Venlafaxine?

[Fern497]

Does anyone else take venlafaxine? I find the side effects horrendous, so on advice I've gradually reduced the dose from 225 to 150mg. I've held at 150mg for a few months but have become very depressed. Does anyone else have a similar experience? Have you found a different antidepressant that actually works? I'm waiting to see if things improve, but would really appreciate some encouragement. Thank you!

I only take 75mg and find it extremely effective, but I have heard the withdrawal is tricky. I took duloxetine before which was effective, but I had to come off it due to a rare side effect (random, fairly severe bruising).

I'm on 300mg and would like to reduce.
I've been on it for ten years now, gradually increasing the dose over the first 4 ish years.

I feel better than I ever have in 28 years of depression but I'm scared of the weaning process as I've read so many horror stories.
I keep wimping out of broaching it with the GP. I made peace with the fact I'd probably be on anti depressants for the rest of my life a good few years ago but I find myself wondering if it's the meds or if I've improved.

Such a frustrating situation!

Unfortunately it is pure trial and error and doesn't seem to follow any pattern. I came off venlafaxine easily and had no bad side effects on it, but I know someone who is really struggling to get off it

I used this a couple of years ago and couldn’t tolerste the side effects. I switched to citalopram which works well for me.
definitely speak to your doctor, I hope you find what works for you

I came down from 375 to 150 several years ago, over three years. Thing is, I'm quite depressed now but can't remember if I felt less depressed before reducing!

It's not ideal to be on any drug long-term but venlafaxine saved my life. I'm content to carry on with it until my expiration date.

Southbailey it's great your depression is better, but please be super careful - mine was fine on 225mg, but reducing has caused me to relapse. I'd definitely recommend reducing very gradually if you can. Best of luck to you and thanks for replying. Xx

I'm really debilitated by my depression, so much so I can't work - I just can't concentrate and my memory is poor. How are you managing at the moment?

I've wondered whether duloxetine could be a good replacement, but I'm super nervous about changing - I've had awful issues with swapping and reducing in the past. I'm so sorry you had that side effect - there's no predicting how these drugs will affect you is there!

I'm on 225 mg. I have tried reducing but become extremely tired and depressed. My psychiatrist said that 225 mg is the standard dose for depression when you have had it a longtime like myself so I will just take it for life. Better that than losing the will to live.

What kind of side effects are you experiencing and have you been on the medication for over 2 months? If not they might disappear with time. I would take my medication even if I had horrible side effects because without it I'm a wreck and can't even get out of bed. There are other SSRIs that you could try as well that might give you less side effects. Talk to your doctor.

Thanks for asking! Tricky because I have other conditions, notably ME-CFS which has been gradually getting worse. Hard to tell how much lethargy, brain fog, pain, etc, etc would be happening anyway. I went through the standard misdiagnosis cycle, all my symptoms being ascribed to depression for ten years until a new psychiatrist asked different questions and raised the ME-CFS possibility.

There's no treatment for it - and it's depressing in itself - so no good reason to stop the antidepressants.

I'm really sorry you're so badly affected. Hope you're managing to eat, sleep and get outdoors at a basic level, at least. One thing that made a huge difference to me, during my worst years, was adding mirtazapine to the venlafaxine. Doesn't work for everybody (does anything?!) but it could be worth asking about it. I gained weight with it, but the extra came off eventually.

Sending a small reminder that you are always worth the best care you can give yourself

I took it and it was a life saver. I pushed through the side effects, which took about 3 weeks, and it took about 2 months to really help.
It was definitely tricky to reduce though. I used to randomly vomit!
I reduced it down incredibly slowly, breaking the tablets into pieces and having a bit less every 2 weeks.

Thanks so much for replying. I've taken venlafaxine for 17 years. I can't function at 225mg - the fatigue and brain fog are debilitating, although my depression is better. I also get a huge amount of muscle pain. So I'm starting to think I may need to switch. Duloxetine seems like the most obvious choice as it's another SNRI. I suspect I have a genetic metabolising issue with these drugs - I react badly to them, and have horrendous withdrawal issues too. I'll talk it all through with my GP on Tuesday. Life is unbelievably hard when you suffer with severe depression!! 🥴

That's so kind, thank you. ❣️ A few years ago I reduced the venlafaxine to about 80mg and my chronic fatigue was SO much better. I genuinely think it's caused by the drug. But unfortunately I started to feel unwell, panicked and ended up reinstating to 225mg. It's all been horribly difficult as I tend to get some psychotic symptoms at 150mg. It's a long, traumatic story, but long story short - it's a miracle I'm still here. My husband has been incredible to stick by me through it all - thank god for him. 🩷

I’m genuinely think I’d be dead without it. I was on 375mg from 2017 until last year then I gradually decreased my dose so I could start on adhd meds. I got down to 150mg but it was too low for me so I’ve gone back to 225mg.

what tf was the question?

I tried it and it never suited me, couldn’t get past the side effects. I’ve been stable for a long time now on trazodone which has been a life saver for me, especially as I suffer from insomnia too and it really helps my sleep.

It really doesn't suit you then. If I don't take my 225 mg venlafaxin I get debilitating tiredness and brain fog; my main depression syndroms. With Venlafaxine I can function bur still need a nap in the afternoon to have some energy left for the evening. I also exercise moderately daily; it really helps. I have a healthy diet as well without depriving myself of things I love like chocolate:).
I hope you find something that works for you. Also try to see what you need to feel better; my 1 hour lié down in the afternoon is something I really need. When I can't have it because of dc activities I'm like a zombie the whole evening to the point that even DH says that I really need to make my nap a priority. It's not selfindulgance- it's crucial for my brain to restart. And without brisk walks/gym/sports with dc I get anxiety so I always plan in some movement during the day. It's hard because people don't understand if they haven't been through it thème. I wish you all the best in the future.🌻

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes, I definitely need something different. At the moment I can barely function. I'm forcing myself to go on a half hour dog walk every day and am doing the very basics, but the anhedonia (lack of joy) is constant. I haven't got the energy / stamina for any more exercise and I have to rest constantly. Life has to get better than this - I'm only 49 😢 It's so unfair on my kids and other half too.