Is it supposed to wear off this quick?

HI Danielle,

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling too good. The first thing I would say is don't panic! The Venlafaxine wouldn't have worked that quickly (usually takes a couple of weeks at least to kick in)so your symptoms don't mean it isn't working. Is the propanapol prescribed for anxiety/panic attacks? If so your Doctor has probably given you Venlafaxine because it is very good for depression and anxiety together. I have been taking Venlafaxine for 16 years, along with Lithium, as I'm bipolar and the Venlafaxine is very helpful but it will take a while to build up in your system. Keep calm and book an earlier appointment to see your GP. The Venlafaxine can always be increased but he/she may not want to do it too soon. Be patient and don't worry about your CBT it will wait for you if you're not quite ready yet! Take care of yourself.

SUE x

Ye the propranolol is for relieving my panic attack symptoms. Funnily enough i didn't have anxiety or depression until they gave me citalopram. I came off those after 5 days.

I just cant understand why I've been feeling ok for almost a week and a half until a couple of days ago, then my mood seems to have plummeted, i was going back in 2 weeks to get the venlafaxine dose increased anyway, i was just wondering if my doctor may up it a weeks early if i ask?

Danielle x

I would give the dr. A call early. Everybody is different so they are just making a general guess as to when you need to come back. If you are feeling that different the go back early. I am in the process of weaning off effexor and am in Wellbutrin. When I started the Wellbutrin the dr. Thought I would need to see her after a month, I ended going back after 3 weeks because the depression was getting worse again. So I would give the dr. A call.

Citalopram is unlikely to have caused lasting anxiety and depression after five days. It is an antidepressant so why were you prescribed it in the first place? I assume you are now taking the propanapol, the Venlafaxine and nothing else? In which case give it time! See your gp early and explain how you feel, see if they will up your Venlafaxine.

Sue x

Dunno, i went in because i was having panic attacks and that's what they gave me, after 2 days i got every side effect under the sun, but i really didn't have the depression or anxiousness before i started taking it. After i started taking it i felt anxious all the time, my panic attacks increased ten fold which brought on the depression, i literally couldn't take anymore after the 5th day, they almost sent me legitimate crazy. Since i started taking the venlafaxine the majority of the side effects have gone apart from the insomnia, depression and some of the anxiousness.

Think I will go back to my doctors on Monday, don't want this getting any worse.

Thanks for the advice

Danielle x

Hey guys, one more question if you wouldn't mind answering another?

Like i said before I'm on propranolol 40mg x3 daily soon to be the 80mg slow release x2 daily....i just wondered if you can build up a tolerance to it? As I've taken my full dosage every day since i got them and they've been working great apart from the past 2 nights, I've started getting a pain in my right thigh, like cramp, and no amount of stretching is relieving it, is this normal? And I experienced a rapid heart rate and a short burst of adrenalin when i had a little panic attack tonight, i thought beta blockers were supposed to stop this exact thing? Can anyone help please?

Danielle x

Hi Danielle. An American take here. Venlafaxine is a funny drug. Call your doctor immediately. Your brain may be soaking it right up and in immediate need of a higher dosage. Your other drug, w/all the p's, I'm not familiar w/but I'd imagine it's for anxiety. You will most likely increase that dosage significantly while you are acclimating to Venlafaxine and finding the right dosage for you. It might take a while to get there.

As far as your propranolol... yes, you can become acclimated to that fairly quickly. And stopping it abruptly would lead to withdrawal. Again, your doctor may increase your dose But it will help you cope while you are finding the right Venlafaxine dose.

In the meantime, in so far as you can, eliminate an caffeine in your diet. Coffee, black & green tea. Sports drinks. Soda (pop? cola?) And move half of your total dosage toward bedtime. No exercising for a couple of hours before bed. Although several hours earlier in the day will likely be helpful in lifting your mood.

The big thing is there are a lot of us out here. You aren't alone in what you are experiencing. You will survive and thrive in time. Have confidence in yourself. Make little changes in your day and unburden yourself here.