withdrawals. It began with insomnia, livable. Then came nausea, muscle cramps, hot and cold sweats, hives, swollen tongue, irritability, depression, hallucinations... those were the most significant ones. By the second day off, my withdrawals were bad."

• AB9...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Only take Effexor if you want to be on it for life. The withdrawal lasted 3 months for me. I think my body and mind are permanently damaged from this drug. It helped anxiety by numbing me, but at the same time, made me more depressed at times."

• Ano...
• February 19, 2020

Venlafaxine "I was prescribed Effexor to treat mood swings from extreme PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). This drug worked to control the mood swings but slowly ruined my life as my doctor increased my dosages over the span of a year and a half. I became so apathetic and uninterested in everything in my life, I lost friendships. I gave up almost all activity, stopped walking my dog due to my low energy, and the worst was not caring about my finances anymore, which I used to be super diligent about. I lost my car after I got behind on the payments, and I almost didn't care. Previously to Effexor, I had my life together 10/10. I never suffered from depression before, I just had debilitating mood swings due to hormone imbalance. I went cold turkey off my 150 mg dose. The withdrawals were horrible, but well worth it. It's been 6 weeks since I've been off Effexor, and I am feeling like my old self again. This medication, if not prescribed appropriately, can have devastating effects."

• JRN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I'm a 43-year-old man going through a painful divorce. Until I started on Effexor (75 mg) last week, I couldn't sleep at night, was obsessing over my ex, feeling absolute despair and hopelessness with bouts of furious rage. I was a wreck. Now all those symptoms are gone... But so is everything else! I am currently unemployed and had been hustling like crazy to find a new job, but since Effexor, my motivation is completely gone -- I have zero sense of urgency when I know that I should be freaking out a little because I have bills to pay and I need a job. I binged 3 hours of Netflix in the middle of the day for no reason! I've never been a procrastinator -- but that's all I'm about all of a sudden, and I could not care less! I was on Effexor years ago for my quick temper and depression, but went off it after two years because the apathy came to be too much. Looks like I am going to have to do it again -- because I need my hustle back!!!"

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have used a few different antidepressants over the years, but when I started getting panic attacks, my doctor put me on Effexor. It works well for me. Missing a dose is the worst thing, though. If I wake up in the morning feeling hung over, dizzy, and useless, I know that I forgot my pill the day before. It takes several hours after taking it to begin to feel better. I recently switched to taking it at night because then, if I miss a dose, the horrible side effects will come at night and I can just take a pill and go to bed, but I am finding that if I don't take a sleep aid, I am up after 3 hours (like right now) and end up having to take a nap the next day. I am thinking that I better go back to taking them in the morning."