Sunnyside12: Introduction - Withdrawal?

[Sunnyside12]

Hi everyone, 30F, to summarize my past medication history: 

2013 Cipralex 10 mg
2013 Cymbalta 30 mg
2013 Pristiq 100 mg 
2016 July stopped pristiq. 
2017 Effexor 37.5 mg 
2019 Effexor 75 mg 
2021 Effexor 112.5 mg

In May 2023 I started a taper of Effexor in 12.5 mg increments from 112.5 mg, to 50 mg in January 2024. Due to increased stress at work I felt that I was unable to come off of medication, and changed to 50 mg of Sertraline as doctors said this was safer for starting a family. I cross tapered from Effexor 50 mg to Sertraline 50 mg, and was on Sertraline for 6 weeks. Due to headaches and nausea I was changed to Cipralex 10 mg, and 3 days after the first dose had severe anxiety and panic attacks. I went down to 5mg and took it for 4 weeks, before trying to increase to 10 mg. Again, I had severe anxiety and I would say akathisia.

 

Due to this we changed back to Effexor 37.5 mg for one week, and then back to 75 mg. I also started zopiclone 2.5 mg. Then began an onslaught of adverse effects including severe anxiety (unlike anything I’ve experienced before), akathisia, neck pain, jaw pain, waking up with my heart racing, and worsening of my dry eyes. Doctors attributed this to my anxiety. 
 

August 2 I decreased by 12.5 mg to 50mg, and noticed and improvement in the akathisia, jaw pain and neck pain. 
August  10 I decreased by 12.5 mg to 50 mg.

August 23 I decreased by 12.5 mg to 37.5 mg and was started on buspirone 5 mg twice daily. Most of my side effects have resolved, but I still wake up with a racing heart and buspirone has worsened my dry eyes. I realize this was faster than the recommended taper but the akathisia was unbearable. Doctors are recommending another medication change, but I really would like to taper off of everything completely. Do you think the severe anxiety and waking with my heart racing is some sort of dysregulation due to all the med changes? Would appreciate advice. 

2013 Cymbalta 30 mg
2013 Pristiq 100 mg 
2016 July stopped pristiq. 
2017 Effexor 37.5 mg 
2019 Effexor 75 mg 
2021 Effexor 112.5 mg
2023 - 2024 Jan slow taper to Effexor 50 mg
March 2024 - Sertraline 50 mg
April 2024 - Cipralex 5 mg
June 10 2024 Effexor 37.5 mg, zopiclone 2.5 mg
June 17 - Effexor 75 mg and zopiclone 2.5 mg
August 2 2024 - Effexor 62.5 mg and zopiclone 2.5 mg
August 10 2024 - Effexor 50 mg and zopiclone 2.5 mg
August 23 2024 - Effexor 37.5 mg and Buspirone 5 mg twice daily. Zopiclone 1.25 mg

August 30 zopiclone 0 mg

Edited September 7 by Emonda
Name to title

[LotusRising]

Hi @Sunnyside12

 

Welcome to SA,

 

On 9/5/2024 at 8:03 PM, Sunnyside12 said:

Doctors are recommending another medication change, but I really would like to taper off of everything completely. Do you think the severe anxiety and waking with my heart racing is some sort of dysregulation due to all the med changes? Would appreciate advice. 

 

Yes, this could absolutely be related to all the med changes. You've had many, with quick tapers and switches.

 

Why does your doctor want to switch medications again if symptoms seem to be resolving?

[Sunnyside12]

Hi, thanks for your response!

They are recommending a medication change because I’m still having anxiety, and I believe the buspirone is worsening my dry eye disease. So for potential pregnancy they are recommending one single medication at a higher dose. However, I am leaning towards stopping the buspirone and holding at 37.5 mg of Effexor while completing CBT and implementing an AIP diet.

[Sunnyside12]

Hi everyone, in 2023 I started tapering Effexor from 112.5 mg, and by January 2024 I was successfully down to 50 mg. Planning for potential pregnancy I changed to Sertraline 50 mg, which I did not tolerate. Then I was on Cipralex 5 mg which I also did not tolerate. Ultimately I went back on Effexor at 75 mg, and I began to have terrible symptoms - akathisia, severe anxiety, heart racing, neck pain, jaw pain, severe bruxism, very emotional, and headaches. 
 

After seeing psychiatry I was started on buspirone 5 mg twice daily, and Effexor was decreased over several weeks to 37.5 mg. All of the side effects seemed to resolve. However, I began tapering the buspirone and now some of the anxiety, neck pain, and jaw pain, and headaches have returned. I want to stop Effexor completely as I now realize these medications are making me feel worse. However I know it will be a very long process and I don’t know how I will cope with the pain for over a year. What should I do? Should I reinstate buspirone? Should I bridge to Prozac? I’m worried about kindling reactions with all the drug changes.

 

thank you