Venlafaxine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 46a...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2012

Venlafaxine for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Effexor XR for 2 days now for anxiety, panic, and agoraphobia. So far, not too bad. Not too many side effects. I am tired and a bit fuzzy, but I hope this medicine is as good as everyone has said. I just want my life back."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kaw...
• March 9, 2011

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Well, I've been on it for 2 days, and I noticed the difference the first day. I'm also taking 1/2 an Adderall for ADHD. The only side effect I have noticed is that I yawn a lot. I feel so much better in general. I didn't expect it to work so fast, however, I feel so much freaking better. I've apparently suffered from GAD my whole life, and I'm currently 37. Will it work for everyone? Who knows, but for me, it's been my knight in shining armor as far as feeling normal."

• oxa...
• March 14, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "When I first started Effexor XR, it seemed to really help for a while. After a while, we had to increase the dosage to its maximum and had to add the max 80 mg of Prozac to keep me 'normal.' After about a year, I started having real problems with exhaustion and fatigue. It took a lot of testing and doctors, and finally, two separate sleep studies to find that my deep sleep had been disrupted significantly -- essentially, I was getting NO restorative sleep, even when I slept for 8-12 hours!"

• Hap...
• October 11, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor XR 75 mg once a day since December 1999. I originally started taking it for depression. It has worked superbly for me. It removed the frequent crying spells and feelings of worthlessness, disinterest, etc. The only side effects I had were yawning at first and vivid dreams (which can still occur). During the fall, around September/October, I find I double my dose to 150 mg once a day. If I miss my dose, I get weird vertigo-like symptoms. I can heartily recommend this medication to those with 'milder' forms of depression with some anxiety. I don't care if I have to take it for the rest of my life! I'm a 'normal' human being now!"

• dow...
• August 1, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "Changed to Effexor XR 75 mg about 2 months ago from Celexa 20 mg. Having some dizziness and tiredness, maybe not feeling quite myself, so experimentation with the dosage is probably in order. Otherwise, no problems. Serious diarrhea side effect from Celexa stopped immediately upon changing treatment. But I am disturbed by some of the comments on this site about withdrawal from this medication. I have had no problem drinking in moderation while on this drug."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2011

Venlafaxine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Works great for my PMDD, but I experience excessive sweating and the yawns. Worth it, though. Slightly better than the SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac) I've taken for the anxiety/irritability piece."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking SSRIs on and off since I was 28 for acute and chronic anxiety, often exacerbated by hormone changes. They have never leveled me and often give adverse side effects but have given me time out. Since turning 40 (I'm nearly 41!), I have been suffering terribly with stress-induced/hormone-induced anxiety and had 6 months on sertraline (the last of SSRIs I wish to ever try!). My lovely new doctor suggested venlafaxine. Now this is not a drug to mess with. I was on 150mg of sertraline, so the doctor felt I could happily transfer over to 1 week of 75mg venlafaxine in the morning and then the same plus 75mg in the evening after the first week. Woooo, I was tired. Couldn't stop oversleeping, but after 4 weeks, I feel the best I ever remember!"

• Got...
• June 9, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medicine did not work well for me. I was on it for a total of three months, and it did not make me feel any better. The side effects were not fun. I had trouble sleeping and almost no energy."

• Nad...
• September 1, 2014

For Anxiety "I've had generalized anxiety disorder for 1 year now. Tried self-medicating for 6 months. No help. Went on Lexapro, and it was horrible. Waking up with worse anxiety than ever. Quit after 3 weeks. Now that I'm on venlafaxine for 3 weeks, feeling much, much better. A few side effects the first week, but stick with it. They go away. Mostly felt tired and loss of appetite. This medicine is working."

• luc...
• August 21, 2010

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've never been so happy in my life. It's not a fake, life is strangely perfect happiness. It's not the 'I'm in my head, three feet away from everything and no one knows me' feeling I've gotten from previous antidepressants. I feel balanced and for the first time in my life (I'm 28, female), feel like I am actually coming from a well-grounded place. As others have said, when a dose is late or missed, the effects are pretty awful. The longer I've been on it, though, they are getting less intense. The first few times I was late, I became very quickly, extremely depressed, lethargic, dizzy, nauseous, and irritable. I was having shooting, lightning-like feelings in my brain that would cause me to stop dead in my tracks and look pretty crazy."

• 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."

• Lan...
• December 7, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am a 21-year-old female. I was on Prozac for ten years (40 mg at the end) before switching to Effexor (37.5 mg at first, 262.5 mg now) because I was having issues with anxiety. I was okay for a while, then I became extremely depressed and suicidal. My doctor increased my dose, and although it did take away the misery and suicidal thoughts, I wouldn't describe myself as happy. I feel constantly tired, sleeping up to 16 hours a day. I can't work, and social situations exhaust me. It took me a while to realize Effexor might be responsible for some of these symptoms. I am talking to a psychiatrist about changing my medication, but I'm very worried about the infamous withdrawal from Effexor."

• 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."

• Saz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "My experience with this drug was horrific. At 150 mg, I hit a new low, I was impulsive, severely anxious, and constantly in tears. I was so desperate to be off this med that I went cold turkey. Huge mistake. Developed discontinuation syndrome: fever, tremors, panic attacks, vertigo, hives, flu-like symptoms, night terrors, constant vomiting. Got to the point I couldn’t even keep down water. By day 6, I was hospitalized with severe dehydration and exhaustion. Was immediately hooked up to an IV to replace fluids and given anti-sickness meds. Doctors introduced a lower dose and I am now tapering. Down to 18 mg, so nearly there. Have to take it slowly as I’m extremely sensitive to this medication. Another 2 weeks and I will be free of it. Can't wait to have my life back!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 13, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6-7 years now. I started taking 75 mg, which needed to be increased to 4 x 75 mg per day as I was in complete terror. This drug saved my life. I would not be here if not for this drug. I tried amitriptyline, citalopram, and propranolol for many years previously, but they did not give me the relief I needed. The first 2 weeks of taking this drug while off work, I saw the room flip upside down a few times, making me fall down in the shower, etc. It was a really scary time, but once in my system, I got great relief almost immediately. My side effects now are just sweating and tiredness, but I am on 2 x 75 mg/day & feel really content. I got down to 75 mg/day but felt anxious, so I upped to 2/day. Great drug if it suits you!!!!"

• Rog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Male, 6'2", 150 lb. I take 75 mg of Effexor XR in the AM and 15 mg of Remeron in the PM for suicidal depression and generalized anxiety. Some days I take higher doses of 112.5 mg and 30 mg. The combination has worked wonders for my condition. I started on Remeron initially and titrated to 45 mg/day, but did not feel it was working for my depression, although it did help with sleep and appetite. I tried gabapentin for a while and was able to quit Remeron entirely for some time (wanted to give my receptors a break). Gabapentin was great for anxiety but made me more suicidal. I quit gabapentin and went back on just 15 mg of Remeron, this time also adding the Effexor. I have been very happy with the results. It seems to be the first medication that really works for me. I had significant side effects when starting Effexor, but they subsided completely after about a week-feeling high much like MDMA, and I had diarrhea and some insomnia. When I increased from 37.5 to 75 mg, the only con I noticed was lower energy level (and some yawning). I started drinking some coffee to help with that. This is a very serious medication to be taking, as I know it can be very hard to withdraw from; however, I am committed to sticking with it. Eventually, I may increase my dose up to 150 mg. Effexor makes me feel very mellow. I am less concerned about what people think of me. I am quite confident with the ladies. My sex life has been better than ever on this med combination. I have wondered if my sense of humor is dulled, however. I am also somewhat lazy, but this may change when I go up to a higher dose. Risk-taking behaviors should be watched when increasing the dose, as I broke my ankle playing sports. Overall, I give this medication 9/10 and am very happy that I got the script. I recommend taking it with Remeron to better manage the nighttime and to counteract the side effects. They have a wonderful synergy. My only concern is that they may eventually stop working, and I may eventually have to stop taking them and suffer the infamous withdrawals."

• 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."

• Ree...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "4 weeks on 37.5 mg, and my irritability and anxiety are so much better. My horror week before periods is no more. The PMDS was well treated, as was the mild underlying anxiety felt during the rest of the month. Side effects for me were headaches for the first week, visual change (2 weeks), and feeling tired (lasted a few days). None of which would make me stop, given positive benefits."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was given this medication after a major panic episode, and I noticed a good change a few weeks after taking it. It helps your mind wander and not focus on the bad things. It also just made me a generally happier person. However, I skipped a few days (I'm on the 75 mg), and the side effects were terrible. I got hot flashes, awful nightmares, I was so dizzy I could barely walk, I was disoriented and couldn't focus on anything, and I was absolutely exhausted. I started taking it normally again, but it makes me a little nervous to stop taking it permanently... Before taking this medication, I would definitely weigh 'do I want to be on this for a really long time?' or 'I can tough this out.'"

• 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."

• tay...
• May 4, 2009

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was in college when I treated. At high doses (approximately 225 mg), I was lethargic, cloudy-headed, and angry. The drug caused SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. It aggravated stress levels. But for my mom, this medication has given her life back to her, 'curing' depression, lowering anxiety, and inspiring creativity."

• 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."