Doctor increased my venlafaxine dose and Im worried about dependance
Hey guys,
I feel kinda lost and uncertain about the long term effects of SNRI medication. I suffer from generalised anxiety and thus Ive been on venlafaxine for 5 years on doses from 37,5 to 150 (with several decreases and increases) and now my psychiatrist put me on 225mg; He says the range of efficiency of this medication for generalised anxiety is higher than for depression and that my current dose is too low (150mg).
He is categorical that there is no long term dependance.
I find it hard to believe it, since from what I understand there is no strict consensus on the topic, and I find it quite difficult to 100% trust my practitioners. I feel like they re not totally transparent with it, or maybe influenced to prescribe too much medication.
I know the withdrawal effect is severe but thats not what Im talking abt, im worried about real long term impact on the brain and nervous system.
Also, my overall feeling about my treatment is that even tho it felt good at first, my overall mental state is only getting worse with the years, to the point I dont really see myself live without treatment again. Tbf, Ive had some bad relapses when trying to quit it/forgot the pills and I guess that doesnt help with this sensation. But now I have such strong anxiety I feel like my brain is deeply unbalanced and it feels impossible to me to achieve anything in that state.
I’m looking for testimony of ppl whove been on this medication at this dose/long term and maybe successfully quit it, thanks for reading this big piece 🙏