Venlafaxine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• JTW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2024

For Anxiety "Prescribed 75 mg daily for anxiety. Works wonders after a settling-in period of 3-4 weeks. Got to a point now where I don't worry about what the world throws at me. I feel more energetic and don't overthink scenarios at work and life in general. It's almost like I've relaxed my way of thinking and I couldn't give a hoot what people may think, etc. The initial period of taking the medicine is a slow process. I felt a bit weird and tired for the first couple of weeks while my brain was adjusting, but now it's like a huge weight has lifted off me. I realize this drug doesn't work for everyone, and there are some horror stories which nearly put me off, but I would definitely recommend giving it a go. If it doesn't work, then try something different. What I can say is it works for me, and I'm happy so far. May go up to 150 mg eventually, but definitely not any higher. No libido issues either, which was often talked about. Usually take in the evening after dinner as it can make you a bit tired."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2023

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "Second time trying Effexor (after trying every other SSRI-type med) and taking it for 2 years now. Have increased over time to 225 mg. For depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. It helped with panic attacks the most. Anxiety is also better. Depression is mildly better. I am now wanting to taper down as some side effects have become more noticeable in the last 6 months: no sex drive, can’t reach orgasm, excessive sweating (especially face and hands), tiredness, and lack of motivation to do things, emotional flatness. Will try to taper down by 75 mg to start. Last time I went off Effexor, I tapered down really slowly and that helped with the withdrawal symptoms a lot. Fingers crossed I can get through it again, and things improve after discontinuing. I’m hopeful."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this medication for almost a month. My doctor told me it could easily take a month to get used to it. I started out with headaches, extreme tiredness, and excessive sweating. The tiredness was gone after about 10 days. The sweating is the worst side effect, and I still suffer with it daily, though I am no longer dripping with sweat like I was when I began the medication. I get occasional headaches, but nothing more than a slight headache to remind me that I have one. I do feel better and am less stressed."

• 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."

• xfr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2022

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was put on Effexor in the hospital after having a complete nervous breakdown. I had never been on an antidepressant before, it was my first. I gained 90 pounds in 6 months. I was so exhausted that I would sleep all day and all night, waking only to eat. I had no motivation at all. I was having the most bizarre and disturbing nightmares every single night. I didn't even want to go to sleep because I was so terrified of the nightmares. I started getting rashes on my arms every time I went out in the sun, like a sun allergy. I've had depression for a long time, and I've had a lot of feelings like 'I just don't want to be here anymore,' but on the Effexor, I was having extreme suicidal ideation, like actually planning it out and thinking about it vividly every day and night. I stopped after 6 months because my doctor said none of those were side effects of Effexor, and it was all in my head, but I did a ton of research, and there were a lot of others having the exact same side effects."

• 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."

• zzz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2024

Venlafaxine "I started taking this drug at 150 mg when I had to have my ovaries removed at age 41...that was 9 years ago. I did not have any anxiety or depression problems. Overall, I would say that the drug is very effective for hot flashes, even after I decreased the dosage to 75mg. My only side effect is that it makes me extremely tired. I routinely get 9-10 hours of sleep on the weekends, and then drink so much caffeine to keep myself awake. I also feel more chill on this drug, but also feel like it makes me flat and unable to feel emotions at times. That can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view."

• Kae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor has been good for my work life, it has given me energy to get things done and to not stress as much about anything, including social interactions. It sort of numbs my emotions, which has been good because I usually cry easily and get easily bitter. I don't get overly happy, though. I also like how I don't feel like I'm on a drug, my mind isn't cloudy. I have trouble when it comes to working on projects at home. Projects I used to work on so easily now stress me out just thinking about the process of it all. I have an unusually strong urge to bite my nails, crazy dreams (which is fine), lethargic. Appetite is fine except when changing my dose."

• 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 ☺️"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took Effexor for the first and last time yesterday around 7:41 a.m. At first, I couldn't feel my arms or face, and then it felt like fireworks were going off in my head. I yawned all day long, and each time I did, I felt like my own tongue was gagging me. The worst of it was around 3:45 a.m., I woke up shaking uncontrollably, falling over, couldn't see straight, it felt like I was being electrocuted. It was to the point I either wanted to be knocked out or die. My husband found me shaking and rocking back and forth on our living room floor. This drug, for me personally, was horrific."

• fra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2020

For Depression "I used venlafaxine for more than a year to treat severe depression. Mostly I used 150 mg. Tried 375 mg for 3 months, but was so tired with low mood, decreasing the dosage helped me. It reduced my depression symptoms. I started to feel stable, okay, without thinking of suicide every day after 6 months of taking venlafaxine. But it made my emotions flat and got rid of motivation, so it was hard to push myself to do daily activities. Also, I had excessive sweating, my clothes were completely wet after even a short walk."

• Inv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking Venlafaxine (150 mg) for 6 years now, and it has destroyed who I was as a person. I’m always tired, which makes me have no motivation, which then leads to depression and ultimately leads to raising dosages until you’re fully dependent on it due to extreme withdrawals when trying to stop taking it. My psychiatrist and GP attempted to wean me off, and I had what people call “brain zaps” to the point of feeling disassociated, which makes my bipolar symptoms get extreme. I was having nightmares when I finally was able to fall asleep because I was also suffering with 3 hours of sleep from being so uncomfortable in my own skin. This pill has a lot of warnings and stories exactly like my own, please do your research on withdrawals from it before starting it. I would never recommend this medication to anybody."

• 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."

• sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "My GP has just switched me from Lexapro to Effexor XR. Have been on SSRIs for 10+ years, and have felt they've always provided a 'floor,' but have gone below the floor for weeks at a time after getting sober 17 months ago. He thinks, because I've been on SSRIs, it could take only a week, not 3, for its effect to be felt. Mainly, just feel a combination of uninterested/tired/down most of the time, so wanted a status check on my meds. We'll see. Wary of the warnings if you don't take it at the same time all the time. Wish all you well!"

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2024

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "44 yrs old & next level anxiety came out of nowhere. Obsessive thoughts, catastrophizing, super anxious doing everyday things like going to the shops (which I had never had before). Meditation, therapy, exercise, devotionals, better eating/sleeping - nothing helped. Saw my Dr, and she diagnosed me with perimenopause and PMDD - anxiety/obsessive thoughts were always at their worst leading up to my period. She prescribed Elaxine 37.5 mg - I can honestly say, it changed my life. I agree with other reviews, you have to push through with the first 2 weeks - I almost gave up on the 1st day but knew I had to get through the first week. So glad I did, I feel normal again. I lost 8 kg in the 1st week - no appetite, nausea, empathy, low energy, always tired. 2nd wk better, 3rd wk felt normal again. It lessened my anxiety 10-fold, even driving anxiety which I've struggled with since 40. I still have racing thoughts, but I can manage it better. No perimenopause symptoms either. Life changer."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2018

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been on Effexor XR for about 7 months now. At first, it made me feel off (I’ve been sober for 6 years, so I haven’t taken more than ibuprofen). It made me super tired, a little nervous, I wouldn’t be hungry, and I yawned constantly, but all that improved within a week or so. I was on cloud 9 for a while and felt clear, happy, and somewhat euphoric. Then my depression came back hard. I was on 75 mg for the first couple of months and now 112.5 mg. My night sweats are pretty bad, my rage hasn’t improved (I also have BPD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder), I’ve been constipated this whole time, and I just don’t think it’s helping me anymore. Missing a dose feels like detoxing from street drugs. Effexor worked great at first, and I never thought I’d switch, but I’m starting Prozac and titrating off. It hasn’t been too bad so far."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

For Anxiety "The doctor prescribed this after trying four different SSRIs, which worked for my anxiety, but all of them caused me to gain a lot of weight, especially Zoloft. Venlafaxine worked great for my anxiety, I didn’t have any panic attacks or anything while on this, but sadly I had to come off as this too caused me to gain weight, and I was tired all the time, no matter what time of the day I took the medication!"

• Sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2022

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Many years ago, I took Effexor with wonderful results. After ineffectiveness, the doctor switched me to Paxil, which helped for 5 years. That too became ineffective and put me back on Effexor. An absolute nightmare! The doctor has been weaning me off for about 2 months, and I have constant lightheadedness, no energy, and very sad. I have never had withdrawal symptoms like this. I can’t wait to be off of this medication and to be reintroduced to another medication. I've been on about 5 different ones in 6 months! Really can’t wait to try something that works! My life has been close to hell! Never again."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I inherited anxiety disorder. For the last 25 years, I treated it with a very small dose of Xanax once a day and a little more if I had to fly. When I turned 60, it worsened and progressed to having to take large doses of Xanax every few hours and felt like I was in a living hell! I started Effexor ER, and within days, I was cutting way back on the Xanax. It's been 60 days now on Effexor ER, and I'm no longer needing the Xanax, but I do have a headache most days and get extremely tired. I can deal with those side effects much, much easier than how I was before. To those that are considering this drug, I would recommend that you talk with your doctor about adding a Xanax-type drug to avoid the first week of side effects. If I didn't have them, I would have had to be hospitalized. I was very ill when I started Effexor ER and could barely walk and was so shaky I had to have help bathing. Prior to getting sick, I was a very healthy person that could walk for hours."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2020

"I was prescribed Effexor along with Geodon. Finally, something that works for my BPD! I've been on 12 other medications with side effect issues. So far, my only side effects with Effexor are yawning and loss of appetite. Since I don't feel sick, just not hungry, I find that a plus!"

• 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."

• Aoo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 28, 2019

For Depression "I started taking venlafaxine 3 years ago in November. I was having a very rough time at work, felt sad, stressed, no motivation. It was the worst November in my life... Right after taking my first dose, I felt a sudden rush of energy but found that after an hour of being on my feet, I had to sit down as I felt breathless. I kept taking it and found it great for improving my mood. However, with time, the side effects seemed just too much (loss of libido, lack of energy, tiredness, nightmares). I started to come off it very gradually, and yet the withdrawal symptoms were just terrible. I managed to get to a point where I was feeling fine taking the lowest dose every second day (took me about 4 months) when my doctor recommended increasing the dose again after having IBS from the stress of starting a new job. Now I'm on the lowest dose again and planning to switch to Prozac. I'm sick of being a zombie on a couch, not wanting to socialize, exercise, etc."

• Nev...
• November 17, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I’ve been dealing with a lot lately that is out of my control and have admittedly been depressed most of my life (I am 29 years old). A breakup wreaked havoc on my mental health, and I consulted a psychiatrist. I was prescribed generic 37.5 mg for 2 weeks, then was instructed to double dose. The first pill took around 11 am yesterday, by 2 pm, I was nauseous, dry heaving, had incredibly bad diarrhea, double vision, back pain, and was becoming very lethargic. My jaw was clenched most of the day, and I was grinding my teeth all night. I didn’t sleep well, woke up panicking, and having racing thoughts. The doctor said to quit taking it. One pill was enough. Never again."

• Jon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2019

For Depression "I had been taking Prozac for about 16 years. A new doctor said it may not be effective for me anymore and switched me to Effexor. I took it for about 8 months and noticed how much I had deteriorated mentally while taking it. Getting through the day became hard, I had no energy and was not able to enjoy anything in my life. Getting off the drug was a terrible experience. I am now back on Prozac (different doctor) and feel normal and again able to enjoy life to some degree."

• Non...
• May 14, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was the first psych drug I ever tried, well before I developed a full-blown disorder, and just the 37.5 mg helped me get moving and focused on my work projects after suffering from a life loss that left me bedbound. It allowed me to return to everyday activities. I am now on 150 mg for MDD and have noticed an increase in positive mood... not in a bubbly, effervescent kind of way, just in a normal way. The only side effect I have from this particular medication (I take 2 others... Zyprexa and Anafranil) is tiredness. All in all, do not listen to all the horror stories about this medication and give just a small dose a try. You may like it. :)"