Venlafaxine - can it make anxiety worse at first?

[Chimpannazee]

Just this…I have previously posted and am currently on day 11..started on 37.5mg and now on 75mg once per day for severe anxiety and depression. I’m currently struggling with anxiety that feels horrendous but then yesterday I felt a lot calmer. I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster 😥
can anyone advise as to whether this happened to them at the start but then started to improve? I so desperately want to feel better..I think I just need a hand hold to tell me to be patient. I’ve tried what feels like so many other SSRI’s and I’m terrified this won’t work for me because then I just don’t know what other options I have..any advice greatly appreciated xx

Yes I felt awful for the first few weeks, I felt sick with panic attacks. I was warned I may feel bad to start with but it gets better. Trouble is I’ve tried to come off them a few times and the withdrawal effects are so hard.

In my experience, yes!!

How long did it take before you started to feel better?

I've stored most SSRI and SRNI's in my lifetime and imho they are all awful for the first couple of weeks. Stick with it if you can - good luck 🤞

IIRC the first week was really bad nausea, but after about week 3-4, the anxiety was gone. It does work really well, so hang in there. Your doctor should be seeing you regularly until you find the dose that works for you.

@sadandpmsing you need to come off slowly, reducing very gradually over a long time. It took me about 18 months or so.

I just hope it wears off soon. Going back to work tomorrow after only being there for a week and then having a breakdown 😥I just hope I can do it and they start kicking in soon