venlaxine doses

[spikerusty]

Hi Forum in the process of adjusting my meds as just wanting to find some answers as to how efffective people have found venlafaxine (effexor)?? Been suffering from depression for over 18 years and been and done Prozac & Seroxat with dosuliphin thrown in for good mearsure.Presently approaching  week 3 now up to 75mg and still feeling terrible as would have been hoping for something by now i feel as presently depressed, socially avoidant, irritable, mentally slow and afraid to talk. Been on Mirtazapine 45mg since xmas but not worked for me so probably changing as depression really eatting away at me on in all areas of my life as there's only so much hiding one can do.

Been reading about higher doses working upn different nerotransmitters. Has everyone found 75mg to be ineffective as does one have to go higher for a considerable period to get any therapeutic effect??

[spikerusty]

Thanks for the replies as since posting have upped the dose to 225mg and now beginning to feel the beginnings of possibly being better thankfully as getting up in the morning easier and not so intensely anxious and prone to intense panic,as well as the beginnings of my thought processes improving and not being so larboured and forgettful. Still experiencing social difficulties being around others and acknowledge that i'm not a joy to be around presently, but hoping that my confidence returns and with that myself returning to being more talkative and social as just wanting to enjoy life better. Hopefully this will result in myself being less avoidant, withdrawn and depressed. When posting was feeling little dispondent due to a comination of my depression and the medication changes that i started last December not appearing to work as there was the months leading up to that with the meds pooping out on me. With myself accepting this chemical assistance long ago hopefully this will aid me with pulling through and being able to build upon other things to improve my mnetal health it's just sometimes at your darkest moments you begin to doubt whether you can. Thanks again

[4Maddie44]

Hi I live in Poole in Dorset.  Had bad side effects with Prozac and Seroxat, but Effexor suits me.

It took a long time to have effect but now I am well.  No side effects at all.  I am on 150mg now.

Have had depression for 20 years.  But you are a young man.  I do hope you get some improvement soon .

[suzsibs]

Hi
I started venlafaxine 9 years ago on 75mg dose and gradually increased and found it helped, so saying I now take 300mg a day which is a high dose but it is the only anti depressant that helps me to function reasonably well.
Like you I too have social avoidance, irritable and am mentally slow, my husband can tell me something and 2 minutes later I have no idea what he said.
I wish you all the best.
Suz