Venlafaxine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sha...
• April 19, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have taken Effexor XR for almost 5 years. I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I take 150 mg in the morning. I don’t forget to take it because if I don’t take it in the morning, I start having withdrawal symptoms by 4 p.m. My lips get numb, and vertigo starts. The longer I wait, the worse it gets. I really had to discipline myself to take it routinely because forgetting enough times is hell, so generally, I never miss a dose. However, a few times a year it happens, and I remember. Overall, it’s the first drug I’ve stayed on because if I forget, it reminds me with the withdrawal symptoms. Generally, I feel very happy and able to deal with life. I’ve put my life back together after my trauma and feel empowered. I’ve set some great future goals and a timeline. There is nothing I can’t work at."

• 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."

• Dru...
• November 26, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "It works well. I did gain weight with it since it does affect the regions of the brain associated with this, but I simply try to stay fit by exercising (which helps my condition as well) and eat healthy foods. Be religious in taking your daily dose, though! The side effects are quite debilitating. This includes being completely useless for anything, sleeping, really weird dreams, and the vertigo described (quite accurately) here as an electrical zapping sensation. Any time you move your head or eyes, it feels like a bzzzzt. Also heed the warning of interaction with alcohol. ONE very occasional glass of wine or beer, but that's it! Mixing this medicine and any alcohol beyond the occasional drink and you'll get seriously messed up."

• ind...
• March 29, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "It took the drug company 11 years to get this approved. This drug should not be allowed on the market. I have been on SSRIs for 15 years and was switched to this pill, which is the worst. I was constantly dizzy on this, also anxious and brain-zapped. If you take this medication an hour late, you are sick. It has a very short half-life. Going off of it, if you can, is like one bad trip. I had breathing issues, my whole body ached so painfully, vertigo, so dizzy, vomiting, and I tapered off slowly. It will take you 6 months to a year to taper off and get ready for the issues you will continue to have. Don't take it. When I read the reviews, I thought it would be different for me because of the lies from my doctor. These reviews aren't lying, or they haven't tried going off. The XR is the only one that is approved??? The other Effexor is banned now. Please go on something else. Not an SNRI, it will bring you to your knees to pray you never took it."

• ind...
• March 29, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "It took the drug company 11 years to get this approved. This drug should not be allowed on the market. I have been on SSRIs for 15 years and was switched to this pill, which is the worst. I was constantly dizzy on this, also anxious and brain-zapped. If you take this medication an hour late, you are sick. It has a very short half-life. Going off of it, if you can, is like one bad trip. I had breathing issues, my whole body ached so painfully, vertigo, so dizzy, vomiting, and I tapered off slowly. It will take you 6 months to a year to taper off and get ready for the issues you will continue to have. Don't take it. When I read the reviews, I thought it would be different for me because of the lies from my doctor. These reviews aren't lying, or they haven't tried going off. The XR is the only one that is approved??? The other Effexor is banned now. Please go on something else. Not an SNRI, it will bring you to your knees to pray you never took it."

• LGG...
• March 28, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I had been on Zoloft (50 mg/day) for depression for 8 years. Following a major chronic health condition, a medical specialist was concerned the Zoloft was no longer effective. Increasing to 100 mg/day was disastrous - head spins, dry, dry mouth, vertigo - so a psychiatrist recommended Effexor. Initial 75 mg/day, then 150 mg/day after a fortnight. Initially, I was unable to orgasm, but this lasted only about a month (same when I started Zoloft). Main concern is weird dreams most nights. The only thing I can tie this to is the Effexor. I have been researching online and it seems I'm not the only one. What a relief to discover - I was becoming quite concerned (and irritated). But hey, I feel so much better that I can live with it. I'm smiling again."

• LGG...
• March 28, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I had been on Zoloft (50 mg/day) for depression for 8 years. Following a major chronic health condition, a medical specialist was concerned the Zoloft was no longer effective. Increasing to 100 mg/day was disastrous - head spins, dry, dry mouth, vertigo - so a psychiatrist recommended Effexor. Initial 75 mg/day, then 150 mg/day after a fortnight. Initially, I was unable to orgasm, but this lasted only about a month (same when I started Zoloft). Main concern is weird dreams most nights. The only thing I can tie this to is the Effexor. I have been researching online and it seems I'm not the only one. What a relief to discover - I was becoming quite concerned (and irritated). But hey, I feel so much better that I can live with it. I'm smiling again."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication has been life-changing for me. Suffering from depression and extreme anxiety, I have much more control now, and the black moods are not so dark. I no longer feel suicidal and am so relieved to have some relief from the constant pressure of being depressed, moody, or anxious. It is important I remember to take it every day, or I start to withdraw pretty much straight away with dizziness and a strange sensation in my throat, plus rather severe radical dreams. Other than that, I am grateful to have something that works with minimal side effects."

• Eff...
• July 27, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I just dropped in on the internet to see if there was something 'better' or maybe 'newer' than my Effexor, but after several sites, I know I'm still in good hands. I've been on 150 mg Effexor, or venlafaxine, for more than ten years, and I've lived a normal life since the right medication-finding game. Yes, the withdrawals within 24 hours are dizziness so bad you shouldn't drive, but I've asked my doctor to write a second prescription for the non-XR version in half strength, and I keep that filled for emergencies, or it's open to fill in another city if I have to fill it unexpectedly. Or if I miss my dose and need it to kick in immediately."

• Saz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "My experience with this drug was horrific. At 150 mg, I hit a new low, I was impulsive, severely anxious, and constantly in tears. I was so desperate to be off this med that I went cold turkey. Huge mistake. Developed discontinuation syndrome: fever, tremors, panic attacks, vertigo, hives, flu-like symptoms, night terrors, constant vomiting. Got to the point I couldn’t even keep down water. By day 6, I was hospitalized with severe dehydration and exhaustion. Was immediately hooked up to an IV to replace fluids and given anti-sickness meds. Doctors introduced a lower dose and I am now tapering. Down to 18 mg, so nearly there. Have to take it slowly as I’m extremely sensitive to this medication. Another 2 weeks and I will be free of it. Can't wait to have my life back!"

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2019

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "When I read the reviews about Effexor XR, I couldn't believe what some people had written, and I took it anyway because I had been on Citalopram for ten years. Wow, now I want to go off of Effexor XR because it makes me feel unfocused, brain zaps happen just before I am to take my next dose. If you miss a dose, OMG.... dizziness, brain zaps, headache, crying spells.... from 1 missed dose. I had a QT heart issue. Took this med with Clarithromycin and had to go to the hospital, it put me into Tachycardia, my heart rate was 190 bpm. Had two shots to slow my heart. Now I am weaning from 150mg to 75mg, wish me luck. I hate this bad boy. Never again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was switched from Prozac to this (150 mg), and it is amazing! It really helped me, but I will say, DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE IT! My side effects of missing one day were these really weird dreams and a horrible headache, but if I was off of it for more than a day, I felt super dizzy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was given this medication after a major panic episode, and I noticed a good change a few weeks after taking it. It helps your mind wander and not focus on the bad things. It also just made me a generally happier person. However, I skipped a few days (I'm on the 75 mg), and the side effects were terrible. I got hot flashes, awful nightmares, I was so dizzy I could barely walk, I was disoriented and couldn't focus on anything, and I was absolutely exhausted. I started taking it normally again, but it makes me a little nervous to stop taking it permanently... Before taking this medication, I would definitely weigh 'do I want to be on this for a really long time?' or 'I can tough this out.'"

• Zil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor has finally made me feel like myself again... Can't remember the last time I was me, it's been at least 7 or 8 years. Tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Zoloft with no relief and bad side effects. Celexa worked so-so. Effexor has given me my motivation and happiness back. Only side effects for me are night sweats and slight headache/dizziness if I forget a dose... worth it, in my opinion, to be me again! Don't forget counseling/therapy too... Didn't feel the most helpful most days (I cried every time I went), but I can tell my maladaptive thought patterns have changed."

• Bar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "My prescription was for anxiety, pain, and depression. After taking it for a year, I beg to discontinue taking it. PLEASE READ OTHER REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING WITHDRAWALS. I have spinal cord damage and have gone through withdrawals from opioids. The withdrawals from this were ten times worse and took almost a year. After going to the lowest dose, I was ready to start the every other day. That did not work. One day and brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, and a horrible sense of unwell. I took the pill apart and reduced it by ten little grains each week. It did not matter. Each ten was a horrible withdrawal. Down to five grains and stopped. I still had brain zaps and incredibly horrid withdrawals for weeks. This drug should not be on the market."

• jme...
• July 31, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Effexor for about two years. Previously, I was taking Lexapro and went off it for a short period of time. I returned to my doctor, and he prescribed Effexor, 75 mg/day. I experienced improvement with my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Like everyone else, I feel it (dizzy, hungover-like symptoms) when I miss a daily dose. I experience constipation and don't sleep as deeply or through the night like I used to. These side effects are on the list for this medicine - so, no surprises here. I give this a rating of 9 because it is very helpful to relieve the symptoms of my depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. And, it helps to control my moods so I can better manage my emotions."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I started taking Effexor 75 mg for my anxiety at 22 years old when Lexapro and Prozac were no longer working for me. I immediately felt relief after I started taking it. I am very bad at taking it at the same time every day/remembering to take it every single day and have experienced some of the most horrendous withdrawal symptoms. I start to notice it about 6-7 hours after a missed dose. I’ll start to feel off balance, headache, fatigue, flu-like feeling, vomiting, etc. This drug is amazing if you remember to take it, but it is definitely something you need to be on long-term. Highly addictive and horrible withdrawal symptoms."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I had been off all meds for 10 years when I had a major relapse and knew it was time to medicate again. Effexor is hard to get on, lots of dizziness and exhaustion. Also, if I am late taking it, I feel awful. Headaches, anxiety, mood swings. Don't ever miss a dose! I can't stress this enough. Withdrawal hits hard and fast, even within 12 hours. Sweats, chills, headache, dreams, whole-body pain. HOWEVER, it does help me get through the day. I have suicidal depression and clinical anxiety, so for me, it is worth some struggle to stay with Effexor because it does give me relief. It calms my brain, allows me to get moving with my day, and not have the threat of my own self-destructive tendencies."

• Sue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2020

For Hot Flashes "I was given this med, Effexor, by my oncologist for hot flashes. I've been on it for 4 years. If I forgot one dose, the withdrawal is horrific! Brain zaps, dizzy, disoriented, nauseated, shaking, flu-like aches from missing one dose are crazy. I've been tapering from 150 mg to 75 mg, and it's taken 2 years. Your brain has to heal. For me, it takes a nightmare of two months to level out. Please weigh the pros and cons. It has ruined my life. I'm a total introvert and used to be a social person."

• Ell...
• January 7, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "Our son, 16 years old, was put on Effexor XR in January 2019 for depression, after Prozac wasn't working on him. The dose was slowly increased to 225 mg. At the time, his psychiatrist went on holiday, and he developed dilated pupils, racing heart, jiggling, sweating. Took him to the GP, who immediately took an ECG, reduced his meds, said that he was developing serotonin syndrome. The psychiatrist did not have a replacement while away and had planned to add another antidepressant as Effexor wasn't working. The reduction side effects have been horrible, made more manageable by using micronutrients, but still losing a lot of school time. From August to December, we have gone down from 225 mg to 42, reductions have become smaller and slower as the dose reduces. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, head zaps, fatigue, and insomnia are his side effects. I wish I had done more homework. Since reading more, using it on those under 18 is not recommended."

• myt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Switched from citalopram to 75 mg and then onto 225 mg venlafaxine. Worked great, to be honest. Got me out and more social. That was until I started getting hives and horrid allergic reactions. Swelling eyes/mouth and breathing problems. I denied it to myself initially that it was the pills because I thought they were working so great, and I didn't want to give them up. Had to face reality though eventually. Pushed my luck, and I got stung. Awoke one morning unable to breathe + swelling badly. I ended up having to go to the hospital... so I had to give them up. Didn't think withdrawal would be tough, to be honest. I thought that I had done this many a time on other ADs and done fine. Oh boy, was I wrong. The vertigo and brain zaps are by far the worst!"

• Bon...
• September 1, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for over 5 years now, and I cannot imagine life without it. I was crying all the time for no reason. My doctor put me on 75 mg a day, and it made me extremely anxious. He then upped it to 150 mg per day, and I have no side effects and function great! The only side effect I have noticed is that if I forget to take it, I start to feel dizzy after a few hours, and by night, I am crying."

• 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."

• Luc...
• August 4, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "In 1997, I was involved in a MV wreck, which cost me 6 years of no memory of my life, not able to return to my Director's position with a major railroad company. I have been on Effexor XR 225 mg (now Venlafaxine XR 225 mg) since then. This has been the worst journey of my life. I am now 71 years of age and will be on it for the rest of my life. I suffered severe head trauma in 1997, two breakdowns, and memory loss. If I don't take this medicine, I am in a great deal of head pain, vertigo, and many other symptoms. I decided not to try to get off of it anymore."

• Liz...
• October 26, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "First time writing on here. Been on Effexor (instant release tablets) over 4 years. Average dose I hovered around was 400 mg/day. At first, I liked how it made me WANT to get out of bed in the morning, upped energy levels, and didn't turn me into a zombie. After a few months of this, I started getting a 2-3 hour block in the day when I'd have indirect, immobilizing anxiety. Thus, my doctor threw Wellbutrin at me, which did tone that down for a while. Then, very slowly and without me attributing the following behaviors to the Effexor, I started to: take the first half of the day to 'get going', get dizzy 80% of the time and always out of breath, binge drink for a few month-long chunks on end, not sleep, lose weight, become rather apathetic over more and more."