Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Annie
• August 29, 2018

"23 years old. Been on this for 1 month. I absolutely love this medication. I haven't felt this happy for 3-4 years. I have a depression/anxiety disorder that slowly got worse and worse until I finally realized that I was in a deep hole that I feel like I could not get out of this bad place by myself. This medication is helping me so much. I am so grateful to my doctor for recommending this. I think that exercising, eating right, sleeping well, socializing, keeping alcohol to a limit, and doing healthy stuff altogether might also be playing a part along with this medication for me"

• George
• September 23, 2019

"Have been on venlafaxine for at least 15 years. Started with 75mg and after the first year cut down to 37.5mg. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience. My depression/anxiety virtually non existent, no side effects that I can point to. I can even miss a day or two without problems, but a third day will find me a little antsy. Great stuff for me......"

• SNL
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I am taking Effexor 37.5 mg and have been on it for 5 days now. This is for severe anxiety and major depression. I noticed a change the very first day with the anxiety level going way down. I have had a consistent headache for the full 5 days and throat/neck pain. No appetite and just feeling overall yucky and sick. I am going to hang in there to see how it goes. My Dr also prescribed Trazadone to take at night for insomnia and I have been sleeping better. I take the Effexor in the morning. So for now I will stick it out and hopeful the side effects will go away."

• Emmy
• November 4, 2015

"Effexor has helped me so much. I used to self harm, have suicidal thoughts, no motivation & a lot of panic attacks. The first couple weeks taking effexor is a little weird, but once it's better once you're past the uptake. Ever since I've been on effexor I stopped having suicidal thoughts completely, and has helped my anxiety so much. & I would never even think of self harming again. This medication saved my life. But I will say the withdrawal symptoms are terrible so be careful."

• Bunny
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2019

"This venlafaxine is the best medicine I’ve ever been on. I’ve had no negative side effects since taking it, and I have tried many other antidepressants/anxiety. I can leave my house, socialize, and create healthy relationships without agonizing fear and panic attacks. I would recommend this medicine to anyone!!!! It’s changed my life."

• JAano
• September 2, 2016

"Effexor XR didnt change my life... as much as it made me "me" again. Previously i was on Paxil which "kind of" worked, but not enough. I started small on the effexor, and i gradually worked my way up to the point where i take 300mg a day and i've been taking that dose now for years. I can now drive a car, hold down a job, hold a conversation, be in a relationship, etc. I was scared of everything... living really. Not a drug to stop taking suddenly. Bad bad bad idea. I get "the sleeps" still, and if i am lucky enough to get them when i dont have to do anything else... best sleep i ever had. I'm a 37 year old male, sex drive is still pretty decent. Only side effects that i feel are vivid dreams, and the sleeps"

• Anxiety...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I've been taking Venlafaxine 75mg for about 9 months now. It has helped tremendously with my anxiety, unfortunately I've gained 50lbs on this med. I can't keep on this bc of the huge weight gain, but I wish I could. I haven't had any other side effects."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2009

"Suffered depression, panic and general anxiety in my thirties, tried several other SSRI's and they made me feel worse. Venlafaxine was the one that really improved things for me, take 150mg a day in the morning and life is just much easier to deal with now."

• Jmano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2020

"I’m on week one of Venlafaxine 37.5 combined with the lowest dose of Clonazepam. I went from nuclear anxiety (literally ER worthy) from trying Zoloft (major fail) after finding out my husband had an affair. All of my symptoms- panic attacks, palpitations, anxiety, depression, feeling like everyone I knew had died, etc is gone. I won’t go so far as to say I’m feeling joy, but I did enjoy listening to music with my kids in the car today, I can function and don’t feel overwhelmed. The fact that it totally took away ALL my panic/anxiety is relief close enough to joy. I wake up every morning excited to take it. Zero side effects so far. I’m very hopeful that an increased dose might elevate my emotions like a “happy pill”, but even if it doesn’t, this even-keel feeling is good enough!"

• Bio_C...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Prior to taking Effexor, I was had daily panic attacks, suffered from agoraphobia, and would cry for hours at night without any reason (I was a mess). 35mg Effexor put me completely back to normal-- no more anxiety, but plenty of happiness and typical emotions. I would go as far as saying it cured me. However, the side effects are brutal. First 2 months were daily dry mouth, dizziness, "brain zaps", and constipation so bad it put me in the hospital. If I miss a day, the dizziness hits hard until I take the next pill. Overall, I think it is still worth the trouble because I'm mentally healthier than ever before."

• Hotsie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2017

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have not rated this yet cause I have just started on Effexor XR. I am 48 years old widow. My husband and stepdaughter died 2014 suddenly. I went spinning out of control. I guess you can say I had a nervous breakdown. In the past 6 months my moods have been all over the place from crying to anger. Lashing out in anger with my boyfriend and his son. My doctor took is taking me off slowly Seraquol and Lexapro and has put me on Effexor XR. I have been on it for 3 days. I am starting to feel a little change-for the better. I will keep everyone up to date on how I feel. It is better than being a royal cow."

• LucieLu
• August 4, 2016

"In 1997 I was involved in a MV wreck which cost me 6 years of no memory of my life, not able to return to my Director's position with a major railroad company. I have been on Effexor XR 225mg (now Venlafaxine XR 225mg) since then. This has been the worst journey of my life. I am now 71 years of age and will be on it for the rest of my life. I suffered severe head trauma in 1997, two breakdowns and memory loss. If I don't take this medicine I am in a great deal of head pain, vertigo and many other symptoms. I decided not to try to get off of it anymore."

• GHR
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2015

"I was prescribed Venlafaxine in 2008 following a bad depression. I felt the benefit of it within 10 days. I had some side effects, the worst of which was weight gain, but felt it was a small price to pay for literally getting my life back. Stayed at 150 for five years reducing to 75. Came off it in early 2015 only to have panic and anxiety attacks within two months, so restarted again.Disappointing, but I have lost a stone since March and hope to control my weight.For those it suits it is a great medication - good luck everyone."

• Kam
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I was taking Lexapro for PTSD for 7 years for anxiety. This medication worked SO well for me until one day it didn’t. I had a big surgery in 2022, and it was a few weeks after that, the anxiety and panic returned. I was freaking out all the time, racing heart, nausea, felt like passing out constantly, foggy brain, and I couldn’t drive or be by myself (all the symptoms I got 7 years ago which was the reason I started Lexapro). I signed up to speak with a Psychiatric NP, and she told me SSRIs are known to stop working, and she recommended I switch to Zoloft which has more room to go up on the dose since I was already maxed at 20mg on Lexapro. I stuck with Zoloft for 2 months and it was NOT a good fit at all- my body hurt, I couldn’t focus, and I was still freaking out so after 8 weeks, she recommended a SNRI and started me on Effexor. She started me on 37.5mg and now I'm on 75mg. I'm not 100% but sooooo much better. It’s been about 5 months, and I am hoping to continue to see positive changes"

• dm_008
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2021

"I am really grateful to everyone who reviews on this page as it really helped me when I (reluctantly) started Venlafaxine 4 months ago. I was diagnosed with GAD last year and left my work from home job. I was experiencing racing thoughts, heart palpitations and stomach aches daily. My Dr started me on Sertraline which I stopped as I started experiencing suicidal thoughts. On Venlafaxine XL 75mg things feel brighter (the higher dose of 150mg didn't suit me as it increased my physical anxiety symptoms). I take my Venlafaxine every morning with a Senokot pill (which relieves the constipation). Thanks to CBT (through anxiety UK), Venlafaxine and a wonderful audiobook on tackling anxiety 'DARE by Barry Mcdonagh' I am back to feeling more like myself and am interviewing for jobs again. It has been an incredibly tough year and I had to rely on Diazepam 2-4mg a day whilst I adjusted to the medication. Anxiety is a cruel beast but things can get better!!!"

• AJ Lo...
• November 12, 2017

"My doctor had me try several different meds for my panic disorder and depression and nothing worked except lexapro but I hated being on it because it ruined my sex life, gave me IBS, made me fat, and made me feel zombie like and the worst part is that the positive effects of the medicine would wear off within a few months and just leave me with all the bad side effects. I was finally about to give up on all medicine and just crawl under a rock for good when she said that there was a new version of Effexor that was extended release and getting good feedback. On just 75 mg a day, my life and turned around 360 degrees. No more bad anxiety and when I get an attack it’s much more manageable. My orgasms have returned, losing weight, feel amazing!"

• Norwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I started to take this med one week ago for my gad. Im feeling a bit "lighter" in the head but i also have a bit more anxiety and i feel dizzy. I've read that this is totally normal, and i have been an benzo addict so i had EXTREME anxiety when i was in rehab getting off that stuff. Now my life is looking brighter, and I have a lot of faith in this med. Just went from 37mg to 75mg once a day. I'm looking forward to share my experience here in one month :)"

• sugaree
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2021

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "At first I was on the fence about starting this drug after reading the reviews, but I started it anyway…. Biggest mistake ever! Brain zaps, nausea, feeling of floating, tremors, shakiness, agitation, mood changes, and I feel like I’m losing my mind! I’ve been trying to get off of this drug for 4 months and I can’t because of the awful withdrawal symptoms. I remember reading that I will probably have to open the capsule and taper down on the little beads inside to wean off of this awfulness. Totally not worth the trouble and I can’t wait to feel normal again! Please take this post as a sign and don’t start this medicine!!"

• Alice
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2021

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have been on Effexor XR for 6 years. I started it after a severe episode of rumination and anxiety. Began to help in some ways almost immediately. Slowly, I've tapered my dose down from 150mg to just 37.5mg (gone up and down some in between through the years). This small amount still makes a significant difference in my anxiety and has caused a big improvement in my overall outlook on life. It is an extremely difficult drug to taper off of. As someone who works in medicine, I wish they would educate healthcare professionals about how crazy the withdrawal can be from drugs like this."

• Jo B
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2023

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "When I started taking Effexor XR I was in a terribly dark place mentally, barely functioning, not sleeping, etc. I was a mess. When I got diagnosed with anxiety and depression I was very against medication but along with talk therapy, I started 37.5mg of Effexor XR. It honestly gave me my life back during a time when I felt lost. I stayed on the lowest dose of this medication for two years before weaning off them. I guess my only advice with this medication is to just keep remembering to take it and when it's time to stop, wean slowly."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I've battled with anxiety for 10 plus years, was on medication 6 years ago for it then stopped. I was having intense TMJ because I was constantly clenching my jaw as a coping mechanism for my anxiety. I finally decided to go on medication. My Doctor first put me on Celexa. I felt actually MORE anxious. Though it helped with my negative thoughts. I switched to Effexor. I started at 37.5 mg. I definitely feel a positive difference and my jaw clenching has completely stopped. Now I am up to 75 mg. I just feel very blah. Kind of numb, kind of "dissociative" like I'm not present in my own body. I feel better, but I want to FEEL. I am not sure if I should up my dosage and then I'll feel "normal" or ween myself off."

• Jade
• September 18, 2015

"I have suffered with mild depression, severe anxiety and social phobia for 2 years. I've tried eating healthy, excercising regularly, staying away from alcohol and taking herbal remedies. This has helped hugely and I have been a lot better. But I do still suffer from anxiety and I worry all the time like my head is going 100mph. I also can't cope with more then a couple of things and get stressed easily. My doctor prescribed me venlafaxine 75mg XL. Day 1 I had loss of appetite and dry mouth. That went after the 2nd day. The only side effect I'm really having is extreme fatigue I have been sleeping all week. I'm now on day 6. I've woke up better no side effects just no motivation what so ever & I feel emotionless will this go?"

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2008

"After several years/bouts of physical anxiety this was like a wonder drug. Felt a difference within days of taking, having tried several different antidepressants. Only side effect was feeling a little warmer."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Was prescribed EffexorXR (Venlafaxine ER) after 3+ years of chronic severe insomnia (onset & maintenance) created GAD symptoms. Had been given Cymbalta first but had to stop after 18 days due to facial rash. Same rash continued on EffexorXR and after 23 days tachycardia in night became a problem along with severe brain zaps w/vertigo all day & night. Was on 37.5mg (“starting dose”) total of 25 days and developed what is believed to be a serotonin syndrome. Reading up on it, because I’m also on Gabapentin and a benzodiazepine, the combination with EffexorXR is potentiator for serotonin syndrome (even at 37.5mg) AND discontinuation syndrome (damned if you start, damned if you stop). Am incapacitated by severe ongoing vertigo. Wish I had never let the “very experienced psychiatrist” get me in this situation. Wouldn’t touch this drug with a 10 ft pole."

• north...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2023

"After months and months of looking at this prescription sitting in my drawer, I finally decided to try it, my anxiety was getting worse by the day along with an overall low mood, and intrusive horrible thoughts. I never thought I would be one of 'those' people with anxiety problems but 2 kids later here we are. My doctor first tried me with Sertraline and after one pill I swore never again, I could not lift my head, he then replaced it with Citalopram which made me think I was dying with chest pains. I have never taken medication, I almost refuse to take a paracetamol. My doctor suggested we try an SNRI, and immediately I came on here read the reviews, and thought absolutely not!! But things got so bad I just decided what is the worst that could happen, here I am writing this just 6 days into starting Venlafaxine 37.5mg XR. Side effects have gone, which were nausea and a pounding headache but not bad enough for me to throw the towel in after 2 days, my anxiety has decreased by about 70%!!"