Venlafaxine and Sweating: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ven...
• June 18, 2021

For Migraine "Venlafaxine ruined my life. It turned my brain into salad and took all creativity and joy away. I don't have feelings. I don't have energy. I sleep 15 hours and wake up tired. I sweat, always. Can't think, can't talk. Old friends don't recognize me, family looks at me like I've gone mad. And now, 3 years after withdrawal, I still feel lost and can't remember the person I once was. The person Venlafaxine created is empty and doesn't care. Migraine? If I could go back, I would just take the pain relievers and pray. It did not help. I'm slow and tardy. The depression I experienced from this drug was extreme, intense, soul-crushing. I am incapable of feeling motivated as of now. The annoying side effects are gone now, but the life-changing ones remain. Still slow, confused, uninspired, and unable to have intelligent conversations. I vaguely remember the fun, outgoing, active person I once was. I loved life. It will never be me again, and the realization breaks my heart a little bit every time."

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Female (45) taking Effexor for about 6 months. I used to be on Celexa, but my anxiety was getting worse. I didn't have any problems getting used to Effexor like others have. After having been on it for 6 months, I'm back to having severe anxiety, so I'm being switched to something else. Weaning off hasn't given me the same problems other people have. I'm not working right now, though-if I were working, I'd probably notice the withdrawal symptoms much more than I do. I've noticed sweating, feeling dehydrated, and an achy feeling all over."

• Eri...
• November 22, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "If you are thinking about taking this, do not do it. Ask your doctor for something else, anything else. Effexor is horrible. I was put on it due to depression and generalized anxiety. Within the first few weeks, I was emotionally numb, I wasn't sad anymore, but I couldn't feel happiness. Six months later, while still on this, I became suicidal and self-harming, my heart rate started increasing due to my anxiety to the point where I was hospitalized. After that, it was decided I was to come off it, now coming off it is even worse than being on it: shaking, dizziness, headaches, puking, sweating. I've only been off it a week, and already I can feel my mental health calming down. Avoid this drug. Please. For your own safety."

• Two...
• April 19, 2019

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "Suffer panic disorder, had a depressive episode for over 6 weeks after relationship breakdown. GP put me on Effexor 37.5 mg, felt better mood instantly; followed by a sedated, sleepy feeling. Couldn't cry at all, which was a bizarre experience for me, as I previously cried all day long. On the third day, had a migraine by the evening and went to bed at 10 pm. At 1 am, woke up agitated, racing thoughts, eyes wide awake; pupils dilated. Panic was not the word; I was manic with fear, fluttering in my chest and sweating. Started pacing in my lounge, and after ten minutes, was on the floor grabbing my head and screaming, rocking back and forth, and called 999, begging for an ambulance as I felt unsafe, paranoid, and was worried for the safety of my pets. I have never suffered from mania, only panic attacks and depression. I will never touch this med again. Awful."

• Adr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "My psychiatrist prescribed this medication (venlafaxine) because my other medication was not working. The first couple of days I had major hot flashes. I kept sweating for no apparent reason. I felt more anxious and depressed than usual. It lasted about 2-3 weeks with those kinds of side effects, also, I couldn't sleep, so I started taking melatonin. This is my third month on venlafaxine, and I'm good and stable. I sleep 7-8 hours, I feel more energized, but yet in order to sleep, I must take my melatonin still, which kind of upsets me. But I feel much better now. I recommend this to people who have major depression or major anxiety. My anxiety used to reach the level of me throwing up every time before going into work or school, which now I don't."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and adjustment disorder, which mimic major depression. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma, which interacts with antidepressants because these medications can raise eye pressure, so my G.P. tried me on Effexor just through desperation due to my suicidal tendencies/thoughts. I didn't think it was humanly possible to feel worse than I could, but Effexor certainly did that. This is the worst of all the antidepressants, it's like hippie crack and angel dust combined. Within 3 hours, I was on the toilet, then constantly sweating, actually dripping in sweat, then the monster panic attacks and brain zaps kicked in. The first three days, I didn't eat a single thing, by day 7, I was wanting to get sectioned. I wasn't going to mess around tapering off this crazy juice, I came off it straight away on the 8th morning and was severely ill. The withdrawals are astonishing, it's not even possible to compare them with anything. I am not anti-antidepressants."

• clr...
• September 8, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was prescribed venlafaxine a year ago after a suicide attempt. After about four weeks on 150 mg once a day, I started to feel less miserable all the time and a bit more sociable. However, the side effects have affected my life quite a lot. I am now constantly getting sweaty, often feel restless (especially at night), and I have little to no sex drive. The side effects of skipping a pill (just one day) are also extremely drastic. Nausea, vomiting, crying, headaches, and my anxiety problems are exacerbated to the max. It is not helpful at all to my anxiety, I have been prescribed buspirone for that on top, as I am still having frequent panic attacks, etc."

• zoo...
• June 11, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started Effexor XR about a year ago. Within a month, I developed an excessive sweating condition, which my family, friends, and others noticed and commented on. Many of my new blouses got discolored sweat stains on the neck, which would not be removed by pretreating or washing. I could no longer exercise without having a major debilitating sweat, which would take at least 20 minutes to recover from. I started Cymbalta yesterday, and tonight I was able to walk for 1/2 hour with my husband, with only normal sweat."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "This medication helped me with panic attacks, but my anxiety was still pretty prevalent, even at 150 mg a day. In addition, it caused uncomfortable side effects of excessive sweating, especially at night, which would wake me, although I used to be a person who could sleep through a thunderstorm. I also began having severe gastrointestinal problems, which lasted for months before I switched to a different medication. We'll see how it goes."

• mcp...
• November 24, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I had been on Cipralex (Lexapro) for about a year when I noticed I was feeling too tired all the time for my liking. I asked about SNRIs because they tend to give more 'energy.' I got switched to Effexor and didn't have a good experience at all. I couldn't stop thinking about terrible things, I had bad anxiety, excessive sweating at night, and my heart would race too much too often. I had to get off after 9 weeks because it was not working for me at all. It made me really appreciate the escitalopram I was taking before. Clearly, different antidepressants work differently for others. I'm just sharing my own experience. Some may do really well on Effexor, unfortunately, I didn't."

• Gay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2019

For Hot Flashes "My hot flashes and night sweats were gone within 24 hrs. I had been having 3-4 an hour, day and night. I still get a little warm off and on and sweat, but totally doable. If you miss one, the brain “flashes” start in about 24 hrs. Don’t miss one. I do 75 mg a day. No libido, but no reason to think it’s the meds, but I should research that."

• KC8...
• May 14, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am a 140 lb, 29-year-old woman. I was prescribed 150 mg of Venlafaxine XR. I only took it for 5 days due to the horrendous side effects. I experienced dry mouth, excessive sweating, blurred vision, constipation, and increased heart rate. I wasn't on it long enough to determine its effectiveness; I wasn't willing to deal with the side effects. My doctor switched me to Wellbutrin, and I have not experienced any withdrawal symptoms."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication was by far the worst antidepressant I have taken. The first month I seemed to do very well on it, after a year on it, I hit rock bottom mentally. It caused more terrible symptoms than what was beneficial to me. I had weird brain zaps that left me in bed for days, sleep disturbances, attention-seeking behavior, as well as OCD that I had never experienced previously. It took forever to get off this terrible drug, and I call it a terrible drug because your brain and body get physically addicted the way a street drug would. You miss one day, and you start having severe withdrawals, sweats, extreme brain zaps, feeling out of touch with reality, and strange thoughts. After a month of being off Effexor, all of the bad stuff stopped."

• Lox...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2019

For Depression "Many people seem to give up on venlafaxine and write it off, please bear with it if you are prescribed it! The first week I started taking it, I was so sick, throwing up, dizzy, etc. But my psych told me to just keep trying. After about six weeks, I felt a noticeable change. Let’s bear in mind that beforehand I had spent 10 years trying every drug and therapy going, and whilst I don’t want to be triggering, let’s just say I was severely, very, very poorly indeed. Now, one year after starting this drug, I am doing really well. I am working 30 hours a week-I couldn’t work before. I am doing a college course to gain further qualifications. I can socialize, and I can spend time alone without the very poorly things happening to me. I have some side effects-I'm a bit sweaty and itchy, and some sex-related issues, but these are much more bearable than my previous life. I urge you to please stick with any medication the doctor or psych gives you or go back and talk to them again-don’t just stop!"

• Tou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 6, 2017

For Anxiety "I have tried quite a few antidepressants (fluoxetine, citalopram, trazodone, quetiapine, amitriptyline), but they all seemed to have side effects that I couldn't handle. I was prescribed venlafaxine XL 75 mg twice a day. The start was pretty intense. I suffered clenched jaw, constant yawning, and excessive sweating, however, I kept taking them for a month, and the side effects slowed right down. I think the worst side effect long term is insomnia. Forget having a cat nap in the afternoon because you'll pay the price at night. The good points are that my life is actually feeling normal. My anxiety has gotten fewer and fewer to not having any. I can face the world, and I can smile again. This drug has probably saved my life. I'm me again ☺️"

• Pur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2017

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have fibromyalgia, and the doctors also diagnosed major depressive disorder. After a few attempts, I was prescribed Effexor, but I was never warned of the side effects or the horrible withdrawal symptoms if you ever want to stop. Research it first, I wish I had. I could not get my prescription for 4 days once, and I felt like a drug addict, throwing up, sweating, headache, chest pains. It was severe. I think dying would have been a welcome option at one point. All because I had not realized I was out of refills. Anything that severe is not safe for your body. Now, I am stuck on a medication that has made me feel worse until I can slowly wean off that, it may take a year plus because it impacts your entire body when you cut back slightly."

• Amb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Venlafaxine worked well for anxiety and stress in the beginning at a dose of 75 mg, then bumped up to 125 mg, and that’s when I started getting constipated, gained 15 lbs in three months, and sweated horribly at night and sweat more than normal at work. Getting off of it now. Did NOT work for me."

• ano...
• February 17, 2014

For Panic Disorder "My first dose of 37.5 mg, I experienced a surge of adrenaline, dizziness, nausea, sweating, jitteriness, and shakiness. Symptoms started 2 hours after the dose, lasting about 2-4 hours. Each day, the symptoms lessened and disappeared quicker. I have only been on this for 2 weeks, but I do feel more optimistic and upbeat so far, despite the side effects."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2016

For Depression "When the medicine I was on seemed to 'poop out,' I was put on Effexor XR. I researched this drug at length, and even though I was reluctant, I decided to give it a try. I took this med for 2 days and felt so spaced out and tired that I was not willing to keep going with this one. The discontinuation of it in itself is ridiculous. After only 2 days of taking this, within 24 hours I developed a migraine, sweating, and complete lethargy. 2 days of pills equaled a week of hell. I am no stranger to meds and have never written a review on one in my life, but I felt compelled to say that, in my opinion, this stuff is garbage. Really, really, do your research and talk at length with your primary care doc about this one. Trust your gut."

• Cri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "I love Effexor!!!! I have had bipolar depression, extreme depression, CPTSD, and a lot of anxiety for as long as I can remember. Within a few weeks (I had to start a low dose and gradually increase due to bad reactions to most bipolar drugs). So when I got to about 175 mg, I started to have no suicidal thoughts AT ALL!! I am so happy to have those thoughts out of my head. I still have some issues, but this drug gave me my life back - with no side effects except extreme fatigue until I got used to it. Now I have no tiredness at all. HOWEVER, HUGE DISCLAIMER. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS DRUG EVEN FOR A DAY!!!!! You must wean off this. I actually thought it was the end of me when I couldn't get my meds for 2 days. I vomited the entire time, like I couldn't stop. Extreme sweating, hallucinations, not severe, but still scary. Nightmares and the most painful headache that would not stop. The vomiting was the worst. I wasn't able to hold anything down, and I mean extreme cramping of the stomach area. Please be careful."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones and had what I would consider a pretty bad reaction to this medication. I only took two doses, but I didn't want to know how much worse it would get. The first day was okay, no nausea, but I felt moments of depersonalization. The second day I felt more of the depersonalization, and at night I woke up with racing thoughts and hot flashes - my entire body felt like it was tingly and hot, and my heart was racing, and I was sweating profusely. This episode lasted for a good 10-15 minutes. Once I calmed down, I got chills and tried going back to sleep. I was woken up two more times with the same feeling. I decided to discontinue this med because if it's going to make my anxiety worse, even just for the first few weeks, it isn't worth it to me."

• Anx...
• September 9, 2011

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder after having panic attacks brought on by projects at work. It was horrible... feelings of dread, pounding heart, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, the non-stop stress hormones made my veins feel like they were full of broken glass... ugh! I was started on Ratio-Venlafaxine at 37.5 mg (one capsule) per day for the first week and then 75 mg (two capsules) thereafter. When I started, I had unusually sweaty palms and feet, but that has disappeared. On one capsule per day, I felt way better. The medication lifted my mood and allowed me to sleep. Now that I have been on two capsules per day, I find that I get hot flashes through my torso, nausea, and at night I seem to twitch."

• Anx...
• September 9, 2011

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder after having panic attacks brought on by projects at work. It was horrible... feelings of dread, pounding heart, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, the non-stop stress hormones made my veins feel like they were full of broken glass... ugh! I was started on Ratio-Venlafaxine at 37.5 mg (one capsule) per day for the first week and then 75 mg (two capsules) thereafter. When I started, I had unusually sweaty palms and feet, but that has disappeared. On one capsule per day, I felt way better. The medication lifted my mood and allowed me to sleep. Now that I have been on two capsules per day, I find that I get hot flashes through my torso, nausea, and at night I seem to twitch."

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

For Depression "I was prescribed this for depression and overall anxiety. I’ve dealt with a lot over the past few months, so I finally went in to get some help. The doc prescribed 37.5 mg since I asked for the lowest dose. I used to take sertraline (Zoloft), so I know how sensitive my system can be. This was literally the scariest health experience I’ve ever had. I took it at 3:30 pm, started out well, went to bed at 10, and woke up at 3 am with the worst headache, vertigo, nausea, shakes, and weird tingling all over my body. I couldn’t eat all day (gagging at the thought of food), sweating and not being able to do ANYTHING but lay down next to my baby. This was a terrible experience for me. I almost called the ambulance since I thought I might be dying. I felt like I had poisoned myself. I called my doc, and she prescribed a different med, but after last night, I think I’ll pass. No medicine is worth taking with those kinds of side effects. Please be careful with this medicine."

• Que...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "The most awful drug I have ever been on, currently weaning myself off slowly as the withdrawals are the worst! This medication gave me horrendous night terrors, sweating, depression got worse, and weight gain to mention but a few! If I knew then what I know now, I would have NEVER taken them! Stay away!!"