Purplestars22 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Well done on your tapering, you are almost there. Follow the mods advice and you will be fine. Celexa 20mg 2008-2012 for Social Anxiety Failed attempt to stop reinstated 1 year taper skipping doses Celexa free 12/2013 1/2014-5/2014 took 5 htp every other day Failed Reinstatement 5mg of Celexa on 12/2014 for 5 days only Link to comment
jen84 Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 I'm scared about making another drop. I think I'll give it one more week. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
Nino Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Just want to say I am so glad I've read your thread .. Can now see that my drop from 37.5mg effexor to nothing will be a long slow process but you give me hope that with patience we can all get there in the end ???? be proud of yourself Trying to come off Effexor (venlafex XL 37.5mg prolonged release) second attempt tried two years ago and it's was the worst thing I ever experience in my life ... Was pill free about 10 days up until yesterday 9/8/15 when I had to take a tablet was feeling lost, confused, sick to my stomach, diahrea, brain zaps, crying, tired not tired, foggy brain, feel about twice my age and I'm only 35 .. I know some people say that it takes a few weeks for it to work but a lot of my mental symptoms have cleared today still emotional but no brain zaps and can string a sentence together ... Scared I might have to take this amount forever to be able to function!! Have been on Effexor for 5 years + not sure anymore don't have anyone who understands this and would really like some help to come off it without the life stopping side effects .. This is starting to effect my marriage and children's lives as I just don't really care through the fog!!???? feel so stuck in my life and can't move on don't know what to do!! UPDATE: Have managed to reduce my dose of 37.5mg by taking out beads Am taking out 40 beads a day now(started with 10 then 20 etc) - hold this for about 4 weeks depending on WD symptoms Night sweats are crazy, low energy at times, WD gets worse around my period and my mood plummets but realise now it's just a phase and does pass All in all feeling better but have to remind myself to take each drop slowly as it can take up to two weeks for body to show WD issues Update March 2016 Now taking out 100 beads from a 37.5mg generic Effexor .. Dropped by ten every 4 to 8 weeks except last drop went from 80 to 100 beads and can feel the difference in mood which is low, don't care, foggy head etc etc but going to stick it out for now as it will pass ???? Link to comment
jen84 Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 It'll be another week before I drop... Just not quite ready. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Dropping to 2 today. I'm really nervous about this drop, but I'm sure things will be fine. Fingers crossed it goes as smoothly as my last drop. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Plugging away at life. Things are going fairly decent, no real withdrawal issues yet. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 ive been quite "moody" today, feeling in the dumps tonight. I hope it's gone tomorrow. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 So far, things have been going fairly well, no major issues. Today is a rough day, well, I guess this weekend has been rough. Is it part of withdrawal if I question everything about myself and my life? I feel so lonely, and insecure. I suppose I have always felt this way, but this withdrawal just makes it worse. I was told recently that I come across as unstable... unstable in my life. WTF does that mean? I am trying so hard to live a normal life, but now I am questioning everything. Am I one of those people that never figures out their sh*t? How am I supposed to find a significant other if I am unstable? No, I am not 100% happy with my life... I know I need to get out and do more stuff and meet more people, but sometimes the thought of meeting new people scares me. These thoughts keep coming and going... Being still and inactive is my biggest enemy, but I have to figure out a way to turn my brain off when I am still, especially while going through withdrawal. Overall, I think I am doing fairly good, hopefully this is just a bump in the road. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
AliG Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Jen, I think it is part of life to question everything about yourself & life, but when these drugs are involved , everything gets " amplified" !! Emotions get "stuffed down" for years on the medication, and then in withdrawal, they re- surface, but in an " explosive " way. Who is to say , who is " unstable". Often people see in others what they don't like in themselves. You sound good, and you're working through your problems, in a state of "awareness", that "they" probably don't have. I have said, in the past "withdwawal is the gift that just keeps on giving" !! ( in a sarcastic way !) LOL ! However , lately , even though I sometimes feel like I'm "going through hell", I'm starting to see how this is "strengthening", in a way that others can't possibly understand, unless they have been there. This has given me a more underlying compassion for people & their problems , that I might not have had, if I had not gone through this. I feel that I've grown & become a better person for it. I try to " see the light" in all this & that is what I 've found. I hope you have too. Happy healing ! Ali . Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
jen84 Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Thanks Ali, After being told I come across unstable, I took it very personal... But then I thought about it, and of course I'm unstable... I'm coming off Effexor, duh! for many years, my emotions were stuffed down, I didn't realize how stuffed down until I started coming off Effexor. It's a wonderful feeling having a clear head, and not being in a fog. I feel that I've improved 98% since this time last year, and I have a feeling I will gain the next 2% when I'm completely off Effexor. Then I'll gain another 10% when I come off Wellbutrin, for a 110% recovery! -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
AliG Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I'm sure you will be 110 % Recovery !! I'm glad you have a " clear head" & " no fog". We probably all need to get out & do more " stuff" & meet more people etc. etc. But baby steps ... One step at a time. All in good time. Be gentle with yourself. You're doing well . Ali. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
jen84 Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 I haven't really been having any issues, minor anxiety, but that's about it. It's been just over 4 weeks since my last decrease. I'm in no hurry to drop again, so I might give it another 3 or 4 weeks. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 tomorrow I will be dropping to one bead! I'm a bit nervous, but after the last three drops it shouldn't be too bad. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 I will not be dropping today. I've had anxiety yesterday and seems to be lingering around today. I started drinking coffee a few weeks ago, and I think that's the main culprit. Today is day 2 without caffeine. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 I dropped to my last and final bead today! 4 down, 1 to go! -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 22, 2015 Administrator Share Posted October 22, 2015 How are you feeling? 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
jen84 Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Hi Alto, So far, so good. A bit nauseous today, but not too bad. I quit the caffeine a week ago and the little bit of anxiety I was having went away. Here's to hoping this goes as smoothly as my last drops! -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Alto, do you think it was too soon? -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 I am feeling withdrawal. Anxiety mostly, and my sleep is being affected. Not sure if I should bump it back up to 2, or ride this out? It's nothing compared to what I have been through, but not having it at all would be nice. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 3 week update... doing pretty good, minor anxiety. Not too concerned about it. I think I'll give it another month before I make the last and final drop -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Its been a while since i've been on here... so it's about time I gave some sort of update. Things are going good, and I think in a few more weeks I will take myself off this last bead. To think, I am only a few weeks away from being effexor free... what a wonderful thought!!! I haven't really been experiencing any withdrawal, very minor anxiety once in a while. When I think back to this time last year, I can't believe how far I have come. All you wonderful people helped me through one of the toughest things I have ever experienced. The knowledge that can be crammed into one forum is incredible, and I am so thankful for it. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!! -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Aww so happy for you x 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
jen84 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I am off Effexor! I dropped the last bead today, fingers crossed this goes as smoothly as the last drops -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
btdt Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I am off Effexor! I dropped the last bead today, fingers crossed this goes as smoothly as the last drops Way to go Jen! WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
jen84 Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 It has been just over one month since coming off effexor. Things are going as good as can be expected. My anxiety is more frequent, but thankfully I have had lots of time to learn how to deal with it. When I am not having a good day, I let myself feel the emotions, and I let my body rest. It seems to last a day or two, then I am back to normal. I can't believe how good I feel, on my good days that is. I have never felt like this, or at least I dont remember. I will give this another month or two, then I will start the wellbutrin decrease. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 17, 2016 Administrator Share Posted February 17, 2016 Good for you, jen! 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 ChessieCat Posted February 17, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 17, 2016 Hi Jen, I've just read the beginning and end of your thread and I'm very impressed that you have managed to get from 5 to 0 beads. Doctors would probably laugh at it, but here at SA we know what an achievement it has been. Well done. CC * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
btdt Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 So happy to read this Jen peace to you WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
jen84 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Two months Effexor free! Things are going fairly well, I am experiencing some anxiety once in a while, but it seems to be calming down. In no rush to start the Wellbutrin, but looking forward to the day that I can start coming off that too. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 28, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 28, 2016 Woohoo!!! That's great news. Don't forget to update your signature! These might be helpful: Audio: How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes Audio: First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hello All!!! I hope everyone is doing well, and has had a great summer. Its been about 6 or 7 months since coming off effexor, and I am feeling great! I have had a wonderful summer, and am looking forward to winter. I feel like a brand new person! I bought a mountain bike in the spring, and I think that was my saving grace. Nothing like riding up a mountain as fast as you can to help kick anxiety to the curb. I spent almost every weekend this spring/summer on that thing, what a great investment. Anyways, I went to my family doc today, and we discussed coming off wellbutrin. At first he wanted me to decrease 50mg every two weeks, I suggested 50mg every two months. I am currently on wellbutrin SR 150mg. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions? -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
AliG Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hi Jen. You sound pretty wonderful. I'm so happy for you. The biking sounds amazing. You are lucky to live in Canada as I imagine there are many beautiful bike trails etc. with equally stunning scenery. Sigh... Regarding the Wellbutrin taper, even though some have tapered quite quickly with good results I would apply extra caution and perhaps taper by 10 % taper method at least in the beginning until you know how your system is tolerating the decrease. There are some members who have struggled with tapering this medication, and I think it's wise to take it slow. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Please remember where you have come from and the progress that's been made. I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose that and that's what you risk with a too fast taper. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thanks for the reply Ali, I guess what I am inquiring about, is how to taper the wellbutrin SR at only 10%? My understanding is that if the tablets are cut up, the time release coating is no longer effective, and would turn the SR into an IR? I find the whole wellbutrin taper very confusing, with all the different types (xl, xr, sr, ir) and I thought I read somewhere that not all of these options are available in Canada? I also read on the "Tapering" section, that decreasing wellbutrin by 50mg should not be a problem for most people? I am not really a fan of decreasing by 50mg, but I am not sure how else to go about this. -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 13, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 13, 2016 If you cut the tablet and lose the extended-release aspect of the coating, you treat the medication as an immediate release and split the dose into 2 or 3 doses/day. The first post in the Tapering Wellbutrin thread is long, but there is information there about tapering immediate release bupropion. The Health Canada Drug Product Database lists (link to search results for "bupropion") shows XL and SR versions. You can always ask a pharmacist about what's available. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Ok, just want to make sure I am understanding this correctly... I am currently taking 150mg SR once daily in the morning. The doc gave me a prescription for 50mg SR, his thinking was that I take two 50mg's, to be taken once daily. however, dropping by 50mg may be too fast. So to start my taper, would i cut up one of the 50mg pills, say in half? that would put me at 125mg... would I take all of it once daily still? Or would i have to take some in the morning and some in the evening? I thought I read that even if the SR is cut in half, it makes it an IR, but if stored correctly, it can still be taken once daily? -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
jen84 Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 I just realized that I am actually taking 150mg XL, and not the SR -jan14 2016- off effexor!!- wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half -Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg Link to comment
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