Venlafaxine

[Whitegrass]

I'm on 75mg Venlafaxine for a month now and I want to share something. I am an alcoholic also, I drink 0.5l of vodka almost everyday. After 2 weeks of taking the meds I noticed that I'm feeling euphoric. It was becoming stronger everyday. Lately it got really strong. I feel high. I have a very excessive thought flow and I'm enjoying it. I also see the beauty around me, laughing a lot. I enjoy working, reading, eating, I enjoy everything. And I also don't crave alcohol as much.

So two days ago I decided to not drink as I've obviously been wanting to quit for a long time. I woke up yesterday and at first the euphoria was still with me. But then during the day it wore off. It was gone. No excessive thoughts, no joy, I'm irritated, I'm basically the same I was prior to starting meds. I got so upset. Because I got upset I wanted to drink so I drank. This morning I woke up and the euphoria is back. WTF???

Could that be the combination of Venlafaxine and alcohol withdrawal? I would really appreciate some opinions and I would be over the moon happy if somebody could share a similar experience. I'm VenlaAlco high right now so I'm extremely curious to find out the reason. Thanks a lot.

[MOLLYMILO007]

Hi I'm glad it's worked for you however I don't think u should drink whilst on these incase of serotonin overload ..pls speak to your gp..I was given these 2 yrs ago as I had alot of stress etc but I'm so worried bout side effects as in the past most antidepressants give me insomnia which I can't cope with so they are still in my draw lol..its good to know that they work but do they help u sleep or insomnia..but getting bk to you...my dear friend of 60 years who was like a sister died because of alcohol..she became a functioning alcoholic so no one knew...pls get advise from your gp..or a specialist.. I'm lucky I'm.not bothered about alchol but I know many are and I do understand if it helps you through the day you cannot help it ...maybe set urself a goal and gradually reduce it ...get professional help..Good luck..jeanette x

[110201]

Hi there, Venlaflaxine is an incredibly effective antidepressant whereas alcohol has far reaching depressive aspects to it amongst others. Hence the combination of the both in your system will give you the seesaw/yo-yo effect you’re experiencing, so in effect when you consume alcohol it’s reducing the effects of the medication. It does take some time for these types of medication to settle in your system normally 4/6 weeks. Possibly the dosage isn’t quite right for you yet or a slow release tablet may suit your situation better. These things are all trial and error and take time as well, may be try noting down in a journal what you’re experiencing so that you recognise what may be causing what and how certain things made you feel, you’ll have spot on information then to use too when discussing this with your GP! Best wishes on your journey and I hope your able to level things out some more and achieve a better consistency 😊

[Sun_seeker]

I’ve been taking Venlafaxine for the last 5-6 years continuously and before that on and off for 20 years - from 75mg to 375mg depending on where I am with my condition. I have noticed that if I consume alcohol it affects me much more than it does when I’m not taking medication and the following day I often feel a dip in mood. I take a slow release capsule seems to work well for me and may help you too.

Does your GP know how much alcohol you consume? It would probably be worthwhile having a very honest and frank discussion with them about the swings in your moods while taking Venlafaxine in combination with alcohol.

I hope the effects of the medication become more stable over time and you mood lift to a normal level without the huge swings you appear to be experiencing.

[Tracey0101]

I am on 2×75mg in morning and 2×75mg at night I don't drink alcohol but I have the extreme mania too very high to very low depressive and my mood switch is like ferrari top speed car that it's like the accelerater of the ferrari and then crashes with me underneath it and yo yo type is quickly changes my mood like a switch and then it's like seesaw yoyo and I can't control the mania mood stage and yoyo and the depressive is awful state that I harm myself and feel irritated with those who are trying to help me and I don't mean to be irritated and angry with myself and them and shame and embarrassed and blame. And I get very manic and annoyed with others and other symptoms come with it. I can only be a bit happy as if I am too happy I go over the top then I loose my happy to sad and if I am too happy I go to sad very quickly and if I am too sad then I get very angry for being too sad for too long and I want to be in the middle because its safe and secure in the middle because I am happy but I need a balance to be happy to being sad not being too over the top being over happy and far over the top being far too excited and it turns into tears as longs I have a balance by not being tipped over the top of a jug and the jug too full and I cannot manage the balance of being happy to sad and stress out then as longs I have a balance between these emotions it's OK.

[Tracey0101]

I have been taking venlafaxine for about 5yrs now.