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Ven XR newbie welcomes helpful words

Posted , 4 users are following.

johnnygregg
johnnygregg

I’d appreciate points of view please. I’ve been suffering from anxiety and depression for over 20 years. I’ve been on Citalopram 20mg for about 18 years (with the the occasional trial of sertraline, fluoxetine and mirtrazepine in between, but not suiting me). Recently, I saw a clinical psychiatrist for the first time. He prescribed Venlafaxine XR 75mg. I have been on it for three weeks. Like many, I’ve been getting side effects of constipation and lightheadedness. I’ve actually felt dreadful, feeling even more anxious, detached and dizzy, feeling very vulnerable when I’m out and about, although I’ve not got a history of agoraphobia. I’m restlesss and not sleeping well. It’s all quite scary. I’ve read mixed reviews of Venlafaxine. From “best solution ever” to “The drug from hell” I’ve also read that below 150mg it pretty much acts as an SSRI. Though I hate to think  what the side effects would be on double my current dose!

i need to have a follow up visit with the Psychiatrist. Meantime, I’m fearing this drug and losing faith in it. I know there are many other drugs available (and they’ll no doubt have their own side effects) Maybe, I’m being to impatient, but as I said, it’s a scary road to seeing signs of improvement..and I thought I felt rough before I started taking it!

Any experiences and wise words of reassurance appreciated 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • alancue
    alancue johnnygregg

    Posted

    I started on 75mg then went to 150 and eventually to 300mg.

    After being on 300 for approximately 18 months I was feeling good so asked to lower the dose back down to 150.

    Everything was fine for the first four months and then I started to deteriorate ! Anxiety Paranoia Headaches and Nausea !

    Going back for a review in a few days and I'll ask to go back on 300 mg.

    Maybe if I persevered on the lower dose for longer these things would pass but I really can't deal with them any longer.

  • jacqueline66035
    jacqueline66035 johnnygregg

    Posted

    Hi Johnnygregg. Welcome to the forum. Lots of really good people on here to offer support. I am currently on 150mg XR Venlafaxine. I have a history of normal depression (unipolar) and have tried many different types of antidepressants over the years. Some have helped, while others have caused high anxiety that was more unbearable than the original depression itself. Last year I was treated for depression but noticed that 3 different antidepressants (citalopram, mirtazapine and venlefaxine) made me so anxious I struggled to cope. A very kind CPN put me on quetiapine and the anxiety and detachment started to subside enough for me to live quite a reasonable life. I weaned off my meds in February this year but became ill in April. Again antidepressants worsened things and quetiapine was added and I am recovering. Thank goodness for a new psychiatrist tho as I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and advised that I should never have been given antidepressants but the quetiapine on it's own instead. Quetiapine has been a godsend for the anxiety which was crippling and also for intrusive thots and horrible insomnia. I have to wean off the ven slowly. Maybe quetiapine could help you? I think it has to be prescribed by a psychiatrist as it is normally used as an anti-psychotic. It is prescribed off label for extreme anxiety which isn't helped by normal tranquilizers. I can't use them because I have a paradoxical reaction to them and end up with heightened anxiety which I found out after taking diazepam - not nice!!. Quetiapine may be worth considering if you continue to feel unwell. Most side effects should fade after 2 to 3wks on an antidepressant. Don't hesitate to talk to your doc if you are worried in any way. All the best. Jacqueline.

  • Ala1483
    Ala1483 johnnygregg

    Posted

    Hi Johnny, I started Ven a month ago. I was on 75XR for 2 weeks and now on 150XR (2x75XR). I have been unwell for a few months and I hope Venlafaxine will help me. My XR tablets make me feel a bit tired and sleepy so I take them at night and sleep okayish. I didn’t have any side effects upping my dose to 150, apart from slight headache. I hope you feel better soon!
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