I was prescribed Venlafaxine 150mg for a duration of 6 weeks. During this time, one of the primary side effects I encountered was sexual dysfunction, characterized by delayed orgasm and reduced libido. Upon discussing these concerns with my doctor during a follow-up appointment after the 6-week period, she assured me that there were alternative medications available and that it was a matter of finding the right one for my needs. Consequently, she discontinued the Venlafaxine and initiated treatment with Duloxetine. Initially, I began taking Duloxetine at a dosage of 30mg for 7 days, which was then increased to 60mg thereafter.
Shortly after transitioning to Duloxetine, I experienced what I believe were withdrawal symptoms from Venlafaxine. This transition period was challenging, as I anticipated some negative effects while adjusting to the lower dosage of Duloxetine before reaching the increased 60mg dosage. Despite this, I have been on Duloxetine 60mg for 4 weeks now without experiencing any notable side effects. However, I must acknowledge that I do not feel as emotionally stable as I did while on Venlafaxine in terms of managing my depression symptoms.
My primary concern throughout this process has been the time required to transition between medications and the potential withdrawal symptoms associated with it. I am seeking advice on how to navigate this journey more effectively. Despite the side effects I encountered, Venlafaxine proved to be more effective in managing my depression compared to Duloxetine. There are so many medications available it seems to be a guessing game trying to find the right one. Is there any way to determine what medication is best suited for a person?
