Venlafaxine and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Wor...
• September 25, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg ER by my doctor to help with menopause symptoms (mood swings, hot flashes, etc.), and I have mild generalized anxiety disorder. She said it would help also. I took one pill at 10 pm. By 11 pm, I had the worst anxiety I've ever experienced: shaking, hot/cold flashes, nausea, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, and complete loss of appetite. I tried to ride it out. By day 4, I still had the symptoms and ended up inpatient psychiatric. It's been 9 days now since I took just the one pill, and I'm still dealing with these side effects. My anxiety is higher than I've ever felt it. I feel like I'm in a constant fight or flight state. I'm having multiple panic attacks a day. I still can't eat or drink much. I've lost 12 lbs in a week. The psychiatrist at the hospital said this drug at this dose can induce an 'anxiety episode' in some people. How long this episode is going to last, no idea, but I hope it goes away soon."

• Jer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Was on 150 mg for the past 3 years. I tried to get off them earlier last year to no avail, for the withdrawals from this drug seem to be incredibly dangerous and life-halting. For 2 months now, I have been going down in dosage from 75 mg to 37.50 mg and now 0 mg. Throbbing shocks in my head, convulsions, bad stomach pains, nausea, mentally destroyed - random crying and rage from anything that catches my emotional attention (dropping a pencil, etc.). I do not recommend this drug. It may have helped me get through some hard times, but in my honest opinion, I feel this should be illegal. I have had to take time off from work, for I cannot function appropriately."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I just started a few weeks ago, and it has helped stabilize my mood, give me energy. Not noticing any major side effects. I've had some headaches, some light nausea, and some crazy dreams. But I've always had crazy dreams. Other medications gave me much worse side effects. Effexor seems to be working for me. My daughter says that I'm 'funny' again. I love that!"

• 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."

• Rac...
• May 2, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I developed depression when I was 14 after being bullied at school for some time. I decided that I had enough of all the crying and suicidal thoughts just before my 16th. My doctor put me on Zoloft in April 2014, which gave me urinary retention. He swapped me to another one, which I can't remember the name of, but I had a terrible allergic reaction to it. Finally, I was put on Effexor for 6 months until I was ready to come off them in October 2014. I experienced no depression for a few months until I became stressed with school. I started Effexor again in April 2015 and will continue on it because it works very, very well for me. At first, I experienced a little bit of nausea with Effexor, but it passed after a couple of weeks, then it's perfect!"

• 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."

• moe...
• February 11, 2018

For Hot Flashes "A new primary care physician suggested Effexor to treat my hot flashes. I was so sleep deprived and miserable but didn't want the risk of HRT. The very first day I took it, my flashes practically vanished. After a week, I just get a little warm maybe once or twice a day. The first day or two taking Effexor, I experienced a little nausea and tiredness, but it has since stopped. I take the 37.5 mg dose once a day. My only regret is that this wasn't offered sooner."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "Have suffered horrendous anxiety for years. Tried every type of medication to no avail. I currently take propranolol to help heart rate and shakes, but had a bad few years where even this wasn't helping. Was put on mirtazapine (highest dose) for a year, this only helped my appetite, so I then became housebound with agoraphobia. I was at my wits' end until I was given 75 mg twice daily of venlafaxine. Now, at first the side effects were nasty, very nasty. I'd feel extremely nauseous, yawn every minute followed by gagging sensations, and completely lose my appetite. Also, when I went to bed, I'd shake, sweat, and feel very agitated. This lasted for about 2 weeks, and then all of a sudden they disappeared, and I feel amazing. Nerves have gone, and I honestly feel like a new man. I don't even have brain fog anymore. It's like somebody went into my body and took control. Best drug ever. Highly recommended for anxiety and depression."

• Ann...
• March 3, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have tried nearly all antidepressant/anxiety medication, and venlafaxine has been one of the best for me. My mood is more balanced, my sleep is improved, and I am more motivated than before starting the medication. The side effect of nausea lasts a short while after taking a dose (37.5 mg 2x daily for me), but the overall positive effects are worthwhile. I found that venlafaxine has a quicker effect than other SNRIs, with fewer side effects."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I began taking Effexor XR 150 to treat anxiety/depression. The medication gave very few adverse reactions initially. I did notice benefits until the end of my second month. There was a mistake with supply, and I had to go 2 days without. Within 2 days, I was in full-on withdrawals. It began with insomnia, livable. Then came nausea, muscle cramps, hot and cold sweats, hives, swollen tongue, irritability, depression, hallucinations... those were the most significant ones. By the second day off, my withdrawals were bad."

• Bet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on 300 mg for the past 5 years. I cannot handle the withdrawal symptoms, as the feeling of being completely disconnected from reality is too intense, let alone the nausea, etc. I'm 25 and worry that this will eventually do irreversible damage. The side effects are not worth it for me, but again, I cannot stop taking it even though I want to."

• Nde...
• May 18, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I had been struggling with OCD and anxiety and rage issues for a very long time. I decided to get help after my daughter was born. I was put on a myriad of different pills until Effexor. It calmed me down, and my OCD is almost non-existent. But miss a dose and you will be sick like you've never felt before! Think of the worst flu you ever had... it's kind of like that but worse. And all the anxiety comes back in full force. It has really helped me to function, but I would never have gotten on it if I knew how bad it was to get off it. Try everything else before taking this. It will help but at what cost?"

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 19, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been tapering off Effexor for the past few weeks. I was originally prescribed 150 mg per day, and the dose was too much for me. I was brought down to 112.5 and stayed on that dose for almost 2 years. My mood was greatly improved, and my anxiety was nearly non-existent. The downside was that I was always tired and taking naps constantly-most of my weekends were spent sleeping. I'd drink a few cups of coffee in the morning, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I became a napper and would nap for 2-4 hours at a shot. I became extremely lazy and gained about 25 pounds due to a complete lack of energy. The side effects of missing a dose were extreme nausea and horrible headaches."

• Rid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug venlafaxine was a nightmare for me. Problems started after the first dose. The expected dry mouth, but also severe nausea. After the second dose, the nausea was the most extreme I have ever experienced, and I began to vomit. Completely killed my appetite. Unable to sleep and spent the second night pacing, suffering anxiety attacks and taking Gravol. Day three even worse--another night of no sleep and a day of throwing up. Day four added diarrhea to the mix. Called Dr and said I would rather deal with the anxiety I had before starting. Just a horrible experience."

• Kiy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am 130 pounds and 19 years old. I took my first dose of Effexor 75 mg. So far, I have experienced nausea, headache, dilated pupils, and drowsiness."

• Kay...
• February 18, 2016

For Hot Flashes "I'm 28 and had a hysterectomy in August of 2015. I was put on Effexor 75 mg in September, and my hot flashes went away after taking the first dose. I have gone some days and missed a dose here and there and have felt the withdrawal side effects from doing so: nausea, headaches, flu-like symptoms. Recently, I have been getting hot flashes more frequently, so I'm thinking of upping my dosage to 150 mg. Any advice?"

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "These pills are horrible. The lights are so much brighter now. I always feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to do anything. I wake up 5-6 times a night having cold sweats. I always feel exhausted. My hands and feet are constantly sweating. Do not take this drug. The withdrawals are atrocious."

• TFa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have struggled with chronic stomach issues since I was very young. The symptoms (severe bloating, pain, severe/uncontrollable diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloody stool, etc.) are debilitating at times. I was put on this medication for anxiety, but it has treated 80 percent of my stomach issues. It's been life-changing for me."

• 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."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "This is rubbish, don’t take it. I was feeling bad after going through some difficult times in my life and thought I was depressed because I didn’t seem to be as happy as I was before, so I went to a doctor, and she told me I had depression and prescribed the Effexor 75 mg with sleeping pills. She told me I need to take Effexor for six months, but first with sleeping pills for two weeks. I took only two pills for two days! It was awful, I felt like a zombie. I couldn’t function or think or concentrate or feel. Nausea and slurred speech, extreme fatigue. I stopped the medicine after the second pill. I immediately felt better, meds are not for everyone. It would have been a life mistake to take this medication for me."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Took this before bed and woke up at 3:30 am, nauseous, bad diarrhea, sweating, and shaking. Had no appetite all day and was dehydrated. Tried napping, and my heart was pounding just laying there. The next day, I had a migraine up until day three and felt awful. Will not take again. Should be called Sideffexor."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "Improves my mood, less stressed, but nauseous and sweaty."

• And...
• July 7, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication worked for me for a few years for my anxiety, but eventually made me feel worse. When my new doctor recommended tapering me off, I had 2 weeks of pure hell. I was fortunate enough not to experience the brain zaps others experienced, but I had diarrhea, suicidal thoughts, terrible migraines, dizziness, couldn't eat, nausea, non-stop crying...the list goes on. I was a mess for 2 weeks straight and could barely work. I do not recommend starting this unless you plan to be on it for life. The withdrawal symptoms were not worth it, please try something else. This drug should not be on the market!!"