Venlafaxine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Lasted 4 days on this, far worse than any depression, anxiety, or stress. Extremely confused, no attention span, couldn't concentrate, lost all motivation, and even with the tiredness and life sucked out of me, I never slept once during the 4 days. Time practically disappeared and felt like a robot. Decided to stop yesterday and feel far worse than I did taking it. Headaches and even more anxious than before and sweating a lot, feel like I'm going crazy during this withdrawal, and it was only 37.5 mg. Research into the medication before starting this because the withdrawal is even worse than the side effects on the medication."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

For Hot Flashes "I have been taking Efexor XR 75 mg daily at night for a week. I previously was being woken at least every 2 hours with severe night sweats. After 2 days, I noticed a big improvement, and the last 2 nights, no sweats at all! However, I am feeling lethargic, and I have to make an effort to get up and move. I hope this feeling passes, as I am normally very active. I take the capsule about 8 pm. I also noticed dry mouth and nausea, but these symptoms are improving."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking Effexor XR for about two months now. I was in the hospital after a suicide attempt when the psychiatrist there put me on it. At first, I had the worst side effects. I was super tired, couldn't concentrate on anything, and got dizzy all the time. After about two weeks, those went away. I have moderate anxiety, and it's helped a lot with that. I still get nervous a lot, but I haven't had an anxiety attack since I started taking Effexor. For my depression, though, it hasn't helped at all. I still find it hard to get out of bed and can't sleep at night. Also, I missed a dose once, and it was not good at all. I was miserable. I was tired, had the worst headache, and I was about ready to jump in front of a train."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2010

Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression "After dealing with PPD for over a year, I began taking Effexor XR about 3 years ago. I'm sorry that I waited so long! I had been dealing with panic attacks, inability to sleep restfully, and various other issues during my daughter's first year. After taking Effexor XR (initially, I was tired and feeling sort of sluggish) for about 2 months, I felt 150% better! I was moving around a lot more, wanted to be out and about, playing with my daughter more. It was a miracle for me. It also took my mind off of dealing with depression and focusing on being able to function. Actually being able to feel BETTER and to deal with things that had been seriously affecting my overall happiness all along. It gave me the strength to make life changes."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Depression "I have been on venlafaxine for a little over a month now. My first 30 days, I was on a dose of 37.5 mg daily, and I didn't have any crazy side effects, just a little more tired at night, like my body knows to shut down. One other thing I've noticed is my loss of appetite, one day I went 17 hours without eating and didn't even notice. I work in medical, so I'm always moving. I noticed on the 37.5 mg dose my anxiety was still in panic mode every once in a while, so at my 30-day follow-up, I went up to 75 mg, and so far, just my appetite is gone, and I'm calm. Like I usually can go from 0 to a million real quick, but I'm calm. I've had situations lately that could've set me off, but I remained calm. So far, on this med, pretty good for me!"

• CCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I had been on 200 mg Sertraline for 10 years, took COVID in March, and from May felt like my medication wasn't helping my anxiety/depression anymore. Then by June, my PMDD was back in full swing, and I was suicidal. Weaning from Sertraline to Venlafaxine was difficult, but at the moment, it has changed my life after being on it for 3 months. I am no longer tired, I have an underactive thyroid and always thought that was the reason I was tired! Venlafaxine has made me feel more balanced than I have in years."

• del...
• March 3, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was put on this medication for anxiety, ironically related to IBS-D symptoms and the pain of each flare (excruciating sometimes). The first week and a half or two weeks was hell. I was constantly tired during the day and out of it and then couldn't sleep at night. I would have awful pounding headaches and just felt like I was dying. This apparently is common when first starting the drug. Power through it. By the middle of week 2, I was starting to feel better, and now I feel nothing. If you miss a dose by more than about 4 hours (if you sleep in, for example, since I take it in the morning), you start to get a headache, but usually, it goes away once you take the medication. You're not supposed to take NSAIDs with this medication, so if you get pain, take Tylenol (acetaminophen) and try some caffeine too (this helped me the most). It has significantly improved my IBS and also helped my anxiety."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2020

For Hot Flashes "I was diagnosed with hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I had terrible hot flushes, so I was prescribed venlafaxine. I was on 37.5 mg, and it helped a little, but my doctor told me to go on 75 mg. Big mistake. She told me it would upset my stomach but to stay on it. It will get better. I survived 6 months, but stomach issues never went away, I had a terrible constant headache right in the area of my prefrontal cortex or sinuses, I am not sure. I feel faint and dizzy like I am an 'airhead.' I get sweats, I am tired and weak all of the time. Yawn constantly. I never suffered from depression before, but I felt depressed after taking this, and I had memory issues. I am trying to wean myself off now, but my head bothers me. I hope I can recover from the dizziness and 'airhead' feeling. How long do these side effects last after you are off this drug?"

• Gud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was diagnosed with IBS 15 years ago with no relief except by a prescription of a mild muscle relaxer, which made me tired and didn't always help. Recently, I hit a major depression and asked for help and was prescribed venlafaxine and haven't had a single episode in two weeks. That in itself is a miracle to me. Not sad or sick... finally!!"

• Fre...
• February 24, 2020

For Anxiety "When I was first prescribed venlafaxine 75 mg, it zombified me, and I spent the next 2 months feeling hungover, headaches, dizziness, and wanting to sleep ALL day. During the 3rd month, I started to feel a little better. At my next check-up, my doctor upped the dose to 150 mg. Again, I spent about a month and a half feeling tired, dizziness, headaches. Now, 9 months later, I still have days where I feel emotionally exhausted, and I’ve noticed when I haven’t slept well the night before, I get the “whooshing” sound in my head, and can ‘hear’ my eyes move when I look somewhere a little too quick (so relieved to read others have experienced this too, haha). Other than those, I am honestly feeling so much better. The worst side effect for me to deal with is a nil sex drive. Yes, there are a lot of horror stories out there regarding this medication, but one person's bad experience shouldn’t discount it for you."

• She...
• November 22, 2019

For Anxiety "This medication works for me! I've had depression on and off for years and found out through therapy that the depression was a side effect of anxiety that was in the driver's seat my whole life! Therapy wasn't enough, so I was put on the generic of Effexor. It has been life-changing!!!! No anti-depression or anti-anxiety med comes without a cost, so you have to decide what side you can live with. My side effects: 1. I yawned a lot at first, but it goes away. 2. I'm a post-menopausal woman, my libido was pretty low before the drug, but non-existent now. I might have felt differently before, but now this is not a deal breaker. 4. CRAZY dreams. That's it. No scary stuff. I have not had any brain zaps if I am late with the meds. It has given me a new lease on life. I'm not tired, and it directly squashes my anxiety in a way that I still feel normal but have a clear perspective. Someday this might change, but right now it works for me."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2017

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed this medication when Celexa wasn't working. My doctor put me on 75 mg to start, and that night I took my first dose at 9:30 pm, and by 11 pm, I was a total wreck. I became super nauseous and began throwing up quite a bit. My body was restless, and my arms and neck were numb and tingly. I managed to get a bit of sleep, but the next morning was a write-off - I felt completely disabled and lethargic. I was so weak, I could hardly hold my cell phone. I could hardly walk, I was so dizzy, and the brain zaps were fierce. I immediately visited my doctor, and he prescribed me something else. 75 mg to start was way too strong for me. I can't believe the side effects I've suffered after one dose. My advice would be to please try another option."

• JB7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "On a 150 mg dose for social anxiety and depression. I take the 75 mg tablets twice a day. It works better on my depression and is somewhat effective for my social anxiety. Still too early to tell if it will work. Mild tiredness and trouble sleeping at night are the only side effects that I notice, with occasional nausea if I don't eat small meals every 4-6 hours. The only time that I got scared was when I started Effexor and stopped the Prozac. I had a major panic attack for two days, but after that, it subsided. So I'm back on my Effexor. At least now, I notice some improvements in my mood compared to taking Prozac, which didn't work for me."

• Pat...
• November 22, 2016

For Hot Flashes "Dr. prescribed 75 mg ext. release for bad side effects of cancer meds. I took one and boy, do I regret it. Rapid heart rate, anxiety, yawning, mouth watering, sleeplessness. I won't take any more!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Originally on Seroxat (Paxil) for 17 years. Felt so good on 20 mg that after having my child I thought I would come off it as I was thinking of having a second baby. I was put on Prozac to help with withdrawal. After 4 months on Prozac, I was an absolute mess, so the doctor put me on Effexor. I've been on this now for 6 months. I cry literally every day. It has created obsessional and horrible thoughts, I am constantly tired. I have anxiety and panic. I feel it has actually created new symptoms that I never had. I do not like this drug and am coming off it as soon as I get an appointment with the psychiatrist."

• JDH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "So far, very good medication. A little sluggish and tired the first few days. My vision is not as blurry like other antidepressants, and no nightmares either."

• bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2019

For Hot Flashes "My doctor prescribed venlafaxine for severe day and night hot flashes. It almost eliminated the hot flashes completely, which was great, however, I constantly felt bloated, have gained a lot of weight, have become lazy/lethargic, I've become forgetful, and I feel like my muscles have become weak. I couldn't take the weight gain side effect (my doctor said it shouldn't cause weight gain??) and the general overall feeling of blah, so I stopped taking it. The hot flashes started back up almost immediately. Going back to the doctor to hopefully get something that won't cause weight gain."

• bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2019

For Hot Flashes "My doctor prescribed venlafaxine for severe day and night hot flashes. It almost eliminated the hot flashes completely, which was great, however, I constantly felt bloated, have gained a lot of weight, have become lazy/lethargic, I've become forgetful, and I feel like my muscles have become weak. I couldn't take the weight gain side effect (my doctor said it shouldn't cause weight gain??) and the general overall feeling of blah, so I stopped taking it. The hot flashes started back up almost immediately. Going back to the doctor to hopefully get something that won't cause weight gain."

• Aft...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 22, 2017

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on 75 mg of venlafaxine for 6 or 7 years. It is good for me. Before Effexor, my emotions felt like being hit by a truck. After Effexor, it gives me a moment to THINK about things, rather than just disintegrating into a puddle on the floor. I still have feelings, but they're not as overwhelming, and I don't feel like I HAVE to react to them. Side effects: sweating and tiredness. I take a lot of naps! Missing a dose: about an hour or two after my time to take my pill, if I forget to, I'd get tingly and dizzy. Withdrawal: I recently tried to stop taking Effexor cold turkey. I lasted 6 days. Intense anger, bursting into tears, a static feeling in my head, like a TV set on no channel, and a tingly feeling in my lips."

• You...
• October 6, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "Worked quickly (or it was in my head), lots of yawning. By week 4, very drowsy in the morning on my 90-minute drive to work, so started taking it after I got to work, which is better for society in general. Sometimes restless sleep. Having said that, I had a lot of negative thoughts about my life that I don't notice or dwell on now, so I am really good with these minor side effects. I'm much happier, less irritable, and family recognized it easily. I'm genuinely happy with it, and thankfully no nasty side effects (thus far)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2016

For Depression "Started at 25 mg a day and eventually got up to 75 mg a day. Rather than make me feel more expansive and energized, this drug made me feel super lethargic and even more depressed. I also experienced loss of appetite on this drug. 1/10, would punch Pfizer CEO in the face."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2019

For Dissociative Identity Disorder "I started on citalopram for my anxiety, depression, and OCD. It simply did not work for me. I switched to regular venlafaxine at 75 mg. It worked really well for almost a year, until recently I started getting withdrawal towards the end of the day (was taking it with breakfast). The doctor changed me to extended-release capsules. It has only been a few days, and I am terribly tired and overall just don’t feel great. I am waiting another week or so until I decide if I am going to stay on extended or go back to regular with a different dosage."

• Mar...
• March 10, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "1/10 would not take again. Felt dizzy, nauseous, and tired."

• Mel...
• June 5, 2020

For Postpartum Depression "It’s funny because a lot of these comments below are similar to how I felt during pregnancy. I think this must do something to your hormones, however, I did not have any negative side effects from venlafaxine except constipation initially (nothing a natural calm couldn’t help). If I don’t take it on time, I don’t have any side effects either. I will say that I have tried and been allergic to multiple SSRIs, and I’m not really much of a meds person, but I’m going to stick with this for the year to re-balance myself. I do feel a lot of tiredness in this fourth month of taking it, and I bruise a bit easier. I’m not sure if my tiredness stems from the circumstances happening right now or the medicine. I am on the lowest dose of 37.5 mg. My libido has returned (after almost two years), which is a major plus, and while I only lost a few lbs, I look thinner overall."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was having moderate anxiety and dealing with a lot of stress in my life. I began seeing a psychiatrist and was started on Effexor. Around my 3rd month of being on Effexor, I was increasingly paranoid and tired. My doctor's response was to increase the dose. I began to become very nervous and started pacing and having trouble sleeping. He put me on trazodone for sleep, which made me feel incredibly tired the next day. His response to the sleepiness was to increase my dose again. I started to have severe depression then and became incredibly moody and volatile. I no longer had a fuse for my anger and became very withdrawn from everyone. This, of course, sent me on a downward spiral, ending with me being hospitalized."