Lexy: tapering off Effexor

[Altostrata]

Lexy, please do not experiment with any new drug regimen until you see your new doctor.

[Lexy]

I am not changing anything. I'm trying to hang on, this is the worst I've felt. I thought vertigo and headaches were bad.

[Newbeginning]

Were you having this much difficulty when you were tapering slower? I'm confused about that. If you were, then that's a good indicator that the faster taper could have triggered all this.

 

If you had this much difficulty in the past though, it doesn't seem like the extremely slow taper is working that well for you. In that case, you might want to consider doing things differently *once you're stable*.

 

Cross-taspering with prozac does increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, but at the low dose of effexor you're taking, it's less likely. Everyone metabolizes the meds differently, so it is always a risk. However, given all the side effects you're having, it's a possibility you could consider. Not right now though. Everyone is advising you avoid changes to get stable and it seems like the wisest thing to do right now.

 

Do you have access to a therapist at all? I think a therapist might help you cope with anxiety and depression while you get more stable.

 

When you were in school, did being engaged or going out of the house help? I think being alone at home can sometimes make us more aware of emotional problems and maybe even make them worse?

 

There are some cognitive exercises you can do at home that might help. Have you tried Worry Time or the Mood Gym?

 

Worry Time helped me some when I had a lot of anxiety. Here is one version of it: http://www.anxieties.com/102/self-help-practice-4-create-worry-time#.U580XCjLL2Q

 

The way I did it is a little different. I would write down my worries, but don't allow myself to worry until worry time. Worry time is a set time you choose in which you sit for 30min to 1 hour and allow yourself to worry. It has to be the same time every day, any time you want but not right before bed. During the day, you try to distract yourself from the worrying thoughts. You write them down and then stop them as best as you can. Then when worry time comes, you look at all the worrying thoughts and allow yourself to worry. Over time, this seems to decrease the amount of time we spend ruminating and decreases anxiety.

 

The mood gym is a website with interactive exercises based on cognitive therapy for depression. It's free and cognitive therapy helps many people. Here's the link: https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

 

Hope some of it helps

[Lexy]

I went to see my new doctor yesterday. He is a psychopharmacologist.

I was very apprehensive, however he made me feel comfortable from the start.

He validated that everything I am going through is from the effexor.

 

I told him the I had tried Prozac for 3 days before effexor in case he was going to tell me about the Prozac bridge. He said I should NEVER have been given effexor. It is not the right drug for PTSD and he feels that anxiety was a symptom of that, not a separate condition.

 

I did mention using the medical marijuana and he replied that only masks the wds. He did not tell me to stop taking it.

 

Finally he said that many people can not get off effexor w/o taking something else to alleviate withdrawals. He prescribed lamictal 12.5 mg specifically by Teva.

As I've written before I'm very fearful of taking other drugs. Has anyone been on lamictal? I'm trying to research this med before starting it.

[Annabel]

Hey Lexy,

 

I was reading about Lamictal (lamotrigine) an anti-epileptic and anti seizure medication. It appears there are a great deal of side effects (as with many meds) and plenty to read about online. It seems to me it would be a step backwards to add it to your daily drugs. Personally, I would try and get through without taking any new meds but it is completely your decision and your body and I am not feeling what you are feeling. I am sorry to hear you are still having such a rough time with it all. 

Wishing for you - peace and calmness with whatever you decide to do.

[Lexy]

I am terrified on going on another med but at the same time I can't take this wave of depression. It's been 3 weeks now without it getting better.

 

New doctor prescribed lamotrogine (lamictal) to help stabilize mood.

And suggested l theanine.

He also said not to change or decrease effexor for now.

 

He told me I shouldn't have been prescribed effexor in the first place. I should have had talk therapy for the

PTSD I was having after traumatic event. And also that the anxiety was a symptom of that and not a condition.

 

I don't whether to start this new drug, so afraid I'll end up worse if that's possible.

Although this new doctor is a psychopharmacist. He seemed to have a lot more knowledge of Meds and how they worked and interact.

I need advice

[Newbeginning]

As I said in my thread, I would ask him about his experience using lamictal to cross taper.

 

I took lamictal and it did not have any side effects. At the lower dose he's prescribing, most people wouldn't either. Of course your body might react differently when you're in withdrawal.

 

I personally would not be as scared of prozac, since you're likely to use a much lower dose to taper than you used to treat depression. At that lower dose, you might not get the depression or anxiety you got before. Again, you're in withdrawal, so things don't work as usual.

 

Obviously, no one knows for sure. The safest thing is to at least make an educated guess and try something that has worked for others in similar situation.

 

That would be prozac at the lowest dose you can get away with and still have a cross tapering benefit. Start very low and increase only if you don't get any improvement in your symptoms.

 

Don't discount lamictal though. It might be a viable option, but you need some evidence that it has worked in the past for people in your situation.

 

I feel for you. One thing to be thankful for is that you're on break from school. And you're very young. Those two things are in your favor.

 

I feel dizzy now, but I'll try to look up info on lamictal to cross taper when I get a chance.

 

All the best. So sorry you're stuck in this bad place right now.

[Lexy]

Thank you for being a friend.

You can count on me too.

[Altostrata]

I found very low-dose Lamictal helped me recover from prolonged withdrawal syndrome. Side effects are usually dosage-related: They get worse as the dose gets higher.

[Newbeginning]

There you go. It's worth a try. You're in a very bad place now. Three weeks of severe depression is a lot to deal with. The dr sounds like he has had experience with this. But do ask for your own reassurance.

 

If it was me, I would try the lamictal.

[Lexy]

Thanks I'm reassured now. I will give it a go.

I just haven't had any windows since I started this drug.

 

My new doctor is awesome. I can't wait to see him again.

I had always known that effexor was not right for me.

 

Thank you Alto for your recommendation...it's good to know there are real good doctors out there.

[Lexy]

Second day on 12,5mg lamotrogine. I am feeling very clammy, jittery, had irritability then turned to depression.

I was checking out other people's posts who are bipolar and on lamictal/lamotrogine and some had felt better on a higher dose.

 

Im so confused ...not sure if I should have started on 5mg which is children's dose.or if higher foes will stabilize withdrawals.

Trying to remain calm.

[Altostrata]

Please work with your new doctor, Lexy.

[Newbeginning]

I know how hard it is to wait but you need to give it at least a few days before you decide the dose is too high or low for you. Since it's a completely new medication, I'd give it a week.

 

Call the dr and report what you're feeling, ask about how long you should wait, etc. His reassurance can make a big difference on your anxiety level.

 

I know it's not easy, but try not to focus on all the changes in your mood. Find something distracting or soothing, like a funny tv show or an engaging movie or talking to a good friend, getting a massage or a warm bath, going out for a ride in the car. Even taking a nap...whatever you can master to do.

 

If you focus on every mood change and emotion you have, it might amplify their effect.

 

Wish you well!

[Altostrata]

Good advice, NB.

 

Lexy, you need to learn to be consistent. Do not jump around in dosage. This has gotten you in trouble before.

 

You need to keep notes on paper about your daily symptom pattern. You also need to distinguish from symptoms and your worry.

 

Please work with your doctor. That's what you're paying him for, right?

[Lexy]

Yes

My parents told me to call my new doctor to let him know these new symptoms (jitteriness, disorientation, anxiety, heart racing) but I decided to wait.

I have a phone appointment with Dr Prey on Tuesday. I understand I have to work with him to find a correct dosage.

Thank you for your support.

[trouper]

hi lexy,

are the symptoms getting any better as the days go on or staying the same?

hopefully you are getting some relief in your withdrawal symptoms by now.

take care!

[Lexy]

Hi Trouper

 

No not yet…Can't til i speak with my doctor.  Trying to do what he says, as I feel I can trust him more so than the other doctor I've been seeing for almost two years.

[Lexy]

My new doctor took me off 12.5mg Lamotrogine. He feels that I am too sensitive and was not feeling any better on the depression after 5 days.  Side effects on the Lamotrogine were anxiety, tremors, nausea, disorientation, losing my balance and uncontrollable rage over inconsequential things.  I thought he would have tried to have me on a small dose of the lamo but instead he told me about a new drug that came out last August called Brintellix.

 

I am supposed to wait until he receives samples for this new med.  In the meantime he agreed with that  it was ok to convert some of the Effexor XR to Immediate release to see if that helps.   

However I am so afraid to change anything now, especially trying this new med.  I need help and advice. Please.

[Lexy]

Other than taking new meds which I have been very adamant about until recently, my options are:

 

1.  updosing effexor a little - I updosed from 40.37 to 40.5mg last week, it hasn't worked.

 

2.  switching back to immediate release

 

3.  Bridging with Prozac- I took Prozac for three days (before starting Effexor ) Prozac gave me thoughts of suicide so quickly, that i got scared and stopped them.  However I am already feeling deep depression starting at 10:00 am how much worse can it get?

 

4. Trying this new med-Brintellix which is not well known.  I feel like a guinea pig.

 

Can anyone advise?

[Lexy]

Ive been in a bad place for a month...how much longer?  I havent decreased during this time. Please anyone?

[trouper]

did l-theanine make you feel any better?

sorry i can't advise on tapering.

[Lexy]

Does it only help with anxiety? I feel lamictal side effects decreasing day by day...the anxiety has lowered. It's just this depression I can't seem to get a break from.

[Newbeginning]

Hi Lexy,

 

I wish I could advise you on tapering but I don't know enough. If the side effects of Lamictal are getting better, perhaps you can give it another week before giving up? But only do so in agreement with the dr because he needs to know how long you took it in order to decide the best way to taper you off of it. 

 

The other thing that comes to mind is that I would not assume every change in your mood or functioning is necessarily due to withdrawal. Reading your intro post, before you experienced any meds you had enough anxiety to be diagnosed with GAD, in addition to a history of trauma.

 

I know you would prefer not to use psych meds to help with emotional issues in the future and it's a wise decision given how sensitive you are to them, especially after going through withdrawal. Given that youy won't be using drugs and that there are important emotional difficulties that you have faced from a young age even before you tried drugs, I think it's very important that you try other approaches to alleviate anxiety, depression and trauma.

 

Psychotherapy is the first thing that comes to mind. Is that accessible to you at all? If you have never tried therapy before, there are several strategies that have been well researched, which have helped alleviate symptoms of depression, trauma and anxiety on many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, relaxation training, and mindfulness based cognitive therapy are some of the therapies that have helped others with your difficulties.

 

I would look for a therapist who has a lot of experience in one or more of these approaches. You're very young and you're intelligent and insightful. You can learn a lot still and the brain can change a lot from learning.

 

Besides, being able to do something to help yourself will help you feel more empowered. Right now the powerlessness of depending on the drugs and their effects on your brain are probably contributing to your anxiety and depression.

 

Hope some of this helps. Are you in summer break from school?

[Lexy]

Thank you for thinking of me.

 

Doctor took me completely off the Lamo. Idk why he didn't not want me on a lower dose. I hear other people gave benefitted even from a 1.25mg.

 

I feel the anxiety came from the lamo as I hadn't felt anxiety as much before using lamo.

Also the irritability skyrocketed. Thank God both have eased off a bit.

[Newbeginning]

It's possible he noticed you had a strong reaction to a dose that is low to start with so he did not want to keep you in it too long and risk more worsening of the mood symptoms. He's new to you and has to be cautious, especially since you were reporting severe depression.

 

Don't despair. If we are patient and allow our bodies the time to heal, we can get through this.

 

Try to forget about all this withdrawal s**t and do something relaxing today. Even just a ride in the car, a walk in the park, a pedicure, a pijama "party" with your best friend. Anything that keeps your mind off your problems and is soothing and pampering. You deserve it

[trouper]

hi lexy,

when i was initially put on lamotrigine, i felt some benefit but i had really uncomfortable side effects. because of the benefit, my doctor chose to decrease my dosage to see if the side effects could be tolerable. since you didn't have any benefit and your side effects were worsening your symptoms, he probably decided it wasn't a good drug for you. 

l-theanine apparently lessens the glutamate activity, but its not as powerful as lamotrigine. also, some people can't tolerate it though so talk to your doctor first to see how much he wants you to try. if it raises your depression and anxiety, you should stop. when i take a lot, i have sleeplessness so i can't take too much.

[Lexy]

Trouper

So happy to hear you are having windows.

Exactly how were you benefitting when starting lamo?

[Lexy]

Has anyone heard of Brintellix? My new doctor would like me to try this new med...after trying lamitrogine I'm very apprehensive to start another.

 

He will call me tomorrow to let me know if he was able to acquire samples.

He said this new drug has a half life of 66 hours.

 

I just don't know whether to keep going only with effexor or add something to alleviate this depressive wave.

I need advice please.

[Lexy]

How long will this antidepressant induced depression last?

Should I increase dose? Its been more than a month.

[Lexy]

How long does one take to stabilize (depression wave) if I am already going so slow.  Could it have been that instead of my usual taper of 1.5 % per month I went twice as fast to 3% during month of May.

[Altostrata]

Lexy, you should be talking to your doctor.

 

Consult Dr. Google about drugs. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortioxetine

[trouper]

i noted in my thread here that i started to see benefit in 4 days. the side effects still made me feel pretty miserable though. i think the way i feel lamo helps me the most is after i get stressed or anxious, the ickiness doesn't come on as strongly so its a bit of reenforcement. i still had depression for awhile. i still get it.

 

hopefully your appointment with the doc went well.

[Altostrata]

Lexy, did you talk with your doctor about continuing to decrease your dose?

 

When you say you have depression, how does it feel? Is it constant?

 

Please keep your questions about your own taper etc. in this topic, all in one place.

[Lexy]

I spoke to new doc and he says the anxiety i've been having lately might be due to the Lamictal withdrawal, I've been off over a week now.  

I see him next week to pick up samples of Brintellix 2.5mg. 

I've been hearing mixed reviews on this new drug.  The regular dose is 20mg so I guess starting at 2.5mg might be ok since I'm so sensitized to these drugs.

 

He also said I could try switching more of the effexor XR to immediate release.  I am so scared of trying anything at this point.

 

Still having depression which starts upon awakening and increases later in the day. Anxiety is mixed in, funny thing is that when I get the anxiety the depression lowers and vice a versa.

I have been holding on my taper.  

[Altostrata]

I think you should work with him on all of this. Don't do something that he doesn't know about.