Anyone have success taking venlafaxine?

[Frightenedofdverything]

I’ve had a shit few weeks triggered by something silly, but I can’t stop the anxiety.

I am pacing all day, unable to leave the house, bursting into tears at random times, muscle spasms in my legs that make them kick out, panic attacks, throwing up, nauseous, intrusive thoughts. I am so desperate and feel defeated. I have to take sleeping tablets at night and benzodiazepines (prescribed) in the day. It’s torture just waiting for a time to be knocked out from the world so I don’t feel like I’m losing my mind. I can’t concentrate on anything, feel disconnected from everyone. I just feel beyond tired, beyond sad.

My parents are trying to look after me but they don’t know what to do with me anymore and I feel like a massive burden.

Been given 75mg venlafaxine and have read horror stories that it makes anxiety worse the first few days. I honestly can’t cope with that. I was close to attending A&E this weekend because my anxiety was out of control. I just want something that sedates me :(

Can anyone help?

It’s worth it for taking short term. You’ll have a week or two before it kicks in, and then maybe one or two bad days which, if you’re already circling the drain, won’t be worse than how you’re currently feeling.

they don’t make you magically better, but they do take the edge off.

Venlafex is fine, the only trouble is that they’re hard to come off. Not addictive - just rotten side effects like mild vertigo, brain zaps and teeth grinding, even if you miss your dose by a few hours.

If you’re very concerned, consider asking your GP/prescriber to half the dose. The starting dose is generally 37.5 and working up to 75.

I have been on Venlafaxine for years. It is the only anti depressant which doesn't make me pile on weight and actually makes me reasonably stable.
I couldn't live without it. Please give it a go OP. And feel free to PM me if you wish.

I've taken it for years and it really suits me. I take it morning and night and can't really delay a dose for long, but it really makes me feel far more like me.

It saved my life, the first few weeks are tough though. I've been on the highest dose for about three years and it allows me to live me to without crushing anxiety.

Warning though- don't try to wean yourself off or miss a dose, I had to wait two days for a prescription once and I was projectile vomiting and couldn't walk up the stairs with awful vertigo

I'm sorry you are feeling so desperate, I know all of those symptoms so well and wouldn't wish them even on my worst enemy.

I'll be honest, venlafaxine only takes the edge off for me BUT they might help you more and at this point, isn't that worth a go? I certainly didn't find my anxiety worse, and even that slightest improvement was a victory!

I'm on the slow release version which supposedly helps if you have a bit of play in when you might take them.

I started taking it recently, felt better than I have done in a year. No bad side effects unlike othee ADs I've tried.

I take 337.5mg a day and feel very content with life generally!! If I get low or anxious the Venlafaxine soon kicks in and 'lifts' me back up!

I think it's worth taking definitely, it saved my life.

I’m on to my 3rd day of it. It sat in the box for a couple of weeks while I wreaked my brain wondering should I take it or not. But after a horrendous weekend I thought it was worth a try. Good luck OP 💐