Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• Yella...
• April 22, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Before taking Effexor, I was an anxiety wreck. I was unable to perform to my full potential before feeling my anxiety slowly take over and hinder me from performing. I am a student at a prestigious university and I can say that I am living anxiety-free. The statement itself sends chills down my back."

• Screa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2015

"46, Male, No previous mental illness. SYMPTOMS - Racing thoughts and worry causing panic attacks, fluttering heartbeat, insomnia, and mild depression. SIDE EFFECTS - Nothing terrible. Dry mouth, made some bad habits worse, like grinding teeth, gnashing tongue, chewing inside of lips. Increased libido with delayed, but intense orgasm. Loss of appetite, lost 11 lbs in a month. GOOD EFFECTS - Completely took the edge off of everything. No racing thoughts, no panic attacks. I am able to focus on tasks better. Made me very agreeable with family and friends. I seem to love my GF more. Things that irritated me about her don't anymore. So far it's been a good drug with no adverse qualities worth worrying about. I took Zoloft first, it made me suicidal"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2012

Effexor (venlafaxine) "This medicine has helped me overcome my addiction to alcohol. I was self-medicating for years not knowing I had underlying anxiety and depression. Now that I am taking this combined with regular AA meetings, I no longer have any desire to drink alcohol. It's been a miracle, and I am starting to become the person I once was."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor saved my life 2 years ago. I was extremely stressed, anxious, and feeling as if suicide would be the only way out. This turned everything around. I have gotten two promotions at my job, my social circle has increased tenfold, and I always feel on top of my game. I have gained 20 lbs but probably because now I actually go out and do stuff. The withdrawals do suck at first if you forget a dose. I was scared to try it at first but I'm glad I did."

• mags
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 10, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Initially, 20 years ago, Effexor XL pulled me out of despair and intrusive thoughts. Twenty years on, and for some time before I realized, I have had no motivation or energy while on this drug. I have tried to come off it with my doctor monitoring me, but the withdrawals are so debilitating that I had to go back on them each time. They have sucked the life out of me. While I am not depressed, I have no energy, no motivation, and I don't enjoy life fully or love fully. I am a completely different person now. I used to be full of life, energetic, and on top of my daily chores, but now I have trouble getting out of bed. I've dealt with all my issues through counseling, and they don't bother me anymore, but the tablets have taken a lot from me. I am determined to get off them, even if it means going through severe withdrawal to get my life back."

• Rogdog
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

"I am so excited about my initial experience with this drug. For the first time in 13 years of treatment for anxiety (GAD & social) I have experienced a extended period of relief. I took a SSRI for most of the past decade and it seemed somewhat helpful but never really gave me sustained relief. I am now at 6 weeks on Venlafaxine (75 mg for 12 days, 150 mg for 30 days, now at 225mg), and I am feeling much calmer. Most exciting, I still get panicked thoughts, but don’t seem to have the associated fear feelings. I am so hopeful that this will last! Side effects are very noticeable, but bearable. Headache, some nausea, minor dizziness, a dry mouth and frustratingly slow urination. I hope those will go away with time, but I’ve been on the 225mg for a week and they have been consistent. If it means I can live without the constant struggle with fear, then worth it."

• teal
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

"Lasted 4 days on this, far worse than any depression, anxiety or stress. Extremely confused, no attention span, couldn't concentrate, lost all motivation and even with the tiredness and life sucked out of me I never slept once during the 4 days. Time practically disappeared and felt like a robot. Decided to stop yesterday and feel far worse than I did taking it. Headaches and even more anxious than before and sweating a lot, feel like I'm going crazy during this withdrawal and it was only 37.5mg. Research into the medication before starting this because the withdrawal is even worse than the side effects on the medication."

• Mike
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2022

"Have suffered horrendous anxiety for years. Tried every type of medication to no avail I currently take propranolol to help heart rate and shakes but had bad few years where even this wasn't helping. Was put on mirtazapine (highest dose) for a year, this only helped my appetite so I then became house bound with agoraphobia. I was at wits end until I was given 75mg twice daily of venlafaxine. Now at first the side affects were nasty, very nasty. I'd feel extremely nauseous, yawn every minute followed by gagging sensations and completely loose my appetite. Also when I went to bed I'd shake, sweat and feel very agitated. This lasted for about 2 weeks and then all of a sudden they disappear and I feel amazing. Nerves haves gone and I honestly feel like a new man. I don't even have brain fog anymore. It's like somebody went into my body and took control. Best drug ever Highly recommended for anxiety and depression"

• Drombo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

"Given venlafaxine at lowest dose of 37.5mg for 5 weeks. Very manic feeling followed by very sleepy. After 5 weeks decided to come off them VERY, VERY difficult, brain zaps, mania, anxiety through the roof and couldn't settle down. If you are taking this drug beware missing a dose is very very bad on ur body. Now a week off it and am taking diazepam to remain calm during bad moments. Would NOT RECOMMEND."

• biscu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 15, 2018

"Weird drug. I think it helped at first and really eased a lot of the really dim days initially. I continued to take it over the course of several years and in hindsight, I don't think it was quite right for me. I became a bit out-of-character, high-strung and weird. Maybe slightly bipolar but possibly a reaction to very difficult times and lots of change. Some of my worst periods of mental illness were on this stuff; my doctor had me on 300mg+ at one point, things were very flat, dysphoric and my adrenals were certainly working. I was a bit suicidal and a little detached at points. I eventually ditched it, experienced some lack-of-energy brain-zappy withdrawal for a while. I spent a few months drug free then found meds I suite a lot better. If you're still feeling depressed/despaired and it seems like your perception of the world has become cold/weird and you're agitated, I strongly advise you to speak to your doctor and try something new."

• Grace...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2015

"This medication gave me back my life. I take 75mg twice daily of the XR and for me it's the perfect dosage. I wake up every day feeling hopeful and great. I used to suffer horribly with stress and anxiety it was crippling. Thank goodness for this medication cause other meds didn't help but this medication did."

• feeli...
• September 1, 2010

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I've been taking Effexor for about 20 months and it's my MIRACLE! I'm 34 and began taking medicines since I was 18. I tried Paxil, Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin, and finally Effexor. I am so genuinely happy and jubilant, I just can't believe it. I'm sure part of it is maturity, life experience, and such but WOW. I plan to continue taking it forever as my anxiety is not situational in some cases. I have a chemical imbalance that will require medicine forever so this is the one! I've never been happier!"

• Ridge...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"This drug venlafaxine was a nightmare for me. Problems started after the first dose. The expected dry mouth, but also severe nausea. After the second dose, the nausea was the most extreme I have ever experienced, and I began to vomit. Completely killed my appetite. Unable to sleep and spent the second night pacing, suffering anxiety attacks and taking gravol. Day three even worse--another night of no sleep and a day of throwing up. Day four added diarrhea to the mix. Called Dr and said I would rather deal with the anxiety I had before starting. Just a horrible experience."

• kns
• February 9, 2010

Effexor (venlafaxine) "This drug worked within a few weeks to alleviate panic attacks, stress, and anxiety. I still get stress and anxiety but not about everything like before. The overwhelming stress and anxiety I had before taking the drug caused me to be depressed as well... crying a lot, etc. It helped with that too. I am able to cope better and don't emotionally eat causing me to lose 25 lbs pretty quickly. I have been on 75 mg for almost 2 years now and don't plan on going off it anytime soon. The only thing that is a little scary is when I miss a dose, there are almost immediate side effects. I get cranky and get weird electric-like zaps in my head (hard to explain until you experience them)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2024

"This medication has been life-changing. I wish I would have tried meds sooner for my anxiety. The first 8 days were filled with brain fog, dry mouth, fatigue, but after that, it has been so great. I have energy now, no racing thoughts, and I am not irritable."

• Custa...
• June 14, 2017

"I have been on venlaflaxine now for two years, in that time I have stupidly made attempts on my life, after trying citalopram and other antidepressants, I have to say venoflaxine has given me control over my anxiety instead of it controlling me, the only way I can describe it is the drug has opened a door, it's taken all this time to appreciate it because it's frightening to step outside your comfort zone, there is no magic pill, you have to try yourself but I've found venoflaxine has given me those opportunities to better myself that I just didn't have before, it's a very good tool but isn't a quick fix xx"

• Birnm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I started on Effexor XR 37.5 mg 12 days ago. Prior to this I had been on Lexapro 20mg 8 weeks for extreme anxiety. The severity of my anxiety was so shocking on Lexapro after the 8 weeks compared to the commencement of Lexapro. I had heard so many people have success with Lexapro on review sites, but for myself it was a nightmare after 7 weeks if felt like I was in a hole. My doc took me off immediately without even reducing the amount and within 5 days I felt so much better with a significant reduction in anxiety. I still needed support, so my doc put me on Effexor 37.5mg and within 5 days felt much better, then went to 75mg. After 10 days on this, I am already starting to feel better, with anxiety problems only now and then."

• Byrdie
• February 12, 2019

"I can't rate this medicine just yet because it's only day 4 but after the first few days of nausea headaches and a foggy feeling, I smiled and had good thoughts today. I know it's way to soon and I'm only on 37.5mg so far but I have a good outlook in this medicine now. I see my therapist on Monday and I'm hopeful for the first time in a long time after battling this for 11 years. They started me on buspirone 15mg and it did absolutely nothing. I started lashing out and hated every moment of it so after 2 months I tried 20mg celexa and again nothing but I was hyper the first few days then went to lashing out again at everything. I couldn't drive to work without freaking out the entire 15 minutes. I was suppose to try pristiq but my insurance wouldn't cover 400.00 and said they would cover Effexor /venlafaxine . I'll update in a month again but give it a try."

• Mar
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2020

"DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG venlafaxine! I went on this medicine due to a temporary life event that caused a great deal of stress. Started at 75mg and eventually moved up to 150mg. I was not warned about any side effects or withdrawal. I had been in the med for almost a year & forgot to take it one day. By lunch I was vomiting and felt horrible. It took about a day or two for me to start to feel better. I NEVER skipped again and was terrified of trying to come off of this medicine. Only stayed on it longer because I was afraid of the withdrawal. I finally worked with my doctor to try to come off of it. He was great and did what he could to make it tolerable. I still had to pull apart the capsules and take out a few of the balls each day. I felt awful: brain zaps, nausea, confusion, dizziness, memory issues, and headaches. If I had known how incredibly life altering this drug is,I never would’ve started it. I have been 100% off of this drug for about 2 weeks now and I still don’t feel close to normal."

• Cybil
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

"I forgot to take Venlafaxine 225mg for 5 days ( not out of neglect but because of severe bone socket pain after the removal of my teeth. What followed was horrendous to say the least. I was urinating uncontrollably and had diarrhea that I couldn’t hold onto. I was so physically sick. As I was consumed with getting the pain in my mouth eased I totally forgot my important meds. Please don't ever do this. I lost all my confidence that had built up over many months."

• Eatin...
• June 21, 2015

"I've never taken another medication for my depression (which usually manifests itself in anxiety) so I can only compare it to not being on medication. It has, overall, changed my life for the better. I suffered for over ten years before I finalIy sought help and I haven't had a panic attack since I began taking it. Also, I no longer feel sad for reasons I can't explain, and, in all other ways, am still myself. The only problem: a significantly lowered libido. It doesn't bother me that much, but it certainly bums my boyfriend out. However, I believe that my anxiety and depression were more detrimental to a healthy relationship than the lowered libido is."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I was prescribed this medicine after being hospitalized in a mental facility. I was previously taking Zoloft and Wellbutrin which stopped working for me and the increase in dosage led to increase in depression and anxiety. I have to say Effexor beats any anxiety medicines I have ever taken. This medicine makes me feel normal. The only down side is the side effect your body has if you miss a dosage. I began to feel light headed and very emotional if I miss more that 1 dose."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, 10 years ago. I also struggled with panic attacks and depression. I could feel the positive effects of the medicine right away. Because of it's immediate fix, I would recommend this to someone who is has severe anxiety. The negative things I can say it is extremely hard to come off of. The withdrawal made me feel like I was crazy. I took myself off of it to quickly. I had hallucinations, tremors, and anxiety attacks. So make sure you use your doctor to ween off of it."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Before I started taking Effexor I would get severely depressed, anxious and my brain wouldn't stop. I have been on Effexor now for 4 weeks and I feel good.I don't feel so anxious or down on myself. Even people around me have commented and they don't know I am taking pills. The side effects I do feel are as follows: Nausea (went away after 2 weeks), loss of appetite, no sexual desire, and blurred vision. Sounds like a lot..but I'd rather deal with these issues then on a constant downward spiral."

• teal
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2022

"I lasted 6 days on venlafaxine 37.5mg dose, as it instantly crushed my libido, I couldn't think straight but it worked somewhat on the time I was on it. The withdrawal from this stopped 1 day ago and never in my life ever have I felt like this. I was the closest to a breakdown I've ever been and I am a 27 year old male. This stuff is poison I beg anyone not to ever touch this. Literally I have never taken a drug before that's brought me to my knees, I went on this for anxiety and stress, but this has crushed me mentally and physically. It destroyed my memory, the room is spinning, I'm sweating so badly, my body is in agony, it feels like I have horrendous flu and I've never felt more depressed in my life or low. I don't know what this stuff is, but it has genuinely broken me. I cannot function on this withdrawal I genuinely feel like going to the hospital. This stuff should be illegal. I don't know how this is allowed to be given out. Please do not take this stuff."