Doctor insisting I change AD - scared

[scarecrow22]

I have been taking Venlafaxine (150mg) for about two years after significant breakdown. Prior to that I had had what in retrospect were depressive episodes since I was a teenager, including much of the previous ten years.
The slow release Venlafaxine works fantastically if I take it at approx the same time every day, which I mostly do. My GP under pressure from the PCT is now insisting I switch to another form: I would take two doses a day, with no slow release. the reason is to save money, I think £85 a month.
Because I get low and negative very quickly if the meds are not so carefully spaced I am really scared of this. I have tried to protest, especially as I am about to go back to work after dd1, and am still BF. But GP is insisting.
Has anybody been in this position? Can you advise me how to stop them making me do this, at least until work and BF are sorted? Or can you reassure me it will be fine?
I struggled alone with this for so long I can't bear the thought of going backwards again, but will listen to reassurance...
Thankyou.

Hi Scarecrow, how ru doing today? U sound a bit more hopeful?
I came off Venlafaxine cos they never really worked for me (took me 8 years to realise this!) and went onto Prozac which has been a thousand times better and life changing. I hope that Venlafaxine is working ok for u. Took me ages to realise that the first/second/third AD u try might not be the one that is going to work for u, and that with the right one, eventually, most people can actually have a happy life and feel 'normal' like everyone else. It's just a matter of finding that one!

It was hard to even think of changing but after 8 years I still felt like crap so I figured I had to try something. Luckily I found Prozac! I think I'll be on it for life as well like u, but doesn't really bother me. The benefits hugely outweigh any negatives.
I hope u manage to get things sorted and stay strong. x

StickyG - v glad for you you found st that works well. My first attempt at AD made me much worse - in retrospect a good thing because if had not been so obvious might have taken much longer to switch, plus I think it helped them understand me better. I feel like you do about Prozac about my Venlafaxine - I feel like I think I should: my normal! I am a big fan of normal now. Well done you for taking on huge task of switch, so pleased it worked. Thanks too for sharing and support - I don't know others on RL on ADs, but several people who don't really approve of them...all of whom I happily ignore!