Venlafaxine 75mg xr 8 weeks no change in how I feel

Hi Bigjoe

You have to always keep in mind that there is a reason why the therapist prescribed the pills in the first place. What is it that originally made you seek a therapist...? Not everyone needs medication, but when they are required, fighting it is counterproductive. Not sure what the case is with you. But, based on what you wrote, here is an alternative perspective for you to consider:

What you experienced is not a withdrawal per se. Sounds more like rebound. And also it sounds like the drug is not causing an imbalance, but addressing an imbalance.

Muscle and joint pain have nothing to do with the drug and everything to do with how tense you are.

You will experience issues with constipation as long as you are taking daily laxatives. Who advised this? The bowels will become lazy. This is very dangerous. One bout of constipation does not warrant daily use of laxatives even where hemmorhoids are present. It messes everything up. Increase liquid intake, eat soups, pears and prunes or whatever works for you and allow your intestines to regulate gently. Do not strain or force things.  

Constipation (or rather sluggish bowel movements) as caused by the drug should ease within 2-3 months max. Your body chemistry shifts to aid recovery and you are witholding 'waste' for longer for your body to absorb as many nutrients as possible. It is a sign of healing, not fault. Nausea or stomach discomfort will ease up when your bowel movements are a bit more regular.

Sexual side-effects are common at the start of therapy and should gradually ease up once you are adjusted to the medication and your body and mind begin to unwind. Dulling of sexual sensation and difficulty maintaining an erection or climaxing is common. It has a lot to do with the underlying condition. In those with anxiety it is particularly pronounced. And perfectly normal.

I always tell concerned guys to imagine being chased by a lion and while running getting an erection How useful would that be? And how distracting? Well, although there is no lion at your heel, your brain is convinced there is danger. Sexual sensations are therefore less than secondary for the system and become dulled or even turned off. With depression it is not much different. Just that there is no perceived threat but rather a letting go of all sensation. Therefore the sexual side-effects, although surfacing after starting drug therapy, are a symptom of the condition your body is in and not only a reaction to the drug.

Insomnia is the only part that should have been addressed by your therapist by providing a mild to moderate sleep aid to ensure your overall adjustment goes a bit more smoothly and your symptoms do not worsen on account of exhaustion. Perhaps there is a reason why they chose not to. This is between you and your doctor of course.

I wish you a fast recovery either on or off medication, as the case may be.

Hiya Bigjoe. Are you still on 75mgs? If so reduce to 37.5 and take 3000mgs of Omega 3, 1 Vit B12, and a "Benadryl" or any antihistamine that contains Citirizine Hydrochloride. (£1 for 7 tabs in Poundland or £6 for 14 in Asda).

I have been on Venlafaxine for over 10 years as I could never withdraw from them. Since Nov 16 I have reduced from 187.5 to 37.5 with the help of these vitamins +1. I hardly notice the brain zaps, I have so much more energy and the antihistamine helps me sleep if I take one before going to bed. It seems unbelievable but try it. Please let me know how you get on. Your therapist appears to be ignorant to the problems with Venlafaxine. Show her this forum and show her how many people are struggling as opposed to feeling happy on it. good luck.  

Hi,

i don't agree with other comments that the constipation and other side effects will settle down as your body gets used to the Venlafaxine. I was on it, at various doses for 7 years and my constipation never went away until I came off it. I was sluggish, gained weight, mentally dull and constipated for the entire time I was on it.

the Ben did work wonders for my depression and got me over a very bad time in my life, but I came off it because I couldn't deal with the side effects anymore and I was mentally stable to enable me to withdraw.

whilst on the venlafaxine I took vitamins, omega 3, ate a very very healthy diet, drank loads of water but my bowels literally shut down. I took laxatives occasionally but could easily go 2 weeks without a bowel movement. And that's not normal. It poisons your body over time.

i don't think it's a coincidence that since coming off the venlafaxine I've been able to go to the toilet every single day and retain a healthy bowel. I havent changed my diet and I haven't stoped taking my supplements, so my assumption is that it was the venlafaxine that slowed down my digestive system.

since coming off it I've also recovered my libido and am mentally alert.

i wish I had never taken venlafaxine and dealt with my issues through counselling instead. But I know that's not for everyone and sometimes the meds are required for stabilisation. But I do know that I now feel much better, in terms of bodily functions, without it. 

Ive also lost over a stone in weight, am less bloated and have more energy. 

Hope this helps.

Liz