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Venlafaxine extreme side effect...please help

6 replies

Beachqueen38 · 04/07/2023 09:16

My husband is working up through the doses of venlafaxine after trying other antidepressants.
He's taken 37.5mg/75mg/112mg and now 150mg, we are on day 4 of 150mg.
Every time he increases the dose he has extreme side effects but this is the worst one yet. Usually after 2 or 3 days they wear off so just accept that's what you have to go through but we are on day 4 and there is no change yet.
It has slowed everything down for him. He's moving slowly, reacting slowly, talking slowly , thinking slowly and has memory loss. He is spending most of the day just staring into space. I am very very concerned about him. Surely this can't be right?
At the rate he's going he is going to lose his job. His manager is aware and understanding but these increases have been every 2 weeks and he is just not capable of working whilst this is happening
He's already had 6 months off work and is on a phased return. This it's coming up to a year now since he's not been able to work and I can't see how they will put up with it for much longer .
I am waiting for a call back from his mental health nurse today but I can't really see what she can do but they don't have to live like this . The side effects are worse than the initial problem and its not as if he can just stop taking them as you have to wean off over a long period of time

OP posts:
Beachqueen38 · 04/07/2023 13:22

Anyone?

OP posts:
Mummytolittleones92 · 04/07/2023 13:26

No real advice OP other than to say I’m sorry you are going through this. My best friends mum was like this when she was on higher doses. Unfortunately it just didn’t get better. People assumed she was drunk or had had a stroke (terrible I know). Sadly it ended badly for her. I would see what the MH nurse says but it sounds like he needs a review urgently.

wurtle · 04/07/2023 13:28

I was on 550 mg of venlaflaxine and I didn't have any of the side effects you mentioned. It didn't help me but I wasn't a zombi

Olivia199 · 04/07/2023 13:28

I really feel for you and your DH. I had an awful time on Venlafaxine. It does get easier - most of the time.
If at all possible, could he consider a longer period off work to get this all under control? Sometimes being off here and there for increases etc is worse. I don't have much advice I'm afraid, only sympathy. But wanted to bump the post!

Olivia199 · 04/07/2023 13:30

Though I will say, it wasn't a viable one for me and I did have to taper off it very quickly for somewhat similar reasons alongside the fact it made the original issue worse. Eventually moved onto Trazadone which was quite honestly a magic pill for me. The only side effects were drowsiness when I took it (ideal for a good night's sleep) and feeling hungry which was great for a better diet. Everyone is so so different though, what works for one may not work for another. So hopefully this does help him eventually. If not please don't give up hope. There will be something out there that helps!

Beachqueen38 · 04/07/2023 18:58

The constant changing and trialing of the different drugs is what's causing the most problems because it means he's all over the place and there is just no consistency for kids or his job
It means some days he's great and then like now he's none functioning

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