Mp22: looking for doctor on Long Island

[Mp22]

I’m attempting to taper off venlafaxine, I was successful once and unsuccessful twice since going back on. I would like the help of a doctor with experience and possibly adding in Prozac to help with withdrawal symptoms that seems to hit me hard.  Any recommendations for doctors on Long Island would be greatly appreciated.  

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  It's very good that you have come here first before starting your current taper.  Here is a link with doctors who are knowledgeable about tapering and withdrawal: 

 

Recommended Doctors, Therapists, and Clinics

 

If you taper slowly and carefully enough, there will be no need to add Prozac to help with withdrawal, because the withdrawal should be minor to nonexistent.  Adding another psych med while tapering off of one is not suggested.  This can cause problems with the nervous system, and confuse it, and then you would have to taper off the Prozac.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Use this example:

 

Feb 15 2020 - June 30 2020 - 25mg citalopram, 2mg xanax

July 1 2020 - Sept 7 2020 - 50 mg citalopram, 4 mg xanax

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is, which you may be able to avoid if you taper correctly.  

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.  Since you have had several previous taper attempts, you may want to try a micro taper, which is an even gentler method.  

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro Tapering

 

Tips for Tapering Venlafaxine

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Good luck, and let us know how things go.