Venlafaxine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 13, 2010

Venlafaxine for Bipolar Disorder "I love this medication for the positive effects as far as helping my depression and such. I have been on it for over 10 years. I thought about getting off of it a few years ago and had horrible withdrawal symptoms. It is almost like electricity running through your head and face. If I miss two doses, I am flat on my back sick. I can't keep my eyes open because of the visual disturbances. It's like all of my senses are heightened, and when I move my head, it almost feels like everything kind of moves with a short shift. Needless to say, I didn't get off of it. It is really strange. The withdrawal symptoms lasted more than a week and didn't improve until I started taking it again."

• 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."

• 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."

• Sha...
• April 19, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have taken Effexor XR for almost 5 years. I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I take 150 mg in the morning. I don’t forget to take it because if I don’t take it in the morning, I start having withdrawal symptoms by 4 p.m. My lips get numb, and vertigo starts. The longer I wait, the worse it gets. I really had to discipline myself to take it routinely because forgetting enough times is hell, so generally, I never miss a dose. However, a few times a year it happens, and I remember. Overall, it’s the first drug I’ve stayed on because if I forget, it reminds me with the withdrawal symptoms. Generally, I feel very happy and able to deal with life. I’ve put my life back together after my trauma and feel empowered. I’ve set some great future goals and a timeline. There is nothing I can’t work at."

• Ano...
• September 20, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on apparently the lowest dose of 37.5 mg for anxiety, and I had the worst experience of my life. I had severe gut pains every day and felt hypoglycemic all the time. I thought my liver was going to give out, it hurt so much. I was not myself. I was more anxious and depressed on the meds than I was off them. I couldn’t take it anymore and took myself off. Quitting cold turkey probably wasn't the best idea, but make sure you go to your doctor to get tapered off properly first to avoid major withdrawal symptoms. I do not recommend this medication, it’s not worth the risk."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been taking this pill for about four months, and it was working, and I felt a little better, not so many panic attacks, but it didn't help as much as I thought. Be careful when going off Effexor, the withdrawals are horrible. Most pain I have ever felt in my head. Do not just stop taking it. Effexor just wasn't the right one for me."

• 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..."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve had a real go with anxiety since I was 12. I thought everyone felt like me. I wish I would have known there was help back then, but at that age, you cannot explain it to someone. So, since 5 months ago, I started 37.5 mg Effexor XR and now I’m up to 75 mg. I find I don’t worry as much, and when I’m in a social situation, I’m not as stressed. I read horror stories about withdrawal that make me a bit nervous, but I’ve also been told by my doctor that Prozac helps with the withdrawal if you want to come off it. Apparently, it has a very long half-life. I will report back on how 75 mg is helping. Take care."

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for almost 4 years now. It really has been the best thing for me. I tried almost everything, and this has definitely been the best. On the downside, if you begin taking Effexor, just plan on taking it the rest of your life. Doctors fail to tell you about the withdrawals and horrible discontinuation syndrome. I am pregnant now and having an extremely hard time getting off."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "Trying to come off Effexor is hard, it's like withdrawal effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have finally had the courage to go through withdrawal symptoms, agitation. Headaches, nausea, electric shock in my head. I am free of this drug, and for the first time in years, I feel like a human being. I am alert and feel a range of emotions. I was feeling nothing, numb for many years. This drug should be taken with great caution. I feel it is dangerous."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor XR for approximately 7 years now. I was started off at 75 mg and have since been raised to 225 mg over the years. I have had good results on this medication. One downfall is the terrible withdrawals that I experience if I miss a dose. These effects happen within the first couple of hours of not taking it. Terrible headache, foggy feeling, and extreme eye sensitivity. Within a day of a skipped dose, I become agitated, argumentative, and defiant. I do not look forward to switching from this medicine to a different one, which my doctor has suggested, due to the withdrawal symptoms."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "Bad side effects, bad withdrawal."

• Rob...
• May 29, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "Just changed from Zoloft (10 years) to Effexor. Have tried to get off Zoloft previously but had horrendous anxiety. The doctor merged the Effexor with a low dose of Zoloft for 1 week and now on 150 mg Effexor for the last 2 days. So far, so good. Pretty scary waiting for Zoloft withdrawals, but optimistic."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I've suffered from anxiety my whole life. I've been on and off so many different medicines I can't even count. At first, Effexor seemed like a heaven send. Recently, though, I've realized that if I merely skip a day or more, the withdrawals are indescribable. I shake constantly. I throw up. I sweat. I get headaches."

• Bet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on 300 mg for the past 5 years. I cannot handle the withdrawal symptoms, as the feeling of being completely disconnected from reality is too intense, let alone the nausea, etc. I'm 25 and worry that this will eventually do irreversible damage. The side effects are not worth it for me, but again, I cannot stop taking it even though I want to."

• Lel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2020

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor has got to be the worst of the worst to try to come off of. I am still trying to come off this completely after taking 225 mg daily for 3 years. I still cannot get through the withdrawal symptoms, they are horrific. If anyone has any suggestions on how to help, please let me know."