Duloxetine vs Venlafaxine

[Dawn1331]

Did anyone do better on either for anxiety/panic?

Thank you @Larabelle6

The sertraline I thought was doing nothing. But coming off it has been wild so maybe it was doing something.

@Larabelle6 @desikated I felt sertraline made me numb. No panic but just numb. Duloxetine has been a very slow grower for me. I will be on it six weeks on Wed and usually by two weeks I feel almost normal but it's not had the same effect.
My Dr said 8 weeks for full effect. I'm trusting him but it's hard going.
I've had no increase in appetite but a decrease. He said its a kinder snri x

Thank you @Dawn1331. sounds like a bumpy ride switching between the two, but tbh I'm desperate now for something to be different. I have endo as well, and the psych said that Dulextine can help pain as well, fingers crossed. I hope the next 2 weeks for you starts to feel better / easier

I was on Duloxetine for several years, most of which I spent trying to wean off it.

Didn't help me at all unfortunately.

@RandomMess @desikated I think the meds are pretty much different for everyone and I'm hopeful duloxetine works for me because my next port of call is venlafaxine and I've heard horror stories x

It’s funny how these drugs affect us so differently. I started on Sertraline and found it no help at all. Was changed to Mirtazapine which gave me nightmares and I felt like a zombie. I’m now on Venlafaxine which barely causes me any side effects and is definitely helping. I have been on it before for post natal depression and didn’t have any problem coming off it. Just wanted to reassure people that it can be okay and not to assume it won’t be

Indeed but be warned they are difficult to come back off. Even when I was taking them I started getting side effects if I forgot one/took it late. I had to carry them with me - mind you those were the days when I had a handbag for them to live in!

@RandomMess is that for Ven or dulextine?

Duloxetine, I'm not usually sensitive to drugs either.

Dropping to 90, then, 60, then 40 was ok getting lower than that then off together took years and I had to buy drug scales to split and rebuild the capsules.

I was started on 30 and it had zero effect but after being upped I definitely felt worse for a bit. This is the first day without crippling anxiety. I'm just happy Any drugs work for folk because I couldn't live without them in that anxiety hell hole but tye support on here is phenomenal x

If anyone's still here, I've just started taking duloxetine (day 3).

Main impact? Sweating at night. LOVELY.

Keep your fingers crossed for me...

@desikated hey I'm still here. I'm on 6 weeks 3 days and I'm only minorly improved. I had sweats and was knackered. Hoping by 8 weeks I feel a difference. Have you been on anything else?

I take sertraline (but reducing this to come off it as I gradually increase duolextine)

I also take quitiapine which helps with sleep enormously.

I'm so desperate for something to work as I'm sure you are. But 8 weeks and no difference? :( :( not good.

What dose?

Ugh I meant 6 weeks but have no idea how to edit my posts...

@desikated well I spoke to my Dr who said 8 weeks was the minimum I'm on 60mg and it improves over six months but I really can't stand it. I'm in a constant fight or flight, not sleeping, sweating, health anxiety and just miserable x

@desikated are those drugs all prescribed via your gp or do you have a psychiatrist?

@Dawn1331 I'm so sorry that sounds very horrid. Someone further down said D was a slow burn but worth it - however probs not much comfort now. What does your GP say?

@Larabelle6 the sertraline was GP. The quetiapine and duloxetine was via a psych assessment which recommend the drugs but actually prescribed by Gp if that makes sense?

Oh actually another side effect mildly itchy skin on my face. Googling this seems to suggest I need to run to the nearest a&e but I suspect that might be an overreaction...

Anyone had similar?

I've been on Venlafaxine on and off for over 20 years for anxiety and at times depression. I've been on 300mg a day at times and am now on 37.5mg a day. I've tried other drugs but for me nothing helps like Venlafaxine. That said it is tough at the beginning and when tapering down. I suppose it is about weighing the benefits against a the side effects. I only get side effects now if I forget to take two doses in a row.

@desikated @pineapplecactus I've never tried venlafaxine but it's the back up after 8 weeks on duloxetine.
Most research I've done suggests venlafaxine is the best for anxiety. That and busporin I think it's called x