Venlafaxine newbie

[mishas]

Thanks guys. I am happy to say that I am clear of all side effects and the constipation I had in the first 3 days is gone. I have no libido/anorgasmia issues either which I was very worried about since I got married this year. The only thing which I'm not even sure could be caused by the pill is that I started getting hives on my arm and I do get them normally but never before have they appeared in that area. But it's ok.

I still feel anxious when I'm outside, have my usual fear of vertigo, have difficulty walking and crossing streets and I'm closer to panicking more so than before. I also get social anxiety which is new for me. I went to a restaurant the other night and I felt incredibly tense, panicky, like in a dream and at one point was afraid to even move. I'm on day 8 and looking forward to finally getting some benefit!

[mishas]

Another update. I tried going out yesterday on my own and was out for 2 hours, the most horrible 2 hours of my life. I felt so confused and scared, I would walk 2 steps and would freeze, couldn't walk unless there was a wall nearby and had to make stops to sit somewhere closer to the ground. I was so ashamed of myself, my fear has never been so extreme! I feel like a prisoner now, this has never happened before. My pdoc said I had to wait for at least 2 weeks before I feel an effect and should take light tranquilizers in the meantime (he told me several, some herbal). But I don't feel the physical parts of the anxiety, I'm just afraid and feel so crap that I can't go anywhere :(

[SADnomore]

As time goes by this should alleviate. I couldn't go out for awhile but that was because the side effects had my legs either bound up with tension or like jelly, unreliable. Visual issues and fuzzy brain too. I think the side effects sometimes affect each of us differently, try to be patient, they do pass. Keep posting xx

[mishas]

Well it's been almost 3 weeks now. I am making slow progress, I don't feel as terrified to go out but I still have problems walking on my own. I feel better if the dog is with me or I am carrying something heavy. Even though both of these things are a burden that's better than not being able to go outside at all.

On the downside, my hives are getting worse, I am itching almost all the time, I will get them checked out tomorrow. I also feel like even if I am extremely tired I can't nap at all during the day. On the weekend I walked for an hour in the heat after a night of camping and when I got home I started cleaning, I was exhausted after that but couldn't fall asleep, I had to wait to take my trazodone and then drifted off. Also I am noticing that I am misreading words a lot and I am absent-minded.

All in all I feel calmer but since I've been dealing with anxiety ever since I was 6, I don't feel like myself at times, I feel numb. On the other hand I find it easier to communicate with people and bond. Time will tell what all of this will lead to.

[SADnomore]

Mishas, how'd you make out about the hives today? what did the doc say?