venlafaxine

[biryani]

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of taking venlafaxine for flushes? I've only heard of it as an anti-depressant, but it is apparently good for treating meno symptoms.

Thanks

Do not take Venlafaxine!!!!! Yes, it is very good for treating depression and also great for getting rid of hot flushes and panic attacks but the withdrawl symptoms are just awful!! I took it for quite some time a while back but i only had to be more than just 3 hours late taking my daily pill and i would feel really ill. Nausea, dizzy, blurred vision, brain zaps, swishing sounds in ears and anxiety. It really is a nasty drug to come off of. Makes you wonder how safe it is to be honest as the side effects of withdrawl are so horrendous. You might be better to try Prozac (Fluoxetine) as this doesn't cause problems when trying to come off it and it is good for hot flushes and panic symptoms. Is HRT something you have considered ?

Thanks erilou. I'd only heard of it in passing through a relative, who takes it. I have the sort of doc who believes that you should "live with" the menopause and I've been trying to do this, with some success. I've managed to acquire some venlafaxine and thought I'd give it a try. Perhaps I'd better not, now!