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Original poster

Venlafaxine - any positive stories?

50 replies

productofspain · 05/10/2023 13:51

Have just been prescribed this for depression and anxiety. Has anyone found it has worked? Obviously there are a lot of scary stories on the internet

OP posts:
Ihaveaquestionn · 05/10/2023 14:08

Sorry but just following

Touty · 05/10/2023 14:42

It worked for a few months then stopped working.

Vinvertebrate · 05/10/2023 14:44

I’ve been on it for 15 years with no problems. Only AD that worked for me.

OwlBasket · 05/10/2023 14:45

Saved my life! Well worth a try

RowcheRascal · 05/10/2023 14:47

Don't touch it. Ask for something else. I've been on it for 15 years for depression. Didn't help as I was actually autistic. But I can't get off it ! It messed up my sleep pattern, can't sleep properly. Haven't for years . Messed my weight up. The big thing is it is a nightmare to coms off . Horrific withdrawals. I am slowly tapering down but I have to plan it when I am on holidays from work as it really impacts. (Horrible brain zaps etc ) . Ask for something else. It's a nasty drug.

stargirl1701 · 05/10/2023 14:49

I tried it for 6 weeks. I have never been so ill. It was not for me.

unsync · 05/10/2023 14:52

Yes, it worked really well for me. The first week was rough, lots of nausea and dizziness, but once that settled it enabled me to function. Went from crippling panic attacks and not being able to leave the house, to leading a normal-ish life. Still had to watch my limits and fatigue, but yes, a game changer.

Original poster
productofspain · 05/10/2023 15:57

thanks for the replies. I came off sertraline earlier this year as it was no longer working. Am nervous of venlafaxine as so many people seem to have negative effects

A couple of good stories, but mainly this thread is terrifying

OP posts:
TheBuggerlugs · 05/10/2023 16:30

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Greedybilly · 05/10/2023 16:37

I've been on it for 4 weeks after weaning off duoloxetine- I'm so up and down. Literally taking it day by day ,minute by minute hoping it kicks in soon. Was doing ok on it but then had a huge crash this week including suicidal thoughts and ideas, crisis team and lots of screaming. Going back to Gp tomorrow. She maintains I need to stick with it but time will tell . Mean while my life has turned into a horror film. Hope u do better than me..

Original poster
productofspain · 05/10/2023 16:41

Thanks @TheBuggerlugs - how are you feeling now?

OP posts:
Greedybilly · 05/10/2023 16:42

It really does feel like a lottery in terms of which meds suit which person and all you can do is try and keep a v close eye on yourself/your mood. Wish u loads of luck it's bloody hard.

Original poster
productofspain · 05/10/2023 16:43

@Greedybilly your life sounds like mine right now. Suicidal thoughts. Unbearable. Cannot function at all. Do you think the venlaxafine has made it worse?

OP posts:
Nonplusultra · 05/10/2023 16:43

I don’t want to add to the negativity, and I’ve seen people say that it worked for them when nothing else did. But I’d strongly encourage trying other options first.

Greedybilly · 05/10/2023 17:18

@productofspain initially I felt a bit wobbly then did fine for a couple of weeks - started to feel hopeful that things might get better. Then a few days ago I felt myself slipping - nothing in my brain apart from not wanting to be here. Wondering now if I missed a dose (but sure I didn't). A couple of days of pure horror - feeling better today. I honestly don't know what caused this recent blip but I hope it doesn't happen again...seeing gp tomorrow....

Malarandras · 05/10/2023 17:20

Please do not pay attention to what random people on the internet say - and I say this as someone who takes Venlafaxine. If you have concerns speak to your doctor, only they know your specific needs and they have the expertise to advise you.

Greedybilly · 05/10/2023 17:24

@Malarandras completely agree but that's presuming you can get an appointment/see the same person twice in the current climate.

KickingEAP · 05/10/2023 17:26

It worked okay for a while but it's highly addictive and very difficult to come off. I lowered my dose over a 18month period so that I could TTC and it was pure hell.

ImthatBoleyngirl · 05/10/2023 17:38

It worked really well for me, I was on it for about 15 years. No side effects.

londonmummy1966 · 05/10/2023 17:59

I've been on it for 18 years now and without it I wouldn't be here - it was literally the only thing that worked for me and I tried pretty well everything else first.

You do need to give it a bit of time to "bed in". Two things I would do are to insist that they give you the slow (modified) release (think its described as XL) as it really helps with the nausea and also stops any issues if you can't take it at the exact time every day. You may have to put your foot down with the GP over this. Secondly ask them for a scrip for metroclopromide so that you can take it if it makes you nauseous.

Leave worries about coming off it for the future - I have been slowly weaning myself off for a couple of years now and am down from 225mg to 37.5 so it can be done.

Lulu1919 · 05/10/2023 18:01

I'm on the slow release tablet
Have even for a good few years
It's ok !

TheBuggerlugs · 05/10/2023 18:43

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TheBuggerlugs · 05/10/2023 18:48

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weegiemum · 05/10/2023 20:46

I took Sertraline for 17 years (since my dc1 was a baby) but it eventually stopped working.

I've been happily on venlafaxine for the last 6 years, I'm on 225mg/day and I'm finding it easily as good as Sertraline was. I have no discernible side effects (though I am on other potentially sedating medication for a different condition) and am happy to remain on it.

Coming off doesn't worry me as I'm resigned to the notion that I'll be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. If it's venlafaxine I'm happy about that.

Just for a different perspective!

GlitchStitch · 05/10/2023 20:51

I take a high dose of venlafaxine, been on it for 4 years. It has literally given me back my life. It has been so amazing for my intrusive thoughts, OCD, anxiety and depression. Nothing else ever worked for me. I don't get any side effects, when first taking it I had some nausea and sweating which recurs for a few days if I increase my dose but this soon subsides.