AleshaS-Effexor Withdrawal

[AleshaS]

Hi, 

12 years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety and started on venlafaxine 75 mg IR. I have only taken it once per day. A few months later, when I kept insisting something was wrong, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. I tried to come off the venlafaxine several times over the next decade, but couldn't due to withdrawal and having two young kids. My mom and her parents died between 7/2022 and 8/2023. It was very hard on me. The doctor told me to take my venlafaxine twice daily, but I could not due to sexual side effects. So, July 18, 2024, she cut me from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. I did not feel well.  On August 6th, she told me, "I feel like we are prolonging your suffering. Let's just be done. It might suck for a few days," and took me off the med. The next month was complete hell. Black, suicidal, crying, shaking, coming out of my skin. I had to take a month off work, my husband took 3 weeks off, and his mom lived with us. I went back to the doctor and she didn't think it was withdrawal. She put me on Lexapro. Went back to her with suicidal thoughts (only EVER had after going off med) , and she added Rexulti. So, I am 4 months out from stopping the venlafaxine. I'll have a good few days, then a bad week. Hopeless, disassociated, dizzy, crying, anxious. I've learned so much during this time. I know I was taken off the med much too quickly. Now I'm left wondering what to do because of the mess that's been created. Do I reinstate a tiny dose of venlafaxine? Do I slowly taper off Lexapro? Both? Neither? Keep trucking along and just hope I make it through?

Thanks for any insight or thoughts, Alesha

 

2012-7/2024 Venlafaxine 75 mg

7/18/2024-8/6/2024 Venlafaxine 37.5 mg

8/6/2024 Stopped venlafaxine Prozac 20 mg

8/20/2024 Stopped Prozac and switched to Lexapro 10 mg

9/25/2024 Added Rexulti 0.5 mg

[Emonda]

Welcome @AleshaS

 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

So, July 18, 2024, she cut me from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. I did not feel well. 

 

A 50% drop would hurt and lead to WD symptoms.

 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

On August 6th, she told me, "I feel like we are prolonging your suffering. Let's just be done. It might suck for a few days," and took me off the med.

 

Are you now looking for a new doctor 🤔

 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

The next month was complete hell. Black, suicidal, crying, shaking, coming out of my skin.

 

All typical WD symptoms. There is currently a problem with our usual link to a WD symptom checklist. Hopefully, this screenshot works:

 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

She put me on Lexapro. Went back to her with suicidal thoughts (only EVER had after going off med) , and she added Rexulti.

 

So many changes - You really need stability.

 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

I'll have a good few days, then a bad week.

 

Recovery from a CT is not linear. There are good days and not-so-good days/weeks/months. This is referred to as the Windows and waves pattern of stabilization.

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

know I was taken off the med much too quickly.

Absolutely 

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

Do I reinstate a tiny dose of venlafaxine?

I think I'd be hesitant. Reinstating is best within the 1st three months. Beyond that it becomes far less predictable. Also, your doctor has added other things to the cocktail.

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

Kindling

You might like to go to the drug interaction checklist and put in both drugs to see what you learn.

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

Do I slowly taper off Lexapro?

It's best to be stable before tapering. I'd be inclined to sit tight and wait for some improvement. Has anything improved over the past 4 months?

On 12/8/2024 at 12:41 AM, AleshaS said:

and just hope I make it through?

 

You will make it through. Time and patience do wonders.

 

Some general links:

Emotional Spirals

Non-drug coping strategies

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

Magnesium

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Avoid alcohol.

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD.

Once again, welcome to S.A.

Emonda