Keep Away from Venlafaxine

[DaveySaunders]

Venlafaxine is the worst drug I have ever taken. It got rid of my anxiety but I suffered horrendous nightmares throughout the treatment. Then trying to get off the drug was the worst thing ever. I was on 225mg and had to reduce very gradually. Each time I reduced I had withdrawal symptoms as bad as coming off Heroin . I would never go near it again - it took 6 months to get off it !! I am free of all Psyche drugs now thankfully - but I would stick to Mirtazipine if I get anxiety again but I did a CBT course and that has helped more than anything else !!!

[libragirl73]

Venlafaxine worked for me for 10 years after trying about 5 other medications. Then it did not and coming off was horrible as you say even though I weaned off as appropriately dictated by my doctor. I had violent nightmares, so violent in fact, I could not get rid of the images right away, they were that bad. Medication works differently for every one as hormones and body chemistry is different for all. What may work for some, may not work for others. I am glad what you are doing now is working for you! 😊

[samack in reply to libragirl73]

I'm on venlaxaxine and once tapered my way out with no problems. It does have nightmarish effects for others. If you got better results from cbt that's awesome.

[Missy_D]

In your opinion maybe but putting out a headline like that could be damaging to someone who is about to start Venlefaxine. I was on 225 and came off it with no problems at all. I came off in a matter of weeks. I was then on Mirtazapine which in my opinion is worse because of significant weight gain and the physical issues I now have because I am seriously overweight. We are all different and should make it very clear that we are only giving our opinions.

[Onlyme10 in reply to Missy_D]

Agreed, after some adjustment Venlafaxine has transformed me back to the relaxed happy guy I thought had gone for good.

Sertraline, and three other antidepressants didn’t come close. I’m in a slightly unfamiliar but great place now- normality!

I’ve suffered brutal side effects from other medications in the past, so those who Venflaxine has been rough on have my full sympathy. But it’s been life changing for me.

[FearIsALiar]

I’m on venlafaxine currently. Even when I miss a dose 2 days in a row I feel so sluggish and woozy. I’m so happy you are off of it now. I want to go off of meds too.

[Sadat50]

Like Libragirl I have been on this drug for over ten years. Nothing else worked for me. My depression and anxiety have no triggers or source - I can be fine one day but then be hit the the next and be there for months. Tried counselling, CBT, hypnotherapy but none of these worked.

I eventually hit my magic dose of 300mg per day, slow release and been episode free for almost 2 years now. Even getting through my father's death last year followed by my mother's 10 month stay in hospital, as well as the Covid situation, without somuch as a blip. Obviously I suffered through the grief of losing my dad but I know I would have been a total wreck if not for the Venlafaxine.

Missing a day does affect me by the evening - I take them when I get up in the morning around 8am. Hearing the many bad experiences when people come off them does scare me a little but for now, to me, they are a life saver. I must say that I look forward to bedtime every night as I actually enjoy my very vivid dreams. I have even had previous dreams referenced to in my dreams and even some that are almost episodic in nature.

Being a sci fi and horror movie fan they mostly consist of zombie apocalypses, alien invasions or battling enemies from DarkSouls computer games and sometimes being inside the game World of Warcraft. Strangely I haven't played them for years. Dark Souls 3 did get me through a long dark period in 2016 when I had heart problems and being home from work for 3 months took its toll.

Wow didn't mean to waffle on for so long, but Ven does the job for me

😀👍

[Dai05]

I am currently being weaned off venaflaxine after being on them for 2 and a half years the withdrawal symptoms are horrific 😢 down to 75mg now from 225mg originally but am determined to be free of them cbt definitely helps and my promethazine has been a god sent too.