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Original poster

Venlafaxine

18 replies

Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:12

Was prescribed this by the crisis team after a bout of bad depression and suicidal thoughts.
Took first one the night before and felt horrible and so tired.
Could not face taking one today. So scared of the horrible side effects due to bad experiences with other meds.
I know it takes time to kick in but I just can’t deal with feeling like a zombie again.
I lied to the mental health team and said I’ve been taking it as I’m currently on 75 mg and they want to up it to 150.
Should I just give in and take it and accept I’m going to feel like crap? Any experiences with this medication.
Also made my pupils really dilated so worried ppl will think I’m on drugs!

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 03/12/2023 22:26

I didn't get on with it at all. I tried for 6 weeks but it made every symptom worse. I did not feel like a zombie, though.

I'm on Paroxetine now and it's been fine.

Previously I have been on Sertraline, Fluxotine, Mirtazipine, Citalopram and the Venlafaxine.

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:30

@stargirl1701 I felt really detached on it like I couldn’t put a sentence together.
At least you gave it a good try I can’t face taking another pill although I know I need something to help me.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 03/12/2023 22:32

There are plenty of options out there if it doesn't work for you (it didn't suit me either) but you do have to be honest with the treatment team about what you are and aren't taking.

BananaSplitsss · 03/12/2023 22:34

mynameiscalypso · 03/12/2023 22:32

There are plenty of options out there if it doesn't work for you (it didn't suit me either) but you do have to be honest with the treatment team about what you are and aren't taking.

Agree with this. You need to try something else because clearly you aren’t getting on with it.

But the shit bit is you need to be completely honest with them about it.

I get it. Completely.

Good luck lovely and keep talking. We’re here 🩷

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:38

I’ve only taken one tablet so I know I’ve not given it a chance but I’m scared. I’ve got my dd birthday coming up and I just don’t want to ruin it by feeling out of it if that makes sense.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:41

Also the pupil dilated in my eyes really bad I looked like I had taken an illegal drug not sure if that always happens if you take this medication but it would make me self conscious.

OP posts:
JanglingJack · 03/12/2023 22:43

I was on it for about 20 years 225mg and never thought I'd be able to get this horrific drug. It ruled and ruined my life.

I was diagnosed 6 months ago with peripheral neuropathy, pain like no other. I switched from Venlafaxine 225 to Duloxetine 60mg with very little problem at all. Duloxetine also helps with blocking nerve pain, but they are both SNRIs.

Just stay away from Venlafaxine if you can. Even my crisis team wanted me off it.

WhoWants2Know · 03/12/2023 22:47

Different people respond to it differently, and the only way you will know if it works for you is to try.

For me, it worked where no other drug did. It has allowed me to have a life and hold down a job. Without it, I'm not at all sure I would still be alive.

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:50

Just a question for anyone that has taken it, does it always make your eye pupils dilated or does that settle after a while? Same with the tiredness after taking it I just wanted to sleep.

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 03/12/2023 22:52

Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 22:41

Also the pupil dilated in my eyes really bad I looked like I had taken an illegal drug not sure if that always happens if you take this medication but it would make me self conscious.

Venlafaxine worked for me but citalopram gave me the enlarged pupils you described. I actually looked crazy. Tell the mh team you need something else, please don't go without as that could end up being worse on your dd birthday 🙂

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 23:02

I’ve been on so many antidepressants I’ve probably tried most of them .
The only one that worked in the past was paroxetine but when I tried it again it made my anxiety worse.
I just don’t think meditation agrees with me or I’m just not brave enough to tolerate the side effects.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 03/12/2023 23:03

I have you tried trazodone? It's been the one that's has the most benefit and the least side effects for me (albeit other than actually being sick, I tend to just put up with side effects because they're generally better than how I'm feeling!)

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 03/12/2023 23:06

@mynameiscalypso Never heard of that one is it an antidepressant?

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 03/12/2023 23:09

Yes, it's not normally the first line of treatment but it can be very effective. It has a sedative effect so you take it right before bed. I was prescribed by a psychiatrist but my GP was very approving of it and said it was one of the best anti depressants in his opinion.

Malarandras · 03/12/2023 23:12

Never had a problem with Venlafaxine and I’m on quite a high dose. But that’s me. You need to speak to your clinician honestly and get their professional advice. If you lie to them they cannot help you can they?

ImthatBoleyngirl · 03/12/2023 23:18

Venlafaxine was a life saver for me! I was on 225mg

IVFlife · 03/12/2023 23:25

I would have said it was fab. I'm hindsight I was pretty numb when on it. HOWEVER it depends on your wellbeing currently if actually it would benefit you. Your safety is always more important than side affects that may improve. Chat to the team and explore options. There are lots of options and sometimes it takes a while to get right fit.

Coming off venlafaxine requires planning so don't stop it abruptly whatever you decide.

Different things are right for Different people. Take care.

Thismumsaraver · 17/02/2024 17:55

I swapped from 16 Yeats on citalopram to Venlafaxine recently because I wanted more focus more energy and to lift my constant full depressed feeling. It definitely did what I wanted, I had energy, I was happy confident and focus, less procrastination, however I had diarrhoea the whole time, sweats and on the 5th week a panic attack (which I rarely ever had) I quit straight away and went back to citalapram and oh my I’m like a cold turkey mess right now! Tired, head zaps, head ache, just Blughhh but I reckon I’ll be back to where I was in a few days. The pupils can get bigger due to the addition of adrenaline in the Venlafaxine, I felt so good and now I’m so sad I had to give it up 😞 my body just didn’t agree with it in some ways. You will go through a strange time switching up for sure

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