Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 3)

• mel
• September 18, 2016

"I've been taking 75mg of effexor (the generic one, vena something) for about a month now and I Love It. After several years on Well-Butrin, this is so much better. Wellbutrin I think made my anxiety much worse. I was only on 150mg of it. When my Dr gave me 300mg of it I had a horrible reaction and was moody and mean and awful. Effexor is such a relief. It helps so much. I feel better than I've felt in years, seriously. I started working out, I'm less over emotional, I'm not depressed. I don't fly off the handle when I'm upset now. I feel like I can finally deal with things better. I also suffer with severe PMDD which makes me a miserable and angry person for 2 days a month and effexor has helped tremendously."

• Marin...
• November 11, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I am so thankful for this medication. At first, I was terrified to take any medication since the only pill I've ever been prescribed is birth control. Being a military wife with a year old daughter and relocating and being away from my family, anxiety hit me hard! I would lay in bed thinking that I would NEVER feel normal again. I was prescribed Effexor XR 37.5mg for the first week or so, and I did not have any side effects from it and actually felt better within days! Now I am at 70mg and I feel great. No panic attacks, no anxiety! If you were like me a couple of months ago, sitting here wondering if you should ask your doctor about trying this medicine, GO FOR IT! You can and will feel normal again."

• Gregg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2013

"I started taking Effexor XR 150mg 6 months ago after 8 years of no treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. I have to say this has worked great. I'm me again. I feel like I should have taken this 8 years ago when my problems first started. There are side effects but I can live with them. "

• jaci...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2015

"I really love the outcome of venlafaxine er and I'm currently on 225mg and I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Dysthymia and it's helped a whole lot for me and it's helped me make a positive turnaround and meeting the love of my life. I would definitely recommend effexor (venlafaxine) I feel like a new person."

• Ocean...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 7, 2016

"While this medication calmed my stress, I wish I had never gone on it. I have been trying to go off it for two years. The withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. Brain zaps, anxiety ten times worse than before meds, isolation, low energy, extreme irritability, very quick to anger. No joy. I used to be a very happy and caring person. No more. I would never wish this on anyone else..."

• Happy...
• November 1, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "On 75 mgs once a day in the morning, and feel great! Before I suffered with panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store, now no anxiety at all, can now live a normal happy life. Effexor has given that to me, I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life and that's fine with me. Tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. Tried Celexa and that was awful major headaches with that one, also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hrs a day, made my anxiety go through the roof, recently in July went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2012

Effexor (venlafaxine) "About two-three months ago I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety problems (EXTREME NERVOUSNESS, nervous habits, and constant worrying). I took Cymbalta for about three-four weeks and absolutely HATED it! It made me feel horrible so I asked the doctor to prescribe me something different. He started me off on 35 mg of Effexor. I have to say, this medicine at first wasn't all that great either. For the first four to five days I was extremely angry and annoyed about EVERYTHING! I thought it was going to be hopeless but finally the Effexor got better and now I'm on 75 mg a day. My mind is not constantly racing nearly as much as it used to. Every now and then when I start to have panic attacks I will have to take either o.5/1 mg of Ativan to calm me."

• Daisy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

"I was prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5mg for anxiety and mild depression and took it for almost 3 months. I could tell an improvement in my mood and how I felt within the first week. At this same time I began losing my hair. Large amounts would come out when I would shower or brush it and this continued the entire time I took the med. In 3 months I gained 10 pounds which could have been the result of feeling better, but my weight had never fluctuated that much in such a short time. I had more energy while taking it and slept less, and had no other measurable side effects. I actually did not want to stop taking it because of how much better I felt overall, but the hair loss finally drove me to stop. Withdrawal effects aren’t great, but were not as bad as I had prepared myself for."

• Jaybee
• April 19, 2017

"I started at a low dosage of about 30mg (little more) and that first week I felt high 24/7. I noticed immediately that my anxiety would not surface. It was like it was trapped. After that week I went up to 75mg. Slept a lot the first month. Always tired going straight to sleep after work and sleeping all not. Never woke up tired though. It's been 2 months and I think it's safe to say that I am stress and anxiety free. The only thing I hate about it is the dry mouth all the time."

• Effixr
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "My experience with Effexor XR is absolutely awful. I've had problems with anxiety in the past, but this drug has made it significantly worse. The side effects this drug gives you make it extremely difficult to even do basic everyday things like running errands. On this medication, I experienced lack of appetite, mood swings, and constant gastrointestinal issues. Not to mention the black box warning for suicidal ideation. If you're considering this drug as an option, do yourself a favor and do in-depth research."

• Jasao...
• March 1, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I started taking it about 3 months ago. It really changed things for me especially with depression. Anxiety wise it has definitely made an improvement. The only complaint is that I think my libido is dropping. I started taking 150mg per day a week ago. Anyway, if you are in absolute despair I would recommend this medication."

• TomSr
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2023

"I take 75mg every day and it works tremendously. My anxiety, panic attacks, and depression were through the roof. I would recommend it. But you have to take it every day religiously, you can't forget, lol. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but I also smoke marijuana throughout the day. Not a lot though, and I'm in a good mood, and the anxiety, stress, and panic attacks are totally gone. People might disagree, but marijuana really is a miracle drug."

• Rapture
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2020

"Been on Venlafaxine for 7 yrs. After a long battle with severe anxiety and stress that lead to long bouts of depression I was finally prescribed venlafaxine modified release. Eventually settled on 150mg which slowly but surely started to work alongside my body and I felt better. Missing 2 days or more was a nightmare and resulted in nausea, insomnia, jitters, and the horrible brain lag (only way I can describe it?). I'm now in a much better place in my life and my dr and I are decreasing my dose slowly. Long term side effects I've had are a complete loss of any sleeping pattern combined with horrible night restlessness (feeling like all your skin is ever so slightly itchy), and now that my dose is being decreased I'm noticing I'm having uncontrollable anger outbursts along with increased night tremors. If this drug works for you, the pros are greatly outweighed by the side effects. But those side effects can be debilitating sometimes. Take with extreme caution"

• Cc2
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2016

"I have been on this medication for 3months and it has given back my life! Prozac, celexa, zoloft didn't help with my depression or anxiety. After years of being on these types of medication I must say this medication 300mg daily has given back my life! I was an emotional eatter since I have been Venlafaxine er I have managed to lose 20pounds.. Down side it does it gives me insomnia sometimes I take Tazadone for sleep.."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2024

"I started Effexor XR at 28M - my brain never shut off at night, and I was constantly worrying about things out of my control (or that stray thought of something embarrassing I did 10 years ago). It got pretty uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to do sleeping pills. I took it to help with sleep delayed by anxiety. It helped! By taking it first thing in the AM, even on an empty stomach, it not only helped my sleep, it also helped my overall mood and any potential anxiety and worrying throughout the day. I started with 75 mg, then 150 mg, and I kind of plateaued around there so I’ll be starting 225 mg tomorrow actually. I’m choosing to up my dosage over changing meds because when it worked for the first few months, it was the best I had felt in a long time. Despite withdrawal symptoms being an issue if you miss a dose (it does happen) it’s still 10/10 for the benefits it does provide."

• mumma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2022

"Was prescribed venlafaxine in about may for severe anxiety before this I was very severely ill and was tried on all sorts of anti depressants the way I was feeling was I was unable to go out of the house as I had constant panic attacks, shakes and IBS. I was just scared for my life, had suicidal thoughts didn't want my children near me but all this changed when I got put on venlafaxine. It has greatly improved my mental health. I started off on a 75mg dose then, later on, went up to 150mg. Now recently going through some stressful times, my anxiety has started to peak again due stresses and strains of things in my personal life so have now been raised to 225mg. So far so good they have saved my life and I'm getting back on track again to be the best mother I can ever be and not being afraid anymore and challenging myself daily"

• Gem
• November 21, 2019

"I taken venlafaxine for just over a week for stress and anxiety, to start with I felt better, I had a more clear mind, however I was exhausted. After a few days I started feeling very sick & getting awful head aches. I realised as soon as I was taking this tablet within 20 minutes I was feeling sick, my head was pounding as well as blurred vision. This got worse, I decided to stop taking them, as I had only been on 75mg for a week. After two days I was off my feet, with flu like systems, brain zaps, numbness to my lips, wrists and finger tips, I couldn’t stop eating even though I felt sick. I am on the 3rd day of this come down and still no better, I am off work and unable to do much at all. I am now a lot worse off than I was before taking this drug as my anxiety has returned and I have found my depression has crept back too. I would not recommend Venlafaxine to anyone, it is a strong and scary drug to be on."

• Austr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2017

"I was prescribed Effexor 150my about ten years ago for anxiety and depression . I was experiencing a difficult time in my work life as a high school teacher , single parent and also started drinking heavily. I gave up work and went to AA , and worked on improving my circumstances.With medication, CBT and AA , my anxiety disappeared. In that time I blindly took effexor, nobody said get off it? I took effexor for the next ten years , going off once in 2009 by the suggested methods but eventually went back on because of anxiety . I decided to go off completely, using suggested methods and was free of all meds Sept 2015. I could cope with physical side effects but mood anger, anxiety lasted another 9 months b4 I was free. I did this alone."

• Lpe
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2019

"On venlafaxine I had a big struggle to begin with felt 'wired' and couldn't settle or sleep. However once I changed to modified release everything got much better. I would encourage anyone who struggles to begin with to persevere and change to slow release "

• Reese...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2017

"4 week on 37.5mg and my irritability and anxiety is so much better. My horror week before periods - is no more. The PMDS was well treated as was the mild underlying anxiety felt during rest of month. Side effects for me were headaches for first week, visual change (2 weeks) and feeling tired (lasted a few days). None of which would make me stop given positive benefits."

• MLano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2019

"Started Effexor XR last night. Took my dose as directed with food around 8:30pm. I woke up around 3am extremely nauseous and was up sick until 5am. But other than that everything has been fine. I noticed I felt a little calmer today but who knows if that is because of the medication yet. Will update later."

• Kim
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 17, 2023

"I have been on 150mg of venlafaxine (Effexor XR) for over 5 years. I had previously tried Prozac, Pristiq, and Lexapro. The venlafaxine worked so much better for me. I was having anxiety episodes multiple times per day, and had progressed to three full-blown panic attacks in one week. Those scared me enough to go to my doctor. That's when he gave me venlafaxine. It doesn't make me feel foggy or not present. At first, I was a little tired and had the weird side effect of dry mouth. Within one month on the medication, the anxiety was situation-induced. I no longer had anxiety on a day-to-day basis. For instance, presenting at work would stir up my anxiety. I don't like public speaking, but on venlafaxine, I could do it with mild anxiety. It has been great for me personally with anxiety and stress."

• mommy...
• September 10, 2010

Effexor (venlafaxine) "Effexor saved my life. I never knew what I "had" could be cured. I'd tried other antidepressants but they made my anxiety worse or vice versa. Effexor has given me back a will to live. It's lifted the fog of anxiety. I take 150mg. My stress level and blood pressure is WAY down. Someone mentioned strange dreams, I'd like to second that."

• Merso
• April 24, 2017

"Male, 32y. I was suffering from stomach complex pains, terrible headaches, and depression. 16 months ago I was prescribed for Venlafaxin up to 225mg/day and Trimipramin for sleeping. It was very complicated with ups and downs but I finally got to a normal life. Since then I have gained ~10kgs but I think it's not bad for me since I was underweight before. My doctor suggested me to decrease it gradually and cut it off. I was on 75mg until yesterday and today I didn't take it. In the afternoon I was very irritated and anxious but it could be the short term withdrawal. I will update you if I could stay off medication. I wish you all strength and happiness"

• snowy...
• May 17, 2010

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I have been on Effexor for four days and have already noticed a difference in my mood. I am taking it for PTSD after a long battle with cancer. I became hypervigilent looking up cancer metastasis everyday for hours. I did this for two years and realized finally that I had to do something to stop this behavior. I was certain that my cancer was going to kill me and I wouldn't be diagnosed quickly enough. This brought on deep depression and a constant fear. I isolated myself because I thought it would be better for me and family and friends if I just stayed away that way if I died no one would miss me. Stupid huh. I am so glad I finally asked for help. I can't wait for the pills to really take effect."