Anyone have any good or bad reports on Ve... - Anxiety Support
Anyone have any good or bad reports on Venlafaxine.Be interested to know any patient comments please.
Hello Emby'
I have never taken Vanlafaxine myself.
The only thing I can say is that I had a friend who was on this for a good few months.He suffered from "social anxiety".After some time his anxiety changed to depression and he became quite ill.The last I heard was that he was coming off it under his doctors supervision but was getting really bad withdrawal symptoms.Hope this is of some help
Hi emby
I read your other post and was going to reply so I will pop it in here instead.
My response is regarding mirtazapine. I've been on it for 8 months and I find it really helps me with sleep, anxiety and depression. My gad scores have been all over the place but my doc has kept me on it and i trust her 100% and glad i stuck with it. i have previously been on prozac and citalopram but find mirt deals with anxiety far better for me. how did you feel on mirtazapine? And are you having counselling alongside? Switching meds and dealing with withdrawal must be adding to your anxiety. Take care love eve x
I have been on it for years its the best antidepressant can cause dizzyness and headaches
Mirtazipine made me very sick
Thank you for your reply. Pleased to know someone had a good result ,as most things I've heard say it has terrible side effects. My doc is changing me from Mrtzpne to Venlafaxine as that doesn't seem to be helping,I have suffered awful nausea whilst on it,and not sure if it's that or not. Were you prescribed it more for depression? Would you mind me asking you what dosage you're on? Did you suffer from constant nausea with Mrtzpne ? Would be interested to get any more info from you if and when you have time to reply. Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch! X
I've been on it for 6 years and have only good things to say about it. I believe it gave me back my life. At the time I went on it I was so consumed with anxiety I had no life.
Thankyou so much for your message,I appreciate it very much.I have been on Mirtazapine for 5 months as well as Ativan ,but my anxiety is terrible,mainly related to health anxiety.My doctor has prescribed Venlafaxine as she says it's better for anxiety,but have to withdraw from Mirtazapine for 3 weeks first.like you,I feel I have no life at all,my every waking moment is spent in a horrible sense of fear about what's wrong with me! The only time I'm not like that is when Im asleep and that's because I take medication to help me have a few hours oblivion! The reason I asked the question regarding Venlafaxine is because I have read several reports that it causes horrible side effects,could you let me know if you experienced any yourself?
Thank you again for your response! X
I don't have any side effects at least none that I'm aware of. This is my second time on Venlafaxine the first time was about 8/9 years ago. I came off them after 9mths. I thought I was "cured" because I no longer had anxiety. I had to reduce them slowly with the help of my pharmacist. I had very few problems coming off them I problems start back after being off them for about a month or so. The anxiety slowly but surely came back. It took me a while to go back to my gp and say the anxiety was back. When I started back on them 6 years ago I decided to say on them for the foreseeable future. I started on 37.5 mg for a fortnight then increased to 75mg . I still take the 75mg occasionally I get break through anxiety but not enough for me to do anything about. It passes quickly, I can control it.
I have been using venlafaxine together with mirtazapine for around 9 years now. It is usually started as a low dose, typically 75mg once or twice a day and then increased to the maximum dose (or whatever your GP decides is your maximum effective dose) over a period of time. The worst aspect of venlafaxine when you initially begin them is the nausea that they create. This can be alleviated by taking them with or after food or with a glass of milk. It soon passes. I've read reports on this site that venlafaxine present horrendous withdrawl problems. This ought not to be the case unless the medication is stopped abruptly. They should be stopped by a reduction regime which your GP will describe to you. It is an excellent medication for depression and particularly depression where anxiety is a problem also. They take up to six weeks to provide their maximum effect so give them a chance (which many people do not). Good luck.
Thank you for your response.nice to hear a good report about Venlafaxine ,as I've read a lot that say it causes horrendous side effects.I'm already taking Mirtazapine 30mg and my doctor has told me to withdraw from it over 3 weeks then take the Venlafaxine ,my main issue is terrible anxiety,mainly related to health.The Mrtzpne helps me to sleep but not for more than 5 hrs at most,then I spend the rest of my waking hours in a state of panic. Did you suffer with anxiety or was it depression?I'd greatly appreciate any more information you may be able to give me,Thank you again for getting in touch.x
I suffered (still suffer) from both anxiety and depression, my depression at one point becoming psychotic which led to three four month stays in a psychiatric unit but now I have a medication regime which allows me to approach life with a more positive attitude. Many people would say that medication is not the answer, but after suffering such intense and debilitating anxiety and depression any help I could get I would take. If you are reducing the mirtazapine over three weeks what dose of venlafaxine have you been advised to take? The only side effects, as I say, are in the initial stages of taking venlafaxine and as far as I know are feelings of nausea which are reduced by taking them with food or a glass of milk. At the moment I take 15mg of mirtazapine in the morning and 30mg at night together with 300mg of venlfaxine as a split dose throughout the day. 5 hours of sleep a night would be adequate as far as your GP is concerned but I appreciate you would not feel the same. Has s/he not offered any of the Z drugs for the night such as zopiclone? Unfortunately I am addicted to nitrazepam having taken 10mg per night for well over 10 years so with my GP that is not an issue, it's simply a matter of a repeat prescription. I wouldn't advise taking any benzodiazapines though. The z drugs are not addictive in a somatic sense but probably are in a psychological sense because they work! Have you ever been referred to your local Mental Health Team, been offered OT help? I know several people who take venlafaxine and their lives have been changed for the better and none of them have suffered any side effects at all. Any more information you need just ask.
Oh thank you so much for getting back to me,I'm very grateful.unfortunately I have to go out shortly,so not able to respond much at the minute,but if it's ok with you I'll get back to you this evening,I'm very interested in your message,it sounds very like me at the minute.thank you.will be in touch later. Diana xx
Hi,I started venalaxafine 14 days ago after Citalopram & Sertraline & I must say I felt so much better even after only three days. Had a bit of a dry mouth for a few days plus a weird spaced out feeling for a couple of days, but I can really say so far this is the best ad I have had & as I say it is only 14 days So can only get better (I hope) good luck & don't give up too soon.
Cheers for now
Thanks so much for getting in touch,really appreciate that. It's good to hear of someone who seems to be doing well on this drug. Before I joined this forum ,I had done some research on google and most comments seemed very negative.I haven't actually started on it yet as doc has said I have to wean myself of Mirazapine for 3 weeks before I begin Venlafaxine .where you prescribed it for depression or anxiety,my big problem is anxiety which I have to say is terrible at the minute Would be interested in what dosage you take,if you don't mind me asking.Thank you again. Take care,x
I was prescribed venlafaxine for depression with associated anxiety. Anxiety, too, was the biggest problem for me and the psychiatrist decided on venlafaxine because of its value both as an anti-depressant and an anxyolitic. The dose I take at the moment is 300mg as a split dose throughout the day. One thing I forgot to mention is that once on venlafaxine it is important for your blood pressure to be monitored, monthly usually, because it can slightly raise it.
Okay, I'll be waiting.
I'm John, by the way.
Thanks John and sorry for the delay.I was so interested to read your message,I feel I have very similar problems to yourself. In my case my biggest problem is persistent and severe anxiety,to a degree that's sometimes embarrassing,shaking,crying,terrified etc.Yes, I am being seen by Doc at mental health unit,she's the one that is taking me off Mrtzpine and putting me on Venlafaxine,I haven't started it yet as she says I have to withdraw from mirtazapine,from 30mg to 15 for 3 weeks then stop and start on Venlafaxine,don't know what dose as she hasn't given prescription to GP as yet. Also been on Ativan 1 mg morning and night for 4 years,so clearly addicted to benzos now,though to be honest I don't think I'm bothered if it helps me function.Have CPN coming out weekly.What a flipping mess this is!!!!!
Sounds to me as though you've had so much to deal with in the last few years,you must be very brave!!!
Lovely talkin to you John,hope to hear from you soon.Look after yourself,and thank you again for the time you spent e mailing me.
Diana x
The reduction of your mirtazapine over three weeks seems sensible, Diana, and probably you will be given 75mg of venlafaxine morning and night to begin with then it would be increased according to how well you are doing with it. Being addicted to lorazepam is one hell of a burden! I knew someone who was similarly addicted and after 10 years she decided to come off them by going cold turkey! I have never seen such a physical wreck of a person before in my life! Whenever I've been of the disposition to come off nitrazepam I've done it by the traditional route, going onto diazepam and then reducing that by a few mgs per day until I'm left with 1mg only. I, too, used to suffer from visible physical anxiety and was grateful for any help offered whether that be in the form of medication or any of the talking therapies. Standing in a shop when the sound of everything is magnified a 100 fold and your legs are shaking and you are acutely aware of the sweat on your forehead and neck and your hands are trembling and you are in the que and then it comes your turn and you are willing the person serving not to talk to you but they invariably do and you cannot get words out in a reply......it isn't nice, is it?The weeping could be an indication of depression. Has your doctor ever mentioned the word dysthamia? One other medication which I have found more than helpful in getting rid of the physical aspects of anxiety is pregabalin. Doctors as a rule don't like to be asked to prescribe medications by patients but it's worth a try.
I'm not brave, Diana, just open to help and glad to be functioning.
Do you find your CPN helpful? The ones I have had (and there have been a few!) always seemed to be 'doing a job' rather than being of any help to me as an individual with individual needs. Now I have my social worker round once a fortnight and although we have very good conversations nothing that is said in those conversations is of any value either to me in terms of my mental health nor to him in terms of him offering any help. If I hear the word Recovery one more time........!!!
Keep at it and remember you count before anything or anyone else and the doctor is there to respond to YOUR needs and not what she's learned at medical school.
Love
John
John,thank you so much for your lovely message,that really is kind of you to write so in depth about yourself whilst also offering some advice to me. I really appreciate it,thank you.
Yes it's pretty rubbish being addicted to drugs,I have always known that lorazepam was very addictive but still carried on taking it, so really it's my own fault that I haven't been strong enough to make a determined effort to get off it.At present I'm in such a state that I think I'd take anything to stop this dreadful feeling of utter terror that seems to be with me every minute I'm awake.It's actually got to the stage were I hate waking up,even though I only sleep for a very short time,which only happens thanks to lorazepam and Mrtzpne!!!
In regard to your question about CPNs,yes,had some pretty poor ones to be honest,they have been coming for several months and only one ( the present one) has been of any help,two different ones were very nice but looked like they'd just left school,and apart from the fact they were nice people,no help at all.The first one was older but didn't seem to have much of a clue,and seemed to know hardly anything about medications etc,so basically sat talking for an hour ,and given some literature to read,and a told to keep a diary of feelings on a daily basis. She went off sick for several weeks,so ended up with zero CPN,hence the new lady.She seems much better,though unfortunately,not a miracle worker!!!
How strange that you should mention pregablin,my son and daughter in law ( who live in Surrey ) both work for Pfizer,who make the drug.My son is head of technology,and his wife is a marketing manager, so they both know a lot about loads of different drugs.Several months ago they talked to me about pregabalin and told me that although it was originally produced for neuropathic pain,it had been found to be very effective in helping with acute and chronic anxiety.Apparently it's not widely prescribed for GAD because it's very costly,and hardly ever prescribed in primary care,usually only in secondary. My doc at mental health unit grudgingly agreed to let me try it,only 25mg a day,but really struggled with side effects so was taken off it after 2 weeks by my GP.Wish I'd tried harder to stay on it but did feel really rubbish and thought it must be that,perhaps it wasn't and I quit too early!! Sounds about right for me!!!
At the moment I'm pretty bad as have been referred to ENT with earache problems,did have an ear infection a few weeks ago,had antibiotics,drops etc but no improvement,so now waiting to see specialist, so that's something else to worry about.because my major issue is GAD, mainly related to health anxiety. Looked the symptoms up last night,and I'm now terrified I've got oral C,so spent most of the day checking my mouth,even found a small torch at 2 this morning and shone that in my mouth , that may give you some idea of how bad my health anxiety is.In a word,Hell !!!
Well better go and get to bed,thank you again John, I really look forwad to hearing from you again .look after yourself,and sorry to disagree,but I do think you're very brave!
Love Diana x
I, too, Diana am of the opinion that anything they might offer to help me I am more than willing to accept although there are people, one of my sons included, with mental health issues who will not sanction medication whatsoever. Why suffer is my response!
My 'psychiatric career' began at the age of 14 and the first thing I was offered was lorazepam. I was not told of their addictive properties but they certainly worked at the time. Then I progressed to seeing Consultant Psychiatrist after Consultant Psychiatrist (many first sessions being paid for by my poor Mother!) until one was found who told my Mother that I would have to be treated on the NHS because relief would take years. And it did.
Were your side effects with pregbalin shakiness, dizziness, abnormal walking, forgetfulness, word slurring? If so (25mg is a very low dose, I am taking 500mg as a split dose daily) those side effects do diminish after two or three weeks and, yes, they were prescribed by a psychiatrist rather than a GP who has to take cost more into account when prescribing. At the moment I must be single handedly bankrupting the NHS since I take 17 different medications a day! But I am not zombified nor malfunctioning and am enjoying my life much, much more than I did even two years ago.
I would, though, not advise any voluntary admission to a psychiatric unit - not that these days that is likely to happen given the savage cutbacks to mental health treatments. I was sectioned so had no choice in the matter, but all of my admissions were weary experiences.
I have no answer to health anxiety. In fact it is only by reading the comments on this site that I knew it existed! Why such an internalisation should happen I really could not say. But I can understand the GAD label because it is non-specific as, I suppose, any anxiety is itself.
Why don't you raise the issue of some zopiclone with your GP or the other doctor? If what you see as lack of sleep is affecting you even in the slightest then a longer period of unbroken sleep could only be beneficial to you and they would have no objections to raise?
In the meantime continue with your lorazepam and don't even think about taking it - it has become simply part of who you are and if it helps then it helps. And look forward to beginning your venlafaxine and please tolerate any side effects which I assure you are short lived and then let's see if you can manage a smile - first inside, then out.
Love
John
Thank you John,really appreciate all your help and advice,How interesting to read of all your experiences.Clearly,life has been pretty hard on you,how wonderful that you seem to have been given some respite at last!
Yes, I have to say I'm with you on the
" anything that helps" front.I admire your son for being strong enough to resist medication,unfortunately I'm not.Perhaps if I had been I wouldn't be in the situation I am at present?
Have you been very worried about the impact your illness had on your children?Ive no idea how old they are but I assume they're not small children? My son and daughter are both married with families of their own and I worry terribly how my illness is affecting them as I think theyre getting fed up and frustrated that I'm never well.I lost my husband 11 yrs ago,and I think they feel more responsible for me because I live alone,but Ive always been very independent and rarely bothered them for anything,which is exactly how it should be!! But in the last year or two we seem to be growing apart,I totally understand why,Im obviously not much fun to be around and I'm becoming more and more isolated from everyone,can't seem to make any plans as I never know from one day to the next how I'm going to be.
You mentioned zopiclone John.Yes,the doc has already said she'll let me have some if sleep becomes a problem when I start on Venlafaxine.I'm so hoping it works for me as I don't know how much longer I can put up with life as it is,can't really remember what it feels like to be well!!!!
Did you find it really difficult to concentrate when you were ill ? I used to be an avid reader,now can't even manage that anymore. Never ever watched TV until after 6 pm,now really can't watch it at all.
Well,on that cheery note I'll finish.(what do you say? " Thank Goodness!!! " wouldn't blame you!!!!
Look after yourselfJohn. Thank you again. Hope all is well with you and hope to hear from you soon.
Love Diana x
Sorry for the delay, Diana, and no, I do not find anything you say regarding yourself and your predicament wearisome, the opposite in fact. If we can help one another then the better for it. Maybe that is what it is to be a human being being human.
Yes, all three of my sons are grown men now but none married with children, unfortunately (for me or for them?), although two have steady partners and the third, the one with the mental health issues, rarely leaves his room for his own reasons which I have to respect.
Yet my situation is a little different than yours. My relationship with the children's Mother broke down in 1998 and we parted company and not in a very amicable way I have to say. Since I have always had mental health issues and suffered from terrible anxiety (physical anxiety which precluded me from the 'normal' activities of society) she was the one who worked (as a lecturer in Forensic Psychology) and I the one who stayed at home with the children and when the divorce happened I saw no reason simply to vacate that situation and so we both petitioned for Residency of the children. Because of the circumstances (she hardly there and I always there) the Court found in my favour and therefore granted Residency of all three boys to me with reasonable access to the Mother. Two months later during a school holiday visitation to her home she decided to take the two younger boys to Australia (without my knowledge and in breech of the Court Order) whilst allowing the older one to come home to me. I haven't seen the younger ones since and do not even know what they look like these days. I have attempted every available means to contact them - email, letter, etc., - but to no avail: their Mother deems it unfit for me to know them. That was a long-winded paragraph I have to say!!
I, too, have had problems with concentration although I managed a First in an English Literature and Language Degree and later completed a PhD and it has only been within the last two years and my acceptance of my limitations and my acceptance of the medications that they offer that my concentration has returned. I, too, have always been an avid reader and still to this day am. I have a particularly keen interest in French existentialist philosophy and that requires more than an average amount of concentration I can tell you.
It's good that your doctor will at least allow you some zopiclone. I have a friend, also using venlafaxine amongst other things, who has sleeping difficulties and his GP will not prescribe even zopiclone for him and he is suffering as a result. Yet I have found over the years that if you establish a good relationship with your primary doctor - which is usually your GP - then you can manipulate the situation round to whatever you want most of the time. They are, after all, there to serve you and not the other way around.
So, Diana, a life told not, I hope, by an idiot but, yes, full of sound and fury but, after all these years, not signifyng nothing but acclaiming everything!!
Take care, Diana; that smile inside will grow soon, I'm sure.
Love
John
Wow! I've just read your message John.Well,actually I've read it 3 times.
I have to say, I feel quite honoured that you felt able to share some of your story with me. Thank you.
All I can say is,you must be made of tough stuff to go through all that and achieve so many other things in the process,not least a First in English Literature and Language,pretty amazing by anybodys standards I'd say!!!
Strangely enough, my children have always tried to persuade me to do an A level in English Literature as I've always had a love of words,books poetry etc..Nothing quite as highbrow as French philosophy I'm afraid. I have a great fondness for DH Lawrence ( perhaps something to do with the fact I live not far from where he was born) the Bronte sisters and Alan Bennett.Never really thought about it before,but they're all from Nottinghamshire or Yorkshire!!!
Must be something to do with being from
"Up North" myself!!
Life must have been dreadfully difficult for you,an unhappy marriage,being ill and three young children to bring up,doesn't come much tougher than that I'd say!!
And even more distressing,two of your sons are taken away from you,that's awful! Hardly surprising you're on medication really.I don't know how you got through it all to be honest,I don't think I would
A shame that your son also suffers from emotional problems,not good that he spends so much time alone in his room,but as you say,you have to respect his wishes.I think genetics may have a part to play in mental health problems,do you? My father had a breakdown when I was a child and was hospitalized for several months,many years later he committed suicide. ( actually on my 19th birthday) he was only 52.My eldest grandson has awful problems with OCD,so that's 3 generations for a start.Flipping heck,it must be lovely to be one of those laid back people who just enjoy life and take things in their stride,they've no idea how lucky they are!!!
Thank you again for your message John,and for your encouragement,it means a lot!!!
Look forward to hearing from you soon.Take care of yourself.
Diana x
Diana x
What a coincidence, I, too, am a Northener, Lancashire born and bred and fiercely proud of it even though during my academic years my accent was a source of much merriment to my colleagues who all seemed to hail from the south. My accent has never changed, more through choice than anything else, I suppose and now it never shall.
My first love was, still is, poetry, my thesis being on the disassociated selves in the work of Sylvia Plath, a woman whose language has haunted me since my early teens. Lawrence has written some beautiful poems which sit perfectly alongside the novels although his diatribes on art do tend to leave me cold. And as for Alan Bennett, he is one of my absolute favourties. He has a wit and a solemnity and sometimes a harsh, coldly sarcastic way of stringing events along and, to my mind, is the contemporary Dickens. Such fantastic language. I recently saw a production of some of the Talking Heads Monologues (A Cream Cracker Under The Settee is my favourite) and in October I'm off to see his latest offering 'People' at The Lowry in Manchester.
My life, Diana, could have been anybodys; my approach to its problems has been that little bit different than what might have been expected, that's all. I had my career mapped out for me but not by me but others if you see what I mean. They placed expectations on me I would never have chosen for myself.
And I think you're right about the genetic component. My Grandfather committed suicide and the children's maternal Grandmother and Great Grandmother also did which does not bode very well for my middle son's mental health issues.
Still, there is inhilation and there is exhilation and as far as science is concerned that constitutes life. It's the bits in between that are difficult (wry grin!).
I think I said 75mg as a starting dose for venlafaxine. On reflection it may well be 35.5mg twice daily as a starting dose. Yet as I say, I take anything on offer at the time and if it works it stays and if it doesn't then I discard it.
Hope you keep well, Diana, find that smile and by all means enrol for A level English Literature.
Love
John
Hi again John
Interesting to read your message,and nicely surprised to find that you too are a big fan of Alan Bennett. To be honest I somehow didn't think you would be.Yes,the cream cracker monologue was brilliant,I remember it well,Thora Hird was exactly the right person to perform that.Don't know if you ever read his first autobiography " Writing Home " ? I thought it was wonderful,so good in fact that I felt quite bereft when I'd finished it !
Wasn't quite as taken with the next one,I think it was "Untold Stories" , not a hundred percent certain on that as I lent it to a friend and the friend moved away and it would seem the book did too!
I don't really know anything about Sylvia Plath apart from the fact that she was married to Ted Hughes. Do rather like Phillip Larkin,though they're sometimes quite depressing."This be the verse" makes me smile,though if this anxiety stuff doesn't soon improve,it's likely my children will soon be agreeing with Phillip!!!!!!
Thanks for your advice on the Venlafaxine,haven't actually started it yet as I have another week cutting down on Mirtazapine before the doc will let me have it.Really hoping it works and also that I don't experience nausea as a side effect.Nausea has been one of my biggest problems with this anxiety disorder,I actually feel sick most of the time I'm awake,and only get the odd day when im free of it. I keep being told by the doc that anxiety does cause nausea but I really can't see how it does.Have you ever experienced anything similar?Be interested to know if you have or if you know anything about the brain/gut connection.
Thanks for your encouragement on the A level idea. If I can get myself feeling better, I might enrol in September.I've always fancied being the Julie Walters from "Educating Rita" in fact when the film first came out I wrote to enquire about an Open University course,quite imagined myself at Trinity College in Dublin,reading E M Forster with Michael Caine as my tutor,unfortunately earning a living got in the way and I never did get to Dublin!!!!!!!
Sorry,went a bit wrong there!
Hope to hear from you again soon,take care.
Diana x
Larkin was Chief Librarian at Hull University whilst I was there and he looked every bit as depressing as his poetry! I have to say though that his line 'Life is first boredom then fear' does strike the proverbial chord. Hardy's melancholoy seems far easier to stomach and Larkin was a fervent admirer of his.
Anxiety can cause a feeling of nausea and if you think about it it is quite a logical connection. Anxiety arises (I'm sure you've been told this a million times already!) when adreniline is fired up and it is of no use - to run away from a sabre tooth tiger, yes, but to worry about the state of your health, no. Then all other sorts of chemicals kick in and the mind responds to the way the body is feeling, etc., etc. It is a cyclical affair and one, as you know, which is very, very difficult to get rid of. In fact in some ways it almost becomes a friend in a perverse kind of way. Feeling the anxiety is, in the mind, better than feeling nothing at all and at least it is a given in as much as you know how it feels and how to respond to it.
Venlafaxine is notorious for inducing a feeling of nausea in the first couple of weeks of the regime. Yet as I said, one way around that is to take your tablet with either a meal (in my case a couple of slices of toast) or a large glass of milk if you cannot face any food. It does lessen and altogether disappear, believe you me, but it does take time and that is where many people make their mistake. I've known people say that they had been taking anti-depressants for three days and they weren't working so they knocked them off!! ALL anti-depressants or, for that matter, anxyolitics take time to work so give it that time, Diana.
I'm sure you've been told that anxiety is only a state of mind and something that can be got over. And I'm sure that you've responded to such comments with a sense of rage and quite rightly so. Anxiety manages you rather than the other way around and that is why we seek help, isn't it? It is debilitating and irritating at the same time. And I'm sure you've often felt that other people do not understand what you are going through. But to some extent they do but with an emphasis on the words to some extent.
It's funny how anxiety affects people in different ways and I'm sure your mind is inquisitive enough to delve into itself maybe to find some origin of your anxieties. Sometimes that is helpful thinking but more often than not that route simply leads to yet more anxiety.
Medication masks, you know, rather than cures. Anxiety is not like a cancer than can be eliminated. It has to be brought under control and kept that way.
But then I'm rambling!
Yes, Thora Hird was tailor made for that role of Doris and although Bennett maintains he hadn't her in mind when he wrote it I'm sure that he did.
His second offering was Untold Stories which he compiled after he was diagnosed with cancer and they didn't know whether it would kill him or not. He says in it that had he known for certain he would have outlived his cancer he would never have allowed Untold Stories to be published during his lifetime. At times it is opinionated and isolationsist, sometimes downright snobbish, but then why not, that is the way the man is and, as he says, why pretend otherwise?
Has your doctor ever considered giving you any anti emitics, those medications specifically targeted towards removing the physical feeling of nausea? Worth asking if she hasn't. Maybe if you are rid of that you could focus on other aspects of your anxiety?
Enough said for one session I think. You must be yawning away!!
Love
John
Morning John
Another great message from you,thank you.
In answer to your question regarding anti emetics,yes,I have tried all different sorts,unfortunately none seem to help.The doctor said when nausea is related to anxiety these drugs don't really work very well.And it would seem she was right!! The last two days have been really bad,had several attempts at sticking my fingers down my throat so that I could actually throw up,but nothing happened.I'm so fed up with feeling like this,I really feel I'm coming to the point were I wish I wasn't around!!
I do try hard to put a brave face on for other people,but inside it's a totally different story.if I go out to meet a friend,I pretend to be ok.Sit there making inane chit chat,I'm there in my body but my mind is somewhere else entirely.
Been up since 4 this morning,feeling quite ill,shaking,tearful,sick.terrified!!!!
Sorry,not a very good message this morning,been wishing an ambulance would come and just take me away,or on a more drastic note,going outside on to the road and pretending to collapse,so someone would take me to hospital!!!
Probably not a good idea,but desperate needs mean desperate measures!!!!
On a lighter note,did look up Phillip Larkin on Google,saw his photo,yes,you're right he did look a pretty miseable bugger!!!!!!
Apologies again for depressing message,hope it doesn't deter you from communicating with me.I'd miss that!
Take care
Diana
You are in a very dark place, Diana, and not only do you not need to be, you cannot be or that ambulance will not be carrying away a patient but a body. I know, I've been there.
You may have tried this before but anything is worth the effort when things are as dire as they seem to be: call the Samaritans and as soon as possible. If they, in their opinion, feel you need help they cannot give you they will give you pointers to other sources of help, even going to the effort of getting an ambulance for you. They've done that for me more than once.
Are you still reducing your mirtazapine? If the answer to that is yes and these intense feelings are fairly new to you then increase your dose of mirtazipine and see your GP as soon as possible and tell her what has been happening.
Being tired will not help you either only adding to your feelings of overwhelming anxiety.
If it's any consolation I, too, go through the motions with people. My social worker turned up today (without an appointment) and although I offered him tea and biscuits and smiled a lot, I was somewhere else entirely. We spent over an hour talking about what breed of dog he ought to get.
I shall be worrying about you now until I know you feel more safe and secure so do try to get some positive help. You could ring 111 but that is like ringing Tesco and trying to order from ASDA.
Take very good care of yourself, Diana.
Love John
John,thank you so much for your lovely response,I'm very touched by your concern and your support.I perhaps shouldn't have written what I did this morning,after all it's not as though you don't have problems of your own to deal with,so thank you.
Anyway my CPN came this afternoon,she is very nice,I like her a lot,and she's the only one I've ever seen that seems to really be of any help whatsoever.I did get quite upset and told her I didn't know how much longer I could cope with this situation.I also told her about the ambulance thing and the pretending to collapse scenario.I did feel she understood where I was coming from,though if things don't improve soon ,pretending to collapse may turn out to not be pretending!!!! She stayed for over 2 hrs and is going to ring me tomorrow to see how things are,which,seeing as it's her day off, is very nice of her!! She thinks the worsening nausea is probably related to the Mirtazapine reduction,I have to carry on with 15mgs until Tuesday,then finish on those and start Venlafaxine. Fingers crossed that will help and I can begin to feel " normal "
( Whatever that is? ) again.
You diid bring a smile to my face about the social worker,yes,I've had several like that,one in particular comes to mind. She used to bring colour charts with her,for me to advise her on colours to choose for her new house decor,so ended up with several Dulux and Crown paint charts strewn around the floor and only had a brief chat about my situation! At least it's some consolation that,even though I don't feel any better,she's probably living in a very well decorated house!!
Have to collect my new prescription on Monday,which does include Zopiclone,so that's good news,could have done with some of them tonight really,but at least they've agreed to let me have some! Hoping I may get a little more sleep tonight,then maybe things will look a bit brighter.
Well better end here,thank you again for your kindness John,and I'm truly sorry if I caused you to be worried this morning,it was never my intention.Take care of yourself. Hope to hear from you soon. .
Love Diana x
P S. Did have a bit of a read up about Sylvia Plath last night,very interesting,but what a troubled life she had.May try and read more when I feel better.
Sorry not to have replied, Diana, but my computer decided to end its own life the other day and it's only today (Sunday at near 9 in the evening) I have finally got it to show some glimmer of life! I hope you've been as well as you can be and I'll write more tomorrow when I've given my mind a rest!!
Love
John
Nice to hear from you John,must admit I was a little concerned that I hadn't heard from you.Sorry to hear your computer's been on the blink,what a pain!! Let's hope it keeps up it's fight for survival!!!
I hated it when mine went wrong,didn't really have a clue what to do,just kept cicking on different keys,and eventually managed to fix it ,more by luck than judgement !!
Not much to report from this end I'm afraid,nausea still just as bad and generally feel pretty grim,how about you?
Went to GP on Friday to pick up script for Venlafaxine and zopiclone,he seemed quite perturbed that I'd been given Venlafaxine as he said it could effect the heart,also wasn't happy about Zopiclone and lorazepam at night,and said he thought it was a dangerous combination! So now have GP and psychiatrist disagreeing on medication,and am now more anxious than ever!
Hope you've had a decent weekend,and not been too stressed out with the computer problem.Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Take care.
Love Diana x
Good to be back, Diana, and hope to be back for the long term. I haven't had such a catastrophic computer crash for over twenty years and foolishly didn't have a recovery or backup disk! Therefore I had to wipe over everything and re-install an entirely new operating system and I've lost years worth of data not to mention accumulated programs.
It isn't surprising that you feel grim if there's an ongoing argument between your GP and your psychiatrist. Arguably, the psychiatrist is more aware of how psychoactive medications are supposed to work but then equally arguably your GP ought to know your medical circumstances best.
Having said that, I can't understand his concerns. You are not being given massive doses of venlafaxine (I did say that it might be suggested to you that your blood pressure be monitored, probably monthly and usually for the first few months of treatment) and from my experience they have no interaction with lorazepam or zopiclone. Usually doctors don't like to mix medications which potentiate one another (effectively strengthen one another when taken in combination) but I cannot see how a combination of venlafaxine, lorazepam and zopiclone would be hazardous. And you know your own body better than they do!
Is it the nausea that forms the crux of your anxiety? And is it non-specific, in other words simply always present and for no discernable reason hence the soul searching for bodily reasons for it? Anxiety tends seldom to be restricted (forgive the pun!) to one cause or source but the most easily understandable one is often the one latched onto, nausea, for instance. When anxiety is so centered specifically within one source, such as the body, it can be very, very difficult to manage because it is so firmly entrenched that it becomes, literally, a lifestyle, but, note, not a lifestyle choice or you would not be seeking help and, basically, you would not see it as a problem in the first place. Maybe that was the reason for your referral to a psychiatrist in the first place?
If you've managed to get your prescription then there's very little your GP can do save keep his eye on you. And you've nothing to lose by trying the new medication, particularly if its been sanctioned by your psychiatrist. Are you meetings with your psychiatrist pretty frequent?
And your CPN will be able to keep her eye on you, especially now you seem to have found one you can actually talk to on a meaningful level.
The battle is always to move on, Diana, and I do know that is far easier to say than to do but small steps make for bigger ones, I hope.
Hope to hear from you soon, Diana, and with slightly better news.
Love
John
Thank you John for that message,I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the time and effort you take in writing to me. I'm a little concerned that I may be becoming a nuisance to you? I do hope not.It's just that you seem to have a vast knowledge about anxiety,medications etc and write such informative messages,plus you seem such a nice caring person.So thank you,but please feel free to say if I'm becoming a bit of a pain!
Well,sounds as though you've had a very stressful time with your computer,lucky you're clever enough to sort it out,I'd be totally lost,and would have to get an expert in to fix it. Fingers crossed you've sorted it and won't have any more problems!!
You were exactly right about the nausea,yes,that was basically how this dreadful anxiety began.I have always been a terrible worrier,getting very anxious about stupid things and been on ADs on and off for years.But this last year it has become so bad that I've felt totally out of control.The nausea has been so bad I've even paid to have an abdominal CT scan,which thankfully was clear.Also had an Endoscopy through NHS,( not the nicest experience I've ever had!!! ),and for ME to volunteer for any tests is pretty big stuff, as I'm terrified of the results,and always expect the worst case scenario.I've actually plucked up courage to have my eyes tested today,which has stupidly taken me several years to do,simply because I'm afraid they will find something horrid,and only went after several months of eye pain.The optician must have thought I was slightly bonkers( probably about right there!!) as I kept asking her " are you sure that's ok" after each test she did,and waiting all the time for a change in her expression that may mean bad news! What an idiot I've become! Anyway everything was ok just needed new stronger lens.
Just going back to the nausea problem,yes,it's more or less constant,do get a few odd nausea free days,but not many.And in answer to your question,don't see psychiatrist again until August,but CPN coming weekly for the time being.
Well better close here John,thank you again for your kindness.Hope you are still keeping well? Look forward to hearing from you soon.Take care of yourself.
Love Diana x
You are NOT a nuisance, Diana, and never shall be. CPN's, psychiatrists, GP's, therapists - they all have the knowledge but seldom the experience. What you say to them may ring bells in theoretical terms (page 414 of their text books) but unless you've gone through it - are still going through it - that means very little. Nice words from them will never help which is the reason I've always accepted any medications they might offer because, in the end, it is up to the individual to sort things out although we both know they will never be sorted out but managed and that is the buzzword we have to live by.
Don't ever pay for any investigative test. Your GP ought to refer you to any specialist you see fit and, no, I wouldn't fancy going through the experience of an endoscopy or any other investigative procedure!!
I, too, am a glasses wearer and have been for the greatest part of my adult life and being diabetic I'm used to more testing than the regular optician offers. And if your anxiety levels were raised by that trip to the optician you should have told her before she began that you suffered from abnormal anxiety levels and she would have (should have) responded accordingly. Good to know, though, that stronger lenses were all that was needed.
Could you pinpoint in your life one moment when your nausea anxiety began, in childhood (during childbirth?), a situation in your very early childhood in which you felt so totally inadequate that the only response would have been to be ill? And it has now become an illness that needs sorting or the remainder of your life will be quite literally insufferable.
I was once told by a very well meaning psychiatrist that 'the best course of action for anxiety is a course of antidepressants' but you have to find the ones that suit you the best. There are literally hundreds of them, Diana, and if you have to go through them all then what the hell? Do it, go through them all and find the ones that suit you the best.
I hope you've started on your new medication regime and that you find it, after a while, don't forget to give it time which most people tend not to do, helpful. But you will always be you, medication or no medication, psychiatrist or no psychiatrist, GP, CPN, etc.
I DO care because I know what it is like: I have wasted far too many years of my life engaged with similar battles and anxiety, whatever the cause, is CRIPPLING so you can say to me whatever you wish.
Try and have a good evening and hope to hear from you soon.
Love
John
Well,what a nice surprise,just checked to see if I had had an e mail from my cousin in Rome,no, I hadn't,but saw there was one from you John. Didn't expect you to write again today,but pleased you did!!
Its almost midnight so won't write much tonight,but will be in touch tomorrow.
Have you ever thought of writing a book? I think you should!!! the messages I've had from you have been more interesting,informative and helpful than any of the self help books I've bought,and I've got most of them!
Thank you again for your reply,will write tomorrow. Take care of yourself,and sleep well ( mind you, at this time of night you're probably fast asleep anyway)
Love Diana x
Sorry this reply is so late John,have started to write on three different occasions this evening,each time interrupted by a phone call.
How are you? Well, I hope.Had a sort of rubbish day today,nausea has been more or less constant,about 2 hours of respite from it this afternoon,then came back with a bang about 6 pm. Start on the Venlafaxine tomorrow,so feeling a little anxious about that. My main worry is if I feel even more sick,can probably deal with any other side effects,but even more nausea may just be a bridge too far!!! Still,trying to be optimistic and just hoping it helps to lessen the anxiety.
In answer to your question regarding could I pinpoint a time in my life when the anxiety began,no,not really.Did have a rather difficult time as a child,though not in a neglectful way.My parents were quite wealthy and I suppose we were seen as a happy family unit.But, due to my fathers mental illness this was often not the case.He suffered a complete breakdown when I was 9yrs old and was taken to hospital some distance away,he didn't come home for 6months and then it was just for one night at weekends,then 2 etc....I do know he was given ECT treatment,which, in the mid 1950s was apparently quite barbaric.He did eventually recover,but I do remember there being some really terrible rows,often in the middle of the night.I used to be utterley terrified,and often used to run round to my Nans house in my pyjamas in the early hours to get help.He was a lovely father to me,though often very withdrawn and distant,I loved him dearly.He committed suicide on my 19th birthday,his body was found in a reservoir some miles away.He was only 52yrs old.I think he just couldn't face life anymore,so I suppose,he felt there was no other way out. I still miss him,even though,in retrospect,I probably never really got to know him properly,wish I had!!
I don't know if you think that could perhaps have been were my problems started.Maybe.But then I suppose we all have a story to tell,and we don't all end up with mental health issues.Who knows?I certainly don't.According to the things you've told me about yourself,you had your share of problems as a young boy,were your parents happy together?I'm totally confused about the effect your childhood upbringing has on your adult life.My husband had a dreadful childhood,came from a very poor family,a step father that treated him unkindly,never had decent clothes,and felt totally unwanted,Yet, grew into a very successful,kind uncomplicated,loving adult.God!! Life's so flipping complicated isn't it?
Well,it's now after midnight again,so better end here.look forward to hearing from you soon.Take care of yourself John.
Love Diana x
ECT is barbaric no matter what decade it is prevelant in but, yes, in the '50's mental illness (despite Freud who, in my opinion, was sadly deluded himself) was not understood in the way that it is these days although having said that it might be noteworthy to realise that Consultant Psychiatrists will always be the ones with the largest cars with personalised number plates in the car park! And that is simply a statement of realism!
My own childhood was typically 'affective' in terms of my development, I suspect. My Dad was overly fond of his alcohol downing upwards of seventeen pints of whatever it was he drank per evening/session/choose your own word for it. And when he came home he was physically abusive toward my Mum and the rest of us in the family. Therefore I knew him only as 'the enemy', the one to avoid but now in retrospect I never knew him as a person which is something I regret as the older I get yet to this day I haven't shed a tear over his dying. He was 48 when he died. There is always a reason behind any kind of substance misuse but I shall never, now, know that reason. Maybe I have no need or right to know now but then if you read more about the inelcutable Ms Plath you will know what I mean.
Maybe your mental health issues had seeds in those times you describe. But what the hell does it matter where they came from, you have them now and now is the moment any help is relevant in your life. As for the venlafaxine, if you're expecting them to cause nausea they invariably will do so blank that with milk, as I keep saying, or something similar, whatever you fancy. And, as I keep saying, and always shall do, give them TIME to work. 3,4, 6 days are simply not enough. Think about weeks rather than hours in the day.
I was 'given' ECT in hospital once - I choose the word 'given' quite selectively because I had no idea what was going on and so signed the consent forms obliviously - and it isn't pretty. Either to see or to experience.
I've done away with midnights these days because I've experienced enough of those in my time. I shall simply deliver down my throat whatever is required to obliterate the night from 8 onwards. A defeatist thing to say? No, a survival mechanism. And so be it.
I'm thinking of you, Diana, and hope you do well with the venlafaxine.
An inadequate response to your torture (for it is torture) I know, but all I can offer at the moment.
Stay safe and keep well.
Love
John
Sorry I've not been in touch John but been quite ill over the last 2 days. Had to delay starting the Venlafaxine as I've been feeling so sick,I just couldn't bear the thought of taking anything that might make it worse. My CPN is coming tomorrow so don't suppose she'll be too pleased with me, but hope she understands.To be honest I'm becoming convinced there is something seriously wrong with me,because I just cannot understand that anxiety can make someone feel so ill.It's not just the sickness,my legs ache and feel peculiar,I feel quite light headed and dizzy,surely that's not just anxiety?
At the moment I think I'd feel a sense of relief if I was taken into hospital,not necessarily a mental health unit,just an ordinary hospital.At least then,I might find some answers as to why I feel like this.Also, I'm fed up with missing out on so many things in life,I have two grandsons in Surrey,one 4 and one 7months old,I'm never well enough to travel down to see them,and I feel dreadful about that.I used to go down every 8 to 10 weeks before all this,now I just can't face it,so I feel I've let my son down very badly.I also have a 26 YR old grandson up here,every time he rings to ask if he can pop round,I make excuses and put him off as I don't want him to see me like this.So, as a result of all that,I'm spending even more time alone,leading to even more problems!!!!!
Well, I don't expect this has been the cheeriest e mail you've ever had,sorry!!!!
Better end here then.Apologies for the moan. Hope ur ok John? Look forward to hearing from you soon.Take care.
Love Diana x
Your messages are always welcomed, Diana, cheery or otherwise (and I appreciate that it is the otherwise at the current moment). Anxiety CAN and DOES manifest itself in such a physical way - not only the nausea but the symptoms with the legs and especially the dizziness. And maybe it has increased in view of the fact that you are aware that starting your venlafaxine may, just may, add to your nausea which is the one thing your anxiety is hinged upon. That is quite understandable and quite natural;no one wishes to embrace what is perceived to be bad and harmful, i.e., your nausea and if anything were to make that worse, the venlafaxine, then that has to be avoided at all costs.
But if your distress is so great - and it sounds as if it is - then ask your CPN to liase with your GP to get you an admission to a General Ward at your hospital. To be admitted to a psychiatric unit these days you have to be like Jack The Ripper or an International Terrorist with all the cutbacks!! She will be able to ease your mind.
As for your 27 year old Grandson, I'm sure he would understand your problems were you to explain things to him in detail which I'm sure you haven't yet. As for the other two, they are too young and you have time to become able to function better and then you can start your relationship with them anew.
Do let me know how you are, Diana, I shall be thinking of you.
Love
John
Thank you John.It's very kind of you to take the time to write such nice messages!Have seen CPN today,she's extremely nice and very understanding,but as I expected,she has told me I must start Venlafaxine tomorrow.I totally understand where she's coming from,but I'm just so frightened of the nausea getting worse,I don't think I could stand it to be honest. But as she rightly points out,how will I know if I don't try it.I am trying so hard to keep functioning,but not sure how much longer I can! Got myself ready and went into town after she left this morning,thought it might take my mind of it,unfortunately not.I felt I might pass out or be sick so had to come home after 40 minutes,and the majority of that time was spent looking at other people who looked well and happy and wishing I was one of them!!!
I did mention to Judy( the CPN) what my GP said regarding Velafaxine and heart problems and the fact that zopiclone and lorezepam were a dangerous combination.She was very cross about it and said it was totally untrue,and seeing as he knows I have severe health anxiety,it was very silly of him to worry me even more.As you've already mentioned John,she also said the NHS has basically gone to pot and it's all about money now and not the patient, as it was when she became a Pyschiatric nurse 40 yrs ago.
At the moment,I spend most of the day wishing it was bed time,so I could find a bit of peace in a short drug induced sleep.What a horrible way to live!! I also worry terribly about how I can keep running the house and garden,as I'm very independent and hate asking for help,not that I have anyone to help me really.I only have my daughter near and she works full time so doesn't have much time to spare.Is it all worth trying to carry on? I'm really beginning to wonder.
I really don't know that much about you John,but from the things you've told me you've been through much worse than me and got through,I really admire your strength,wish I could find some!!!!
Hoping I may be able to write something cheery one day soon! Thank you for listening,Take care.Hope to hear from you soon.
Love Diana x
I shall listen to you as long as you wish, Diana. The health care professionals may say that they understand what you are going through but they do so only theoretically because they have never actually experienced what you experience. I've always found that they nod in agreement whenever you are telling them of how you feel but they never really know. 'It must be awful for you' is a comment I have had given to me many, many times of the years. It goes beyond awful, doesn't it, Diana, it is everything that anyone could consider terrible all rolled into one feeling.
I said that your GP was mistaken to tell you that your medication combination was undesirable. He had no business making you feel worse than you already do.
Maybe as I said your anxiety is now heightened because of your fear of venlafaxine making your nausea worse therefore compounding your problems. As your CPN said, you will never know until you try. It may well be that you are one of those who does not suffer any side effects from venlfaxine, I know plenty who are like that. And you have to remember that the side effects are only temporary and usually disappear within a couple of days.
It is always worth carrying on, Diana, believe you me. There have been many, many times when I have meticulously planned a way out if only for the sake of some peace but then the thoughts of my children have prevented me from going through with that. Think of your children, Diana, and the guilt they would feel at not having done anything.
As for help with the house and garden, could your CPN not approach an organisation such as Age UK who provide such services? Or even a weekly support worker to assist you with such things until you begin to feel better? (I know that feeling better seems like an impossibility right now but in time it will come).
Yes, even to this day, I look at other people an think that they are well and must therefore be happy but temper that thought with the thought that everyone has problems of one sort or another.
I do wish I could help you further, Diana. Try the venlafaxine and let me know how you fare. I am thinking of you.
Love
John
Thank you John for you lovely message.I so look forward to reading them,you are always so helpful and encouraging,and I truly am very grateful for the time and support you give me.Thank you.
Well,started to write to you at 4pm,with what I thought was quite good news, as I didn't feel too sick,and seeing as I'd taken the Venlafaxine at 9am I thought I'd got away with it!! Whilst I was writing my friend called and was on the phone until 5,minutes later the nausea came rushing back and it was really bad.I feel so disappointed,silly fool me was beginning to think I may be one of those lucky people who didn't get side effects.Wrong again!!! Just feel very disappointed,but will try my very best to persevere and hope it's short lived!!
In response to your comment regarding mental health staff,yes,had very similar comments myself, " it must be awful for you " being one of the them.
I can do "awful", I can't do " despair "As you rightly say.they have never been where we've been,so how can we really expect them to understand.I don't suppose we would if we'd been one of those lucky people unaffected with mental health problems.
Appreciate your idea on Age UK, will look into that. It is nothing to do with the fact that I can't be bothered,as I actually love gardening,just don't feel well enough to manage it at present.Having said that, I did mow both my lawns this morning!!
Hope your ok John,all our correspondence at present seems to revolve around me,which isn't really very fair.So if you ever feel like a moan,please feel free!,might be a good idea to change places!!!!
Well better end here,hope to hear from you soon John. Take care.
Love Diana x
!
That was a poor experience with your venlafaxine, yet as you yourself recognise (and that is a good thing) it is early days yet and your choice of the word 'persevere' is very apt. What strength have you been started on and when have you been instructed to take it, mornings or a choice of time of your own? If the latter is the case then it may be more beneficial to take it at night time along with your other medications as that might lessen the side effect and actually contribute to a better nights sleep. Yet, as I've said before, the side effects are short lived in any event.
As for my own life, I'm at a time of 'structure' at the moment and I seldom vary from my routine: I listen to Classic FM all day whilst reading or doing whatever it is I need to do on the computer, I write and tend the front and back gardens when they require it and seldom project or reflect. Most people would not find this an adventurous or pleasurable life, but routine is everything to me and as it stands it serves me well. But when I do moan, I REALLY moan!!!!
The only contact I have with other people is with people affiliated to the Mental Health Team who are consistently advising me to get out more and socialise but that always reminds me of Doris' complaint from A Cream Cracker Under The Settee when she says: 'You get to this age and they want you to mix. Mix! Me and Wilfred never mixed!' And I seldom did even during my University years or throughout my marriage, so why bother now?
Anyhow, I hope those side effects settle soon as I'm sure they will and do persevere with them. How are the zopiclone doing for you? I was given those in the hospital once but they soon realised I would have to take a bucket full for them to work for me!! So back to the nitrazepam which GP's won't prescribe these days or if they do only for a short period of time which is probably a good thing. Yet you are fully aware of the addictive properties of benzodiazipines with your lorazepam.
I hope you have a good Sunday, Diana, and let me know how you are getting along with everything.
The only tinges of sadness (I always use that word as a euphimisim for what the professionals call depression) comes on days like these, Fathers Day, when not even a card or a 'phone call, let alone a personal visit, happens from any of my boys. Still, they have their own lives to live and it is their choice.
Love
John
Me again John! Thank you for your message,I'm so pleased I've made contact with you,and I really look forward to hearing from you.
Well,latest update is I have just come back from NHS walk in centre,felt so ill all day,terrible nausea,much worse than usual,hardly slept a wink,even though I took zopiclone and lorazepam.Spent most of the night pacing about,and becoming more and more anxious.Was cleaning the kitchen at 4 this morning,just trying to take my mind off it,it didn't work!!! Didnt take Venlafaxine this morning,my head aches,my legs ache,just felt dreadful.In the end I rang NHS direct and they told me to go to walk in centre.Had to ask a neighbour to take me as I don't drive and felt too ill to call a cab.Doctor there has told me to carry on taking it,but to try it at night rather than in a morning,and if it's no better in a week,have to call Dr at Mental health unit.
So basically it was really a waste of time.Don't even know if I can face another day feeling this bad never mind a week.
You sound quite similar to me,I'm also a bit reclusive,especially at the moment.Plus I hate Sundays,it's such a strange day,I always feel more lonely than usual and it's very quiet where I live anyway.So Sundays are very depressing.I moved here 8 years ago,thought it would be a new start after my husband died.I must say I've really regreted it,I should never have sold my other place,but thought it a good idea at the time.
I'm sorry you've had no cards or communication from any of your sons,that's not nice at all. It must hurt a lot,I can only imagine how disappointed you must feel.
In answer to your question regarding Venlafaxine dose.I'm on 75mg once a day.Do you think it should be lower?Perhaps the nausea wouldn't be so bad on a lower dose,I don't know.Well to be honest,I don't feel I know much about anything anymore!!!
How do you find the strength to carry on when life's so horrible John? You obviously did carry on,so why do I feel I can't? Thanks fior reading this message,yet another dreary one.Hope ur having a nice Sunday,and you're feeling well John,
Hope to hear from you soon.Take care of yourself.
Love. Diana x
Life is only as horrible as you let it be, Diana, which is not exactly the kind of advice, if it is advice, that you wish (or need) to hear at the moment. Your description of yourself pacing the floor and cleaning the kitchen at 4am reminds me of how my ex mother in law was during her periods of, in her case, depression which at times were very, very deep and always protracted. She resisted all medications offered to her - lithium, the older more dangerous types of anti-depressants and, finally, venlafaxine. She was in a similar position to yourself having sold a home she was relatively contented in after the death, the sudden death I have to say, of her husband. She, too, thought a move would alleviate the feelings of loss she had, but she came to regret that decision within three months of moving. But she was a fool to herself refusing the medication. Her anxiety became all she was concerned about, it consumed her and every lifeline she was offered she rejected in favour of her anxiety. It became, in a perverse kind of way, her friend. No psychiatrist or any other doctor was good enough, any medication tried for a couple of days only, if that, and, although she would never admit to it, she much preferred running her hands over the back of her sofa pronouncing on how terrible and awful life was.
I'm not attempting to paint a picture of you, Diana, but one that illustrates the fact that others have been in a similar situation. You seem sensible enough to take those lifelines rather than reject them and I think your somewhat adverse reaction to one tablet of venlafaxine is only your primary anxiety doubling in intensity. You expected to feel ill so you were. 75mg is not a high dose and is the dose I would have expected your doctor to prescribe. When you are used to that - and I have said it time and time again, the side effects are only transitory and will last, at most, for three days until your body attunes itself to them - the dose will rise gradually to a level your doctor thinks best suits you.
The only advice, then, I can offer, Diana, and I DO know how useless this sounds to you at the moment, is to persevere (that was your word remember) and within a few weeks you will feel completely different.
Love
John
Hi john. I hv been suffering from anxiety for some year now n it is becoming severe. The doc precribed me venlafexine. I m bit doubtful whether to start it. Pl advise me
Thanks
Gene
I've been on Venlafaxine for over ten years, after Seroxat, Prozac, Citalopram....
The only side-effect I was worried about was sexual function issue - arousal and orgasm.
I m starting on this drugs. Is it helpf
If you google drugs .com you'll find an American site which has users experiences with most anti depressants and being primarily an American site , serving a larger population there are usually quite a lot of reports.
For what its worth I have taken 225mgm per day for a long while with no significant side effects,my body weight is about 14 stone. I can't say it seems to do much for my depression but who knows,I might be far worse without it.
If you're prescribed it I hope it works well for you and it seems to have quite a good reputation. Rgds.
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