I am a 52 year old female. Following the sudden death o...

1. Guest 29 August 2005 at 14:57PM
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   I am a 52 year old female. Following the sudden death of my husband 3 years ago (2002) my GP prescribed Paroxetine (Seroxat), which I took until May 2005. I was then prescribed Venlafaxine by a psychiatrist to whom I had been referred (via my GP) by my Company's occupational health doctor. (I'd had a number of health problems, including depression and anxiety since my husband died which were making it difficult for me to cope with my job. I also have had asthma since childhood - under control with preventor (Becloforte), Ventolin inhaler and Phyllocontin).

   On Venlafaxine each day for about 2 months (May-Jul05), I felt disoriented, exhausted, nauseous, anxious, sleepy and slightly breathless, but was prepared to 'go with it' as I'm aware that anti-depressants take time to get into the system and may have initial side effects. In mid-July 05, the psychiatrist doubled the dose. In the last month I have become very lethargic, feel extremely weak, depressed, cry easily - and worst of all - had constant difficulty breathing. I felt suffocated. I also put on about 10lbs in weight. After a month on this dose I told this to the psych who then reduced the daily dose back again. The ghastly effects continued even on the lower dose. Two days ago the laboured breathing became so bad that I thought that I was going to die! I could barely walk from one room to another. (I knew that this wasn't asthma). I rang for a doctor, but all i got was a nurse on the phone telling me that it was panic attacks. After talking with 2 very supportive friends, I decided to stop taking Venlafaxine altogether as no medics seemed to be listening to me. I knew that I was/am in for a rough ride, but decided to 'hole up' and take diazepam (which i keep 'just in case'..). I have not taken Venla now for 2 days - I have taken approx 8mg diazepam each day when the anxiety, dizziness, head-zapping was too much to bear. Now on day 3 without Venla - I can breathe, I don't feel as though I am suffocating, can walk about - and have even started to clean and tidy my living space which had become a complete mess as I was unable to do anything. I will tell the psych and my GP this week that I have stopped the Venla. I will not take these tablets again. It has been a living hell. I'm just thankful that I've only had to endure this for a few months and not years!!

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2. Guest 10 December 2005 at 18:50PM

   I agree with everything this lady has said about venlafaxine. I am currently trying to withdraw but the side effects are so horrific i end up taking another venlafaxine to make them go away.

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3. Guest 27 December 2005 at 14:54PM

   I cannot express how relieved I am to have read this ladies letter about venlafaxine. I have been taking this drug for 6 years now. I was for the majority of this time taking 225mg daily. I have had very little monitoring and support on this drug. I do not feel it has done anything for me but has in fact made my anxiety worse. Because since taking it I haven’t had to give up my job (like I have in the past due to acute anxiety) the doctors seem to think venlafaxine is something I should stick with. I think the reason I have kept my job is due to sheer self-determination and support from family and friends, not venlafaxine. I get these unyielding sensations of choking, not being able to breathe, suffocating, to the point where I feel that I am going to collapse and die. It really ruins my life and I find it hard to work and socialise as a result of this feeling. Sometimes taking Valium helps. When I have told my doctor about this feeling he says that it is just an anxiety symptom and perhaps the start of hyperventilation but I have suffered anxiety for many years and know the symptoms and I have certainly never felt like this before. I have been tested for asthma because i felt something was terribly wrong but was told my chest was fine.I just did an experiment whereby I refrained from taking Venla for 2 days, as always when trying to stop this drug I got unbearable withdrawal effects i.e. head shocks, vertigo. So, I restarted it this morning and after a couple of hours the feeling of suffocation has started! Thank you- you have given me the confidence to discuss with my GP stopping venlafaxine for good. I really would be careful about taking this drug. Make sure you are carefully monitored. I know that some people find it highly effective as a treatment for generalised anxiety disorder and depression. But as with all medications, it is a highly individual thing and not right for everyone as we have seen here.

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4. Guest 23 March 2006 at 16:53PM

   I have being on venlafaxine since 1998 , my dose has gone from 37.5mg to 300mg per day plus 10mg,s diazepam plus 80mg of half inderol. I have being on the largest dose of drug,s for over a year now. I have NEVER being monitered, i get one 3 minute appointment with a phychitrist every 3 month,s,apart from that i just get repeat after repeat and to be honest i don,t know why i bother. My feelings , mood, are worse than before, GOD help me if i stop them , i guess i,ll need to go away from everyone i know and do it.. but i am scared.

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