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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To please give me your experience of Venlafaxine

67 replies

Neonprint · 22/04/2021 09:44

I have recently started taking venlafaxine. I was prescribed 37.5 mg once per day to increase to 75mg. I felt fine on the lower dose anxiety wise although had some withdrawal /change symptoms.

So much so I just started taking half a 37.5mg tablet per day. But I was becoming irritable and overwhelmed. So I thought I'd go back to 37.5mg yesterday. Unfortunately last nighti had the worst nights sleep of my life. I'm exhausted today I got maybe 3hrs. Also the higher dose makes me constipated, make me nauseated and kills my sex drive. So feels like it's a choice of be irritable of have the other crap. But might it get better?

Anyway I'm posting to ask about others experience of venlafaxine. Particularly dose related. I've got an appointment with my GP on Monday. But just want to hear from others with actual experience. Did your side effects get better in time? Particularly any insomnia. As I can't function on this much sleep.

OP posts:

WhiskyIrnBru · 26/04/2021 20:35

Venlafaxine really, really worked for me. I started a few years ago then came off and it really helped me kick start feeling good, eating better, losing weight etc.

I then went on a second time after breastfeeding but didn't feel the effects as greatly 2nd time round. It

I don't remember many side effects while starting. However I've recently had to come off them (pregnancy) and I had a few days of brain zaps and generally feeling a bit crap. Nothing too severe, I tried to nap through the worst of it.

I do think drug side effects are so personal to each person and you will get some people who it really impacts more than others.

islysmum · 26/04/2021 20:36

I've been on venlafaxine for years, am currently coming off it and have just lowered my dose to 37.5mg. I found for one to two weeks I'd get side effects, sore head, nausea, brain zaps etc if I done it too quick. I've dropped 37.5mg at a time and only had the odd headache and feelin tired. Venlafaxine has been a lifesaver for me I would give them a couple of weeks to settle and if your still getting them speak to your doc

WhiskyIrnBru · 26/04/2021 20:37

Also, I'd describe brain zaps as similar to if you accidentally get tin foil on your filling. Except in your head! Unpleasant but lasting less than a second

Condenast · 26/04/2021 20:38

75mg
It was horrible
Like a forced high
Wanted something to calm me down, this completely hyped me up.
Advice on here was to stick with it, so I did for 7 weeks.
I halved the dose to come off it, withdrawal was fine.

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 26/04/2021 20:39

The first and only anti depressant I've ever been on -helped me actual function when I left the house. I've currently been on the highest dose for 2 years.
In the 4 years I've been taking it I've only ran out once but those 2 days in between prescriptions were some of the worst of my life, I actually contemplated jumping from my flat window the symptoms were so bad

bombis · 26/04/2021 20:46

I was on 550mg years ago. I didn't get any side effects but it didn't help me either. The withdrawal was horrendous.

Maggiesfarm · 26/04/2021 23:01

I would have thought nobody should be on antidepressants indefinitely. Surely after a time they are gradually tailed off.

KateF · 27/04/2021 12:42

I'm another one who would say it saved my life (together with ECT). I've been on 300mg SR for three years and no plans to come off it as it allows me to work, sleep, function like a normal person. I have gradually come off mirtazapine and olanzapine but venlafaxine is not one to tinker with due to the horrendous withdrawal symptoms I experienced when I ran out once.

ConcreteUnderpants · 12/09/2023 11:48

@Emma0781 thats interesting as it made me put on weight! So pleased you are feeling better.

Marshall69 · 04/10/2023 14:55

Hi I have been on venlafaxine for 6months 300mg . I have had severe anxiety, I was wondering did you find it helped gradually. I seem to have anxiety in my tummy still and anxious thoughts

ConcreteUnderpants · 07/10/2023 20:34

@Marshall69 i take pregabalin as well, which I think helps with anxiety more than the V does.

sophiasnail · 07/10/2023 22:46

I was on 150mg a day,modified release, (which is a particularly high dose, by a psychiatrist) and got horrendous side effects if I was even an hour late with my dose. To wean myself off it I ended up emptying the capsules and counting the tiny granules, because the side effects, which were vomitting and dizziness, could only be kept at bay by reducing the dose 1 grain at once.

I am now on fluoxetine instead which has been equally effective but no side effects.

sophiasnail · 07/10/2023 22:49

That should have said twice a day (300mg in total)

Marshall69 · 08/10/2023 08:30

Hi
I think it's starting to settle now . I was told it could take 6 months

Iamcloey · 08/10/2023 08:33

The withdrawal is awful. I don't know what I'll do if I ever start to come off it. But for my depression it's been amazing. I had been on lots of different antidepressants over the last 10 years and it's the only one that's made a difference.

Marshall69 · 08/10/2023 09:45

I've been on v for just over 6 months for anxiety with propanol. I think it's starting to help now but it's so gradual . I was told it can take a while.

Marshall69 · 08/10/2023 09:48

Hi I've been on venlafaxine for just over 6 months. Yes it's starting to help now . I Donhave as many negative thoughts still have some anxiety. I have been told it's a gradual process x did you find this

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