Venlafaxine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Hea...
• April 14, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor for over 10 years now. It was good at first. Before I took it, I couldn't control my anger, but I've had several bad years: separation, domestic violence, and my children and I were homeless. Things with those matters are starting to get a little better now, but I'm finding I'm feeling so sad and down. Thoughts of suicide, and I'm good sometimes, and other times I cry myself to sleep. I really don't know if it's working anymore. I'm currently on 75 mg."

• Hea...
• April 14, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor for over 10 years now. It was good at first. Before I took it, I couldn't control my anger, but I've had several bad years: separation, domestic violence, and my children and I were homeless. Things with those matters are starting to get a little better now, but I'm finding I'm feeling so sad and down. Thoughts of suicide, and I'm good sometimes, and other times I cry myself to sleep. I really don't know if it's working anymore. I'm currently on 75 mg."

• Bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "This medicine, venlafaxine, is complete garbage. Don't ever get on it, it makes you balloon up. There are a lot of bad reviews about weight gain on this medicine, it's terrible. It made my anxiety and everything worse. It made it better for a while, and then it made it worse. It made me balloon up, which caused me to be severely depressed because I gained 50 pounds eating a clean diet that I ate before. I was a hundred and twenty pounds, now I'm 178. My other doctor put me on Contrave because I was obese after taking this."

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2021

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have now been on Effexor XR since the beginning of summer. At first, the first 2 months it seemed to calm my anxiety, and I didn't panic as much, but that quickly subsided as quickly as it started, so I went up a dose (from 37.5-75 to 112.5 mg), and it had not changed anything. About 5 or 6 months in, I started noticing spikes in my panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, the depression being the worst. I also got prescribed Adderall, which I take 'as needed,' and it also helps with everything. The Effexor now, I can't tell if it does anything, as my anxiety and depression came back full force. Like it didn't do anything to begin with now, or at least barely. Also, I do see many things about withdrawals. Yeah, it's said you get them, but at least for me, it is super bearable, like not smoking for a day. That being said, it seems to me as useless sugar. I'm really hoping to soon find something that actually does something. These kinds of drugs are sugar pills to me or increase depression and anxiety and irrational thoughts."

• Dru...
• August 20, 2019

For Anxiety "Venlafaxine resolved my anxiety issues very nicely. However, it made my depression worse due to emotional blunting. Didn't help me personally, and my clinical psychologist recommended I come off it."

• fra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2020

For Depression "I used venlafaxine for more than a year to treat severe depression. Mostly I used 150 mg. Tried 375 mg for 3 months, but was so tired with low mood, decreasing the dosage helped me. It reduced my depression symptoms. I started to feel stable, okay, without thinking of suicide every day after 6 months of taking venlafaxine. But it made my emotions flat and got rid of motivation, so it was hard to push myself to do daily activities. Also, I had excessive sweating, my clothes were completely wet after even a short walk."

• tes...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 14, 2022

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been taking Effexor for over 10 years, and it has helped me a lot with my depression. I tried almost all antidepressants that exist, and Effexor was the only one that really helped me. When I started, I almost immediately felt the effect of increased motivation and improved mood. It also helped with my anxiety, especially because I procrastinate a lot less. On the flip side, I feel like the effectiveness of the medication somewhat decreased over the years. But most importantly, there are the terrible withdrawal effects that start only a few hours after forgetting to take it. Plus, now that I want to start a family, I was told that I need to get off of it because it could harm my baby. Which is a problem because even though I only take out one granule from the capsule every day, I still feel extremely tired and sad on bad days. I was also extremely nauseous at some point. I have to taper down even slower now. I still would recommend Effexor because it is the only medication that has helped."

• BE3...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Effexor does help with anxiety and depression, but I had so many side effects that I had to do something. My doctor didn't want me to stop Effexor, but after missing doses while on vacation, I noticed that issues I was having seemed to ease up or go away. This included constant headaches, lack of interest in things, no motivation, 'E.D.', and a constant ringing in my ears. I am currently on my second attempt to withdraw from Effexor, and honestly, I think I have it beat this time. In the past, I had quit smoking simply overnight, gave up drinking, and went off my pain meds cold turkey. You must taper off on this med. It will SUCK! I have more energy, and 'brain zaps' have stopped. Now I have only insomnia to overcome. Effexor, the zombie drug."

• Inv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking Venlafaxine (150 mg) for 6 years now, and it has destroyed who I was as a person. I’m always tired, which makes me have no motivation, which then leads to depression and ultimately leads to raising dosages until you’re fully dependent on it due to extreme withdrawals when trying to stop taking it. My psychiatrist and GP attempted to wean me off, and I had what people call “brain zaps” to the point of feeling disassociated, which makes my bipolar symptoms get extreme. I was having nightmares when I finally was able to fall asleep because I was also suffering with 3 hours of sleep from being so uncomfortable in my own skin. This pill has a lot of warnings and stories exactly like my own, please do your research on withdrawals from it before starting it. I would never recommend this medication to anybody."

• Inv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking Venlafaxine (150 mg) for 6 years now, and it has destroyed who I was as a person. I’m always tired, which makes me have no motivation, which then leads to depression and ultimately leads to raising dosages until you’re fully dependent on it due to extreme withdrawals when trying to stop taking it. My psychiatrist and GP attempted to wean me off, and I had what people call “brain zaps” to the point of feeling disassociated, which makes my bipolar symptoms get extreme. I was having nightmares when I finally was able to fall asleep because I was also suffering with 3 hours of sleep from being so uncomfortable in my own skin. This pill has a lot of warnings and stories exactly like my own, please do your research on withdrawals from it before starting it. I would never recommend this medication to anybody."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2018

For Depression "I have had experience with this drug for over five years, stopping for nine months while I was pregnant but unfortunately had to get back on it after I had my daughter due to postpartum issues. Long story short, this drug would work and then lose its effectiveness over time, resulting in my doctor increasing the dose. Two years later, the drug became ineffective again and my whole life was affected. I couldn’t get out of bed and I experienced the worst depression I’d ever had. I decided that I needed to come off of everything and start from square one. You should always consult your doctor when wanting to discontinue a medication and with a drug like Effexor, the only safe way to come off this drug is by tapering. I’m down to only taking two 75 mg tablets and I feel much better! Wow, what a difference. This drug is a no-go for me. I can’t believe I’ve been putting up with the terrible side effects for so long only for it to ultimately stop working."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2019

For Depression "After trying about 11 different medications since I was 12, I've been on Effexor 75 mg for two months, starting dose 37.5 mg for 3 weeks. My anxiety is completely gone. No more panic attacks, sleep paralysis, or self-harm. My depression has worsened. I cry for about 2 hours every day without reason. It has limited my functioning. I have no motivation to do schoolwork, strengthen relationships, or even cook meals for myself. However, I am happy that my anxiety is gone. I can now mingle among crowds of people, stay calm in traffic, talk to others, including strangers, with ease, sleep peacefully, and generally do the things that I want to do. My body feels better. I may request to add a medication for my depression and stay on Effexor since it has done wonders for my anxiety."

• sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "My GP has just switched me from Lexapro to Effexor XR. Have been on SSRIs for 10+ years, and have felt they've always provided a 'floor,' but have gone below the floor for weeks at a time after getting sober 17 months ago. He thinks, because I've been on SSRIs, it could take only a week, not 3, for its effect to be felt. Mainly, just feel a combination of uninterested/tired/down most of the time, so wanted a status check on my meds. We'll see. Wary of the warnings if you don't take it at the same time all the time. Wish all you well!"

• Exp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2017

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am sure Effexor has helped many people over the years. I was one of the first patients to take Prozac. I was given ever-increasing doses as my depression increased. At first, I was HEALED! I wound up in the hospital with a psychotic break due to SSRIs. Effexor was given to me a few years later (doctors still did not correlate medication as a possible issue), and again I got more depressed. At this point, I was taking a bi-polar med, Lithium. The Dr. abruptly stopped Effexor from a high dose, and I do not remember the next month. I was on the payphone in a psych ward talking to my mom and came back. The nurses said I do not want to know what happened. I take my meds every day, at the same time, see my Dr. every 3 months, and am well."

• Bad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2016

For Depression "I have been on and off this med 3 times this year. There is just nothing else that works as well as this med does for me. I've tried sertraline 25 mg, bupropion 75 mg, bupropion SR 75 mg, and fluoxetine 20 mg, but those had no positive outcome like venlafaxine. I was taking 75 mg for 3 months on 2 separate occasions, and goodness, this med kept my mood on the bright side despite any stressors thrown at me this year. I've recently gone back down to 37.5 mg a day because, after a while, this med did seem to make me forget to take it at times, and it also left me emotionless. I wasn't depressed anymore, but I couldn't feel happy for all of the little things either. I was just too 'chill,' too content. This med turned my life around! God bless!!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor put me on 37.5 mg regular (generic brand) for about 2 weeks, and I was so tired and still depressed. So she upped my dosage to 75 mg XR. After 2 days, my anxiety was out of control and I was depressed, so I had to be watched 24/7. I finally got off it after I switched back to 37.5 before going cold turkey. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms. Good luck to anyone on this medication."

• SDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2018

For Depression "First day I took 37.5 mg, I got nauseous in half an hour. The whole day I was feeling weird but okay until I had a really weird fainting spell. That episode felt exactly like low sugars. I had it before but never THAT bad - hands shaking, extreme weakness. But I knew that there are side effects with all the SSRIs, so I kept taking it. It got better, but still, I was feeling hot and sweaty, either extremely sleepy or shaky and anxious. When I increased my dose to 75 mg a day, I felt so terrible that I just stuck with 37.5 mg. Some days I felt almost high. I also got a new job I love, and sometimes I was a ball of odd energy, and then these fainting spells would happen, and I would be so tired. Two days ago, I missed my pill. All of the side effects came back. I had to leave work and go home. I slept through the whole day, was terribly weak and depressed. I feel like this medicine is destroying me. I had a few really 'high' episodes, but the majority of the time I feel so bad, it's not worth it."

• wis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I can't really say anything about how effective it is because it worsened all of my symptoms. Depression, considerably worse. Urge for amphetamines, alcohol, and cocaine (as well as Valium on one occasion) were severely worsened, and I haven't touched any of those drugs (except alcohol) in nearly 20 years. Suicidal thoughts weren't even present until I took this medication, and I was on the lowest dose available. All symptoms of restless limb syndrome were severely worsened. Derealization was worsened to the point of depersonalization. Anxiety was drastic to the point that I wanted amphetamines against the down and Valium/Xanax against the anxiety. Urge for strong drugs and RLS symptoms were only tolerable after microdosing cannabis."

• Cha...
• July 14, 2017

For Depression "DO NOT TAKE!!! THIS MEDICATION RUINED MY LIFE IN THE SPACE OF A MONTH! It made me more depressed, agitated, irritable, lost my appetite, anxious beyond belief... and that's only on the lowest dose! I cannot believe, in all my experience with depression, that an 'antidepressant' can make someone feel so depressed."

• med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "So I started taking this drug about 2 weeks ago and have severe depression and anxiety with extreme self-esteem issues, and I have been experiencing a lot of different emotions right now. I have a lot of down and depressing moments when I’m alone, to the point where I get panicked about how I’m going to react to certain situations, as I feel like I’m going to overreact to the point of snapping at people, especially my family and friends supporting me right now. I have also been having tremors in my legs, and my breathing can get out of control at times. Everyone taking new medication will always react differently, and it can take time to settle in, but I can honestly say if these symptoms persist, I will be going off this medication. I really hope it starts to kick in a few more weeks' time."

• med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "So I started taking this drug about 2 weeks ago and have severe depression and anxiety with extreme self-esteem issues, and I have been experiencing a lot of different emotions right now. I have a lot of down and depressing moments when I’m alone, to the point where I get panicked about how I’m going to react to certain situations, as I feel like I’m going to overreact to the point of snapping at people, especially my family and friends supporting me right now. I have also been having tremors in my legs, and my breathing can get out of control at times. Everyone taking new medication will always react differently, and it can take time to settle in, but I can honestly say if these symptoms persist, I will be going off this medication. I really hope it starts to kick in a few more weeks' time."

• 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."

• Msa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "An increase in suicidal thoughts and depression."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Venlafaxine is an odd drug, feels very different than Lexapro, which I was on previously for years. If you’ve ever taken transdermal scop, it feels similar, very anticholinergic for me. Pros: less apathetic, blank, dead than I felt on Lexapro, more confident in social situations, more assertive, less panicked in social situations, less 'drained' by social encounters, less 'mute.' Cons: dry mouth, dilated pupils, still get quite depressed, reactive mood, psychomotor agitation, sometimes feel like I’m going crazy or crawling out of my skin, less empathy, less friendly. While I function better socially, I feel less inclined to be social in the first place. I take a dose of venlafaxine 75mg XR at night with 45mg Remeron. Overall a peculiar med, not the best, going to try Nardil next."

• and...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Depression "Made me more depressed than I've ever been in just a couple of days. Horrible drug."