SNRIs

[ruefreedom]

I have recently been recommended venlefaxine and wondered if anybody had any experience of this drug. It seems to come with a lot of side effects so quite concerned about trying it.

[Emma1024]

I've been on venlafaxin (37.5 mgpd) for 6 weeks now and it has made a huge positive difference.

I'd say 30% reduction in headaches and migraines on this small dose and because it's am antidepressant I'm actually feeling much happier too. Yes, I've had some side effects but they are really minor. Dry mouth, some constipation, a little nauseous. But I'm absolutely delighted with how much better I feel. Everyone is different and I've heard venlafaxin can be quite difficult for some. I guess I'm just lucky on this front. 

I really desperately needed the relief though as I have suffered from constant headache and frequent migraines for 5 years and tried amitriptylene, propranolol, atenolol, gabapentin and Botolph, plus various alternative therapies. For depressed and burned out with all the chronic pain. So much happier now. 

[Nicki46 in reply to Emma1024]

I have suffered from chronic migraines for over 30 years now. In the last 2 weeks I have been admitted twice to hospital as the nausea/vomitting and pain was so excessive that I ended up passing out (once as I arrived in A&E.  I have been on just about every medication possible throughout my life and the latest I was on was Topiramate (had been on this for 18 months). However after my first admission the doctor said that the Topiramate was clearly not doing what it should as I was still getting at least 2-3 migraine a week and to wean off it.  I have done this.  In the meantime I saw my GP as I was so low and depressed at the effect migraines and hospital admissions were having in my life/work that she prescribed me Venlafaxine.  I haven't however started taking it as was so fed up of shovelling so much medication into my body for so many years and to be honest when I saw one of the side effects was headaches I was too scared to take it.  I have never heard of it being prescribed for migraine and am wondering now if i should take it?  Interestingly since coming out of hospital a week ago I have (touch wood) not had one headache/migraine. 

I have an appt at the migraine centre in London on 29 April and wonder if I should stay medication free until then?  I am so confused with it all. The only thing I am sure if is my overwhelming anxiety about ending up so ill with a migraine that I will end up in hospital again.

[Magicsack in reply to Nicki46]

If I were you, I would keep a diary of what you are taking and don't just stop, as this may be bad for you.

The specialists there will come up with a plan specifically for you, to reduce certain medications, or increase based on your condition.

If you are however taking multiple pain relief i.e. paracetamol etc, they may want you off all of that completely,  as they did me. If you can also have a diary of headaches, where, when, triggers etc that would be appreciated.

Magic.

[Magicsack]

Hi Run,

Thanks for your post.

I am on Venlaflexine having 75mg both morning and evening. I have not had any side effects and actually, it has helped me quite a lot in terms of my mood.

As you may understand, headaches can be extremely successful, certainly in my case so I was put on this by the National Migraine Centre.  I am a very complicated case with a mixture of different headache types, so I may not be the same as you. However, taking the medication certainly ballanced the stress from my condition, it helped the head a little and I have had no side effects.

As I have stated above, everyone is different. Many do not get side effects. My friend is on it too for other reasons. Some naturally take a little while to get used to it, but Dr Naz Manukyan was brilliant at NMC.

Take a look at their site, and perhaps go and see them. If you are having a tough time, it will be worthwhile.

Magic

[ruefreedom]

Yeh went to the National Migraine Centre last week, that's where the Consultant recommended the Venlaflaxine. He reckoned I should know if its working after 6 weeks and shouldn't need to take it for more than a few months even if it does help.

[ruefreedom]

How long did she take it for?