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Venlafaxine IR v Venlafaxine ER to aid sleep?

Posted , 5 users are following.

joanna1904
joanna1904

I am currently taking Venlafaxine IR, two tablets am and two tablets PM,

Total of 150 mg a day. However it is affecting my sleep badly. Having spoken

To doctor and she has put me on amitriptyline 10 mg tablet to be taken at night

To help sleep. However, it has made no difference. The other option is to change

To Venlafaxine ER.

Has anyone found that their sleep pattern improved as a result of the change?

Does anyone have any alternative suggestions. Previously on estcitalopram

With mirtazapine at night but had to change as weight gain was huge.

Any suggestions are gratefully received as can't go on like this.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • mike60339
    mike60339 joanna1904

    Posted

    Hi Joanna,

    Sleep? What's that?!! Seriously, I've never been a good sleeper - at the moment I'm taking 3.75mg zopiclone nightly and get about 4-5 hours decent sleep - I can cope well on this (need less sleep when you get older - I'm 70) what matters more is my mood when I wake up at 4:00 am - if I feel OK I'm quite happy to lie and rest, if not I have to get up and make a cuppa and read or play solitaire on the PC - can't stand lying there fretting and anxious. I'm not sure I can recommend zopiclone - it can be a nasty and addictive drug, thankfully I know what it can do and know I can tolerate it. It certainly works, though - maybe mention it to your doctor? Probably be reluctant to put you on it though. Lack of sleep is not good, but nobody ever died of it!

  • tanya20181
    tanya20181 joanna1904

    Posted

    I think zopiclone is the same as clonazepam in the U.K. I take 0.5 mg each night and it certainly helps. I was in amitryptaline 10mg but it made my ibs worse. I ask do take the Vensir 150mg ER. Wishing you well!
  • phyllisj
    phyllisj joanna1904

    Posted

    Been on 225mg Ven xr for 10 years. I periodically take zopiclone or zolpidem for sleep as well as diazepam or chlordiazepoxide to try and turn my brain off.  Ven hasn't helped my sleep and the side-effects including weight gain are awful. rolleyes

  • 2357
    2357 joanna1904

    Posted

    You may do better on the ER. And, as your dose increases.  And, timing. When, you take it, before bed. I am on XL (Same as ER). I take 300mg. At night. Within, half and hour of taking them. I, am more than ready for bed. And, slep right through to the morning. But, I also stay up late. Until, about 2am. 

    Just remember, everyone, is different  And it can take time to find, what is right for you  xx

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