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Should I Start on Venlafaxine?

Posted , 10 users are following.

robbie545
robbie545

Hi All,

I met with a psychiatrist a few days ago and he offered to prescribe me Venlafaxine, 37.5mg for two weeks and 75 mg after that. I was all set to follow through on it but am having second doubts after reading the forums here. I'm getting a sense from you guys that this drug is to be avoided at all costs.

I'm currently in long-term therapy but haven't seen much improvement. I'm generally fairly functional, but am lethargic most days and wake up with a feeling of dread more often than not. I'm able to get by in graduate school, but skip a lot of readings and find myself dragging my body to get out of the house. I feel like I want to get involved with so many more things but my helplessness and anxiety keep weighing me down!

I want to get better, but I'm scared of the dependency, withdrawal, and side-effects of this drug. I would love to hear some of your inputs.

Robbie

2 likes, 49 replies

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  • pammietime
    pammietime robbie545

    Posted

    Hi Robbie

    I just wanted to say Effexor has really helped me for the last 3 years.The problem is, It's a very bad experience trying to stop.The worst part is the brain zap feeling and fogginess. It's horrible!!!

     

    • pammietime
      pammietime

      Posted

      I forgot to mention I was only off of them for 2 days because I ran out. I think I'll just stay on them for now because the withdrawal is so awful.

  • elissa37527
    elissa37527 robbie545

    Posted

    Hi Robbie,

    I'm in my 4th week of Effexor and feeling like my old self in every way. I started at 75 for a week, then went up to 150. Both times the med would work completely for a few days to a week and then stopped. The third week it wasn't working at all and I was so discouraged and never in a million years did I think I was going to get out of the awful place I was in. Then gradually in this 4th week its working, not making me feel like I'm "on something", just like myself, sleeping well etc. yea!

    Just wanted to share my experience and hopefully it helps. Good luck!

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