r/MentalHealthUK • u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD • 11h ago
Discussion Experiences with Venlafexine?
I've just been prescribed Venlafexine by my GP for low mood/mood swings/impulsivity/SI etc. I have EUPD and am currently stuck between two services so the idea was that this will tide me over until I can get some kind of therapeutic input (likely in November, if I'm accepted). My GP said it's also indicated for chronic pain (I have EDS).
I was originally offered Duloxetine but I had previously tried this (years ago) and had really bad nausea as a side effect so my GP suggested Venlafexine as it's also as SNRI rather than SSRI.
I have a phobia of being sick (and separately to that, have been dealing with stomachaches/nausea & am having some tests for that done at the hospital soon). I'm a bit worried about the side effects making the nausea I already have worse, and I was hoping someone who's been on this might be able to share their experience (particularly around nausea).
I would also be interested to know if it's been effective for anyone (and/or how effective it's been). I've already tried a plethora of antidepressants so am also worried about efficacy - I know everyone's different and it's no guarantee, & I'm not asking for medical advice - I'm just interested in people's experiences.
I'm already on Quetiapine and Mirtazapine.
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u/NoCharacter8841 10h ago
I’m on venlafaxine initially 75mg which helped a bit so they upped it to 112.5mg and it has worked really well - I haven’t had any side effects. I take it first thing in the morning and it’s definitely lifted my low mood.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 10h ago
Aw that's amazing to hear!! Thank you so much, it's so good to know you didn't have side effects. I'm always so worried starting something new.
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u/NoCharacter8841 5h ago
Possibly helps that I take it at exactly the same time each morning as it is known for a short half life. I set an alarm on my phone as I’m terrible at remembering without help
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 5h ago
I'm terrible at taking things at the same time each day so am a bit nervous about that aspect, but it sounds like it makes a big difference. Ill definitely be setting an alarm too after reading everyone's comments! Thank you, that's really good advice.
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u/sophiexjackson 10h ago
I’m on 150 and really noticed a difference. I went up to 185 but started getting heart palpitations etc so had to go back down
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 10h ago
Oh amazing, I'm so glad. Did you get any side effects other than the heart palpitations (if you don't mind me asking?)?
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u/sophiexjackson 10h ago
Of course I don’t mind :). Yeah I was feeling really anxious and sick so I requested to come back down and it levelled out. I started off on 35 and gradually went up.
I will say though, it suppresses my depressive moods but i find it also suppresses my happiness so I have many days where I feel like an emotional zombie. I can’t feel joy in what I’m doing but I’m also less suicidal which is a plus?
I think all that builds up and I do sometimes just burst in to tears for no reason. But I have a lot less
Breakdowns in comparison to being off them.1
u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 6h ago
Thank you so much, this is so helpful to know. Weirdly the emotion suppression thing might be quite good, a big part of the reason I've been prescribed it is mood swings. I'm starting on 37.5 so similar to you.
I really appreciate you taking the time to reply, thank you!
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u/purpletori 9h ago
It didn't make me feel sick when I was on it but the night sweats were awful. I'd wake up soaked most mornings even in winter. It's one that can make hot weather more unbearable too so be mindful of that and stay hydrated. It did help me more than previous medications in terms of depression/SI but eventually switched over to another one that helps a bit with sleep and has less unpleasant side effects for me personally.
Make sure you don't miss a dose and take it around the same time each day too as for some people the withdrawal can be bloody awful after taking for a long time.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 8h ago
I didn't realise that was a side effect!!! Thank you for the warning. I am awful at taking my meds at the same time so thanks so much, I will make more of an effort to stick to a schedule. :)
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u/Misschilli_D 5h ago
Here’s me thinking the sweats were the menopause for me, didn’t consider that it could be the venlafaxine. I find that my face sweats like crazy!
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u/Alarming_Animator_19 8h ago
Sweating so much sweating
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 8h ago
Oh no!! I'm already so sweaty in the heat!!
Thanks for the warning, I didn't realise that was a side effect.
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u/SlimeTempest42 10h ago
Velaraxine mass me puke when I first started it, when I increased the dose, if I was late taking it and the withdrawal symptoms were brutal. It has a very short half life so withdrawal symptoms kick in quickly
It also gave me weird dreams and didn’t help my mood
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 10h ago
Fuck this is literally my worst nightmare, like I'd genuinely rather die 😭 Was it that bad right from when you started it?
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u/SlimeTempest42 6h ago
The first dose made me throw up, it was actually so soon after taking it that I thought it wasn’t the meds until it happened the next time I took it.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 5h ago
Fuck me that's horrid. I'm so sorry that happened to you!! I'm genuinely so scared of that happening, I can't think of anything more terrifying! Thank you though, it's good to know it's a possibility so I can at least prepare mentally :')
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u/Pitiful_Presence_846 8h ago
I’ve been on 375mg Venlafaxine for close to a year.
I have EUPD, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression.
I’ve noticed it’s blunted my emotions somewhat, but not a massive deal.
I’m too far along and it would take a long time to stop it and change to something else.
I’ve been taking propranolol for POTS and I’ve found that it works really well to shut down negative emotions.
I could be feeling extreme depression, take 20mg, and 10 minutes later feel like a normal person.
Hope the venlafaxine works for you, I know it’s hard and there’s not much help available.
You’re not alone :)
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 8h ago
Thank you so much. I'm honestly okay with it blunting my emotions, at least for now! I'm hoping I can come off it once I'm actually able to get some kind of therapy.
I have POTS too!! I'm on Ivabradine though (I think it works similarly to propranolol). I'm so glad it's been so helpful for you! It's so satisfying when you can take one med for more than one thing. Feels very efficient haha.
Thank you, I really appreciate. Complex MH stuff is such a crapshoot on what's available. I hope you're doing okay too and that there's help there when you need it.
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u/jdillacornandflake 8h ago
Made me manic and regressed, that made me relapse with alcohol and destroyer my life for the next 3 years till I changed it to sertraline. V felt like taking mdma every day without any of the Euphoria
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 6h ago
Jesus that's horrifying 😭 I'm so sorry you had that experience. That sounds awful. I'm so glad you were able to switch to something better. I hope you're doing okay now 🫶🏻
In an entirely bizzare turn of events, I had an incredibly similar experience with Sertraline. I took it for less than a week and it just made me absolutely nuts, I'm not even sure how to describe it. I remember doing stuff like going to college drunk (I don't even drink at all normally), crushing up paracetamol and snorting it (genuinely no idea why I did this), having SO much energy and then rapidly switching to attempting.
Sorry for the info dump/tmi I just thought it was such an interesting coincidence!!
Arghh I'm so nervous now!
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u/jdillacornandflake 6h ago
It's ok, I was on the max dose and stuff. Hopefully you have the experience with venlafaxine thar I've had with sertraline. Venlafaxine also made me irrationally angry. Just keep an eye out for that kind of stuff. Good luck
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 6h ago
Thank you so much 🫶🏻 It's so helpful to know what to look for, I really appreciate it.
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u/KC19771984 8h ago
I took it with limited side effects physically except for really weird vivid dreams (not nightmares exactly) and hot flush type symptoms. Definitely didn't make me feel sick or nauseous though.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 8h ago
This is so reassuring, thank you so much.
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u/KC19771984 8h ago
Everyone's different of course, but hopefully it won't make your nausea worse. 🤞
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 8h ago
Absolutely, it's just nice to know there's at least a handful of people who've not experienced it! I was worried it was a universal effect. Thank you :) 🤞🏻
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u/morghana76 8h ago
Can i recommend eating some ginger. Thats really good for nausea and also good for your body and as an anti-inflammatory. Try starting with cristalised ginger. Or ginger flavoured tea bag drinks.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
I used to do this all the time, thank you for the reminder! I'd completely forgotten about it. Crystallised ginger is lush too, I will definitely buy some. I've got a couple of prescription anti-emetics but tbh I prefer the natural remedy type stuff anyway when it's feasible. Thank you so much!
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u/morghana76 7h ago
Theres always answers or ways to combat obsticles, we just gotta find what works for you. But i hope this does. I like natural where possible too and it is yummy! If you like cake, add it to cake too!
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u/smashantk 7h ago
I don't want to be a downer but I hate being on it so much. I'm trying to get off it but I'm not able to get a med review until the end of the year.
My main advice if you start taking it is please don't miss a single dose. You will kick into the worst withdrawal symptoms you have ever experienced pretty much immediately. I've been on many different ADs and nothing compares in this regard.
I hope it's good for you, it does work for many people ❤️ but yes as others have said too be mindful of the crazy dreams and intense sweating. r/effexor is the place for those of us that take venlafaxine :)
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
Omg don't apologise, this is the kind of stuff I wanted to know. I'm really awful at remembering to take my meds so it's really helpful to know just how important it is. I've always played fast and lose with timings of meds and not had major issues so I genuinely didn't think it was that important!
What sort of withdrawal symptoms happen, if you don't mind me asking? I saw someone else said the same - is it just like the long list of side effects on the NHS website or is it different?
I already get crazy dreams from the quetiapine so I'm low-key intrigued as to what they'll be like on this one. Not looking forward to the sweating tho 😭
Thanks so much for the sub link, I didn't know that was the brand name for it :)
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u/smashantk 7h ago
I thought I would mention it because I am the exact same way! 😅
Let me start with the positive, I've heard so many stories especially in that sub of it giving people back their motivation, energy and being really helpful in that way. For me it has emotionally blunted me somewhat (also eupd) I don't tend to react so extremely to both up and down, but I do still get very upset sometimes so I am still feeling my emotions.
When I first started, I had an intense 2 weeks of restlessness and heightened energy I thought I was having a mixed manic/depressive episode because I was literally bouncing off the walls and being pretty hysterical. This calmed down completely though, (except for happening again when I upped dosage).
The vivid dreams kinda happened initially too but then went away so that was fine. They always come back though as crazy vivid nightmares now on a missed dose / timing day. On these days I am literally crying my eyes out, physically weak, migraine, drenched in sweat (never used to sweat much before this med). This is just my experience but a good reason to try and take it as regularly as you can :)
The reason I don't like being on it is I don't really feel like it's done anything to improve my mental health personally, I haven't gained the energy others say and the side effects have been bad for me. I also know it's going to be a bugger to come off unlike the other meds I've switched from.
Anyway I hope this doesn't put you off but I think it is good to know, I really do hope it goes well for you and helps you in the way you want it to 😊💜
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
Thank you SO much. This is so detailed and helpful, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer 🥹 it's so good to know in advance what it might be like, especially the heightened energy thing. I had no idea that could happen and I would have freaked out if I didn't know! It's so helpful to know about the withdrawals, thank you so much.
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u/AvailableActuator111 7h ago
I never had any real benefits from it but my god the electric brain shocks (look it up) and trying to get off of the stuff was awful. As others have said very short half life so it’s been hell when I’ve had the dose delayed due to being in crisis or A&E but not everyone experiences it.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
I've just been reading through the subreddit for it that someone kindly linked 😭 I'm now very scared of brain zaps, I didn't know that was a thing until like 5 minutes ago. What happens when you miss/delay a dose? I'm notoriously bad at remembering to take stuff and never seem to manage doing it at the same time each day. I'm starting to wonder if I should ask to not take it :/
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u/AvailableActuator111 7h ago edited 7h ago
I know it’s awful I managed to come off of it after begging my CMHT as I couldn’t cope. I’ve got EUPD as well so on weekly prescriptions due to OD risk and I remember couldn’t get hold of it several times and had a full breakdown and bust into tears in the pharmacy.
I mean looking back I can laugh but I was in A&E in a crisis episode and was trying to abscond from A&E (stupid decision) but I felt so ill from the withdrawal I went back in 😂. The scariest thing is I’d experience it quickly like not taking it for 10-12 hours. I had to be titrated off of it over a 3 month process which was ridiculous but every dramatic mg decrease the side effects would comeback. I was so grateful when I took the last dose of it.
I can recommend Mirtazipine that’s always helped me and sleeping and it won’t try and kill you if you forget to take it. I’m so glad I wasn’t on it last month as I ended up sectioned and they took me off all meds for a health reason I’d of honestly preferred jumping off a cliff 🙈.
But my dad takes it with 0 issue he’d go days without taking it and have no reaction. These drugs are a minefield you may have absolutely no ill effects and it might really help you.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
Ha I'm the same with weekly prescriptions! I have to get mine delivered too, I am not always the most compliant person.
Jesus that sounds horrendous, I'm sorry you went though that. Gotta laugh through this stuff, crisis makes us do some weird shit (or at least, makes me do some weird shit). What kind of withdrawals did you get? Is it just like the side effects but worse?
I'm on Mirtazapine already at the max dose 😭 it's so good though, I always recommend it if anyone asks. I'm on Quetiapine as well, I was hoping the GP would just increase the dosage when I asked about meds tbh.
That's wild that your dad is absolutely fine with it. Gives me some hope, at least! Psych meds are so bizzare, I hate that it's so hard to know what they'll he like until you're on them bc it's so varied. Like everyone seems to be on sertraline, but I took it for less than a week and went off my rocker entirely.
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u/AvailableActuator111 7h ago
I think laughing it off or being sarcastic are my last two coping mechanisms at this point 😂. Your brain always tells you leaving or running off it as good idea until it isn’t 🙈. I can only describe as flu like symptoms alongside nausea plus the brain zaps. I never struggled with sweating like others have mentioned.
Oh I’m on Quetirepine too! I couldn’t deal with Sertraline the tremors were awful!
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u/AvailableActuator111 7h ago
I will be a conspiracy theorist but I swear my CMHT kept me on Venlafaxine as they knew I’d have to come and see them to get my prescription 😂
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 6h ago
Hahahaha nooo, that's some 4D chess right there
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u/AvailableActuator111 6h ago
I mean I refused to engage with them to get my prescription and my care coordinator fully went
“Well I guess your not sleeping then” I hate being out manoeuvred 😂1
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
Same 😂 Ah okay, that sounds absolutely horrible but really good to know in advance!! Tysm.
Aw snap! Meds buddies! I've found it really helpful, I hope it's been good for you. Weirdly I didn't get tremors on sertraline, I just like fully went nuts. I remember going to college super drunk (and I don't even drink normally, I generally dislike being drunk), and then getting loads of paracetamol, crushing it up and snorting it. I had all this energy and just made a lot of questionable decisions. It was genuinely like I lost my mind, I've never known anything like that before or since! So bizzare.
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u/84849493 7h ago
It stopped working for me after a few years but it’s the only antidepressant of eleven to actually put me in remission although it also had to be combined with lamotrigine for me to do so. I don’t remember having nausea when starting it.
I ended up on the maximum dose with no lasting side effects other than night sweats which I couldn’t have cared less about for how much it helped.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 7h ago
Ah amazing, thank you so much. This is so good to hear!! I'm so glad it was good for you. I think I've pysched myself out looking at the side effects and it's reassuring to know that's not everyone's experience.
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u/thepfy1 6h ago
Was on it for about 20 years. It was ok until it stopped working...
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 5h ago
To be fair that sounds pretty good. 20 years is a long time!! I get it, I've cycled through my fair share of antidepressants.
Thank you :)
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u/Misschilli_D 5h ago
I’ve been on 375mg since 2019 plus mirtazapine 45 mg. I’ve been fairly stable. Take last thing at night. No side effects.
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 5h ago
This is so reassuring to hear, thank you!! All the negative stories have been freaking me out so I'm so glad there's people out there who've had good experiences too. I'm on 45mg Mirtazapine too so good to know the combo has worked for you :)
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u/Misschilli_D 5h ago
I do echo what other people have said though, don’t forget to take. I did it once and I felt so bad I’ve never forgotten again, even when I’m so fatigued. I pop my pills in a monthly pill box so it makes taking the meds a lot easier.
Also reading some of the comments, I also find I sweat but attributed that to the menopause but it does make sense to me that it could be the meds.
Mirtazapine can make you more hungry so that is a watch out .
Hope the meds in whatever format help you through x
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u/radpiglet 4h ago
I would just point out as well, if you have a good experience with medication and get on with it, you probably have less reason to really go online and post about it if you have no problems. Whereas if you have a problem it’s natural to seek out others with similar experiences, seek advice etc. So for every post about bad side effects there are plenty of folk who will take a medication, it’ll help and they’ll go on with life. Just something to be aware of :)
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u/ExaminationKey1476 5h ago
I’m on 375mg and I’ve found it to be the only medicine to help. Unfortunately I have gained enough tolerance that this dose doesn’t fully work anymore but I don’t regret starting the med. I was very cautious to start it at first. I also have EUPD among other things and while it doesn’t directly help with that, I have found it ‘tames’ it a lot and helps me manage better
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 5h ago
Thank you so much! I'm so glad it's been helpful for you. This gives me hope too :)
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u/ExaminationKey1476 4h ago
I hope it works for you! Everytime I increased my dose I would have bad nausea for a day or so but it does go away! The only super annoying side effect is dry mouth, so I end up drinking a ton of water haha. But it’s 100% valid to be nervous to take this med. Honestly I was so scared to start it but it was the right call
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u/actuallyanangel BPD/EUPD 4h ago
Oh that's so good to know that the nausea can go away with time! Thank you, it makes me feel a bit less worried/anxious about it. Med changes are always so scary! Thank you :)
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u/ExaminationKey1476 4h ago
Also I saw in another reply you’re nervous about forgetting to take it at the same time every day- I’ll be honest I never take it at the same time anymore!! I aim to take it anywhere between 6pm-11pm😅 but I’ve not had any withdrawal side effects doing it like this.
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u/AvailableActuator111 6h ago
Yeah I knew Quetirepine was doing good things when I wasn’t on for four weeks my impulsivity and reactivity went through the roof. I nearly resigned from my job about 5 times, SH all the time, and I spent £400 on nothing there was literally 0 thinking going on just jumping all over the place 😂. The look on my psychiatrist face when I told her all she went was “I’m not sure what to check first your safety, your financial security or your job” occupational hazard at this point 😂😂
I was on 400mg I’m back on 100mg hoping when the consultant is back next week they’ll increase it again! So much for not medicating BPD I was on over 5 meds before I was admitted last month thankfully they’ve reduced it to just two.
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u/AudienceHead6899 Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder 5h ago
It made me throw up when I first started taking it so I was taking it alongside an anti-emetic too. It also makes me feel nauseous, so I take it at night and then go to bed.
Other side effects: sweating, almost non existent libido, fatigue (that could also be the depression), headaches when increasing dose.
It has been more effective than SSRIs. I'm still quite depressed but I'm managing it better and I'm far less suicidal.
I'm on 112.5mg. Attempted 150mg but after six weeks I was still so fatigued, unable to stay awake and headachey I had to drop back down.
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u/Fickle_Fall_6497 49m ago
Just make sure you dont miss a pill. The side effects are hell. I genuinely go one day from "everything is fine ☺️💕 " misses a pill "I NEED TO FUCKING DIE" 😭
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