Anxiety about starting Venlafaxine

[Camille417]

This sounds ironic, but I’m about to start a low dose of Venlafaxine but I have a ton of anxiety starting it because of the possible side effects, especially nausea. I hate feeling sick to my stomach so much so that it’s stopping me from taking the med. Any advice for starting it? I’ve never taken any anti anxiety med ever before either or have never been on anything else. I’ve had anxiety for more than 25 years and finally trying to get help and I can’t get myself to start it.

[Agora1]

Hi Camille417 I can't tell you how many of us have been afraid to start a medication that may just help us. The fear of side effects just ends up contributing to our already found anxiety. I use to be the same. My basement pantry looked like a small pharmacy with shelves lined in unopened prescriptions. I would go to the doctor with my hand out saying "help me" but not take the prescription.

There comes a time dear that we need to trust our physician and take that step forward in breaking the cycle of fear begets fear. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain in trying an antianxiety medication. What if (and I hate using that connotation) that makes the difference in just existing or living. My best to you xx

[Camille417 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for the encouragement. I know you are correct😊

[AnxM]

I can totally relate to your fear of meds. The irony is that what triggered my anxiety in the first place was being advised by the paediatrician to medicate my infant, and the stress that went with that and later, finding out that the medication was unnecessary and had caused more harm to him... So you can imagine my feelings when my psych prescribed medication for anxiety caused by medication!

He said if I was afraid, I could start by taking half a pill. So I did. And it immediately calmed me (i think it was lexapro) but then it made me super sleepy - like I slept 15 hours a night and still couldn't keep my eyes open through the day. So after 3 days of half a pill each day, I completely stopped the med... but it broke the cycle of non-stop rumination and anxiety, and I was able to recover from there. Never touched another pill again.

Unfortunately, as the issues were never worked on, everything has now re-surfaced 15 years later.

Sorry if this isn't helpful at all - just sharing my fear of meds. Now whenever I deal with meds, i will be extremely vigilant about the side effects. And I will immediately stop if I so much as see any undesirable side effects.

[Camille417 in reply to AnxM]

It is very relevant. Thank you for sharing. I’m just so nervous about the side effects that I’m having trouble even starting. It doesn’t help that I’ve never tried a med in the 25+ yrs I’ve had anxiety. I’m going to start taking it tonight. That way if I have an issue, hopefully I can sleep it off.

[AnxM in reply to Camille417]

I'm glad you're taking a step towards recovery. Don't be scared. How about keeping a log about physical and emotional states so that you can see what effect the meds are having? Note down everything, from sleep to appetite to moods etc. That way you will have "evidence" of the effects of the meds. Maybe that will provide some reassurance?

[AnxM in reply to AnxM]

Since you are particularly worried about nausea, make sure to note if it causes any nausea and if it does (not saying it will), write down the intensity eg. 1 to 5, so you can see if things get better or worse as you get used to the meds. Good luck and please update us on how you're doing.

[Camille417 in reply to AnxM]

Thanks, I actually told my husband my thoughts and that I was starting a med and asked him to help me with any changes in my behavior or anything else I might complain of that’s different. What you said is a good idea too.

[Ricardo70]

I was prescribed the same medication a few weeks ago. I read all the possible side effects and was a little concerned too.

I've had none of the side effects and I'm doing really well.

You don't know if you will suffer from any of the side effects until you try them.

Starting on a low dose will hopefully avoid any side effects. If you have a bad reaction to them then you can stop taking them and be prescribed an alternative drug.

Be positive and don't overthink it, there's so many "what could happen" situations in life if you question and analyse them all you'd never get out of bed.

Be strong, your doctor and all of us are here to support you.

[Camille417 in reply to Ricardo70]

Thank you for the positive words.

[Journey77]

I am in the same boat as you are. I was just prescribed Effexor as well and the script is still waiting for me at the pharmacy. I too read all the side effects and freak myself out, and will decide not to take the medicine, I’m just curious how it did make you feel? Did you have any side effects at all? I’m still debating on weather I should pick mine up or not? I too do not take any medications on a daily bases. Thanks for sharing

[Camille417 in reply to Journey77]

I decided to half the pill and I’m on my second day and I haven’t had any side effects. I’m still a little nervous and psyching myself out a little but feeling a lot more confident about it now.

[Journey77 in reply to Camille417]

Just curious if your is time released tablet? And I’m glad to hear it’s helping you 😋

[Camille417 in reply to Journey77]

I’m not sure which it is but it doesn’t say extended release on the bottle.

[Journey77]

Ok thank you , I may just go get my prescription tomorrow and try it out, it’s a low dose of 37.5 milligrams. I’m just hoping like you , I have no side affects with it? Stay well

[Lorna2222]

How are you doing now?

[Camille417 in reply to Lorna2222]

I’m not on any meds. I went on a 12 day trip with my family and was terrified the first 3 days. Then realized I was safe and with people who loved me and I was upset for nothing. Now I’m perfectly fine.