Brina Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Hello. I have been on effexor for about 6 years. It suddenly stopped working, I believe. I had a sudden severe anxiety, panic then depression and deep dark thoughts. Racing heart. Everything you would get on a cold turkey stop. But I was still taking my 150 every day. Anyway, after a week or so, I finally decided to change meds. I am being moved from 150 effexor to zoloft. I started out on 50 zoloft, now at 100. I was great for a few days, then started having some symptoms again. I'm taking 112 of effexor now. I worry that I may be actually getting g too much ssri, and that's what's causing my symptoms... shaky, internal tremirs feel weird, etc. But I really want to taper the effexor slowly l. Who has had experience going from effexor to zoloft. What was your titration schedule, and what was your experience. Dr's just don't seem to know! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 9, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 9, 2015 Hi Brina, Welcome to SA. The moderators will probably start this topic up as your Intro/Update Thread, so please keep asking any questions related to you here so that it will all be kept together. If you click on the Follow this topic (top right) or bookmark it in your browser you can find it more easily. Please make a signature of your recent medications (link will explain how to do this). Here is the link for tapering. I'm fairly new here too so I can't offer any help, other than the above, but someone should be popping in soon to assist you. Best wishes, CC * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft;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
Brina Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 Thank you! I've read all about tapering, but I'm sure it's different when using another medication. My dr of course says drop by 37.5 mg per week. Umm no. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted November 14, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 14, 2015 Welcome Brina, This is a site for support and information related to safely tapering off psychiatric medications, not switching to new ones. If you ever decide to come off your drugs and learn how to manage your life problems in more natural, healthy ways, we will be happy to help. 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 14, 2015 Administrator Share Posted November 14, 2015 Welcome, Brina. If you are taking Zoloft and Effexor at the same time, you need to talk to your doctor about serotonin syndrome. That could be the cause of your symptoms. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted November 14, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 14, 2015 Hello Brina, Just read your intro and wanted to quickly share what I wish someone had shared with me when my first SSRI stopped working. It would have saved me a lot of grief. I tried another SSRI, then another (see below for details). But after that first one pooped-out, nothing ever worked properly for me again. All the switching of meds and doses just messed me up more than ever, and I ended up so sensitive that now I'm on a very slow taper from Effexor. Anyway, I know it's your decision and I'm glad you are here where you can get some good information. I hope you find a path that brings you healing. KarenB 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
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