I was given these capsules by the doct after it was decided that i was suffering from depression. Efexor 75mg. I did not know what to expect, but i was told that it could take a few weeks to have an effect.
I took one of the capsules and went to bed, i woke up early and felt strange. i did not want to do anything, all i could do was bury my head in the sheets and wait for it to end. It was the following day that i felt better (18 hours after taking the capsule). the second capsule was taken that night and when i woke the following morning again i felt bad. i did not eat, go out watch tv or listen to the radio. It was worse than the depression but i stuck with it for another day but when i started to get Headachs/Migraines i stopped taking the capsules.
I have taken illegal substances which could be partly to blame for my depression and none of these drugs have ever made me feel anything like efexor venlafaxine did.
how can people suffering from depression get better by taking a drug that is so strong it makes each day harder to cope with.
i do not take and will not take this drug but if you have been prescribed it please be ready for the effects because the little pills are REALY STRONG.
Yes I agree these tabs are very strong. Im kind of in the same boat as yorself with simular side effects; my psych said to try and ride it out which i did - its taken a month but my mind has returned and am ready for the increase in dose. Initially I had sensory hallucinations and thought I was on acid or something.. but it all settles down.
i have been on anti depressants for 15 years and they have saved my life. they now keep me well and i know that i am on them for the rest of my life. the side effects are a small price to pay for staying well. i have been on both the quick release and slow release venlafaxine/efexor. the slow release is much better. it takes upto 4 weeks for them to really work so you will still be suffering from the symptoms of depression even though you have started taking them. try and stick with them, because after 2 to 4 weeks my benefits were so profound. all the depressive symptoms had gone and i was able to fully function-no suicidal or guilty thoughts, no anxiety or irrational fear, no panic attacks, able to eat and sleep, to think clearly, to concentrate and be confident. hope it works for you like it does for me. give it at least 4 weeks. xmaria
Hi,
Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I have been taking Venlafaxine 75 mg slow release for one week to try and control my claustrophobic panic attacks. On the same day I started, I had a flu jab. I was fine for the next day or so (I put in a full day's work and managed to chair a meeting in the evening) but then started to feel dizzy, achey and nauseous. I attributed these symptoms to the flu shot, but on top of all that I was completely lethargic, fuzzy-headed and demotivated. I did not do housework or leave the house for most of the week, and could not even drag myself out to attend a social function I had been looking forward to for months!
Today, I am able to sit at my desk and I have even fixed myself something to eat and been out of the house twice! Not sure I can face a hot, overcrowded Underground train yet, though. Maybe in a few weeks!
Kim