Scared but trying to be positive

[Adamj]

I started a Venlafaxine 37.5mg today I’m so scared don’t know how my body is going to react. I’m always scared to take medicine no matter what it is besides Tylenol and allergy medicine. It was hard to even get the pill out and take the Venlafaxine . But I’m so tired of this depression and anxiety every day can’t even work. I want to get better or have symptoms ease.

[Agora1]

Adamj, wishing you well on your journey to healing.Take the first pill when someone is around, write down

the time, name of drug and dosage and then....this is important

Go on with your day.

Do not dwell or focus on having taken it.

One day will fall into the next and before

long you will start feeling better. xx

[tofler]

Have you been on any meds before for depression or anxiety? This might turn out to be a very positive step in the right direction for you. Do you have a follow up appointment with the doctor who prescribed it, to see if you’re having any problems with side effects? I really hope it makes a positive difference for you.

[Daesin]

It’ll take a while for the medication to build up in your system. I’m not familiar with that particular one. But I know they’re always telling me to Wait 6 to 8 weeks or some other number that I don’t want to hear hear.

So while we’re waiting tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have animals? What are your hobbies? Do you have family close by? Or whatever you like to provide.

Welcome to the group.

[Dell12345]

Hi Adam,

I take venlaphaxine and it has been excellent for me, it's worked amazingly. It takes a while to work fully, around 4-8 weeks. But for me it has had no side effects.

All the best X

[Jsteve36]

Trust in your Dr that he/she put you on this medication because they believe the benefits will be good for you.I too have a strong dislike for any pharmaceuticals, my Dr put me on 10mg of escitalopram, then this last Tuesday on my follow up appointment I had a panic attack while talking with my Dr so she also put me on propranolol which is a beta blocker used to controll the physical effects of anxiety/panic, I do not like beta blockers cause they are used to controll heart rate/blood pressure.

I was nervous to start the escitalopram but I'm 3 almost 4 weeks into taking it and I feel slightly better than before , I had to cut the dose from 10mg to 5 MG for a while cause 2 days after taking 10mg I had two panic attacks pretty much back to back, with any drug it takes time to get in your system to where you can start to feel the therapeutic effects and start feeling better.

You got this my friend, brighter and happier days are ahead, just keep going and it will get better.

[Kikiloves in reply to Jsteve36]

I was put on Zoloft then citalopram and had horrible side effects and thought I was dieing. . and now I was prescribed the escitalopram and I am so scared to take it because I am so medication sensitive ....I just want to feel better .....I hope you find a medication that can help you and make you feel better ...

[Jsteve36 in reply to Kikiloves]

I wouldn't worry too much about the escitalopram, I found it to be helpful. What MG are on supposed to take.5 10 or 20?

I would talk to you Dr to see if you could start out with 5 MG until your body gets used to the medication

[DaveySaunders]

I would not go near Venlafaxine again - it helped my anxiety but it was worse than heroin to get off - I felt terrible for months . Mirtazapine did the job better for me !! Sorry to be negative - just being honest - I would not touch it again !!!

[AtheistRob]

That's quite a small dose. I found venlafaxine very helpful. I take 225 ml . It is horrible if you come off them and don't taper off. Good luck

[Kikiloves]

I completely understand how you feel ....I am scared to take medications for my anxiety and panic attacks and depression ....I have been prescribed many medications that have made me horribly sick and doctor told me to stop taking them then prescribed me something else ....three different medications that made me feel like I was dying from all the symptoms from medications ...I feel like I will never feel better or be okay again.....I have a new medication to start taking for anxiety and depression and I am so scared to take it as well ..I understand how you feel ...I am always here to talk if you would like to talk...

[13thAngel2019]

Hi Adam, I have been on Venlafaxine since 1989/90 starting off on low doses like yourself. I am now on the maximum dose that I am allowed due to other health problems such as Epilepsy (now under control with medication,) heart problems, Anxiety, Angina plus other problems? I still have moments of depression that can last for days at a time but so far in the last 10-15 years haven't had any serious suicidal thoughts? So I do think they are working but I was diagnosed with acute depression and this is why the dose of Venlafaxine was increased over the years. I have on occasions forgotten to take my medication and boy did I know about it afterwards? Never try to come off certain medications without consulting your doctor first as you have to gradually reduce the dosage! Everyone's different as to what medication suits them. I was tried on a few other meds before I found the one that suited me but any side effects you may get (If any,) usually subside as your body gets used to the medication your taking, mine took around 2-3 years but as I said before my dosage was increased over approx 2 years? Whatever anti depressants you take can take weeks before you might feel any benefits from them and your doctor might suggest that you take a higher dose to see if it makes a difference? Depression is not an easy illness to treat it depends on your level of depression, any other illnesses or meds that your taking etc? I never thought I'd be still taking anti depressants 30 odd years later but as I said before, you might actually be one of the lucky ones that can be treated over just a few months? Good luck & best wishes Adamj on your journey. xx