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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• bis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 15, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Weird drug. I think it helped at first and really eased a lot of the really dim days initially. I continued to take it over the course of several years, and in hindsight, I don't think it was quite right for me. I became a bit out of character, high-strung, and weird. Maybe slightly bipolar but possibly a reaction to very difficult times and lots of change. Some of my worst periods of mental illness were on this stuff; my doctor had me on 300 mg+ at one point, things were very flat, dysphoric, and my adrenals were certainly working. I was a bit suicidal and a little detached at points. I eventually ditched it, experienced some lack of energy, brain-zappy withdrawal for a while. I spent a few months drug-free, then found meds I suit a lot better. If you're still feeling depressed/despaired and it seems like your perception of the world has become cold/weird and you're agitated, I strongly advise you to speak to your doctor and try something new."

• 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."

• Mis...
• July 12, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am amazed by this drug. I suffer from extreme general anxiety, insomnia, as well as adult ADD. I have been on Celexa, it worked for about 6 months. Zoloft, not bad, stabilizes emotions but doesn't get rid of anxiety. Wellbutrin made me so depressed. I was actually given this drug as off-market for hot flashes while still on Zoloft. Well, I went off the Zoloft immediately because this drug worked so well. First time ever (other than taking benzos) I had no butterflies in my stomach, fear over nothing, and slept better. I can't believe the difference in finding the right drug. I don't really suffer from depression, I only get depressed because of my anxiety and chronic insomnia. This has been a miracle drug for me."

• Awe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on this medication for at least a year and a half. I started out with Celexa, which at the highest dose completely stopped working for me, I was in a panic, crying for help. I became so much more depressed, and my behaviors were so impulsive. My doctor started me on Effexor, and what a difference this medication has made in my life. My mood became stable, I am no longer angry at the world, and I don't have the desire to go back to the way I was before Effexor. Remember, everyone, we are all individualized, some things may work for others better than ourselves!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was put on a starting dose of 75 mg Effexor XR and worked my way up to a dose of 150 mg. I couldn't sleep, and my mind was racing. I wasn't myself at all. Back on 75 mg now, and I feel better than that, but still depressed. Switching meds soon, I hope."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• tdi...
• March 24, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor XR for years. I have been on several other SSRIs through the years that eventually stopped working. Effexor has been the most successful in the long term. I take 150 mg of the XR and 37.5 three times a day of the regular Effexor. The regular was recently added as my depression has worsened due to additional stress at work. I have not had any major side effects, even on this high of a dose. I do agree that withdrawal is serious. If I miss a dose, I have a buzzing feeling, crying, and an increase in depression almost immediately. This is one medication that I do not go without-ever. I am a bit worried about ever going off it for these reasons. I believe that this can be done safely with the help of a physician."

• kin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "If I could, I would give this a 0. I was put on Effexor for anxiety, the little depression that I had, and I was told by my doctor that it would help with nausea. All was fine for a while, but when I ran out of the pills, I would get very violently ill and could barely see straight. Effexor messed with me emotionally, it made me more depressed and had an opposite effect on me. Now getting off the pills was the worst. It took 6 months from 150 mg to 0. Brain zaps, could barely walk in a straight line, walls would be moving and feeling sick 24/7. My advice to anyone is take Effexor with caution and just remember your body will become dependent on Effexor."

• 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."

• jul...
• December 17, 2010

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on this medication for about a year now. I am very, very pleased with it. It has changed my life at the age of 26. I used to have depression, social disorder, always tired, and some mood swings. Also, a very inattentive person. Now I am happy and can cope a lot better with life. I wish I had this medication way earlier in life. I would have had a better life as a teen. Probably could have accomplished a lot more. Thanks to Effexor XR."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• hug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I can't use the explicit language to describe my time with this, IMO, rat poison. Started at 37.5, then 75, eventually 225. Naturally, Drs always say, 'You've got to give it time to work!' SURE DOC! Want you to all know I'm no rookie at this, having battled depression for 23 years and taken over 30 different meds, and certainly, THIS DRUG WAS BY FAR THE WORSTTTTT. I refuse to believe that this drug was allowed to be given to humans. Getting on it, I became practically more dead, spending 20 hours a day in bed, suicidal ideations one after another, crying, not eating, hopeless even more, and every other negative symptom you can name associated with depression. Getting off is YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE - FOR ME? 3 ENTIRE MONTHS! BEWARE!!"

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "Just finished coming off OxyContin after 6 years of use. Took Effexor 75 mg throughout. Now a member of NA and tried to wean myself off - horrible side effects from the withdrawal, dizziness, panic attacks, severe depression, and social withdrawal. Went back on at 75 mg and now feel that the drug is pretty hard to get used to again. Can't seem to win."

• tri...
• August 28, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on this wonder drug for many years. I find that if I forget to take my medicines for even one day, I become sad and can cry very easily. If I am off them for more than 3 days, watch out. So don't skip. Take your medicines. I am 46 and find I am forgetting things. I have been on antidepressants for 20 years now, 6 or 7 of those years on this medicine."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor is risky. The years that I took Effexor were fantastic, but the withdrawal symptoms are just as bad as everyone says. In fact, after about three years, Effexor stopped working for me out of the blue. There was no controlled withdrawal. My symptoms were the 'brain zaps' or an 'electric shock' feeling in my head. My mind felt like a skipping record. I was severely depressed and cried all the time. That said, I am now starting to take it again after taking Prozac for several years. Prozac doesn't make me feel as good as Effexor did, so I'm taking it again. Hopefully, I'll have another few good years on it before I have to push through withdrawal."