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Off sertraline and onto venlafaxine

Posted , 5 users are following.

nicola97364
nicola97364

Has anyone else switched from sertraline to venlafaxine???

I'm down from 200mg to 150mgs sertraline with 75mgs of venlafaxine and I'll be decreasing 50mgs more every week and increasing to 75mgs of the ventraline over the next 3 weeks.

I'm only on day 3 and already I've had the sweats all day and all night my mood seems fine but I'm breathless very easily and getting dizzy/lightheaded a lot.

I'm just wondering has anyone gone through this and how did you find it

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • kerry56645
    kerry56645 nicola97364

    Posted

    i havent personally but i am going to reduce or try and reduce my sertraline next year 25mg increments every month. ive been on it for 4 years its helped me immensley im on 200mg. i was shocked when i saw your increments you are bound to feel a huge difference.

    can i ask why are you switching and what is the other drug ive not heard of it before.

    good luck hope it all balances out for you soon xx

    • nicola97364
      nicola97364 kerry56645

      Posted

      I have been on sertraline for 3 years and then had my second child last year and post natal depression just took hold of me recently so need a change. I think the ventafex also releases another chemical as well as the serotonin so hoping I balance out by the new year as I have been off work since October too as it was just too much pressure. Also seeing a therapist now so can only hope for good things.

    • nicola97364
      nicola97364

      Posted

      serotonin and norepinephrine 😃

  • michael37584
    michael37584 nicola97364

    Edited

    hello there I have been on 150 venlafaxine for 18 years . and I thought they had stopped working as effectively as they did .. so my GP started tapering me of the ven and on to sertraline 50 three months of sheer hello I am back on my venlafaxine 150 and no sertraline.. my mistake the venlafaxine are now getting me back to how I was before my sertraline experience.. I find the venlafaxine lots better best wishes Michael

  • chris80549
    chris80549 nicola97364

    Posted

    Hi Nichola

    I tappered of Sert back last Aug.

    started Venlafaxine 75mg 26th Sept

    very few side effects, gradularly felt low mood lifting,

    some head aches and like head tightness tingling, still get occassionally

    Most of my panic starts in my stomack , particularly if Iv too much to do, I had diareha every day, on other anti depressants .

    On Vent thats now gone almost nearly normal

    I included some Hypnotherapy which I paid for.

    Middle of Oct to mid Nov felt I had cracked it on Vent, however, for the last 2 weeks felt bit panic/nervy and old thoughts racing . But nothing as bad as I had on Serts or on Citlaoram.

    Perhaps its the xmas stress causing it now and too much to get through,

    I think there is a bigger improvement on Vent although writing this causes me a bit of stress, it brings all old thoughts back.

    I'm thinking of a speaking to Dr about increasing Vent.

    Certainly, coping with life better on Vent then on Sert.

    I think I am a worrier and don't cope with stress, upsets, etc, and with depression its learning to manage it with the help of meds.

    what meds work for one person might not for another.

    I have 3 friends on Citlapram doing great but didn't work for me.

    So give Ventafxine a try and see how it goes.

    Good Luck. Wishing you all the best.

    With love from fellow struggler.

    keep occupied but dont take on too much.

    I won't be on for a while as I try to keep my mind occupied and not be reminded Iv a problem.

    However, lovely site if you feel in need of encouragement, so you might hear from me again.

    Love, Light & Healing

    for Xmas and 2020 to you all

    • nicola97364
      nicola97364 chris80549

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Chris. Your experience gives me some hope.

      My stress starts in my stomach too then I sweat and get dizzy/lightheaded. Has only gotten worse since having my 2nd child. I would love to stay at home everyday in my safe place but only for my kids I get out of the house. Looking forward to christmas and hoping for a happier new year.

      all the best.

    • chris80549
      chris80549 nicola97364

      Posted

      Good Luck Nicola. Try not too stress or panic too much over xmas. But don't be surprised if it gets a bit worse over xmas, so don't over think it as I'm sure it will settle again after xmas.

      Just to say because mine started with family troubles at a xmas time my anxiety tummy panic and head dizzy has played up, but not so bad this year and this is my first xmas on Ven .

      I just wish xmas hadn't come along, too much to do out of the normal routine.

      Ven 75mg since 23rd Sept so not long. Took an extra pill yesterday without asking Dr.

      I think once we get this its a question of doing things to manage it, so this morning I left all the chores and read my book and this afternoon I went for a walk.

      Just to try and calm my over thinking.

      Will keep you updated in a few weeks and with my progress and Dr review when I see him in Jan.

      please keep your progress updated.

      Happy and Health 2020

    • michael37584
      michael37584 chris80549

      Posted

      good on you ..I'm feeling better now christmas was awfull lots of anxiety and panic took over ..with that out of the way let's go forward.. like you if I have lots to do I'm worse .. keep going I'm now on 175 mg ven and can see a change for the better .. good luck for 2020 x

    • chris80549
      chris80549 michael37584

      Posted

      To Michael

      wishing you all the best on Venlafaxine.

      I had a wobble over xmas but on the up again now thats over. Im

      Better on Venlafaxine than on Sertraline so will continue on Ven.

      I feel I'm living in the now more now rather than going over old things thats happened in my head.

      I have the odd day when I'm over sensitive to things. But able now to think , so what if they want to be like that I'm not going to stress over it. I'm beginning to feel I could stand up for myself better than before.

      Long may it continue to improve.

      Dose and strength depends on the person.

      Also my mental health person at surgery says what works for some people may not work for others, everyones brain chemist can work deferent. Thats why Sert works well on some , others may need to try several before getting the right med.

      I wish you all the best on Ven and hope you continue to get stronger.

  • BulldozerMcr
    BulldozerMcr nicola97364

    Posted

    Hi!

    Sertraline doesnt work for me so I need to try another medication.

    Whats your experience with Venlafaxin please?

    Thanks in advance

    Kind regards,

    B.

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