No WAY

[DaveySaunders]

Get off Venlafaxine . It is a nightmare worse than heroin. I would never go on it again . The withdrawal is the worst I ever encountered. Mirtazipine does the trick with some CBT

[Sarahslj]

I'm the opposite. Getting off venlafaxine was easy, its mirtazapine that's fucked me up

[Blueruth]

My biggest pet peeve and reason for distrust of doctors is they do not share information about drugs and they do not discuss alternatives. They just throw meds at the problem and send them out the door. If you are in distress you probably aren't going to do an research. I'm on one drug that is next to impossible to come off of. I hope I am never in a situation where I can't get the drug because IDK what will happen. It only takes 24-48 hours to start to feel out of control.

[samack in reply to Blueruth]

Try to remember to ask dr in session what withdrawal symptoms would be like and side effects. I'm an obsessive researcher because doctors don't tell you everything. Venlafaxine, which I am on, has well known severe withdrawal symptoms. I am so sorry you are experiencing them.

[Blueruth in reply to samack]

Lamictal was prescribed back when I was more naive, young and believed I could trust doctors. When you are depressed you just follow the advice. You don't have the energy to do research. I don't anyway. That was especially true 20 years ago. since then there have been a lot more questions asked and deductibles force you to look at the cost. It is still considered a good, inexpensive med and it is. I just don't like being on a med for life if I don't need it. How would I know if it has altered my brain permanently? "For life" was the standard line 20 years ago too. Today only old school says that. My current prescriber gives me the complete lowdown. I fired a PCP a few years ago because she wouldn't listen to me and I done the research. Since then they have even stopped recommending the med for my situation so I was even right.

[samack in reply to Blueruth]

I understand. And many times we are right. Plus no one can force meds upon you by law.Patients right. It is sad when we're too sick to advocate for ourselves.

[Blueruth in reply to samack]

No they just keep recommending it every time you do a lab test. I got sick of it. My other pet peeve is you can't "interview" doctors. I should be able to know what their philosophy and ethics are before I am getting an exam. The industry is heading toward direct primary care because insurance is so bad for everyone.

[lovemydoggy in reply to samack]

I've found pharmacists to be a good source of info. Doctors don't seem very helpful about side effects or withdrawal. At least the ones I've had. 😔

[lovemydoggy]

Venlafaxine has been a miracle for me. Twice. 2005 during a year long depression, which was the worst year of my life. Got off no problems. Started again a few months ago. Absolute miracle again. Everybody's different. Glad you have something that works. 🙂

[TunaNC]

I’ve been on it for probably 12 years or so. Started at 75mg and now take 225mg extended release. I tried to taper off last year during a severe anxiety and depressive episode by 75mg at a time and my doctor was going to switch me to generic Wellbutrin, but I had a really hard time after 3 or 4 days of 150mg, so much so I consulted a telehealth psychiatrist (due to pandemic) and he suggested not tapering while I was in a significant depression and that even though it may not be working effectively that it was “doing something.”

I was out on Venlafaxine because I switched healthcare plans and I was on Cymbalta. Kaiser Permanente HMO didn’t cover that drug so the doctor put me on Venlafaxine.

I have a new consult with a psychiatrist tomorrow to discuss medication because I’m pretty sure it’s not doing much now but I’m afraid of the withdrawal.

[Sarahslj in reply to TunaNC]

Sadly in in the UK and have to rely on the NHS, we don't get a choice of doctors or consultants at all

[DaveySaunders]

I would like to add that I have occasional episodes of anxiety due to PTSD - my wife and mother both died unexpectedly when I was 39 and stress triggers it !! I don't get low mood just terrible fear and anxiety. About 3 years ago stress triggered a bout which was sorted with Mirtazipine but 6 months later it returned and I was put on Venlafaxine. I must admit it worked , the anxiety eventually went and I am now on no medication. But getting off the Venlafaxine was so hard I swore I would never use it again . I am aware we are all different - I have an Honours Degree in Psychology - but it does not stop me suffering occasionally. I personally would avoid it but I know many are fine with it !! Good Luck xx

[epiman]

I was on Venlafaxine for about 7 years and then went off it for a year. It was a challenge to get off, but I did pretty well - then the pandemic hit and I had to go back on it for a year. I then decided 8 months ago to get back off Venlafaxine. My withdrawl symptoms this second time quitting were much more intense, and I still struggle like hell with panic attacks, anxiety and depresssion....but not bad enough yet to make me want to go back on Venlafaxine again. It is terrible getting off this drug compared to other antidepressants that I have been on before over the years. I'm hoping that after a year or more of being off this damned drug I will start to feel better, but who the hell knows.