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Original poster

Effexor XL/venlafaxine - experiences and reassurance!

52 replies

HelloMist · 15/07/2021 19:47

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. Confused 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 Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloMist · 21/07/2021 15:11

What time of day do you/did you take venlafaxine? I'm struggling with tiredness - it's worst morning to lunch. Just wondering if taking it in the morning rather than evening might help? I've taken it at 7-9pm and then felt tired enough for bed a few hours later, so I'm not sure whether taking it in the AM would knock me out. Confused and would the best way to try be to first try taking it at midnight or something first? Then morning next. (So it's not such a big gap to be without any in my system?)

I'm a bit of a night owl so not sure I can force myself to bed earlier to get some extra sleep. (Unless I take it at lunch and then it makes me tired enough. Can't work out the timings of it!)

I know I need to give it time but worried it won't improve and I will be able to function. I don't feel "brain fog", I can still think clearly, but I can't drag myself up to do anything. Once I do start doing something (and eat) it improves. Maybe this heat at the moment doesn't help!

@rjh83 I've got DC6 at home for the holiday now too. Glad you don't feel too anxious about it!

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 15:36

I found the tiredness wore off.

If l take it a night l can’t sleep.

Original poster
HelloMist · 21/07/2021 15:53

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow oh that's great to hear, thanks, hope I am the same. I have been able to sleep but maybe the quality of sleep hasn't been as good so I'm groggy as a result.

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 15:59

I honestly feel amazing. Better than I’ve felt for years.

I hope it works for you.

Original poster
HelloMist · 21/07/2021 16:22

Thank you! If I can stick with it.

How long have you been on it now?

2 others I tried in the past had side effects I wasn't happy with. I can't remember whether I was this tired though, I don't think so. So far I'm not feeling too bad apart from that.

OP posts:
ElaborateSalad · 21/07/2021 16:35

I'd steer clear, personally. It took me eighteen months to wean myself off and the side effects were absolutely horrendous. I felt like I was walking through fog.

Lettitbee · 21/07/2021 16:41

I take venlafaxine, I think it's the most effective antidepressant that I've tried. I take my tablet last thing at night, I don't feel particularly tired, unlike on past medications.

I think that was one of the main improvements for me between venlafaxine and SSRIs that I've had before - I have more energy and also feel a bit less 'stuck', e.g. I'd feel a bit better from the depression but had no get up and go. This has been less of a problem on the venlafaxine, although that feeling has come back this year unfortunately.

Original poster
HelloMist · 21/07/2021 17:07

Thank you both.

OP posts:
Oneearringlost · 21/07/2021 17:38

Thinking of you all. X

PollyPocket245 · 21/07/2021 21:27

@HelloMist glad you’re feeling okay. The tiredness for me is getting a bit better so don’t lose hope. I’m not really sure if this is going to be the one for me as I’m not feeling too different and I feel so bloated all the time! I do want to give it a good try though!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 22/07/2021 11:25

The bloating goes.

RJH83 · 22/07/2021 11:48

That's so interesting that you say about the bloating. My tummy has been so bloated for about 5 days now, so that might explain it. Good to know that it goes as well x

Original poster
HelloMist · 31/07/2021 14:37

How are people getting on? I'm 2 weeks in now. Shifting the time I take it (XR) seems to have reduced some of the fatigue but not all. Have also had trouble achieving orgasm which was why I stopped taking citalopram/escitopram years ago. I read a journal yesterday that indicated some sort of sexual dysfunction in men and women is a really common side effect in lots of SSRIs. Sad still hoping after a week or 2 it might improve but I don't feel that optimistic. The one that didn't cause that for me led to me putting on weight instead. Confused Neither that awful but would affect how I feel.

I don't want to change drugs yet so will keep going for a bit to give it a longer chance to kick in and help. I've had periods of anxiety returning but think it's too soon to know. Not sure I want to increase the dose but we'll see.

OP posts:
Quietcrown · 31/07/2021 14:44

It's been fantastic for me. It's a nightmare to come off, but I only did that for pregnancy and then restarted. Been on it for about 14 years now I think.

I am now down to 150mg daily and I plan to stay on it for life. It makes me feel normal!

Original poster
HelloMist · 31/07/2021 15:32

Really good to hear, @Quietcrown!

Coming off does sound nasty from what I've heard though.

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Hotpinkangel19 · 31/07/2021 16:28

I've been on Venlafaxine for 10 years I think it is now, it's definitely helped me, 100% even in a low dose. (75mg)
I take it every morning and feel fine - except if I miss one!
I came off it cold turkey in 2017 when I fell pregnant, it wasn't nice but I coped with it. Back on it now though!

RJH83 · 31/07/2021 18:08

I'm now on week 4 - I think they're definitely helping, but I'd say there's still a bit more room for improvement. I've had a pretty testing time over the last 2-3 weeks - both me & DH tested positive for Covid. Thankfully fine now (and also very lucky to be fine), but 10 days isolation was tough going with two young boys. Today is the first day I could go out, but got woken up at 6am this morning by DS throwing up everywhere Sad He didn't stop being sick until gone 1pm. Everything always happens at once, doesn't it?!

I've got a review with the perinatal doctor next week so I'll ask what she thinks I should do. If life had been a bit calmer recently I might not have still had the waves of anxiety I've still been having occasionally? - but I'll see what she says. I'm not sure how I feel about increasing just yet.

@HelloMist Glad it seems to be working for you. I guess two weeks is still early days? I know from previous posts people have said 4-6 weeks, plus? No major side effects, but still struggling with bloating & sometimes I feel a bit wobbly. Like I have to catch my balance xx

Original poster
HelloMist · 31/07/2021 19:02

@hotpinkangel19 thanks for sharing, there seem to be a few very positive experiences of it! Good to hear it's helped you and even low dose.

@rjh83 oh wow, not an easy time of it. Glad you are feeling better, hope DS is soon too. Flowers

Yes, 2 weeks is early days. I'm probably impatient! Hopefully a family visit soon will take my mind off focussing on the details and relax a bit, have a change of scene.

On feeling wobbly: a couple of times I felt either faint or sick (car sick which I'm not usually!). It's only been the odd occasion though. Sorry you are struggling with bloating x

OP posts:
RJH83 · 24/08/2021 08:11

How's everyone doing?

I saw the Perinatal doctor a couple of weeks ago & decided not to increase, so staying on 75mg for now. Last couple of days the anxiety has been lurking in the background, especially in the mornings, but think it's because I'm quite tired at the mo.

So after Covid & norovirus hit our household, we had a leak in the bathroom (pipe randomly burst under the sink as I was bathing DS) & our kitchen ceiling collapsed! Confused Only positive is that me & DH have decided it's probably the time to get the kitchen done! Been a crazy few weeks.

Hope you're all doing ok xx

greencats · 11/12/2021 20:23

Hi everyone, know this thread is a few months old but if anyone's still around, just wondered how you're getting on with venlaflaxine? I've been prescribed it and have been reading all sorts about it online, feeling nervous to start it.

RJH83 · 12/12/2021 09:38

Hi @greencats

I've been on Venlafaxine for a few months now & it has worked really well for me. I was in a really bad place after having my second son & it has given me my life back. I was nervous to start it as well (I'd been on fluoxetine in the past but it didn't work for me this time) but I'm so glad I did. I'd heard that it's not great if you miss a dose & I did forget a few weeks back - I could tell within a few hours that I'd forgotten to take it! Banging head & felt unwell. I'm not worried about coming off it though as my perinatal doctor has recommended I'm on it for at least two years, so I figure just cross that bridge when I come to it.

Is there anything in particular about taking it that worries you? x

greencats · 12/12/2021 11:35

Thank you for your reply.. I'm not sure exactly what I'm worried about.. the withdrawals and side effects perhaps. I've read so many bad reviews too warning to avoid it. I was on sertraline for 3 years and whilst it was great for anxiety, it made my impulsivity go through the roof and had frequent suicidal thoughts and some very low crashes. The last therapist I saw was anti medication and encouraged me to come off it and "feel" the feelings ... anyway, I tried to go back on it over summer but felt so ill I couldn't do it. But where I'm at currently is not good at all. I'm barely functioning and have children to look after too. I resigned from my job in the summer and everything has just nose dived, i have lost the motivation to do anything and I feel really quite unwell. Seems silly not to have started it after writing all that!

ninnynonny · 12/12/2021 11:39

I have been on and off venlafaxine for 20 years now. It really is the only thing that has ever kept me 'normal' I'm currently on 150 mg a day, and am considering trying to come down again. Had a dreadful few years so gp recommended i stay up until things were calmer.
I genuinely credit them with saving my life

RJH83 · 12/12/2021 13:45

@greencats I think it's easy to plod along because life can be so hectic, but I always remember my perinatal doctor saying to me that I deserved to be fully better and not to just settle with being ok. That's when I made the decision to switch to Venlafaxine & I'm so glad that I did.

I know some people are against medication & each to their own, but it probably wasn't very helpful when the therapist said that to you. Especially when you're not in a good place, that's the last thing you want to hear! I know that my anxiety was so awful I couldn't face dealing with those feelings every day. It gets exhausting x

mildtomoderate · 12/12/2021 13:48

@Stuffragette

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.
Whereas I took it through two pregnancies and gave birth at full term to two very healthy babies.