Changing antidepressant from Venlafaxine

[SheilaWilcox]

I've been on Venlafaxine for 10+ yrs apart from when I was pregnant.

Much as I don't have many side-effects as such, after reading on here how well anti-depressants work for some people, I'm beginning to think I need something else.
I need lots of sleep, but struggle to relax (it's now gone 4am!) so once I drift off, if no alarm set I can easily do 12-15 hours if not disturbed.
Whenever I talk to my GP about the constant tiredness, he says its the depression.
I also don't enjoy anything. I can find things 'pleasant' and not shit, but don't think I ever really 'enjoy' anything.
I'm also at my heaviest weight ever and really struggle to lose weight, although this is more than likely vitamin defienciencies and my hypothyroidism.

I think it really affects how I parent.

Wondering if a different anti-depressant might help?

I know Venlafaxine is one of the worst to come off and needs tapering slowly, so this scares me.
Would appreciate any experience sharing.

I just want to have an idea of what to discuss with my doctor, who is nice enough, but doesn't seem that 'up' on mental health options.

I am reducing dose , just went from 100 to 75 mg , because I was having crazy sweats.
I had a few headaches, and I been more tired, but so far it has been ok

Omg OP I'm glad you posted. I'm on 225mg 😳
I can sleep for 16 hours sometimes
I think I'll have a review too
This is scary
I think I've been on this dosage for about 2 years. My brother was terminally ill and GP just raised the dosage as I was in bits

@Monty27 sorry about your brother

It's so hard isn't it. The doctors really do have your life in their hands.

I'm also on 225 and could sleep for Scotland! I'm on some other drowsy medication as well.

But I get real enjoyment out of things since the dose went up. Genuinely laughing at the children's jokes etc. I am also starting to lose the weight I gained on it, as I'm feeling so positive.

If you're not getting a great response then it might be time for a change. I was on sertraline for 16 years and it eventually just stopped working, as they sometimes do.

I'm on 150mg
I wonder if I'm not on enough or if I need to try something different?

I can get through most days and function without many people noticing anything is wrong. I'm rarely suicidal these days, mainly because of what it would do to DD.

This doesn't 't feel like 'living' though, just existing. Not sure if my expectations of life are too high and my life is just a bit shit, or if medication would help!

The thing with a lot of antidepressants is that they can mop up the worst feelings, but they flatten everything, hence not feeling joy either.

I found prozac to be more joy giving, but it actually made me too high, so something to be aware of there.

Maybe see how you feel if you start to reduce it? Then you have the option to come off it altogether or to switch to something else.

If your GP isn't helpful, is a private psychiatrist an option? Even just one session would give you scope to discuss different medication and treatment options, and they can write to your GP with recommendations. The GP doesn't have to prescribe what they suggest, but they're more likely to than with just your word.

I also don't enjoy anything. I can find things 'pleasant' and not shit, but don't think I ever really 'enjoy' anything.
I had the same with Venlafaxine. I was on 375mg at 19 as they didn't make much difference until 300mg though. I'd tried a few different SSRIs but couldn't handle the agitation and anxiety to get past the first few weeks. I came off venlafaxine overnight as I just decided I'd had enough of feeling nothing. It was scary, I had vertigo and brain zaps, so I'd recommend stepping down more gradually!

[quote SheilaWilcox]@Monty27 sorry about your brother

It's so hard isn't it. The doctors really do have your life in their hands.[/quote]
Thank you my heart broke
Moving on I've decided to start reducing
@kowari that was brave. I hope you feel better

@kowarithat was brave. I hope you feel better
Don't know about brave, I was just 19 and had had enough of it all. In my thirties now. I'm glad I know what doesn't work for me so I'm not going through it now at least.

Just checking in and seeing how all of you are doing.

Lockdown in these 'grey' months is hard isn't it?