MR85: question about tapering effexor

[MR85]

 

Hi friends! Thankful to discover this forum. I’ve had a heck of a year and been through many SSRIs, SNRIs, benzos and betas. I had been on lexapro for about 7 months until recently when I just felt like I was laying in bed a lot and not motivated to do much. It had either stopped working or never really was. I was also on propanolol for a few mos with the lex and that helped a lot with extreme panic moments. When I talked to a psychiatrist last week she said I could stop taking lex and prop and switch to buspirone to try. I told her I wanted to at least taper the lex while trying buspirone. So I did that and was on it for a week at same dose and then she said do one week every other day. The first day I skipped my lex was a nightmare. Went to urgent care and they did negative flu and COVID tests because symptoms were so bad. They said they don’t know what to recommend for the meds but it’s likely withdrawal. Called my psychiatrist and she had me stop the lexapro and buspirone and start effexor and hydroxyzine. So I started effexor at 37.5 7 days ago with hydroxyzine 3x daily. It was fine until this week (1 week later) when she recommended Increasing to 75mg effexor. It was Awful and I suffered all day. Tried to get a hold of psych and she didn’t call back didn’t call back and then this morning I just took 37.5 mg because that was the lower dose and i wasn’t about to double it again. Her staff finally called back and said I could just stop effexor. When I asked what I should do next or if I should just lower back down to the dose I started with they had to ask and call back. So then they called back and said I could go back to the lower dose. So today I’ve heard two different things.  I can stop taking it or I can go back to lower dose. I just want to be off. It’s only been a week but I’m over it. I’ve tried too much and my body just isn’t handling it. Do I need to taper having only been on the lowest dose for a week? I have a video call with her on Monday but I don’t want to just “stick it out” on the low dose til then if I’m planning on getting off of it Monday anyways. I’m going to suggest starting propanolol again by itself. I just don’t know what to do at this point with the effexor.

[Frogie]

@MR85

 

Welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  You have come to the right place.  

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions, and meet member such as yourself. We ask that members only have one page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

First can you please create a signature. That helps us a lot. Thank you.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

I see you have been on and off a lot of antidepressants very quickly. I'm going to give you some links on what we suggest here on tapering.

 

 

Propanolol is a beta-blocker. 

 

Tips for tapering off Alpha blockers or Beta blockers

 

Tips for tapering off buspirone (Buspar)

 

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Brain Remodelling

 

Anhedonia, apathy, demotivation, emotional numbness

 

Fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

 

Skipping Days vs Every Day Dosing Graph

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

 

Here is some information about talking to your dr about withdrawal.

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?
What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

We don't suggest a lot of supplements on here. But magnesium and omega seem to be calming on the nervous system. If want to try them, try one at a time, and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

Magnesium

Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

After reading the links I provided, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.