Venaflexine

[Ragdoll15]

Has anyone been on venaflexine (,effector) I have been taking it for awhile and have been getting worse with dizziness and feeling faint all the time. The doctor will not change it because I have been on so many different antidepressants. I can't see the point of taking something that makes you worse, so I don't know what to do. Also my depression has got worse lately.

[littlefeather]

I took Effexor for almost 3 years for GAD, PTSD and Depression. It completely numbed me. I had no remorse, no empathy, no feelings, nada. I made some poor choices back then and after the repercussions I took myself off Effexor. I cleared most of my schedule for two weeks and tapered off. The “brain zaps” and headaches were terrible, but I wanted to feel again. I’m in a way better place now (6 years later) but I still take an anti anxiety med on an as needed basis. I would talk to your doctor about other options. Be well✨

[Ragdoll15 in reply to littlefeather]

Thanks for your help. I am going to tell my Dr that I want to come off them and take something else for my anxiety. I did hear that it is hard to come off them, so I will have to do it gradually. Not looking forward to it!

[littlefeather in reply to Ragdoll15]

Good luck!! I found that drinking more water than usual really helped.

[Ragdoll15 in reply to littlefeather]

Thanks, I will try this.

[Hidden]

Hi Ward - have just checked drugs.com about your drug. It must not be taken with alcohol or it can cause dizziness and fainting. It has interactions with other drugs. It has many side effects which can affect your kidneys and make you more depressed. Think you should have review with your doctor as you have been on this for some while. If this drug is making even more depressed it can't be right for you. Think you must check your leaflet for side effects. If you take the leaflet with you can point out the side effects. I would go to another doctor as your doctor is not listening. If you have not got a leaflet, then you can download it from drugs. com or just type in patients leaflet for the drug in search and you will be able to download it from a site. If you come off the drug, you have to do so over a week cutting the tablet in half, and reducing to a quarter in several days. You should ask your pharmacist how long it takes to come off your drug without harming yourself.

[Ragdoll15 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for researching this for me. I must get off this drug as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't see my doctor until next week. I will ask the pharmacist about reducing it as you suggested as I did hear it's hard to come off it.

[graciouslytaken]

I just started this medication yesterday! On a daily 37.5 mg dose. Felt an onset of panic before getting into bed. Woke up at 2am sweating and ready to vomit my insides out. Felt like I was in a fog this morning. The pharmacist told me to take it in the morning. I took it last night after I picked it up just to get it in my system. It will probably be at least a week before I can take it in the morning.

[Ragdoll15]

I take it in the morning but it still makes me feel groggy. I hope you have better luck with it, because everyone is different and you might be ok once it gets into your system. Good luck.

[littlefeather]

Again, lots of water!! It does take time to go off of this one. For me it was about two weeks, maybe three. When I tapered off, I had done a ton of research and found so many bad reviews. Its a nasty medication and doctors should not be prescribing it!!!

[Ragdoll15]

Thanks for reminding me about the water. I wonder why drs prescribe meds that are so bad. I sometimes wonder if it's to do with money making in one way or another.

[Hidden]

nutreance.com has an article by Dr Ronald Hoffman on 5 herbs which can help anxiety and depression. These herbs combine to keep the balance of gaba and serotonin in the brain. These herbs are sold as a supplement. 5HTO L Theanine Aswagandha passionflower and lemon balm. I you are in the US the ad can be seen on drugs.com when you type in th name of the drug you are on. It is called Redicalm. Have looked on health food shops online and found these supplements are available in the UK. I am cautious about new substances in case of allergies but passion flower and lemon balm are edible so think I could try these without any ill effect. The AAshwagandaha has been used in India for over 5000 years. Guess we have to help ourselves when other prescriptions make us ill.

[Ragdoll15]

I am in the UK and I have heard of this. It would be interesting to hear if anyone on this site had or knew anybody who had tried it. I don't know about you but I feel scared of taking anything new in case of side affects. You are right about having to help ourselves when our doctors will not listen.