Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression User Reviews

• PPDPPA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2020

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "My doctor told me Effexor is supposed to help with anxiety and depression. It didn’t help with my anxiety. I first started experiencing side effects when I was a little late taking my dose. Turns out that the side effects are actually WITHDRAWAL! It feels like I’m being electrocuted briefly then I immediately get vertigo and a sharp headache until my next “zap” which can occur every couple of minutes! The ONLY thing that helps is taking more of this drug! I’m trying to come off of it slowly but it will take at least 3 weeks and the withdrawal symptoms just keep getting worse and MORE frequent! Right now I experience the zaps every 45 seconds ALL DAY LONG and I’m only on my first week of trying to come off of it! I would never recommend anyone take this medication, rather ask your doctor for an alternative as the side effects are making my anxiety worse since I literally feel like I’m getting “zapped” constantly and it is a scary feeling!"

• Mel
• June 5, 2020

"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 37.5mg. 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."

• Lyn
• December 11, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have my life back thanks to this. I had two children and felt anxiety taking over my life. Never happy, angry, sad and depressed. Now my friends and husband says I'm back to being me and my kids feel the difference too. I'm more patient, attentive and generally a nicer person! I don't look forward to coming off the 75mg tabs I'm on, but will think about that when the time comes."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2017

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "At 3 months post partum I started experiencing slight symptoms of PPD. I handled it and worked myself through it, thought I had it under control until I found myself uncontrollably crying, panic attacks, insomnia, excessive anger, lots of feelings of self worthlessness. My Dr first proscribed me Zoloft at 5 months post partum, for 3 weeks I had no luck. She then switched me to Effexor xr 37.5mg, as they say, the "light bulb" came back on after 2 weeks. I have had very bad anxiety since I was 14, I am now currently taking Effexor xr 75mg daily and am at 7 months post partum. Depression, the horrible self feelings I experienced were not anything I have ever felt with prior to this experience. Effexor changed my life!"

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I started the Effexor XR 7 years ago after dealing with 2 years of postpartum depression. I finally stopped being stubborn and went to the doctor. It started working right away, but believe me don't miss a dose or be late with one when you first start taking them, you body will not like you. I was off of them for many years and was doing well. Recently due to stress I have gone back to my old moody self and having blow ups and am back on them and again working right away. You feel much calmer and once you get through the time of your body getting used to them you are clear headed and happy. Don't let the first few days discourage you."

• Helen
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Was taking two 37 mg per day but made me nauseous so kept missing the second dose & wasn't working . Now taking 75mg slow release per day. Was completely spaced out for a few days..zoning out! but after 10 days I feel great. Loads of energy. Depression easing off. Impressed but hope it lasts . Side effects were dry mouth but this has now gone. Sex drive has also plummeted but I do have a baby so could be down to that. In any case I'd rather have my old self back than a sex drive so not too bothered. Have tried prozac and citaloplam in the past until they stopped working. I'd say this is just as good if not better. Fingers crossed x"

• 2ndTi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "after the birth of my second child and moving states away due to husbands job change I had HORRIBLE anxiety, what I thought was ONLY anxiety. I wouldn't leave the house for weeks on end. Finally 6 months later my husband and I agreed that I needed to seek help, being on medication was not something that I wanted, but something that I may need. At my first appointment I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I was started in 37.5mg of Effexor and .5mg Klonopin! I'll admit! The first week ish, was hell, as it should be... For anyone to take a new medication to treat this type of issue its going to be tough. After those couple weeks I noticed a good change. Then it leveled out and I now take 75mg, this medication Is working so well!"

• Mom...
• April 4, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "When I had my first son in 2004 I developed postpartum depression within two days of giving birth. It was the most horrible manic thoughts, racing heartbeat, clenched jaw and burning sensation in my upper body. I thankfully was able to care for my son but I was sleep deprived for 8 days...which turns your head into mush. I can't really remember the first 2 to 3 months of his life. I went to the my primary doctor because of all of this and they put me on Effexor it really worked. Within one month I was feeling so much better and I haven't missed a dose since. I continued to take Effexor in my second pregnancy and I had a great pregnancy, birth, and continue in 2010 to take it everyday."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "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 strength to make life changes."

• Ms J
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"Effexor saved me I am on it for severe insomnia, rage and unbelievable anxiety Been on it now for 20 years (since kids) I’ve tried to decrease my dose but symptoms return. I’m lucky also to not have issues when I try to wean off like most people do Has been a life saver for me"

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I returned to work, after having my second child, at the end of April. By the begining of June everything was falling apart. The job I had worked so hard to attain, my relationship, my friendships...nothing seemed to be going well, my two beautiful boys were the only thing keeping me remotely together. I was asked to take a leave from work. I started with Zoloft - terrible I clenched my teeth all day long! Moved to Cymbalta - all I wanted to do was sleep, with two very active boys naps are just not an option. I started taking Effexor XR two weeks ago now. Love IT!! The only side effect I'm noticing is short term memory loss, but hey my sex drive finally came back!!! YEAH! That alone does help alot with my depression."

• Annon...
• December 14, 2009

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I've been on and off Effexor since 2004. Mostly taken for post partum depression. I also have BPD and used it for only 6mths. I found that Effexor made me numb. It makes sense in the beginning but I want to learn how to deal with my emotions and after about six months I start getting withdrawal symptoms because it is no longer working, even though I take as perscribed. That is what I hate the most the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. I found working out aggressively like at least 1.5hrs a day gives me better results than this. It took two weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to subside and I was on the lowest dose."

• Leah
• March 17, 2014

"I was diagnosed with postpartum depression after the birth of my 3rd son. I'm on venlafaxine for the 2nd time. The 1st time I disliked it because it seemed to have weird side effects. Now, I'm almost 3 weeks into it and I feel like a million bucks! My depersonalization seems to be so much better, my mood is better, I'm playing with my kids more than I have been. Starting to care about myself, have motivation to workout, more patient and able to handle my kids again! Venlafaxine gave me my life back. Not looking forward to tapering but that's a long way down the road. But I've found taking it at night is the best. I don't seem to have any side effects beside weight loss but who is going to hate that!"

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "After a year of having my daughter I had postpartum symptoms and went straight to doctor because after my son 5 yrs earlier I waited and it was truly a nightmare, worst thing that had happened to me. Effexor really helped then but took longer to work because I was so sick. Effexor is a life saver and this time it worked right away....I didn't wait so long."

• Mel
• March 19, 2020

"I started taking this venlafaxine (37.5mg) 3 weeks ago. I haven't taken any meds for 10 years because of bad side effects in the past: wellbutrin: seizure, lamitical: rash, lexapro: face swelling. After having a baby, I still didn't feel 100% mentally at the year mark--mostly a lot of irritability that I was aware as being irrational but I was unable to quell. I didn't gain any weight beyond baby weight during pregnancy but 6 months postpartum I suddenly gained 20lbs. Blood work all came back fine though. I had none of the side effects except my appetite has lessened (almost feels as if its balanced now) and there is a bit of constipation once in awhile despite my drinking tons of water but I took a stool softener and it worked fine. This is the first time a medication has worked for me. I plan to be on it for a year before weening off. Hoping it balances everything out again. It's been really helpful. My libido has also started to come back again. I think my weight will start to go down as a result as well."

• Worki...
• October 20, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I am a mum of two. Been depressed in past but felt fine after birth to first baby and the following three years. Developed depression, anxiety, mania after second baby, almost immediately. I am now in hospital (mother and baby unit) with 9 week old daughter. I'm on Effexor XR 375mg and experimentally with Seroquel (too sedating), Abilify (not effective) and now lithium. Effexor is causing mania like symptoms and I have been taking it for 4 weeks. The introduction of another medicine will hopefully counteract this. Overall though Effexor has definitely reduced my lows from a 1/10 to never dipping below 5/10. Fingers crossed I can get out of here and back to normal, soon."

• AST
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2022

"This medication has been life changing. I had 2 pregnancies back to back, which took a drastic toll on my mental health. Post partum I was angry, sad, emotional, depressed and demotivated. I went from being a driven , happy person to an empty shell. Venlafaxine has helped me so much. Experienced a little bit of nausea in the first week, lost a few kgs, but other than that no side effects. I'm back to the person I used to be. I'm active, I've become extremely productive, my mental clarity and ability to focus is the best it's ever been. I used to be tired ALL the time, no matter how much of sleep I got, I was exhausted and couldn't make it through the day without a 2 hour nap. I now wake up early and no longer feel exhausted. I'm so happy with this medication."

• Daisey
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Been taken this mediation bout 3 months start on 75mg now on 150mg I'm very stressed my depression is not under control I'm worse in fact I've no energy I'm always sleepy, I've started to shake and have hot sweats. I don't think this for me"

• Depre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2021

Effexor (venlafaxine) "First week was a nightmare, and if you miss doses it’ll hit you hard with relapse. Take your doses on time and you’ll be good. Side effects were sleepiness, moodiness, orgasm not as strong. Pretty good for OCD/depression."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2016

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I was on 37.5 mg for a week and had planned to up the dose to 75mg. I could tell it was helping with my postpartum anxiety and depression, but the side effects were terrible for me. Extreme fatigue and vomiting. Not good with two small children. We switched to another medication."

• kitty...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2015

"It helped with my anxiety, but to the point that I didn't care and started taking risks. I had major mood swings, was full of rage and started self harming again for the first time in decades. I've had to be weaned off it to start another medicine."

• Steph...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2014

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor XR worked great at treating my Postpartum Depression - within 6 weeks of taking it, it was gone. I did have a lot of problems eating on this, though, which was the reason I stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "My depression went away pretty quick, I was able to continue to nurse my newborn son. I took it for about 10 or 11 months it was so hard to stop taking. I had to split caplets up to cut myself down. "