Viibryd Reviews (Page 5)
(Newest replies first)

Going to start it tomorrow. Anyone else taking it, and if so, how do you like it?

Thanks!

REPLY

REPORT

Hi ad8e--(hope I got that right!) How are you feeling on Viibryd? I saw my Dr. on Fri. & he suggested trying Viibryd again (lower dose this time) along with 10mg. of Prozac (allowing 4 hrs. between doses) at night to see if that will keep the Viibryd induced Sleep Paralysis & demonic dreams away! One can only hope!

As you can see, I've been highly skeptical of Viibryd....having had SO many horrific experiences on it (even feeling raped) that I waited a couple of days & did my research. Even though I am finding little on the Internet w/ positive stories, I went ahead & started the Viibryd late yesterday. I could hardly sleep last night. :\

Excited to hear all the positive....or negative (hey--that's reality!) Viibryd stories!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you theoldman.... Glad someone else is doing well on Vii and can give some great advice other than slamming a med that many people do great on. I went through all the sp also. Course I have had it all my life... This med changed my life! I stuck with it even with the side effects because the good that it has done for me is better than the bad... And the side effects did go away.... The best side effect as I have said many times in this thread is that I can drive again!!! Yay!! Anyway just really wanted to thank you for your words of encouragement on a thread that has a couple of people that give some very bad advice....

ls

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hey, Theresa, how's it goin' today?
I'm afraid I didn't make my connection between doctors, trust, and medication as clear as I intended when I started writing. You probably connected the dots for me, but just for the sake of clarity, please let me try again?
Case in point: Dr. J prescribed Viibryd. For the first four days, I felt like I had the flu for half the day, starting about an hour after ingestion. During the next 10 days, the flu-like symptoms were less, but still bothersome. It took three weeks to get to the 20 mg dose, when I started to see some benefit. That encouraged me to say, "Better, but not there yet," and Dr. J could say, "Try 30 mg" and that's where I am now, at least until I see him again in 2 weeks. MY MAIN POINT is this (thought I'd better give you a marker that I was getting somewhere ;b ): Had I not had quite a bit of trust in Dr J, I'm pretty sure that I would have quit on Viibryd before day 4, definitely before day 10. The double whammy of our illness is that we lack hope, and that hopelessness runs over into believing that help is even possible!
I'm glad I stuck with it. My depression is severe and treatment-resistant. I still go thru cycles that get very dark, with crying and suicidal ideation morning and evening. Then a 24-hour migraine headache, and for a while, I enjoy being alive again. But Viibryd is working slightly better than any I've tried, and the side effects are minimal. This is not to say you should stick with Viibryd; I don't know. Just that you need to establish that trust with a caregiver that will help you to stick with whatever you agree is best choice for you long enough to be sure whether it is or not. I know that on the day Dr J says there's a better med for me, I will drop Viibryd and try a new one. Until then, well, you know.
I sure hope this was more helpful. Feeling bad in all the ways you do is so much less than you deserve.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I think you've already explained it nicely, about how to find a new Dr, but this thread is titled Viibryd & should be about Viibryd. Any info I provided what meant for gg.....posts & I told her to go to the ER to avoid a potential sleep paralysis attack. Which gg....please know there are several Vii forums here & one just for Viibryd & Sleep Paralysis.
There could also be a helpful forum for Theresa in finding the right Dr. I do not 2nd guess Dr's, but maybe should've when prescribed Vii! Lol.

:) Just wanted to clarify!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Theresa, I have been to some great therapists but I didn't find success with the psychiatrists in house. They tended to make me come in monthly and pay a 2nd copay before I could get a one month script. Now I use my normal practitioner who seems to know about ADs fairly well. I can now see a therapist just for counseling and this works well for me. I know its ideal for an all-in-one but it is what works best for you. Point is, don't be afraid to be creative in your treatment!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I ended up taking klonapin and eating after reading another thread about nightmares and vii. I finally fell asleep around 2 and slept great. I can't see my Dr until I call on Monday so I guess we shall see how sleep goes this weekend. I have felt pretty good on viibryd. I too have tried many drugs in all areas of ADs. I'm not as severe as many but recognize my brain will always need some balancing drug. Most meds have worked but only for a year at most. Thank goodness they are always trying to improve meds but it gets very expensive to try out the newer ones.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

READERS: I urge you to share here your success/failure stories of finding good doctors so that Theresa can be encouraged. As for my part, read on:
Oh, dear, dear Theresa! My heart goes out to you. I can remember being in that place, and am so very glad that I will never have to go back to it. All I can give you is general stuff that you probably already know completely. But maybe our conversation will bring some fresh insight, and more important, hope.
First, while you're looking for the doctor with whom you connect, don't be shy about leaning on whatever support network you have in place. Are you familiar with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)? They're online. There are also, I'm sure you're aware, several toll free hotlines we can use. Some responders are excellent. Some not so much. I've hung up and called back just to get someone I felt more comfortable with.
Second, talk to people like us in your area. You'll get a feel for which doctors they really like.
Third, unless you find yourself in the office of a real jerk (and they're out there. I could tell you stories . . . ) give each one some time. If you meet a jerk, don't go back. A year sounds awfully long up front, but by the time you've tried a medication and it has failed, and then another, etc., a year will have passed, and by then you'll know how much support your doctor gives you. There's a group of psychiatrists within half an hour of where I live. I drive an hour and a half to get to my doctor. The difference in quality makes the extra time and money worth it.
I agree with you: rapid changing, hopping from one med or doctor without giving due time for results works against us. You've heard, "Patience is a virtue," but we know that when we feel terrible, patience is a MONUMENTAL TASK. But that's what we have to have to survive this illness. Grab hold and hang on!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

To the old man I have been trying to find a psychistrist got a year and a half that I feel is truly knowledgeable caring and helpful I have been through so many all with different opinions I keep switching which I know is no good but how do you find a good one or is it just me that in trying to find a med and none have worked I have lost faith that any doc can help me

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Folks, a word of caution from an old man who has suffered much from mental illness over the decades. Even with all my experience and learning, I would still be very frightened to advise anyone, be it a close friend or a stranger communicating over the internet, as to which meds to take, and how much. There are reasons why doctors are licensed for that, and a moment's reflection will make those clear to all readers. Any blog is likely to have a wide range of contributors with wide ranges of understanding. It could be dangerous to mistake an obviously caring tone of writing for wisdom and knowledge. I have "fired" at least 5 psychiatrists, until I found the one I have been seeing for the past 20+ years. We have to trust our health care providers, even if that means moving on until we find the "right" one for us.

May 2014 be the year we each find peace.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

See your Dr. tomorrow & get a script for Prozac. IMO, that's the only way to STOP all crazy whooshing ear buzzing brain zapping demonic nightmares. I've posted on this many times. I did work my way down to about 10-15 mg. (by carefully breaking the pill) before my Dr. gave me Prozac.

If you don't believe Prozac is for real, please know that I was his 1st patient on Vii & he knows myself & my family well & I am sure has felt pretty bad about prescribing Vii. Last time I was in his nurse told me a Vii rep was very pushy & in denial about people's experiences. Beware!

Now Forest has some 'new' drug. I could bet $ on it that it's close to Cymbalta & that it doesn't contain the amts. of Buspar & Dopamine (like Wellbutrin) increasing med in the 'new' drug.

I can forgive but I cannot forget the hell I went thru. If I had a dollar figure for what I went thru, I'd want about $50K. And that's being nice.

Also----do you have Xanax? You can take up to 4 (.25) while weaning from Vii. And I know you might feel lost & confused & unsure what to do, but I can assure you that everyone's brain chemistry is fairly similar in reaction to Vii & I don't want anyone to have nightmares & sleep paralysis like I did, so even though its $$$, I actually recommend going to the ER & show them my post. Many Dr's know that Prozac (SSRI) actually helps w/ sleep issues & w/d from Vii. I just don't want you to have to take it slowly, because what are the chances you have 10-20 mg of Prozac laying around. If you do, take that cold turkey instead of Vii & you'll sleep perfectly.

Hugs!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am struggling with sleep. I'm tired but I keep feeling "jolts" in my brain and ears every time I get close to falling asleep. I feel motion sick laying completely still. I'm also itching all over. I'm on 40mg and have been for over a month and up to this point, these weird sleep issues only happen if I attempt to take a nap, and if I end up falling asleep I have crazy motion filled dreams that scare me... what do I do?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I can totally feel your pain! Your post could have been mine word for word, so all I gotta say is don't give up hope. as I know even other people have a hard time dealing with our depression and it's so frustrating for people who are NOT affected by sever depression to say "Think/Stay positive!" Yeah oooookkaay. Treatment resistant severe depression is THE most frustrating long-term issue I have ever had to face, so I want you to know you are not alone! It eases my mind to read your post and realize I am not alone either. Please don't give up, just keep truckin, no one else is going to take care of us so let's be empowered and try to practice more rl

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

How long were you on it before you notice your hair loss?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Just wanted to mention also read the Viibryd & Sleep Paralysis forum. A couple new posts saying same as you.

My suggestion is to forget about weaning slowly, but try to work down to 20 mg. while taking up to 4 (.25) Xanax if nec. (My drs orders) Then on the 1st nite w/o Vii, take 20 mg. of Prozac. :) You will no longer have any SP. Continue on Prozac until you think you want to continue or switch to something else.

I've discovered that Cymbalta is purified Vii. :) it's wonderful!!!!! And works so much better for anxiety. Some wt. gain though...w/ any AD. Adding in 150 of Wellbutrin due to Cym. making me sleep...& sleep (much needed rest though!) & I've weaned down to maybe 20 mg. of Cymbalta. (My own creative dumping out (& saving) beacs from capsule) I like the smaller dose of Cymbalta. Seems to work better, so I still feel in touch w/ my children, instead of not feeling interested in anything (when at 60 mg).

:) HTH!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have gained twenty pounds. Which in of itself is depressing the hell out of me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had problems with the 10, twenty and now forty mg. dose of vibriibryd. I was on 100.mg of wellbutrin and low dose lexapro, but I was tired all of the time so my doctor switched me to this. I had the vivid dreaming right away, but he said it could be an interaction with the wellbutrin. (Lexapro removed at beginning) And that I should go to the 40 mg. for maximum effect. My dreaming is out of control. I do not feel any better with the depression, with the notation that I am getting depressed more because of the reaction to the viibryd. I'm afraid to go to sleep. Not scary nightmares, just vivid dreaming that you remember every detail, and the dreams repeat. Head drenched in sweat every night, hot all day, overeating, b****y, itchy, swoolen right eye, feeling like I want to self-medicate, and sloth. In comparision to this, I think I was doing fine on the Wellbutrin and Lexapro. this was supposed to give you more energy. My nights are hellish. I have tried everything, and now I don't feel I have any new drug to try. I just know I can't stay on this one. Never had psychological and physical side-effects like this before. I have a call into the doctor, but I feel like he is making excuses to keep me on it. It's been months of the nightmares, even with the beginning term mg. dose and now that I am on 40 mg. I can't stand it anymore. I am exhausted from sleeping if that makes any sense. He is going to call me at one o'clock. I am pouring sugar down my throat as well. (not literally, but.........) I never complain about anything by the way. I heard the withdrawls from this med are bad? Anybody know? I am so glad I gogled Vibriiyad and vivid dreaming because I thought I was losing my damn mind. Have been on 40 mg. of Vibriiyad for one month with no other meds.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi Theresa,

I was on Effexor for just shy of 10 years, but came off of it about 6 months ago. I was doing okay for a little while, but then decided that I would be better if I was on something. I originally wanted to go to Pristiq because of it's similarities to Effexor, but heard about this new Viibryd drug. I'm still not sure if I am totally sold on it. It keeps the despair away like I said before, but I have been really cloudy minded because of it. Also, there is a heightened amount of irritability that I am not used too. I am now currently going between 10mg and 20mg per day. It is going on four weeks now. Hope this helps :)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Sorry but how bad were you before starting the viibryd had you been on other meds before this do you have depression anxiety ? For ADe

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Did you just wake up feeling better one day? I have no idea what to expect because no med has provided me any relief ever in the two years I'm dealing with this this is for ADe

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Theresa,

Thanks for asking. Yes, I am still on the Viibryd. I believe I am around Day 24'ish right now. Here's the thing though, I wanted to make sure my body was totally used to the 10mg before going up so I have only been on the 20mg for three days now. So, I guess I did three weeks at 10mg. I can tell that it is working but I'm not out of the woods yet. The despair is gone but my motivation to do stuff isn't really back yet. I'm just kind of "okay" I guess. I hope this helps :). Keep on truckin'. We can do this!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

What if any side effects are people experiencing on viibryd ## Taking Viibryd (vilazodone) at a dose of 40 mg per day is...

613 REPLIES

HI I am on Viibryd for 4 months now and i have these terrible horrific nightmares that i am dyng or sufficating a kind o...

92 REPLIES

I am starting to get a little nervous with all the negative feedback in this forum. I was on Cymbalta for a couple of ye...

80 REPLIES

Fellow viibryd folk, I am taking 40mg (been on it for approx 2 mo at this dose). In simply 24 hours I notice a need to t...

50 REPLIES

There's so many scary posts written here that I just wanted to share my own experience so that those considering Vii...

41 REPLIES

Stopping Viibryd: From 40mg I tapered down to 7 days of 20mg followed by 7 days of 10mg. The biggest side effect I felt ...

37 REPLIES

I originally got on the web today to research how to loose weight gained from medication. I have been on Viibryd for 6 m...

36 REPLIES

After discontinuing Viibryd, has anyone noticed their hair NOT becoming thick again? I've been on 60 mg for about 8 ...

33 REPLIES

Hey All. I started the starter pack of Viibryd two weeks ago while weaning off of Pristiq. I am on SSRI'S due to obs...

22 REPLIES

Going off Viibryd: From 40mg, I went to 7 days of 20mg then 7 days of 10mg. I felt the affects and mostly it was anxiety...

19 REPLIES