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Original poster

venlafaxine, just started help

51 replies

Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 19:18

I've just started taking venlafaxine and I'm feeling shocking. No sleep last night.Cotton wool head, actually feel like I'm on something. Legs just want to stretch and move. Very nauseous. Pins and needles through my head. It's only dose 2. Can anyone advise if they had this and it straightened out.
I've been so reluctant to take anything but it got to a point I needed to admit how bad it was. Called doc today and he said ride it out a bit longer but I'm a proper space cadet in my meetings today I actually stumbled through my work day and probably fucked up a million things.

OP posts:
Televisiontelevision · 09/08/2016 19:29

Hey Blar Flowers

Sorry that you are not feeling at all well. I remember from my days in pharmacy that some and sometimes all of the side effects wear off after a while. Your gp is right to say to ride it out for two weeks, although it's easier said than done.

I remember speaking to customers who took venlafaxine and were doing fantastically on it. There are some side effects that you shouldn't ignore and those are listed on the patient information leaflet. I don't know what they are off the top of my head. If you have spoken to your gp already, they sound confident that you aren't having any of these.

I hope you feel better soon. I hope someone else will be along to tell you about their personal experience.

SheSparkles · 09/08/2016 19:33

I've been on venlafaxine for a long time and it was utterly hellish when I started on it and every time I had my dosage increased-just like you say, totally spaced out. I can't temember how long it lasted each time, but it was definitely less than a week, and each increase in dose was less bad than the previous. It's been a lifesaver for me, try to stick it out...if you have to have your dose increased, try to time it so that the first couple of doses are taken on a weekend (or whatever you days off from work are)

wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 19:34

morning!
I take venlafaxine and it is wonderful. Yes, the initial stages are very weird. I actually ran out a few weeks ago, and as I was changing jobs I had to wait for my new health insurance to kick in.
I felt so odd when I started taking it again. Like my blood was fizzy, my head was swimming and the awful pins and needles. The side effects last less than a week. It is so worth it, I promise you.

Feel free to message me if you need more info, but do try to keep with it x

GinandTits · 09/08/2016 19:35

I took 2 weeks to feel normal. Felt pretty similar to you tbh and was tempted to give up. Hold on in there. Flowers

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:31

Ok that's all very encouraging thank you so much. I'm grinding my jaw it's all awful but I'm really hopeful that this will help.
I've completely lost myself this past three months I'm so utterly exhausted and I've been having tests for everything until I finally admitted how bad it was.
Will I need to increase my dose?

OP posts:
wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:33

Is possible. See how you feel on your current dose, and your doctor will be able to go through it with you. If you do have to, you do. People are fully functional on even the highest dose, so don't worry about that.

What dose are you on now?

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:34

Other questions, haven't taken meds since I was a teenager and they were awful I was a complete numb zombie.
Do you just feel back to normal on this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:34

75mgs daily.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:35

I'm 40 now so a wee while ago now.

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wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:37

ok, same as me. A low dose.
And yes, totally back to normal. I cry. I giggle. I get angry. Get PMT. Don't worry, its not like the old days. I remember the zombie ness well.
Just give it time, it will only get easier.
May I ask why you are taking it? depression?

wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:37

ha I'm 41.

drigon · 09/08/2016 20:42

Yes, taken these for 16 years, off and on, and I did feel very strange initially. I found a very long walk helped to zonk me out. Also, take them in the morning if you're not already. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:42

Ive been struggling since Christmas really I felt I was slipping but the last three months I can't think straight, exhausted, cry all the time, fantasising about driving into trees. It's just got shit. Shout at kids want to kill DH. All out of character. Had depression with both kids but not this bad and stopped on my return to work. This time it's not stopping.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:43

I started in the eve should I decrease the time everyday til it's morning?

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Ellieboolou27 · 09/08/2016 20:43

I take sertraline 100mg for pnd, after my first born I was put on venlaflaxie as others didn't seem to help, I hated it, very much like the symptoms you describe, after about ten days I went back to doc as felt so bad on it, he gave me sertraline and apart from strange dreams and a little spaced for the first few days, it now works a treat! Give it a few weeks but if symptoms don't improve go back to doctors. I couldn't handle the shakes and pins and needles it gave me.

wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:44

Do you take the extended release ones or the regular ones?

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:46

Extended release. What's the difference?

Thanks Ellie I will.

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wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:48

the Extended release let all the drug out over the course of one day. The regular pills you generally take morning and evening, which spaces out the dose.

I only ask because I started on regular and taking twice a day was annoying.

OldFarticus · 09/08/2016 20:49

It takes some getting used to but I found its the most effective one for me. I worked slowly up to 150mg a day and felt MUCH better. Did you start on 37.5mg? I am on that dose now because of pregnancy so that strength is available if you are really struggling. Like others I found the side effects hard but also very quick to dissipate.

Good luck OP and hang in there Flowers

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 20:51

I'm not good a remembering it's such a big commitment iyswim but I'm hoping so much that it gives me some relief.
It's so reassuring to hear it's helped you

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Natsku · 09/08/2016 20:54

Definitely take it in the morning rather than the evening. Hang in there and that zombie-like feeling will disappear and you'll just feel "normal". I think it took about a week and a half for me to feel normal when I first started taking them, and less than a week when I doubled the dose.

Make sure that you never run out of pills though (get your next prescription in before your old one runs out - I usually renew my prescription with at least a week's worth of pills left) as withdrawal is hell.

wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 20:55

I understand. I keep mine in my handbag, as chances of remembering in the morning at home are low.

Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 21:06

The doctor was VERY vague when I asked about coming off. How long for?
I will try change time I take them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blarblarblar · 09/08/2016 21:07

Yup I've got DH on pill watch but when I change time handbag is a good idea.

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wheresmybloodygreencard · 09/08/2016 21:09

Coming off them in a tapered way is fine, its when you run out and go cold turkey thats hard. Just the way you are feeling right now :)