medication support

[Spirit-90]

I’ve just been prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5 mg and Mirtazapine 15mg. I been on Mirtazapine but not Venlafaxine before, anyone got any tips, does it help what’s it like.

[Hidden]

Follow the recommendations by your DoctorAllow five weeks to work well, be patient

[Dell12345]

Hi Spirit,

I take both and find the combination really helpful.

37.5 mg is a low dose of venlaphaxine. The max is 375 mg (10 times the lowest dose). The dose you end up taking tends to be governed by how well your body metabolises it. Some people metabolise it very fast so need a higher dose, some people more slowly so need a lower dose.

It tends to affect noradrenaline at doses above 225mg, but only serotonin below that.

Venlaphaxine has a very good track record and a lot of studies show it to be one of the best antidepressants.

It may work well for you, but if it doesn't there are lots of others that also could.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

X

[Spirit-90 in reply to Dell12345]

Thank you. Fingers crossed dell because I’m loosing hope.

[Dell12345 in reply to Spirit-90]

So was I, it is horrible, I hope you feel better soon. It may take a few dose raises for Venlafaxine to get you there, or it may work for you at the low dose. Venlafaxine has quite a strong a dose dependent effect (unlike a lot of other antidepressants, who's effects actually change much less with dose increase/decrease).

[Spirit-90 in reply to Dell12345]

Thank you. Still haven’t been prescribed it yet as the doc is waiting for the letter from the mental health team.

[Loughborough53]

I mam sorry to say that it turned me in to a zombie with deep depression and had to stop it ….. feeling much better ithout . I have a friend take venlaflaxine and swears by it

[Spirit-90 in reply to Loughborough53]

Thank you for being honest

[Wanderingjew]

This medication saved my life! The dose he has you on should typically be twice a day for two weeks and then they up it again. I felt a little weird at the low dose they upped it and felt fine ever since. I will tell you or I should say I should warn you. Be careful because this drug is very finicky if you miss one dose you can start to withdrawal and feel very sick and weird like brain zaps ( I call them) go through your head when missing a dose. Maybe be prepared to be on this for the rest of your life too. That’s what my doctor said to me anyway. Good luck!

[Spirit-90 in reply to Wanderingjew]

Thank you. Ok I will see how I go. I will be picking it up over the weekend then seeing the doc next week to review.