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Mental health

Venlafaxine

47 replies

Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 17:13

Just been given Venaflaxine for severe depression slow release and good reviews please xx

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minisoksmakehardwork · 20/01/2020 17:31

Im on Venlafaxine, have been for years. It's definitely been the best in terms of balance for a much longer period. I haven't had to tweak the dose at all since starting it whereas with the others I was constantly increasing the dose and then they stopped being effective after the 2nd or third increase.

The only downside is I have been taking it that long that now I know within about 4 hours if I have forgotten to take my tablet. I get a woozy head feeling and feel nauseas. I definitely cannot miss a dose and on the odd occasion I accidentally run out (doesn't happen anymore now new drs are sorted with the script), I have had to get a script from the emergency dr rather than waiting a day or two which I could do on all the others I had.

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Arthritica · 20/01/2020 17:35

Like minisok I know exactly when I haven’t taken it, I get dizzy and feel sick.

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Bansku19 · 20/01/2020 17:38

I was on 550mg but it didn't do anything.

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 17:51

I'm only on 75mg and diazepam and trazodone feel slightly sick since taking it I'm praying this works to lift my mood xx

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granadagirl · 20/01/2020 18:15

I’m on it, I started on 37.5mg now on 225mg
I’ve never forgotten, as it the first thing I do when getting up put tablets out with glass water.
Think I’d say is, take it with food, toast, cereal or even biscuits if you can’t eat first thing
I can’t so have mine around 10.30 when I’m ready to eat. I can’t really remember starting it, as it was 8 years ago and I was really bad with depression and anxiety couldn’t eat/sleep. But I know it took a while, but everyone is different

Glad you’ve got some diazepam to see you through with start up

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granadagirl · 20/01/2020 18:19

Oh are you on Effexor capsules or generic version (cheaper) I m on Effexor, but I don’t think they issue these if they can get away with it to expensive! My practice tried with me, I told them I can’t take the others they make me sick👍

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 18:28

I'm on slow release had a breakdown over Christmas due to coming of a contraceptive pill and now been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety just wish I could see the light at the end of the tunnel xx

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jayde28 · 20/01/2020 18:30

Hey I started 75mg modified release at the end of August due to hitting the lowest point in my life I could ever imagine. These tablets have honestly been a life saver. The first few weeks I had nausea when taking them and loss of appetite but now I feel so much more level.
I had tried settaline before on different does with no effect.
Second what PP said that if I miss a dose I feel sick and dizzy. X

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eyeswideshit · 20/01/2020 18:32

I love it but you definitely know if you've forgotten to take it. I'm just worried about coming off it, but I'll deal with that when I come to it.

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Bansku19 · 20/01/2020 18:44

Coming off Effexor was awful. I could easily get from 550mg to 37.5mg but to zero from that was horrendous. I tried four times and finally I was put on trazodone simultaneously and managed to stop Effexor without any effects. I had to stop trazodone but no withdrawal.

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Grumpbum123 · 20/01/2020 18:45

I’m on 375mg plus 500mg Quetiapine it’s kept me just about alive

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 18:58

Jayde28 when did you notice they had started working xx

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jayde28 · 20/01/2020 19:05

I would say 10-14 days it didn't seem so hopeless anymore. But a little longer to fully kick in. After a while I felt genuinely happy again which I hadn't done in a very long time. Have they offered you any cbt or talking therapy alongside the medication?

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 19:33

I see a psychiatrist too... and I will be doing talking therapies having took my first pill a few hours ago I feel my legs feel restless like there dead did you have this also feel quite dizzy xx

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granadagirl · 20/01/2020 20:19

What time of day are you taking them
Most either do AM or PM

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granadagirl · 20/01/2020 20:19

Before bed

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 20:27

I just got them today and was told one to take one as soon as I got the prescription which was 3 and then take in the morning xx

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Arielle83 · 20/01/2020 20:27

I take trazodone before bed xx

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MmeBufo · 20/01/2020 20:42

They saved my life. No exaggeration.

TBH I found them hard work to start, it was a long time ago but I remember awful dizziness and brain zaps too. Much more difficult than SSRIs but utterly worth it. Rest up and relax as much as you can, it gets better (mentally, and in terms of side effects) really quite quickly.

Venlafaxine has a very short half-life, even the slow release version, so it’s hugely important to take it at the same time each day (as close to exact as possible). Late doses always gave me almost immediate side effects.

Coming off it was tough too. You’ll cross that bridge when you come to it. Persevere, it’ll all be worth it in a couple of weeks time Flowers

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lookingatthepast · 20/01/2020 20:44

I took these many years ago for severe post natal depression. Be aware they can cause quite severe palpitations. They did with me and I had to take a beta blocker alongside them. I was on 225mg daily. They are very vey difficult to get off of once started. The dose needs tapering slowly. The withdrawal if you miss a dose is hideous. Google brain shakes. I used to have these and it was hellish. Took me almost 2 years to completely get off of them. Binge eating is also a huge side effect (I put on about 4 stone )

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NorthEndGal · 20/01/2020 20:48

I am on it, I am using it in combination with dbt and counseling, and so far it has been the most effective for stopping intrusive thoughts and self harm urges.

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MmeBufo · 20/01/2020 20:55

I got distracted half way through typing and x-posted.

IME having taken the very first dose at 3am, I’d take the next one 26 hours after (so, 5am). The next 26 hours after again (so 7am), until you arrive at a morning dose time that suits you. It’d help keep the side effects to a minimum.

In any case, it’d be best not to jump from a 3am dose to, say, a 9am dose. You want the drug levels to be as stable as possible, as soon as possible. It’s all about that short half life.

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MmeBufo · 20/01/2020 21:34

Eek. Got that totally upside downHmm Sorry.

Was 3pm, I now see.

I’d still move the dose time in stages though. Say, next dose after 21 hours (at 12 noon) then again after another 21 hours, taking you to a 9am dose time. You don’t want a jump of 6 or so hours in dose time, not now or later.

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emmetgirl · 20/01/2020 21:40

Venlafaxine saved my life.

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combatbarbie · 20/01/2020 22:43

Saved me too.... Takes a week or so to start feeling the benefits and during that time you may sink lower but keep with it.... After about 3 weeks you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.


I was on 300mg for 2yrs and now down to 225....tried 175mg but it was too much so back up again. I also echo about forgetting..... I ran out on a BH weekend....i felt suicidal on withdrawal on 3rd day, not saying it to scare you, just to make you remember to take them if your dose is upped.

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