Viibryd Nightmares (Top voted first)

HI I am on Viibryd for 4 months now and i have these terrible horrific nightmares that i am dyng or sufficating a kind of sleep parasis and it happens a few times a night to where I am aware this drug is causing it. However it happens maybe once a week or once every otherweek so should i just stay on 20 mg i decided to bring it down and go on prozac but i want to make sure i am making the rght dec w doctor of course. I have been on cymbalta 2 years and ristiq 2 years prior and they were terrible to get off i notice that if i am 2 hours late for viibryd i have a night of hell with the nightmares. Does anyone else? Is viibryd going to be a nightmare to get off im very nervous. ;/

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I just woke up from a horrible nightmare, and the damn thing unmanned me.

I'm a Paramedic, and (for those of you that don't know) in many parts of the country, night-shifters are allowed to catch some sleep when not on calls. We have bunkrooms. It's great.

Except when your Viibryd causes such intense over-powering nightmares that you eventually scream out in your sleep and wake your poor partner out of his. Working with the same guy every Wednesday night for about seven years, and God bless him, he comes running out of his bunkroom over to mine.

This is what I've determined from reading, and reading, and reading about this medication: It's unfinished.

It works really well in some regards. It trips the right neural pathway.

In other regards, it's a damn mess.

I started early on with a "wave" feeling (I just now read others with the same side effect)... I mean, how trippy is that? The only way to describe it is as if there's a wave in your.... brain? It's a sensation of motion. And (as others have described on other sites) you LITERALLY hear a sound. I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Early on in titration I got it so very frequently, to the tune of fifteen times a day. Thing is, while it's strange, once you recognize it, it's not entirely unpleasant. As time went by this side effect was reduced both in severity and frequency.

I've become what's known as a "Violent Sleeper". I have dreams that I'm in a physical altercation, and wouldn't you know, I kick hard-as-hell. I've nearly hurt my fiancee´. She was the first to point this out to me and since then we've noticed this side effect recur. I'm telling you: Imagine you're lying next to your spouse and BOOM you kick out as hard as you can. Think of the risk there? I've physically contorted my entire body in these violent thrust-kicks. Luckily I've connected in only the slightest glancing-blows. But let me tell you, as a Paramedic and member of a SWAT Team, I have the physical make-up and capability of doing serious and grievous bodily injury. I'm truly and deeply afraid to hurt her in my sleep.

It's the nightmare(s) that settled this for me tonight. Imagine the most overpowering and seemingly real horror you can think of. Tonight, I knew I was in the bunkroom. I knew it was dark, and I was being suffocated by a demon. I felt shockwaves going into my neck and head- him "suffocating" me (this is a known side-effect) and I was utterly powerless. Imagine these dreams being impossibly real. I do not have the words. You experience them, not as "dreams" but as living breathing events. This demon in my dream hovered over me as he "gained" enough strength to begin "interacting with the real world" (all components of this messed up dream) so he could repeatedly choke me and clog my Jugular Veins (even in my sleep I knew that he was trying to do that). I tried to call out. I tried to move.

In the end, all I could do was pray. Imagine the severity of a dream like that? I LITERALLY recited, word for word, The Lord's Prayer and repeated Hail Marys in my head. Over and over and over. I was so awake-asleep that I even said them (in the dream) correctly, word for word. Imagine that. Imagine fearing, not for your body, but for your damn SOUL. As horribly cheesy as that sounds, try experiencing it. You lose very little brain function in these dreams. You're consciously aware of things that you'd know while awake. It's as if you retain some portion of your functional mind while the rest of it is asleep. And it overpowers you.

I have never experienced something so frightening and haunting. I hope I never do again.

I don't know what to do at this point. I honestly feel like tapering off the medication, but it's had enough positive effect that I'm wondering if switching to a daytime dosage will alleviate these problems. Ugh.

I want to leave you with this parting wisdom: if you continue to take this medication, DO. NOT. MISS. DOSAGES. I've noticed that, so little as an hour later than the previous day and boom, I'm having side-effects. As I said, I take mine at night and I start with nightmares that seem to last hours... only to wake up and realize that literally like two to three minutes have passed.

The medication needs to be taken with food because food slows the elimination rate. If you take it on an empty stomach (or late) I wish you luck. You won't have it. This is not an "XL" or "XR" version. It's their Beta-Test. When their patent runs out, they'll create an XL/XR version and make more money. For now, be a good steward of your own health and follow the instructions.

Take this advice and these side-effects seriously. They will alter your life.

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The dreams make me feel like I am loosing my mind. Demons, monsters, ghost. In my dream I know its a dream and I try to force myself to scream to wake up. After I wake up I sometimes fall right back asleep into the same dream.

Like others I notice this occurs when I am late for a pill.

It was too much at 40mg so I dropped to 20. That seem to tone the dreams down for about 5 months, but now they seem to have returned with all their horror.

How can so many of us be dreaming about demons?

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3rd update. Done with this medication. There is something seriously demented about this drug. At 40mg is when the demonic sleep paralysis started, along with the brain zap feeling. 2nd update was when I dosed back down to 20mg and the SP stopped. Here's third update... Weight gain at 10 lbs. no thanks. Still have brain zaps... Decided to dose off. 15 mg for 10 days, 10 mg for a week, and 5mg for a week. Three days after the last 5mg, the sleep paralysis came back. This sucks! It is the worst feeling ever. Brain zaps still exist. This all started last night. Hopefully it is just the half life and its out of my system. Will do a final update in a few days. I highly discourage anyone to take this medication, especially with these types of side effects.

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Omg,
I experienced the same Nellz. It was literally like I was in a hellish nightmare! !! Please know that it'll only get worse. I wish I could leave my personal email for you.

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Does anyone have weird allergy symptons after waking up from these dreams/nightmares. My eyes and throat/tongue are so itchy and I am soo tired the day after one of these crazy, vivid dreams.

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Please be careful getting off the meds cold turkey. I did and It was awful

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Wow! I also had the worst dreams I have ever had last night. It was appalling. I am turning into a real shrew and no one can do anything right. I think that this is a very real side effect and I would suggest that you call your doctor asap. Do not go cold turkey! You must be carefully weaned off this medication and on to something else. That is a very dangerous thing to do.
Be kind to yourself. I know it is hard.

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Update. Dropped down to 20mg and sleep paralysis is gone, along with nightmares. Thank god! All seems well now.

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I've been on viibryd for about a month, when i got to my first week of 40 mg within 4 days a began having these crazy scary nightmares! My first one I was being suffocated by my blankets and I couldn't move or get away. Shortly after that falling back asleep I was drowning someone with no face wearing white was drowning me... When I woke up I was so freaked out! I was breathing fast and couldn't go back to sleep.... After talking to my doctor she told me to go down to 20 mg which I was fine on the first time its been 4 days...I've dreamed of dark angles flying around a dark sky and green lightening flashing.... Wake up short of breath feeling frozen....my husband woke me up the other night asking me why I was crying I didn't know I was until I felt my face. I knee I had dreamed I was in the fetal position and I was floating and there was something lurking around I couldn't see just candles.... I couldn't move I couldn't breathe! Tonight I feel asleep for like an hour on the couch and dreamed I was hiding had mouth and demons were looking for me.... I tried to call out realizing I had no mouth.... Looking to run and there were so many hands trying to grab me... My husband woke me up and told me I was scaring our 5 year old....he told me it was like I was trying to scream but I made just a soft sound and was kicking around... I feel out of it at times during the day unrested, light headed, head aches, on edge or moody at times very sensitive one minute then shortly after snappy or shut down. I've never had side effects like this before! I've been on lexapro, effexor xl , and I'm on wellbutrin cl right now... I want to just stop taking viibryd these nightmares feel and are so terrifying :( my husband has notice too that im at times moody, sad, snappy, zoned out extremely tired

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I just started taking this medicine 12 days ago. I had not taken any prior anti-depressant meds. The 10 mg doseage was fine, but the 20 mg doseage started making me have scary, obsessive thoughts like falling down stairs. At night, when i close my eyes I see monsters and demons that are suffocating me. My skin crawls like an acid trip and I have a bad headache for days. Im done:(

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I have just had a dream like that. I am terrified to go back to sleep. The demon not only hurt me but my children and possessed my husband who in turn came after me. I kept crying out and couldnt wake up... i usually take it at around 5-6pm with dinner. Tonight i missed it and took it as soon as i remembered at 1:30am... i just woke up my husband with a blood curdling scream, i had tears streaming down my face couldnt catch my breath and it took me a while to realize i wasnt asleep anymore. On top of these horrible nightmares i also get the part where if im in a nightmare its hard to tell if im awake or still sleeping!
I will never miss another dose, this was awful!

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The 3 months I was on viibryd were among the worst I've ever felt on meds. I'm now happily on Cymbalta and will never recommend viibryd! Getting off wasn't as bad as I anticipated and I am so glad to be off!

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I'm tired of seeing monsters and demons in my night terrors. If it had not resolved so many of my symptoms, I would have just settled with being depressed. Or at least switched back to Effexor.

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Wow, I am hearing some familiar stories about Viibryd. I'm nearing end of my second month on it (tapered up to 40mg dose) and while I like the positive effects it has, I am experiencing all of the symptoms others are sharing. Going into REM sleep immediately and having horrible, vivid creepy dreams (sometimes dreams within a dream) with sleep paralysis, shivering, conscious mind knows I'm dreaming and I try to wake myself but can't move, try to cry out but can't (maybe related to taking dose a couple of hours later than normal?). Forgot to take it one night and had these vivid dreams/nightmares all night that permeated my conscious mind the next day and altered my mood (not in a good way). Having brain zaps when getting sleepy, like when watching TV and even while driving. Have been on SSRIs for years and years. Increased libido is nice for a change but I sometimes feel like I'm losing my mind in my sleep! By the way, I'm a pharmacist...WOW!! I'm having serious second thoughts about this medication, but now afraid it will be a nightmare coming off of it....

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I'm officially starting my Taper OFF this drug. It messes with your mind. The dreams are absolutely crazy. I'm nervous about any lingering side affects. There is no upside to this drug to endure one more night of these dreams.

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Thanks, Marie, for your wise words.

As for my screen name, it is not really Assad's job to run the list or say who should or should not change their name. It really does not matter whether I am a doctor or not because you should be listening to your doctors who know you and your history, not taking medical advice from someone posting on line.
Hopefully all of you are wise enough to know that. On this list we are sharing our personal experience with the medication. There is no medical advice.

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Hello,
I have been on Viibryd for a month now. I did the graduated levels. The first week, Oh my goodness! My family is like "We are so glad you are back to your old self!!" You seem to be on top of things!! (YAY for me!!!) 20mg great no problems. The first week of 40mg had a couple of bad dreams worse than I have had in years but nothing completely out of the ordinary. I had a sleep test done this past week and the tech asked me if I remembered my nightmares.. NOPE.. thank goodness!
Now the interesting??? Freaky?? When I read Battle Medics Post I wanted to cry with relief!!!! Okay to start with new medicine, doctor gave me a sample pack, 4 days before running out I call to get a prescription filled, girl sends to wrong pharmacy, did not check that day, find this out on day 2 that they did not have prescription, had sleep study to go do so I did not worry , I thought I have for Thursday and then will pick up prescription after work no problem, I go to get and it's NOT there. I was a little panicky because no pill for Friday but I am thinking one pill I have not missed one dose it will be okay. But no it was not okay!!! ;-(
It is 5am on a Saturday morning and I am not up because I like to get up early,(I do but not this early) I have only slept maybe 3 hours! Absolute worse nightmare/terrors!!! SOMETHING PULLING ME DOWN and I CANT MOVE or BREATHE!!! My poor husband when I was finally able to call out to him bawling my eyes out thought it was just a normal one of my "bad" dreams I have had over the years. After finally calming me down and with his arm around me I started dosing back off but it was BACK!!! So yes, this medicine is GOOD, but VERY TIME SENSITIVE for me anyway. I am so relieved to know that it is not just my mind. Glad I found this board!!!

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Wow! Battle Medic hit it right on the nose for me! I am awake now because of TERRIFYING and VIVID dreams. I have been on Viibryd for about 6 months. Overall, my mood is stable and I feel like myself again. Months ago, I had one of these night terrors. It was the most terrifying night if my life. I also was reduced to praying for my soul because of demon like beings. I have had the "wave" you describe in my brain and it is not bad. I just had my second completely terrifying dream. I felt paralyzed and unable to wake myself enough to stop the nightmare. I am so "out of sorts" over these 2 experiences I do not want to go back to sleep. I have felt good on this medicine but, I knew if I had one more of these nightmares, I would not be okay with continuing it. I will be asking my doctor to help me taper off of it altogether. These night terrors and feeling of sleep paralysis are more than I care to deal with. I am grateful you took the time to talk about your experience because it has helped me to know someone else "gets it". It's almost too much to be able to explain to others, you did that very well! I am afraid to go back to sleep! Thank you for helping me know I am most likely not losing my mind!

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I've been on 40mg Viibryd for about 6 months now. I did experience all those symptoms -- terrifying nightmares, insomnia, etc -- when I was weaning into it and even beyond. But with a lot of experimentation, I've stabilized myself so that I don't have those side-effects anymore.

Here's what works for me:
1. Always take it at the same time of the day. RELIGIOUSLY. Even an hour late can have side-effects.
2. Always take it in the MORNING. Viibryd tends to make me a little hyper for the first few hours after taking it, and taking it at night is a disaster for sleep and nightmares.
3. Always take with food. I usually take it just after breakfast. It can upset the stomach sometimes otherwise.
4. Try your darnedest to NOT sit on your butt for the first few hours after taking it. No, you don't have to run a marathon, but getting up and moving around every half hour or so really helps work off that initial buzz. For me, it can be as simple as doing a few loads of laundry, taking a walk, or cleaning a room in the house. But if I just sit there in front of my computer, I.... don't feel right. Restless and icky.
5. Yeah, the afternoon sleepies do hit, but try your best not to succumb to a nap. Drink coffee, tea, go for a vigorous walk.... whatever. Taking a nap is a recipe for screwing up nighttime sleep and will usually bring on nightmares. If the fatigue is overwhelming, try to make it a 'cat-nap' only. Don't lay down but try to just nod off for a few minutes in a chair with the TV on. It will keep you from going too deep.

I really love my Viibryd. It had done wonders for my mood and energy level; I finally feel 'normal' again. With a little experimenting, I think folks can find a good balance to minimize or eliminate the side-effects.

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Last night was the first night I dealt with the fear of going to sleep, the brain jolts and loud noises in my ears. It was also the first night I found this forum. I was finally able to go to sleep after eating and taking klonapin. After reading some great ideas I tried taking it earlier today with food. I then slept the majority of the day.... I'm already ready to go back to bed for the night, I still want to give the viibyrd a few more months, I've tried so many meds I'm not sure what I could afford to try next, as it is I can't afford viibryd...thanks for the advice given out there, its good to know you're not alone :)

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