Venlafaxine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "This is the best medication I have ever taken! I am an 18-year-old college student, suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, mood disorder, and depression, and I cannot fathom how much this medication has helped my life. The first two weeks of taking it, I could notice differences in how I socially interacted with people (much more out-going and easy-going). Now I've been on the medicine for two months, and I will NEVER stop taking it! I have absolutely no problems anymore, I still can sometimes work myself up every now and then, but I'm prescribed 0.5 mg of Klonopin for onset anxiety. The only thing I can say bad about this medicine is that I crash at the end of the day for about an hour, and then have disrupted sleep."

• Jad...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2013

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Had horrible side effects, did not sleep for 2 weeks. Developed tics. Felt like I was living a nightmare. Had to be hospitalized. They took me off Effexor. And I started Zoloft. Zoloft worked fantastic. Took Zoloft for a year. Been off meds for 9 years with no problems."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor XR for around 6 months now. My dose is up to 300 mg, and it will probably increase to 375 mg next visit. I was in an extremely deep depression and was initially prescribed Prozac. That was a mistake for me. After a 2-week washout, I was switched to a low dose of Effexor, and it was gradually increased. It is helping with the depression. I have feelings again, and I can talk to people and meet their eyes. It's not so good for the generalized anxiety. Side effects at the start were lack of appetite and insomnia. Only the insomnia remains and has gotten worse as the dose has increased."

• Nam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I can explain this drug easily. It will take away your problems, BUT...your sleep won't be effective, you will have extreme memory problems, you won't experience vibrant emotion (it's always dull). Did I mention you will be tired literally all day within minutes of waking? You will basically be a living zombie where every action you take feels forced and fake. You will gain a ton of weight. I was a bodybuilder, 200 lb, 7.5% body fat year-round. Counted calories constantly. Still did on Effexor, counted them all the way up to 4k a day along with 4-6 beers and no weight lifting. I just didn't care. I'm 215 lbs at 28% body fat. If you don't know what that means, basically I traded a 6-pack for a keg. Went from a size 32 to a size 38. In 8 months."

• Kri...
• July 26, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication was god-awful to me. I was on Lexapro for 3 years when they suddenly switched me to Effexor while slowly weaning me off the Lexapro. The first few days were hell. I couldn't sleep for more than a few hours each night and became irritable and physically ill because of it. When I finally did sleep and wake up, I had one of the worst panic attacks I've ever experienced in my life. It was to the point where my family and I were afraid I would need to be hospitalized. I will NEVER EVER TAKE THIS DRUG AGAIN. I had only been taking it for 3 weeks when I had the horrible panic attack, the worst one I've ever experienced and which the meds were supposed to be helping me with, and I am back on 20 mg of Lexapro."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking the generic venlafaxine XR about one month ago for anxiety attacks and feelings of being overwhelmed. It started working within a few days. I have had a positive experience, although my sex drive is depleted, and I'm having much more difficulty reaching orgasm (I'm female). I am now waking 3-4 times a night, and although I can go right back to sleep, I feel tired every morning. I already take 1 mg Klonopin at night and 350 mg of Soma as I have degenerative neck disease. I am still waking up. I hope my doctor can give me some pointers on sleeping through the night, but other than that (oh, and increased sweating at night), I do feel great. We'll see how the sweating goes and the sleep disturbance."

• Mja...
• August 23, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started on the lowest dose about a year ago. I was used to taking my meds at night. Seeing that I take 2 different meds for neuropathy, it's just easier to remember to take all meds before bed. Well, Effexor literally had me up for 2 days straight, so I contacted my doctor, who said to start taking it in the morning. I am now on 225 mg every morning and am doing better. I do take it for depression and anxiety, which I have fought with since I was a teen. Effexor is the only one that has truly helped, and I haven't given up on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2021

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "10 days in on 37.5 and already feel decreased anxiety. Sleep issues still and some daytime fatigue, but I know this will pass with time. Worried about stopping them one day from all the reviews, but I'm looking forward to taking a year to feel good."

• kma...
• January 4, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have suffered from MDD, GAD, SAD, OCD, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD for the past 25 years. I have tried several other SSRIs and was recently switched to Effexor XR. I was prescribed 37.5 and was to build up to 150 mgs. The side effects were so severe I could not get past the initial dose. I took it for the past 6 weeks, and it abruptly quit working. I could not tolerate increasing to 75 mg. I will be switching to Celexa. The side effects include tachycardia, sweating, hypostatic, extreme blurry vision, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and weight gain of 5 lbs. I experienced 'spatial disorientation' where I would get waves of vertigo. I had great depression relief for about 3 weeks, but the side effects were too numerous to tolerate."

• Rap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Been on venlafaxine for 7 yrs. After a long battle with severe anxiety and stress that led to long bouts of depression, I was finally prescribed venlafaxine modified release. Eventually settled on 150 mg, which slowly but surely started to work alongside my body, and I felt better. Missing 2 days or more was a nightmare and resulted in nausea, insomnia, jitters, and the horrible brain lag (the only way I can describe it). I'm now in a much better place in my life, and my doctor and I are decreasing my dose slowly. Long-term side effects I've had are a complete loss of any sleeping pattern combined with horrible night restlessness (feeling like all your skin is ever so slightly itchy), and now that my dose is being decreased, I'm noticing I'm having uncontrollable anger outbursts along with increased night tremors. If this drug works for you, the pros are greatly outweighed by the side effects. But those side effects can be debilitating sometimes. Take with extreme caution."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "So here is my experience with Effexor, I hope it helps you make an informed decision. I started taking it two months ago as a change from the Citalopram I have been on for over 5 years. I suffer from anxiety. The first three weeks, improvement in my mood, better temper control also. Week three, the insomnia kicked in and strange urges to have to get up and move around. Week four, serious shortness of breath on exertion, ringing ears, lip numbness, and malaise. Turns out I was allergic to it! Doc took me off it immediately, then the withdrawal began. Oh my G*#. The worst experience of my life. Paranoia, hallucinations, panic attacks (my first ever), breathing trouble, the list goes on. If you research the withdrawal, it's not worth it!"

• 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."

• cmd...
• June 15, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Horrible side effects! I tried Cipralex (escitalopram), but it made me so tired all the time. My doc switched me to Pristiq (desvenlafaxine). I had 0 side effects, but I couldn't afford the $105 price each month without a generic brand or drug plan. Doc switched me to Effexor, claiming it was 'very similar to Pristiq and available in a generic.' However, I had the WORST insomnia at night. Trouble falling and staying asleep at night-would wake up every hour with my mind racing. Dry mouth throughout the day, no matter how much water I drank. Also, very fidgety feet and legs while sitting or laying in bed. I was exhausted all day, every day, yet continued waking up several times throughout the night. Went back to my doc and switched back to Pristiq."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "This drug, Effexor, literally saved my life. I was prescribed it for depression, anxiety, and panic! Side effects weren’t too bad taking 75 mg. Drowsiness, increased heart rate, increased tinnitus, nausea, bad nighttime sweating, increased anxiety at first, head felt a bit spaced out, and crazy bad insomnia. Most of these subsided after about 8 days. Dosage change amped it up again for about another week. If you can work through it, it’s so worth it! After three weeks, basically feeling like myself again. A little more time will tell if my anxiety subsides further."

• Kit...
• February 23, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Celexa in the past and had done well on it until the last few months, so my therapist recommended that I be switched to something else. Effexor XR was suggested as part of my treatment plan. For the first two weeks, I was on 37.5 milligrams + 10 milligrams of Citalopram and seemed to do well on it. After that, I was supposed to double the dosage up to 75 milligrams. When I doubled the dosage, my body had horrible side effects: I missed a full week of work; I was not sleeping; I was sweating in my sleep; I was starting to argue with my fiancé over stupid things; and it caused suicidal ideation. I ended up in the hospital, missed more work, back at the hospital again trying to seek more treatment, and had to see my therapist twice in one week, demanding a new medication. I have been off of this medication for a week and have been on Paxil (a drug that is in the same family as Citalopram) and have been doing well - like much, much better."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been prescribed Effexor for over 6 years. Initially, it worked great. Now they have made me go on a generic version, venlafaxine HCl ER. The manufacturer is TEVA. And I have had major anxiety, hives, headaches, can't sleep, night sweats, just to name a few. I have heard from others they cannot take the generic form. However, when I requested the name brand, my insurance wouldn't cover it. In going to fill my prescription, it was going to cost $963 to fill. I was shocked. What is a person to do? Is there any help for those of us who can't take the generic format? And how do we find out what is actually in this to know what we are allergic to? Any help is appreciated..."

• Joe...
• April 19, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Been on venlafaxine for 3 months now. I suffer from complex PTSD and BPD. Love it so far! Much more effective than SSRIs. Started on 75 mg a day, taking 2 tablets. Felt better with regard to my anxiety in just a few days. Side effects were insomnia to begin with, shaky hands, random sweats, and constipation, oh, and of course, lack of libido (I now take Viagra as needed). My doctor then changed my dose to 150 mg extended release, this is much better with regard to side effects-no more sweating or shaky hands and can sleep much better. So yeah, the side effects are horrible to begin with, but stick with it! I have yet to miss a dose, but I've heard it's pretty hell, so I try to take my medication everywhere I go. Overall, great medication!"

• Ace...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was prescribed 75 mg Effexor for my depression. Took the medication for only four days and had to stop it, as my depression deepened. I went into rolling panic attacks. I did not get an hour of sleep for four days, despite feeling completely exhausted. The world made no sense. Life made no sense. I couldn't stand my head and the thoughts in it. It is not true that the drug can cause increased suicidal thoughts only in young people. People should be very careful with this drug!"

• Pot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "Fantastic medication. At 75 mg, it brought me out of an intractable major depressive episode and reduced the anxiety that had been eviscerating me for months. I went up to 150 mg - which did make me hypomanic and caused rapid cycling, but I wouldn't have known I had Bipolar II otherwise. Currently using in conjunction with Lamictal and seeing great results. I am calm, have motivation, sleep well, and have hope for the future. Side effects: night sweats and slightly fragmented sleep when raising dose; abated after 3-4 days. Ongoing constipation - extra fiber helps. Make sure to take on time; I have panic attacks the next day if I'm 6+ hours late. It's a bear to lower your dose, but taking out a grain at a time from the capsule takes care of the bad effects ;) Highly effective medication if it works with your unique physiology! I'm a physically healthy 24-year-old female."

• bun...
• June 23, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took this drug a few years ago when I was 18. I stopped having panic attacks but still felt anxious at times, but I was still much more outgoing. I feel like it made me want to drink all the time, but I felt much better than I did without it. I remember waking up one morning and thinking this is what normal people without depression feel like. I stopped taking it after about a year because I felt like it was working and I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms, except one day where I felt like I had the stomach flu for one day, feeling severely depressed a few months after taking it. I have been on 37.5 mg for a month now and just started 75. It gives me restless legs and a little insomnia, not much difference in depression, but I feel less anxious."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Been taking Effexor XR for a while now. Helped with the depression and anxiety. However, -1 for the constant nausea and -1 for the constant insomnia."

• Rel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2013

For Anxiety "I started on Effexor 37.5 and graduated to 75 mg. I was on it for about 7 years, and it really worked for me. No more panic attacks and insomnia. It was also prescribed for hormone replacement. About 4 months ago, I decided that I wanted to be free from medication, and my doctor weaned me off of it. I did well for a while, but the panic attacks returned about 2 weeks ago, along with a preoccupation with death. I started Effexor 75 mg yesterday and can already tell a difference. It works for me, and I'm staying on it this time."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 22, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on 75 mg of Venlafaxine for two years now for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic hot flashes. Additionally, I live with a family member with high-functioning autism. My doctor was frank, the symptoms for your body and brain to get used to the drug can be pretty terrible. I had heart palpitations, couldn't sleep, felt sick, and experienced brain fog. It lasted about two weeks. After that, I started to feel good. I have been able to sleep better because of the reduction of hot flashes and am better able to manage my days. It's not a cure-all. I still see a psychologist regularly and have to allow plenty of quiet time to recover from social activities, but this is the best I've been in years."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I’ve been on Effexor for 5 months, and I’ve gone from off the charts depressed and anxious to happy and productive. I tried an anxiolytic briefly the first week I started the Effexor but didn’t like it, so I quit, but I’ve found that my negative internal narrative has improved drastically on the Effexor, which has helped my anxiety significantly as well. My family and friends have noticed a huge difference in my mood and energy level. I was increased to 112.5 mg daily over the winter for relapse in some depressive symptoms and just decreased to 75 mg daily - having some side effects of sleep interruption with the dose titration, but otherwise so far, so good. My sleep was always interrupted titrating up as well, which always improved with time. My only complaint is that my sex drive decreased for a while upon starting the drug, and even though I now have it back, it’s still more difficult to orgasm. This side effect is improving over time as well, but it’s an annoyance for sure."