Undesided about Venlafaxine

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi all, Can I ask everybody reading these postings what their opinion would be regarding the benefit I may get from taking 20mg. of this drug Venlafaxine. At present I am not taking any drugs at all, but am suffering greatly from periods of intense anxiety. I am an elderly person, and do not take kindly to having to take medication. I am due to begin seeing a therapist tomorrow to begin CBT. And I will be discussing medications with her. But I would be grateful for any of your thoughts, you having had experience of this drug. Thank you one and all.  Pip 78

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Pip. I am now 69 years old and was diagnosed with depression

    2 1/2 years ago. I had never taken any antidepressants before and now take venlafaxine and mirtazapine. They work very well for me, although some people do not have positive experiences taking them. I think the fact that I never took meds before may explain why I don't have the same problem with them. They have given me my life back.

    Good luck and take care.

  • Posted

    Hi  Pip ,

    i am 66 been on venlafaxine for about 10 years before that i had tried every antidepressant going none of them any good , venlafaxine in my opinion is the best antidepressant i've ever had. give them a go you do not need to worry . CBT didn't really work for me but talking therapy i.e counselling was really beneficial,

  • Posted

    Hi Pip78 in my personal experience of Venlafaxine to which I've been on for now just a little over 4 months, it hasn't touched my Chronic depression & anxiety what so ever. I no we all work different with varies medications, but all i can say is, instead of the Venlafaxine helping "supposedly" it made my depression & anxiety a hundred times worse, and going up in dosage will make it even worse. Nausea persistent sweating, extremely painful headaches that comes down the temples enough to turn a light here & there of, have no one talking etc. My advice would be to give it ago as your new to it and the gp will more than likely say "seen as you've only just started the medication Bla bla" don't let them raise the dosage as you get more and more side effects, and it will be harder to come of off. Good luck & do let us no how things go.

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