Starting on venlafaxen a little worried!!!
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi I just wonder if anybody has experience of tapering off 30gm of mirtazapine to 15mg and starting on 75mg of venlafaxen? ?
I have been on the mirt for 4 months and have gained so much weight and become very short tempered and angry. This is just not me at all and it's very upsetting.
My consultant decided I was suffering side affects and decided on the venlafaxen which she described as the gold in antidepressents and had not reccomended them before the mertazapine due to poor apertite, as the mertazapine would increase my apertite. Any advise much appreciated only started on the venue today.
0 likes, 8 replies
cheryl06744 Dadoo
Posted
My doc wanted me to drop from 50 mg effexor to 37.5mg and take 15 mg mirtz from the start. No smooth tapering involved. But I was reluctant and just took 7.5 mg mirtz and dropped to 45 mg effexor instead. Well when i did that I had a bit of what i believe to be seratonin syndrome the first few days so I automatically dropped to 3.75 mg mirtz and now 2.25 mg mirtz but keeping the 45 mg effexor the same. The slight adjustment worked out better for me.
I think all you can do is try. The drop in mirtz seems fine. But Your body will know in a few days whether you need a lower dose of the effexor or can stay with 75 mg.
Dadoo cheryl06744
Posted
Thanks Cheryl.
The plan is to drop from 30 mirt to 15 and introduce the 75mg of the venlafaxen, so this morning I took 75mg of the venue and 15mg of the mirt tonight.
My physciatrist will then see me in 2 weeks and then all going to plan increase the venue to 150mg and eliminate the mirt. Does that make sense?
Just felt very very tearful and paranoid today very tingly all over.
I don't normaly read side effects until I have too, it was my husband that read them and was very worried at the fact it stipulates if the venue are not taken the same time each day you can become very poorly? Xx
cheryl06744 Dadoo
Posted
Funny because my doc wants me to transition the opposite of you for sleep purposes. But Im thinking i want to just drop mirtz because I'm eating too much.
Yes effexor should be taken roughly same time each day. But I've been on it a long time so if i was a couple hours late I didn't notice a difference.
Just be aware of seratonin syndrome and keep an eye on major symptoms. Don't become to obsessed at each symptom though otherwise you'll freak out everytime you notice something. Give your body time to adjust.
Dadoo cheryl06744
Posted
Yes need to drop mertazapine due to the weight gain and sudden anger issuse which she said are classic side affects.
No I won't be googling every symptom, just listening to my body.
I have suffered the seratonin overload before.
Not a nice place to be!👎👎
phyllis11904 Dadoo
Posted
I take both meds, 15 mg mirtapazine and 300 mg venlafaxine. They work very well for me. I have MDD that was treatment resistant and that's why I take such a high dosage of venlafaxine. I have gained some weight with the mirtazapine and have high cholestrol that has to be monitored, but to not suffer from the crippling depression is worth it. You might react diferently to the meds than I do.I haven't tapered off from any meds yet so I can't tell you anything about that.
Keep using this site. The people you talk to on here understand and won't judge you. Let us know how you are doing.
Take care,
Phyllis
Dadoo phyllis11904
Posted
Thanks phyllist
Yes doctor told me high blood pressure is a side effect of the venlafaxen and this would have to be monitored.
I don't have high blood pressure now and my cholesterol is fine so fingers crossed.
I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety after loosing my mum and having a full hysterectomy 3 months after bringing on abrupt menopause. Xx
jan41291 Dadoo
Posted
You really need to get as much information from your doctors as possible. This drug, Venlafaxine can be a huge asset for depression, you just need to be aware that when the time comes for you to come off Venlafaxine you can experience some horrendous side affects. You may be one of the lucky ones who experiences no side affects. Do your research, speak to health professionals, especially those with good knowledge of mental health care. Unfortunately most GP's really only have very limited knowledge of these drugs and how they can affect the brain. I know Venlafaxine helped me in my time of need, I also know coming off them has been very difficult. I wish you well, ask your doctor to send you to a specialist. All of us can tell you about our experiences, that does not necessarily mean what is right for one individual may be right for another. Best wishes Jan
patricia96761 Dadoo
Posted
Hi Dadoo,sorry you've been taking meds which make you put on weight. I can't comment about that one. but have been taking Venlafaxine for over 3 years,it was very successful for raising my mood after 2 life events that had puiied me down, I was not eating and couldn"t talk about anything except my worries.The 1st 6weeks are the worst and I do recommend joining a class where those who are depressed can taik out their worries and make plans from week to week,.