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venlafaxine & effexor XL

Hi there, been going through various medication regimes now for the last 3 years after me depression 'insidiously' crept up on me to the extent that all the nicer part of me was gone and that was just getting by, carefully avoiding being 'out in the open' and retreating into myself. Since the prozac 'pooped out' on me then i've been on somewhat of the meds roundabout with nothing working like it & seroxat once did, meanwhile time goes on and i become increasingly removed from friends etc owing to myself not having 'my spark' which i think made me good company to be around without blowing my own trumpet! I've been on venlaxaine now for approaching a year, up to max UK levels 375mg both with mirtazapine (useless) and now with escitaopram 20mg now for the last2 months, but still depressed, emotionally flat, mentally sluggish, irritable and generally socially awkward. I'm wondering about Extended release Effexor / venlafaxine as to whether this could have an additional benefit. Can one also combine the two due to them being different doses as GP proposing max XL with additional 'top up' venlafaxine. Also taking 5-HTP, Lithium Oronate & Omega 3 Fish oil with high doses of Active ED as will take / try anything to get me through and back to being a nicer / fun person again who's able to be socially and professioanl flexible and confident. Any past experiences upon their experiences on either of the Venlafaxine would be helpful. thanks
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Avatar universal
gonna try something different as learnt about venlafaxine's half life and how it's apparently out of one's system after approximately 4 hours after going through the entire metabolism process and into the blood stream / plasma. take my full dose all at once and wondering weather this is resulting in not maintaining a significant therapeutic effect over 24 hours perhaps, so going to split 375mg into 2 or 3 doses for my own trial. Anybody have any experiences of this as just presumed that morning dosing was ok.
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1128565 tn?1316721143
Hi
I really feel for you I was on effexor 150 mg's for 9 years. If you want my honest opinion no ammount of meds will give you back your personality  i lost I years of my life on these meds I lost the bubbly fun me too.
I came off cold turkey off effexor and i wouldn't advise it, it was the dr's fault but do you know what i look upon it as divine intervention, I'm sure my dad would have a part to play.
I used to worry all the time and couldn't cope these meds cause anxiety/depression after a while. Now i have come off it hey presto i can cope more and i am not lying in bed worrying about things. I still have to come off dolsulipin but slowly does it !!
These meds switch off your brain and emotions I now laugh, cry and feel how wonderful is that. Look up CITA on the web that's my support group.
I do hope one day you find the real you again !!
God Bless
Lorraine x
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