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from citalopram to venlafaxine, good stories please!!!
Hi , a lot of you will know i have been taking citalopram for some months now, and although it did help, i never really got 100% well, still had low moods and some anxiety.
However i saw my gp and she changed me from 25mg citalopram to 37.5 mg twice a day of venafaxine. i did a straight swap over, and am now on day 16.
I think it is making me slightly better :) have had no bad side effects or withdrawal symptoms from the cit, my question is, will i get further improvement at this dose ? as i don't want to increase too soon.
I would love to hear any positive stories from anyone using ven xx
Your help would be appreciated xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi there,
I've been on quite a few ssri's over the last 6 months. They just did nothing for me at all.
At my request I moved over to venlafaxine (snri). I've only been on it a couple of weeks. One at 37.5mg and one at 75mg. I feel more relaxed than I have in a decade or more. I really hope that this continues. I am having a few side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and some trouble sleeping, but I hope that these will both become less of an issue as my body adjusts.
In my limited experience AD's that work on noradrenaline seem to be much more suited to anxiety.
Cheers
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
thank you so much dan just what i needed to hear, hope you continue to feel better xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pinkdove
thank you so much dan just what i needed to hear, hope you continue to feel better xx
Hey pinkdove,
You should also read this. Inspiring read and free too.
http://nothingworks.weebly.com/
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi guys,
Pinkdove - glad you're still feeling a bit better. Keep in touch on the other threads.
Dan - there are a couple of active venlafaxine threads which you may want to join in. You'd be more than welcome (look under forums/medication/Effexor/venlafaxine).
I've been on venlafaxine before (about 8 years ago) and am on it again now and I thought I'd just share a couple of things, in light of your comments. The sleeping does get better but the slow release tablets help because you only take one a day - I found it was the evening tablets that stopped me sleeping. Regarding the sexual dysfunction (I wondered what that meant when I first took these and then I found out!), this definitely gets better and, without being too graphic, it's a matter of mind over matter and perseverance it took me a couple of months but in the end, there was no problem at all. This time, because I knew I could overcome it, I have had no problems at all to date.
Great link by the way which I intend to read in more detail when I have the time.
Pip
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Pip,thanks for that, i have to say it is a bit worrying when you change meds, but i think it is still early days for me, but already i can see an improvement.
Hope you are doing ok too x
dan thanks for the link...i will read it all, and please keep posting we can all give each other support x
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi pink i upped from 37.5 to 75mg at 18 days now at 7 weeks iv upped once more xx trial n error babe xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi guys after a couple of really good days, today has been awfull, i have felt really low, and some anxiety. can't believe it can change so much in a day.
I managed to go out to lunch, but iiw was uncomfortable to say the lease, had to take a diazapam, got home now, and still feeling really low.
When will things everr get better, i am so sick of this i had so much faith in this med xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Just a wee blip darlin you'll be much better tomorrow.:hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Thanks nicola and mr w just what i needed xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
so sorry to hear you are feeling so low Pinkdove .......it is so demoralising .
As Mr W says though .....it is a blip or stone on the road .:hugs:
Having lunch out is lovely for sure .............but it does take its toll on us folk with anxiety even if we enjoy it . Extra adrenaline pumping around our bodies .
It is exhausting and tiring and makes us feel vulnerable again .
hold on Pink dove and take it easy for today now. Good job done by going out for lunch and new to the meds . The outlook is promising for them indeed .
take care
snow :bighug1:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Thanks snowgoose, you are such a kind and understanding person, and i really appreciate your support. yes i found it hard to go to lunch, and was exhausted when i got home, but i went,i was with my mum and dad, they are elderly, and they noticed i was'nt myself.
i did try to hide it but it is'nt always easy, if i feel better tomorrow i will go see them, don't want them worrying thanks again xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
i pink i was very up n down to to be honest too in the begining it will pass once ya body used to meds and ya dose is right for you which im still trying to get right .
my gp upped mine 3 days ago by another 37.5 even though ther ein my system i still feel weird with upping them and up n down im just hoping this is due to the upping of them!!
were all get there hun , keep posting and keep ya chin up i know its hard i really do all we want is to feel normal again and lead a normal happy life not alot too ask is it ? :)
if you would like to add me on face book if you have it your more than welcome too inbox me for details .
well done for still going out be proud of the little things we once took for granted that your still pushing ya self forward to do , i too forget too do that :)
xxx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Thanks petram i feel a bit better tonight, and it is nice to talk to someone else who is on the same meds, we will just help each other through it, one day we will look back on this....i hope so anyway.
Hope you are well xx :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
you welcome hun my god do we need support and it gives great comfort to have friends online to talk too also , im on 3rd off upping felt tiny bit anxious this am with ocd but was managable . this after noon felt weird up down anxious spaced out teary u name it fricking horrid, but been better this eve. only god know s how il be tom please start to adapt to me increase!!!
il check in tom as normal , keep ya chin up pink
pet xxxx
---------- Post added at 23:04 ---------- Previous post was at 23:03 ----------
3rd day *
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi pet hope you are feeling better today, aw it's so funny i almost feel myself in the evening, but much the same as you, very up and down, i.m going to stick it out another wek or so before seeing the dr.
if i need to increased i think i'd like to try 75mg in the morning and 37.5 at night.
i think you are a bit further on from me, but i just stopped the citalopram and sometimes wonder if i am getting a bit withdrawal from that.
Keep going pet, you are amazing, and give me so much support. sending you :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi pink , felt bit better today although tense in body and mind , bit agitated and impatient at times,
your exactly like me 9 out of 10 eves i feel myself too , flipping weird that why cant we be like it all the time , 1 day soon we will hunny xx
and has for that dose im 75 mg in the am and 1 37.5 mg in the eve .
you may be about the same as me im on week 7 ish as you had a head start with the cit i dunno hun .
this day 4 of that dose for me today got a burny face at the mo and last hour for some reason .
the ocd thoughts been quite a biatch today too. but coping just! lol , im out tonight but not looking forward to it as i cant really relax and have a good old drink as i would normally do , because i dont wanna muck up me tabs .
if your doctor will talk to you on the phone maybe buzz them and ask advice ?? mine s quite good like that .
ty for your ongoing support my lovely , keep strong and ride out the shitty time it will pass lots of love
pet xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi Pet, yes i think i'll ask for an increase to 75mg and 37.5mg in the hope that the extra will sort out the daytime.
Have a good night out tonight, sometimes when we don't look forward to something, they can turn out to be really good.
been out shopping, not too bad, but glad to get home. take care xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
ty hun yeah i would ask , even at home i feel anxious ext do you too??
il try and chill whilst out xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Yea, i feel anxious just sitting here resting, sometimes when i go out i feel a bit better, but i have to push myself, do you find you can have the odd glass of wine, i used to on cit with no problems, but not sure about this med.
i would say constant simmering anxiety and low moods up and down, are the worse just now xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
yeah pink i love wine but reluctant to drink it after starting to feel more up than down a cpl of weeks ago then after too much wine 2 days later i been down n more anxious , although my doc has said wether or not it was due to a infection or a drink it meant my dose wasnt high enough if i was bought back down by either!!
i wil probally have beer this eve as it is a lot less stronger than wine although at this stage would prefer to stay in and not drink but i cant let me hubby down il see how i feel as i have never gone out at not drinking excluding pregnancy!!
i take it you suffer both anxiety and depression ? i also have ocd harm thoughts too . the joys /...NOT .
have a couple of drinks hun might unwind you both dont have 2 bottles !!
has ya know drinks a depressant and you dont wanna feel worse hun .
wish these would kick in properly for all off us .
i might come on here when i get home and give you a update hun . xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Petra have a great night, and have a drink :D
thanks for the facebook info, sent friends request,
i had bad anxiety which led to deppression, and still trying to get there, but we'll do it ,,,we have to xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
exactly what happened to me xxx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
How are you today pet? and how did the night out go ?
I have been out to sunday lunch with the inlaws, had to take a couple of daizapam, and really quite enjoyed it , oh i wish i could feel like that all the time, but unfortunately they wear off.
back home feeling the anxiety creeping back in.. will make an appointment for gp soon xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi hun last night was fine had 5 bots of sol lager so about 3 pints in total and 3 lemonades .
i feel very up n down today , but also getting period pains alot even tho im not due for a good 8 days , i think i gotta get me hormones tested my monthly visitor is coming a few day earlier each month , i enjoyed myself tho last night bt twinkering in the back of my mind was how i was gonna feel sunday ( today) grrrr.
my ocd as been a bitch felt bit anxious and teary on n off most off the day thank god i didnt get propper out of bed till 12.30 which is a miracle for me but just laying makes ya head wander negatively and belly was a lil knotty !!
i think when u up the doseage u must get a bit more of a stir up with in yaself !!?? till it evens out ?
i got valum they ok sometimes but can give u low moods n headaches as a side effect and iv had both from it xx
glad u enjoyed ya lunch babe .
get in touch with gp asap n see what he says to do up or carry on a bit longer xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi petra so gald you enjoyed your night out, and a sleep in till 12.30 fantastic, but you are like me just now really up and down.
i will make an appointment tomorrow and ask to be reffered again, i really want to get my life back too,
will let you know how i get on, and keep going, you are doing great, i don't have the ocd to contend with, so that must be so hard on top of everything else. hope you feel better soon xx :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
how are you today pink ? my heads all over the shop feel bit teary too great xx went and cleaned a lil flat round the corner , now gotta tackle me own looks like bombsville xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi Pet,today is the pit's i feel so depressed more than i did before i started the ven, got an appt with gp tomorrow morning, so pissed off with it now.
hope you feel better as the day goes on, you done well to go cleaning this morning, tackle your own at your own pace, a couple of fags and a cuppa first :D
enjoyed our chat last night, got to go out this morning, maybe that will buck me up a bit.
take care speak soon :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi pink sorry you have felt so down its awfull feeling like this !! grrrrrrrrr , it gets so frustrating dont it , dont sound like the tabs are up to there full effect as of yet or maybe a increase is needed ?? because like me didnt u begin to feel a little bit better ??
then go down hill??
il be on line on f book later if u wanna chat hun . my ocd has been the biggest bitch today !!
take care speak soon :)xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Sorry to hear that pet, but they are just thoughts, hang on to that, and you will get there.
i did feel better the first week, so i thought fantastic this is it, but i will get some advice tomorrow, had a wee glass of dry white, and feel a bit better now, it's the low mood that's the worse thing.
will hopefully speak tonight. keep well and take care xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi pink how are u today hun?? i slept well had a bit of belly anxiety which makes me feel tearfull some times, so too be sure the tears came on n off so far this morning . let me know what ya gp says speak soon hope ya feeling better today :)
hugs
xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi pet the docs refeered me back to my phys doc, and wants me to stay on the ven at the same dose till i see the phsc. i am apparently suffering from the withdrawal from the cit, so been given some diazapam to take the edge off.
I know what you mean about feeling tearfull..wish i could have a good cry, i think it would help, hope you feel better as the day goes on, i know how you are feeling, and my heart goes out to you, but we will do this pet, we have too, speak soon xx :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
hi pink i been put on slow release tabs in the morning and gotta continue the normal ones of a eve.
it can take 3 weeks when upping to notice a effect from it .
how u been today ??
me bit anxious , was tearfull when in with the doctor.feel crapping in waves ie.ok then not ok .. grr
xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Petra,
What is the brand of slow release you're on? Mine are Alventa XL.
Pip x
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
pip , they are venlalic xl 75mg prolonged release tablets
xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Petra,
I was reading about venlalic the other week. Nearly everyone gave positive comments and said that they hardly noticed any difference when swapping from the standard release (apart from a few people who say they got withdrawal-type symptoms but I would bet that that was all psychosomatic). I noticed no change when I swapped to the modified release capsules.
The only other comment I read was that some people found they gave you indigestion if you took them without food so it's probably best to take them after breakfast.
Hope you're ok. I'm still feeling pretty positive and am really seeing things more clearly than I have for a while. Had a check up at the docs yesterday and all was well. He did start talking about coming off the medication in 3 or 4 months though as he thinks I'm strong enough to go it alone. I have real doubts about this though and must have looked alarmed because he said he wouldn't rush me and that it was my decision. Seems too soon to me when I've just settled into this and the last thing I want is to end up back where I was a few months ago, which was nothing short of a nightmare.
What do you reckon?
Pip x
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Hi guys, aw pet you thought that might happen, as pip say's it should be just the same as the ordinary one's, sorry you have been all over the place today, hopefully you will start to feel better as the day goes on. will speak soon :hugs:
pip i love to read positive posts, i am 3 weeks in at 75mg, and have been very up and down, dr thinks it's withdrawals from the cit, i see my psyciatrist monday morning, so no doubt he will sort me out, i always feel better in the evening, i can't say i have had any probs on the ven, still struggling tho. so glad you are getting there, i would stay on them as long as you need, you're right, why risk a relapse. take care xx :hugs:
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
Thanks Pinkdove - I think you're right, I really don't want to end up back where I started.
I've been on the ven since the beginning of Jan and I'm still seeing an improvement each day so hopefully it will work out for you too.
Take care
Pip xx
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Re: from citalopram to venafaxine good stories please !!!
thanks pip i really needed to hear that just now xx