Help with venlafaxine
Posted , 9 users are following.
I am now 4 weeks into taking Venlafaxine for severe anxiety (had to give up work as could not cope). Was previously on Citalopram for 10 years but I guess it stopped working! Docs tried Setraline and after 2 weeks I was like a zombie. Then they started me on venlafaxine. 3 weeks on 37.5mg twice a day. Thought I was starting to get better, had a few drinks and anxiety back with a vengeance. Docs asked my to gradually increase to 75mg twice a day. Still feeling tired and anxious. Will this subside? Anyone had similar symptoms. I just want to get well again so I can get looking for a new job.
0 likes, 34 replies
nigel45109 elaine73067
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elaine73067 nigel45109
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karen_57593 elaine73067
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haydenm nigel45109
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same here nigel, cit drove me out if my mind with anxiety and depression, ven turned me right around and ive never felt better. i taje ven in conjunction with a moderate dose of wellbutrin
nigel45109 haydenm
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glad you are doing okay. no idea why i reacted so badly to cit. ive had a low 15mg dose of mirtazipine added. ven does have an issue, in that if you end up on a high dose, its likely you will need something added to it, for a good recovery. found out recently, above 150mg, the seratonin effect stays at the 150mg level, while the noradrenaline effect starts at 150mg and increases in line with dose increases. think you need something added, to also increase seratonin effect.
haydenm nigel45109
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really? interesting where'd you hear that! right now im in 37.5 of ven (im in the first week) & 150mg wellbutrin. also taking 5mg zyprexa at night until the meds fully kick in
Guest nigel45109
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boy Nigel, I'm so relieved to find your post. I've only been on ven for 6 weeks, 75mg , doc increased dose 6 days ago to 112.5mg. I was on sertraline for about 6 years but it stopped working. unfortunately during this 6 weeks I've had to take Antibiotics, opiods etc for a dry socket and infection after tooth extraction, all agonising hell, the hellish anxiety sent me to A&E...they gave me diazipan to help. I seriously been thinking there's no hope I feel so awful still, you've helped no end...Thankyou!
pixie22 elaine73067
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elaine73067 pixie22
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Thank you for your advice.
karen_57593 elaine73067
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I'm on the 75mg twice a day but I defo didn't drink any alcohol until they were in my system 12 weeks. I think u will start noticing a difference so on it took me about 6 weeks but have really helped me . I was on 37.5mg twice a day then they needed upped. Keep an eye in it any questions just ask on here I honestly thought I'd never get through it but now I'm glad too say I'm back at work just 3 days a week but it's a start xxx
nigel45109 karen_57593
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t21stapril elaine73067
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Hi Elaine,
how are you feeling today? Thanks for your reply to my discussion (https://patient.info/forums/discuss/venlafaxine-7th-week-update-677777?). I might as well just reply here since the topic is almost identical.
Just one thing: do hang in there! I have been taking Venlafaxine for 8 weeks now (and over 1 month at 150mg) and the situation is gradually improving. I was very discouraged last week, because my anxiety came back with a vengeance for a few days. But, as many people will tell you, these "blips" are not uncommon. Since then, things have gradually improved.
I totally understand it's hard to have hope when the medication has not begun to work yet. But it will work. The fact that your anxiety is worse in the morning and subsides after 5pm (as you wrote in your reply) is absolutely within the bounds of normality, as far as I understand. As of today, I still get some mild anxiety in the morning and around 3/4pm.
Just give yourself some more weeks, and you will gradually realize you are slowly but steadily getting better. And, in the unfortunate case of a "blip", just remember it's really just temporary (might be 2-4 days, according to the experiences I have collected on the forum) and, when it ends, you will feel better than before it started.
Keep us updated. Take care!
elaine73067 t21stapril
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t21stapril elaine73067
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Hi Elaine,
how are you doing today? Yes I do work. Except for a couple of weeks, I have been working throughout this one most recent, long critical period. But my work environment is good and I know I am lucky I could do that. Don't blame yourself for giving up on a stressful job. Your life and health come first. If you couldn't handle, that was probably the right thing to do. And in a little time I am confident you will be back to a state where you can put all of your efforts into finding a new job that suits you better.
elaine73067 t21stapril
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Sorry for the late response. Getting better each day thankfully. Been on higher dose now 5 days now. Anxious in mornings still and little pangs throughout the day but manageable. I know you are right what you say about my job I just beat myself up a little thinking I’m weak! I know I need to think of myself for once and get myself sorted and then look for a less stressful job. Hope you are keeping well. X