who is taking valdoxan ??? please

Hi Jenn, I am in WA too and prices of medications are quite high - however if $2 a day makes you happier and can function well then well worth spending the $. I did not end up taking Valdoxan - just the HRT which was like a wonder drug, but due to heavy bleeding have stopped it till we work out what is going on. Was on Effexor some years back whilst studying - made me eat so much and yes groggy and a bit numb feelings wise. Went cold turkey, eat better and exercise more and happy to say much improved (except meno symptoms) but .... that is another story. Some excellent posts and people to help on 'Patient' but just remember most of us are not medical experts just experts with our own bodies - so always get professional advice (and 2nd opinions where possible) - WA Country Health and Womens Health Care House (Highgate) offer brilliant over the phone advice if you are really stuck and wanting a friendly health expert to listen/talk to. Phew.....

Good luck,

Loui x

Higate - Northbridge

Thanks Rhino.  Am at the stage where Im fed up with the medication, my doctor and everything else.  Im a single mum and I find it soooo hard to get off the couch.  I used to be a hard worker and very house proud but now I just cant be bothered, and I dont care.  I have a part time job (15hrs pw) and I even struggle with that.  I feel quite pathetic.  I saw a new doctor yesterday and he just kept talking over the top of me and was answering his phone during consult.  But, in saying all that I am determined to find the right meds for me so everyones opinions/comments help.  Ive been battling with this for 6 yrs now, continuously swapping meds and doses but I guess its just what has to be done hey

Hi Jenn - I am in Wa as well.  You wont be able to get off cymbalta without going onto another SSRI to brdige - it is a nightmare to withdraw from.  I have just gone back to Zoloft from Cymbalta, and I feel much better.  Also taking Valdoxan but it isn't enough on its own. 

Yeh thats what I am worried about.  Do you suffer from anxiety as well or just depression like me?

a bit of everything, anxiety/paranoia and feelings of hopelessness

My doc hasn't ordered any blood tests either I'm gonna ask him next visit as I've known him for years I'm in bunbury also

Hi Jennx

Your post was a couple of months ago now so I'm just wondering if you're all going well on the Valdoxan?

I've been taking 25mg Valdoxan for nearly a month whilst slowly weaning off Effexor 75mg...then down to 37.5mg and now 4 days Effexor free.

Omg! I feel like I'm in hell! My psychiatrist told me the withdrawal symptoms would be bad but this is far worse than I ever imagined. Brain zaps, nausea, life in slow motion and tears... I'm a sobbing blubbering mess! But he assures me another 72 hours and all will be well. The valium helps take the edge off and the Valdoxan is certainly great for sleep!

I look foward to the Valdoxan being my hero but after reading some of the posts, my 'withdrawal' symptoms sounds like others side effects.

Hi Leanne3690,

I was on 225g Effexor (major depression and anxiety) and came off it in a week to start valdoxan. The weeks that followed were awful from the withdrawal symptoms which were exactly as you discribed. I also developed vertigo and could hardly get off the couc without wanting to vomit. Once the vertigo stopped, I have never felt better and I'm coping really well even with planning a wedding and buying a house.

I hope your withdrawal symptoms subside really soon. Effexor is one of the hardest of the SSRI's to come off but I found it 100% worth it due to getting my life back on valdoxan.

Joey thank you so much for your feedback!

Each day is a little better than the last and when i hear others are doing so well i know I'll get there too! The Effexor withdrawal nightmare must surely be coming to the end and since I'm not depressed at all i know the Valdoxan are working.

Good luck with your wedding xx Stay healthy and happy!

Hi,its a while since your post, can you tell me if the valdoxan has helped your anxiety and depression as i am thinking about asking for a change to it

Hi Ann,  I have been taking the maximum dosage of Valdoxan for over a year now and I have no anxiety or depression.  On half dosage it didn't work with me.  I have no other side effects either so I am very happy.

Thanks so much for your information. I am not sure if valdoxan is the right one for me but am willing to try as i cannot cope with apresent regime of mirtazapine with diazepam.   Does valdoxan give you a good sleep?   I get such. Ausea on other anti deps i wondered if this one might be better

Hi ann, i was on escipralopan for years then when i was still anxious and down my doctor said take mirtazapine also . It was great at first but the ladt few months ive been having terrible nightmares and waking up anxious and down ! The doc said prob mirtazapine to blame so he suggested valdoxan for the evening and escipralopan in morning . I really hope this helps xxx

Hi, thanks for reply.  My dr has said he is not keen to let me have valdoxan as there are reports of it harming liver.  I am not pleased as all,these meds do not help that anyway.   I am finding it increasingly difficult to get up while on mirtazapine also down and nightmares.  May i ask if you are in uk? I wonder if it is my health board who wont prescribe it.   At least i have your information to put in front of him now. Thanks.

Hi Ann, im in Perth Australia. The doc said just need liver check so having blood test. Today is first day of taking it so i will keep you updated. He did tell me it was more expensive than other tablets. But if they work i dont care ❤️❤️❤️

Yes, lucky you managed to get them.  My dr is still resisting my request and my depresssion is getting worse so i do need help.  His suggestion of augmenting with antipsychotic is possibly a cheaper option and hes using the liver issue as an excuse.  All i know is i feel as though im sinking and he needs to help me.  Do keep me posted.  Some people say they feel depressed taking it, that would certainly be a concern for me.

Hi Ann,  I am in South Africa. I asked my doctor above the liver issue.  He says this only applies to alchoholics or people who drink a lot.  Unfortunately a lot of people who have depression drink alcohol to cope.  I have been on the max dose of Valdoxane for nearly 2 years now and my liver is fine.  I only drink an ocassional glass of wine.  If your doctor is reluctant then get a second oppinion.  Don't wait.  Valdoxane is the only thing that works for me and there are no side effects.

Thank you very much for your information, i wii bring it up again at my next review.  I think its to do with cost in uk really, just they dont tell us that.  I dont drink so it should be no problem. 

It costs me ZAR700 a month which is about 35 pounds a month.

Hi ann

I took tablet for one night but had panic attacks all following day and couldnt sleep properly so im back on escipilapram in morning and mirtazapine in evening x

Thats interesting.  I will bear it in mind as insomnia is such an awful thing.  I am presently trying out a new anticoagulant and it is giving me insomnia - even after taking the mirtazapine.  I think its for the bin.   Every time i try to change over to a med i get side effects. To tell you the truth, im fed up with it all.

I know its such a pain and im such a wimp i m too scared to put up with side effects when changing tablets 😫😫😫

Hi everyone

I've enjoyed reading this forum and would love to share my experience and journey with you all.

Oct 2016 I had a traumatic event in my life and I had just given birth to my baby as well. I suffered from acute anxiety and because it was post natal I was in a bad bad way. My whole life id always been so positive and happy and outgoing. At times I was "anxious" but just general anxiety, not clinical. I had MANY trips to emergency, several doctors appointments, I couldn't get out of my head. I felt suicidal, the lot. I started sertraline and had a major reaction so discontinued straight away. After a few weeks my anxiety was no better just worse so I was put on 30mg mirtazapine and still after a few weeks was just not coping with my life. They increased to 45mg mirtazapine and over months I leveled out. I had no libido, gained 8.5kg, but for the most part I really had no anxiety! But then I decided to come off it because I thought I felt good. A month ago I took my last ever mirtazapine (I tapered) and I experienced awful withdrawal symptoms. I was so so unwell. Then I picked up for a few days and then BAM, got my periods and anxiety has got worse since. I haven't slept a full night in a month, I wake at 3-4am with racing thoughts etc. I went back to my doctor and psychologist and they both recommended medication and they came up with valdoxam! I took my first one last night and I'm excited to see how it goes. It's so easy for us to focus on the bad things but it is SO worth the money if it helps my anxiety because it's robbing my quality of life right now.

Please share your positive stories with valdoxam for encouragement for me

Hi Laurensull

Like you, I tried several medications before Valdoxan.  This is not to encourage anybody to change their existing medication or take Valdoxan without careful consideration and consultation with their doctor.

I have been taking Valdoxan for several months and for me it has been 'the best thing since sliced bread.'  I take 1 at night which helps with sleep, but doesn't give me the 'I took sedatives last night' feeling in the morning.

It has settled night panics and after having poor quality sleep, what I now get is so much better.

After the first few days, I have had no yucky or unbearable sideaffects.

I'm glad you find it is SO worth the money.  I totally agree.

Marley

Hi, wondering how you are getting on after your bad experience with valdoxan?  I am like you, still trying tomchange the mirazapine at night as i am having awful nightmares and broken sleep on it.  I just dont know what they can try next.  My problem is imhave to take warfarin which means certain anti deps are not possible for me, especially ssris.  I just need something to get me going again and so far nothing has.  Any houghts frommyou would be helpful

Hi im sorry not much help as i stopped taking valdoxan after one night. I was having quite a few anxiety attacks following day so chickened out of persevering 😫😫 went back to mirtazapine and putting up with weird nightmares on and off !! Hard work this anxiety crap

Thanks for replying

I've done 3 nights on valdoxan now

Waking up still at 4am with really hot hands, spewed the second morning. Have felt yuck in the tummy all day and not sure what to do. I know mirtazapine works I just don't want the weight gain but if Valdoxan doesn't work out I will definitely be going back on mirt. I need peace. I'm struggling yes it's hard work I'm feeling you..

Yes i put weight on also but then i went to weightwatchers and lost 16kg ...... but managed to put 13kg back on pretty quickly grrrr hope you start feeling better soon xxx

Today was a good day. I'm still waking at 5am ish but my hands don't get hot anymore. I do have a hungover feeling though. Anxiety is already lifting. I feel positive and excited. I use Isagenix but generally won't cleanse when I'm on medications, personal choice. I've lost about 5kg since coming off mirt!

Thats fab !!! Maybe i should try valdoxan when im feeling good and not on a weekend where i wasnt feeling too good 😀😀

Im glad youre feeling so much better x

Today was incredible. My first "back to normal" day and I've only been taking Valdoxan for 5 nights!! First few days were pretty yuck I have to admit. But I made a commitment to try them for at least 2 weeks and if I was still terrible I'd see my dr again. The best part is that weight gain is an uncommon side effect!! Woo!! And no weaning required when I decide to come off (not for 1.5yrs at this stage!) I'm so thrilled

HI laurensull, thanks for staring your story and wondering how Valdoxan is going for you now? I'm also weaning off Mirtazapine because of weight gain, my anxiety also sky-rocketed postnatally and I especially couldn't sleep at night. Mirtazapine has been great aside from the weight gain aspect, can't seem to curb my appetite on it and have put on a stone in only a few months. I am quite petite so it has been a lot on me, getting me down in the process. I was glad to hear things got better after 5 days for you transitioning from Mirtazapine to Valdoxan, how are you doing now, did you persist?

I had appt with dr yesterday where she told me that she had never pesibed this drug.   I told her it was doing well for some but she insists its not on her list of possibilities, spoke to psychiatrist who said he wasnt happy as it affects liver in research.   How n this be that you can all get it?

Have you any further information on valdoxan?  Are you in uk? I am having didficulty when asking to try this as GP never used it before. I am trying to put together some information I can take to her regarding people on it. Your help would be appreciated.

how are you doing? I am still on mirtaz and putting up with the weird dreams and appetite.   Have you tried valdoxan again yet? The mirtaz is just not helping me as i am feeling anxious all the time. Tried to increase as per dr but felt worse.  Nausea still a problem in am. Just dont know what to do to feel better. I have to use diazepam for the anxiety, not enjoying using that either.

Hi - you can claim back from HBF the difference if you have private health care.  I am from Perth.  I too was a little concerned as my doctor didnt order any blood test to check liver - Venlafaxine or Enlafax was just pure poison for me - I only took 1 tablet (75mg) and it was dreadful.  My Dr has just doubled my dose of Valdoxan to 50mg a day - have done this for two nights now and my anxiety is not too bad ... I am also going to start on HRT so hoping this will level me out totally.  Good luck and keep looking forward.

Hi there, can I ask what the max dose is that you are on please? 

Saw psych again and asked and he said this drug is not permitted in uk for prescription so unless i can find another dr who has a differing opinion then i am stuck.

hope you are still doing well on it.  I am no better, if anything, worse as they have decided to take me off mirtazapine.

one day i can be really down, the next really agitated, then anxious.  Its an awful trial to get through the days.

Hey its been a while, but im so nervous about medication, but am in a bad way. Im from the us but have some coming. How did it turn out?