Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• taylz
• May 4, 2009

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Was in College when I treated. At high doses (approximately 225mg), I was lethargic, cloudy headed and angry. Drug caused SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. It aggravated stress levels. But for my mom, this medication has given her life back to her, "curing" depression, lowering anxiety, and inspiring creativity."

• Marle...
• April 26, 2016

"I was prescribed 37.5 mg. daily to deal with the trifecta of anxiety, hot flashes and sleeplessness. I'm finding that the hot flashes have greatly decreased and that while I still wake up during the night, I am able to get back to sleep. My anxiety is still there but is finally manageable and I'm okay with that. I am happy to have some relief with this dosage and will not increase it unless absolutely necessary. The side effects that I am experiencing are dry mouth, constipation and a little weight gain but I am willing to deal with this in order not to suffer as I had for so long. I take meds with breakfast and did notice that if I forget a dose, I am unable to sleep that night."

• rambl...
• March 22, 2016

"Effexorxr 75mg a day worked wonders for me. I actually felt normal for the first time in years. I suffer from GAD and was a total basket case. When I moved to a New city and found a new doctor I let him dc it and have regretted it ever since. I now have a new doctor and hope to get back on Effexor xr. Without it I feel like I am completely losing my mind. I can't handle feeling this way."

• Truth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder panic attacks and adjustment disorder which mimic major depression. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma which interacts with antidepressants because these medications can raise eye pressure so my G.P tried me on effexor just through desperation due to my suicidal tendencies/thoughts. I didn't think it was humanly possible to feel worse than I could but effexor certainly did that. This is the worst of all the antidepressants it's like hippie crack and angel dust combine. Within 3 hours I was on the toilet then constantly sweating actually dripping in sweat then the monster panic attacks and brain zaps kicked in. First three days I didn't eat a single thing by day 7 I was wanting to get sectioned. I wasn't going to mess around tapering off this crazy juice I came off it straight away on the 8th morning and was severely ill , the withdrawals are astonishing it's not even possible to compare them with anything. I am not anti antidepressants"

• Dice
• June 1, 2017

"I've been on antidepressants drugs for 30 years for my anxiety and depression. The last 5 on Venafaxine 150 mg .. We all know the side effects sweating, memory loss to name a few .. However this is the best drug I PERSONALLY HAVE EVER USED"

• Mike...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I took Effexor XR 37.5mg for 1 month against general anxiety & major depressive episode after big setbacks in business and job. The first week I had to force myself to take it with daily telephone encouragement of the Doctor (GP). Headaches, nausea, sweating, and anxiety about taking the new drug itself. After 3 weeks I did feel a bit better but had strong headaches and felt very tiered still all day. I decided to reduce and phase it out over 2 weeks by taking out the little balls from the pill. To my surprise this was much easier to stop than Paxil that I had discontinued for 8 months (after longterm use). Now without Effexor since 4 weeks; no more headaches or anxiety, feel more alive and productive without these "numbing" drugs."

• Jazzy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Being anxious is not being depressed. I was on lexapro for anxiety after a traumatic event. I have suffered from migraines for years. The doc switched me to Effexor ER 75 mg. a few days ago. I am already noticing a difference in my mood, and haven't had a headache (a miracle for me). Still have a long break in period ahead, but I am hopeful. Will keep you posted."

• Saman...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2015

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I wouldn't wish this medicine on my worst enemy. There are other major issues with this medicine than the horrific uptake and withdrawal symptoms. If I missed one single dose of this medication, it made me crazy. Mood swings, dizziness, suicidal thoughts, blurry vision, and more. The only reason I gave it a 2 was because if you're PERFECT at taking your medication, then it might work for you. Maybe. But be ready for the withdrawals because it was the worst few weeks of my life."

• Meg
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I started taking Effexor about 3 days ago. So far, it's been pretty crazy. I'm sweaty all of the time, nauseous yet starving, and cannot stay asleep for the life of me. However, it is really helping with my anxiety. I suffer from dermatilioma, which causes me to pick my skin. I have noticed that I've been picking A LOT LESS in just 3 days! My scabs are clearing up, and I'm not "catching" myself picking nearly as often. I also feel calm and relaxed. The side effects seriously suck though. As I type this, my phone is about to slip out of my hands from sweat. I'm a 95 lb 21 year old and I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life. It's also been making dizzy. It's worth it to me though. If it will help me stop picking, I'll do anything."

• Megan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2017

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I've been on Effexor for quite a few years now taking 112.5mg. I didn't have any problems with this med but have been wanting to simplify my regime. So 112.5 to 75mg saw no real withdrawal or return of depression or anxiety. But, 75mg to 37.5mg, I cannot bear. I feel awful, irritable, nasty, and even aggressive at times. Imagine waking up every morning for 2 weeks being 50 Shades of Pissed! My personality changed if feels like. Wondering if anyone has experienced this. It would appear that Effexor is effective for my anxiety."

• CjGeo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I was on generic for Prestiq 50mg for post menopause hot flashes, anxiety and depression. Lost my Insurance so changed to Effexor XR 75. No side affects and actually works better than Prestiq. I'm glad because its a lot cheaper."

• iamSu...
• April 10, 2015

"First off, everyone will react differently to each med and bottom line is that you have to try it for yourself. I've read horror stories about Effexor but quite frankly, it's worked great for me, and luckily it was the first one prescribed. I had to build up to the 37.5mg dose over 1.5 wks otherwise it made me nauseous. After a few weeks I felt fine, other than occ. hot flashes & had to take at exact same time every day. Was on it for about a year, then weaned off slowly and had no issues at all. Was fine for 4 years until I lost my job, then had to go back on for anxiety/panic attacks, this time at 75mg. Only real problem for me was weight gain. Trying Cipralex now but I don't like it; will likely switch back and just deal with the weight"

• Sam
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

"I have been on 150 mg Effexor for 5 months now - slowly increased from 37.5 to 75 to 117.5 to 150. It has truly been so helpful for my GAD and health anxiety. I have been diagnosed with OCD in the past (Pure O) and I don’t know if that was an accurate diagnosis but I will say that this has been immensely helpful for intrusive anxious thoughts and rumination. I do not have any lasting side effects, but it did make me a bit “spacey” and nauseous at first. Don’t let bad reviews scare you off if you have treatment-resistant OCD, anxiety, or depression. It’s worth a go! I tried Luvox, Anafranil, and Prozac with limited success before starting this, just FYI."

• MrTho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Started Effexor XR in 12/2018. Started with the lowest dose and worked up to 150mg capsule daily. Starting the medicine my BP was normal I just had bad anxiety and at times panic attacks. I thought all was well and didn't think much of it, but each time I went to see the Dr. My BP would raise just slightly higher each visit. My wife told me I wasn't acting myself so I decided to make an appointment and my BP had gone from normal to 175/130. The Dr. Immediately cut my dose to 75mg a day which had brought it down to 140s over 90s. This medicine can make some peoples BP go through the roof, and when you stop taking it the withdrawal effects are terrible. When your coming off Effexor your BP can also run severely high along with dizziness, muscle/joint aches&pains, some chest discomfort, headache and possibly brain zaps. While Effexor does work good for a lot of people it did nothing for me except give me high blood pressure and nearly put me in the hospital. Always monitor or BP on this med. Best of luck to you."

• Curio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "This is my third time taking EffexorXR (75mg) and it has lengthened the time between depressive episodes, it was five years and now it's 10years! And really helps anxiety. I take it at night because it can make me sleepy. It does produce a spacey feeling for me that lasts a bit, but I can power through it as it doesn't seem to effect my thinking. I'm not depressed, but I have developed a severe general anxiety disorder. It is a pain to get off of, which is why I used a Prozac bridge last time, and probably will again, when it's time. Give it a chance - it's brought me back to life more than once."

• Becky...
• November 17, 2020

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Day 1: I know it was too soon but I felt like I had less anxiety than usually Day 2: had slurred speech and was walking kind of funny as well, felt like a zombie Day 3: tried to go out with some friends, had to leave after 20 minutes I had horrible nausea and my heart felt abnormally accelerated Day 4: talked to my doc and she suggested I continue for 2 weeks to see if side effects went away Day 5-14: I would wake up with racing thoughts my brain felt like it was on caffeine, felt restless, its like I became bipolar. I would become instantly irritated at stupid things then happy again. Anxiety did subside for most of the day but then out of nowhere I would get horrible panic attacks for no reason, worst than before the medication. I also didn’t feel like me, like when I talked it was like someone else was talking it was a very weird feeling hard to explain. I stopped talking it exactly after 2 weeks I did give it a chance but its not for me"

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2011

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "It really does work. Made me feel mentally sharp again. I was previously always anxious but Effexor completely stopped my anxiety. Unfortunately for me it came with severe sexual side effects. Loss of sex drive, unable to climax, impotence. Male - Taking 75mg daily. Off to try Wellbutrin instead."

• EMH
• September 3, 2016

"29/f with anxiety and depression, I have only taken this medicine once, I took it at night as prescribed by the doctor, woke up at 3 a.m. crawling out of my skin! I threw up twice, my pupils were dilated I was sweating, shaking uncontrollably and couldn't sleep. I imagine this is what meth feels like?! I started to have incredibly bad anxiety bad thoughts and images, my brain felt like it was screaming. this medicine is awful. It's now 10am, I'm still jittery, i feel super sick, can't eat, I feel awful."

• deemi...
• April 25, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have been on it for about four years, during which my dosage has increased substantially. I cant help but think that tolerance forms with it, that the longer I'm on it, the less effective its become."

• Norwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2016

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I tried Effexor for 4 weeks and it really made my life a living hell. I got more and more and more anxiety and after 4 weeks, I just couldn't take it further because of the side effects. But the worst part was the week after I stopped taking effexor. It was an insane depression. I"

• Bogmo...
• December 31, 2018

"I was on Venlafaxine 300mg for about 4 years. I also took Pregabalin and Sulpiride (anti-psychotic) at the same time. When I started on the meds I was in a very bad place and I needed a chemical 'fix' to get me back on my feet. I believe that Venlafaxine was a crucial part of treatment to give me room to work on other strategies with a therapist. I won't pretend that there were not nasty side effects because there were. This is not a medication for people with minor complaints, it is for people with serious mental health issues. I have recently come off the medication completely but I would not hesitate to take it again if I need to. As it is I am still seeing a therapist and I use benzos infrequently when I get a wobble. I attempted suicide 4 years ago, now, in part because of Venlafaxine I am learning to be a much happier and healthier person. As for withdrawal effects, mine were not too bad at all."

• Melly
• November 11, 2016

"I tried this medication for the first time for depression a few years back and it really didn't agree with me. Woke up in the middle of the night in a complete panic crawling out of my own skin, heart racing sheer terror. I'm a nurse and I know this drug works for some people but if you are sensitive to side effects I would be careful of this one as it is a combination antidepressnt. Needless to say I never took another Effexor again and really wished I was warned of how bad the effects of this one could be."

• Amber
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2021

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I’ve had anxiety since I was 12 and have tried half a dozen different medications all with a degree of success but I always built up a tolerance to them and they would stop working. Effexor was the only medication that continued to work at 225mg for 16 yrs until I decided I’d had enough of taking pills and got off them in a week with hardly any side effects at all. I did notice when trying to find the right dosage for me at 150mg I felt my mind become numb. I had no empathy, emotions and felt like a zombie but increasing the dose took me out of the fog and I could function like a normal human being. I still have anxiety today and don’t go out as much as I used to but I’m happy with that."

• I...
• February 4, 2015

"I have been taking Effexor for 8 years. Started 100mg raised over the years, now taking 300mg. Anxiety is roof level, Panic attacks are more frequent, literally feel my brain sparking. I'm tearful, short wicked, don't sleep much, appetite is 50/50. No motivation, I have had the same doctor for 13 years."

• Kris
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2020

"The venlafaxine has been an absolutely a lifesaver. No more constant physical manifestations of anxiety. No more constant fight or flight mode and anxious jitters. Worst part is if you forget a dose or two you get the withdrawal "brain zaps" that are quite bothersome, but its a reminder to take it and well worth the absolute improvement in quality of life."