Feeling 'fizzy'... and other side effects!

[Munchroom]

Hey... I have tried quite a few different anti-depressants over the last year or so, but I have finally found some that really do seem to hit the spot!  :) They don't make me feel 100% wonderful 100% of the time, but they do make things seem a bit more manageable.

My only big worry is, I've now been on Venlafaxine 75mg (1 in the morning and 1 at night) for a good two or three months and I'm still getting some undesirable side effects - or what I think could be side effects. I dream a lot and they are not happy dreams.... my boyfriend thismorning pointed out that I almost wake up for a rest! This would be ok, quite entertaining in fact, if it wasn't every time I managed to get to sleep. They are also very detailed, which doesn't help! Also recently I've been getting what I can really only describe as a 'fizzy' feeling in my hands and lips   sometimes I don't get anything for days... but yesterday and today in paticular have been quite bad. It does seem to effect my co-ordination (which anyone that knows me would tell you isn't wonderful at the best of times!) and its just a really odd feeling, like momentarily I don't have control of that part of my body...

My doctor does know about the dreaming as it does make me quite anxious, but I haven't mentioned the fizziness for the worry that he'll suggest changing meds again. I have had trouble sleeping all throughout this and on tuesday he upped my Amitriptyline from 20mg to 30mg at night - he did also mention lowering the dose of Venlafaxine to possibly help with the dream situation... I'm so worried about touching that though as I seem to be on that level where I'm generally 'ok' but i feel I'm not too far from a tipping point sometimes....

Has anyone else expereinced side effects like this?! Do they go, should I be really worried about this fizzy feeling?? There are also the 'normal' effects, which seem to be present in most anti-depressants and those, I can cope with but these two are starting to get me down just by being present!

Thanks for reading! x

[em1983]

Hi, I am too on venlafaxine have been on and off for years on as much as 375mg. Yes the 'fizziness' as you describe is a side effect and apparently affects most people. Sometimes you get it in your head which feels like someone is rattling your brain from side to side when you  move! Not sure how long you said you've been taking it but I found this subsided over time, apart from when I was increasing and reducing.

Also get the really vivid dreams/nightmares which are quite tiring as wake up thinking about them quite a bit. I have to weigh up the options though and seeing as most anti-depressants will cause some sort of side effect or other I'm going to stick with it...
Hope this helps,
Em xx

[Munchroom]

Thanks Em, thats really re-assuring  :) I know what you mean about the feeling in the back of your head... but its really hard to explain it to someone, they look at you and go....'so, pins and needles then?' but it seems, I don't know... not as 'harsh' and pins and needles, if that makes sense!

Like you say it is weighing up the pro's and con's - could write amazing (if slightly unbelievable) movie plots based on my dreams at the moment!! But it would be slightly better if they were a bit happier! Still, can't have everything I guess...!!  :)

xxx