Venlafaxine and lamotrogine

[Purplewings]

Is anyone else taking venlafaxine and lamotrogine? Ive Benn taking them for a long time and I probably need something more effective but I'm scared of upsetting the balance, even if it isn't a good one!

[Dolphin14]

I'm on both

But I'm also on a few other things as well

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

I'm also on thyroxine, vit d and iron.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Purplewings]

Hi

I'm on other medical meds but I do take

Klonopin and abilify along with the other two psych meds

They may just add a different category of med to the regime versus changing out.

It's based on your history of what is wrong and how you've responded to things.

I have anxiety Major depression and ptsd so I take quite a few meds

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

Hi

Changing or adding might be an option but I'm terrified that I may have to come off them to be given something different. Having read about the effects of withdrawal from venlafaxine, I don't think it will be an easy ride. Been on it for about 15 years now but it doesn't do anything other than even moods out at a low level, it's stopped the ups and downs but that's all. My gp doesn't seem to take me very seriously and just says that my depression is treatment resistant. Talking therapies have not worked for me so it's as if I've just been given up on. There is no other gp locally so I'm a bit stuck for support, hence me posting here. I've never come across anyone else on the same meds before but hopefully someone may have a success story.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Purplewings]

That's too bad. No psychiatrist involved?

There are so many drug categories. Maybe adding something else in will help.

Then shouldn't just give up like that. But, GP aren't all up on the different meds etc. my GP defers to psych because she feels my illness is out of her scope. I respect her for that.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Dolphin14]

What is your diagnosis. Have you tried therapy other than traditional talk therapy?

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

I saw a psych a long time ago - she put me on the venlafaxine, but our community mental health service don't see anyone unless it's immediate crisis or you have secondary issue such as drugs or bipolar etc. I don't fit the criteria.

I'm glad that you have good support that you can trust.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Purplewings]

That's too bad on the way the system works. So you are kind of stuck. What is your plan?

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

Not sure yet. When I feel strong enough, I will probably have to go to see my gp and talk it through with them.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Purplewings]

What are your doses can they go up on them?

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

V-150mg and L-100mg per day so they could be increased

[Dolphin14 in reply to Purplewings]

Oh yes

I'm on 225 V

200 L

[Purplewings in reply to Dolphin14]

My gp can't prescribe the venlafaxine so maybe I do need to get a referral back to the CMHT. Thank you for talking to me x

[Hidden in reply to Purplewings]

Hello, may I ask regards Venlafaxine. Has it made any changes into your weight loss/ gain?

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

Not at all with weight.

Just an issue with my blood pressure. I was on med for high bp had to change it and all fine now

[mrrivers in reply to Purplewings]

Gp’s haven’t the authority to prescribe those types of meds. Some of them are huffy about it. They also are not qualified to make the the judgement that your condition is “treatment resistant”, ask them to make a referral for a meds review, you are entitled to such so they can’t say no.

You may know all this already, but never forget that you have rights, so don’t let them fob you off with poor treatment.

I hope that you are listened to, don’t give up till they do. I know that that’s really hard to do sometimes/all the time, but when you are able to, give em hell!

Chris.

[Purplewings in reply to mrrivers]

Thank you Chris. I knew my gp couldn't prescribe them but didn't realise I could ask to be referred back for a medication review. I've only been offered a meds review with the gp or a chemist!

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrrivers]

That's interesting on who can and can't prescribe.

I totally agree with you. Advocate for yourself. There are so many more things that they can do for you. Fight for your rights.

[Hidden in reply to Purplewings]

Hiya, what are the effects of withdrawal from stopping using Venlafaxine, do you know personally or just from reviews?

I am three years already on Venlafaxine, I want to get off them but when ever I tried I just couldn't cope with my impulsive emotions/ feelings. Every little thing irritated me.

My aim would be to come off any medication what so ever- I just don't know how is it possible lol

Same time, I don't understand all of us who are long term using some antidepresant pills but they don't heal our damaged brain- why is that? anyone knows?

[Purplewings in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I've not tried to come off them yet, but have felt the effects of forgetting a couple of doses!! What I've read about withdrawal isn't good but there isn't much evidence of long term effects having been studied

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Vit D3 and B12 ??

BOB

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

?

Levels are you asking?

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Are they feeding you these two vits

BOB

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

No, lol do you suggest these?

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Not really, it is just if you are middle, pensioner etc they seem to be following a different pathway, just it was something you said made me feel that was the case.

I am a Pensioner, my body cannot produce B12 and that can cause problems in later life. Sometimes D3 is given it mimics sunshine, we seem on occasions we need to have a boost of sunshine. Medications amplify the suns effect.

BOB

[LAJ123]

Hi,

You don't say why you are prescribed Lamotragine.

anyway, I've been on Venlafaxine for depression for many years and then around six years ago had a diagnosis of 'nocturnal complex partial seizures.' This went a long way to explain a lot of my sleep problems. A prescription of Lamotragine 200mg at night combined with Clonazepam had an almost instant positive effect.

Apart from what I call an early morning 'Lamotragine mouth' ( dry ) I've had no problems. I would be very reluctant to change for the reasons you mentioned, its a balance that you don't want to upset

Lucy

[Purplewings in reply to LAJ123]

Thank you. I was prescribed lamotrogine to boost the effects of the venlafaxine. I had epilepsy as a child and following a 5 day EEG test, it appears that I still have the brain waves of an epileptic but without seizures.

[Hidden]

Your GP knows why He is prescribing these two medications, if you have any doubts regarding your needs and expectations of above make an appointment to discuss both and any other drugs you may be taking.

BOB

[Nori-R]

Hi, I'm sorry I'm commenting so late. I'm currently on Lamotrogine 200, Wellbutrin XL 450, and clonazepam 2mg a day. I am considered medication resistant, I've tried them all. This combo has helped me tremendously. I've been on it about 4 years. I was on Effexor many years ago. I don't remember the dose, but I do remember that coming off of it was hard. It wasn't unbearable, and it wasn't a long process at all, but it was not easy. Maybe your GP can lower the dosage, and taper you off of it. I have GAD, Anxiety disorder, panic attacks, PTSD. My advice to you would be to see if you can add something to what you're currently taking, or see if you can up the dose of the lamotrogine. I wish you all the best and hope everything turns out well for you.

[Purplewings in reply to Nori-R]

Thank you for your advice. I will go back to my gp x

[Nori-R in reply to Purplewings]

Keep us posted! We're all here for you!

[Purplewings in reply to Nori-R]

Thank you x