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NSHN Forum Support & On Topic Forums. Some additional boards are viewable to members only => Survivor Room => Topic started by: Nightowl on October 31, 2011, 05:02:47 PM

Title: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on October 31, 2011, 05:02:47 PM
Saw my new consultant this afternoon and been prescribed these.

I asked to come off lofepramine as it was making me very dizzy on standing.

Was hesitant about agreeing to try venlafaxine as I've heard it's a nightmare to come off, or even if you miss a dose, my consultant said it's no worse than any other AD but I'm not sure I believe him.

Anyone any experiences of either of these meds?

 :cake:
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: unknown_member on October 31, 2011, 05:10:56 PM
i've been on venlafaxine.. it really worked for me as an AD.. but it was horrible to come off i had really bad withdrawals, but I did decide to go cold turkey which obviously isn't recommended!!

Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on October 31, 2011, 05:19:31 PM
Thanks hun.

I won't be starting it for a month as need three weeks to reduce and stop the lofepramine and then a week with no AD.

He said that as long as I come off it slowly I should have no problems with it.

Just googled the promazine and it's an AP, I'll be taking it to help me calm down at night and sleep which I guess makes sense as it says it's used for agitation. 
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Skye on October 31, 2011, 05:33:59 PM
I was on venlefaxine in the past, if I missed a dose I would get pins and needles in my face and lips. Withdrawing was ok, it was done fairly slowly as I was on a very high dose. For me it lifted my mood but the high dose caused insomnia so I had ttocome off it. x.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: brownie on October 31, 2011, 06:07:53 PM
I'm on venlafaxine, it seems to work for me.

I do find though that like you say, if i miss a dose or 2 i get light headed.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on October 31, 2011, 06:19:27 PM
Thanks both  :hug1:

It seems to be a low dose I'm starting on, I'll have to be careful to take it regularly and not forget doses, I do find that on days when I go out early I can forget to take my meds before I leave the flat.  Although saying that I didn't ask him what time of day I should take it, presume he will state that on the fax to my GP.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Je7 on November 01, 2011, 10:32:42 AM
hey, I take Venlafaxine at the moment and it is really working for me. Although if I miss a dose I feel incredibly sick so know that I need to take it!
As for when to take it, you will probably be told to take it in the morning because it can cause insomnia if taken later.
Hope they work ok for you  :hug1:
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on November 01, 2011, 11:16:59 AM
Thanks hun  :hug1:

Asked about promazine at the depot clinic, it is an AP but in low doses is prescribed for agitation, she said it should help me relax, take the edge off, and so help me sleep.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Je7 on November 01, 2011, 01:33:11 PM
it's good that you have been able to get information about the new meds you are starting. Hopefully you'll get some good sleep and it'll make you feel less agitated. (I will be jealous! :;):)  How are you feeling about starting on them?
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on November 01, 2011, 05:31:42 PM
I don't feel too concerned about the promazine after talking to the nurse at the depot clinic this morning but the venlafaxine is a worry, still got about a month to get used to the idea while I come of my current AD.  Hopefully will get the promazine by the end of the week, didn't get to sleep til almost 5.30am today.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Osiris on November 01, 2011, 05:45:06 PM
If you're not comfortable with Venlafaxine you could always ask to try something else instead. I was on V. for about 3 years and it worked well for me. I don't remember how it was when I started it, but I know coming off it was horrible - I was in hospital though and it was done quite abruptly. I've been told if it's done gradually then it is not nearly as bad; if you're forewarned of how to come off it if you need to then it doesn't necessarily need to be too problematic.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on November 01, 2011, 06:10:11 PM
Thank you, I'm probably being a bit silly worrying about coming off a medication before I've even gone it  ::)
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: unknown_member on November 01, 2011, 06:20:15 PM
I think that's the perfect time to worry about it.. better than worrying about it once your already on it!

If your still not sure there are so many other AD's there must be something else they think is suitable for you xx
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: sparkledust on November 01, 2011, 08:10:19 PM

venlafaxine has been the best one for me

ive tried virtually all off them now but this keeps me really stable it makes my blood pressure high but i cope with that it is way better than the dark place i was in
i have been taking it for a couple of years now and have missed occasional does and i dont see many side effects


everyone is different tho i hope it helps you :1059:
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Faded~Lady on November 02, 2011, 04:06:32 PM
I was on venlafaxine for 5 months (10 years ago) it was ok helped for a while then depression kicked off again while I was on it.  They took me off it without reducing dose  I had a week of cold turkey before being put on seroxat.   Physical withdrawal was quite hard xx
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: happy girl on November 10, 2011, 04:37:59 PM
Venlafaxine is the only med that has ever worked for me, so in that respect, great. Withdrawal is awful, and missing a dose makes me dizzy, lightheaded etc so the best thing to do is not miss a dose and if and when you do come off make sure it is done through your gp in a controlled manner.

Good luck with it  :thumbsup:  x

Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on November 19, 2011, 01:43:33 PM
Start the Venlafaxine today, been prescribed it at night which is a surprise as I thought because of the insomnia link I would take it in the morning.
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: sparkledust on November 19, 2011, 06:27:58 PM

i take it morning and night hun
Title: Re: Venlafaxine and Promazine
Post by: Nightowl on November 19, 2011, 11:07:23 PM
Thanks Starry, I may end up taking a split dose as only starting on a third of the dose I will eventually be on.