Venlafaxine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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 (:"

• Kac...
• November 6, 2019

For Hot Flashes "I started into peri-menopause in 2009, hot flashes and night sweats. The doctor put me on venlafaxine, it helped a lot with both, but after being on it for 10 years now, I wanted to try to go off. I tried a couple of other times just briefly, but the headaches got to me. This time, I was more determined, so I properly weaned myself off of it. Having said that, I got past the headaches, nausea, and diarrhea, but I have been very anxious and nervous since I went off of it, and the hot flashes returned and are worse than ever. I found myself getting upset or mad about the most silly things, which I never was as a nervous or anxious person. So, I went back on them today as I just couldn’t handle the side effects of not taking them. By the way, I had been off of them for almost a month. I wish there was a better solution, but for my own health and sanity, I am going to continue to take them."

• jdo...
• June 24, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor might have saved my life because at the time I was given it, I had damn near given up hope. Paxil and Zoloft did nothing. Depakote attacked my liver. Lexapro made me numb. Then Effexor was given to me. Two weeks after taking it, I felt better. Four weeks later, I was back doing things again. Within a year, I had all my interests and hobbies back. Cons: 1. Withdrawal is terrible. When I miss a dose, I feel it. Neck pain. Headache. 2. I've found that I had to increase the dose after two years of usage. Seventy-five mg three times a day holds me. 3. Not really a con, but when more stress than usual, I relapse for a few days with depression, but it goes back to normal if you increase the dose for a while."

• Bay...
• May 18, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking 75 mg for a little over a month, I've seen a positive difference for sure! There are so many bad reviews on the drug, and it made me worry, but being on it has really changed my life in ways. My depression is so much better, I don't take as many naps as I used to, my headaches are a little better, and it's even helped me with irritable bowel syndrome. It's still hard to focus sometimes, but not bad. I don't have many side effects on 75 mg -- I have crazy dreams sometimes, but it's not bad! And I think I might be a bit more hungry. Although, if I miss a dose by a few hours, I will definitely feel it. I start to get a migraine and have to take the med right away. This really worked for me, and I hope it could help someone else!"

• My...
• August 23, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I just started about two weeks ago. I completely see a difference in myself for the better. My children are even noticing the difference in my reactions to basic things. I won't say I don't feel anything, but this is a period in my life... feeling nothing is what I need. I am able to react to situations with logic. Instead of being on the emotional roller coaster all the time! I was suicidal two weeks ago. I took my kids zip-lining yesterday. I needed this. I'll deal with the withdrawals later, this medication saved my life. I work out 4 days a week, so no energy loss. I don't feel a change in my appetite yet. I did have headaches yesterday briefly. Dreams... falling dream a few times. No weight gain so far. Sex. I don't have a desire yet."

• Ann...
• November 2, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been taking 75 mg venlafaxine slow release once a day for 5 1/2 weeks and would recommend it! Day 1 I took it at 8 pm, woke up at 1 am with horrible nausea and vomiting, was really shaky and sweaty. Day 2 freezing but had sweaty palms, clenched jaw, couldn't focus, felt exhausted and had a headache. Day 3-7 felt stoned, slept a lot, no appetite. Day 8 felt really high, had huge pupils and sweaty palms. Day 9 appetite started to come back, but was shaky and exhausted in the evening. Day 10-14 spotting and tired. Day 16 exhausted, couldn't focus, had night sweats. Day 16-23 spotting and felt very dopey. Day 26 felt good. Day 27 a period started (I'm on the pill). Day 28 felt OK. Day 29 forgot to take the meds, took the missed pill in the morning, no adverse side effects. Day 30-31 tired, but OK. Day 32-38 felt like my normal self, without the anxiety and constant rumination! Stick with it for 6 weeks, it takes a while for your body to get used to it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "People either love Effexor or hate it. I am on the side of adoration. I am 18 years old and have been taking Effexor for 4 years, and the change I experienced was amazing. I have a long family history of depression and a generalized anxiety disorder, and it doesn't help when you're trying to go through puberty and are constantly being told that everybody your age is going through the same thing. The side effects are not pleasant, I used to get headaches, my blood pressure increased (but with exercise, it can be managed), and I would get lightheaded and faint more often. Even with these, I still am happy and am grateful for Effexor."

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on 75 mg for two months now, started at a baby dose of 37.5 about 3 months ago. I can honestly say I woke up feeling the difference and the burst of energy. Only complaints are if you forget to take a dose, you're not in for a good day until you take your next dose. I vomit and have a terrible headache, and also with the medication I found that I had a couple of bad lows while getting used to it. But as long as you keep up with your dose and don't mess around with taking it, you should be very satisfied with the result."

• bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I've had undiagnosed chronic pain for decades. I asked my psychiatrist if she would prescribe this for pain, and I started Effexor a week ago. It has already changed my life. I have about 80% to 95% relief of my symptoms. It is a huge difference. I used to not be able to walk normally getting out of bed and felt awful most of the time and had nearly daily headaches. All of that gone in a week. I have slept better and don't notice any bad side effects. Generally, I'm especially sensitive to medications, but this has been a very positive week. Hoping it continues to work!"

• DFV...
• July 28, 2020

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have many labels: depression, anxiety, tinnitus, chronic pain, insomnia, dissociation, anorexia ... 16 years ago. I was a single mother and broke. All meds led to weight gain, taking forever to lose. I realized 'you can't medicate a crappy life away.' I moved to the ocean, reconnected with nature, and found a trauma psychologist. EMDR and exposure therapy helped me manage symptoms. I was pharmaceutical-free until a minor relapse and was prescribed Effexor (105 mg/day). In 2 months, I stopped being active, social, had headaches, dry mouth, constipation, and gained 20 pounds! I went off cold turkey. Within a few days, I felt like myself again (minus weight gain depression). Now, a week off Effexor, sleep better, eat less, and returned to beach walks to increase dopamine. I hope that it's not going to take long to lose the weight. I'm more depressed and have lower self-esteem when I lose touch with my body. This was my experience."

• Hap...
• November 1, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "On 75 mg once a day in the morning, and I feel great! Before, I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store. Now, I have no anxiety at all and can live a normal, happy life. Effexor has given that to me. I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life, and that's fine with me. I tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. I tried Celexa, and that was awful-major headaches with that one. I also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hours a day, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Recently, in July, I went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have finally had the courage to go through withdrawal symptoms, agitation. Headaches, nausea, electric shock in my head. I am free of this drug, and for the first time in years, I feel like a human being. I am alert and feel a range of emotions. I was feeling nothing, numb for many years. This drug should be taken with great caution. I feel it is dangerous."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on many antidepressants. I experienced a few side effects from this one. The major one I experienced was headaches. However, within less than one week, the side effects were gone. I also experienced night sweats in the first few weeks. This has stopped me from crying a lot, which is good."

• 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."

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor for about 2 years. It's changed my life completely. Before I went to rehab and before I was on it, I couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. It gives me energy and motivation! However, the withdrawal symptoms are horrific. If I miss a dose, I get severe headaches. I feel like there are fireworks going off in my head. Last year, I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe or stop shaking after 3 weeks of cutting it cold turkey (due to an insurance error). This is definitely not the drug for people who regularly miss doses or have problems with addiction pills. It's not for everyone, but works great for me."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "Day 4 of venlafaxine, 37.5 mg at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm. I have only just realized the importance of taking it at the same time if you are doing split doses. Previously I was taking it as I woke up (5 am) and before bed (10 pm). Not good - headaches turned into full-blown migraine. First dose, I was sick immediately and was sweating, trembling slightly. I felt I could feel the chemicals literally swooshing around my brain and body. It was very strange. I calmed myself down, told myself to go with it. The rest of the day - fine. Day two, realized I had to EAT with the venlafaxine to ensure I wasn't sick. I've never been a big eater, but half a banana with a venlafaxine plus milk in between bites was enough to line my stomach. Much better this time."

• Byr...
• February 12, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I can't rate this medicine just yet because it's only day 4, but after the first few days of nausea, headaches, and a foggy feeling, I smiled and had good thoughts today. I know it's way too soon, and I'm only on 37.5 mg so far, but I have a good outlook on this medicine now. I see my therapist on Monday, and I'm hopeful for the first time in a long time after battling this for 11 years. They started me on buspirone 15 mg, and it did absolutely nothing. I started lashing out and hated every moment of it, so after 2 months I tried 20 mg Celexa, and again nothing, but I was hyper the first few days, then went to lashing out again at everything. I couldn't drive to work without freaking out the entire 15 minutes. I was supposed to try Pristiq, but my insurance wouldn't cover 400.00 and said they would cover Effexor/venlafaxine. I'll update in a month again, but give it a try."

• 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."

• 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."

• Pur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2014

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Once the correct dosage was established, my anxiety and panic attacks steadily improved. I underwent prolonged treatment due to a nasty relapse after the first round, following the birth of my first child. In the last stretch, I was on this medicine for 8 years. Dosage peaked at 150 mg, and after a couple of years following complete symptoms remission, we started dropping the dose VERY gradually. I have been off it for 9 months now. I had only mild adjustment side effects when starting the medicine: headache and nausea - both transient. During treatment, I had very low libido and poor appetite. Over time, while initial symptoms positively disappeared, I became more irritable, but the doctor did not attribute this to the medicine but circumstance/nature."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG, venlafaxine! I went on this medicine due to a temporary life event that caused a great deal of stress. Started at 75 mg and eventually moved up to 150 mg. I was not warned about any side effects or withdrawal. I had been on the med for almost a year and forgot to take it one day. By lunch, I was vomiting and felt horrible. It took about a day or two for me to start to feel better. I NEVER skipped again and was terrified of trying to come off of this medicine. I only stayed on it longer because I was afraid of the withdrawal. I finally worked with my doctor to try to come off of it. He was great and did what he could to make it tolerable. I still had to pull apart the capsules and take out a few of the balls each day. I felt awful: brain zaps, nausea, confusion, dizziness, memory issues, and headaches. If I had known how incredibly life-altering this drug is, I never would’ve started it. I have been 100% off of this drug for about 2 weeks now, and I still don’t feel close to normal."

• Gre...
• August 10, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "It ruined my life. Was on it for 13 years and tapered off it in March 2018. Every day intense cognitive problems, intense headaches, and stomach problems. Even if I missed a dose, I felt incredibly sick. I am disabled because of it. I'm 29."

• Ano...
• January 27, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 8 years after suffering a serious mental breakdown. This medicine has given me back my life. Having said that, the UK government has recently told all doctors to prescribe the generic version. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I began suffering terrible headaches and anxiety again. After speaking to my consultant psychiatrist, I am now back on Effexor with all the nasty symptoms gone. There really is no substitute for the real thing."

• Sta...
• April 1, 2021

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Please research this drug extensively before beginning! 26-year-old female and have been suffering with severe depression since childhood. Have tried various types of medications for my depression over the years, and can honestly say, Effexor was by far and large the worst antidepressant I've ever taken. The side effects were horrible: severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, nightmares, waking up in pools of sweat, hit my lowest of lows, and had frequent suicidal thoughts. If I forgot to take my medicine within a couple of hours of my dosage time, I couldn't function with work, chores, etc. Tapering off this drug very slowly was an absolute miserable experience. I'm someone that tries to find some good in even bad experiences, however, I have not a single positive thing to say about this drug. I wouldn't even want my worst enemy to feel a minute of the side effects I did on this drug. If I could give a '0' rating for this drug, I would. Will never touch this medication another day of my life!"

• Dru...
• January 17, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor for 3 or 4 months. So far, I've noticed things are more pleasurable, and I have a tiny bit more energy. Still have depressed days, though. As for the anxiety... still there, and hasn't improved much. Panic attacks aren't as frequent or intense, but I still get them. My anxiety is so bad it's to the point I can barely leave the house unless I really have to. If you're on this drug, you're going to want to stay on it and make sure you don't skip doses. I get major withdrawal symptoms like extreme dizziness and headaches. Make sure you wean off it. Overall, still depressed and definitely still anxious. The effects of relief are mild and sometimes hard to notice. I still rate it a 7 because if it has helped anything, it's the panic attacks, which are easily the worst mental experience you can go through aside from being tortured to death. It's very tormenting. But because Effexor hasn't relieved much else, I'd consider trying something new."