Venlafaxine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Hap...
• February 25, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I switched to Effexor after taking Prozac for years, and it just didn't seem to be working for me anymore. I'm so glad my doctor suggested I switch to Effexor. I've been taking it for about 2 years, and it seems to be working great for me. I very rarely have a down day. You must take it as directed and not miss dosages. I can't miss more than 1 day's dosage, or I will get nauseous and dizzy."

• NBL...
• January 6, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed venlafaxine 4 years ago for menopausal night sweats and lack of sleep. I began with 37.5 mg, but after a few months, it was increased to 75 mg because my body was now used to the lower dosage and I appeared to be returning to my original symptoms. In my last prescription, I requested the pills dispensed in 37.5 mg as I want to come off the drug completely, and unfortunately, this is the lowest dosage they are available in. I have tried a couple of times to come off the drug (37.5 mg), but the dizziness and brain jolts are unbearable, and I just go back to taking them again. I have read several blogs on coming off the drug, and the only way I see is a gradual decrease, even down to counting the tiny balls. I just started 1 every other day! Fingers crossed."

• Sof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I take the drug in the morning when I wake up. The first thing is eating, then 75 mg with a bottle of water, and I make sure during the day to drink plenty of water because this drug affects your renal and hepatic system. Every three months, or according to your MD, you should do routine labs. Remember, the drug won't take effect fast; it is going to be two weeks to check out how you are tolerating the dose. During these first two weeks, you may feel somnolence, dizziness, tiredness, and an urge to sleep. That's normal, but you can also feel like you can't control your life, not being focused, and unhappy. That can also occur in the starting period, as it did for me. The maximum effect of the drug/dose will take effect in three months. Monitor your suicidal thoughts with any anti-depression medication."

• 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."

• Hom...
• January 10, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Used Ireven (venlafaxine). Started at 75 mg. A small bit woozy, increased heart rate, sweats, and hyperactivity. This eased after a couple of days. I increased from 75 mg to 150 mg. Same effect on increase, but quickly subsided. Life was easier, emotions more manageable, and generally a bit happier. Although, I did experience really, really vivid dreams and fatigue. After Christmas, I decided it was a good time to come off them. This is where it got bad. First off, I should have consulted a doctor and weaned off, but being me, I didn't. Cold turkey is not a good idea, trust me on this one. It was absolutely awful. Vision, motor control, nausea, cramps, pains all over, shaking and tremors, awful migraine, no pupils, I couldn't coordinate my mind and body to work in sync. Admittedly, I should have followed a doctor's instructions and am writing this review to advise others to do exactly that. Overall, it worked well for its purpose, just be mindful when coming to the end: do it slowly."

• Bug...
• March 15, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have very bad anxiety, moderate panic attacks, and horrible night terrors. I just couldn't take it anymore. This was the first medication I tried. It has helped me so much, I can't even explain it to you. Yes, I still have anxiety, but it is mild now. I almost never have nightmares anymore. As soon as I miss a dose, I get lightheaded, dizzy, and feel like crap. It has very bad withdrawals. I have almost no side effects. This medicine has been great for me. I've been on it for almost a year. I am at 150 mg."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking Effexor for 5 months now, and I can say it definitely has worked for me. It can take time to actually start working, though, so give it some time. The only downfall is if I forget to take it for a day, I start getting dizzy, brain zaps, and headaches. I am now waiting to refill it, and haven't taken it for about a week, and the symptoms are still occurring. Even with that said, I would recommend this medicine for depression/anxiety. I no longer cry all the time for no reason. Definitely has changed my life (:"

• pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2013

For Hot Flashes "I have just started taking venlafaxine ER 37.5 mg once daily. Only one tab taken for severe hot flashes and my chest is tight, out of breath, dizzy. According to the side effects, these are considered a possible allergic reaction. Calling my doctor before taking again."

• dow...
• August 1, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "Changed to Effexor XR 75 mg about 2 months ago from Celexa 20 mg. Having some dizziness and tiredness, maybe not feeling quite myself, so experimentation with the dosage is probably in order. Otherwise, no problems. Serious diarrhea side effect from Celexa stopped immediately upon changing treatment. But I am disturbed by some of the comments on this site about withdrawal from this medication. I have had no problem drinking in moderation while on this drug."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I've been on this medicine for two days due to perimenopause, which is causing me to have blackout panic attacks. The doctor started me on 75 mg once a day. The second (no joke) I took this medication, I was having a panic attack. It had almost an instant effect. The first day I was a bit dizzy and had diarrhea. I woke up in the middle of the night having hot flashes. But no anxiety whatsoever. On the second day, I took it at the exact same time. Not one single side effect. This drug is a lifesaver and changer. I also have ADHD and have been on Adderall XR 15 mg for 18 years. I was worried about how these two pills would work together. All I can say is WOW!! Effexor XR and Adderall XR together couldn't be a better combo. I'm a completely new person. I wake up and take my Adderall, and then about dinnertime I take Effexor. I am now calm, have no more agitation and anxiety due to the Effexor, plus I can stay focused and alert all day due to my Adderall. I couldn't feel better. These two medications work hand in hand."

• Jim...
• September 7, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Started at 75, then gradually increased to 300 mg over the course of about a year. Has worked so well for me. 300 mg is optimal for me. If I drop below that, my symptoms return within a few days. It has horrible withdrawal effects, though: nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness. It's worth it to me, though. I can think clearly, focus on work, not irritated, not depressed, or having horrible thoughts on repeat all day. Have not had thoughts of harming myself since I've been on it. Also, I have social anxiety. Now I can go places without fear and heart pounding. I've tried Paxil and Wellbutrin, but this is it for me. Hope this helped."

• 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."

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I am so excited about my initial experience with this drug. For the first time in 13 years of treatment for anxiety (GAD & social), I have experienced an extended period of relief. I took an SSRI for most of the past decade, and it seemed somewhat helpful but never really gave me sustained relief. I am now at 6 weeks on Venlafaxine (75 mg for 12 days, 150 mg for 30 days, now at 225 mg), and I am feeling much calmer. Most exciting, I still get panicked thoughts, but don’t seem to have the associated fear feelings. I am so hopeful that this will last! Side effects are very noticeable but bearable: headache, some nausea, minor dizziness, a dry mouth, and frustratingly slow urination. I hope those will go away with time, but I’ve been on the 225 mg for a week, and they have been consistent. If it means I can live without the constant struggle with fear, then it's worth it."

• jay...
• November 10, 2016

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "Had panic attacks and social anxiety starting in adolescence. Powered through until postpartum depression after my second child and began having severe mood swings, irritability, and panic attacks (dizzy spells, heart racing, fainting, chest pain) even when I wasn't feeling stress. Started Effexor on 37.5 mg and had almost immediate success (within a week). Felt a little hyper and would feel like I was getting a low jolt of electricity through my legs, but otherwise fine. Gained a bit of weight, but I think that's only because I was finally able to eat without stomach pain. Increased to 70 mg after two months when panic attacks began again, love this drug! Finally have a normal life."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on this medication for about 3 years for depression/anxiety. During the time I took this medication, it completely numbed any emotion that a normal person would get. About six months ago, I decided that I was ready to discontinue my use of this medication and slowly reduced my doses. Coming down from this was extremely difficult and painful. I would have the craziest/scariest dreams, intense night sweats, severe headaches, uncontrollable body shaking and muscle twitching, some nausea/vomiting, but the worst of all the side effects was when my heart would race so fast it felt like it was going to break out of my chest, and my heart would feel like it was skipping beats, and each time that happened, I would get an intense head rush."

• nab...
• December 15, 2008

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for over a year, and my dosage has been 37.5 mg daily. The drug has worked wonders for me, but I have had some side effects of sweating, strange dreams, and dizziness when I forget to take it."

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

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "The good: tried after 3 years of agoraphobia and relying on diazepam to even go down the road. 7 months later, I'm at university, living a normal life, going to job interviews, socializing with friends, and I'm going abroad (for the first time in 6 years!) next week. Venlafaxine saved my life. The bad: you have to take it twice a day, which is annoying if you're a disorganized student like me! Also, if I forget to take a tablet by even a few hours, ZZZZAP! The brain zaps are so intense it feels like my head is being pounded by a defibrillator, plus dizziness, etc. Other notable side effects for me are excessive night sweats and dry mouth. The good outweighs the bad 100% though... I love venlafaxine for how much it's helped me."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2012

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 3 weeks now for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. For the first three days, I felt a little dizzy but continued with the medication, and the dizziness went away once my body got used to it. I get a dry mouth and have lost interest in sex and cannot reach orgasm. I do feel a lot more focused at work and can think more clearly. I do find if I don't take the medication right on time around 9 a.m. every morning, I get a headache and agitated, so I try to take it at the same time every day. Despite the dry mouth and loss of sex drive, I will continue with it for another month or two and see what happens when I see my doc again."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking 75 mg of Effexor for a year and a half now and it has made me a much happier person. If I miss 2 days in a row, I start to feel dizzy, overly emotional, and like I have the flu. Only drawback (which is a big deal for me) is that I have gained 40 lbs."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2009

Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes "Effexor XR has been very helpful. The only side effects I've noticed are an occasional, slight feeling of dizziness and increased sweating. The benefits greatly outweigh the side effects."

• Mar...
• September 7, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started with Prozac and could not sleep at all. With Effexor 150 mg, I could sleep standing up and was so sedated that I could not function. Withdrawal from 150 mg to 75 to 37.5 mg was OK, but after that withdrawal was hell with dizziness and nausea. Changing back to 75 mg, I still slept well, had a good sense of well-being, and could still function. With it 20 years now."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking Effexor for 5 years now for depression. As far as my mood goes, it works wonders. I'm a completely different person, and it's awesome. As far as side effects go, I have had some sexual ones, concentration issues, and short-term memory problems. I'd rather deal with those than the depression, though, and if I forget to take one or can't afford to get them right away, all hell literally breaks loose. I get dizzy, emotional, and aggravated. All I want to do is cry and sleep."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 17, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've taken this medication for about 5 years now after having no success with other antidepressants. I take 75 mg every day. On the rare occasion that I run out of pills or miss a dosage, the side effects are incredibly hellish. The nausea and dizziness are hindering, and I have found nothing that can help these side effects."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2014

For Fibromyalgia "I love it. I get dizzy and almost black out when I hop up. So I learned to get up slow. My pain has turned dull now instead of sharp and menacing like it's been for almost 5 years. Taking this with Oxycodone and Robaxin helps me get through each day. Still not well enough where I can exercise due to horrible muscle inflammation. Started on the 25 mg... moved to 75 mg... now I'm taking the 150 mg XR and I can say that I think I should stay here."

• 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."