Effexor XL/venlafaxine - experiences and reassurance!

[HelloMist]

I've read some old threads about Efexor but still wanted some reassurance or experiences if possible. The threads make me nervous to start it!

I know everyone reacts differently though. I've taken citalopram and mirtazapine (nearly 10 years ago). I got on ok with the second but not the first. This time it's more for anxiety than depression (I have a BFRD, body focused repetitive disorder - picking).

I've got something I'm nervous about tomorrow so going to wait until after that to start Efexor (so no side effects). I've also recently started the combined pill on a temporary basis, feel like I won't be myself for the next few months. worried it might affect family visits next month. But hopefully I'll see an improvement after any initial side effects. The idea of withdrawal from a missed dose scares me!

Booked in for possible talk therapy too but there's a wait of a few weeks even for the first consultation call.

Thanks for reading

Anyone? DH is very against me taking them.

I've taken venlafaxine for four years
It helps me
If I forget a dose ...rare ...I do get a odd feeling and I know I have ...I keep a few spares in school with the office..I'm a TA

I take 225 mg a day..with breakfast and evening meal

I take them, they've given me my life back. I now work full time when I wouldn't have been able to work at all a couple of years ago. I take 300mg slow release every morning. Why is your husband against you taking them?

Venlafaxine got me out of a very black hole. I'm not on it anymore as I've subsequently had diagnosis of bipolar but I would try them. The only thing I'd say is when you do come off them do it really really really slowly.

Best drug ever, I now have a life and am a relatively normal person.

Venlafaxine worked very well and helped my mood a lot.

The downsides were:

• "Brain zap" sensations - not quite as scary as they sound, but a little tingle every now and again which was a bit unpleasant.

• Short half-life - this means that it is very difficult to come off it.

When I came off I had to reduce my dose very, very slowly, due to the amount of withdrawal symptoms and side effects. It is much harder to come off than most SSRI's (which tend to have a longer half life) so you need to be prepared for that.

• Not recommended to take during pregnancy so consider if that is an issue for you, even if you have plans for the future but not right now, you will need to come off it before TTC.

I took it in pregnancy not intentionally. It was unplanned and I'd just come out of a major depressive episode. My psychiatrist tried to reduce it but I kept getting low again. When my dd was born she was 5lbs at 37 weeks and kept having breathing difficulties and kept having mini seizures. It was awful. So I def don't recommend it in pregnancy.

Thank you, replies really appreciated! They give me a bit more confidence this is the right thing to try. I'm glad to hear it's helped a lot of you.

@nancywhitehead weaning off slowly does worry me, but I suppose as long as I am aware and GP is guiding me it should be manageable.

Thank you for the warnings about pregnancy/TTC. @Stuffragette I hope DD is well now if time has passed since then, I'm sorry to hear it.

@GlitchStitch he just seems set against it, I've tried to explain to him "if it was any other health problem you'd take the medicine/follow treatment". He thinks it'll end up long term and hinder my role as a mum/daily life. Hopefully (after side effects settle, if they do) it'll just give me a cushion/basis for improving from, make things seem a bit less overwhelming.

Generally in the day I handle what's thrown at me, but evenings I feel anxious either about what's coming up or worked up from all the "handling it" and find it hard to properly relax. Have already been doing other things like exercise, gardening to try and relax. DH says I need to get off my phone (I doom scroll Corona boards here or was checking vaccine bookings repeatedly!). It's not as easy as simply stopping sometimes though. I'm a worrier.

It saved my life x

Agree with others - it’s done wonders for me where other ADs didn’t quite hit the spot. I’ve been on various ADs for 15ish years and venlafaxine is the most effective in terms of reducing or eliminating both depressive and anxious symptoms.

The main side effects I had were extreme nausea for the first couple of weeks and yes, if I forget one I do get the brain zaps but it’s a good reminder to take them as it tells me I’ve missed one.

Your DH’s attitude is very problematic. “Hinder your role as a mum” indeed. His role as a husband and dad should be to support you and take an active equal role in parenting! I’ll probably be on them for the rest of my life, why does he take issue if that was the case for you? If anything they’ll allow you to function normally rather than hinder anything! But even if you did have difficulties he should be thinking about where he needs to step up, not trying to scare you off them

This was prescribed to me by a psychiatric team after my GP persuaded me to be referred. Been on various different meds on and off for years and my GP wanted a more experienced opinion.
It has been a game changer for me , even at a pretty low dose . Minimumal side effects for me and almost immediate positive results within a few weeks.

I did occasionally forget but only problem was disturbed sleep. I believe they are hard to come off but as I do not intend to ever do so , I don't care.
Appreciate your DH concern but ultimately it is up to you and your GP .

I'm on 225mg and it's a ife saver for me.

"Your DH’s attitude is very problematic. “Hinder your role as a mum” indeed. His role as a husband and dad should be to support you"

This is very true. You need a little team behind you cheering you on. If anything depression is a bigger hindrance than taking prescribed medication. If it doesn't work for you you can stop and try a different medication. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the right meds for you.

I suffered terrible depression when my dc were little. I wish so much I'd sort help sooner. You will be and I'm sure you already are a great mum. But you deserve to feel better, even just for yourself

Hi there, I just wanted to tell you not to worry about the side effects too much. It’s often prescribed because it has the least impact in terms of effects. I didn’t get on with anything I tried, all made me suicidal but I’m on my 5th day of venlafaxine and don’t feel much different. Only very tried! Xx

It has worked very well for me. Unusually I think from other threads it makes me an insomniac. I will really know if I miss a dose. I’ve cut right down but can’t come off, but the doctor isn’t really worried about it.

Best drug ever op. Get it down you!

@staringstepan got one down me now with a side of fish and chips!

@PollyPocket245 thank you, hadn't heard that. I hope this is the one for you!

I started Effexor just over 2 weeks ago. My perinatal doctor prescribed them for my PND & severe anxiety. I was on fluoxetine but it wasn't working well for me, so bad to taper off before starting this one. I'm currently on 75mg of Effexor & it does seem to be helping. At around day 3-5, I felt really emotional & I've been feeling quite tired (that could also be down to having a hyperactive 4 year old & a 16 week old!), but other than that, no other side effects. Still having the odd day where the anxiety is lurking in the back ground, but guessing it's still early days. I've got a review with the doctor in 4 weeks' time, so we might decide to increase my dose then, depending on how things have been.

Good luck op - hope they work for you too xx

*had not bad. Can tell it's early! xx

@rjh83 glad it seems to be helping! Thanks for posting.

I didn't get a very good night's sleep first night and felt tired and quite nauseous all morning, lower appetite. I feel OK nnow though. It's only day 1, hoping I'll adjust and not feel worse.

@Blowingagale thanks, sorry I didn't acknowledge your reply. I found it hard to fall asleep last night but have been ready to fall asleep during the day a few times.

@PollyPocket245 @rjh83 how are you feeling?

@Stuffragette thank you, you are right. DH has been funny with me for a few days but I'm hoping he's coming round now. I know it's my health and my decision. I do need his support though, thankful the replies here have been cheering me on at the beginning! I don't feel ready to tell anyone else in RL yet.

How you getting on with the medication @HelloMist? Hope it's all ok.

@HelloMist I'm not too bad thank you. Felt a bit rubbish over the weekend but been feeling a bit better again since Monday. How are you doing? My almost 5 year old finished reception class y'day so I now have him home for 7 weeks - it's going to be hard to keep him entertained (he's constantly on the go!) but I'm not feeling too anxious about it, so they must be helping a bit xx

Best one ever, minimal side effects.

Ive been on them all….. most l can’t tolerate due to side effects.