Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Nellf on December 11, 2023, 05:26:59 PM

Title: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 11, 2023, 05:26:59 PM
Anybody have experience of feeling incredibly jittery and anxious on veniflaxine.  I've gone up to 75mg and it's been a few weeks now. Feeling jittery, anxious and generally all over the place.  On estraderm 72,  utrogestan 200mg vaginally and testosterone.  Any experiences welcome x
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: CLKD on December 11, 2023, 07:44:41 PM
What dose were you started on? 
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 11, 2023, 08:03:50 PM
37.5.  My Gp changed me from sertraline to this in October.  Must say I feel worse.  Was on 200mg of sertraline finally.  Originally prescribed for severe PMT in my late 40s.  Dosage increased sequentially.
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: CLKD on December 11, 2023, 08:50:08 PM
Why the change ?
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 12, 2023, 11:45:54 AM
My Gp.thinks that some of my menopause symptoms are really due to mood issues rather than the menopause.  So she feels I may have been maxed out on sertraline and has decto change me on to veniflaxine.
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: CLKD on December 12, 2023, 11:53:20 AM
Typical GP thought processes there!

Some medications do max out.  How ever, do put the product names of the HRT that has been prescribed: separately: into the search box. Make notes ;-).  Who is over-using your HRT?
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: joziel on December 12, 2023, 12:02:44 PM
Unless you really really need antidepressants, I'd stick with just hormones and HRT frankly. It's enough to juggle in terms of E, T and P doses when it comes to symptoms like this, without throwing antidepressants in there as well. GPs prescribe them like smarties. See where you can get your moods using hormones first and let that all stabilise. Then add in anti-depressants if you still need something.

You said anti-depressants were first prescribed for 'severe PMT in my late 40s'. Severe PMT shouldn't be treated with anti-depressants in the first instance, it should be treated by addressing the root cause - low hormones or unstable hormones.
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: CLKD on December 12, 2023, 12:33:44 PM
I agree with most of what joziel suggests.  ADs are often prescribed to ease initial PMT symptoms, some GPs however don't follow up with the thought of how to counteract the PMT.  In the early 1990s I was advised by the National Association of Pre-menstrual Syndrome to eat every 3 hours, 24/7.  A regime that I try to stick with. 

Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 13, 2023, 11:04:35 AM
I'm actually 5 years post menopausal now and progesterone sensitive.  I now believe that my PMT was actually the beginnings of the peri which my Gp poo pooed.  Tried various conbos of HRT now on Estraderm patches vaginal progesterone and testosterone .  I changed to vaginal utrogestan around the same time as my AD was changed.  Feel all over the place now.  I've had 2pv bleeds and am waiting for a scan.  My Gp and menopause consultant think that a coil would be a good option.   I cannot get the 200mg utrogestan on the NHS my practice will not prescribe it as part of an HRT regimen so I have had one private prescription which cost £130.   Its all a bit of a mine field
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: pastie supper on December 17, 2023, 12:22:54 PM
I didn't like venlafaxine, tried it earlier this month, only lasted three days, I felt like I had a fever the entire time, so it didn't reduce any night sweats after all.

I'm switching back to tibolone because I'm sensitive to progesterone in a bad way. You could try it.

Last time I was on tibolone everything was great, I had the occassional hot flush, but all my mood symptoms vanished like magic and I didn't even need an AD any more. For me it replaces all three parts of HRT and the AD as well.

I've suffered on since being taken off tibolone and now I'm allowed to take it again  :banana: (all due to their problems, not mine) I hope I settle quickly on it, took a couple of months last time.
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 17, 2023, 12:52:24 PM
My dizziness seems to be getting better I'm not feeling so wired.  My partner says I'm going at 100 miles per hour.  My menopause specialist said that taking utrogestan vaginally using the 100mg oral tablets is not the same as the 200mg pessaries.  It might not offer the same uterine protection.  My Gp won't prescribe  the pessaries as part of an HRT regimen.  So scan for me as I've had 2 pv bleeds then possibly an biopsy then the mirena.  Tibolone is on my list of things to try if all else fails.  I just really want to start feeling myself again.
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: joziel on December 17, 2023, 01:17:34 PM
If you go private, you will easily get the pessaries prescribed as part of a HRT regime. All this is hard enough as it is without GPs making the whole thing even harder, which is what they seem hellbent to do most of the time...
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: Nellf on December 17, 2023, 05:19:56 PM
I have.  And have a prescription for 9 months supply.  However I paid £130 for my last prescription for pessaries.   Its becoming so expensive to buy them.  I don't understand why they can't be prescribed by my Gp under the guidance if my menopause specialist.  Its all to do with money I guess. 
Title: Re: Veniflaxine
Post by: CLKD on December 17, 2023, 06:23:27 PM
Some GPs 'wont be told'  >:( especially if a patient goes privately 4 advice.  Why should the prescription come out of the surgery budget seems to be the attitude of some.