Venlafaxine for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• indig...
• March 29, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "IT TOOK THE THE DRUG COMPANY 11 YEARS TO GET THIS APPROVED. This drug should not be allowed on the market. I have been on SSRI's for 15 years and was switched to this pill which is the worst. I was constantly dizzy on this, also anxious and brain zapped. If you take this medication an hour late you are sick. It has a very short shelf half-life. Going off of it if you can is like one bad trip I had breathing issues, my whole body ached so painful, vertigo, so dizzy, vomiting and I tapered off. Slowly....it will take you 6 months to a year to taper off and get ready for the issues you will continue you to have. Don't take it. When I read the reviews I thought it would be different for me because of the lies from my doctor. These reviews aren't lying or they haven't tried going off. The XR is the only one that is approved???? the other Effexor is banned now. Please go on something else. NOT A SNRI it will bring you to knees to pray your never took it."

• Emoti...
• October 27, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "At 56 years old and being raised to 'put on a happy face', I can finally say I feel happy and emotionally alive. Depression had consumed me for 35+ years. I was a hollow shell. Talk therapy did nothing. Once the Dr. discovered the brain had damage to the neurotransmitter/receptors and started me on slowly increasing doses of Effexor XR, the depression cleared. I now take 150mg daily. There have been no negative side effects. It's been 3 years now. People who know me well are extremely supportive; those who don't know my 'history' would be surprised to learn that I take an antidepressant. Only rated as a 9 because long term/lifelong use is still unknown."

• Nano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "After trying Celexa (meh) and Aoloft (horrible), I asked my psych for an SNRI. Effexor has changed my life, depression AND anxiety have gone way down. I have motivation to do the small things that I was never able to before, like making my bed in the morning. No side-effects unless I take it without food, in which case I get little episodes of shaky/wobbly vision."

• SLilly
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take my advice. If Effexor is working for you, don't quit! I took Effexor for 8 great years (anxiety and depression). Tapered and quit. Started again two months later to be on the safe side while going through a stressful period at work. Within 24 hours my life fell totally apart. Anxiety and depression through the roof. 18 months and 4 AD's later I am still a wreck. Losing hope."

• OLou
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2014

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I took this for a few years in my late teens for severe depression and self-harm tendencies. It worked well for me. The only downfall is the effects one experiences if one forgets a dose or stops taking the medicine without approval from one's medical provider. In my opinion, the honest truth is this: it can be a wonderful miracle for severe depression and anxiety. It can make a person more outgoing in their environment and provide someone with more energy. The only downfall I ever experienced with it was the withdrawal effects if I forgot a dose. Brain zaps, nausea, general ill feeling. If one takes it as directed, however, they shouldn't experience these. Never quit this medicine on your own without talking to your doctor."

• Wan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor ruined my life. After 3 years I am in complete agony. Pain all over and it stopped working. I tried to switch to another drug and the withdrawals are much worse than heroin. My body is crunching all over. Haven't slept in months. Can't use my brain. Stay away from this!!! I can't work, I am on my own and will be homeless soon! The withdrawals are unbearable! Doctors tapering is wrong!"

• 30...
• March 18, 2013

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I had tried a number of different prescription meds before Effexor, none of which seemed to help. I can honestly say this worked the best, and with it, I was able to get out of bed and begin to function again. It really was one of those medications that did exactly what it was supposed to. I continued to take Effexor for three years, after which time I wanted to stop taking it and begin to manage my life without medicines. This is when the problems began. I can honestly say that it took me almost nine months to wean myself off Effexor. I no longer have to take medication but would warn anyone being prescribed this that it is not an easy medicine to stop taking."

• lasagna
• June 2, 2009

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I am 24 years old, female, 5'1, 130 lbs. Treated for major depression and anxiety. I have aversions to junk food (I am normally health-conscious unless I am really depressed), weight loss (12 lbs), dry mouth, lighter mood, easier to focus, more motivated, mountains turn into anthills, lower sex drive, sometimes get headaches. For me, the pros overwrite the cons - I went off of this for 6 months with no problems. No addiction or sickness. I am back on it, and boy am I glad to feel happy again."

• Claudia
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2022

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I had several severe depressions in my life — between the ages of 20 until 50 — and only took a drug once at age 24 and it didn't help. At 50 years old, I found a good psychiatrist who recommended Effexor XR. I didn't want to take medication, but he said he couldn't treat me without it. It took about a month for me to respond, but at about the 4-week point, my depression miraculously lifted. I had no bad side effects, although I remember being sleepy at work, so my psychiatrist told me to take it before I went to sleep instead of in the morning. I have been on it for 20 years and, for me, it was a lifesaver."

• No Ni...
• April 1, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I suffer from depression and anxiety. For the last 20 years, I've had counseling and been on many antidepressants; Prozac, Wellbutrin, Paxil, etc. Effexor is the first medication that has noticeably helped. I was worried after reading all the negative reviews, but tried it anyway. I noticed a change after the first week, and it has gotten better ever since. Been on it for two years now and all is good in the world. Very rarely get sad, unless there is a reason for it (death, break up, pet dying) also I used to have anxiety talking to more than one person at a time, now I can talk to a room full of people with little to no anxiety."

• Brand...
• April 17, 2014

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I'm 19. I had a terrible abusive childhood full of alcohol and physical and mental abuse. Depression also runs in my father's and my mother's family, and so my head's pretty screwed up. I was first prescribed Lexapro; that medication made me go insane, and now I'm on 75mg of Effexor XR. I probably should take more, but in my experience with depression, it really keeps me grounded. So, I told my doctor this was good enough for me. I've been depressed my whole life, and I just want to be good enough to where I won't be suicidal. This medication is great. The only side effect is that if I sit in weird positions, my feet will go numb really quickly."

• Lawre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2014

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I am a physically healthy (runner) 25-year-old male. I have never been mentally healthy, so I have tried antidepressants. I tried Prozac and Wellbutrin. Prozac didn't help or hurt, but it gave me dangerous mood swings. I was prescribed Effexor 2.5 months ago. It seemed like a perfect fit for me. I was wrong. I was on 75 mg each day. It actually made me sadder. I had no weight or sexual side effects but had vertigo. The worst was CRIPPLING insomnia while taking it, and now I am close to 0 mg, but I still get night sweats and 'brain zaps'. As I write this, I've had 13 hours of sleep in the past 5 days."

• NDG
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2013

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I went on this medication as a last resort. I was at a point where I couldn't leave my house, I cried all day, and I had anxiety 24/7. I have just started taking the medication. The first day was terrible - cold sweats and brain zaps. I found I could not sleep. Now, 3 days into the medication, I find I am much happier. Perhaps I'm being optimistic, but the constant torture of obsessive thoughts and not being able to let the little things go has decreased. I would recommend this if you are at a last resort. The past 2 days have been reminiscent of how my life was before the year and a half of constant agony."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2014

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I took Effexor for three years due to depression. I loved the fact that I was no longer depressed, but I was tired all the time. I could sleep for 10 hours, get up, and two hours later I was ready to sleep again. If I missed taking a dose, I would get a horrible headache. The only reason I stopped taking Effexor was due to being tired all the time. Getting off of the medication was awful. I have never been so sick in my life. If you are going to take this medicine the rest of your life, I highly recommend it. It did wonders for my depression."

• Jenny
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2024

"I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years and have been reluctant to seek help until now. Reading so many negative threads about antidepressants, when the new year started I decided to do something about my health and was willing to try medication. I had suicidal thoughts, didn't enjoy anything, and had panic attacks at work several times a week. My doctor prescribed venlafaxine and it has changed my life! I look forward to things, my anxiety is almost gone, and I enjoy meeting people. I am curious again. I am so thankful, I feel like I have come out of my shell, ready to enjoy new experiences."

• Billy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2017

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "The positive: it has an almost immediate effect, from Day One there's a lift in mood. Effexor XR Also gives a feeling of energy, both mental and physical. I've also noticed a significant decrease in my social anxiety, I can talk to anyone without feeling nervous - this 'extra' effect began, again, on Day One. The negative: slight feelings of nausea with a definite decrease in appetite. I don't really enjoy my meals as much while on Effexor. I've also noticed a form of a insominia since starting - early awakenings and not being able to get back to sleep."

• JoseT...
• June 27, 2013

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I am a 60-year-old male who has suffered from depression and panic attacks. In my late 30s, I decided to seek help. Like many others, the list of medications my doctors tried would fill a dictionary. Some worked for a while. I refused to take lithium. In my late 40s, I was also diagnosed with ADD. I now use 4 medications successfully: Effexor XR 450 mg daily, Xanax 1 mg daily, Adderall XR 60 mg daily, and Strattera 25 mg daily. I am now free of both depression and panic attacks for nearly 10 years! I am comfortable in public speaking and find that I love the adrenaline rush! I've tried to stop using Effexor XR but always restarted because of the horrible depression. Withdrawal is like a bad acid trip. Use Effexor to stay alive!"

• Little...
• June 28, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I had been on several different meds for depression & anxiety. Starting with Paxil, Prozac and others I can't remember the names of. I started Effexor a year ago and it certainly works for me, for both depression & anxiety. Remember to take it every day. All SSRIs cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If you want to discontinue use, tell your doctor. Cold turkey is not only debilitating, it is dangerous. I am so thankful I have been prescribed Effexor. Finally relief from things that are no big deal! Where as before in my head, it was so exaggerated. Like many others have stated, I wish this was available in my teen years. I am enjoying life and am extremely happy!"

• Autum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2016

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I have been on 75mg ER of Venlafaxine HCL for over 3 months now and I really feel wonderful. It's working very well for me. I have plenty of energy, lost about 20 pounds of weight and I do feel very content and calm. I do have vivid dreams that are interesting and long. I socialize and react very well with people now and no longer have any fears of socializing with groups of people. Again, this antidepressant has so far worked very well with me and I am happy that my doctor switched me from 20mg of citalopram, which made me very tired and gained way too much weight, to 75mg Effexor ER (Venlafaxine). Everyone's system is a bit different and what may work well for someone may not work well for someone else. I wish you all the best."

• MEL
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "It saved my life!! I've been on 150mg XR for 20 plus years and I can not find words to adequately describe the benefits of this medication. It's been so long, I really don't remember if I suffered any ill side effects when I first started or not. I will say that I had the bright idea several years ago to stop taking it.. cause I thought it may help me loose weight. WITHDRAWAL WAS HORRENDOUS and I decided weight gain or not, I was taking it. Quit eating like a pig, started walking, kept taking Effexor, lost my extra weight and wasn't depressed. I highly recommend this - try it. The pros far out weigh the cons in my book."

• JLfro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2024

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "After 7 years on Zoloft, I tapered to 25 mg from 100 mg. Then depression hit. I tried titrating up, but dealt with sedation and many adverse side effects. I tapered off and quit for 30 days. Depression lingered, so I began 37.5 Effexor. I felt relief on the first day. I switched to taking it in the evening to offset morning sleepiness. Within 2 weeks, I went to 75 mg, and within 2 weeks, depression remitted. After 15 weeks at 75 mg, I'm on a staggered dose of 112.5/75 every other day. Here's the thing for me—I chose to start low and go slow. The Effexor gave a mild but noticeable lift in mood. Within 2 weeks, I felt hope. I didn't have to wait 4 to 6 to 8 weeks to notice nor suffer adverse effects for weeks at a time. Research supports the efficacy of Effexor, especially its ability to give noticeable, if not subtle, improvements within two weeks. Having gone 40 weeks suffering adverse effects of Zoloft, the impact of Effexor for me was, in fact, life-changing. (Male, 62)"

• holz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRI's and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30mg and half an hour after taking it I started to feel really weird- terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day they moved me up to 75 mg and the headache went away but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have) and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I found out I was pregnant and was a little surprising as I’m almost 41. Intially I was ok and happy but within a week spiralled into suicidal thoughts and wanting to terminate the pregnancy. Prior to finding out I was pregnant I was not depressed or anxious- life was great. After almost three weeks of feeling like I was loosing my mind and trying all the natural things I could- acupuncture etc. I decided to try Effexor- I been on it once before 6 years before, I knew it worked but the last thing u want to be on when pregnant. I started on 75mg as I was running out of time to make a decision. I endured the worst side effects for 5 days and on the 6th they decided to change back to 37.5 mg. I’ve been on that for almost a month now and that’s the right dose for me. I’m happy and excited about the pregnancy and I feel like myself again. Full of energy and thinking clearly. My sleep is a little bit interrupted but it’s nothing. The best decision I could have made!"

• Gc6644
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2014

Effexor (venlafaxine) "I started this medication about 4 months ago after being on Prozac for 5 months. Antidepressants react differently for everyone, and I am happy to say I have had a very good experience with this medication thus far. I have much more energy, will to live, and my anxiety has also decreased immensely. I have not experienced any side effects with this; however, I strongly recommend staying away from alcohol. After a night of drinking, I would fall into a depressive state or have a panic attack. This never happened to me before taking this medication."

• Maju
• February 11, 2020

"I took Venlafaxine 75mg twice in my life, I took it for a year in 2018 and back to it at the end of 2019, the first time taking it was hard because of the side effects, no appetite, libido is gone and headaches and vomiting, after two weeks it get so much better, so keep trying it and don't give up because after a while side effects are gone. The first time taking it was very good, helped me a lot, much better than the previous med that I was taking (fluoxetine 20mg). after at the end of 2019 I had to start taking it again and on the first weeks it was okay, it helped me for around 3 months but then I got worst, apparently my body was tired of the chemicals and now I changed to a new antidepressant, lets try it ... Do not give up on venlafaxine it was really good and helpful for me, don't be harsh on yourself and be strong with the side effects because it is just on the first days .. Good luck to everyone who is reading this .. <3"