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Mental health

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Original poster

Venlafaxine/Efexor

15 replies

birky · 23/02/2008 22:25

Anyone else on this ad?

OP posts:

UnderRated · 23/02/2008 22:48

I have been on it in the past. Are you ok?

TheMadHouse · 23/02/2008 22:53

I take 225mg of this and have for the last 9 months. Are you OK?

Original poster

birky · 24/02/2008 13:18

I'm on 150mg at the moment. Was on 225mg then got put onto 150mg and 20mg Citalopram.

Have been on efexor for 5 years now - got married at 19 divorced at 21, met someone else who i've just split up with and have a 1 year old daughter, had PND and was kept on efexor throughout my pregnancy as I have a history of anxiety and panic attacks. Struggling to get my head round breaking up with my partner (he also treated me badly and was violent) so looks like I'll be on it for a while longer. I'm only 23!

OP posts:

girlfrommars · 24/02/2008 14:17

I thought you couldn't take this AD if you were pregnant

UnderRated · 24/02/2008 17:45

You've had an awful lot going on, Birky. It's very hard to get over the breakdown of a relationship and becoming a single parent. 1 year olds are quite exhausting too. Do you have any practical help? Or people to spend time with? I found myself hiding away when really I needed company and support from my friends. I am not very good at asking for help when I really need it.

Take good care of yourself

hedgehog1979 · 24/02/2008 18:12

I've been on this for at least 4 years and am currently 23+4.

Has your GP referred you to a psych/CPN or even for counselling?

Girlfrommars - It is ok to take while pg, although it hasn't been around for as long as some of the older ad's (only about 10 - 15 yrs) so if you are not likely to be pescribed it for the first time if you a pg, but if you are already taking it it is safer to continue taking it rather than risk altering the balance by taking something else (was told this by my consultant and cpn)

TheMadHouse · 25/02/2008 09:18

I have been told by my consultant and CPN that this is an ad that is used for long term help and that there is no shame in being on it.

I also took this during my m/c, the dangers of coming off were decided to be more risky than remaining on it.

Birky - are you getting any additional help rather than just the AD's. I have found that CBT has really helped me

Original poster

birky · 25/02/2008 14:24

I've been referred to the community mental health service for counselling and CBT.

I was monitored monthly throughout my pregnancy and had no complications, my daughter had no withdrawal at all which I was terrified of.

Think it all started when my dad died suddenly when I was 7 and I was bullied a bit throughout school which really knocked my confidence and its been one thing after another really. I'm managing to keep it together at the moment for my little girl. Am absolutely heartbroken at the moment n finding it hard

OP posts:

hedgehog1979 · 25/02/2008 18:48

Birky, I have not been through anything like what you have described on here but am happy to chat to you and provide an ear if you need a real one or a virtual one.
It is great to hear that your daughter had no withdrawal symptoms as it is something that was worrying me about when my bump is not a bump anymore.

UnderRated · 25/02/2008 19:01

Oh Birky, what a lot you have been through. I hope you have people in RL to help a bit. You don't have to struggle alone. I hope the counselling comes through quickly. Make sure you do something nice for yourself each day, if you can. It won't change things but might make you feel a little better for a few minutes.

TheMadHouse · 25/02/2008 20:09

Birky - I have found that the CBT has been invaluable and start to use it now without realising. It is hard work though.

You seem to have been through masses, so some of your depression could be situational too.

We are here to listen

sazb · 28/02/2008 19:19

im on these 150mg morning 75mg in evening. been on dif ones for around 10years and this fingers crossed seems to work.i nearly lost my life though feeling suisidal on another one (which now is of the market) i was one them through my second pregnancy i did worry that it would affect lo but was told there was no evidence of this .and hes a happy heathy 3.5 year old.

Original poster

birky · 28/02/2008 20:04

Sazb - were you on seroxat? I was on that at 16 before I went onto efexor and that made me feel suicidal, horrible medication that stuff

OP posts:

sazb · 28/02/2008 20:36

yes thats the one birky,makes you wonder some times if they really do know the affects they have on people

sazb · 28/02/2008 20:40

i thnk birky you will def benifit from therapy. i did.took me a long time to admit i had a problem.but when i did and got right medication and help it really did help i very rarely have bad days now prob 3/5 times a month(which is good as used to be evryday) and that was all on N H S you do really need to push them though, hope this helps hun. good luck.it really does get better with time.

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