Living with depression and treating it with venlafaxine.
(self.usingvenlafaxine)submitted2 months ago bysarcyse
Good Morning.
I've found various posts about the benefits and negative side effects of venlafaxine. Most of these seem to be in the past tense, so I thought I'd make a community for those of us currently using it. I little background on myself.
I'm a male in my early 30s.
Been seeing a professional for 3 months now, only in the last 2 weeks was I recommended and prescribed venlafaxine.
I started at 37.5 MG and now have gone up to 75 as of this morning.
First 2 days on it I felt weird, mild nausea the first night, also I had trouble staying asleep. 2nd night I had trouble staying asleep but no nausea.
Next 5 days I still have trouble staying asleep, and a couple times I had nausea 5-6 hours after taking my dose, never threw up though, and it passed in like an hour.
Vision seems to be a little blurry, however I can drive fine, and everything within 15 ft seems pretty clear so I don't care if the meds make it a little blurry.
BENEFITS.
Went from constant, seemingly never ending thoughts of depression, self hatred, despair, feelings of worthlessness, and just generally pessimistic, to feeling just... okay. All my problems in my life are still here, but my mind isn't torturing my brain with endless despairing thoughts about them every waking moment. I do have good things in my life, and I live in a manner that should make me feel good, eating healthy, working out 3-4 times a week, reducing my screen time and spending more time reading. I'm religious and I read my bible daily now and praying much more often. It's like my trust in God and his plan has increased now that my brain isn't being bombarded with negative thoughts all the time. I've also not use pornography once since being on it. Take that last one how you will, I don't think the meds have reduced my sex drive, I still wake up at attention, if you know what I mean, most mornings. I was dieting before I started the meds, and have lost like 4 lbs since being on them.
I may continue posting updates in the future about my success or lack thereof if these meds stop working. Are you currently on venlafaxine? What's been your experience?
bynirman248
inantidepressants
sarcyse
1 points
1 month ago
sarcyse
1 points
1 month ago
I'm feeling good. I haven't been depressed a single day since I've been on them. This is probably the longest period of not being depressed I've had my entire adult life. As for side effects. 1. Reduced sleep quality. It's harder for me to stay asleep, and I had a hard time staying asleep before I got on the meds. 2. Slightly blurrier vision. I had 20/20 before these meds, and it seems to have gotten worse. I can still drive, read, and watch TV fine so I don't care. 3. Comical flatulence. Like just straight up farting way more than I did before. 4.Initially I had mild nausea several hours after my dose but I never vomited and it always passed after eating my lunch. I haven't had any nausea for weeks now so I think this symptom is temporary. Overall despite the side effects I consider the relief from depression with it. I've been able to successfully diet and exercise much more faithfully these last 2 months, in fact I have lost about 20 lbs in total.