Does Venlafaxine Give You Stressful Dreams?

[J_trustno1]

I have been on venlafaxine for almost 2 years now. I'm on the minimal dose (75mg) because I cannot handle anything strong. Everytime I tried increasing venlafaxine dose or any medication dose I had worst possible side effects which included suicidal ideation.

Anyway, back to the dreams. I have been noticing that I always get stressful dreams. It feels as if my brain never shuts itself off. These dreams do relate to my real life and people in the past. However, if I experience a bad event during my day, it is repeated in my dreams in that night in worst form resulting in nightmares. My day time bad experiences especially with people are repeated in my dreams including those people PLUS my past abusers. Anytime I'm about to get more stressed, I see my childhood abusers in my dreams abusing in worst form. If I'm stressed about something during my day, I end up dreaming the same stressful thing in more intense form.

My question is that do you experience strange stressful dreams while on venlafaxine? How did you resolve this issue? Should stop taking this and change to another antidepressant? My next option is citalopram but I've heard it causes weight gain in some people and that's what scares me. Plus I'm worried about other side effects new medication will give me.

Thanks in advance

 

[a3a2]

I have not had this experience, nor has my husband or daughter. I would talk to your doc about this and consider a switch. Are you seeing your doc, or a psychiatrist? I have found a good psychiatrist can make a big difference.