It's only happened twice. I'm afraid to jinx this by saying anything, but I feel I have just walked into heaven when I got on Viibryd. To be on an anti-depressant AND get to keep my sex drive AND actually be able to achieve orgasm MORE frequently and easily than before? I hope nothing goes wrong with this drug, as I hope to be friends for life with Viibryd. I'm looking into buying stock in this company.
Anyone else having really scary nightmares with Viibryd?
Question posted by ChrisDDD on 12 Sep 2011
Last updated on 12 June 2018
36 Answers Page 2
I noticed when I take it at night I get very weird bizarre vivid dreams that arent always as "bad" as they are creepy and unusual, yet they still feel more horrifying. Weird fun-house like acid-trippy kind of dreams where you keep trying to get out or wake yourself up, or weird seizure like dreams where you cant move and you keep trying to grab the phone to get help but you cant, all kinds of weird stuff where you keep trying to wake yourself up peeling through different layers of dreams trying to force yourself up. Last night (in my dream) i threw myself off the bed to wake up, but it didnt work, i was still in bed sleeping. I also am getting deja vu kind of dreams where i feel like ive had dreams like it before but i dont think i have. Everything is familiar but not familiar at all. hard to describe, but im starting to think its only when i take it at night so im going to going back to taking it in the morning because i havent had this problem that often when i take it in the morning. (40mg). Good luck!
I can relate to various things you commented on. The deja-vu may actually be remembrance of the same type dream; a lot of my themes return. The visceral feeling of really doing a physical action that you actually aren't has happened to me a lot. As I wrote before, several times I thought I was actually springing up and down as I lay horizontal in bed, with my arms and legs moving, and I could not tell if my body was really doing it, or if I was dreaming it. The answer is: dreaming. I have also often felt like I wanted to get out of bed but couldn't, it may be a type of "sleep paralysis." And I wrote before about a dream I had (I was in real life in a hotel room that night), where the dream had lots of colors and patterns, but I was trapped in a matrix of rooms and couldn't get out. I would escape one room to be trapped in another, with new colors and patterns.
In the dream, the only escape was to fall into a deeper sleep, but the more I tried to do it, the more self-aware I was, which prevented me from deeper sleep. Anyway, after several months, a lot of these dream effects happen less often, you adapt and feel more like a normal person. But sometimes you may get involved in a project and have some sort of almost manic high, or you may get a surprising brain buzz, and it reminds you that you are on a strong drug. All in all, I have adapted to it, it has helped me deal with life really well so far. So, I'm actually doing well with it.
yes i feel like ive had a dream that ive had dreams like before but i dont think i actually have. very odd. ive been on it for quite a while now though (a year maybe?) i didnt always have this problem but i feel like i do if i take the meds at night, and its odd because it starts as soon as i close my eyes so i know when im going to have the dreams right away, and its usually just the first half of the night . What time of the day do you take them?
i had the weird vivid colors kind of dreams too, going into different rooms!
I take all my meds at dinner time. I'm also on seroquel and klonopin, and those are both sleep-inducing. I have always been in the habit of taking an afternoon nap, which has changed recently due to work schedule, but my weirdest dreams would happen during afternoon naps. My psychiatrist says there is a reason for that and a word for it, but I forgot. Anyway, afternoon time is when I'm at the end of my cycle, and also if I'm falling asleep I am getting relaxed, so that's when the strongest effects occur. Night time sleep has been somewhat less active for me in terms of strange dreams.
i take klonopin only when i need it or when i have panic attacks. im also on the generic of lamictal regularly. do you think the klonopin would help with the sleep? i keep waking up shaking
The Klonopin I only take .25 per night, and that is enough. Yes, It is meant for anxiety, and when I went on meds this time 2-3 years ago, I was in a constant state of anxiety, so that helped tremendously to alleviate anxiety. I was also on celexa before I switched to viibryd, and celexa also has sedating qualities. Anyway, I have been warned not to use klonopin as a sleep aid, but I take the prescribed small dose every night, so if I am unusually anxious or can't sleep at night, I might take an extra half, or once and a while, an extra pill. So, if lack of sleep and/or anxiety is a continuing problem, you might ask your shrink to put you on a low dose of klonopin.
ah yes i do take the .25 klonopin wafer but sometimes take 2.
I have the occasional vivid nightmares and also experience an electric shock sensation and a pulsating sensation in my head. This is usually within about 6 hours before the next dose is due. So far, I have seen no explanations as to why this occurs. The physical discomfort I can tolerate. The nightmares are truly bizarre. I've woken up and sat bolt upright, shivering and in a cold sweat? Other than that, it works great!
I also get the brain buzz at the end of my cycle, usually a few hours before I take my daily dose around dinner time. It does not happen every day, and some days it is just one or two buzzes and that's it. Maybe once a week I get on and off intense buzzing for maybe 15 minutes or so. It generally happens when I am relaxed, usually getting ready for a nap.
I guess I will join in the comments on this subject. I do not get nightmares, but it get VIVID (imagine that in 72 point bold type with neon lights) dreams. Dreams so real that there is no difference from reality. My problem was that they would wake me up every dream cycle and I could not get any rest. Never a nightmare, never anything scary, just hyper-realizism and maybe some neon colors, followed by totally awake for 5-15 minutes.
I talked to may doctor (psychiatrist) and he put me on temazepam (Restoril). Normally, that is used only for 7 days and is highly addicting. Well I sleep like a the dead and if I have dreams I don't remember. I am totally addicted, but I can live with it.
I am in IT so the occasional all-night ride happens. I have no issues staying awake (I don't take the temazepam that night). In fact I only need a 1-2 hour nap and I am good for another 24 hours. After that; however, the withdrawal symptoms take over and I have to take one.
Viibryd keeps me above the dirt. If I had to live without the temazepam I would. I would just go to bed at 8-9 pm to get enough sleep and I might be cranky a lot, but that would be better than dead.
Everything in life is a compromise. This is mine. I do it happily. So talk to your doctors if you are having true nightmares. You may not have to suffer. There are milder sleep aids out there other than temazepam. Your doc might try one with you and the results could be fantastic.
Good luck to you all.
RonMan
I am also on Klonopin (generic: clonazepam), which is for anxiety, but also makes me sleep. The third med in my regimen is seroquel, also a sleeper. The clonazepam can be taken in small doses (mine is .25mg). So, if anxiety is a major issue, that may be an option. I am having very few nightmares now, and sometimes I do have colorful dreams. I can relate to having dreams that may be confused for reality. Peace.
Follow up. My sleep med, temazepam, seemed to be causing a problem, no REM sleep at all. The body is rested, but not the mind.
After a talk with the doc, I was put on Lunesta. REM sleep (I dreamed), but the stuff is super expensive, even with insurance. I am going to ask him about Ambien. I poked and the contraindications are interesting and the side-effects even more so, but it does have a generic.
I will update once I get the chance.
RonMan
Changed over to generic Ambien. No side effects. Works well and is much less expensive. Dreams are a little more vivid, but are not waking me up. I am remembering some of them (or almost remembering). I am getting enough sleep.
So far a successful change over.
RonMan
Ronman- good luck. I was on 150mg Elavil for over a year, I started taking Viibryd, and I switched to Ambien. It worked for me for me 3 days shy of a month, I have had a total of 11 hours sleep in 72 hours. Have the dr. appt today to decide what sleep medication to get on next, I've been researching clinical trials for hours. I think we have the same thing, I don't have nightmares and I have always had vivid dreams, but viibryd is now disrupting sleep cycle. I'm just trying to figure out which is the safest sleep med with viibryd... If restoril didn't help you, it probably won't help me. Checked the drug interactions between viibryd and the following: Elavil-Major, Trazodone-Major, Remeron-Major, Doxepin-Major. Restoril, Sonata, Rozerem and Lunesta I can't find any. Is anyone on any of these meds with Viibryd and experiencing side effects? Thanks.
Erin,
Lunestra worked great. Slight metallic taste for a bit. The price was the show stopper for me, nothing else. Ambien is NOT as effective, but the price is right. I do have to go to bed an hour earlier, but I can live with that compromise.
RonMan
I have been on this medication for around six months now. I too experiene the weird feelings and the dreams where you feel awake and are asleep. It makes you feel like you are paralyzed and cant move etc... I have found that if you make sure to take the medication with a FULL meal and not just, say a glass of milk, that it does help in keeping this feeling away. If you miss a dose and try to go to sleep it is MUCH worse. I really try to take mine with dinner at night so my body will obsorbe all the medication properly. If I do this I tend to not have these feelings as often, if at all. I cant say so much for the sex drive part of this medication. I dont know if maybe I just naturally dont have much of a sex drive or what the problem is but I dont have much of one, and if I do have sex and orgasm is really hard to achieve and I have to concentrate really hard... (but my mind does wander alot normally anyway) HAHAHA.
Seriously, I know that dreams are terrible and the feeling s that you have a re crazy, I would avoid going to bed to go to sleep afraid of thaving these dreams, or feelings. Dont give up on the meds. Make sure to take them with food and dont miss any doses and hopefully these things will go away. I have read alot of the comments on here and I dont blame anyone for going off the medication at all. I personally have truied other meds over the years and they either made me feel absolutly nothing at all to just making me fatter thn I already am. I love this medication and how it has helped with my severe mood swings and irritablity, bt yes I could live without these dream experioences as well. Hope this helps some. Good Luck!!!
I have contacted forest lab. And will be contacting the fda again about this drug. Viibryd needs to be taken off of the market! I was on it from aug. 2011 until july 2012. I began having hallucinations that someone was in bed next to me & then I heard someone get up and walk away, but by the time I turned, no one was there. Then I began having the wave like sensations attack the left side of my head, nearly knocking me off of my feet. Then the sleep paralysis & nightmares so evil that stephen frikking king would make millions if he were able to dream up such terror. Hey stephen... Try the drug! Ha. I felt like I was raped, had my teeth knocked out, I was attacked by evil creatures, I saw a cloaked like evil man at the side of my bed. By the time I knew about sleep paralysis, thanks to others complaints, I knew more about how to stop them.
And how I did that was by holding my dog, taking the viibryd at night, having xanax handy (not that it helped that much), and I also was mentally prepared to say a prayer and fight back! So at the last worst 'sp' event, I tried something different and screamed internally to "get out of my body" (even in my sleep I didn't want to admit that there was the possibility that this was some sort of demonic exorcism that I had to perform on myself) and what happened next still gives me chills. I felt the demon like creature pulling on me, like my soul, back and forth we went, my putting up such a physically exhausting fight... I won... And the 'thing' jumped out of my body and to the floor and I felt the f*cker slap his large evil claw like hands on my feet and across my bed, even hitting my husband's feet (he didn't feel anything) as it pretty much laughed it's way out of my bedroom. That was it, I was able to wake up, crying, and tell my husband what I had experienced. It was after that weeks later that I had a major auditory & painful hallucination that made my face flinch in pain everytime it came back around and over and over into my ears... Stuffing out painfully, like with the pressure that someone else mentioned... Closing up all sound in the room. I have posted all about this and other's have too on the prescription drug info web site. Just waiting for a class action law suit!!!
Maria,
I just got goosebumbs when I read your post. I TOO saw a man in a cloak standing on the side of my bed. I've also had alot of people standing by my bed reaching to touch me and I try to wake up and I'm paralyzed. I've been off of the Viibryd for 4 months now and I still have hallucinations once and a while at night. I still have this uncomfortable feeling when I try to sleep every night. God I just pray that this didn't do permanant damage to my brain. I never had anything like this before going on this medicine. Never. I don't know what to do anymore. I also am having a VERY hard time concentrating on everything and staying on task is impossible.You are right that it's worse than any Stephan King movie ive ever seen. I too am going to contact Forest Lab and see what they have to say. I didn't realize that it was legal to use human beings as guina pigs for drug testing, without their consent anyways. I'll keep everyone posted as to what happens and ask that everyone else having this problem also keep in touch.
I started Viibryd about 3 months ago. The side effects have been horrible to me. I tried calling the Dr. twice with no call back to discuss this before my next appointment but they have a really bad staff that does not return calls. So, on my own, after nights of sweating and itching, swelling- water retention, anger and irritability, I decided I am finished with this stuff. If you weren't depressed when you started you definately are now. I did not mention the insomnia. I already can't sleep. I quit it, nightmare city. Oh boy, You guys are right about Stephen King would make millions. Just another reason to get off of it. I looked it up and found this spot. Its amazing healthcare professionals would give this to people knowing what can happen to people that already need peace.
What caught my eye was the comments about "Forrest Lab" Are we actually guinea pigs? I noticed when I went back for my checks at the dr.s office I had to fill out the questionare about how I was feeling rating things from 1 to 10. I thought that was odd. I have been on a couple differant things before cymbalta was the last and was never asked to that before. Well, I am sure I am in for a few days for being very uncomfortable but I am not taking this crap. Even though I had an insane dream last night I did not sweat, itch, my face does not sem swollen this morning and my eye is not twitching or do I feel so tight or aggitated. Can't believe that this could be good for anyone. Keep posting please this has been the most interesting thing I have personally dealt with as far as medication. I know I am sensitive to medications. Most things work the wrong way even benadryl so maybe its my system. I do not take benadryl eiether. Good Luck. Maybe we should all get together and make a movie. Maybe we would make millions.
I have been on Viibryd for a year now... and thought I would have to put up w/ the nightmares, Brain buzzing, bizzarre noises etc. I never even connected them to the Viibryd... until last night, and now i found I am not alone... I have been to neuros and rheums trying to figure out why i was having these horrible painful night TERRORS (yes, feeling actual pain, unbearable fear, cannot breathe, screaming but no sound... husband says i am catatonic while they are happening, I had asked him to observe)..so, it IS Viibryd... and it was helping so much! (weight gain though..and massive fluid retention, but i would have put up with that)..doc gets call first thing in morning..bye bye Viibryd..sigh...
update..saw doc, started taper immediately..brain buzz..no more, not a nightmare in over a week..and i have lost 11 pounds... i will deal with my on again off again anxiety..rather than the horrific night terrors, and freaky feelings... my family once thought i was going to have a stroke... i've never been manic..and i was... one more week... then Viibryd all done... and Good Riddance... after one year, the nightmares never went away... man...
I am so sorry about all of you who posted about crazy nightmares with Viibryd. I am taking it with food (protein, i.e. cereal and milk) in the morning. My depression is finally down to a manageable level. I feel like myself again. I do not have nightmares from this drug, which is odd because I usually get many of the side effects of every drug. The one reason I think I am not having them is because I take a drug at night called tizanidine (Zanaflex). It is an m.s. drug that reduces spacticity. I do not have m.s. but I do have a rare neurological disease called pls (primary lateral sclerosis) which makes you drag a foot and your brain doesn't communicate too well with your nerves. This drug has helped me a lot as I don't drag my foot (fell a lot) and a lot of my pain is gone. Tizanidine is so sedating that I can only take it at night. It knocks me out and keeps me asleep for 8 solid hours.
I suspect that it knocks me out so well that it keeps the Viibryd from causing dreams. The first few weeks I took it, though, I felt that my sleep was shallower and was waking up much earlier than necessary. But that has passed. Ironically, tizanidine causes hallucinations in some people, which I got!! Big spiders crawling toward me just as I was falling asleep. I would see them in the bedroom with eyes wide open! The only way I could stop it was to put on the light. Those have stopped too, thank goodness. But I do think that the tizanidine is knocking me out so much that I don't remember my dreams at all. Hence, is there a sleep drug that can have that same effect on you? Not sure what that would be, but you could ask your dr. I don't think you could take the tizanidine. That would be pretty off-label. But, it is generic now so it's cheap. Think about it, if Viibryd helps your depression. Just thought I would mention this. By the way, I am bruising like crazy, though, on Viibryd, although my headaches have abated. Thank goodness for that. I wish you all well!!
I have been on vibryd for almost a year and I still get nightmares. Last night I had a dream that a monster looking man kidnapped me from a bar and drug me into this shed that had a hidden room. He started torturing me and cutting my fingers off. I finally got away and asked some people for help and when I thought I was safe the monster man appeared again. I woke up in a horrible panic.
I also have dreams that seem so real sometimes I have to ask myself the next day if it really happen or did I just dream it.
If I miss a dose by the end of the day as I try to relax I feel like I have electric currents running through my body and they keep zapping me.
The medicine seems to work but the side affects are crazy.
Good grief! Someone cutting your fingers off! That would wake me up too! My daughter, who struggles with depression also, got wild and violent dreams on one of the drugs she was taking. It was so long ago that I forgot what it was. She would come down in the a.m. with these awful stories. And that was long before Vibryd came on the market. So I guess it can happen with other drugs as well. Bummer! I'm still doing well on it, so I'm not complaining.
Hello Everyone, I have been on Viibryd for 4 months now. I began a month long trip to Europe after I'd been on 40 for 3 weeks. Upon arrival in Europe, I was careless with my dosage due to the time difference. This resulted in the most terrifying "dream" I've ever had. I've since learned that this side effect is called "sleep paralysis." It describes perfectly that it was like a waking nightmare-I was unable to actually awaken, yet I knew I was dreaming. Without success, I tried crying out, moaning, grabbing or kicking my sleeping husband. When I finally awakened I was in tears and shaking for at least 10 minutes. The nightmare sounds so similar to what others have posted-always involving howling demons, terrifying scenarios playing out in darkness, often with risk of harm by fire, torture or being pursued by evil, murderous creatures. I was actually afraid to go to sleep after it happened two nights in a row and during one afternoon nap.
To cut to the chase, this was resolved for me, (thank god,) by faithfully taking my 40 early in the day. If I take it after say, 1:00 in the afternoon, I'm likely to have at least a bad dream, but the sleep paralysis has stopped!! I would like to add that the drug has been life changing for me in all the good ways already mentioned by others. I must take my morning dose with food and may still be nauseous some days. I can count on loose bowels or diarrhea within 2-3 hrs of my dose and this has not changed. I think the timing for dosage is critical with Viibryd and I'm terrified to miss a dose-a nightmare with sleep paralysis is almost certain. I have also experienced a few brain "pings," usually as I'm falling asleep. If I wasnt feeling SO much better I'd discontinue the drug, because I don't like living in fear of a missed dose, forgotten med when traveling etc. I've never taken a med with such scary conséquences. I really apologize to the community for this lengthy post. But this one last point may make a big difference to someone, as it did for me. In reading about sleep paralysis, I learned that it is effective to try to remain calm during the scary episode. Try to regulate your breathing and reassure yourself that it is in fact a dream and will end soon. It seems the panic reaction sort of feeds the nightmare. Sooo, I try to think soothing, reassuring thoughts which actially helped me to calm enough to awaken myself. I also found in my research that avoiding sleeping on one's back would perhaps aid in avoiding the nightmares/sleep paralysis. This plus the careful timing of my dosage has made all the difference. If you're feeling better, try to ride out the dreams. Apart from that, the benefits have been tremendous. Thanks and best regards to all.
I began having nightmares if I miss a dose for 1 day.
I started Viibrayd in July 2016 and the longer I take it the worse my dreams are. I am also gaining weight at an alarming rate even with watching what I eat. This drug is NOT for me. I am starting the process of getting off of it today.
Thank you all so much, I was truly afraid I was going crazy. I am on my second week of the 40mg and having horrible, crazy dreams. I did not know how to describe this to my husband until I read some of your post. I have had the same situation. I see all kinds of objects in neon color, then all of a sudden things go gray, I have that falling sensation and wake up. I have also had the weird electrical sound that starts low and gets louder ending in a sound like a fire cracker going off, which scares you to death and causes you to sit right up in bed. I have also experienced the feeling of being in a car on a very bumpy road that causes you to wake up as well. Not sure what I will do yet about this. I hate changing medication but I also don't want to be scared to fall asleep at night. Ughhhh
I am now firmly established on Viibryd. I can report that the nightmares do get better. By that I mean they happen much less often, and are much less scary. I even sometimes have pleasurable dreams. My psychiatrist tells me that it only makes me more aware when dreaming and able to remember dreams better, but that the dreams are the same that I would be having regardless of the drug. I'm not sure that I agree with that. The "visceral" sensations, such as spinning, jumping, and falling happen rarely now (too bad, I was enjoying those!). In dreams, there are particular themes that return. One of them is an elaborate game that is installed in people's homes, like a personal ride from Universal Studios. The game is popular like the Harry Potter franchise, and it has good and evil sides to it. Those dreams are a little bit scary and sometimes I feel like they are testing my moral compass.
Another singular dream I had involved a room full of boxes that all looked alike. I tried to escape, but would only find myself in another room with different patterns. I went from room to room, but could not escape the matrix for weeks! That dream was very colorful, but very frustrating. I have had the exploding firecracker in the head as well. It is very scary, but I have had those on other depression meds and also when I was off meds (I was off for about 7 years). More often, I get what I call a "brain buzz." This usually happens when I am sleepy or getting relaxed to fall asleep. It feels like it is in the back of my brain. Finally, I want to say there are other things about Viibryd that I appreciate. In waking life it helps me focus on tasks and I'm more motivated. The downside is that there is no sedation (unless you get it from another drug you are taking). So that means I feel more "on the edge" of feelings of anxiety and depression. When I get those feelings I just remember that they are not going to take over. I have Viibryd and the other meds that are keeping me above water and the feelings will soon pass. And they do.
Yes, when you wake up from a very scary or bizarre dream, you may be so shaken you may ask yourself: "am I going crazy?" just remember you are on a strong and difficult drug, and you are fine. The predominant feelings I got from dreams was extreme loneliness, like nobody cared about me or even knew where I was. But I'm naturally a solitary person, so I am perhaps more vulnerable to that feeling. Just give yourself an hour or two after a scary dream for some quiet time to let the mood lift. If I am correct with my assumption and experience so far, things do get much better!
Hi, It's Dan again. Where I am at with Viibryd, after several months, I'm not having nightmares regularly anymore, but that doesn't mean I may not have one tonight. But generally, things are OK in that department. I have even had some pleasurable dreams that seem Viibryd-driven. I am starting to like the way I feel on the drug. It gives me more confidence and takes fear away. I am actually in a dispute right now where I feel I was treated unjustly, and I am standing up for myself with a clear head and confidence. That feels good and unusual for my personality in the past. In a way I feel like some of the nightmares made me question my moral convictions and fight injustice, and that has made me stronger in real life. Sometimes, however, when I get angry in relation to an injustice such as the one I am now fighting, I feel like I am fueled by adrenaline and righteous indignation, and it is euphoric.
I feel that Viibryd is driving it, but it is a good thing as long as you stop and check yourself and make sure you are doing the right thing. People around you, especially if they know you are on meds, may think you are just "losing it." So, I have been giving Viibryd a chance to show me all it can do, and I'm feeling good about it at this time. For me, I did get beyond the nightmares, and the visceral spinning, jumping, falling, for the most part. I still get the "did I dream that, or did that really happen?" effect. Viibryd is very different from being on a sedative drug. It helps you focus and get things done. But, you have to weigh the pros against the cons.
I would like to share my experiences with "Viibryd nightmares." They are not like anything I have experienced before. My intake is 40mg for about 3 weeks after ramping up for 3 weeks and tapering off Celexa. I also take Seroquel and Klonopin. I had been doing really well with the Celexa and the other meds, but I am in a relationship and wanted to recover my sex-drive, if possible. I remember the nightmares best when I take afternoon naps. I have experienced the spinning sensations as others mentioned. I felt like my whole body was an object like a spinning top, spinning round and round very fast. Another day I was jumping, as if on a pogo stick. I can't be sure but I think my actual body was springing up and down rhythmically as I lay in bed. The nightmares for me were not horror movies, but more like black and white detective or sci-fi movies, not in content, but in mood. They always involve me in some setting, interacting with other people.
There is an obsessive quality to the "plot," such as trying do do something that I am prevented from doing, or needing someone to be there who cannot get there. I call it perseveration, because the action or thought comes back over and over. I feel physically very dry inside my body and I feel the air conditioning very cold. I also get the half-awake, half asleep sensation, where I have tried to physically get up but cannot move. When I finally fully wake up, I have a feeling of loneliness and helplessness. One time I woke up feeling like in the dream I had been doped up in a mental hospital. After getting out of bed, the sad, lonely feeling stays with me for an hour or two. It is intense and scary. I am determined to ride it out until (hopefully) these side effects dissipate. In waking hours I have experienced some good things, such as more energy and focus, and hints of sex drive returning. The medication is intense.
It is now 13 days from my last comment. I am now about 7 weeks into viibryd, and I am happy to report that my libido is back. Also, the nightmares are now much less intense. The only other thing I am keeping an eye on is the quality of my energy. I am used to feeling very calm and sedated on my previous regimen, and the energy from the viibryd is a little more uptempo from that. I would rather feel peaceful than restless, but even if I don't return to that, I seem to be functional, and having a sex drive again is something not to be taken for granted!
I too am midway through my second week of 40mg and won't, absolutely WON'T, take another 40mg. I have had severe rage/irritability during the day and TERRIFYING nightmares during the last several nights. I almost drove myself to the hospital I was so freaked out last night. I called my doctor this morning and he told me to break the 40mg in half and take 20mg until I see him tomorrow. I felt so amazing the first 2 weeks of starting the 10mg and 20mg. I felt like I had my life back. I really hope I can just lower the dose and get back to feeling good. However, if this irritability and the nightmares continue, I will have to quit. It scares me that a drug can have this extreme side effect on me. It makes me question taking any drugs for depression. I've spent my life on them... effexor, prozac, lexapro, but they give out eventually. But I can't live with depression and anxiety either. I wish you all the best.
I feel for you. I was having such horriible nightmares, they seemed so real. We had just moved into a new home and I swear I thought it was haunted because I was seeing things. I felt so good. Better than I've ever felt in my whole life. Now I'm on Zoloft and its blahhh, just like the other million I was on. I wish I could give you some GOOD news about this, but I had the same experience. The people I told would say " I'm sure they'll go away after a while". They have NO IDEA what these nightmares are like. I know what you mean when you felt like going to the hospital. I would try to scream, move, anything for my husband to wake me, because I was like parylized. They lasted at least a month after going off the meds so don't be scared, They WILL go away. I wish I could give you a hug cuz I too thought I finally had my life back. We can just pray that they invent something we can tolerate that dosen't have the side effects. Good luck & God Bless.
Dar652,
So sorry to hear it didn't work at all for you. What dose were you on when you decided to go off completely?
I started with a "starter pack" in which you titrate up on 10 mg for a week, then 20 mg for a week, then you are at full dose of 40 mg for two weeks (and presumably from then on). I felt great.. for awhile anyway. I got a taste of what it must feel like to actually feel "normal". I loved it, until the nightmares. I have suffered with depression my whole life, even as a child I never felt clear headed or really happy. I'm 51 and have MS. I was diagnosed at 32 but thankfully have only had a few exacerbations. I don’t have many friends because it’s just to much work.. Everything I do is such an effort, I would be happy laying in bed all day. I’ve been to so many doctors, therapists, you name it. There’s probably not a drug I haven’t been on. I never look forward to anything, just get through it so I can get home to my cocoon. I feel useless and probably am. I’ve tried so hard, and get nowhere.
I don’t know about your but I think the mental health system in this country is awful. I’m sorry I’m such a downer but maybe you can relate a little. Most people I know cant. Good luck to you and thanks for answering.
Yes, I unfortunately can relate. I've suffered all my life. So did my mother and my brother's life ended because of it. I don't wish this disease on anyone and if someone hasn't had it first hand, not even a loved one with it, but had it themselves, they don't understand. This is the only life I have and I don't want to sleep it away. I just wish I could get my "mental" brain to think the same way. I'll be praying for you and hopefully some new drugs on the market to CURE depression!!!
God I hope so, I'll be praying for you too...
I know exactly what you guys feel,I have been on this medication for 6 months now and I want to get off so bad but I am too scared of those horrible nightmares that wake me up crying, it's also to the point that I have sleep paralysis and unable to ask for someone to wake me up,last night I started twitching while having a nightmare then I wanted to wake up and couldnt luckly my husband was right next to me so I notice the only way of letting someone else know when I'm going through one of those episodes is by breathing fast and hard and sure enough he woke me up. There was another episode I went without it for 2 days and I was having hallucinations and my bed felt like it was shaking I couldnt take it and drove off to my mothers house, close to just going to the hospital but I knew no one would believe me. I know I am not crazy I just dont know how to get off this horrible medication that has on the edge, I've also gained weight and now have acne due to the stress of these nightmares. I dont recommend this medication to anyone!
I'm so sorry you are going through this. It IS really horrible. I have decreased my dose to 10mg a day and have been doing this since my original post. I'm not depressed, nor sleeping my life away. 10mg has been the trick for me. Have you tried decreasing?
I have been on this medication for 3 weeks now and at first thought it was a God send. My husband cried, because fairly quickly he said, "I have missed you so much"... but then the nightmares started on 20mg. Only a week into the 20mg dosage I didn't want to go back to sleep. I talked to my Dr. who "said" she didn't know about the side effect of nightmares. I advised her to google it like my husband did at midnight one night after a nightmare I woke up from. The dreams are so vivid and scary. My nightmares I would wake up from a dream inside another dream, this one scarier than the first. Problem was I couldn't wake myself up without getting physically tired doing so. By the time I assocaited the Viibryd with the nightmares they were so bad that I was talking about "them, and they, and giving them identity".
I knew the difference between the real world and the dream world, but I felt as if "they" were waiting for me at the edge of the darkness. This is the 3rd day without any of the Viibryd and I still feel like I have been hit by a bus. My arms and legs feel so weak and like rubber. Last night was the first night I didn't experience any nightmares. I have not slept a good nights sleep in 3 weeks. I am feeling like I felt when I first came to the Dr. in the beginning. I would NEVER advise anyone to take this medicine. I wouldn't wish the nightmares I had on anyone. Worst experience of my life! It was nice to feel "normal" for a while but not worth the side effects. I would rather be depressed, anxious, nervous, pissed off, ... whatever than to go throught that again.
For me the dreams did subside. I do still sometimes have vivid dreams, but not the scary I-cant-wake-myself dreams. I did take over a month, but I wouldnt stop taking this medicine. My head is so clear since I started it. If you can get past the dreams, you will like the med. But I totally understand stopping it for some folks.
My husband and I are both police officers and my head was so scattered that I couldn't really function. And when you have your husband trying to figure out if I needed to go to the hospital because he thought I was loosing touch with reality because when he was working nights, I would call him begging for him to tell me I was awake...
I've been on Viibryd for about 4 months. It seemed like for the first 2 months I would have the SAME dream every night. (I was in a tropical beach setting, but was irritated and rushed by family and could never get my camera to take photos). This dream literally repeated every night (very frustrating dreams, but not bad). I still have them at least once a week. I am thankful that they are not nightmares, but I am also sick of having the same kind of dream where I am at a beach and my camera won't work and my family is yelling that it is time to leave, etc.
I am only on 10mg. I hope to be able to taper off after seeing my doctor. Good luck everyone :)
ps- if you're religious, I've noticed that praying and reading scripture prior to bed helps.
I've been on 40mg for 2 1/2 weeks and tonight I woke up from a nightmare. I was hitting the wall beside my bed with my hands when I woke up. This is the first time this has happened to me. I immediately googled "Viibryd and nightmares" and I see all these comments from people experiencing the same thing. This drug is a big problem for a significant number of people it seems. I feel a little better that it's not just me (sorry), but I'm scared to death to try to go back to sleep. Too bad because this drug was showing some positive potential during this past week with regard to my depression and my sex life. Now what?
How did you cope with this? Did you find another medication that didn't have nightmares as a side effect? I'm also taking 20mg and the dreams are awful. I do the same thing with the dream inside a dream thing as farfetched as that sounds. When I wake up it takes a long time to seperate what's real and what was a dream.
First of all I just want to say, thank you so much to all of you who posted. I find myself glancing at the clock, which is currently 3:34 AM, and although I'm a little ticked with my doctor it's nice to know that I'm not the only person going through this. Like many of you the Viibryd seemed to be perfect in the beginning, but here I am experimenting with a 40 mg dosage and waking up in the middle of the night feeling paranoid and scared that I may actually be losing my mind. My nightmares have been vivid, but more eerie than anything. I keep feeling like I'm in these places that are real, like I've been there before and somehow they're significant to me. The problem is, I have no idea where I am. Anyway, I wake from these dreams feeling scared, and tonight seemed worse for some reason. Looking across the room into the shadows seemed different, closing my eyes unrealistic.
And, although I had linked these dreams to the Viibryd, I hadn't even considered this drug being the source to my frequent dizziness (since I'm considerably tall and standing up too fast can do that to me) and the ringing that comes out of nowhere, completely wiping out my hearing like I've been dropped in the deep end of a pool. The last post held quite a bit of relevance for me, too, since I had forgotten to take my pill yesterday and here I am wondering what the hell is going on with me. The truth is I like Viibryd, but I'm not sure I like it this much. If these dreams get as bad as some of you are say then I don't know if I have the strength to continue with this drug.
Wow im having a lot of the exact same problems!!! Especially the deja vu kind of dreams where you feel like youve been there before or had those dreams before. everything familiar but not familiar at all!! I woke up last night horrified from my dreams and reading you post was shocking. exactly the same. I noticed when I take it at night I get very weird bizarre vivid dreams that arent always as "bad" as they are creepy and unusual, yet they still feel more horrifying. Weird fun-house like acid-trippy kind of dreams where you keep trying to get out or wake yourself up, or weird seizure like dreams where you cant move and you keep trying to grab the phone to get help but you cant, all kinds of weird stuff where you keep trying to wake yourself up peeling through different layers of dreams trying to force yourself up. Last night (in my dream) i threw myself off the bed to wake up, but it didnt work, i was still in bed sleeping.
hard to describe, but im starting to think its only when i take it at night so im going to going back to taking it in the morning because i havent had this problem that often when i take it in the morning. (40mg). Good luck!
I had a crazy experience like this last night. I have had the brain zaps before, my psychiatrist said it is from withdrawal- it's hard to think of withdrawal if you just miss a day. I have had the dreams where you are sure you are awake, or do everything you can to open your eyes, but can't get out of the sleep. It's scary. Last night I had the dejavu dream where it almost felt like the same dream was just cycling over and over and over again. I knew it was a dream but still crazy. I really hate this, luckily it doesn't happen too often. I read another post that mentioned low blood sugar could be the cause. I have to try to remember to take it at the same time every day. I really do like this one the best- this part just really is awful.
I have been on Viibryd for awhile now, like 4 months or more. I have realized that if I forget to take my 40mg dose I get these same kinds of dreams. I have come to the conclusion that it only stays in your system for about 36 hours before I start getting the dreams so if you are waiting to long in between doses then you will have very vivid scary dreams. I also will hear things better but not in a good way. One time the noise was so loud I jumped out of bed. So anyways just remember to take it before that 36 hour mark and your life will be awesome with Viibryd. Huge change in my life!!! I love it, my husband loves it, my family loves it!
The Viibryd dosen't just leave your system, it takes weeks to actually build up so unfortunately this is not the cause of our nightmares, I only wish...
I also experience these when my blood levels get low. It's not that it is out of your system but since it acts as an agonist I have found withdrawal symtoms almost immediately. Also, I too thought I was losing it when I knew I was hearing things that weren't there... I described an explosion in in my head that got me out of bed. It turns out this is called "hypnogogic hallucinations" and people get them on other antidepressents too. It has to do with the in between sleep and wake state. Now that I know what it is I am not alarmed by it and more comfortable taking the meds. Good luck to everyone deciding what's right for them.
this was helpful- I am on the HCG diet and probably had low blood sugar last night- my dreams were insane... started with zaps in my brain as i was falling to sleep and then de ja vu like dreams. I will watch really watch my diet now and see if that helps.
I have noticed the only time I have side effects is when I miss a dose. Glad to know it's not just me. I will have vivid dreams, the brain zaps, night sweats. All because I miss ONE DOSE.
I have noticed since taking Viibryd that my eyes shake when I feel really angry.
They won't go completely. But you will also find out that for every bad dream. There will be a great dream. Lol not being rude by saying that. You have your sex drive back. Trust me. The good dreams will overshadow the bad.
i thought i was crazy! i have been having the most awful nightmares, they are so real, and awful, half awake and half asleep. i also have been having this weird wave thing happening. a buzz that starts low, gets louder till it totally shuts out the sound in room, then a pop. i find myself crying in my sleep, yelling, moaning, waking up an emontional wreck. i dont sleep more tha 4 or 5 hours a night now. must mention i do take this medicine at night and i am on 40mg. when i first started this med i took it morning, my stomach hurt so bad i switched it to night, i guess now i am thinking about switching bad to morning? i see my dr. in a few weeks, will talk more to her about this then.
my husband i on 40mg also and has not had any of these nightmares, thats why i thought i was crazy. till i found this page, thanks to all of you out there for helping me to see i am not alone.
OMG... I too am grateful to find this post. It's 1:15 am and I have to get up four and a half hours to be at work and I'm afraid to fall asleep!! The feeling of trying to move, kick and scream at something chasing me and not being able to do anything is terrifying!! I wake up sweaty, kicking and moaning... and I'm afraid to fall asleep!!
I thought these terror spells were being caused by the Tylenol and Codeine that I was taking for a minor surgery. After reading this thread, I realized that my terror spells began when I started the 40 MG dose.
I'm relieved that it's a side effect of Viibryd and I'm not becoming schizophrenic!! I too am very happy with this med... the only exception is the terror spells and that's a big one because they prevent me from functioning the next day!!
Maybe a neurologist should do a sleep disorder test.I had one because I've had nightmares even before Viibryd .Take Care,mograce
I too had the load popping sound in my dream. When I was finally able to wake up I asked my husband if he heard the noise. The dreams where so bad during that night I felt like I was having an anxiety attack. I also had a vision impairment which made everything in the room appear like a kaleidoscope and the colors were not true to life. This is not normal for me. I have had a seizures in the past and I am afraid the medication may be triggering another seizure.
Dear Meagain2:
I thought I was going crazy as well. I dread nighttime. I have just started weaning off of this horrible drug and am on my 3rd day of 30mg. I haven't had the sound shut down or the pop and dizziness in a few nights. Have you had the sleep paralysis. Had it once and was awake and had to fight to move and speak. So glad to be getting off. I hope that things are going better for you. My name is Kate and you can write me at finnbuck at yahoo dot com.
I noticed when I take it at night I get very weird bizarre vivid dreams that arent always as "bad" as they are creepy and unusual, yet they still feel more horrifying. Weird fun-house like acid-trippy kind of dreams where you keep trying to get out or wake yourself up, or weird seizure like dreams where you cant move and you keep trying to grab the phone to get help but you cant, all kinds of weird stuff where you keep trying to wake yourself up peeling through different layers of dreams trying to force yourself up. Last night (in my dream) i threw myself off the bed to wake up, but it didnt work, i was still in bed sleeping. I also am getting deja vu kind of dreams where i feel like ive had dreams like it before but i dont think i have. Everything is familiar but not familiar at all. hard to describe, but im starting to think its only when i take it at night so im going to going back to taking it in the morning because i havent had this problem that often when i take it in the morning. (40mg)..
No to many people are experiencing the same thing... It's the medicine... No doubt...
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Further information
- Viibryd uses and safety info
- Viibryd prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Viibryd (detailed)
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