Venlafaxine

It helped me. As with all antidepressants there are a few weeks before they start to work and things can get a bit worse to start with. I was on 75mg for a year and they made me feel very relaxed. The only problem I had with them once things settled was they made me sweat more than normal.

 

We are all different in way we react to drugs but I've never had any side effects that I have been aware of. I had been taking Citalopran for a couple of years but due to a crisis at work I felt it had stopped working for me. I was feeling very anxious with racing and obsessive thoughts and sleeping badly. Within a few days of starting venlafaxine I started to feel much calmer. I've now been taking it for two years and feel it has really helped me to get through some traumatic events. My mood swings are mostly a thing of the past, I sleep well and wake up feeling happy most of the time. I know it's addictive but think it's an acceptable risk, especially as I haven't needed to increase the dose at all.

I’ve suffered for 15 years with anxiety, panic, depression.  Had sertraline and citalipram, no great change with those.  I started venlafaxine in May and it’s the only thing that’s really worked for me. I feel happy and confident, the best I’ve felt in a long time.  I haven’t had any side effects apart from a dry mouth which I can live with.  Everyone is different, but it’s been the best for me.

Hi.

Ive been on this for 18 months, it has certainly helped me after various other medication hadn't really helped. Although my main problem is depression, with bouts of anxiety.

eveyone reacts to medication differently, but personally I'd give them a go, they may just change your life. 

Hi Kazza,

Yes, it does help, but there are a few things you should be aware of. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, you have to realize that at first it can, and often does, make your anxiety worse not better. this is in the literature that comes with the drug, which you should read carefully. This effect can last 1 - 2 weeks or longer, and will cause you to doubt whether it's working. Be reassured -eventually it does help. Secondly, don't expect to see any benefits from the drug for at least 6 - 8 weeks, it's a long time I know, but recovering from anxiety/depression is a matter of time, and in the end you will. Side effects can be pretty upsetting and vary from person to person. Headaches, frequency of urination were (and still are) the worst in my case, but eventually they do ease.

Dose is important, and particularly any increases in dosage should be managed carefully. In my case I started on 75mg per day, and increased after two weeks to 150mg per day, then after some time to 225mg per day. Some excellent advice from others on this forum (especially Purpledoberman) has convinced me that increasing in 75mg steps is too much - try to convince your GP to increase slowly, 37.5mg steps with reviews every two weeks until you reach the right dose for you when things should start to settle down.

You should also ensure that you are put on the extended release version of the drug - in my opinion and experience as a user much better - I believe this is the preferred approach now.

It sounds like a long haul to recovery - and it is - but be strong and tough it out. You WILL get better, hang on to that thought and try to be positive.

Good luck, Kazza, and take care,

Mike

Kazza72 you sound like me. I was given this to from my doctor for anxiety and I waited for a month to take it. Yes it has helped me a lot!