Venlafaxine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Gab...
• September 25, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Effexor XR has helped a lot, and I've stayed at 75 mg. But others may need more. Also, a few people have mentioned that they fear getting off of it because of withdrawal. Your doctor can help if you ever need to get off. I believe the technical term is 'Effexor - Prozac bridge.' In other words, you take the longer-acting medication (like Prozac) to counteract the short half-life of Effexor. A doctor could explain it better than I can, but hopefully, that will alleviate any concerns."

• chr...
• February 12, 2016

For Hot Flashes "My doctor prescribed venlafaxine for my hot flashes. When I talked to her about going on hormone therapy, she suggested that venlafaxine may be a good option, and not understanding much about anti-depressants, it sounded like a good idea. Wow, was I wrong! I took this medication for a total of approximately 2 months. At first, 37 mg worked great, but then my body adjusted within a few days and the hot flashes returned. I ended up increasing to a total of 3 37 mg per day tablets but continued to have hot flashes, and my sex drive became non-existent. I finally realized what I was doing to my body when I ran out for almost 5 days, and the withdrawal symptoms made me feel like a zombie (seriously). This stuff is a very strong drug and very addictive."

• Jeo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 28, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Used it during menopause for extreme emotional distress. That was 15 years ago. It was slowly increased from 33 mg to 225 mg due to ineffectiveness. I finally decided after reading up on it that it wasn't worth the side effects that I had if I ran out or if I wanted to get off. Well, I decided to get off. Please do not go on this drug if there is a chance you will ever want to go off of it. It took me 4 months to wean myself off. This past week was the first week I have been completely off. It has been an excruciatingly long 4 months. I took my time, but the withdrawal is bad. I cannot imagine withdrawal from other drugs being much worse. Feel sick to my stomach, joints ache beyond belief. Emotionally I am a mess, but I try, I try!"

• joh...
• December 11, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I would highly recommend this medication. I tried multiple SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft, Abilify, and Wellbutrin, and this works far better than those. For once, I actually feel happy, talkative, and good. Do not stop taking this medication cold turkey, or withdrawal effects will be bad. You should always taper over an extended period of time."

• Oce...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 7, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "While this medication calmed my stress, I wish I had never gone on it. I have been trying to go off it for two years. The withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. Brain zaps, anxiety ten times worse than before meds, isolation, low energy, extreme irritability, very quick to anger. No joy. I used to be a very happy and caring person. No more. I would never wish this on anyone else..."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have found Effexor and therapy to be a fantastic combination. The Effexor alone has kept me from feeling like I'm going to climb the walls. I didn't lose any weight on Effexor. I actually gained some (in part due to my own lack of exercise). I weaned off for about a year while I was pregnant. Withdrawals can be rough but not impossible. My advice is to wean VERY slowly. I went from 75 mg daily to 37.5 daily. Then to 37.5 every other day, then every two days, then every three days, etc. until I was taking it once a week then stopped."

• gem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed Effexor for GAD with severe mood swings. I'm a busy person and have always said a 'slow you down' type of antidepressant would not work for me. I've tried ones that have left me feeling like a zombie (numb and lethargic). Effexor is not like that, it really lifts my mood and keeps me stable. I experience little to no side effects. I have a good insight into my moods and work with my GP, changing the dosage when required. I can be on anything from 75 mg to 225 mg. I've also worked out I cannot take any dosage later in the day, as I would go to bed feeling wired and not tired, so I take them in the morning only. The only negative is if I miss one dose, I'm okay, miss two and the withdrawals are so shocking! If you come off Effexor, it must be controlled."

• bpd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2022

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was given this after a breakdown in late 2020 (borderline personality disorder with major depression), and my dose was increased slowly to 300 mg a day. No matter the dosage, though, I was completely numb. Unable to feel anything properly except the depression, which was much, much worse. I became lifeless and didn’t care about anything. I’ve tried many medications for my major depressive disorder and have since been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. While it did help my anxiety, that was only because it made me numb. I couldn’t even cry, and I’m someone who usually cries over a lot of things. Even when a family member died, I didn’t react at all. I have been reducing over the last 2 months, and within 3 days of reducing, I cried and could feel emotions again a little. I’m now a couple of days into having none at all, and other than the horrific side effects, I feel back to my old self. Side effects of withdrawal are certainly the worst of the 10+ medications I’ve tried."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I'm 17, about 125 pounds, female, and a senior in high school. I've had depression for a while and started taking Effexor. I strongly encourage trying this medicine for any teens or college students who deal with depression. It helps me concentrate and feel altogether in a stable and happy mood. I've had weight loss, also, the only thing that makes me nervous is the withdrawal effects I've read about."

• EDa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Took Effexor XR for 3 years for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, started at 150 mg and ended up on the lowest dose available after 3 years. Pros: was finally able to go places, work, make friends. It was hard to actually have a panic attack, which was great. I was able to function! Combined with psychotherapy, it got me to a good place mentally. Cons: weaning off Effexor was a month of real awfulness. Withdrawal was horrific, felt like I had tentacles inside my brain, migraines, extreme sensitivity to sound/light, even when changing dosages I would experience withdrawal and sleep paralysis. Emotionally, it made me feel like a zombie, no longer feel anything above a ‘grey’ daily baseline, relationships suffered, I had zero libido or joy. The biggest thing - it’s permanently affected my memory. I struggle to remember things from those 3 years, and on it I struggled a lot with brain fog, losing my train of thought, and not being able to retain information. It makes me sad that I’ve lost memories of travel and milestones."

• Bet...
• September 18, 2016

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with GAD, with symptoms including general fatigue, anxiety, panic, and insomnia. Started off at 35 mg, but now on 150 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night, which seems to be keeping me pretty stable. However, the withdrawal is horrendous. If I miss a couple of doses, I get brain zaps, I can hear my eyeballs moving in my head, very anxious and panic. It works, but this is some seriously messed up stuff... I can see I may have to be on this forever, whereas I gave up Prozac cold turkey with no problems at all."

• Sim...
• April 22, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on Effexor ER for three years now for anxiety and PTSD, and it truly saved my life. I have had anxiety and depression since I opened my eyes. I got very good at managing my problem until I had a hysterectomy after a cancer diagnosis. I can honestly say I would have ended my life if this hadn’t worked so well for me. I have genuinely way less anxiety, but only on lower doses. On higher ones, I start to have bad side effects. Pros: I feel stable and happy for the first time ever. I don’t have social anxiety to the point where I won’t leave my house anymore. I don’t have terrible nightmares. I lost 40 lbs while on it as my appetite is low. Cons: withdrawal is terrible. Take your doses or you will FEEL it. My libido has suffered. I also tend to have trouble reaching orgasm. I take an herbal supplement called “In the Mood” that helps me with that (I am female). I have been on almost every med known to woman in my 39 years. This one worked well for me."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2020

For Depression "I've been taking antidepressants for 18 years (I'm 34 now), and none of them have compared to Effexor. I have severe depression, PMDD, panic disorder, PTSD, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and SAD. I don't think I'd be alive if I hadn't been taking this medication for the last ten years. I know the biggest complaints are weight gain and the withdrawal symptoms, but please don't let these dissuade you from trying everything you can to get better. My father was able to quit Effexor without any side effects after two years' use. Whereas I experience side effects rapidly. They're uncomfortable, but I see them as a reminder to take my medication. Obviously, this does not cure all my problems, but I'd rather be chubby and a little spacey than suicidal. It's also given me such a great outlook that dealing with a chronic pain disorder is easier than it would be if I were not on Effexor. I believe I'll be on this medication my whole life, but at least I have my life. Keep your heads up!"

• Maw...
• July 11, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor XR 150 mg for 20 years, it certainly has helped with my suicidal thoughts and panic attacks. I also take 2 x 1 mg of Xanax. I started seeing a new primary care doctor yesterday, who thinks I should be taken off both since I have been on them for so long, but I have read some awful things about the withdrawal problems, and it makes me scared."

• R0c...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 28, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on this med, venlafaxine, for over 10 years. The first week, everything that I was taking the drug to cure was heightened x10. I couldn't look my father in the eyes, and I was for the most part barricaded up in my room. I toughed through it and was giving it a month for my body to accept it. Boy, am I glad I did. I have a very colorful personality, so it didn't turn me into a zombie by any means, but put me back down to earth. I could focus outward rather than inward when around people. For the first time, I could be myself for once. The withdrawals are terrible, so if you choose to take this drug, make sure you are strict on the time and frequency. When off these, I would get these brain rushes every 5 minutes, greatly increased emotions, and I always wanted to eat. My sex drive and ejaculation are nearly nonexistent when on the drug, though, but the positive effects make the side effects very minimal for me."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed venlafaxine 37.5 mg for anxiety and mild depression and took it for almost 3 months. I could tell an improvement in my mood and how I felt within the first week. At this same time, I began losing my hair. Large amounts would come out when I would shower or brush it, and this continued the entire time I took the med. In 3 months, I gained 10 pounds, which could have been the result of feeling better, but my weight had never fluctuated that much in such a short time. I had more energy while taking it and slept less, and had no other measurable side effects. I actually did not want to stop taking it because of how much better I felt overall, but the hair loss finally drove me to stop. Withdrawal effects aren’t great, but were not as bad as I had prepared myself for."

• Emm...
• November 4, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Effexor has helped me so much. I used to self-harm, have suicidal thoughts, no motivation, and a lot of panic attacks. The first couple of weeks taking Effexor is a little weird, but once it's better once you're past the uptake. Ever since I've been on Effexor, I stopped having suicidal thoughts completely and it has helped my anxiety so much. I would never even think of self-harming again. This medication saved my life. But I will say the withdrawal symptoms are terrible, so be careful."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2023

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "So, I will say that Effexor has helped me a ton with my anxiety. I felt a difference within a few days after coming off Prozac (terrible for me). So, if Prozac didn't work for you, Effexor may help. However, I would try this drug as a last resort. Seriously. My doctor didn't warn me about the withdrawal effects and coming off this pill. I won't get into the details as I'm sure you can find them online, but let me tell you when my insurance messed up and I was without the pill for about 3 days, it was the worst experience of my life. Yes, that was when I went cold turkey, but I read numerous reports online saying they went through the same experience even when weaning with their doctor's suggestions. I experience withdrawal symptoms even when taking the pill a few hours later than usual, and it sucks. But after experiencing those 3 days and learning that the symptoms are unavoidable and untreatable, I'll probably be on it for the rest of my life. Proceed with caution."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2023

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "So, I will say that Effexor has helped me a ton with my anxiety. I felt a difference within a few days after coming off Prozac (terrible for me). So, if Prozac didn't work for you, Effexor may help. However, I would try this drug as a last resort. Seriously. My doctor didn't warn me about the withdrawal effects and coming off this pill. I won't get into the details as I'm sure you can find them online, but let me tell you when my insurance messed up and I was without the pill for about 3 days, it was the worst experience of my life. Yes, that was when I went cold turkey, but I read numerous reports online saying they went through the same experience even when weaning with their doctor's suggestions. I experience withdrawal symptoms even when taking the pill a few hours later than usual, and it sucks. But after experiencing those 3 days and learning that the symptoms are unavoidable and untreatable, I'll probably be on it for the rest of my life. Proceed with caution."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have found that Effexor XR is the most effective drug for my anxiety disorder and depression. I have had basically no side effects from the medicine, and it has helped control both issues. I have noticed withdrawals even if one dose is missed. I have been taking 150 mg daily for three years and overall am very pleased."

• Xmy...
• October 11, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "One of the best medications I have taken for depression. One warning is do not run out of this medication, because you will experience terrible withdrawals, and when you re-take it, the nausea is terrible. If I can stay on this medicine for a long time, I will be happy, never had better control of my depression than I do on Effexor."

• Bec...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 25, 2021

Venlafaxine for Depression "Hideous poison. Was on 225 mg for eight years. Sweating every night, neurological pain, twitching, shakes... withdrawal symptoms before I was even due my dose. Avoid at all costs. Am now on Remeron and I can sleep and function."

• CPA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 14, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking Effexor in 1995. I had GAD with some depression. For some reason, I let the Dr. continue prescribing for 12 years. I was only on 75 mg, and since it worked, I did not want to tempt fate. Last year, I started to have worse anxiety and went to one of the highly regarded MDs in NYC. He prescribed Remeron and Effexor. Eventually, the dose was increased from 75 mg to 300 mg. It had no beneficial effects. Worse is getting off of it. I'm now down to 37.5 mg over the last two weeks. The brain zaps and anxiety are tough. I think this drug should be illegal. The withdrawal effects are awful. I recommend trying something else unless this is your last resort."

• Fla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was taking this drug, Effexor, for 4 months. I gained 45 lbs that I cannot lose. Side effects are horrible, you feel like a zombie, no feelings at all. No fear, no love, no hate... nothing. You do not want anything-sex, love, food, nothing matters. In spite of not eating much, because this medication reduces appetite, I put on 45 lbs in 4 months, and my fiancé left me. From size S to XL. My depression did not get any better. Moreover, I became aggressive and broke my phone. After I stopped it, I had very bad withdrawals, chest pain, and panic attacks. I was referred to a cardiologist and had an echo stress test. I regret taking that crappy drug. I do not recommend taking it."