Venlaflaxine - scared to start but think I will

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I've had a prescription for Venlaflaxine for a while now but been too scared to take it. However I think I probably should and I hope it will do me good. Any positive or negative stories to share before I take plunge?
How long were you on them for? How did it help? Or not?
Thanks

Long time lurker here, first time poster. I have been on a therapeutic dose of Venlafaxine for years. I have tried so many different meds but this is the one that keeps me stable, I have no intention of coming off them. I take them twice a day, one after breakfast, one after dinner.

It's been a miracle drug for me. I'm only on 75mg even though my psychiatrist thought I'd need more.

I've been on a lot of different medications over the years (as wellas long periods without) - amytryptaline, Prozac, Seroxat, Sertraline and quetiapine - all helped except Seroxat - but since I've been on Venlafaxine I feel WELL for the first time.

It took me about three weeks to get through the initial side effects with nausea being the worst.

I'm on it argh. First dose last night and felt v weird. Not much sleep at all. At work today and tomorrow so that's going to be interesting!!
Feel positive I am doing something though. Cross fingers it helps me.

I was taking Venlafaxine for severe anxiety and depression and found it amazing, I noticed an improvement after about a week. I was on 150mg and it was perfect for me. Unfortunately I had to stop taking it as I became pregnant and the withdrawal made me very sick and shivery - however, apart from that they were perfect. And you don't need to worry about the withdrawal at this stage anyway!

Good luck, I hope they help you.

Update - might be helpful for others who find this thread. Day 4. Still feel v weird but carrying on and hoping it gets better soon. Absolutely knackered but struggle to sleep, brain dead, struggle to form sentences, don't want to talk to anyone, vary between feeling very relaxed and anxious. Main thing is I seem to have lost brain power!! And my appetite.