Jump to content

Robdog: 3 years off Venaflaxine and i am still not right


Robdog

Recommended Posts

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

 

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

 

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

 

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

 

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

 

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

 

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

 

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

 

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

 

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

 

Thanks in advance:)

 

 

 

 

Link to comment

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

 

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust  -

 

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

 

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

 

Before you consider going back on this drug.

 

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

 

Here are just some recent threads:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

 

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

Hell hath no fury as an SSRI scorned.....

 

Prozac:   20 mg 1996 – May 2003 CT to 0 mg; by Aug 03 CRASH then protracted WD 3 yrs

Zoloft:    2004 few weeks;, CT to 0 mg

Effexor:  2005 few months CT to 0 mg; bad withdrawal. 

Lexapro:  10 mg from 2009 – 2011; cut dose in half to:

Lexapro:    5 mg from 2011 – Feb. 2014; CT to 0 mg; 2 months of fatigue, followed by:
Aug - Oct 2014 Lexapro WD Insomnia Wave; sleeping very good from Nov 2014 - Nov 2015; broken sleep pattern Dec 2015 - Jan 2016

Dec 2014 - present: Brutal Lexapro WD ear ringing/head ringing/head pressure lasting for 14 months now.

 

24 months SSRI-free  

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome Robdog,

I'm so glad you found us. I agree with clearday, congratulations with getting off Venafalxine and staying off.

 

What you are describing sounds like a symptom of protracted withdrawal. I'm very familiar with those sudden feelings of dread which come from nowhere, I've been having them too, ever since I stopped taking lexapro several years ago. Its a feeling like nothing I'd ever experienced previously. For me, they are slowly diminishing. I've also become much more spiritual since going into withdrawal and find it has helped with acceptance of the symptoms.

 

In some ways I see the whole withdrawal experience as being one, long forced meditation session which is transforming me into a more evolved version of myself :)

 

I particularly relate to what you wrote here:

My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

Withdrawal anxiety is a physiological thing and not something we have any control over. These thoughts and sensations come out of nowhere, the result of a glitchy nervous system, still trying to re balance itself. The way I feel my mind has been strengthened by this experience is not to become better at controlling anything, but in its ability to recognize these things as impermanent and meaningless and to let them go. Its not easy, because they can be very intense at times, but its good practice.

 

I've been completely drug free for just over 2 years now and even though I'm still having symptoms daily and have a ways to go before being recovered, I wouldn't consider taking another psychiatric medication now, not with everything I've learned about them.

 

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us.

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

In our  Finding meaning  forum you will find discussions on meditation, spiritual practices, including Buddhism and other ways members have found meaning in the withdrawal 'journey'. You are welcome to join any conversation or start your own.

 

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

Please feel free to write whenever you want, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

 

Petunia.

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

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

 

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust  -

 

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

 

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

 

Before you consider going back on this drug.

 

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

 

Here are just some recent threads:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

 

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

 

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

 

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

Link to comment

Welcome Robdog,

I'm so glad you found us. I agree with clearday, congratulations with getting off Venafalxine and staying off.

 

What you are describing sounds like a symptom of protracted withdrawal. I'm very familiar with those sudden feelings of dread which come from nowhere, I've been having them too, ever since I stopped taking lexapro several years ago. Its a feeling like nothing I'd ever experienced previously. For me, they are slowly diminishing. I've also become much more spiritual since going into withdrawal and find it has helped with acceptance of the symptoms.

 

In some ways I see the whole withdrawal experience as being one, long forced meditation session which is transforming me into a more evolved version of myself :)

 

I particularly relate to what you wrote here:

My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

Withdrawal anxiety is a physiological thing and not something we have any control over. These thoughts and sensations come out of nowhere, the result of a glitchy nervous system, still trying to re balance itself. The way I feel my mind has been strengthened by this experience is not to become better at controlling anything, but in its ability to recognize these things as impermanent and meaningless and to let them go. Its not easy, because they can be very intense at times, but its good practice.

 

I've been completely drug free for just over 2 years now and even though I'm still having symptoms daily and have a ways to go before being recovered, I wouldn't consider taking another psychiatric medication now, not with everything I've learned about them.

 

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us.

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

In our  Finding meaning  forum you will find discussions on meditation, spiritual practices, including Buddhism and other ways members have found meaning in the withdrawal 'journey'. You are welcome to join any conversation or start your own.

 

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

Please feel free to write whenever you want, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

 

Petunia.

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

It has been a very strange 3 years since i stopped these meds, along the way i have had times of great clarity when i have never felt better in my life. I have had other times like this past 12 months mostly where i have felt pretty bad but through my Buddhist practice i am in a much better place to as you put it "see the impermanence" in the feelings. Feelings are just that, they are not a "self" or anything to cling to, this is very very hard to see though when they flare up strongly.

 

Along with the anxiety i get a lot of tension in my body, i get OCD about things and struggle to concentrate properly at times. I am so glad i found this site though as i have a doctors appointment on Monday relating to a skin condition and i was going to ask to go back on meds, now i know though that even after 3 years there is a chance things will improve i will see it out for sure. The last thing i want to do is go back on Effexor or any other brain altering medication. It has been so long though i was beginning to think the damage was permanent and i would never see any improvement. From having a brief look at some other threads though i dont think i have had it as bad as some.

 

In a strange way i am very thankful this has happened to me, since coming off these and having the problems i have had i have lost around 70lbs through a mainly vegetarian diet and yoga and walking as exercise. I have become a much better person through my Buddhist practice and although i have had some very tough times i can handle them in a much better way than i could before. My past way of handling problems was drink and drugs, now it is meditation and contemplation.

 

My skin is my main concern at the moment as my anxiety and other issues make my psoriasis flair up badly but im hoping to see a skin specialist soon. I am also going to stay at a buddhist monastery here in the UK on thursday for 3 nights to get a feel for it. I am hoping this will help me even more in my practice and coping with these feelings.

 

I will for sure look intom them Omega 3 oils and Magnesium when i get time and do something with my sig.

 

Thanks again for your time:)

Link to comment

Yes, people continue to improve after 3 years of withdrawal/recovery from SSRIs -

 

Here is one example of someone who was in very bad shape during withdrawal, yet by 4 1/2 years, feels largely recovered to normal.

 

It is a great story to read, it is short:

 

 http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3523-success-recovery-from-protracted-zoloft-withdrawal-and-pssd/

 

These medications often help people when they are on them for awhile.

 

But coming off them can be very brutal, or side effects develop, the meds stop working - and for pretty much everyone on here - the long term costs heavily outweigh the benefits -

 

Scientists are coming to the same conclusions, that these drugs cause more harm than good:

 

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00117/full

Hell hath no fury as an SSRI scorned.....

 

Prozac:   20 mg 1996 – May 2003 CT to 0 mg; by Aug 03 CRASH then protracted WD 3 yrs

Zoloft:    2004 few weeks;, CT to 0 mg

Effexor:  2005 few months CT to 0 mg; bad withdrawal. 

Lexapro:  10 mg from 2009 – 2011; cut dose in half to:

Lexapro:    5 mg from 2011 – Feb. 2014; CT to 0 mg; 2 months of fatigue, followed by:
Aug - Oct 2014 Lexapro WD Insomnia Wave; sleeping very good from Nov 2014 - Nov 2015; broken sleep pattern Dec 2015 - Jan 2016

Dec 2014 - present: Brutal Lexapro WD ear ringing/head ringing/head pressure lasting for 14 months now.

 

24 months SSRI-free  

Link to comment

 

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

 

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust  -

 

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

 

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

 

Before you consider going back on this drug.

 

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

 

Here are just some recent threads:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

 

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

 

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

 

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

 

Welcome Rob 

Thinking I am going a little crazy :) yep I know that feeling I know your history is in the first post but I was hoping to get you to put it in your signature please.  There are a lot of things we need to know post effexor wd so stick around keep reading will catch up with you after you have had some study and processing time.  Not all things you read will fit all people keep in mind we are all a bit different. 

peace

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

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

 

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

 

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

 

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

 

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

 

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

 

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

 

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

 

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

 

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

 

Thanks in advance:)

 

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off.  Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils.  Just stay away. 

 

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around.  You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic.  This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

 

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out.  You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site.  Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

 

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds.  Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds.  Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

 

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion.  I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

Link to comment

 

 

It's great that you are three years off Effexor. There are a lot of people on here who wish they could be off it for that long -

 

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a very strong drug, and withdrawal from it can take a few years for your body to readjust  -

 

Unfortunately, the same is true for ALL these SSRI/SNRI drugs.

 

You may want to read some of the stories on here of the extremely difficult and prolonged withdrawal effects people suffer for a few years after stopping the drug -

 

Before you consider going back on this drug.

 

Since you have three years off this drug, you may want to think about what could happen if you jump back on the Effexor train -

 

Here are just some recent threads:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8885-naturegirl-please-help/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8209-outdoorsman15-intro-and-experience-with-effexor-wd/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9092-freya13-effexor-withdrawl-6-months-and-counting/?hl=effexor

 

desvenlafaxine(similar to venlafaxine):

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8954-nick88-help-needed-9-weeks-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply i really appreciate it.

 

It is a relief to realize it is still withdrawal that is causing my issues. I have a feeling if i went into detail with my doctor about how i felt he would not listen to me and say there was some underlying issue causing my anxiety and other issues and just put me back on meds. Believe me this is the very last thing i want to do and seeing as other people have these long withdrawals i will see it out now, not matter how long it takes. I was starting to think i was going a little crazy.

 

I will read those other threads you posted in detail when i get more time but thanks again:)

 

Welcome Rob 

Thinking I am going a little crazy :) yep I know that feeling I know your history is in the first post but I was hoping to get you to put it in your signature please.  There are a lot of things we need to know post effexor wd so stick around keep reading will catch up with you after you have had some study and processing time.  Not all things you read will fit all people keep in mind we are all a bit different. 

peace

 

 

HI:) Should i put my whole history in there, ie recreational drugs used alcohol abuse etc or just my antidepressant use?

Link to comment

 

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

 

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

 

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

 

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

 

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

 

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

 

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

 

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

 

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

 

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

 

Thanks in advance:)

 

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off.  Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils.  Just stay away. 

 

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around.  You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic.  This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

 

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out.  You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site.  Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

 

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds.  Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds.  Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

 

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion.  I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your opinion. Now i have discovered this forum and realize even after all this time there is still a chance i will totally recover i will see it out for sure. I can handle the anxiety, it does effect my quality of life hence me thinking of going back on meds but this was down to the fact i thought i was gonna be stuck like this forever.

 

Had an interesting appointment at the doctors today. I went regarding my Psoriasis which is made much worse because of my anxiety. I asked to see a skin specialist and he said fine. I explained about my anxiety making it flare up and without another question he offered me meds! He did not ask me how bad it was, what my lifestyle was like, my diet etc, he asked me nothing just straight onto meds.

 

I told him i did not want to do this because in my opinion being on the meds in the first place then stopping them 3 years ago is what has made me alot worse. I basically said i was still withdrawing from them but he said this was not the case. He said its just underlying issues resurfacing because i stopped my Effexor and that some people need to be on the meds for life!

 

I told him no thanks i will stick with my meditation and buddhist practice but he was still trying to get me to go on them. I explained about my online reseach and this forum etc and he was still not really interested.

 

I think the problem is with doctors is they just go with what there told, until they are officially told these meds do long term damage when stopped they will just go on dishing them out. I told him i had minor symptoms when i started them and now i have stopped them its like all my problems has been made much worse.

 

Never mind though i know for sure i am not going back onto them.

Link to comment

 

 

Hi my name is Rob and im from the UK.

 

Im currently 39 years old, from the ages of 14 to around 35 barring around 18-24 months in that time i was a heavy drink and drug user. Thinking back now i think i did those things because i was depressed. I turned to heroin for a while from the ages of 20-25 and have been an alcoholic for most of that time but luckily i have managed to beat all my demons and dont even drink caffeine these days.

 

I was on Seroxat for years but obvioulsy with the heavy drinking they did not do much so i just stopped taking them around 10 or so years ago and did not suffer any ill effects.

 

Around 5 years ago a friend suggested i go on Venafalxine as i was feeling pretty low, 150mg per day slow release which i did. Again though as i was drinking i did not get much from them but as i planned to stop drinking shortly after starting them i remained on them.

 

Then 4 1/2 years ago i managed to kick my drinking habit once and for all and after a while i really felt the benefits of being on the venaflaxine, so much infact just over 3 years ago i decided i did not need to take them anymore. I went to my doctor and asked if there were any issues with me stopping them, she looked in a book and said no, just taper down over a few weeks and i should be fine.

 

I did as she said, to be honest i cannot remember how many weeks it took me to taper. I had the usual side effects i have read about but these did not seem to last to long. I did though get odd bouts of anxiety which i just put down to withdrawal. I have suffered anxiety for most of my life but this felt different, it was sort of a total dread sort of feeling for no reason at all. It was a horrible feeling but i just put it down to coming of the meds.

 

Just over 3 years later i am stil getting this anxiety, it has not been constant but i would say the last 12 month has been pretty consistent. I meditate a couple of hours a day and these bad feeling have actually lead me to discover Buddhism which has helped me alot but my quality of life is still affected. My skin condition (Psoriasis) flares up really bad when i get the anxiety feelings. I just know it is connected to these venafalxine although my doctor does not seem to interested. My mind is actually now pretty strong but it is like i have no control over these feelings, when i am like it i get alot of tension in my body also. I panic over the smallest thing and my mind wont stop racing even after meditating. I can almost feel the chemicals in my brain shifting if that makes sense, i can feel great one moment then anxious the next over nothing.

 

I dread to think what i would be like if i wasnt meditating and trying to to lead a peaceful life. I can get by feeling like this but i feel like its holding me back and need to do something about it, what to do though is the question.

 

I was close to going back to the doctor and asking to go back on the venaflaxine but im unsure if it will help after all this time, it really is the very last thing i want to do.

 

Has anyone got any advice they can give me? Am i going mad thinking i am still suffering from these meds? These feeling i get are the exact same ones i was having when i stopped them.

 

Sorry for the essay i just wanted to give as much info about mysefl as i could.

 

Thanks in advance:)

 

Sounds like you're actually doing pretty well at 3 years off.  Definitely don't go back on the pills, you'll probably just have a bad reaction and end up with nerve damage like I have from these pils.  Just stay away. 

 

Returning to drugs is probably not an option, as your brain will react much differently this time around.  You'll just have to figure out how to live with the anxiety and panic.  This will totally pass, might take a couple of years, but you'll be fine.

 

Again, you sound very very good for 3 years out.  You probably don't appreciate just how undamaged you are from these medications compared to some of us on this site.  Just stay away from psyciatrists, and let your brain heal over the next couple of years.

 

The WORST thing you could do is go back onto psych meds.  Recreational drugs are like 5X less harmful for your brain, as messed up and paradoxical as that sounds.  Unfortunately, you might not be able to handle drugs and alcohol like you used to, because the effexor may have caused semiperminant damage to your neurons making it more difficult for them to process the experience.

 

I could be wrong about all this, but that's my opinion.  I wish you all the best, sounds like you've overcome quit a bit only to be destroyed by psyciatry like many of us.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your opinion. Now i have discovered this forum and realize even after all this time there is still a chance i will totally recover i will see it out for sure. I can handle the anxiety, it does effect my quality of life hence me thinking of going back on meds but this was down to the fact i thought i was gonna be stuck like this forever.

 

Had an interesting appointment at the doctors today. I went regarding my Psoriasis which is made much worse because of my anxiety. I asked to see a skin specialist and he said fine. I explained about my anxiety making it flare up and without another question he offered me meds! He did not ask me how bad it was, what my lifestyle was like, my diet etc, he asked me nothing just straight onto meds.

 

I told him i did not want to do this because in my opinion being on the meds in the first place then stopping them 3 years ago is what has made me alot worse. I basically said i was still withdrawing from them but he said this was not the case. He said its just underlying issues resurfacing because i stopped my Effexor and that some people need to be on the meds for life!

 

I told him no thanks i will stick with my meditation and buddhist practice but he was still trying to get me to go on them. I explained about my online reseach and this forum etc and he was still not really interested.

 

I think the problem is with doctors is they just go with what there told, until they are officially told these meds do long term damage when stopped they will just go on dishing them out. I told him i had minor symptoms when i started them and now i have stopped them its like all my problems has been made much worse.

 

Never mind though i know for sure i am not going back onto them.

 

 

Doctor's are smart people, but for the most part they do just what they are told.  When the information that they are told is manipulated and in some cases just falsified, and therefore totally incorrect, you get a doctor that really thinks the data is legitimate and helpful but actually causes significant damage the the patients.  You might find the book "anatomy of an epidemic" by Robert Whitaker to be interesting, considering that you've arrived at this conclusion independently.

 

You'll probably fully recover if you're doing as well as you are at 3 years out.  My advice is to be patient with yourself and accept that some symptoms are worse now because of the medication that you took 3 years ago.  It's very powerful medication that affects the nervous system, and the endocrine systems of your body (seeing that seritonin and norepinephrine both influence A LOT of physiological processes).  Doctor's have no idea how powerful the stuff they are prescribing to their patients actually is, they just see patients responding well and assume that everything is OK - if a patient reports an averse effect, the doctors usually assume that there is something wrong with the patient (a totally irresponsible way to practice medicine, but that's how it goes here in the US).

 

Good luck, you'll be fine in a year or two from now (I know that sucks, believe me I know :(

Link to comment

Just wanted to pop in quick and say hello, and that i too came off Effexor very fast...that dread and panicky weird stuff started happening while I was still on my dose of 225mg and my Dr tried to help me by putting it up to 262.5mg. Things only got worse, its hard to remember now how it felt those months, I was in terrible shape. Then he told me to taper off that dose in 3 months, and he tried 3 different SSRI's in the year following because i was clearly in horrible shape. I finally began a slow 4 year taper to get off Paxil, the final drug they tried me on post Effexor. I am much MUCH better today (4 years since stopping Effexor). The other SSRI's only muted the Effexor wd a little bit, so i have a fairly clear idea of how the wd has progressed and I can promise you its nothing like it was back then. I do still get that weird dready feeling wash over me but its so mild now I am able to label it wd, and side step it. It doesnt interefere. Another interesting thing is I too have skin issues, excema, on the palms and fingers. Ive never had it in this way before and it started in wd. I can get flare ups leaving me bloody and blistered. I treat with cortisone when desperate and a non steroidal cream otherwise. I hope this dies down as I complete this taper and get more distance between me and the meds in general. Good luck to you too, I know how scary it is to think this is a new you, even though deep down you know exactly what caused this. the invalidation of the medical system is awful and just makes it all worse. But you're on the right track now.

2 Timothy 1-7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Effexor 75mg to 262.5mg 2005-2010 for post partum depression

Started having poop out mid 2010, also switched generic brands, then crashed in Dec 2010 (anxiety/ "terror", intense DR, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, chills, insomnia, horrible intrusive thoughts, disorientation, ect)
Rapid "tapered" from 262.5mg Effexor in 3 months

Tried Celexa,Cipralex, then Paxil to deal with wd(this switching made things worse and added akathesia)

Found online support and started tapering Paxil 7 months after quitting Effexor (at this point was having small windows).

Paxil taper: dropped 10% every 4-8 weeks

Year 1 October 2011 to Nov 2012 20mg to 10mg

Year 2 March 2013 to Feb 2014 10mg to 4mg

Year 3 April 2014 to May 2015 4mg to 1.1mg

Year 4 June 2015 1.1mg , dropping by 10% until .5mg, after then dropped by 0.1mg every 5 weeks until 0.1mg.

Finished! Official last dose of 0.1mg on June 15/16

Link to comment

 

Doctor's are smart people, but for the most part they do just what they are told.  When the information that they are told is manipulated and in some cases just falsified, and therefore totally incorrect, you get a doctor that really thinks the data is legitimate and helpful but actually causes significant damage the the patients.  You might find the book "anatomy of an epidemic" by Robert Whitaker to be interesting, considering that you've arrived at this conclusion independently.

 

You'll probably fully recover if you're doing as well as you are at 3 years out.  My advice is to be patient with yourself and accept that some symptoms are worse now because of the medication that you took 3 years ago.  It's very powerful medication that affects the nervous system, and the endocrine systems of your body (seeing that seritonin and norepinephrine both influence A LOT of physiological processes).  Doctor's have no idea how powerful the stuff they are prescribing to their patients actually is, they just see patients responding well and assume that everything is OK - if a patient reports an averse effect, the doctors usually assume that there is something wrong with the patient (a totally irresponsible way to practice medicine, but that's how it goes here in the US).

 

Good luck, you'll be fine in a year or two from now (I know that sucks, believe me I know :(

 

Thanks for your reply. I certainly hope i fully recover. I would say the first 18-24 months after stopping were actually easier than this last 12 months has been. One bout of panic and anxiety seems to be able to set me off for a long time, then it eases for a while then another bout and on the cycle goes.

 

Just knowing i am not going mad and others have experienced these symptoms and it seems much worse has made me determind to get through this.

 

I will take a look at that book. I know when i was a child you would go to the doctor and whatever was wrong with you the doctor would just know what treatment or medication was the right course of action. The last few years when i have gone to see a doctor, at least 50-60% of the time, they have actually looked in a book to see what was needed, the doctor who told me there would be no problems coming off Effexor did this. It is for sure as you say, they believe what they are told and have lost the ability of critical thinking.

Link to comment

Just wanted to pop in quick and say hello, and that i too came off Effexor very fast...that dread and panicky weird stuff started happening while I was still on my dose of 225mg and my Dr tried to help me by putting it up to 262.5mg. Things only got worse, its hard to remember now how it felt those months, I was in terrible shape. Then he told me to taper off that dose in 3 months, and he tried 3 different SSRI's in the year following because i was clearly in horrible shape. I finally began a slow 4 year taper to get off Paxil, the final drug they tried me on post Effexor. I am much MUCH better today (4 years since stopping Effexor). The other SSRI's only muted the Effexor wd a little bit, so i have a fairly clear idea of how the wd has progressed and I can promise you its nothing like it was back then. I do still get that weird dready feeling wash over me but its so mild now I am able to label it wd, and side step it. It doesnt interefere. Another interesting thing is I too have skin issues, excema, on the palms and fingers. Ive never had it in this way before and it started in wd. I can get flare ups leaving me bloody and blistered. I treat with cortisone when desperate and a non steroidal cream otherwise. I hope this dies down as I complete this taper and get more distance between me and the meds in general. Good luck to you too, I know how scary it is to think this is a new you, even though deep down you know exactly what caused this. the invalidation of the medical system is awful and just makes it all worse. But you're on the right track now.

 

 

Thanks for the support it is much appreciated :)

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA.  I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong!  You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything!  :angry:

 

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's  nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it. 

**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    :D 

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

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

Link to comment

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA.  I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong!  You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything!  :angry:

 

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's  nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it. 

 

I certainly wnot be going back on any psychotropic drugs thats for sure and thanks for the details about the cream:)

Link to comment

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

 

 

I used to do alot of bodybuilding and at that time in my life i was using anabolic steroids, just after i started using them that is when my psoriasis started. I was using no other meds then. My wife swears it was the steroids that initially started it although i haved a feeling it was the anxiety the steroids created in me.

 

I will say though i have noticed a massive increase in psoriasis since i came off effexor. Although again since coming off i have suffered with much worse anxiety so it could be that also.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Rob and Mamma, i have a question for both of you. No one in my family has psoriasis and i developed it at 45 years old an it quickly turned into psoriatic arthritis and it happened at the time paxil pooped out on me. Did either of you have it BEFORE you went on meds? It is autoimmune and i believe ssri use is a major factor as no one on either side of my family has ever had this!

Now you mention it, no I didnt have it pre SSRIs! Never thought of it being due to them but haven't had a flare up since quitting but did do a very slow taper which means no major withdrawal symptoms so far. I have arthritis which progressed rapidly after starting drugs and now have 3 joints replaced and get another one next week, didnt associate that with drugs either! 

**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    :D 

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

Hi Robdog, welcome to SA.  I am an effexor survivor, finally free of it after a 3 year taper. My doctor told me I would need it for life too, I moved to another area so don't see him any more but would love to see him just to tell him he's wrong!  You are well on the way to recovery and should stay clear of any psychotropic drugs, but it is typical of doctors to reach for the prescription pad and offer them for anything and everything!  :angry:

 

Re psoriasis, I have it but not severe and discovered by chance that Bepanthen nappy cream cleared it in no time! It was so bad and I didn't have anything in that I used some of my grandaughter's  nappy cream to ease the itching and it worked! I use it whenever if flares up but it seems much better now and havent used any for a few months. Not sure if it's the cream or being off effexor but it definitely helped when I started using it. 

there is no test for psoriatic arthritis 

https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriatic-arthritis/diagnosis/tests-to-confirm

 

drugs do trigger auto immune disorders including lupus who knows what else

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6722-auto-immune-diseases-triggered-by-ssri-withdrawal/

and

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2758-ssri-antidepressants-may-also-affect-human-immune-system/

 

drugs that can trigger psoriasis 

http://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/medications-that-trigger-psoriasis.aspx

and 

ssri drugs that trigger it

http://www.inspire.com/groups/talk-psoriasis/discussion/psoriasis-triggered-by-ssris-zoloft/

 

I have not read them all but there are connections. 

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

have you tried autoimmune paleo diet? since you have psoriasis, it would help that and probably also your mental wellbeing. 

in 2002- 0,5 tablet cipramil for half a year, ended it uneventfully. in 2006 - citalopram for half a year, ended in horrific state, ditched the drugs CT. 2007-2008 not feeling well but drug free. in 2008 prozac 20mg + quetiapine 25mg. 2009 tried to stop, ended up in hole after couple of months, started zoloft. 2009-2011 zoloft 50mg. went to 25mg in 2011 summer, it resulted in half a year horrible suffering. reinstated, changed drugs, nothing happened. by 2012 beginning suddenly felt great and CT meds. after 4 months came suddenly most horrible human suffering that's possible. was started on prozac and questiapine. started tapering slowly, GFCF diet and Hardy Nutritionals vitamins in 2013 summer. 

current medications: 1) fluoxetine and quetiapine since Aug 2012; 2) Daily Essential Nutrients by Hardy Nutritionals 7 capsules / since May 2013 + omega3; 3) Gluten-free-casein-free diet since june 2013

Started withdrawing slowly since april 2013. Mostly around 10% cuts. 

April'13 - March'14: fluoxetine 40mg -> 19,5mg; quetiapine 50mg -> 40mg
April'14-March'15: fluoxetine 19,5mg -> 14,4mg; quetiapine 40mg -> 22mg

April'15-March'16: fluoxetine 14,4mg -> 7,4mg; quetiapine 22mg -> 15mg

April'16-March'17: fluoxetine 7,4mg -> 5,0mg; quetiapine 15mg -> 7,25mg

April'17-March'18: fluoxetine 5,0mg -> 4,0mg; quetiapine 7,25mg -> 0 (as of 1st Feb 2018)!!!!

April´18-March´19: fluoxetine 4,0mg - > 2,3mg. Jumped off fluoxetine 1,4mg due to pregnancy in July 2019. Oct 2019 severe withdrawal syndrome started.

Took mistakenly a complex for hormonal support that included pregnenolone dec2019-april2020. Stopped it april 2020 and immediately severe akathisia started. Have had life threatening akathisia since, 100% disabled, suicidal, very hard to hold on. 

 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy