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Original poster

Venlafaxine - increase dose?

6 replies

HoggyDunlop · 26/05/2023 00:09

I have chronic depression since childhood. Medication has been fundamental to making long lasting changes to my wellbeing.

After being on the maximum dose of sertraline for a year or so I was struggling and GP moved me to Venlafaxine - 150mg. I've been on this for around 3 months now and I am not sure it's doing the job - I'm still experiencing quite low moods, I'm irritable and having mood swings. I've got an appointment for a couple of weeks time- should I ask to increase the dose?

Reducing and then weaning off Sertraline was a horrific experience (I was on it for 5 years in total) so I'm unsure whether I should keep on with venlafaxine or ask my GP to try something else?

OP posts:
Itmustbenaptime · 26/05/2023 06:59

I was very side-effecty on venlafaxine - it gave me sudden attacks of feeling terrified and inclined to self harm. I wasn't taking it for mental health issues so these were definitely side effects - stopped when I stopped the meds. I hope you don't have these side effects, but only mention it in case you believe any of your symptoms got worse/started on venlafaxine - could be worth talking to the GP about checking if you're better off it, if so.
Good luck, hope you find the path that works for you, whatever that is!

mynameiscalypso · 26/05/2023 07:05

I was taking it alongside the max dose of sertraline (actually, more than the max dose I think) so my experience may be slightly different but it did nothing for me really. In the end, I found that neither SSRIs or SNRIs were that great for me and have been much better on another type of medication.

GarlicGrace · 26/05/2023 07:17

I went all the way up to 375mg. It helped for several years. If you aren't suffering too many side effects, go for it!

I reduced mine by another 75mg last month. It's always pretty hairy for about six weeks, and I took some extra during the first fortnight. Seems to be settling now, though.

I have abandoned reductions in the past, too. If taking less antidepressant makes me more depressed, it must have been working!

GarlicGrace · 26/05/2023 07:22

Actually, it was 450mg for quite some time. I remember because a new GP was shocked! Shrink prescribed, after many unsuccessful trials with other meds.

Original poster
HoggyDunlop · 26/05/2023 10:43

GarlicGrace · 26/05/2023 07:17

I went all the way up to 375mg. It helped for several years. If you aren't suffering too many side effects, go for it!

I reduced mine by another 75mg last month. It's always pretty hairy for about six weeks, and I took some extra during the first fortnight. Seems to be settling now, though.

I have abandoned reductions in the past, too. If taking less antidepressant makes me more depressed, it must have been working!

Thanks for sharing this, it's really helpful.

Appreciate everyone's comments. I think I'll ask to increase the dose as I had a lot of side effects in the first fortnight but not so much since.

OP posts:
GarlicGrace · 26/05/2023 11:06

Glad this helped. And well done for being serious about your meds. When depressed, self management isn't the easiest thing.

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