Venlafaxine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for 3 years. The only side effects that have been bad were ones caused when my doctors advised me to increase the dose. This caused me to fall asleep in classes, gave me severe anxiety attacks, paranoia, and bipolar-like symptoms. After taking matters into my own hands and suffering through the horrible withdrawal, which felt like being hungover and having the flu at the same time, I am on a better dosage. This dosage has allowed me to continue living my life to an extent. I do suffer from the mild side effects and am afraid to sleep during the night at times due to the intense dreams that I have. Overall, more good than bad."

• sub...
• April 25, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor XR treated my depression very well. It relieved me of the despair that kept me from leading a productive life. On the other hand, I felt an inability to feel strong emotion of any kind. I didn't get excited by anything, I didn't laugh in funny movies or cry in sad movies. I felt generally good, but also felt that I was missing out on something. I quit Effexor cold turkey - NOT a good idea - and experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms. Don't expect to come off this medicine easily, though it is possible. As a side note, I experienced intensely vivid dreams while taking Effexor, dreams that made absolutely no sense. I gave up telling anyone about them because they thought I was lying."

• Sol...
• July 10, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Effexor for twelve years, and it's been very effective until just recently. (I think my body has grown too used to it.) When it was still able to affect me, it was super useful. The bad part is that you'll suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you don't take it for over 24 hours. I ran out in college for FIVE DAYS (I lived in one city, and my psychiatrist was in another), and I was miserable - chills, weird dreams, everything. Never let it run out and never forget to take it. Otherwise, it's a good medicine."

• Ker...
• September 20, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this medication for a while now, it was originally just for my chronic migraines, but it never ended up working for my migraines. However, I've had a history of anxiety, and Effexor seemed to solve my anxiety problems, so my doctors have kept me on it all this time. I've noticed if I go even a little over 24 hours since I've taken my last dosage, my anxiety comes back worse than ever, and I constantly throw up due to withdrawal... and that's only a day of not taking it!!"

• Duh...
• October 16, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I took 200 mg of amitriptyline for 40 years for clinical depression. I decided to find a safer medication with fewer side effects. I started Effexor and was weaned off amitriptyline at the same time. Within 2 days, my depression lifted, repetitive/unwanted thoughts discontinued. Down to 50 mg of amitriptyline and at 75 mg of Effexor. It's working amazingly well and amitriptyline withdrawal is minimal."

• Jen...
• May 31, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Started Effexor after other antidepressants gave me too many side effects. I'm four months in now, and so far it has been great. I do have times where I'm very sleepy, have vivid dreams, and some weight gain, but those are minor to me compared to how miserable I was before. Sexually, it's been helpful as I'm not on edge all the time and can relax easier. It's up to the individual to decide what side effects are deal breakers. I have accidentally missed a dose here and there but haven't experienced any of the withdrawals that others have."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "So here is my experience with Effexor, I hope it helps you make an informed decision. I started taking it two months ago as a change from the Citalopram I have been on for over 5 years. I suffer from anxiety. The first three weeks, improvement in my mood, better temper control also. Week three, the insomnia kicked in and strange urges to have to get up and move around. Week four, serious shortness of breath on exertion, ringing ears, lip numbness, and malaise. Turns out I was allergic to it! Doc took me off it immediately, then the withdrawal began. Oh my G*#. The worst experience of my life. Paranoia, hallucinations, panic attacks (my first ever), breathing trouble, the list goes on. If you research the withdrawal, it's not worth it!"

• Dep...
• February 22, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I wish somebody had told me how addictive this drug is before I started taking it. Had I known how bad the withdrawal symptoms were, I probably would never have gone on it. (Although that might be a good thing, as I need(ed) to be on it.) It has definitely helped. The worst thing is having to take it...literally. It's a full-out physical addiction. If we go somewhere and it doesn't get packed, I'm in trouble. It's not something to be taken for short-term or seasonally. Other than the withdrawals, the main side effect is sweating. I shower every morning, and by mid-afternoon, I have to put Kleenexes or some sort of absorbing pad in my armpits! In the past 17 years, I've also been on Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, and one other."

• cd8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "Horrific side effects and incredibly difficult to wean off of as well because of the withdrawal symptoms. When I first started taking it, I felt some relief, but it didn't last very long. I'd taken Lexapro and Zoloft in the past and felt that, over time, they were no longer helpful in treating my depression, which is why my doctor put me on Effexor. It took me a while to realize this medication was worsening my depression symptoms, and I didn't realize it until after a botched suicide attempt. I don't recommend this medication to anyone for any reason. Worst of the worst as far as I'm concerned. It'll trick your brain for a little while into thinking you're improving, but the depression and anxiety will come back and hit you ten times worse!"

• PTS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2014

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have CPTSD. Currently taking the 'California Rocket Fuel' combo of Effexor and Remeron. (Also taking prazosin, propranolol, lorazepam, and Saphris.) I found that the Effexor helped with my anxiety, flashbacks, and depression a little bit. I noticed headaches at first and an increase in blood pressure. I cannot miss my dose or I get bad withdrawal symptoms (headaches, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, brain zaps, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue), which only subside 6 to 12 hours after I take the missed dose."

• wan...
• September 6, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 8 days, and the worse side effects are horrible fatigue and sweats. The first day I was light-headed, but that went away. I skipped today to see if I got withdrawal symptoms, and I did. Tomorrow I will go back on it. If the chronic fatigue continues, I will have to figure out which med to try next. For my depression to subside, I would probably need a higher dosage, but I don't think I could handle the side effects. I know for some people it works well at 150 mg, but I could never tolerate that dose."

• 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."

• Hoo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 14, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Effexor for almost 20 years now. The withdrawal from this drug is horrific, so I try to make sure I always take it. It has only just barely maintained my mood, and I've had 3 admissions to a psych ward over the years. But it was a godsend when I was first put on it because at least now I was able to function and control my rages and my depression somewhat. After my last breakdown, I was put on Abilify (which I now can't afford) along with my Effexor, and I was suddenly awake for the first time in 35 years, it was an amazing combination for me. I hope to be able to afford the Abilify once again, but for now, my Effexor maintains me at a somewhat tolerable level!"

• Lan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have been on Effexor for the past six months after weaning off of Zoloft, which I had been on for years, and it seemed to have lost effectiveness. I’ve had a generally positive response to it - I am a female in my late twenties on 150 MG/day extended release. Dry mouth and decreased libido are side effects I have experienced, but they are mild and aren’t a big enough deterrent to get off the medication. I definitely can notice a huge improvement in my mood overall, even though I was prescribed this for anxiety, it seems to help my depressive symptoms a bit more, with the exception of the week before my period. Just don’t miss your dose for more than 3-4 hours because that’s when I start feeling weird withdrawal side effects! I didn’t get that with Zoloft."

• Son...
• November 11, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor is a powerful drug that is extremely destructive. I was slowly losing sanity after only a couple of months of taking it. Unfortunately, there is a choice from 1 to 10, not -10, that would be my rating. Effexor withdrawal, as bad as it can be, is more desirable than ever taking one more tablet. I noticed that they don't come with any instructions and warnings. If I had read it, I would never take one. Lucky, I guess I wasn't using them for long."

• Lll...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Effexor has given me depression and suicidal thoughts. I tapered down over 2 months, and I’m still experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms after 4 weeks of stopping. It’s horrendous."

• 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."

• bls...
• June 9, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I feel the need to write a review of this medication as I am currently experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms from missing one dose. There was a mix-up with a new insurance company, and I unfortunately had to miss yesterday's dose. I have never felt this way after missing one dose of a medication, and I have taken several different antidepressants over the last 10 years. I have the sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and I have been crying uncontrollably all day. I did have benefits from taking this medication for the past three years, but I worry about continuing to take it any longer."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Effexor XR 150 mg for about six months now. I started with Lexapro, then Zoloft to help aid in anxiety relief. The only thing those two did was make me put on 30 pounds. Since diligently taking the Effexor, the results have been remarkable. I lost the weight I gained and no longer feel anxious about every little thing. You have to definitely make sure you don't miss a dose, especially consecutively. I ran out of my prescription, had to wait for the doctor to call it in, and was without for three days... withdrawal symptoms were HORRIBLE."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "It was great at first for my GAD. I have never been able to concentrate so well. Unfortunately, it completely eliminated my personality. I didn't get upset or excited about anything. I eventually went off of it after my desire for sex had been completely eliminated. My ability to become aroused returned within a few weeks. Fortunately, I did not have any withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking it."

• aly...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Please listen to me when I say that 'never start this medication'! I was reluctant to try this only because a friend of mine talked to me about the withdrawals. I (at the time) didn't have any plans on coming off of it, so I thought....what the hay. I was going through a difficult time in my life and needed something to help my anxiety and depression that came from hurting those around me from my anxiety. This medication changed me. I didn't see it at the time. It made me completely numb to everything around me. Yes, I could cry, but did I really 'feel' hurt? It caused me to leave a very amazing job that I was only at for 6 months...kinda one of those lifetime opportunities that I could kick myself for screwing up. Awful medication!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "Yeah, Effexor is all great and all until you want to come off of it. Then the withdrawals literally feel like you’re dying. I have been slowly coming off of it for a couple of months, and every day is a struggle because the withdrawals are so severe. This shocked me because I was only on this stuff for like 8 months. If you go on it, just expect to stay on it for life because getting off of it is pure torture!!!"

• DRa...
• May 6, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been taking Effexor for just over a year for comorbid depression and anxiety. My doctor tried several medications to address my depression and anxiety, and Effexor proved to be the most effective. I started on 25 mgs and went to 50 mgs, which basically did nothing. It was when it was increased to 75 mgs that I really noticed a difference. The trouble was that my motivation and energy levels dropped incredibly. I really struggled with foggy brain and forgetting everything. Also, rapid weight gain. I gained 6 kilos in less than a month and continued to gain over the next several months a total of 9 kilos. I was careful with what I ate and when I ate, but I still gained. We are switching the meds currently, and the detox is brutal. I have been tapering for over a month, and I am on day 3 of being completely off of it, and I am still experiencing horrible withdrawal symptoms. The electric-like surges are painful and scary. The side effects just don't seem worth it, and I will be happy when it is out of my system."

• Dus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2019

For Depression "I have had depression for 15+ years and have been on and off several antidepressants; venlafaxine is the only one that has helped me cope. It's hard getting on and off it. The withdrawal is bad for me if I forget to take it, but I am on 350 mg, so I guess it would be. Like with all meds, go see your doctor. I had liver function problems, so I had to come off it for a time, and they stepped withdrew it (25 mg reduction every few days), and it wasn't really that bad except for worsening mood. Once sorted, I went back on it. Again, starting on venlafaxine isn't great; every increase of meds gives me a headache/nausea/sleeplessness/jitters, but this stops after a day or two. I'm still depressed on it, but I rarely cut myself anymore (used to be several times a month). I can get up for work and cope pretty well. I only get really dark a couple of times a month, and I can usually ride it. For me, it's like an umbrella; the rain is still pouring, but I'm not as wet through."