Venlafaxine & T2 diabetes concerns?

[Monkey201]

Hi, is anyone else on Venlafaxine anti-depressants & T2 with or without meds? Are you concerned about how this drug might affect you adversely? Only I'm getting pretty worried with things I've been told, particularly from consultants about how high my dose is (225mg daily) & bad side effects.

My diabetes has been bad recently, with spiking blood tests that found I also have NAFLD, as well as being immuno-globulin A deficient with antibodies (regular blood transfusions would probably kill me - good job I've not needed any in 40 years!) My 40th year has been tough. Am now on Byetta jabs twice daily plus 2g Metformin yet my levels are still above 8mmols. Neuropathy has started already & it all feels rather bleak.

I was fed up with constant sweating, nausea/retching after minimal walking or chores plus constant exhaustion - GP says I have CFS. However, have started "weaning" off Venlafaxine. Since March, down to 2.5 pills daily (from 3) against GP's advice who's concerned for my depression/anxiety but I want to enjoy life not sleep it away! The constant sweats have ceased & nausea takes longer to kick in plus some days I have more energy. I want to drop lower but am afraid of regressing. I haven't taken my bad health news well plus hubby has a new heart-related problem since summer, had to reapply for my job, take a pay cut, etc. Should I stay on 2.5 or lower the anti-deps? Feel grotty constantly with Byetta & wonder if this would help - any thoughts, folks?

 

[))Denise((]

I've never taken Venlafaxine, but I felt for you and had to reply with my experience with Amitriptyline and CFS.

Amitriptyline raised my blood sugars by at least 2 points (I also put on weight with it). I was only on a low dose for IBS - it cured the IBS but as soon as I stopped taking it the IBS was back, it turns out I am wheat intollerant.

I was also diagnosed with CFS, I was so tired and depressed and was put on citalopram and prozac (not at the same time). I was sure I didn't have CFS and decided to do my own research. Finally after 2 1/2 years of feeling terrible I ended up at an endocinologist being tested for all sorts including cushings syndrome. It wasn't that, it was Vitamin D deficiency (which I had asked to be tested for).

Vitamin D deficiency can make you feel depressed - my recommendation would be to ask to be tested (they don't like doing the test because apparently it is expensive). Within a month of taking supplements for it, I felt so much brighter. There have been studies done that say that being Vitamin D deficient can effect blood sugar levels and make them higher.

You know your own body, but be careful and go slowly with the stopping of the Venlafaxine, there must be something else that you could take.

You have probably read on here that many people lower the amount of carbs they eat to achieve lower blood sugar levels and this may help too. Finding out I was wheat intollerant was one of the best things that happened to me, but cutting out all things containing wheat flour and not replacing them with gluten free alternatives has cut the amount of carbs I eat.

All the best.