Citalopram to venlafaxine
Posted , 3 users are following.
ive just swapped from citalopram to venlafaxine. i was taking 30mg citalopram, but after 7 weeks i was feeling worse so my dr said i could swap over to venlafaxine 75mg.
today is day 2 and ive felt absolutly awful. sick, exhausted, shakes... very tearful.
ive never swapped meds before, as ive been on and off the citalopram for 10 years..... how long before things settle.? ... i know ive got to push through... but this is hellish.
thanks for any advice.
0 likes, 10 replies
gary79138 Ojh3
Posted
i was on Citalopram for over 2 years and it saved my marriage, my life to be honest...once I got through the side effects....after coming off them....it took 6 months and literally 1 infection and back pain to cause my HA to come back with a vengeance....i was then prescribed Escitalopram 20g and to be honest the fkrst few days almost ended my marriage the side effects were awful..im 4 weeks in...feeling better in general but still suffer a bit of tiredness and the anxiety hasnt yet gone from my system but getting there...key for medications in my opinion is to patiently trust they will work and stay positive. im going through some stuff now health wise which i think if not for the medication i would spend 24 hours a day worrying and crying...when now im able to think logically as a result so it takes the edge off ....stay patient is my advice but always speak to your doctor if your overly concerned 😃
Ojh3 gary79138
Posted
thankyou gary.
ive had another really bad day. very tearful, shaking, jelly legs... i know things usually get worse before they get better... but when youre in the middle of hell, its all you need!
is HA health anxiety?
gary79138 Ojh3
Posted
yes HA is health anxiety...terrified everything that ever goes wrong is cancer...and its crippling when its out of control..live life as if you are dying and scared every day....
yes Jelly legs and shakiness...i remember my 2nd day on Escitalopram i was on a plane and i cannot tell you how bad i had the shakes....also i couldnt eat anything i was so nauseas and my mouth was so dry...everything just felt like everything was choking me....we have bad days...but of we are patient and try to enjoy what we can control...i believe better days lie ahead for us all! even in bad times...you can chose to be happy and positive if you can fight through those anxious feelings.....i focus on my marriage...and think...even if i have something wrong with me at 36 which is unlikely....i need to be strong for her and i need to live proudly of what ive done wih my time...that alone bring anxiety but its amore positive anxiety than what i normally go through 😄
Ojh3 gary79138
Posted
im sorry to hear you have health anxiety. it must be a constant battle to reign it in.... and i cant imagine having to be on a plane feeling so bad!! how on earth you did that i dont know.
i try to focus on my husband and children, and to be honest, ive been so bad they are the only reason i havent gone through with anything stupid. my husband has been amazing and supportive.... but at the end of the day, im on my own feeling like this, in my own head.
thankyou for your positive encouragement.
gary79138 Ojh3
Posted
we all feel alone but portals like this give us a chance to connect share and support each other...i realised recently i could do a lot more to help those new to anxiety or health anxiety...share my experiences...how the battle can be won...so im trying to be more engaged on these portals to try and support others...i think if i can give my experiences and make them something others can learn from...its gives my health anxiety a positive purpose 😃 so dont hesistate to reach out and message me if you feel alone or in need to chat 😃 to
rajat1818 Ojh3
Posted
switching between same groups is safe
you should have started venlafaxine while tapering off citalopram .
as citalopram is an SSRI and venlafaxine is an SNRI.
one more thing you can ask your gp for venlafaxine xr (extended release) it will help you with the side effects .
Ojh3 rajat1818
Posted
it said on the NICE guidelines that you can do a straight swap from citalopram to venlafaxine... my dr looked it up.
i am on slow release....
x
rajat1818 Ojh3
Posted
have you tried other SSRI s ?
in my case i started with paroxetine slow release took it for 3 months didn't work switched to escitalopram it gave me horrible insomnia switched to sertraline and finally i am on fluvoxamine slow release .
i would be helpful if you will tell me about your anxiety disorder.
Ojh3 rajat1818
Posted
no, ive only ever been on citalopram.
my anxiety hit me like a brick when i stopped taking HRT for menopause. it has been intense and overwhelming, never felt so bad before. im having daily panic attacks and i no longer want to leave the house.
i will be on day 5 of venlafaxine today, and my heart is racing and im very shaky.
i feel like im just existing at this point.
rajat1818 Ojh3
Posted
sorry to hear that .
talk to your doctor ask him /her to add a benzo for short term like clonazepam for symptomatic relief if you want to continue with venlafaxine .
but i am surprised that he put you on venlafaxine before trying other SSRI s.
start with paroxetine slow release its the most potent ssri .
generally SSRI s are the first line treatment then SNRI .
to be honest ssri and snri will take around 2 months before it takes full effect if you want to get immediate relief ask your doctor to write you a benzo for short term .
you have to find whats best for you there are lots of meds out there .