Venlafaxine

[cdjh]

Hi I've been prescribed the antidepressant venlafaxine for depression and terrible anxiety, I'm very very nervous about taking them, has anyone had these , thank you x

[Cakemonger]

Hi op, I'm on venlafaxine and have been for about 9 months. I've had no problems with it and it has been positive experience for me. The only major negative was a bit of insomnia for a while - I reduced my dose and it's settled down now. I read lots of scare stories and it's meant to be hard to come off but honestly I'm glad I found it. I didn't have much trouble reducing my dose so am hoping it'll be ok. Best wishes

[cdjh]

Thank you so much for your reply , that’s so good to no , I was going to start them this morning but I didn’t as too scared , even spoke to my doctor again yesterday who said to me he’s been prescribing these for 15 years and all succes , could I ask what mg you started on , thank you x

[grumblina]

Another venlafaxine user here. I cant function without it. I have severe anxiety and find it’s the only medication that has helped me. I have came off it before and it does have horrible withdrawals so remember to take your dose or you will know about it

[cdjh]

Hi yes my anxiety is terrible ; I can't do anything or go anywhere , it's the trying it I'm scared of too, how did you feel on your first day , thank you x

[Cakemonger]

I started off on 75mg, but I halved it so actually worked up to that from 37.5mg. Over the course of a few months I went up to 225mg but that was when the insomnia got really bad so I went back down to 150mg. Now I'm used to this dose and am sleeping again I really like it and plan to stay on it for the forseeable future. Antidepressants don't work miracles for me but they take away the worst of the bad feelings. My worst days aren't nearly as bad now. Depression is more of a problem than anxiety for me but it has worked wonders on my anxiety - I do feel calmer. Venlafaxine seems to have a bit of a scary reputation and it seems many do have a hard time coming off it. So far for me it has been less troublesome than sertraline (made me vomit for a week) and citalopram (ok but made me too numb). The best thing about the Ven for me is that it has taken the edge off my feelings without numbing me ie I can still cry. Everyone is different, this is just my experience. Best wishes again op

[Cakemonger]

I should add, I felt rough for the first 2-3 weeks of taking it but nothing awful. It was like having a mild version of flu. I'm glad I persisted. I would work up to each dose very gradually and always make sure you carry round a spare dose with you in case of emergency. If I am more than 2 hours late with my dose I start to feel ill. Again, nothing dramatic, but I certainly know about it

[800msprint]

I was on a low dose for a year. It really really helped. It took the edge off. It didn't solve the issues, and unfortunately I've gone backwards now off them, but that's another story!

I felt very odd for a couple of weeks. Withdrawn, just odd. Had weird tingling feelings in legs (quite pleasant though!) and wanted to jiggle my foot around. My only issue with them was they made me incredibly lethargic. I'm not sure this happens with everyone though. I just felt like I was in screensaver mode all the time. Coming off - do it very very slowly. I was fine. It took about 3 months. Felt nauseous and anxious at times but mama able.

Good luck OP!

[Grumpbum123]

Venlafaxine has been a life saver I’m on 375mg every day. Hope you’re doing on OP

[cdjh]

Hi everyone thanks for your reply’s , I did try them and stopped unfortunately I was very very sick and felt absolutely awful , glad you all had positive from them and thank you x