Venlafaxine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• And...
• October 2, 2019

For Depression "Note: I only gave it 9/10 because I haven’t been on it long enough to give a full rating. I started Venlafaxine ER 75 mg, and the first few days were a little rough, but I knew it would happen. It was mostly some mild nausea, low appetite, and some dizziness/drowsiness. I can feel those side effects lessen more and more every day. I have already found I am able to wake up in the morning, and things don’t feel so heavy. I wake up on my first alarm, or even before it, and I’m ready for the day to begin. I’ve had a much more positive outlook, and I know the meds haven’t had time to fully work, but just the thought of them working keeps me going. But I do feel a physical and mental difference. It’s honestly been great so far, and I’m excited to see how much more I can improve! I know a lot of people dislike this med due to side effects or what have you, but I think it’s wonderful for the right people. Don’t give up hope!"

• Unb...
• January 14, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was started at a low 75 mg. This was a very dark time emotionally for me because I felt like I was taking candy, not medicine. As we slowly increased the dose, the heaviness of depression began to lift, but I also became VERY sleepy. Other early side effects were dizziness, insomnia, minor stupor, vivid dreams, stomach cramps, and worsened anxiety. All these are gone except anxiety. We added a sleep aid and Buspar to take as needed for anxiety and insomnia. But I had to up the venlafaxine XR to my doctor's max outpatient dose of 225 mg to get rid of the unmanageable depression. This dose combined with CBT (therapy) has greatly increased the quality of my life. But NEVER FORGET A PILL! Withdrawal is awful! Sobbing, 'shocks,' lethargy."

• Suz...
• May 10, 2019

For Hot Flashes "My OB/GYN Dr. prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg once daily for hot flashes. I took the medication for two months and didn’t have good results and actually had sleep issues and restless leg syndrome as side effects. I called my MD, and she told me it was okay to stop the medication without tapering. This was bad advice, if you have been taking Effexor and want to stop, you NEED to taper. I had headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and weird dreams. I’m on day 4 of being off the Effexor. Not sure how long the discontinuation syndrome will last. I just called my Dr. and left a message. I would suggest no matter how short a period of time and dosage that anyone should NOT 'cold turkey', you need to follow a tapering program. I’ll never take this medication again."

• Fre...
• February 24, 2020

For Anxiety "When I was first prescribed venlafaxine 75 mg, it zombified me, and I spent the next 2 months feeling hungover, headaches, dizziness, and wanting to sleep ALL day. During the 3rd month, I started to feel a little better. At my next check-up, my doctor upped the dose to 150 mg. Again, I spent about a month and a half feeling tired, dizziness, headaches. Now, 9 months later, I still have days where I feel emotionally exhausted, and I’ve noticed when I haven’t slept well the night before, I get the “whooshing” sound in my head, and can ‘hear’ my eyes move when I look somewhere a little too quick (so relieved to read others have experienced this too, haha). Other than those, I am honestly feeling so much better. The worst side effect for me to deal with is a nil sex drive. Yes, there are a lot of horror stories out there regarding this medication, but one person's bad experience shouldn’t discount it for you."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started to take this med one week ago for my GAD. I'm feeling a bit 'lighter' in the head, but I also have a bit more anxiety, and I feel dizzy. I've read that this is totally normal, and I have been a benzo addict, so I had EXTREME anxiety when I was in rehab getting off that stuff. Now my life is looking brighter, and I have a lot of faith in this med. Just went from 37 mg to 75 mg once a day. I'm looking forward to sharing my experience here in one month :)"

• Pol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking venlafaxine 150 mg XR for nearly 3 years, along with an antipsychotic to treat bipolar 2. Having tried all kinds of antidepressants, this is the one that's worked for me. The downside is the withdrawal symptoms should you miss a dose, but these go away as soon as you take it again. Dizzy spells/feeling drunk is the only way I can describe them. It has a short half-life of 7 hrs, which indicates that they have these symptoms. I've had no side effects and would recommend venlafaxine over other antidepressants, including citalopram and mirtazapine."

• NMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "My goodness. On Effexor XR for 5 to 6 months, last 6 weeks tapering down. Went from 37.5 mg up to 225 mg, never did much for depression or anxiety, though it did good to rid of any and all NSSI/SI. My main complaint isn't the drug itself, it's stopping it. 6-week taper, feeling fine save for some headache/nausea-until I got to 75 mg. Then: always dizzy, more depressed, feeling physically paralyzed. It got worse at 37.5 mg, brain zaps causing such bad vertigo that I avoided leaving my apartment. Stopping it entirely, depression was worse than it had been in months, felt too sick to eat, moving my head slightly was enough to cause a migraine. I had so little energy that I-no joke-called my pharmacy to tell them the Adderall they gave me was defective. I was cocky because I never get any bad side effects from meds. Stopping this med is dangerous: I almost went to the ER twice, once because I was worried I couldn't keep myself safe, then because the brain zaps and vertigo were so bad I thought I was going to collapse. Weigh your options before STARTING, not after."

• NMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "My goodness. On Effexor XR for 5 to 6 months, last 6 weeks tapering down. Went from 37.5 mg up to 225 mg, never did much for depression or anxiety, though it did good to rid of any and all NSSI/SI. My main complaint isn't the drug itself, it's stopping it. 6-week taper, feeling fine save for some headache/nausea-until I got to 75 mg. Then: always dizzy, more depressed, feeling physically paralyzed. It got worse at 37.5 mg, brain zaps causing such bad vertigo that I avoided leaving my apartment. Stopping it entirely, depression was worse than it had been in months, felt too sick to eat, moving my head slightly was enough to cause a migraine. I had so little energy that I-no joke-called my pharmacy to tell them the Adderall they gave me was defective. I was cocky because I never get any bad side effects from meds. Stopping this med is dangerous: I almost went to the ER twice, once because I was worried I couldn't keep myself safe, then because the brain zaps and vertigo were so bad I thought I was going to collapse. Weigh your options before STARTING, not after."

• Hel...
• March 13, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "Started Effexor 75 in October, started feeling fantastic besides dry mouth and a bit of nausea. Doctor upped it to 150 mg in November. I felt like a whole different person, I got my life back, but due to some side effects of the drug causing constipation and facial twitching in my lower lip and body jolts, the doctor tried to wean me off 150 mg, taking one pill every second day. It was too fast, too soon. Wow, just as well I didn't do it cold turkey. Brain zaps, crying, feeling lost in my own body. Scared, tremors. It has been almost two weeks with no Effexor, and I have got vertigo, felt like I was going to die. Today, I started taking 150 mg again, and I already feel a difference. This could be my drug: huge difference in mood, zapping gone, and dry mouth is back. I can live with that."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was put on Effexor XR for depression after the other medication was not available. It was awful from the get-go. My sense of smell was heightened, I had severe nausea, hot flushes were terrible (worse than menopause), felt dizzy all the time, and my mouth tasted awful, and no matter what I did, it never changed. I have now been off it for over 6 weeks and back on my normal medication, but the feeling of nausea, dizziness, and the taste and feeling in my mouth is still horrible, and the hot flushes are out of control. I spoke to my Dr, and she looked at me as though I was crazy and ignored my questions. I honestly wish I had never taken the stupid things, they have ruined my life."

• JRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2018

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I tried Effexor XR 75 mg twice per day some time ago, in 2016 - but didn't like it, so I stopped after a couple of weeks or so. I don't recall any side effects. Lately, I have just been having bad thoughts, sleeplessness, and anxiety, including vertigo and dreamlike states to almost passing out, as well as attacks of sudden depression. I started again on 75 mg once per day, and I feel much more level and like I can deal with things. Still finding my place on it, getting my concentration and focus back, hopefully before my next assignment is due ... sigh, but I am having a positive outcome thus far."

• Bee...
• January 6, 2020

For Anxiety "Felt no improvement on venlafaxine. When I increased to 112.5 mg, my BP skyrocketed. I was hyper irritable, extreme mood swings, racing thoughts, feeling out of control, rapid pulse, panic-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, and dizziness (for approx. 5 days). Started to taper off. At a dose of 75 mg, migraines, dizziness, fatigue, extreme relationship-damaging mood swings, dark thoughts, isolation, difficulty concentrating, and forming sentences, feeling like I was losing my mind for about 7 days. This is normally not my behavior. I took this drug to help with my work anxiety (I am a nurse). What a mistake. After 7 days, I went down to 37.5 mg, and again I felt so sick. Flu-like symptoms, no sex drive, difficulty having conversations/concentrating at work. It is day 7 on 37.5, and tonight I will not take it. I hate this drug. I have tried citalopram before, which was a way better drug for me. Withdrawal was easy. Effexor withdrawal feels like I've poisoned myself."

• Sar...
• June 26, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "So this drug really helped with my depression, but it also has some bad side effects. Please, please, please never skip a dose of this stuff. You will feel like absolute trash. As long as I take it every 24 hours, it works perfectly for both my anxiety and depression, but if I miss a dose, the side effects are awful. My whole body feels like white noise, my limbs buzz, I'm dizzy and nauseous, and can barely concentrate. Also, I don't know everyone else's experience with the medicine, but I used to be on the 150 mg dose, and let me tell you, I couldn't orgasm no matter how much I wanted to, and it sucked. I know it was the medicine's fault, 'cause when I lowered my dose to 75 mg, I could orgasm again. The medicine ridiculously lowers my libido."

• aca...
• December 10, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Zoloft, Lexapro, and Effexor. Effexor has been the one that worked for me, the other two were nightmares. I took Effexor during a particularly bad time after high school, and it saved my life. I had wanted to die back then. Just recently, these past couple of years, I've noticed my depression creeping back, and the death of a family member has added some anxiety in there as well. I told my doctor I needed something, or I was gonna spiral downward. I am taking the lowest dosage, 37.5 MG, I believe. It's been two weeks, and I've had some expected side effects: nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, and a little bit of dizziness. Nothing terrible. Within three or four days, I noticed a change. It's worked for me, and I'm glad I'm back on it."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking Effexor about 3 days ago. So far, it's been pretty crazy. I'm sweaty all the time, nauseous yet starving, and cannot stay asleep for the life of me. However, it is really helping with my anxiety. I suffer from dermatillomania, which causes me to pick my skin. I have noticed that I've been picking a lot less in just 3 days! My scabs are clearing up, and I'm not 'catching' myself picking nearly as often. I also feel calm and relaxed. The side effects seriously suck though. As I type this, my phone is about to slip out of my hands from sweat. I'm a 95 lb, 21-year-old, and I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life. It's also been making me dizzy. It's worth it to me though. If it will help me stop picking, I'll do anything."

• Kd2...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 13, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I’ve been on this for 15 years. Started weaning off about 6 weeks ago - very gradually. I am now only a few days into none at all, and my life is falling apart. I am bedridden because I’m so dizzy and lightheaded. I cry constantly. I have diarrhea. And the worst symptom is when I do finally fall asleep, I have these awful dark nightmares, stories of which I can’t even repeat here. I feel like I’ve been possessed by demons. Not good at all! I’m a mental mess! Feeling hopeless. But under no circumstances will I go back on this drug. Any medication that causes these bizarre and severe side effects during weaning is a no-no in my opinion! Please tell me these side effects will go away!"

• Don...
• December 13, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication worked well while I was taking it. Under the supervision of my doctor, I have been slowly getting off of this medication. This has been the worst experience for me. Dizzy, headache, nausea, brain fog. I wish I would have never chosen to take this medication. I urge anyone looking to start this medication to talk with your doctor and try something else first. If you ever want to stop taking this medication, it is a terribly uncomfortable process."

• 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."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was put on Effexor 75 mg for the first week, then 150 mg after that. It made my depression worse, I felt worse than I had in years and almost cost me my job. I slept for almost 20 hours a day, was dizzy, and overall felt like a zombie. I had to quit after less than two weeks, the side effects were so severe. This drug is nicknamed 'SideEffexor' for a reason."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking venlafaxine for health anxiety. I was prescribed 75 mg/day starting on 37.5 mg/day for the first week. It wasn’t easy to start, I felt very agitated. My anxiety got worse, but I knew it would from reading reviews, so I pushed through. On day 5, I felt better, both in terms of anxiety and the horrible restlessness. On day 8, I moved to 75 mg, but after 3 days at that dose, I felt dizzy and horrible. I decided to go back to 37.5 mg and see if that was enough to manage my symptoms. It was. I’m now 2.5 months in to this low dose, and it’s totally changed my life. I wish I’d taken it a decade ago. The most enduring side effect was impaired sleep, but that’s improved over the last 2 weeks. If you’re scared of taking something for your anxiety (like I was), perhaps try a low dose. It worked for me. Best wishes to you and your healing."

• 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."

• Ah ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 7, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "Was put on Effexor after hallucinating on Prozac. What a relief. It worked for a good 14-15 years, till it turns on you. Just starts out as a migraine or a click in your knee, then the shoulder, and then the unsteadiness and loss of coordination. Then the brain zaps that keep you from relaxing. The doctors would not say, 'It's the med.' So I called the FDA. Hey, I am waking with brain zaps and blood on my pillow from a bloody nose. I also am too weak to get up, have muscle spasms, have slurred speech, and am confused. FDA... Call your doctor... Called. Doctor... 'Can't be the Effexor XR.' Rubbish! Went to pharmacy, asked the pharmacist who said get off this one... 'Effexor XR.' This is the cause of your problems."

• Ah ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 7, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "Was put on Effexor after hallucinating on Prozac. What a relief. It worked for a good 14-15 years, till it turns on you. Just starts out as a migraine or a click in your knee, then the shoulder, and then the unsteadiness and loss of coordination. Then the brain zaps that keep you from relaxing. The doctors would not say, 'It's the med.' So I called the FDA. Hey, I am waking with brain zaps and blood on my pillow from a bloody nose. I also am too weak to get up, have muscle spasms, have slurred speech, and am confused. FDA... Call your doctor... Called. Doctor... 'Can't be the Effexor XR.' Rubbish! Went to pharmacy, asked the pharmacist who said get off this one... 'Effexor XR.' This is the cause of your problems."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2020

For Hot Flashes "After 10 years on HRT, I decided to try an alternative - Elaxine SR. I started on 37.5 mg for 3-4 weeks, flushes did not abate, so was upped to 78. Not much difference after a month. Going off as got side effects of vertigo, nausea, and occasional vomiting. I don't recommend."

• 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."