Venlafaxine

[Irishoneybun1]

I would really welcome any people's comments on Venlafaxine. I have had such trouble sleeping and relaxing lately and have quite a few other meds I need to take for different conditions so adding what sounds like quite a powerful drug to my current regime is something I want to discuss with my husband. My doctor recommended it as he thinks it will work (2 x 37.5mg) Really like to hear from anyone who can tell me their experience - many thanks

I think venlafaxine generally gets a bad rap online because some people don't seem to tolerate it well and have bad side effects. However for others it can be very effective with few side effects.

I was prescribed it in the past when fluoxetine and citalopram hadn't had any effect and it worked incredibly well for me, I echo what others have said about life changing. The only side effect I had was sweating a lot more than usual. A friend of mine however felt dreadful on it, anxious and manic.

When stopping taking it, it is more complex than other antidepressants in that you will need to reduce your dose slowly otherwise you will feel unwell. You do need to make sure you take it at the same time every day, and make sure you don't suddenly run out! Also you will need to keep an eye on your blood pressure (your GP can do this or you can do so if you get a blood pressure moniter) as high blood pressure can be a side effect.

Have you tried other antidepressants?

@Irishoneybun1 I wouldn't do that it's too close together I can only imagine how you'd feel!
How about take your next one early tomorrow morning say 8am then start a fresh.
I have an alarm set I'm terrified of missing a dose or taking late so I take at 10am every day religiously xx

@soberfabulous how was it life changing please can you provide examples of how you was before and after taking Venlafaxine?

Did absolutely nothing for weight loss.
Withdrawal side effects HORRENDOUS - or even if you’re late taking a tablet/ waiting for a prescription.
I would try other avenues before this.

So just one tiny question re times to take Venlafaxine? I suffer with insomnia so always awake from 6am onwards. I have been taking first pill of the day around then and the second one after our evening meal around 7pm. Is that too long between pills please?

I've tried various antidepressants over the years and gave up with most of them as they made me feel too numb. Venlafaxine has been brilliant however. I've been on 150mg a day for about 4 years now. I don't actually remember what the initial side effects were which just shows they weren't that dramatic (unlike with sertraline which made me vomit for a week). I can't comment on what it's like to come off venlafaxine as I have never tried and don't intend to as it has worked so well for me. I certainly don't think of it as any more powerful than any other antidepressant.

I haven't had any weight gain and the only side effects now are waking up very early and feeling a bit odd if I don't eat enough during the day. I like eating so don't mind this! I also get random moments of drowsiness that last a few minutes but it's not a big deal. I tried to go above 150mg but couldn't sleep at all on a higher dose.

I'm glad I didn't let all the bad stories on the internet put me off trying it - it really has been a huge positive for me.

I should say, I always take my dose in the mornings or else it disrupts my sleep. If I don't take my pill at the usual time I can go about 3 or 4 hours before I start to feel light headed and odd and then a bit ill. It's definitely not a pill you can skip or run out of.

I've been on this for years. It's worked better for me than any other antidepressant and God have I tried nearly all. The nausea when you first start is quite horrible, I had to force myself to eat and lost a little bit of weight. I would rather not be on pills but then again venlafaxine definitely helps.

[quote PrettySad]@soberfabulous how was it life changing please can you provide examples of how you was before and after taking Venlafaxine? [/quote]
It basically made me feel normal after a lot of anxiety and negative self talk. I also used to have paralyzing panic attacks when I was driving. It basically allowed me to live my life again.

I take 300mg a day and also quetiapine as a mood stabiliser. It’s been the best anti depressant I’ve tried and I no longer feel suicidal the whole time and I have stopped self harming and I know I feel less anxious. I take it in the morning with food. I don’t remember the nausea from when I first started taking it, but it did make me more anxious (considerably) to start with. If I forget the dose, I know by about 6pm as all the worthless feelings return.

I am on day 5 now of commencing Venlafaxine and had my worst day yresterday re feeling sick and upset stomach. I am prepared to keep going but just wondering how long the nausea lasts? Also I was told it would not be good for me to drive which I find very inconvenient as we live in a rural area, but note someone on here drives? Bit confused any ideas anyone please? Thanks

@Irishoneybun1 today is my 16th day taking it, my nausea left around the 2nd week so about 7-9 days in.
I drive and was worried about the impact the drug would have, I went for a drive with my partner for support, I hadn't driven for sometime due to my anxiety anyway but I was fine, no worse than I usually am lol! Xx

Ooooh I’ve been on them all. Ven is my current one and one of the best. Life changing really.

The smoothest transition I’ve ever had. No suiciadality ( citalioram) no anger ( sertraline), no increased anxiety ( imipramine, agomelatine, Trazadone).

Just feel good tempered, relaxed and calm. And full of benevolence and joie de vivre.

I thought I’d NEVER find one that worked. And then l tried this, and it was like serendipity. I love it and it loves me!

A general question, I have been splitting my dose, there's 6 tiny tablets in each of my 75mg capsules, I open it up take 3 out and then close and swallow, obviously I am then left with a surplus of tiny tablets without a capsule, does anyone know if I can take these without a capsule as in just swallow the little pills OR is it the capsule that makes them extended release?