Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted October 14, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 14, 2012 I am off to the states on Thursday to stay with my son and hope that I don't have too many problems as I had in May over there with the 5 hour difference in taking the medication. At that time I had no idea that could make such a difference with how I felt. Hi Poppy, you could move the time you take effexor by 1 hr every day before you go so there ends up being no time difference. That's how I handle scheduling issues of the sort you mention.. got that tip from Alto, and it really helps. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin Link to comment
poppy Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 Hi Schylur, Thanks for that tip, I will try that. Hugs to you Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Administrator Karma Posted October 14, 2012 Administrator Share Posted October 14, 2012 Hi Poppy Switching from Extended Release Effexor to regular Effexor will require that you take your Effexor twice a day to ensure a consistent level of the med in your system. I take mine first thing in the morning and about 12 hours later in the evening. You may notice a little difference in how you feel initially, but I would not expect it to be a big difference and you should become accustomed to it with a little time. Karma 2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax 200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg; 1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers Link to comment
poppy Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Hi Karma, Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate your support. I am so glad I have found this site. Hugs, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi everyone my name is Poppy and I haven't been on for a while. I am withdrawing from venlafaxine 225mg extended release tablets. My GP dropped me from 225mg to 150mg and then to 112.5mg. I started withdrawing in September 2012. The last drop I had to 112mg (1x75mg and 1x37.5mg)tablet was on 1st November. When I came onto the site first time everyone said that was way too fast. My Gp wanted me to drop the 37.5mg before xmas but I said I wasn't prepared to drop at such a busy time. Anyway straight after xmas I have felt terrible, crying hysterically, panicking etc. Up to then I can't say I felt good but I was really coping. I am going back to the GP next week and want to insist I take this much slower, he seems to think this is slow. I want to do the 10% reduction now even though when I first started I just wanted it to finish and you all did warn me. I still don't know if it would be best to ask to change to regular venlafaxine rather than my XR tablets so that I can cut them up or would the liquid be better. He said that he would give me the liquid but not to the very end of the withdrawel. Could I withdraw from 112mg using the liquid or is it too many mgs, I think he is just thinking of the cost to the NHS of the liquid. I would welcome any comments as I would like some information to take with me next week. I have been trying to find a support group near me, I live in the East of London, England but have had no luck. Happy and healthy new year to you all. Regards, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi Poppy, nice to see you back. I have merged your original intro topic with this update to keep your withdrawal all together. Yes, it seems you have been reducing too quickly and it has all caught up with you. I would be inclined to go back up to 150mg to see if you can stabilise on that - you have reduced 50% of your original dose very quickly. Are you taking effexor capsules with the little beads inside? Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi Poppy, I remember you from a while back, yes you have come down too fast even if your doctor doesn't agree, so frustrating isn't it? I don't understand why some doctors in the UK are so reluctant to prescribe liquids, someone told me they don't cost a lot more, but I really don't know how true that is, but when you think of the cost of someone being on Effexor the rest of their life, you'd think it would balance out, have to say I've been so lucky my surgery have been no problem prescribing liquid, for years now, even though they don't understand why and I think they think they're just humouring me. I just suggested to someone else here, maybe print out some info in the tapering forum to take with you? Have you got someone who can accompany you who can help you argue your corner if necessary? strawberry *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi Silver Star, I am not on capsules, I am on tablets which I have been told cannot be split. I just don't know what venlafaxine to change to as on the regular venlafaxine I cannot sort out a 10% reduction. Would capsules or liquid be better. Thanks for being there. Hugs Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi Strawberry, Thanks for replying, I am just trying to help myself because here in the UK I can't seem to find much help. My GP just says stop going on to websites it's just making you worse. Hugs, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi Peggy, Sorry I replied to Silver Star and not you, I am really mixed up at the moment. I forgot to ask at the moment I take my tablet at 8.00am and I really don't feel good first thing in the morning. It then gets, if I'm lucky, manageable, but then about 1.00 lunchtime I start feeling rotten again, dopey etc is this the withdrawel effect starting. Hugs, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 9, 2013 Administrator Share Posted January 9, 2013 Doctors always say reading Web sites will make you worse. Here are the NICE guidelines for doctors: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2448-nice-antidepressant-discontinuation-guidelines-for-uk-doctors/ And the MIND UK guide, which is very straightforward: http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/7996_making_sense_of_coming_off_psychiatric_drugs Well, show your doctor this topic: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ and discuss with him the best way for you to go off Effexor, since it seems you are sensitive to dosage decreases in the amounts he has suggested. The only way you will be able to use Effexor in liquid form is if you switch to regular Effexor. You cannot make a liquid from Effexor XR. Tapering directly from a drug such as Effexor/Effexor XR is less risky than switching to another drug such as Prozac. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 10, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'm in the UK as well, and Alto is right doctors can be very patronising when they say looking at web sites makes you worse, husbands sometimes say that as well, wouldn't do for us to know more than they do would it? (doctors I mean). The Mind guide that Alto has linked to is an excellent one to print out and take with you. Forgot to pick up on what you said about finding a support group near you, I never find such a group anywhere near me (East Anglia), my husband was asked to join a patient consultation group for our surgery, he saw it as an opportunity to address the issue and suggest setting up a support group, it went exactly nowhere and he ended up leaving the consultation group. I sometimes think about setting up a support group but don't think I'd have the time/energy to do it, the best support seems to be all on line like this site. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Hi Alto and Strawberry, Thanks for your replies. Great advice. I am going to the GP next week and I am certainly not going to carry on withdrawing at the rate I have been. 10% seems a lot better rate to aim for. I told him that the ideal way would be to decrease in small amounts not a large amount that takes it all out of me, sends me up the wall and takes months, if at all, to recover from. That's just plain mad. I will let you know what he says. Hugs, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
poppy Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Hi, I am really sorry but I only seem to ask for help not help anyone else. I said I am going to the GP next week, which I still am. I have been crying uncontrollaby today and I am in on my own. I know we have talked many times about me cutting down too quickly, which I totally agree with but I rang my doctor today and he said that I cannot go back on the previous mgs because I took the last drop on 1st November and it is too far away. I wont take any new drops whilst I am like this but can anyone please, please, please tell me will I recover from how I feel now to be able to take a drop at some time in the future, because I seem to be getting worse. Or have I down damage that will not fix... Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 13, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 13, 2013 Poppy don't worry about not being able to help anyone else, right now you need to concentrate on yourself, did you print off the articles on Alto's post? especially the one from Mind about coming off psychiatric drugs? I think this will be really important in talking to your doctor. I feel you would definately find some relief by updosing somewhat, and you need to convince your doctor of this, can you see a different doctor in the practise? is there one that might be more sympathetic? do you have someone who can go with you to help fight your corner on this? I'm in the UK as well and I know I'm able to see a different doctor if I want. I can assure you that you WON'T always feel the way you are feeling now, it will get better but it may take time and patience, nothing seems to happen overnight with coming off SSRI's. I've been in some truly horrible places mentally in withdrawal much like you are and I've always come out the other side, but often in the past it was after I had to updose a bit to get back on track. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
jr1985 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Hi poppy, the brand of Effexor XR I take is called Rodomel XL. It has hundreds of little beads inside the capsule, making it easy to reduce the dose by small amounts. Maybe you could ask your doctor for this, instead of the regular or liquid Effexor? 2003-2011: Paroxetine,Citalopram,Effexor; Aug/Sept 2011: Effexor to Mirtazapine; Oct 2011: C/T Mirtazapine back to Effexor; Nov/Dec 2011: Fast Tapered Effexor - w/d hell; Feb 2012: Reinstated Effexor 37.5mg; June 2012: Dropped to 35.6mg; Jan 2016: Propranolol 2.5mg per day for general anxiety; Feb 2016: Finasteride 0.25mg per week to slow hair loss; 18th May - 8th June 2019: Started Vyvanse 7.5mg and increased by 7.5mg weekly to 30mg (lowest “therapeutic” dose for adults).; 21st June 2019 - 12th July: Cross tapered from venlafaxine brand Rodomel to Efexor (1/4 > 1/2 > 3/4 weekly before ditching Rodomel); 13th July 2019: Cut Vyvanse dose to 15mg; 15th July 2019: Akathisia returned after years of being free; 16th July 2019: Went back up to Vyvanse 30mg Supplements: Omega-3, Vitamin D, Zinc, Phosphatidylserine Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 13, 2013 Administrator Share Posted January 13, 2013 poppy, what dosage tablets do you have on hand? Your GP is wrong and must read the articles, particularly about updosing when withdrawal symptoms become evident. You must INSIST on this help from your GP, even if it is not ordinarily something you would do. Do not cry or get angry, it will confuse the doctor. In a clear, firm voice, looking directly at him or her, say exactly what you need. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
poppy Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hi everyone, Sorry haven't been on again for a while. After talking with you all, I did decide to keep on the 111.2mg Effexor tablets that I was taking because I felt that if I went back up to 150mg I would put my poor brain through another change, I do seem so susceptible to any minor changes. Anyway I am waiting for an appointment with the Dr who put me on it in the first place and I want to ask to change to capsules, so that in the future I can start counting the beads. I know my health authority do not issue capsules because they are too expensive but I will have to try to fight for them. Today, there are a couple of questions that would be helpful for me if someone has any views on - 1. I know I have come down too quickly from 225mg to now at 111.2mg since September, 2012. The last drop to 111.2mg since Nov 2012 and I am having really bad withdrawel, crying sometimes uncontrollably, but what I would like to ask is if I now stay at this, much as I don't want to, will I even out and not feel like this, so that I can carry on at the 10% drops. I take it it could take at least months, I don't mind if I know it will be a little better so that I can cope better and that will enable me to consider drops. 2. I can't understand that I am on extended release tablets effexor and since the last drop mornings when I wake up are terrible, then I just about cope in the morning, but it seems that around midday or just after I start to feel worse again, dopey etc. Should this happen with extended release tablets or is it the withdrawel, because they are suppose to last all day aren't they. Thanks for you help, I am beginning to feel like I am in despair. Hugs, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 8, 2013 Administrator Share Posted February 8, 2013 poppy, it sounds like you have withdrawal symptoms from halving your Effexor dosage. You may wish to switch to regular Effexor twice a day, with a little bit of a dosage increase, for example, two 75mg tablets to be taken 12 hours apart. It may be the increase in dosage helps your withdrawal symptoms. Making a liquid from the tablets and reducing that way is quite easy. Otherwise, you might want to request the 150mg capsules containing the beads, but you may have to convert to regular Effexor anyway at the end, as each bead is about 1mg. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
poppy Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hi Alto, Thanks for replying. I know nobody can predict how things will be for you, but I am really confused. I went to speak to a pharmacist last week to ask if in his opinion I would have problems going from extended release effexor to regular effexor tablets and he said he thought I would as he thought I would have more withdrawel problems because my body would be using to getting the complete dose in the morning. I don't know what to ask my doctor for. Stay on the extended release tablets, change to regular tablets or change to the capsules. Any help would be so helpful. Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 8, 2013 Administrator Share Posted February 8, 2013 The druggist did not take into account that the release of Effexor XR is gradual, throughout the day. You do not get all your dosage when you take it in the morning. That said, conversion to a different form can be a little bumpy. You have to decide if the benefit is worth it. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
poppy Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 Hi I don't know if anyone is there but I am worried because of a too fast taper - going from 225mg effexor to 150mg in September and then to 112.5mg in November I have realised that I must take a break in withdrawing because I have felt rotten since after xmas. I know no one knows how long things can take but I have read that it can take 3-6 weeks to stabilize after a drop, because I don't feel well since beg of Jan, if I leave it much longer will I stabilize and would it be because I had such big drops too quickly that I still haven't stabilized. Thanks for listening I really appreciate you all, I feel desperate at the moment. I am happy to take as long as it takes but need to believe I will stabilize after this drop. Hugs to you all, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted February 27, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2013 Hi Poppy, you could try going back up a little in your dose. You did have some big drops quickly - 225mg is a big dose of effexor- you have halved your dose and you started feeling like this about a month after the drop down from 150mg to 112.5mg. We suggest people keep within the 10% drop per month - that is 10% of their current dose - that would mean that rather than reducing from 150 to 112.5 you should have gone down to 135mg. Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
poppy Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Hi Peggy, Thanks for replying. I really appreciate what you are saying but I cannot go up a little in dose as I am taking Effexor XR tablets, not capsules. I am going to my GP next week to ask to be changed to capsules but I am not expecting her to be helpful as I know they don't prescribe capsules as they say they are too expensive. I am going to say that I need them to help with my withdrawel. I am having a meeting with an advocate who can help support me with issues with the medical people and if the GP won't give me capsules I will ask the advocate to help me get them. I am taking notice of what everyone says on here but am frustrated because I have come up to brick walls with the NHS. I will fight on, because thats what it feels like with them. At the moment I am having lots of crying spells and sore eyes and eye lids, as anyone else had this side effect from withdrawel, the eye thing I mean. I am feeling worn out with trying to find support for myself, mind you the best support is here where you all know whats what. I really wish I had taken notice when I first joined and tapered the 10%. I know positively this is what I will continue to do - but am really frightened that I will never get to the point where I feel I could taper again. Thanks for being there from the bottom of my heartx Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted February 27, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2013 what is the dosage of your tablets? You might be able to crush your tablets and make a solution - however, as your tablets are XR they will no longer be slow release so you will have to take half your dose in the morning and half at night. It's good that you are taking an advocate - they will help you to be firm and clear with what you want. Are you able to change Dr's? Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 27, 2013 Administrator Share Posted February 27, 2013 Read this topic for ideas about how to gradually taper Effexor XR: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
poppy Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi Alstro and Peggy, I have looked on the withdrawel forum for effexor and will certainly follow it. I am on 2 x tablets per morning, one being 75mg and one being 37.5mg, so that makes the dosage per day of 112.5mg. I thought I would ask to change to capsules because I thought that would be easier to make 10% drops. Since January 2013, I took the last drop at the beginning of November 2012, every day I seem to feel worse around 1.00 lunchtime and by the evening I feel quite dopey. My Dr said this just isn't possible since I am on XR tablets that release throughout the day. I know it doesn't make sense but it really happens. I can't make sense of it other than it feels like withdrawal but of course this doesn't make sense with a tablet that releases during the day. I know I feel like this but when people keep saying no this can't happen, you begin to doubt yourself. It makes it difficult as there seems to be a short time in the morning where I cope better but find it almost impossible to go anywhere later in the evening because I feel so rotten, in fact I have a 70th birthday party that we have been invited to on Saturday and it's not because I feel anxious about going, it's because I feel so physically awful by the evening. With regard to my GP and changing, I will see what happens next week. It has been a shame really, as the GP practice has 4 doctors and one has been particularly good when you go to see him for other things. With withdrawal I'm afraid he doesn't know much and wanted me to either take tablets every other day or different amounts of mgs each day. I refused and I don't think he was very happy. I was just so glad that I knew, through surviving antidepressants, that this really wasn't the way to go. Love, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 28, 2013 Administrator Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi everyone my name is Poppy and I haven't been on for a while. I am withdrawing from venlafaxine 225mg extended release tablets. My GP dropped me from 225mg to 150mg and then to 112.5mg. I started withdrawing in September 2012. The last drop I had to 112mg (1x75mg and 1x37.5mg)tablet was on 1st November.poppy, this may have been too big of a decrease for you. You might want to updose to 150mg to see if it helps your symptoms. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
poppy Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Hi, Sorry again that I haven't been on for ages, I do follow the site. I am still on 112mg of Effexor. I didn't go back up to 150mg as I was worried that it had been too long since I took the last drop and I didn't want to feel even worse. If you remember I took a drop from 225mg to 150mg in September last year and then a drop to 112mg in November. All I would like help with really is I am feeling absolutely hideous, crying most of the time and have just returned from a weeks holiday where I was terrible - I take it this is still withdrawel but I keep reading on the site that people normally stabilise after a few weeks. It has been over 4 months since my last drop and it gets worse. I will only take small drops in the future but will I ever stabilise to do this, it has been so long. Sometimes I feel suicidal, it would be such a help if only I could believe that it could stabilise for here. Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
poppy Posted April 20, 2013 Author Share Posted April 20, 2013 Hi, I have come down from 225mg Effexor to 112mg. I had a decrease in September last year to 150mg and then a decrease in November to 112mg. I appreciate now that this was too much too soon, but was done with the GP. You have given me such good information before but I feel that it is too long now to updose, mainly because I feel it is too far away now. What I would love is help with some questions - 1. It is now over four months since my last decrease and currently it is feeling worse. I keep a diary and the withdrawel symptoms have gone from crying a lot, to over 3 weeks of flu like symptoms where I didn't cry, then when the flu symptoms stopped, I started crying again. My question is will this ease so I can withdraw again at some time. 2. I have just got up and I feel so dopey, my eyes are full of muck and I can hardly focus - why might this be like this so far after a reduction when I have read here that it takes a couple of weeks for a reduction to start to settle. What I find is one of the worst parts of withdrawel is that no matter how much you try, the symptoms still haunt you. I am just feeling stuck and that no matter what I do I will never be able to continue the withdrawel - sometimes I think maybe it is because I am not continuing just a little withdrawing is why I feel so bad, if that makes sense. Thanks a million, Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted April 20, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 20, 2013 Hi Poppy, I am so sorry that you are still feeling so miserable - maybe it would be worth trying to updose back to 150mg .... I am not quite sure if you are on 112 if the same risk of hypersensitivity exists when you reducing as with a CT... Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted April 20, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 20, 2013 Hi Poppy, I just merged todays post with your original thread, it helps with continuity if we stick to one thread in here and people can see your whole story. I think as it's been going on so long and not getting any better it would definitely be worth trying an up dose, you've had two really big drops and I think you're still feeling the horrible impact. I wonder if instead of going all the way to 150mg it might be worth trying to go up a smaller way and seeing if that helps, say 130mg? many people do find that reinstating a little bit helps a lot, it's not a backwards step if it makes you feel better, then if it works you can taper the rest much much slower. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
poppy Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Hi, I haven't been on here for quite a while. I have come down from 225mg of Extended release Venlafaxine in about 2 years. Went from 225mg to 150mg then 112.5mg then 75mg and now at 37.5mg. I have not had a drop since October last year, I haven't felt well enough to. I know that I have taken too big a drops but my GP has been so unhelpful. Anyway since it is so long since the last drop I do not want to try updosing. The problems I am having at the moment are - I went out to family in the US in April this year and came back on 1st May. Before I went I wasn't happy as larry, but I was coping. Out there I coped really well and was ok. Two weeks after I got back I started to feel worse and it continued. I was crying, panicking and felt so dopey and out of it. I think I just started to pick up and 7 weeks later I went to the US again as we have family problems over there and I didn't have any option. Again I coped ok, though whilst there I had nightmares, a really big nose bleed and cystitis. Again I am two weeks back and am feeling terrible again. My question is why might this happen, I can't understand it. I normally take my tablet at 8am here in the UK, but of course in the US it was at least 5 hours after. Sorry this is so long winded. Thanks for listening, I feel so alone. Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted July 31, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hi Poppy, I'm sorry to hear you are having a bad wave. It does sound like its connected in some way with your travel, but I don't know how. Maybe others will have some ideas. I'm sure it will pass. Have a look in our symptoms and self care section for some ideas about taking care of yourself. I hope you are feeling better soon. Petu. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted July 31, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hi Poppy, stress can certainly affect us in withdrawal. I moved house this year and coped very well throughout the process but crashed afterwards. 2 weeks ago my grandson came to stay and I did ok while he was here but now he has gone and I've crashed again. I wondered if the activities just kept me occupied so I wasn't focussing on the withdrawal but I don't really believe that, I am the person who keeps her head when everyone else panics, I am the one who will get through harrowing situations.......then fall apart after it is over. Since taking effexor and then withdrawal the falling apart bit is worse and takes an age to climb back. Maybe that is the case with you too? Maybe it is a bad wave that would have happened anyway. Whatever the cause, it is temporary and will pass, hang in there! **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
poppy Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hi Petu and Mamma P, Thanks for replying. I hope I stabilise somewhat. Mamma P - I hope you feel a bit better soon too. I am a bit like you, I cope with things in a crisis when others don't and then when the 'thing' has ended I crash and people wonder what's going on with me. Take care both of you. Poppy 2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit. Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine. 2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg 2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine. 2014 75mg venlafaxine. 2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks. Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably. Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much. Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine. 8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime. No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March. 26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again. Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well. Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now. Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal. Link to comment
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