If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Venlafaxine side effects
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I've only taken one very small dose of the extended release version and I feel really ill - awful headache which doesn't go away with sleep or ibuprofen or anything, huge amount of pressure behind my ear drums, I'm walking into walls, really dizzy, feel like I'm going to puke all the time, I'm really shaky. Will I get past this or should I just stop now and call the dr Monday morning to try something else?
0
Comments
If possible I would try to stick them out for a bit, in case some of the reactions settle down as it may be your body getting used to it.
Shyboy is right, give it time.
Also, get your GP or CPN to check your blood pressure regularly; venlafaxine effects it and for me that's the cause of the nausea and headaches.
Compared to the benefits, I've found the side effects have become bearable quickly. They will diminish.
i don't generally get too many side effects with drugs but this one gives me an unbelievable thirst that can't be shifted and as well as making my mouth dry it makes my lips dry out really quickly too. when i first took it it was in a capsule with tiny tablets inside and i found them awful to swallow, they tasted vile and made me feel quite sick. now i have them in a tablet form (venlalic) and they are much better. i usually have a biscuit or something at the same time so that there is something else in my tummy, although these ones don't dissolve which can be a bit alarming the first time you notice! i do get dizzy and bump into things more than i used to and i am always, always tired. the drowsiness is probably one of the most obvious side-effects to other people.
the headaches and sickness passed for me, although it did take a few months for my body to get used to them. but as i said it's a big dose so if you aren't taking that much it might well settle down more quickly. i'd stick with it if i was you, and you could always ask to try a different brand if the one you have doesn't agree with you because sometimes it can be the taste/shape/size etc of the pill that sets off the bad feelings. it will get better and if it doesn't there are always other options, but don't give up too soon.
x
The brand thing is a good point; I've found that when I get them from a different chemist they affect me differently.
Try to stick with them if you can.
Quickly...
1. What's an average type dose of this? I was on 100mg Sertraline before and he's put me on 75mg twice daily of this (well, one a day for the first week, then two).
2. I just started it today and I'm already wanting to throw up everything that passes my lips. This is the reason I didn't have my Sertraline increased (because that nausea lasted for three months when they did it last time). I know it's also partly withdrawal (which I know from missing a couple days at a time before that it can be bad) from my previous meds, but...how long is this going to last?
Also...has anyone been on both (not at the same time, obviously)? What are the differences that I might be noticing?
Eugh I hate new meds
I was switching meds when I started venlafaxine (reducing lofepramine) and it took 2.5-3 weeks before it went away completely. I'd been on it a week before the Half-Marathon, to give you an idea, and it was the side-effects that were getting me that day. Over the following week/2 they fell off quite dramatically, but you've got to be really careful not to miss doses or it makes you ill all over again.
Also, if you're not already scheduled to, get your GP to check your blood pressure regularly as venlafaxine can have an effect (it's what causes the headaches and nausea, apparently) and in rare cases can push it dangerously high.
Well, he wants me to go back once I've been on it a couple of weeks so I'm going to try and go before the end of the month. You reckon I should wait until I've been on the full dose for two weeks, though? I don't want to go in and go I STILL FEEL LIKE DEATH and them tell me that that's why >.<
It's quite draining. I couldn't really sit/stand for long periods yesterday because it made me so light headed. Today isn't quite as bad but the nausea is fucking with my appetite. And I just want to go back to bed
main differences from sertraline = excessive and unquenchable thirst, complete disinterest in anything between the sheets beyond my hot water bottle and constant tiredness. all of these could have another cause though so might not be down to the drugs.
I'll see how I feel next week. Can't take any time off this week because my mum's on holiday.
It's better today. I mean...not great, but I'm relatively functional. Not sure how my body's going to like having to do a three mile walk every morning in addition to the bleurgh, but never mind.
And vomiting.
Eugh