DOSE:

75 mg

oral

Pharms - Venlafaxine

(pill / tablet)

BODY WEIGHT:

72 kg

My doctor suggested I try this for mild anxiety/depression. I was initially skeptical, since I have had depression on and off for a few years and in all my research have unearthed nothing but conflicting reports about the efficacy of current drug treatments. It is my stated belief that anti-depressants merely treat the symptoms, not the disease itself. Of course, if the symptoms are severe enough (e.g. suicidal impulses, self-harm) this may warrant treatment, and of course different people respond differently to drugs, so this is only my opinion based on my experiences.

I thought it over for a few days after getting my prescription then, during a period of fairly severe depression and sleep disturbance, took one efexor XL tablet after a meal, at about 22:00. Having read the contra-indications and side effects on the enclosed leaflet that came with the medicine, I was fairly sure that I would be able to function more or less normally the next day. I went to bed as usual at about 23:30, feeling completely normal. I was able to get to sleep without any problems.

I awoke at about 04:00 the next morning and my immediate impression was that I was still dreaming. My body felt strangely disconnected and I had the feeling that I was floating. All my senses, particularly hearing, appeared affected. I realized that I was in fact awake and that the efexor must have kicked in during the night. I gave up any hope of sleeping further and went to the bathroom, feeling groggy and 'wired'. My pupils, under the bright bathroom light, were extremely dilated and I looked pale and sweaty. I was aware that I was clenching my jaw and fists spasmodically.

Despite not having slept any more that night, I decided it would be OK to go to work. At least it would get me out of the house and into some fresh air as I walked to catch my train... In fact the journey to work was an ordeal I would never like to repeat. Once inside the crowded commuter carriage, I was aware of just how wired I was. I felt extremely anxious, was grinding my teeth audibly, and having to avoid any eye contact with fellow passengers in case they saw my dilated pupils. It basically felt like I was on speed, but with an associated 'spacey' feeling and increased anxiety.

Unfortunately I had chosen a pretty bad day at work to be in this state, as I was supposed to be meeting and greeting some important clients and showing them round our facilities. I managed this with some difficulty, having to make up excuses for my obviously altered state. It was hard to concentrate and my mind seemed unable to focus properly. After lunch I gave up and took the rest of the day off. My colleagues seemed to think it a good idea, since they had certainly picked up on the fact that I was acting strangely. The rest of my day, up to about 23:00 that evening, was spent gradually feeling more tired and run down (similar to the feeling of coming off amphetamines), with associated muscle pain and stiffness. I flushed the rest of my prescription down the toilet that night.

I don't think efexor worked for me. Admittedly, I am not suicidal, nor am I depressed enough to consider self-harm or experience other severe symptoms. It's strong stuff. Naturally, I'm aware that the first few weeks of any anti-depressive treatment are usually associated with worsening symptoms and the drug has a greater effect, presumably due to lack of tolerance. Personally, I'm going back to my tried and tested regime of exercise, social activity and professional psychiatric help to beat depression.

Exp Year: 2005	ExpID: 47672
Gender: Male
Age at time of experience: Not Given
Published: Jun 20, 2006	Views: 29,274
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Pharms - Venlafaxine (191) : First Times (2), Difficult Experiences (5), Depression (15), Medical Use (47), Various (28)