I'VE BEEN ON VENLAFAXINE FOR 17 DAYS AND FEEL WORSE

Hi Kat.  I do go to the hospital twice a week. I like the atmosphere there lots of comings and goings.  I  am quite a big office helping the secretaries.

I started the 225 mg Ven yesterday.  I got a fright today.  I was in bed till 10.00 am as usual but decided to get up and go to our outdoor pool.  We go every year and there are quite a few of us who are retired. It's very relaxing.  Anyway I was trying to write a cheque but I couldn't write properly.  Then worse than that I had been swimming and my husband asked me something and I couldn't speak!  It was like when you have too much to drink and can't get your mouth round the words.  I was quite fightened.  I had  taken 2x 75 mg before I went out.  Honestly we just don't know what these drugs are doing to our brains.

Well done for still going to work. You can get up and out for that . I wonder why you feel so bad when your at home. 

It must have been frightening for you this morning.  When I was on that dosage of ven I never took that much all at once. I used to take 75 + 37.5 morning and night. 

Hi Kat

Yes the hospital is my saviour.  If I have nowhere to go I just stay in bed and that makes me feel worse. I just can't face doing anything in the house.  I had some good news when I was at the pool this morning.  One of the ladies who we see there every year started with depression 12 years ago but she was really bad and was admitted to hospital.  Two years ago she was at the pool and she was like a zombie.  I couldn't believe it was her as she just sat there not speaking to anyone. She had been such a gregarious person. She was on Lithium (which always sounds desperate to me) and some other drug.  Then last summer she was great.  Anyway I asked her today how she was.  She said she is off the Lithium and only on Venlafaxine which the doctor is going to cut back.  It really filled me with hopebecause if she can get better we certainly should be able to!!!

It's heartening when you hear about stories like that. The lady must have been really bad if she was in hospital.  I also think lithium sounds desperate.  I hope our medication starts working soon. Its always worked in the past for me although I've still had bouts of depression when still taking it which I can't understand.

I can't understand why Ven isn't working as it always did before  Still no sign of it working although I went to a meeting last night and I felt much better but back to normal this morning.  I had to get up as I do my bit at the hospital today.

Are you still taking the 75mg's together? Did the doctor advise you to take such a high dose at once? I hope you feel ok at work today. 

The doctor did tell me to take 2 x 75 in the morning and one 75 at night.  I used to take 150 tablets when I was on them before.  Are yu taking 225 mg?  How are you today,

I hope you don't feel like you did yesterday after taking the two 75's. I'm on 150mg at the moment. I'm seeing my pdoc tomorrow. I've been tapering down on olanzapibe myself and I would like to cut down on the mirtazapine as well. This concoction of medication hasn't worked. The doctor will probably put up the ven.  I feel up and down today so far. Usual feelings of not wanting to do much. 

I didn't have that not being able to talk today.  I was up and down when I was at the hospital.  I felt quite good in the mornng but then I felt sick in the afternoon.  I just wish I could do some housework or gardening and then I would know I was on the mend.  The other thing I dread is when I am not going to the hospital  I dn't want to get up,  Hope you get something sorted with the GP.  Let me know.

I don't stay in bed all day. I did at the beginning but I make myself get up. I don't want to do anything round the house or in the garden but again I make myself do it. It's with a very heavy heart though. I do spend a lot of time sitting around which makes the days very long. I'm seeing the psychatrist tomorrow so I'll let you know what she says.  

Hi Pat. I hope your feeling ok today. I've been to see my psychatrist this morning. The mirtazipine has been lowered to 30 from 45, olanzapine at 5mg and venlafaxine put up to 225. I've got to take a 150 prolonged release tablet in the morning and 75 normal tablet in the evening. I asked the pharmasist why I was given  prolonged release ones and he said because they will last throughout the day.  I've also been referred to a psychologist (I don't know what a psychologist does). And have also been referred to a local Mind Mental Health place for Mindfulness. All in all I think everything is being tried for me. 

Hi Kat  I have always been on the extended release.  I take 150 in the morning and 75 at night.  I really don't think they are doing anything for me though.  I have been to the outdoor pool again and do enjoy that.  That friend of mine who has got over the depression though she is on 150 Ven said I must start helping myself as that's what she had to do.  She said make little projects to do and advised me to do the garden.

I think we are lucky with all the help we get.  Some people have to wait months.  Keep me informed on how you get on.

Pat

I didn't realise you were on extended release tablets that why I couldn't understand you being on so much in the mornings. I understand now. Everybody says I should go out more but it's the depression that's holding me back. So hard to motivate yourself isn't it. 

I agree it is hard to motivate yourself bu I have no problem with going out.  In fact I worry when I can't think of somewhere to go.  I go to the cinema in the afternoon sometimes.  I find that helps as it takes your mind off things. I am lkucky that we have this Lido and a group of retired friends to chat to  Then of course there is the exercise.  I even get the bus to St Albans or Radlett (where my son and family live)  it takes a couple of hours but I find it very relaxing.  I read my book or listen to an audo book on my Ipod.  I will feel I am getting better when I can catch up  on things at home.

Another thing, the psychatrist looked at my blood results and said my folic acid was low. She is going to write to my doctor to be put on folic acid tablets.  Now when I phoned my gp surgery last week I was told my blood test were all ok. Low folic acid can cause low mood. Reminded me with your low vit. B. 

Isn't that awful your GP surgery saying the tests were all ok.  It will be interesting to see if it maes any difference,

I've now got to wait for the psychatrist to write to my gp to advise her to put me on folic acid tablets. All more time wasted if it might help me. You'd think with my history the doctor would have noticed it and I could have started taking the medication earlier. I suppose their all busy people and I'm probably clutching at straws but I'd do anything to help me come out of this depression. 

Iknow how you feel Kat.  All this trying different drugs for nine months is the worst time I have ever had in my life.  I am just banking on seeing this psychatrist.  I am suppose to get a phone call within 7 days to see what my needs are.

When I had a phone call they said it could be 4-6 weeks before I got an appt! If they say that to you you must say that you need to see a psychatrist a lot earlier. I wasted a lot of time and money on seeing a private psychatrist in the beginning of all this because I was desperate to get some help. Don't let them fob you off. Saying all that,  you might be lucky and get to see someone soon. 

Thanks Kat.  My doctor told me to tell them tomake the phone call sooner rather than later but tey said they have to prioritise.  I can understand that as I am sure there are loads of people worse than me.  Just off to thhe pool.

But you are a priority so don't let them tell you otherwise or you might be put to the back of the list. Enjoy your swim.

Hi Kat.  I had that not able to speak again.  I felt such a fool.  I went to speak to one of the women and it was all jumble.  It didn't do it yesterday when I went swimming but today it did.  It only does it when I'm swimming.  My friend said the 225 mg is obviously too strong but I will just wait another couple of days.  How are you today?

I was just reading the forum when your reply came through. I wonder why your speech goes funny. I took my first 150 ven this morning. I'm not feeling great today. I seem to have one day not too bad then the next day I feel awful. I have felt a bit dizzy at times today. I can't remember taking 150mg in the morning before. Have you ever been up to 225mg when you've taken ven before? 

I was worried about my speech as I am sure it's something to do with the brain.  I was on 75 mg Ven for 10 years and never went any higher.  I did read in that book (I've got it somewhere but can't ifnd it) something like Depressive illness for the strong,  ~Anyway he says that the way you recover is one good day and maybe several ad or the other way round.  So that could be happening with you!  Fingers crossed.

How long does the jumbled speech last? You will have to mention it to your doctor. When have you got to go back to see your gp? I hope I get more better days.  I just want to feel better. It's so frustrating isn't it. 

It only lasts for a couple of minutes.  I will certainly mention to my GP next time  I go whch isn't until the 23 June.  I have never been like this for so long before.  I keep hoping for a good day.  I just hope this weather lasts as at least I can spend most of the day at the pool with friends.  Tomorrow we are going to babysit for my son.  We are staying the night as they live about 30 mles from us and they want us all to go out for Fathers Day.  I dread the morning as that is when I am at my worst.

I too have never been like it for so long. It's horrible isn't it. I can't seem to get out of this bout. I know what you mean about the mornings. Hopefully you'll have your grandchildren to take your mind off how you feel. Is your son understanding of how you feel? Xx

My daughter-in-law is very understanding.  My son never says anything.  The children are Imogen 8 William 6 and Dexter 4.  The two boys can be very demanding but at least it's my husband they want to play with!

Well at least your daughter in law is understanding. I bet the grandchildren keep you on your toes. You said before that your husband is very good as is mine. He just wants me to get well. When will this all end! 

How are you feeling this morning? No more jumbled speech I hope. I just feel tired all the time. Don't know if coming down on the mirtazapine or going up on the venlafaxine!  Apparently the lesser the dose of mirt the more sedative it is! How long was you on mirt for and did you go up to 45, if so how did you taper them down? 

i am tired all the time too.  But I think I am a little better.  It's hard to tell really but thinking back I just slept all day whereas today I have been out shopping.

I was prescribed Mirt just before Christmas and it was fantastic.  No side effects and I felt fantastic.  Then suddenly in February it stopped working.  I was then on 30 mg and waited 8 weeks but it didn't do anything so I was then increased to 45 mg but it was terrible so GP took me off and said we should try Ven again as I had had a break.  I came off the Mirt over a week on instructions from GP

Glad to hear your feeling a bit better. I went food shopping this morning. It's the first time in ages since I've been. I wasn't that great but at least I tried. I've read quite a lot about mirt working great at first and then just stop working.  It just hasn't worked for me at all only helping with sleep. How are you sleeping at night?  

I' m not sleeping too bad.  I some times keep waking on the hour every hour but now I do get back to sleep not lie awake all the time.  We are just off to Radlett to baby sit. I've just had a sleep but still feeling tired!   Be in touch.

Pat xx

Have a nice evening with your grandchildren.  I'm hoping to stay awake to watch the football tonight. 11 oclock kick off might be asking a lot though. 

Hi Pat, how was your weekend? Hope you've had some improvement x

Pat, try and come back on here. I only saw your message on the depression thread by chance x