I started this medicines 4 months ago for on/off anxiety. Since then I’ve had terrible muscle and joint aches in my shoulders and arms. Plus I’ve had lower abdominal pain continuously. Been thru a battery of tests with normal results. My aching and pain is real! They say it isn’t a side effect of this med but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced these issues.
Venlafaxine - muscle and joint aches on 37.5 Effexor ER (venlafaxine)?
Question posted by Cici2712 on 30 May 2019
Last updated on 7 December 2024 by Percy-60
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8 Answers
Percy-60
7 Dec 2024
I’ve been on venlafaxine for around 7 years. I have awful joint stiffness and back pain. I have always suspected it is this drug that causes this, now I’m sure.
I’m very scared to come off it as I’ve heard how hard it is, also terrified my depression will come back.
Lucie0523
15 Feb 2021
I have been on this medicine since 1999 and have never had related muscle and joint pain. We had a horse ranch until we were about 72. The last couple years I have experienced your described pains but I’ll be 76 years young soon and not working as hard. I’m a gardener, move furniture around and stay busy about seven hours out of the day. My Doctor says I have arthritis. Personally, you might want to talk with your doctor. Hope this is helpful.
WildcatVet
3 Sep 2020
In addition to masso's comment above:
"Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more of users): Nausea (up to 58%), dry mouth (up to 22%), constipation (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10% of users): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eructation, flatulence, vomiting"
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/venlafaxine-side-effects.html
Kerrygreg
3 Sep 2020
I am having lower abdominal pain and increased muscle pain too. On sept. 10 I should be switched to fluoxetine at my physician visit. I have just become aware the issues may be associated with this drug.
BarbGia
3 Sep 2020
I've had pains in muscles and joints since taking Venlafaxine Aug 2020. Weaned off, but still experiencing pain. wondering when it will end. Psychiatrist said rare side effect, but I understand.
andreeanna
28 Aug 2020
Yes, I have experienced the same muscle and joint issues while on this drug. I too have been through a battery of tests with normal results. Venlafaxine saved my life from debilitating anxiety and depression so I am extremely grateful for that. But within a few days after starting it I began experiencing muscle pain, muscle weakness and joint pain in my hips, thighs, arms and legs. I didn't make the connection for several months. But the onset of the two events were so exact that I began to suspect it. I have been researching this for a long time with no real evidence, but your question has convinced me that this is the cause. Thank you for this. I also found this article today which is very convincing too: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/43/12/1590/2899135
I know it's hard to get off of venlafaxine. I am hoping to switch to Cymbalta which is also an SNRI. The other "responder" mentioned Pristiq so I am curious if that would be better than Cymbalta. If anyone knows I would be very appreciative.
BarbGia
3 Sep 2020
I know what you Mean. This drug has worked for my depression and anxiety better than anything else, but the muscle/joint pain was not worth it. Had to be weaned off of it. Taking nothing now. Hoping for the best. God Bless you all!
crazygirl66
31 May 2019
It’s the meds!!! I had the same problem and it didn’t help my depression but I stayed on it for a year because it is so hard to come off of. I’m very sensitive to all meds. I cannot even take birth control pills because I get the same bone aches & my depression gets much worse. I’m currently on a very low dose of Zoloft which has helped my depression, without the body aches.
Cici2712
31 May 2019
I decided last weekend I would try going off it. I lasted 40 hrs, woke up in the middle of the night with a very vivid frightening nightmare, total anxiety, nervousness, fear. Ended up taking a pill and was fine in less than an hour. Talked to my Dr this week and am going to start tomorrow taking it every other day and then stop. Hard to believe such a reaction when I’ve only been on it for 4 months and take the lowest dose possible. Fingers crossed my next attempt works. I really want to stop cuz I’ve been so sick since i started it.
crazygirl66
31 May 2019
My doc switched me from Effexor to Pristiq because she said they’re similar drugs, & Pristiq has lower doses. I took it a lot slower to taper than recommended, I think it was about 3 months easily. Hopefully by doing every other day will help. I still had brain zaps & dizziness. I’ll never take another SNRI again, although none are easy to come off of.
andreeanna
4 Sep 2020
I’m so glad to hear Zoloft is helping you. I couldn’t take Zoloft due to nausea but not everyone gets nausea and it works miracles for friends of mine. One thing I know for sure is everybody is different when it comes to these drugs. Be well.
masso
30 May 2019
This is what I found:
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Neck pain, trismus, twitching
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): arthritis, arthrosis, bone pain, bone spurs, bursitis, leg cramps, myasthenia, neck rigidity, tenosynovitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Muscle cramp, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal stiffness, myopathy, osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, pathological fracture, plantar fasciitis, rhabdomyolysis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendon rupture
Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia
Postmarketing reports: Bone fracture, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increased
For more information click on the link:
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/effexor-xr-side-effects.html
I hope this helps to clarify your ailments/side effects.
Best regards, masso.-
Cici2712
31 May 2019
Thanks. At least It’s a possibility that the meds are doing this.
Related topics
effexor, anxiety, pain, generalized anxiety disorder, venlafaxine, muscle, abdominal pain, shoulder
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