I am now 4 weeks into taking Venlafaxine for severe anxiety (had to give up work as could not cope). Was previously on Citalopram for 10 years but I guess it stopped working! Docs tried Setraline and after 2 weeks I was like a zombie. Then they started me on venlafaxine. 3 weeks on 37.5mg twice a day. Thought I was starting to get better, had a few drinks and anxiety back with a vengeance. Docs asked my to gradually increase to 75mg twice a day. Still feeling tired and anxious. Will this subside? Anyone had similar symptoms. I just want to get well again so I can get looking for a new job.
hello, i switched from cit to ven 5 months ago. cit got me into a severely depressed state. ven has completely turned me around. it does seem to take a long time to work though, about 8 to 10 weeks, before you notice the first improvements. you shouldnt drink until you have felt well for a couple of months, it really sets you back for a few days afterwards. for me it worked for depression, and also worked for a friend who had severe anxiety. we both started at the same time, and it took 10 weeks, until we felt better. each time my friend increased her dose, her anxiety would initially go up for a few weeks, before settling down.
There are always ups and downs in the recovery so this could just be a temporary blip - try to get through it without worrying about it and it should pass. I do know how frustrating it is to have these set-backs just when you start feeling better but it is normal and it is encouraging that you have seen improvement. Gradually the better times get longer until they merge together.
Hi Nigel that’s great to hear. I’m at the point of constantly analysing how I’m feeling and keep asking myself when I will feel better. It’s good to hear that your friend with anxiety felt better after 8 weeks. Hopefully this will be the same for me. Many thanks
Hi Pixie
Thank you for your advice.
I'm on the 75mg twice a day but I defo didn't drink any alcohol until they were in my system 12 weeks. I think u will start noticing a difference so on it took me about 6 weeks but have really helped me . I was on 37.5mg twice a day then they needed upped. Keep an eye in it any questions just ask on here I honestly thought I'd never get through it but now I'm glad too say I'm back at work just 3 days a week but it's a start xxx
i would echo karens comments. i deteriorated badly 8 months ago, when i tried citalopram. ended up much worse than when i started it. i couldnt see recovery being possible, but 4.5 months on ven, im so much better. went backwards a few weeks ago, so had a recent dose increase. i havent recovered on ven yet fully, but think i will. ive found myself and from a couple of prople i know, that ven takes a long time, for you to feel consistantly better. this applies to other anti depressants as well. a few lucky people seem to recover more quickly, while others it can take considerably longer. important thing at this stage is that overall, you sense that its working, rather than how you feel at any one time. while you have that sense, its a question of waiting for the improvements to come. you are likely to feel much better in the next 4 to 8 weeks, but with blips along the way.
Hi Elaine,
how are you feeling today? Thanks for your reply to my discussion (https://patient.info/forums/discuss/venlafaxine-7th-week-update-677777?). I might as well just reply here since the topic is almost identical.
Just one thing: do hang in there! I have been taking Venlafaxine for 8 weeks now (and over 1 month at 150mg) and the situation is gradually improving. I was very discouraged last week, because my anxiety came back with a vengeance for a few days. But, as many people will tell you, these "blips" are not uncommon. Since then, things have gradually improved.
I totally understand it's hard to have hope when the medication has not begun to work yet. But it will work. The fact that your anxiety is worse in the morning and subsides after 5pm (as you wrote in your reply) is absolutely within the bounds of normality, as far as I understand. As of today, I still get some mild anxiety in the morning and around 3/4pm.
Just give yourself some more weeks, and you will gradually realize you are slowly but steadily getting better. And, in the unfortunate case of a "blip", just remember it's really just temporary (might be 2-4 days, according to the experiences I have collected on the forum) and, when it ends, you will feel better than before it started.
Keep us updated. Take care!
Hi and thanks for your reply. Can I ask do you work? I think that is what is causing some of my anxiety in the fact I want to get better to look for a less stressful job. Feeling a little better today but still anxious and tired but bearable. X
Hi there. You're going to be okay. We have all been where you are and we all understand. First, it takes anywhere between 4-8 weeks for venlifaxine to work and sometimes you'll have some flare ups while your brain adjusts to the medication. And sometimes with any anti anxiety medication, ironically, anxiety can be a side effect.
You're almost there, but there are other things you can do to boost serotonin in your brain that helps with mood and anxiety. Dark greens, almonds, kefir, cheese. And VIGOROUS exercise. I walk a lot, ride my bike. And I pray and go to church a lot. I use the "calm" app. It's very good. So try to help your medication work. In a few more weeks, you'll be done a lot better. Can your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have self harm thoughts. God bless you and hang in there. You'll be okay!
Hi Tammy
Thank you for replying to my post. I walk quite a lot with my sister and find good afterwards. I’ve been finding it hard to eat just now but eating what I can. Thankfully I have never self harmed or had dark thoughts. Just impatient and feel this is the worst spell I’ve had. It’s good to hear positive thoughts from other people. Take care.
I had too step down from my work too I could cope with the extra work load it all just became too much n made me ill trying xx
Coundnt I meant
DO NOT DRINK ON THESE. Trust me, alcohol reacts very badly to these. You have to give them time to start working again
Hi Karen I’m glad I’m not alone. I had started a new job and after 10 weeks I could not take any more pressure! I handed in my notice as new even when I get fully better it is too hectic for me. I lost a stone in weight during that time. My eating is still not great but find at night time I’m hungry.
Hi James
I’ve learned the hard way. Still not back to the way I was feeling before I had alcohol and that was nearly 2 weeks ago. The fact I have increased my meds does not help. I’m just taking each day as it comes.
I was the same thought I was over it done well drunk alcohol then felt as bad as ever again was so annoyed with myself after getting well again xx
Your defo not alone I was the same. I feel so bad about being like this but I just can't cope with any high pressured job I now just work part time it's all I can do xxx
Hi Elaine,
how are you doing today? Yes I do work. Except for a couple of weeks, I have been working throughout this one most recent, long critical period. But my work environment is good and I know I am lucky I could do that. Don't blame yourself for giving up on a stressful job. Your life and health come first. If you couldn't handle, that was probably the right thing to do. And in a little time I am confident you will be back to a state where you can put all of your efforts into finding a new job that suits you better.
Hi
Sorry for the late response. Getting better each day thankfully. Been on higher dose now 5 days now. Anxious in mornings still and little pangs throughout the day but manageable. I know you are right what you say about my job I just beat myself up a little thinking I’m weak! I know I need to think of myself for once and get myself sorted and then look for a less stressful job. Hope you are keeping well. X