Venlafaxine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Mit...
• August 9, 2014

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Have suffered from bouts of severe anxiety over the last few years that would leave me bedridden, suicidal, unable to work or eat. Tried Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Luvox, and honestly thought nothing would ever work for me. All made me worse. My psych doctor wanted to try Effexor XR, but I was worried about withdrawing from it - after trying everything else, I finally agreed. It has taken a month to feel a difference. I'm enjoying things again, not chewed up by horrible anxiety. I'm actually HAPPY?! The first month on it was so challenging - very low, anxious, exhausted, nauseous. But now no side effects. I feel like a light has gone on. I am getting my life back. I could sob with relief. I truly believed I'd never get better, but here I am."

• THI...
• July 27, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "First off, I want to say I never take the time to write reviews, however, I do end up myself reading everyone else's, so I hope this helps someone! I'm a 22-year-old female, and for about 4 years, I suffered from anxiety. First, it started off as panic anxiety, then with the failure of trying medications like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro, my head was just so much worse. I could feel the chemical imbalance, I began getting daily depression and anxiety to the point I'd worry 24/7. It ruined relationships and made me seem crazy. I finally got on Effexor last month. It CHANGED MY LIFE. I feel NORMAL again. Happy, no anxiety, and energetic. The only side effects were yawning, vivid dreams, and at first, jaw pain. I highly suggest this for those with panic/daily anxiety/depression mix! My fears are gone."

• NLD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've tried many different SSRIs for depression (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Prozac) and nothing worked. I was apprehensive to take Effexor because of online reviews, but I'm so glad I did! The only side effect I've had is tiredness the first few weeks, but that has since subsided. I not only feel more energy, but I actually can feel happiness. On the other medicines, I just felt numbness and a lack of emotion, but Effexor has made me feel like me again! This has been my miracle after years of mild to severe depression."

• Mom...
• July 27, 2014

For Hot Flashes "I went to my OB-GYN after experiencing a very emotional year with family and work, then started hot flashes! Thankfully, my OB-GYN was wonderful and didn't think I was crazy. She prescribed 75 mg Effexor (generic venlafaxine), much cheaper too. I saw improvement in hot flashes and mood within 2 days. I am on week 2 and feel more like my old self, minor hot flash symptoms, lost 4 pounds, and I don't feel the need to eat everything in sight! First week I did experience sleepiness and yawning, but that has gone away and I am alert and feeling good!"

• ree...
• January 25, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking Effexor 3 weeks ago after finding no success with Wellbutrin or Zoloft. It causes some initial bad side effects (nausea, dizziness, tiredness), but I can't emphasize enough how wonderful I feel now! I thought I would never find a solution. Most effective medication I've encountered thus far!"

• Mja...
• June 22, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was absolutely hysterical. I got so anxious and depressed, I wanted to end my life. I put off taking medication for so long. I was hesitant to take Effexor due to the reviews. Now that I’ve been on it for almost a month, I already feel better. It changed my life, I’m not anxious, and I’m able to go out and do things. I do get dry mouth, insomnia, tiredness, and my appetite decreased."

• Unc...
• September 24, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg for GAD and depression. I also have OCD. Side effects were as follows: 1st day: fuzzy, lethargic, unable to focus, stomach issues. 2nd day: same as the first day with loss of appetite. 3rd day: same as the second day. 4th/5th day: same as previous days, except slightly raised anxiety and notably raised depression. 6th day: felt better, slept better, appetite still down. 7th day: noticeably less anxiety and depression, no libido, which in my case is good because I have a tendency to have lots of unprotected sex with random women. 8th day: appetite is still not right, but I feel better than I did before I took the meds, and definitely better than I did in the first 5 days of taking it. For some, it takes longer, but if you are a person with bad anxiety, any physical ailments seem worse than they really are. I'd say the first 7 days on 37.5 mg are tough, but it eventually got better. By day 9, I am feeling okay, no anxiety, and more of a baselined depression."

• vio...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2019

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've had depression for 20 years (both chronic/moderate, and 3 previous severe episodes). Tried every class of psych med (30 total), SSRIs all made me sleepy, numb, apathetic. I take Lamictal (150mg), Effexor (75mg), and Ritalin (30mg) which is the best medicine combo for my depression. Pros: Effexor demolishes anxiety and severe episodes (crying spells, suicidal thoughts). Less sedating (compared to SSRIs). I feel calm, no insomnia. Cons: Excessive sweating (at higher doses), some lethargy, and dry eye. ****Do not go cold turkey, ask for the 'Prozac Taper' to avoid the shock of withdrawals*** No drug is a cure-all. Effexor does not cause weight gain or increased appetite (for me). It's prevented severe episodes and I'll stay on it for life, unless something better comes out."

• Lov...
• February 9, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor changed my life. I was suffering from bad depression for over two years due to something that happened in my life. I couldn't get the thoughts out of my mind. So daily, I would feel sad and depressed. I started with Wellbutrin, which I liked for depression and energy, but it made my anxiety, which I also have, worse. Anyways, back to Effexor. The first 2 weeks taking Effexor were kinda horrible. I felt weird, tired, and I was thinking of stopping this medication. But I stuck with it. I have to say I feel normal again, and my depression is gone. Even if I think of my past, I don't get sad anymore. So thank you Effexor."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I started taking Effexor about a year ago. It has made an incredible difference to my life. I was extremely anxious, waking at night in a sweat (possibly also the onset of menopause) and struggling to go back to sleep. I was also depressed and found myself often crying for no reason at all. I started very slowly, increasing the dose every 2 months. I cannot recommend Effexor enough. I feel that it has turned my life around. I did not gain weight at all, which was a big concern. I did feel quite lethargic at first, and it took a while to get any sex drive back. I am still not back to my usual sex drive, and reaching orgasm is harder. I still feel my decision to stay on Effexor has been the right one. Hope this helps. Good luck."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started 75 mg Effexor about three months ago for GAD and major depression. It has done wonders for me. The first month, I did yawn a lot and seemed to be experiencing the emotional blunting that they described. At one point, I was scared that I had lost all empathy, but I realized that being overzealous about others' opinions and worries was destroying me. I am a lot more carefree, and I haven't cried for no reason in over three months. The low dose is working, and I am much happier overall. I do sleep a lot, almost 9 hours a night, and I am slow to rise. But my day carries on well after that. I would consider this a success."

• Rel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2016

For Hot Flashes "I was suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability - symptoms of menopause. The hot flashes were happening several times a day and were becoming unbearable. My doctor recommended Venlafaxine since I had a strong history of breast cancer in my family. The hot flashes disappeared the day I began taking the medication! My only side effects were a lot of yawning (which lasted about a year). About 6 months after beginning the medication, the hot flashes began to return (although not as often as before). My doctor increased the dose and I have been fine for over a year now. This medication really works for me! My husband loves it too because he says I'm back to my 'old self' again - not irritable!"

• anx...
• May 9, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I've had anxiety/panic attacks and depression for over 20 years now. My anxiety was so bad I had to be homeschooled. I've taken Prozac, Paxil, and neither worked and had bad mood swings on Paxil. My doctor suggested something newer, it was Effexor. He said he has had good results with it. So I tried it, heck I would've tried anything to make my anxiety go away. I was on Effexor (75mg) for 10 years, and it worked for me. No side effects except being tired at first. No more anxiety/panic attacks or depression but maybe a very few short episodes. I was happy and enjoying things I was held back from for so many years. Effexor changed my life, literally. If I did miss a dose, I felt tired, depressed, and the 'zaps.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR for about 3 months now (75mg), and it's done a great job of controlling my anxiety. For the first couple of days, my anxiety skyrocketed, but I supplemented with Ativan to help with that. Then on the third day, I woke up and felt totally normal. It does make me a bit tired, but I also sleep better - and I do have very vivid dreams at times (not scary, just vivid). It also makes me a bit apathetic, but it's better than living in a constant state of anxiety. I'd had bad reactions to Lexapro and Zoloft, so I was happy to find something that worked. I hope to come off someday, but for now, it's giving me what I need."

• Joo...
• June 27, 2016

For Hot Flashes "I am a woman of 45 years old and have been going through menopause early. In the past summer, I started with anxiety and terrible hot flushes which were affecting my life. I went to my GP who referred me to the Jeans Hailes clinic. Best thing I have ever done. Due to my mother having severe osteoporosis and breast cancer in the past, HRT was out of the question. The doctor suggested antidepressants. I started taking venlafaxine about 4 months ago and the hot flushes have just about disappeared. I have some side effects including yawning and, worst of all, a little constipated but all in all, my confidence in myself has improved so much."

• thp...
• April 26, 2008

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I started taking 75 mg Effexor XR four weeks ago. I used to be extremely manic, impulsive, restless, aggressive, destructive, and all-round volatile. I'm back to being a bubbly, happy, normal twenty-year-old girl. I sleep soundly every night for 8-10 hours and wake to the alarm the first time it goes off (both are firsts in my life). I can concentrate in school, and I have hardly any anxiety. I do tire easily, and I have lost about 20 lbs (I was a normal weight to begin with)."

• Joh...
• December 16, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Side effects are plenty, like tremors, shakes, jolts, shudders, lack of libido and seeping semen (sorry if this puts anyone off their dinner), weird dreams (initial period), yawns that make me almost pass out (initial period), double vision at night looking at bright objects. I've been on 150mg for over a year. With all these side effects you'd wonder why I keep taking it!? It's because I remember weeping driving to work, gagging before going into what other people would only find mildly stressful situations and I've gained a great deal of control again in my life, having been promoted in work and being able to play with my kids and talk to my wife. You'll read horror stories about side effects but it has worked wonders for me."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took Effexor for three years due to depression. I loved the fact that I was no longer depressed, but I was tired all the time. I could sleep for 10 hours, get up, and two hours later I was ready to sleep again. If I missed taking a dose, I would get a horrible headache. The only reason I stopped taking Effexor was due to being tired all the time. Getting off of the medication was awful. I have never been so sick in my life. If you are going to take this medicine the rest of your life, I highly recommend it. It did wonders for my depression."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2013

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "My doctor prescribed this for my anxiety due to perimenopause, 37 mg. I was always tired on it so he increased it to 75mg XR. I'm not as tired as I used to be and I no longer wake with anxiety and can sleep through the night. My energy level is not as high as it used to be before Effexor. My appetite has also increased. I've heard this can be due to a combination of the Effexor and menopause. If I skip a dose, I get headaches."

• ssh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again... Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed, and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it - had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety. After taking 75 mg for two weeks, the nightmare begins. Insomnia, night sweats, horrific dreams and visions. I couldn't think or concentrate, I couldn't work or drive, my head was spinning, I couldn't talk properly. The headache was so bad it landed me in the hospital. I was so tired and couldn't stop yawning. I actually thought I was going insane on this drug. Loss of appetite followed by drastic weight loss, diarrhea. I persisted another week, then that's when the electric shocks started through my body. They were horrendous and left me thinking there was something wrong with me neurologically. Against the doctor's advice, I went cold turkey off of this drug. The withdrawal was horrific, but I was determined to get this stuff out of my body. Even seven months off the drug, I still get some of the shocks and feel this drug has permanently damaged me. I would do your research well before considering this drug. I'd never touch it again. Worst experience of my life."

• And...
• March 13, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for 15 years, 150mg per day, except for a 1-year period ending about 6 months ago. It is very effective for me. It made me tired when I first started it, but it was worth sticking through that. For my time not taking it, I was on Zoloft which didn't work as well. Effexor has kept me from depression, but it does other things for me. First, it reduces my inattentiveness to near nothing. Therefore, I am very productive at whatever I do. Second, it greatly reduces anxiety. Stress does not cripple me any longer while on this medication. Going off the medication has a weird withdrawal symptom that isn't painful, it's just odd. Do not go off the medication without a doctor assisting."

• Mar...
• October 24, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I entered the beginning stages of menopause, and my mood changed dramatically. I was getting very concerned as I had never felt so sad and hopeless. I could not stop crying, and things that normally I would not let bother me were becoming huge issues. I did not recognize myself. I am known as a glass-half-full kind of person, so the change was dramatic. I was put on 35mg of Effexor, and wow - what a difference. Surprise, surprise, my hot flashes stopped (I have since read it helps with that), my mood back to normal, and strangely my joints don't hurt so much, and I have more energy. The few negatives are I yawn a lot, and though I still enjoy sex, I cannot have an orgasm. I consider both minor due to feeling so much better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2013

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "This medication has worked well for me in terms of controlling my anxiety and fear of having a panic attack. However, the side effects I have had to endure are not so pleasant. I'm always tired and can sleep all day long. Also, I have gained weight on this medication, and trying to lose it is very hard. It's like my metabolism has stopped working. I've been on this medicine for about 3 years now and considering weaning off to try something else."

• Sof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I take the drug in the morning when I wake up. The first thing is eating, then 75 mg with a bottle of water, and I make sure during the day to drink plenty of water because this drug affects your renal and hepatic system. Every three months, or according to your MD, you should do routine labs. Remember, the drug won't take effect fast; it is going to be two weeks to check out how you are tolerating the dose. During these first two weeks, you may feel somnolence, dizziness, tiredness, and an urge to sleep. That's normal, but you can also feel like you can't control your life, not being focused, and unhappy. That can also occur in the starting period, as it did for me. The maximum effect of the drug/dose will take effect in three months. Monitor your suicidal thoughts with any anti-depression medication."