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| zeegoman | -- 03-15-2004 @ 4:49 AM |
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I have been on 150mgs of venlafaxin (extended release) for the past 18 months, for treatment of depression. I am starting to titrate the dose downward, currently 75mgs. I have had some withdrawal symptoms, which I expected and am coping with however, I have been having what I would describe as breakthrough depression. That is flashes of low mood, with self destructive rumination. This is exaserbated by even small amounts of alcohol, e.g. a couple of glasses of wine over an evening. (I have obviously stopped drinking alcohol in the interim) Does anyone have experience of this? I am concerned that I may becoming depressed again. I will be cosulting my medical practitioner about this, but would like other views if available.
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| squelch109 | -- 04-13-2004 @ 5:25 PM |
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I'm considering a change in meds to V'flexin. What made you choose to titrate down? Did you think you had it "solved", or were there side affects? What was it like for you, and what meds had you tried before. Good luck as you go through the change/tapering off. D.
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| zeegoman | -- 04-14-2004 @ 11:02 AM |
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Squelch! It is recomended that venlafaxine is titrated when you are coming off. This was always the long term plan arranged with my pyhscian. I have however, since returned to the higher dose due to relapse. I have had many of the tricyclics, SSRI's and SNRI, Fluoxitine, Reboxitine, Paroxetine and Amitriptyline to name but a few, whatever is in vogue. Venlafaxine is classed as a second level drug for more treatment resistant depression. Until quite recently my depression was distinctly seasonal and I took the drugs for the winter period only. The main long lasting side effect of venlafaxine has been periodic excessive sweating. In common with most anti depressants prescribed for depression rather than low mood or blues, it kind of flattens out your emotions, Reducing the occurence, intensity and duration of the lows and the highs. It can also have demotivating effects. It boils down to whatever suits you in terms of therapeutic effect v side effects. I can live with the venlafaxine side effects but not with some other drugs . I have NEVER had a Prozac type feel good effect. Regards Zeeg 
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| zeegoman | -- 06-24-2004 @ 9:04 PM |
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I posted the origional message here. Does anybody else take this ****ed stuff? I am now taking 225mgs and my life is ****. I have a 2 dimensonal experience of everything. I never feel good, I never feel really bad either in fact I don't feel anything. There are no highs no lows, nothing. There is no connection with any emmotion. Is this me or does anybody else identify with this? please don't give any platitudes coz I've had a belly full!
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| saram | -- 08-25-2004 @ 1:00 AM |
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I've been on effexor xr on four separate occasions. OVer all, it's been a positive experience for me. I have a couple of questions for you, though. Did you and your doctor agree that it was time for you to start working down from your initial dose? If you're doing it on your own, you may be feeling residual or breakthrough depression because it wasn't yet the correct time to lower your dose. If you're feeling nothing, you might want to look into raising you dosage. Good luck, sarah
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| saram | -- 08-25-2004 @ 1:07 AM |
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Hey, I've been on Venlafaxine 4 separate times over the past 8 years. Overall, it's been a positive experience. It has some side effects that are difficult to tolerate; for me, the three hardest have been insomnia, diminished appetite, and nausea. ALl three were more or less fixable -- my psychiatrist prescribed me a safe sleeping pill, and so long as I'm on the Ven, I'll be on the pill, as well. Eating, I'm careful to eat most of my food in liquid form, which is easier - yogurt, protein shakes, veg. drinks, etc. The last two times I've been on it (invluding now), I've gotten into a real routine, health wise, and it's worked out well for me. The benefits, for me, far outweigh the negatives. While I'm taking venlafaxine, I'm functioning. And that's essentially what it comes do. I function normally, I laugh and work and relax and interact with people and the world -- I'm myself. I feel an overarching sense of happiness and contenment. So, for me, it's been worth it. Good luck, Sarah
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| Ariel | -- 09-01-2004 @ 11:02 PM |
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I'm glad you're consulting with your doc. With so many meds out there to choose from, why mess with one that seems to be causing you problems. By the way, I also have problems with self destructive rumination and decreased inhibitions in this area when I drink. Good luck to you, hope you feel better soon
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| suzie | -- 09-20-2004 @ 7:46 PM |
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i have been taking venlafaxine for a number of years,450mgs, then down to 150mgs, now i'm on 50mgs a day, and its a nightmare, i have suicidle thoughts, cry constantly and all because my doctor wants to try new meds, citolapram, if anyone has heard of these. i felt fine on the ven's but got used to them i think, but the withdrawal for me has been frightening. if these new meds dont work, i have to have electroconvulsivetherapy, which i have had before and believe me,its a living nightmare, i'm at my lowest of the low now and need help, but not getting it, i'm pleased there is somewhere to chat with other people who are experiencing the same problems i am having, thanks for taking time to read this. suzie..xxx
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| Barbara | -- 09-23-2004 @ 11:35 AM |
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Does anyone know anything about Lexopro? I've just been prescribed 10mg to start two days ago and I feel as if my heart is trying to pound out of my chest. I can't seem to find any info on line.
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| -- 09-23-2004 @ 11:54 AM | |
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Barbara, A good idea is to contact your doctor or your pharmacist. They will be better able to assist you in these medical questions. Knowledge is power and peace of mind. Josie
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| Ouisch | -- 10-15-2004 @ 10:44 PM |
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Hi... I've been taking the lowest dose of Effexor for over three years. For a brief period, I had the dose upped to 75mg, but only for a few months. Recently, when I tried to stop taking it and switch to another drug, I went through a terrible withdrawal...even though I was slowly tapering off over a month. I cried constantly. I was also filled with rage, and was terribly confused and disoriented. I got lost and fell down a lot. I basically just gave up on quitting it, and I'm taking it in combination with my new med now. I find this highly annoying.
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| jmac | -- 11-21-2004 @ 12:08 PM |
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Hi, I've been on EffexorXL 75mg for about 2 years now and for me, it is the best medication by far of all I had been on. I had medication resistant depression and a "plain" SSRI just did not do it for me. I had also been on Paxil and Remeron, but the Paxil stopped working and the Remeron was really sedating for me--plus there were weight gain problems with both of them. The only very annoying side effect is the sweating, especially combined with menopausal hot flashes, but I think its worth it. The decision to start taking meds was very hard for me too--I guess its that way for a lot of people. I was a nurse, and nurses, like mothers, are not allowed to get sick--especially with something like depression, which is not visible and has no lab tests to help with treatment. I try to think of it as the brain's equivelent of diabetes. In diabetes, the pancreas either can't produce insulin or the body can't use it properly, in Depression, the brain chemicals get all whacked out and I can't think reasonably, I am sure I am incompetent at everything and a burden to everyone. My natural shyness turns into extreme reclusiveness, etc., in a continous, negative downward spiral. The thing is, with diabetes, they can check blood sugars, but there is no way but trial and error for depression meds, no fun when you are in the "error" end of the equation. In the United States, we have a very "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" way of thinking. We would not expect someone with a broken leg to walk before he got a walking cast on, but we think people with major depression should be able to function as if nothing is wrong. Even some therapists seem to have fallen into the "well if you would get your thoughts straight, you wouldn't need meds" end of things, which is very frightening to me--it makes me feel that there is no help available if I need it. I can't get my thoughts straight if my meds aren't working, talk therapy helps me keep them straight and deal with messes caused by untreated Depression, but the meds are necessary also.
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| Kylie | -- 12-20-2004 @ 11:18 PM |
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Hi Everyone, I've never done this before, writing into a computer and hope that someone will respond. I've been on 250mg of Venlafaxin for four months now and I'm not really feeling any different from all the SSRI drugs I've tried over the past couple of years. The drug is new here in New Zealand so the Doctors don't really know how long things take and how fast the drug works. I'm just waiting for something to change to give me a sign that the medication is working. I don't know how long to wait before I say something to the Doctor. What should I be feeling?
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| zeegoman | -- 12-21-2004 @ 4:13 AM |
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You should have noticed some improvement by now. These modern drugs take less time to act than the older ones and you are on a relatively high dose. Venlafaxine is not a straight forward SSRI it acts on other neurotransmitters as well. It is classed as a second order anti-depressant, that is it is usually prescribed under specialist instruction. It is often prescribed for so called treatment resistant depression which is a bit of a misnoma really because no depression is treatment resistant, its just a case of finding the right treatment. If you are still feeling depressed then go back to your doctor and tell them. Don't settle for a fob off either. You must not come off the venlafaxine quickly as there are withdrawel effects, both physical and psychological. I have been on 225mgs of this drug for some time now and my doctor is going to change my treatment in the new year. This is because I have gone as far as I can with venlafaxine. You should idealy be getting CBT (cognative behavioural therapy) combined with your drug treatment. It is a long haul but don't let the clinicians off the hook. Getting the right treatment is vitally important. Regards Iain
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| Psysick | -- 03-07-2005 @ 10:41 PM |
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I was on Venlafaxin for 2 years. 300mg for the majority of that time. I was also on other meds simultaneously for a lot of this time (1.5 yrs Divalproex,8 months Seroquel). At first I thought venlafaxine was helping my a bit. But I still had my suicidal panics and anxiety and various levels of depression most of the time but not all the time. So now I'm convinced that any effects i was having at first on Effexor were due to me finally getting a psychatrist looking after me. A few months ago I quit the Effexor and Divalproex (quit the seroquel a long time ago). I think it is kind of sad that all the mental health organizations say that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is at least as effective as anti depressants, yet hardly anyone gets set up or refered to a psychotherapist by their family doctor. Don't get too caught up in the "brain chemical imballance" theory. It is just a theory with no proof! Depression is terrible, suicidal ideation is terrible, anxiety is terrible, but don't limit your therapy to only drugs on the basis of some uproven theory.
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| Kylie | -- 03-08-2005 @ 1:58 PM |
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I am on 300mg of venlafaxin and still have episodes of severe depression. I have started cognitive therapy and have been doing ok, although I find it a little frustrating. The depressive side of me was hoping I would feel better straight away, although the intellectual side of me knew that wouldn't be the case. As far as drinking is concerned, I too suffered serious effects. Just having one wine made my mood 10 times worse, so am not able to drink at all. I guess some people can handle things better than others. Unfortunately I am not in the same situation as you by going through withdrawal, but I hope things do get better for you soon.
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| heylis2 | -- 03-09-2005 @ 10:15 AM |
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First let me start by saying, everyone one responds to this medication differently. I have heard and seen a lot of positive response to this medication - my life, however, was a living nightmare. I am a 33 y.o. female. I was on this medication for 7 weeks, 187.5 mg, had 2 suicide attempts, lost 15 pounds (which took me to 95 lbs.). I had nightmares that were so vivid that I could not tell the difference between them and reality. I was sweating constantly; I woke up every morning and my bedclothes were soaked from sweat. I had small, fine tremors constantly in my hands and legs. My boyfriend stated I even shook in my sleep. I started to sleepwalk (which I have no history of). I experienced bouts of insomnia; and my suicidal ideation was 10x more frequent and intense. Finally, the last 5 days I was on Venlafaxin, I had auditory and visual hallucinations. At first, I could tell the difference between them and reality, but the last two or three days, I could not. I thought everything I was seeing and hearing was real. My boyfriend found me last Wednesday morning trying to call animal control to come get the 15 - 20 snakes out of my house. I had been in the hospital the first of February, and had called one of the nurses last Tuesday during one of my lucid moments. I explained that I felt like my medication was not working. Instead of asking me why, she explained to me how inappropriate it was for me to call because I had a problem with my medicines and for me to contact my family doctor. I overdosed on something - I really don't remember what - early Wed. and started seeing the snakes and hundreds and thousands of spiders. I am off Venlafaxin now. Last Thursday, in a different hospital (thank God), my doctor put me on Cymbalta 60 mg and Seroquel 25mg as needed. I'm having a little trouble with the Seroquel, but only because it make me so sleepy and makes me very shaky. Still some suicidal ideation, but there then gone. I did not cry yesterday, first time in a couple of months. I know I am not feeling better from the Cymbalta, it's too early. I'm feeling better because I am off the Venlafaxin. The scary thing, from what I understand, Cymbalta and Venlafaxin are in the same class of AD. Am I going to have the same side effects? Whatever I end up taking, my doc said I will have to take something for the rest of my life, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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| Psysick | -- 03-09-2005 @ 10:24 PM |
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Antipsychotics can cause tarditive dyskenisia, a sometimes permanent muscle problem. If you are shaking because of the Seroquel and that wasn't previously happening you shouuld probably mention that to your doctor. Effexor made me sweat a lot too. I remember waking up covered in sweat in the summer. I remember some ppl at a factory i worked at for a day joking with me and asking if I was hot because the sweat was pooring off my forehead. This wasn't something that happened with me before Effexor. I have now been on Wellbutrin for a month (I'll be stoping soon) and it makes me sweat a lot too. The antipersperant (degree) doesn't seem to do anything. That's unfortunate that the nurse you phoned didn't take you seriously. I've had the same problem before in the Emergency room. They didn't want to give me divalproex (I had lost my wallet and cudn't fill a script). Remember one person isn't representative of all people.
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| gurnich | -- 03-10-2005 @ 5:04 PM |
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hi,I am new and very sad,my depression seems to be getting worse not better in time and I am so tired and scared.I hate meds but take them and I don,t know if I am having side effects or pre menapose.I wish I could just sleep instead of living like this.HELP.
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| -- 03-10-2005 @ 5:13 PM | |
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Sleepy, Thank you for sharing your story with us. You have come to the right place! Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find our Depression Test. This test is not a diagnostic tool and is not a replacement or substitute for a physician's advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. It may help assess the situation for everyone. We have an amzing online support group that can of great assistance to you. They are knowledgeable and supportive. If you have any question or concerns with our site or please contact Support Department at [email protected]. We are open to any questions or concerns you may have. Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Josie ___________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team.
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| gurnich | -- 03-10-2005 @ 5:14 PM |
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thankyou.
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