Venlafaxine/ Tremors

[hlc123]

Hi all,
Feeling really frustrated/ deflated today. I am wondering if anybody else has experienced similar symptoms.

I am almost 40 and have had a bad tremor in my right (dominant) hand for about 4 years but then started having problems walking/ change in gait and keep tripping as my right foot sometimes drags. I’ve always loved walking but lost confidence in going out alone incase I fall.
My GP thought I could have a brain tumour, MS or MND but I had an emergency MRI of the brain which was normal. My GP also did an urgent referral to neurology but I was told it could take around a year for an appointment.

I ended up paying to see a private Neurologist who ruled out MS and MND and diagnosed Dystonia. Today I finally had my NHS Neurology appointment so had a list of questions to ask about Dystonia and he said he doesn’t think it is Dystonia but isn’t sure what it is although mentioned Venlafaxine side effects is a possibility. I am on 75mg once a day.

NHS Neurologist ordered blood tests, need another MRI of the brain and am being referred to someone who specialises in movement disorders although could be in for another long wait! Oh and I also have to save my urine in a bottle
for 24 hours to measure copper – I presume to rule out Wilson’s disease. The fun never stops!

I’m so sorry to hear this OP, it sounds so hard. I took Venlafaxine for about 6 years and got the awful tremors as well, although I only got them when I had missed a few tablets or was trying to change the dose. I eventually changed to a different antidepressant that works much better for me and doesn’t have such awful side effects. I can remember being dismissed by Drs and thinking I was losing the plot, I felt so ill!
Would you think about an alternative to Venlafaxine?

Thanks for the reply. I have been on many different anti depressants over the years and Venlafaxine does help more than most of the other. Having said that, I was on venlafaxine in my late teens/ early 20s and came off it when I was 22 but the withdrawals were horrific. I swore I would never go back on it, but when I had my third child at 32 I became very depressed, tried a few different meds that didn't work so ended up agreeing to taking it again. It's so frustrating feeling the way I do but I have 3 children and 2 jobs, I don't know how I would cope with the withdrawals. Feel very trapped by this situation. Glad you have found something that works better for you.