Linda71239: Venlafaxine, olanzapine and barely existing

[Linda71239]

I was prescribed citalopram around 2006 for anxiety when sitting exams at school.  I was left on the drug for 6 years until I asked to come off it.  I was given no advice as to how to do this.  First failed attempt at coming off antidepressants.  I won’t go into the detail but I ended up being hospitalised and put on Venlafaxine instead. This is when I began searching for my own answers.

 

I learned about tapering and in April 2016 I began reducing my Venlafaxine by 15mg each time.  I didn’t stick to a strict schedule, I just reduced each time I felt good and could handle it.  This all went without a hitch until the last drop in January 2018. I was ok for 10 days apart from dizziness and the odd brain zap.  Then I was hit with panic attacks in my sleep and severe anxiety. I went back to my gp who said that as I was anxious and not depressed I was to take 5mg olanzapine at bed time.  I got better then stopped olanzapine then got worse so started it again.  Eventually my mood changed and I got depressed and was put back on 225mg Venlafaxine as well as 2.5mg olanzapine.  This continued for a few weeks then I got back to work and felt good.  

 

Then I saw a psychiatrist (after an 8 week wait) who said I could stop the olanzapine and I would be fine.  Lies, withdrawal hit me bad.  Severe anxiety.  However I have read a lot and learned a lot and decided that with family support I am trying my best to stick it out.

 

I have also started taking supplements from neuro genetics and I feel they are helping as my sleep has improved and sometimes I feel I can get through this.  

 

It’s been a month since I stopped taking olanzapine. I’m still very up and down.  I’m still taking 225mg Venlafaxine.  I’m in the process of changing my doctor to one who has been recommended to me as sympathetic to my situation.

 

I feel like I am existing not living. I haven’t been at work full time for months. Family members are avoiding me because they don’t understand what’s going on.  My plan is to taper off Venlafaxine once I have stabilised from quitting olanzapine cold turkey. I have read other forums and people say they took a few months to feel better.  Others didn’t take as long. I wish someone could tell me how this will all pan out but I know that’s impossible. I’m looking for any support and advice people can offer me.  

Edited June 11, 2018 by SkyBlue
added spaces for readability

[SkyBlue]

7 hours ago, Linda71239 said:

This all went without a hitch until the last drop in January 2018. I was ok for 10 days apart from dizziness and the odd brain zap.  Then I was hit with panic attacks in my sleep and severe anxiety. I went back to my gp who said that as I was anxious and not depressed I was to take 5mg olanzapine at bed time.  I got better then stopped olanzapine then got worse so started it again.  Eventually my mood changed and I got depressed and was put back on 225mg Venlafaxine as well as 2.5mg olanzapine.  

 

Welcome, Linda.

 

It definitely sounds like you are going through withdrawal and are having quite a tough time of it. 

 

It's unbelievable that you were told to cold-turkey. 

However, you are in a good place here at SA. This site has a lot of support and information. 

 

The good news is that at one month out, you *may* benefit from reinstating a very small dose. Please don't change anything yet, but read this thread (esp. the first page) to get familiar with the concept behind this strategy: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

Again, please don't change anything yet. 

 

7 hours ago, Linda71239 said:

However I have read a lot and learned a lot and decided that with family support I am trying my best to stick it out.

 

I have also started taking supplements from neuro genetics and I feel they are helping as my sleep has improved and sometimes I feel I can get through this.  

 

Please know that unfortunately, supplements can add to withdrawal symptoms and further destabilize us. 

Everyone is different, but we generally only recommend magnesium and fish oil, and starting with a conservative dose of these. 

Thank you for creating a signature. Could you please add the date that you CT'd (cold-turkeyed), as well as a brief history in list form of drugs/dosages in last 2years? That will help anyone see this info at a glance. 

[SkyBlue]

I don't want to overwhelm you with links, and the info above on reinstatement takes priority,

but here are just two threads that might be of use to you:

 

Magnesium 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Fish oil/ omega 3s:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

[Linda71239]

As I am coping day to day with family support I don’t feel the need to,reinstate. I am currently in the process of changing my doctor as my previous one has badly managed my situation.  He refused to admit withdrawal exists. I will see how my new doctor wants to manage things before I make any more changes. 

[ChessieCat]

11 hours ago, Linda71239 said:

 

@daybydaystepbystep how are you doing now? I am 1 month off Zyprexa and am taking the road back supplements.  Sleep isn’t too bad. Morning anxiety and feelings of hopelessness are bad today. Feel like I’m just existing day to day. Can you give me some hope?

 

 

Hi Linda,

 

Please see these topics:  

 

truehope-the-road-back-labelmesane

 

no-recommendations-for-commercial-programs-to-assist-withdrawal

 

These are the only supplements which SA recommends.  Try a small amount, one at a time to see how you react:

 

Magnesium
Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

There are many existing topics on SA.  I use google and add survivingantidepressants.org to my search string.

 

[SkyBlue]

52 minutes ago, Linda71239 said:

As I am coping day to day with family support I don’t feel the need to,reinstate. I am currently in the process of changing my doctor as my previous one has badly managed my situation.  He refused to admit withdrawal exists. I will see how my new doctor wants to manage things before I make any more changes. 

 

Oh, ok. It sounded like you were feeling pretty badly, which is why I posted the information on reinstating. Hope everything goes well for you.

[Linda71239]

An update: i am olanzapine free and functioning well. Now begins the long slow taper off 225mg Venlafaxine. My new gp informs me that the first step is to change from Effexor Xr to immediate release tablets. 

 

Any advice or suggestions?

thanks

[peng]

Don't think I have heard that one, Linda.

Moderator(s) will advise.

Take care with your effexor taper from 225mg.

I was in your position 2 years ago.

[Linda71239]

Have you any advice for me?

[manymoretodays]

Hi Linda and welcome,

I'll leave you the links around tapering in general, and tapering venlafaxine in case you have not found them yet.  It's a great idea to read up and make a plan before beginning your taper.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage

Tips for tapering off Effexor and EffexorXR

 

7 hours ago, Linda71239 said:

An update: i am olanzapine free and functioning well. Now begins the long slow taper off 225mg Venlafaxine. My new gp informs me that the first step is to change from Effexor Xr to immediate release tablets. 

You may not want to change to immediate release Effexor...........just yet..........  If you do make that choice, and it is a choice, you should be able to negotiate with your prescribing Dr.   Don't go overboard with trying to convince your Dr. of your tapering plan.......it often is just not worth it........just keep a decent relationship going with him/her so that you can get your prescription needs met.

  You would also need to treat a different form of venlafaxine, as a dosage change, and hold at the equivalent dose to your 225mg current dose of XR, for at least a month or so BEFORE any further changes.  Just something to keep in mind.  It wouldn't hurt to hold a bit longer before further tapering commences as well.  You are just 2 months off of olanzapine........When did you restart the venlafaxine after your January 2018 taper off attempt?  You could just add that answer to your signature if you'd like.   Try not to rush into a too fast taper in any case.

 

Please read carefully through both of the above links, especially the first couple of posts prior to seeing your new GP, or beginning to taper.  I'd be surprised if he/she really knows much about managing someone's taper and/or withdrawal.  Often times they just go on the information that the drug manufacturers have given them, which unfortunately can result in a too fast taper and overwhelming withdrawal symptoms.......  I don't expect this Dr to be any more well versed in withdrawal than any of them........try not to get your hopes too high.   Yet, you can feel empowered in managing this next taper and withdrawal with all the education that YOU gain going forward.  You don't need to convince anyone of anything.........sometimes that can be exhausting.

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal

What should I expect from my doctor

 

 

I'm glad you are taking the time to self educate around tapering and withdrawal now. 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

The waves and windows pattern of withdrawal

 

Are you still taking RoadBack supplements?

And would you please update your signature to reflect that you are on EffexorXR or venlafaxineXR, as well as add in the citalopram that you started in 2006?  Just put it right at the start of your signature.  I take it that 2006 was the start of your psychiatric medication career?

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Edited August 12, 2018 by manymoretodays
elaboration, additional thoughts