[projektfu]

Yes, cures happen all the time. I'm an anecdote, but I was cured of depression using venlafaxine. Talk therapy was used at various times but it was not effective. I no longer take venlafaxine and I am not depressed. I will say that getting "off" of venlafaxine is troublesome and must be pursued gradually and slowly because the withdrawal is severe. Once I was cured it took about 9 months to go drug free.

[Jaruzel]

I'm on Venlafaxine (300mg/day). Previously I tried Amitriptyline, and Citalopram, both of which did not suit me, so I pulled myself off them... each time the depression and anxiety returned.

Although I am fairly happy on Venlafaxine (it stopped me killing myself, so that's a plus), I'd like to get off it at some point as the side affects are quite annoying. Can I ask you how you feel you were 'cured' and are there any resources I can look at? Thanks.

[projektfu]

I felt that I was not depressed anymore and I started working with my psychiatrist to reduce dosage until I was on the minimum dose. Then I stopped when I was feeling particularly good and kept a bottle of 5-HTP on hand. I'm not sure if that was necessary or not.

[ComputerGuru]

I take venlafaxine for migraines and and of the many drugs I’ve tried, absolutely nothing compares to the withdrawal symptoms for venlafaxine. They start 12 hours after missing a dose and doctors have no official designation for them, besides being insanely nasty.

Please for the love of all that is holy, if you are on venlafaxine and want to switch to something else: titrate. Not all doctors know about the withdrawal problems with venlafaxine. They are horrendous.