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Please tell me this is normal...

Posted , 5 users are following.

Dannie1989
Dannie1989

My dose of venlafaxine was increased from 75mg to 150mg slow release just over 3 weeks ago, I started getting migraines and increased anxiety as side effects. The migraines seemed to have disappeared but the anxietyhas slowly increase until the last 2 days it feels like the build up to the panic attacks i had before starting the medication.

Only problem is I'm thinking if the migraines have gone, shouldn't the anxiety have calmed down aswel??

I'm only asking on here fr 2 reasons, first, I've never taken this medication before. Secondly, I don't know what the 'normal' side effects are supposed to be, and I'm really scared the panic attacks are going to come back and I really really don't want them to.

If the anxiety continues to get worse should I consider increasing the dose again??

I'm already on the highest dose of Propranolol (80mg slow release x2 a day if needed) so I can't increase the dose on that anymore.

Should I consider taking additional medication to help??

I'm still waiting on CBT group sessions to get back in contact with me as i joined just as another company was taking over so everything had to be reviewed, that was a month ago and I've still not heard anything :-S I would really like to start some of the classes they offer but can't as yet.

Is there anything else I can do at home to help relieve some of the anxiety....Not camomile tea though, I hate the stuff.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Danielle x

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • 1979
    1979 Dannie1989

    Posted

    hi danielle im on exactly same meds as u and also been on effexor 3 weeks be upped to 150 from last friday, i see CBT and they said expect to feel anxious panic attacks etc as its goin in to ur system, sad im feeling the same xx
    • Dannie1989
      Dannie1989 1979

      Posted

      Hi Jackie, thanks for the response, its nice to know even 1 other person is feeling the same side effects.

      Over the past few days I've started feeling a lot happier through the day, but I'm still getting moments of anxiety on a night, not enough for a panic attack, but enough to make me jump up and feeling the need to distract myself by doing mundane house work, this could be as stupid as arranging the tins in the kitchen cupboard or sweeping the floor for the tenth time.

      Also before I started taking the medication I used to feel alot of anxiety whenever I had a bath or shower, this would then most certainly lead to a panic attack, so eventually as you can guess I stopped bathing unless someone was in the room with me or I had one of my sisters on the phone. When I started the medication the anxiety went away and I could take leisurely baths and showers again but now it's getting to the point where even thinking about having a bath or shower is making me very anxious, unfortunately that's all it takes to stop me from doing it and I'm unsure as how to solve this dilemma.

      I don't know why I get so anxious about this simple task so I don't know how to stop it, but I'll be damned if I'm going to start letting my personal hygiene slip again. But when I get anxious even shaving my legs becomes dangerous as I'm in such a rush and panic to get out I often take chunks out of my legs without realising until I get out and my legs are stained red.

      I just don't understand why my anxiety has heightened again after weeks of being on an even keel.

      Danielle x

  • helen62899
    helen62899 Dannie1989

    Posted

    Hi,

    Bizarrrely one of the side effects of venlaflaxine is anxiety and panic attacks.

    Increasing the dose to 225mg makes the drug work in a different way. It works on anxiety then. Please, don't do this without the help and support of a Psych/Doctor.

    I was on 225mg for a long time and working up to it was a struggle as you feel worse to feel better!

    Really hope that you get some good quality help from professionals.

    Helen

     

    • 1979
      1979 helen62899

      Posted

      Hi Helen how long from increase did it take for the side affects to go away ? Xx
    • helen62899
      helen62899 1979

      Posted

      A few weeks I think. I know i struggled with tolerating the 225mg to start with as I took my full dose at night and I was groggy in the morning until i worked out i needed it between 6-7pm, with food or i woke up with a 'hangover'.

      Long acting suited me well. The short acting came out of my system too quick and left me withdrawing almost each day.

      Please make sure you work with your professional and with the diagnosis you have. I have GAD, generalised anxiety disorder, and 225mg is the dose for this condition.

      When i had 'bad' points i had a small 2mg dose of diazepam. Didn't like it as i felt rough the next day and in fact after a 3 day spell on it I made the decision to bin it as the withdrawl from such a short 'fix' was not nice.....goodness knows what i'd be like on a 5mg or higher dose.

      You will crack this...without a doubt.

      Do you hvae CBT or talking therapy too? If not ask about it. There are also some great relaxation techniques to use for controlling the anxiety you feel............stick with it.

      I have said in another post, Venlaflaxine succeeds where other drugs fail...it is great for controlling anxiety related conditions.

      Good luck.

      Helen

       

    • 1979
      1979 helen62899

      Posted

      Hi Helen thank you for ur reply, I have panic attacks so started 75mg then after 2weeks doc put me up to 150 mg so that's been a week, I take mine in the morning then I feel "wiped out" but I am now working through it by keeping my self busy, I started cbt also 3 wks ago which is great smile just hoping the side affects (wiped out feeling ) passing soon? X
    • helen62899
      helen62899 1979

      Posted

      Hi Jackie,

      Really glad you are having CBT. I have been part of a study with Nottingham university and the conclusions (which i guess most people knew but it needed confirming) is that people get better from depression with talking therapy or some kind of therapy and maybe a drug thereapy combined, rather than the old way of doping people up and leaving them to cope.

      Just a thought, Venlaflaxine has a sedative effect, making you sleepy, hence why i took my dose at night to make me rest.....maybe you could try, as I too was wiped out.

      Just rememeber that Psychiatrists and Doctors  know the sceince of these drugs, but really we are all lab rats as they react differently in different people!

      The very best of luck to you. stick at it and remember, if its not right, go back to the doc/psych and ask for a medication review!

      Helen x

       

    • rob18613
      rob18613 helen62899

      Posted

      Hi jackie I have to agree 100% with what Helen has said. I was on Ven for 20 years and it is only recently I got off for good (hopefully). It was the talking group therapy that talked my issues to death and put me in a peaceful place where I felt ready to come off. That hasn't been easy, but nothing like the horror stories I have heard on here. I must admit on another thread a guy suggested vitamins to pep me up during the withdrawal symptoms and that seems to have helped a lot. But for me counselling, and talking to a doctor who understands the effects and listens to your concerns side effects.
  • barry0070
    barry0070 Dannie1989

    Posted

    Hi Danielle, I have been on 150mg exfor venlafaxine for about 2 1/2 weeks and 80mg x 1per day propanapol suffering exactly the same as you ........terrible terrifing anxiety at night stomach in knots hot and cold sweats etc.

    I was on 75mg venelafaxine and changed to mertazipine after a bereavement due to not eating etc......wished Id never changed as it feels like months just want the Venelafaxine to work even cause me strees knowing dose is increased.

    Does anybody know how long tablets can take to get into system. good luck Danielle your not alone.

     

    • 1979
      1979 barry0070

      Posted

      hi barry im on same as u too and no its 1 month and i see massive difference!!! i suffer panic attacks not depression and its amazing the difference i feel (stick at it) i also see CBT  its also working wonders. i did have side affects feeling wiped out sick sweats and thats all left now so i am very happy smile xx
    • barry0070
      barry0070 1979

      Posted

      HI JACKIE, NEEDED TO BE TOLD IT WILL GET BETTER AT MY WITSEND AFTER BEING SO HAPPY AND CONFIDENT.

      THANKS XXXX

    • barry0070
      barry0070 1979

      Posted

      I suffer from depression, stress and anixety and need to to get back to my happy self ....just building courage up to go out. I also fell like a none person and no confidence due to up bringing ......feel desperate my wife is very understanding

       

    • 1979
      1979 barry0070

      Posted

      about 2 months ago for 8 months i didnt leave house and if i did it was awful, do u see anyone to talk? mine is brought on too from childhood... just talking and understanding has made a huge difference too, my hubby is also very understanding but i would of felt useless and would of thought he would be better off with out me as i couldnt do anything, i was also desperate, but these do work!!! xx
    • Dannie1989
      Dannie1989 barry0070

      Posted

      Hi Barry, I've been on the venlafaxine and propranolol for just over 3 months now, 150mg slow release ven and 80mg slow release up to twice a day for the prop.

      It took 4-8 weeks for venlafaxine to initially get in my system and 6 weeks when I upped my dose to 150mg but I am so much better than what I was, a noticeable difference.

      All I can say is stick with it, it's worth it in the end, I know you're probably sick of hearing that phrase but it's true.

      Let me know how you're getting on.

      Danielle x

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