Hi, After 5 good months of taking Venlafaxine and getting my life back together, being back at work etc my depressive symtoms seem to be creeping back in along with increased anxiety levels, i feel like I'm back on that downward spiral to go back to where I was 12 months ago!
I've had to take some more time off work as I feel so bad these last few days, got a Dr's appt next Monday couldn't get in any sooner unfortunately.
Is this an early poop out from the Venlafaxine? I don't know what to do I didn't think I'd be here again so soon. Currently on 150mg XR with 10mg of AbilifyI know they will be reluctant to increase the Ven as I suffer from biploar disorder and they are worried about mania but I've never had mania.
Has anyone else had any experience of Venlafaxine pooping out after so little time? Would an increase help me?
I was on it for 2 years and it didn't do a thing for me apart from make me feel worse. This has always been the case for me with all antidepressants over the last 32 years. I don't take them anymore as no point if they don't work and make me feel worse
I have been on venlafaxine 150mg for about 4 months and mirtazipine 15mg. I was inital better but it got that bad at the weekend i ended up in hospital after overdose.
I am back seeing doctor on monday but I am out of hospital without any support!
Hi Liam, I'm bipolar and have been taking 800mg Lithium and 300mg Venlafaxine for the past 16 years. I have found both these meds very effective for me along with managing stress, getting enough sleep and exercise/healthy eating. I have continued to have episodes of depression and mood swings once or twice a year but nowhere near as severe as before I was on this combination of meds. As I have got older things have got better and interestingly since I reached menopause (I'm 56 now) and also was retired from work 3 years ago on health grounds I have not had a single depressive episode! I have begun to wean off the Venlafaxine now (very slowly) and am down to 150mg.
The point of telling you this is to say it sounds as if the Venlafaxine is suiting you but you may need it increased (at least until the symptoms you are experiencing stop). Everyone is different and it's not good enough for the medics to say they are worried it will give you a manic episode - if you've not had one so far, or only hypomania (a milder version that I get) - you may respond well to an increase, as I did. Good Luck,
Thanks for the replies, hopefully it'lll be a simple doseage increase that will help me through this. I don't feel as bad as I did last year but I feel I could do if left for too long without some extra help while I'm feeling down.
I don't want to start changing antidepressants again after the Ven was working so well for me.
Hi Yvonne, so pleased to see you back on here, I've been worried for you.
Why can't you see your doctor before Monday, surely you're classed as an emergency patient? I'm back to psychiatrist tomorrow, some days I think the venlafaxine may be working slightly and other days not.
I hope you have peaceful weekend, take good care of yourself. Gen x
That's unbelieveable. I hope Monday's appt goes well. You have room for dose increases on both the venlafaxine and mirtazapine. Let me know how you get on.
Hi Liam, in addition or as an alternative, mirtazapine can be taken with venlafaxine. The two are known for synergising well and really helping depression. Worth a mention to your doctor. It may also be good to be referred to a psychiatrist who are far better qualified to deal with bipolar than your GP.
They really need to sort the sleep issue out, it's no wonder you're in such a bad way. Even people without mental health issues would severely struggle with the lack of sleep you're experiencing.
I've just been prescribed Quetiapine to boost the venlafaxine and mirtazapine, it is also prescribed off label for insomnia, worth a mention to your doctor. I take it at night, with the mirtazapine, and it definately works for sleep.
i do know what you're going through having suffered terribly with sleep deprivation for 4 months. You will find something that helps. It doesn't feel like that now but it will happen. xxx
Hi Gen, I found at times when my symptoms broke through the medication and I was in danger of going into a depressive episode that if I increased the Venlafaxine, took time off sick from work and slept/rested then could usually come through it. Then after a few weeks I would take the meds back down. I then found that staying at 300 worked well for me and I've been on that for years until recently when I started to reduce as described in my last post. Hope this helps! Sue
Hi Michael, hope you're doing ok without the meds and on your herbal alternatives. Out of interest, what dose did you get up to on the venlafaxine? Gen
I was on 175mg of venlafaxine. I'm not taking the herbal remedy anymore as its working out to expensive. I'm not good at the moment I'm feeling very unwell.
Hi, I've tried mirtazapine but I didn't get on with at all it just me made sooo tired and lethargic all the time with little desire to do anything.
Waiting for an appointment with my psychiatrist so hopefully it won't be too long to wait, GP on Monday and she knows her stuff after previously being a psychiatric nurse.
I am bipolar and also had the same experience with Venlafaxine. I take Lamotrigine as well, which is a mood stabilizer. I was on 150mg and have reduced the dose to 75mg. My GP has also prescribed 20mg Fluoxetine (prozac), I have to take the meds 12 hours apart to make sure there's no interaction, so I'm taking the Prozac in the morning and the Venlafaxine at tea time. Today is the first day in a very long time that I have felt a bit better.
Hi, Personally I would not increase dose, that's what docs did to me and it just makes it harder to get off, I am going to look at something natural from holland & barret, like st johns wort to relieve any dips of depression as i havebeen on and off meds for past 20 yrs, I want off articial meds completely x
Hope you can find an alternative to Ven!! it's the worst med I have ever been on but obviously the doctors get alot of financial reward from the pharmicutical companies for prescribing it.